FORT WORTH, Texas — When Juliet Mwirigi’s family emigrated from Nairobi, Kenya, in 2013 she envisioned a career in civil engineering. She had completed three years of studies in Kenya, a “path quite different” from where she is today. That path ultimately resulted in her being named one of 25 recipients of the esteemed Hannah H. Gray Fellowship with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, which will fund her research of chronic pain.
She applied for the fellowship because of its “incredible focus on supporting diversity and innovation in science.” The selection process was intensive, but it allowed her to highlight her passion for advancing pain research and mentoring the next generation of scientists.
The fellowship provides each recipient up to $1.5 million over eight years (four years as a postdoctoral fellow and four years as a principal investigator). The funds will support Mwirigi’s salary, lab supplies and professional development to advance her career as a researcher and mentor. Currently, she is working on her postdoctoral research at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
Mwirigi earned her PhD at the University of Texas at Dallas in 2023. While there, she took a neuroscience class where she “developed a deep appreciation for how poorly the underlying biology of chronic pain is understood.” She made chronic pain the subject of her research because it affects the quality of life for billions worldwide. Developing non-addictive treatments has been limited despite significant financial investment.
Mwrigi started her academic journey in the U.S. at Tarrant County College Northeast. She chose that campus for its close proximity to Keller, where her family lived, affordable tuition and the wide range of course options.
“TCC provided an accessible and supportive environment to achieve my goals,” she said.
She built solid relationships with TCC faculty members and stays in contact. She credits one of her first classes, Introduction to Biology with Dr. Jean Maines, as fueling her passion for biology and scientific research.
Maines recognized Mwirigi’s research strengths and introduced her to the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation. The program supports partnerships between institutions of higher education and other organizations with the aim of increasing STEM degrees to underrepresented populations.
Through the program, Mwirigi conducted her first research project in the UT Arlington evolutionary biology lab in 2015, followed by research at University College London. “Being part of this program was a transformative experience that shaped my academic journey for years to come, even funding the first two years of my PhD at the University of Texas at Dallas,” she said.
“I am thrilled to see Juliet advance in her research career,” Maines said. “She was such a great student, and I’m proud that her foundational classes at TCC contributed to her success.”
Mwirigi also praises TCC faculty members William Kucera and Ann Triplett for their impact on her academic career. She said Kucera “went above and beyond” to ensure students understood organic chemistry.
Remembering one of Mwirigi’s campus visits after completing her coursework, Kucera cited her maturity, comparing it to “speaking with a young doctor.” He said he saw her “stepping into the role she was meant to fulfill — a young doctor with a passion for the field of medicine.”
She called Instructor Triplett, who taught precalculus, “exceptional.” Triplett led the Math Club at TCC Northeast, and Mwirigi said she benefited greatly from Triplett’s enthusiasm and guidance. Triplett has followed Mwirigi’s progress and said she knew Mwirigi would do well with her education.
Mwirigi has advice for students interested in STEM-related careers: “Be engaged, stay curious, ask lots of questions, and seek opportunities to join a lab and conduct research.” She also encourages them to find good mentors to guide their growth and help them navigate challenges.
Mwirigi says her mentors are a vital part of her success, along with her perseverance.
“It reminds me of how far I have come,” she said, “and it motivates me to keep striving for impactful contributions in science while inspiring others to pursue their dreams.”
Image Credit: Whitney Curtis / AP Images for HHMI
STEM Pathway – Tarrant County College
Tarrant County College is one of the nation’s largest higher education institutions and boasts the second lowest tuition of Texas’ Top 10 community colleges. A comprehensive two-year college with six campuses in Tarrant County and online classes, TCC offers a range of opportunities for learners of all ages and backgrounds, including Associate of Arts and Associate of Applied Science degrees; workforce and economic development programs; technical and skilled trades programs; and customized training for area businesses and corporations.