​Undergraduates from across the Country Attend ASU’s NSF-REU Summer Research Program

By Hazel Scott/ASU

Eleven undergraduate students from across the country pursuing a degrees in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) traveled to Alabama State University to participate in the University’s NSF-REU program’s 10-week Summer Undergraduate Research Training program, which runs through July 26.  

“One of the goals of the REU program is to prepare undergraduates for a successful transition into STEM graduate programs. We anticipate that this exciting research experience will lead to the successful pursuit of graduate degrees in STEM fields by this year’s participating students,” said Dr. Komal Vig, professor of Biology, who serves as the principal investigator of ASU’s National Science Foundation-Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF-REU) program.

Participants, Vig said, are training with acclaimed ASU researchers who are involving the students in ongoing “hands-on” scientific research projects, including exciting and stimulating experimental research training experience in bioengineering, embryology, laser-induced break spectroscopy (LIBS), cancer biology, nanobiotechnology, and more.

Students also will participate in scientific lecture seminars, scientific writing and speaking, graduate and professional schools’ guidance, career opportunities in academia and industry, professional and developmental skills activities.

“Various training workshops are being conducted for students, including ‘Can artificial intelligence advance tissue manufacturing,’ ‘Introduction to the frog Xenopus laevis as a model organism for Biomedical Research,’ and more,” Vig added.

The program’s educational experiences include trips to HudsonAlpha, NASA Rocket and Space Center Huntsville, Auburn University, Hyundai factory in Montgomery,  and downtown’s  Legacy Museum, Museum of National Justice and Peace. 

Program participants were selected in a nationwide competition from the following colleges/universities: Alabama State University, Dillard University, Jackson State University, Savannah State University, Southern University and A&M College, University of Tennessee at Martin, The College of New Jersey, University of Central Florida, and Lawson State Community College.

The program provides each student a $600-a-week stipend, on-campus housing, meal and travel allowances during the 10-week period.

Vig is part of a team of ASU faculty researchers assisting in the implementation of the summer REU program, which is funded by the National Science Foundation. 

“I’m very excited to provide this hands-on exciting research experience, showcasing ASU research capabilities to this group of enthusiastic students,” Vig said.

 

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is funding ASU's Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program.     

“Alabama State University is honored to have been chosen by the National Science Foundation to help stimulate these young scholars in its REU program so we might get more undergraduates to study and advance scientific study, which ultimately helps America,”  Vig said.

The program culminates with a Research Symposium on July 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the John Hardy Student Center Students will present their research as poster presentations, with a luncheon and awards ceremony afterward. The final symposium is free and open to the public.