Building the Next Generation of Wireless Researchers
May 15, 2026Here Come the Wireless Irish…..
The growth of undergraduate research within the Wireless Institute (WI) is transforming student research experiences and strengthening the Institute’s collaborative research environment. Through programs such as STRAND and the National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program, students are gaining direct access to hands-on research opportunities within WI laboratories while contributing to projects that address real-world challenges in wireless technology, sensing, and spectrum use.
This semester alone, nearly 100 graduate and undergraduate students were involved in some type of wireless research activity across the Institute, with the majority working directly inside WI-affiliated laboratories. The increase reflects a broader institutional effort to expand undergraduate research participation and create earlier pathways into engineering research.
One of the primary drivers of this growth has been the STRAND program, a newer initiative championed by both the College of Engineering and the University as a whole. The program was designed to introduce students to research earlier in their academic careers, allowing undergraduates to engage with faculty, graduate mentors, and active laboratory projects long before many students would traditionally enter research settings.
The impact of this initiative is already evident. Over the past 2 years, undergraduate researchers within the College of Engineering have increased by 57.5% across all student groups. This includes men, women, first-generation and continuing-generation students, as well as both underrepresented minority and majority student populations. The growth demonstrates not only rising student interest in research, but also the success of intentional efforts to make research opportunities more accessible and inclusive.
Inside WI laboratories, undergraduate students are not simply observing research, they are actively participating in it. Students contribute to projects involving RF communications, wireless sensing technologies, and spectrum-related challenges while learning how advanced research is conducted in real laboratory environments.
These experiences provide students with technical skills that go beyond the classroom and expose them to applied engineering practices early on.
“Not only did I feel as though I learned a great deal about RF circuit design and radio platforms working in the Wireless Institute, but I felt I made a real contribution to the team and RadioHound project! In just one semester I got hands-on experience with lab equipment and component verification, as well as RF PCB design in Altium. The most impactful part of being a part of RadioHound however, was being able to participate in weekly meetings and hold my own design reviews with the grad students. That’s when the team came together and I felt as if I was growing as an engineer holistically. The Wireless Institute positioned me well to be effective as a researcher and engineer as I move toward pursuing my graduate degree in RF.” Eric Foreman, Notre Dame Senior and STRAND Student in the Wireless Institute
“This project allowed me to explore the real-world implications of theoretical concepts at the same time as I was learning them in class, providing not only a real-world grounding of these topics but a tremendous source of motivation for my academic study of the topic. Specifically, I saw the real-life implications of sampling theory and analog filter design, allowing me to see how engineers utilize theory to solve problems in creative ways. For me, this captured what it means to be an engineer and confirmed the academic path I had chosen. I also had the opportunity to interact with and learn from graduate students and professors, giving me a window into how the people behind engineering operate.” Alonso Pacheco De Loera, Notre Dame Sophomore and STRAND/REU Student in the Wireless Institute
The benefits of these programs extend beyond just undergraduate education. Graduate students working within the labs play a critical role as well in mentoring undergraduate researchers. They provide real technical guidance while developing leadership and supervisory experience of their own. Mentoring undergraduate teams allows graduate students to strengthen communication, project management, and teaching skills that are essential in both academic and industry careers.
This collaborative structure has helped foster a research culture that connects students across academic levels. Undergraduate and graduate students work together on shared technical goals, creating teams that support both research productivity and professional development. For the faculty in charge of these labs and teams, the growing number of student researchers has created a more active research environment while giving faculty the opportunity to work closely with students much earlier in their academic careers.
“Mentoring younger graduate and undergraduate students has been not only educational for the mentees, but for me. On top of mentees’ questions finding gaps in my knowledge (have to make sure I know what I’m talking about!), working on both the technical and project management sides of a project has developed me as a leader. I feel confident working with and leading fellow engineers. I appreciate the opportunities from the Wireless Institute to develop as a researcher and a leader.” Chris Wahl, PhD Student in Wireless Institute
“Serving as a graduate student mentor has been an important part of my research experience. It has helped me improve my communication, leadership, and project management skills while giving me a broader perspective on how collaborative research is carried out in the lab.” Bingyan Lu, PhD Student in Wireless Institut
As participation continues to grow, the Wireless Institute has become a hub for student research and mentorship. The success of these programs highlights the value of early research engagement and
demonstrates how hands-on laboratory experiences can prepare students for future careers within the engineering field. By working in the labs on collaborative research projects, students are developing not only technical expertise but also the communication and problem-solving skills that are critical within today’s workforce. Through this model, the Wireless Institute is helping to cultivate a pipeline of future engineers with practical experience working in team-based research environments.
Story by Julia Hahn. The Wireless Institute at Notre Dame. For more information on this story or the Institute contact us at wireless@nd.edu