The University of Chicago hosts an NSF-funded Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) in molecular engineering program that offers undergraduate students attending non-research colleges or universities the opportunity to gain authentic research experience working in the research labs of Pritzker Molecular Engineering (PME) faculty members.
Applications for the Summer 2025 program are now open. Application window closes February 13, 2025.
Sign up for the Summer 2025 REU Virtual Information Session, taking place on January 22, 2025 at 1 pm CST.
Read about the research experiences of former students in the summer 2024, summer 2022 and the summer 2021 cohorts
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.
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 |
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.
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
Applications for Summer 2025 will open in November 2024.
Contact
If you have questions, contact Laura Rico-Beck at lricobeck@uchicago.edu.