REU site: Interdisciplinary Renewable and Environmental Collaborative (IREC)

This Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) site award to the University of North Dakota, located in Grand Forks, ND, supports the training of 10 students for 10 weeks during the summers of 2027-2029. In this program participants pursue collaborative research projects, with a focus on environmental chemistry, chemical engineering, biology and atmospheric sciences. Participants also take part in a professional development and ethics training program, with a focus on science communication and preparation for graduate school or industrial careers. The Interdisciplinary Renewable & Environmental Collaborative (IREC) REU program engages students in cutting-edge research at the interface of chemistry, chemical engineering, biology and atmospheric science with a common focus on emerging technologies and sustainability. Research projects are aligned with NSF’s priority areas of Advanced Manufacturing, Biotechnology and Microelectronics and Semiconductors, and will address societally important challenges, including wastewater treatment using biological systems, atmospheric chemistry and air quality, quantum dots for bioimaging and sensing, degradation of organic contaminants, sustainable materials, and related environmental and engineering applications. The defining feature of the IREC REU Site is its interdisciplinary, team-based mentoring model. Each participant will be co-mentored by faculty from multiple disciplines and will work alongside graduate student mentors within collaborative research teams. This approach exposes students to diverse scientific backgrounds and methodologies. Participants will also engage in a comprehensive professional development program that includes presentations on scientific communication, responsible and ethical conduct of research, graduate school preparation, career exploration, data science, and leadership. Students will also participate in community outreach activities designed to enhance science literacy and strengthen connections between university research and the broader public. Cohort-building activities, seminars by professors and graduate students, and opportunities to present research findings will further develop participants' confidence, communication skills, and professional networks. 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.