Overview of the REU Program

Steven A. Jones

Created for Louisiana Tech’s NSF-FundedResearch Experiences in Micro/Nano Engineering

Program

Overview of the Program

10 week experience during the summer

Work in the laboratory

Monday/Wednesday Lecture/Workshops

Social & fieldtrip activities

Bullwinkle’s corner

What is NSF Interested In?

Attracting students to STEM careers

Student training

Student publications (conferences & journals)

Students as independent researchers

Participation of underrepresented populations

Cross-pollination among institutions

What is in it for the student?

$400/week stipendHousingFoodLaboratory experienceA connection with a researcherConnections with students at other

institutionsLetters of recommendation

Lecture/Workshop Topics

Formulating a research questionProject planningDocumentationEthicsExperimental designData analysis and hypothesis testingCommunication (Reports, Proposals,

Presentations, Writing, Graphics)Word, Excel, Powerpoint

Bullwinkle’s Corner

Presentations by faculty on topics of interest to them, but not necessarily related to their laboratory work.

Examples Mills: Forensic Science Jones: Physics of music Sawyer: Unanswerable questions Johnston: Physics of horses Anderson (History): Impact of technology on history

What’s in it for the Mentor

Supply funds ($600)

A pair of hands

A chance to hone your skills as a mentor for short-term projects

Connections to other institutions

Communicating with the Student

Daily emails (informal)

Weekly summary of activity.

Action plan for each week.

Group meetings.

Feedback from other students (e.g. a graduate student mentor).

Communicate with Dr. Jones

Show Enthusiasm

Why do you think your work is important?

Why do you think your project is interesting/fun.

Show that you have a life outside of the lab.

Share anecdotes/stories.

Social Activities

Lab parties/socials.

Encourage socialization with your other students.

Encourage the student to participate in REU-sponsored activities.

Action Plan

Each objective includes Title The objective to be accomplished The deliverable The target date

Objective ExampleTitle: BACKGROUND READING AND LITERATURE REVIEW ON LBL

ASSEMBLY & NANOFILMS

Objective: (1) Identify literature on the application of LbL assembly to biomaterials for cell and tissue engineering.

What cells have been studied?What materials have been studied?What are the major assessment techniques?What questions have been asked?What controversies have arisen?What questions remain to be answered?

Deliverable: (1) 1 page summary of findings, (2) Copies (paper, pdf) for our Lab files.

Target date: JUNE 10th. A longer summary will be due AUGUST 1ST.

REU Expectations for Your Lab

Content Area

Laboratory Techniques

Safety Considerations

Expected work hours

Documentation

Communications

Meetings

Example Expectations

Content Areas from the Literature LbL assembly & NanoFilms Biomaterials for dental implants TMJ research Osteoblast cell biology

Laboratory Skills LBL assembly method Cell culture Immunocytochemistry Protein Assays