Portland State University (PSU) continues its operation of a multidiscipline research experience for undergraduate site, the only site of its kind in the greater Portland region. This site has been successfully operating for the past nine years and has achieved a high level of participation from women and minorities. While the objective of the REU site will continue to focus on inspiring undergraduate students to pursue careers in science and engineering by involving them in hands-on research, new emphasis will be placed on sustainability. We will offer students nationwide the opportunity to take part in cutting-edge research spanning nanomaterials synthesis, characterization of biological and geological samples, nanodevice fabrication and investigations concerning the impact of atmospheric trace gases on climate change. Through a concentrated summer program, the participants will obtain technical training, conduct independent research, visit local high-tech industries, present their research at an REU symposium, and publish their papers in a specially designed online journal. The REU summer program will begin with a training week including workshops on laboratory safety, library database searches, graduate school applications, and the greater impact of their research. Also offered is an intensive short course that trains students in using electron & focused ion beam microscopy and spectroscopy for material and device characterization. Students will then use these acquired skills in research projects offered by faculty from seven departments. It is highly anticipated that REU participants will leave the summer program with a quintessential skill (electron microscopy) applicable to all disciplines and a broader perspective of the impact and feasibility of sustainable technologies.
Overview: The Portland State University (PSU) Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program began in 2001 under the direction of Prof. Jun Jiao, who sought to provide opportunities for undergraduates to be involved in graduate-level research projects with the faculty at Portland State. The program begins with a week of intensive training sessions, dubbed "Training Week", which involves both lecture-style and hands-on training sessions led by members of the PSU faculty. Participants also spend several sessions in the Center for Electron Microscopy and Nanofabrication (CEMN), learning to operate one of many high-powered microscopes. This training is invaluable and novel for the students, many of whom would not otherwise get the chance to train on and use equipment of this caliber during their undergraduate careers. After the aforementioned training week activities conclude, participants spend the next seven weeks working with their assigned faculty mentor in a laboratory, putting their newly-learned skills to good use on practical applications, all of which are designed to allow the students to contribute to the overall goals of their faculty mentors’ ongoing research projects. Weekly group meetings, followed by short seminars, serve to reunite the participants in an environment where they can share their individual experiences in their respective labs and discuss any roadblocks they may face over the course of their research. Seminars give the students a chance to learn more in-depth information about a variety of pertinent topics, including public speaking, technical writing, and careers in academia vs. industry. The program concludes with the Student Research Symposium, a day-long event during which participants present the results of their work to their fellow students and researchers, family and friends. Intellectual Merit: The REU program at PSU allows students from both the quarter and semester systems to become active members in chosen labs and develop skillful research capabilities that bolster their credentials when applying to graduate schools. By participating in graduate-level research activities, students gain a unique chance to role-play what life beyond a bachelor's degree can offer in terms of opportunity, enhanced credentials, and an advanced skill set. Since its inception in 2001, over 155 students have been mentored through the REU program, with over 80% of graduated seniors continuing on to graduate school. Moreover, at least 57 publications have REU participants listed as co-authors. In addition, several years ago PSU’s Office of Academic Affairs established the Undergraduate Leadership Awards (former Scholarly and Creative Activity Grants) aimed at encouraging highly motivated undergraduate students to become involved in scholarly or creative activities with faculty members. More than 20 REU participants from PSU have received this award based on their accomplishments in our summer REU program. With this support from PSU, students were able to continue their research projects beyond the scope of the summer REU program. Portland State’s REU program also allows participants a glimpse into careers in science and industry through a series of field trips to local high-tech companies. The FEI Company has hosted more than 10 summer field trips for REU participants, which include a tour of their world-class instrument demo facility in Hillsboro, OR, and a detailed introduction seminar for several high-powered instruments, including SEM, TEM, and FIB microscopes. REU participants also have the chance to interact with the scientists and engineers and ask questions about their research and industrial experience. Other field trips have included Nike In-House Manufacturing in Beaverton, OR, and a day of volunteer outreach education at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry in Portland, OR. Broader Impact: The Portland State REU program strongly encourages the participation of student groups traditionally underrepresented in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields; as a result, 81% of participants have been females and minorities. In 2012 Portland State made the decision to add students with Veteran status to the list of student groups targeted for recruitment. The decision was based on a survey conducted by IAVA (Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America), which suggests that veterans have high educational aspirations; among those who only have a high school diploma, three-quarters hope to achieve a college degree or more (74%). The survey also shows that 44% of veterans reported that they are either a full-time (30%) or part-time (14%) student. In addition to providing a strong experiential learning program based in science and industry, Portland State is committed to increasing the presence of underrepresented groups in the STEM fields. Partnerships with Oregon State University’s Johnson’s Scholars program, the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, and Oregon Saturday Academy’s Apprenticeships in Science and Engineering, as well as a generous grant from the National Science Foundation, continue to make this possible.
