REU Site: Interdisciplinary Research Experiences in Nanotechnology and Biomedicine

Advancing biomedicine will increasingly require a new generation of researchers proficient in approaching research challenges across multiple disciplines. However, few investigators are taught the distinct tools and intellectual approaches of multiple disciplines. Thus, students of engineering may be unfamiliar with the complexity of experimental, hypothesis-driven research, while students in biomedicine may be unaware of quantitative processes and emerging tools of engineering and nanotechnology, or how such tools have applications in biomedical research. The objectives of this REU site program are to provide an interdisciplinary research experience at the interface of nanotechnology and biomedicine to undergraduate students, leveraging the diverse interdisciplinary expertise, resources, and training opportunities in this area at the University of Georgia (UGA). The Site will host 10 REU students over a 10-week summer program in which the students will participate in existing, interdisciplinary research projects that apply nanotechnology to specific biomedical questions. Each REU student will be co-mentored by paired faculty from the nanotechnology and biomedical disciplines on a collaborative research project. In addition to a total-immersion and hands-on research experience, REU students will participate in enrichment activities that include ethics-in-science workshop, weekly presentations on interdisciplinary research, what to expect in graduate school; career workshop; facility tours; presenting research findings at conferences. The REU experience is expected to expand participation by training the next generation of scientists and engineers in interdisciplinary research endeavors. This REU Site program's central theme is an interdisciplinary research experience in nanobiotechnology, with research projects co-mentored by faculty in nanotechnology and biomedicine. The existing world-class programs, facilities, collaborative research culture, and inclusive environments at UGA create a strong setting for this interdisciplinary site. Students will be recruited nationwide with particular emphasis on students from STEM limited institutions. Through the program, students will (1) design hypotheses-driven research experiments to solve biomedical problems with engineering tools; (2) develop skills for conducting interdisciplinary research; (3) gain confidence and a sense of self-efficacy to participate in science and engineering research, (4) develop a greater understanding and appreciation for the benefits of interdisciplinary research. Research mentors will also gain expertise in mentoring students in interdisciplinary research. This program serves as an opportunity to bring together researchers across different disciplines, fostering a collaborative atmosphere at University of Geogia. Materials will be disseminated to public through publications, conferences, and learning communities. Outreach efforts include continuing the collaboration with high school teachers in a summer research experience to develop classroom materials based on the REU participants’ research findings. This project is jointly funded by the NSF Engineering Education and Centers (EEC) Section and the NSF Electrical, Communications and Computing Systems (ECCS) Section. 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.