REU Site: Applied and Computational Mathematics

The University of California, Los Angeles Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site will provide intensive summer research opportunities in applied and computational mathematics. Each year, the program will support twelve undergraduate participants in an eight-week research experience that explores how mathematics is used to address emerging challenges in science and technology. Through faculty mentorship and collaborative research, students will develop the analytical, computational, and communication skills needed for graduate study and STEM careers. By engaging participants in research and professional development, the program contributes to the preparation of a highly trained scientific workforce and broadens pathways into advanced study and research careers. The summer experience will culminate in student presentations that communicate research outcomes to the broader scientific community. Research projects will investigate mathematical and computational questions arising from rapidly developing areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum information science, biotechnology, healthcare, and the physical sciences. Working in small teams with UCLA faculty mentors, students will combine mathematical analysis, computation, and data-driven approaches to study modern scientific problems. Instruction and mentoring will be integrated throughout the program, ensuring that participants acquire both the technical foundation and the research experience needed to contribute to future advances in science and technology. By connecting fundamental mathematics with real-world applications, the program advances undergraduate education while fostering the next generation of researchers in applied and computational mathematics. This REU Site is supported by the Department of Defense in partnership with the NSF REU program. 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.