This Chemistry Division award supports a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) site at the University of South Dakota (USD) for the summers of 2006-2008. Andrew Sykes is the site's program director. Program components include 1) an intensive ten week summer research experience for students, 2) weekly photodynamics/nanoscience learning workshops, 3) social events, and 4) communication activities comprising weekly student seminars, an end-of-summer poster session and attendance at national meetings. Research activity focuses on photodynamics, nanoscience, and the blending of these two areas. Eight USD chemistry faculty and an additional investigator in physics participate as mentors in the program. Recruitment and participation in REU by Native American students is a high priority of this program. All participants will be expected to participate in local (IdeaFest-USD), regional (SD State Capitol, regional ACS) and national conferences (ACS, NCUR) as well as to contribute to peer reviewed science publications. This award is co-funded by the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR).
