Research Experiences for Undergraduates

The Program

• The Program

  The program is open to 10 students during a 10-week summer research experience and features:

  • Support from a mentoring team of PME researchers in conducting mentored scientific research;
  • Immersion in the University’s research culture, including faculty research seminars and lab safety and ethics training;
  • Science communication training and the opportunity to present your work to the University community;
  • Resources and support for the graduate school application process; and
  • Guidance preparing a written report of your work, and possible follow-on mentorship beyond the summer to write technical reports and possibly prepare a paper for submission to a conference.

  Based on students' preferences and faculty availability, each student will be assigned a faculty mentor and a graduate student/postdoc supervisor, and will design a research project in close consultation with those mentors. Active participation in that research project will be the main focus of the summer experience, and students will be expected to participate in research for 40 hours per week for the full 10 weeks.

  Example research projects include: self-assembling polymers for nanomanufacturing, immune system engineering to prevent and treat diseases, quantum material development for next-generation information and sensing technologies, and molecular-level energy storage and harvesting tools and techniques.

  To apply for the REU Program in Molecular Engineering, complete the online application by February 13, 2025. Successful candidates will be contacted by mid-March. 

• Research Projects

  Based on students' preferences and faculty availability, each student will be assigned a faculty mentor and a graduate student/postdoc supervisor and will design a research project in close consultation with those mentors. Active participation in that research project will be the main focus of the summer experience, and students will be expected to participate in research for 40 hours per week for the full 10 weeks. 

  Possible research project areas include self-assembling polymers for nanomanufacturing, immune system engineering to prevent and treat diseases, quantum material development for next-generation information and sensing technologies, and molecular-level energy storage and harvesting tools and techniques. Take a look at past participants' projects. 

  PME REU Faculty

  Faculty	Research Project Areas
  Chibueze Amanchukwu	Design of modern electrolytes, electrocatalysis engineering
  Junhong Chen	nanomaterial FET sensor fabrication, sensor design and characterization
  Nicolas Chevrier	organism-wide immune dynamics, multiscale gene expression
  Andrew Cleland	control of superconducting qubits, qubit hardware development
  Aaron Esser-Kahn	mechanisms of trained immunity, small molecule immunomodulation
  Andrew Ferguson	self-assembling DNA lattices, deep generative protein design
  Margaret Gardel	messenchymal cell migration, optogenetic cell force sensing
  Alex High	control of quantum color centers, acousto- and electro-optic modulators
  Chong Liu	critical element separation, bio-inspired membranes
  Nadya Mason	2D materials lithographic patterning, cryogenic transport measurements
  Peter Maurer	protein-based quantum sensors, optimizing quantum sensing systems
  Juan Mendoza	engineering protein signaling networks, host defense against viral infection
  Shirley Meng	sodium-ion battery anode sodiation, sodium-ion battery cathode cycling
  Cathy Nagler	gut microbial allergy regulation, homeostasis in intestinal mucosa
  Shrayesh Patel	energy storage and conversion, polymer materials characterization
  Stuart Rowan	dynamic covalent adaptive networks; redox active polymers for batteries
  Allison Squires	photodynamics of quantum emitters, imaging of biomolecular condensates
  Melody Swartz	engineering tumor-immune systems, mouse models of cancer
  Matthew Tirrell	Liqui-liquid phase separation, polyelectrolyte coacervates
  Shuolong Yang	quantum device fabrication, topological insulator superlattices
  Tian Zhong	space-to-ground laser communication, storage of light in quantum memories

• Eligibility

  To be an REU participant, you must be a US citizen or permanent resident enrolled in (but not yet graduated from) an accredited undergraduate college degree program with a major in a STEM field.

  We select REU program participants from a nationwide pool. Our target students tend to share the following characteristics:

  • Strong background in chemistry, physics, biology, or computer science as well as mathematics
  • Sound past academic performance
  • Interest in attending graduate school and pursuing a career in science

  We also aim to increase participation by members of traditionally underrepresented groups in STEM (women, minorities, persons with disabilities) and first-generation college students, and those attending a college or university where research opportunities are limited.

• Benefits

  After you’re chosen to participate in the program, you’ll be registered at the University of Chicago (associated costs and fees will be covered by the program). Benefits include:

  • $7,000 stipend
  • Modest travel allowance
  • Housing and meals for the duration of the program
  • Access to libraries, athletic facilities, and substantial discounts to University-sponsored social and cultural events

• How to Apply

  Applications for Summer 2025 will open in November 2024.