REU Site: Summer Undergraduate Research in Chemistry and Biochemistry at Miami University

This Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) site award to Miami University, located in Oxford, OH, supports the training of 10 students for 10 weeks during the summers of 2024-2027. In this program, funded by the Division of Chemistry, participants will participate in wide-ranging, independent and collaborative research experiences in chemistry to develop and refine students’ experimental skills and enhance their ability to work as part of a research team. The combination of intense research, professional development, and cohort building will provide the next generation of scientists with a well-rounded experience and strong encouragement to continue in one of the many areas of science as a career. Many undergraduate chemistry and biochemistry students often lack exposure to scientific research career opportunities or opportunities to apply critical thinking skills to open-ended research. This REU Site will provide those opportunities. Students will choose from research projects in analytical, biological, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry, with most projects being interdisciplinary, such as bioanalytical, bio-inorganic, biophysical, and nanotechnology. Students will also participate in sessions that will cover several topics associated with professional development, such as writing research proposals, scientific presentations, ethics in science, careers in chemistry and biochemistry, and activities to expose students to various job opportunities including science policy. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.