NSF Award Brings Chemistry Department National Recognition

To the average undergraduate, disciplines like chemistry pose a major challenge. That’s one reason that the chemistry department sought--and won--NSF support to participate in its highly competitive program called Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU). NSF’s goal is to enhance the future workforce in designated disciplines like chemistry. Although essential to the technical progress of the country, these fields have experienced recent declines in interest from college students. REU is designed to encourage capable undergraduates, particularly women and minorities, to become involved in undergraduate research, attend graduate school, and become professionals in their fields.

McMicken’s chemistry department proposal not only addresses this objective but boasts a novel feature. In addition to providing a 10-week summer research program for students and a twice-weekly professional development program/lunch, it will also include participation by Sibrina Collins, a minority faculty member from Claflin University in South Carolina. She will conduct research and help mentor the student participants, one of whom is an undergraduate at her own institution. Collins will work with Bill Connick, associate professor.

Students will receive $3,500 scholarships and campus housing, in addition to partial support for travel to and from Cincinnati and to a regional or national meeting to present their research findings after completing the REU. A wide range of research opportunities are available, and participants will have the opportunity to interact with nationally and internationally known faculty. A social program will help to foster camaraderie in the group and provide exposure to the greater Cincinnati area.

Bruce Ault, who spearheaded the grant application, notes, “We are happy to have been able to attract 11 very capable undergraduates from colleges and universities around the country for summer 2005. With the help of our faculty research directors and a number of individuals who will make presentations for our professional development program, we anticipate a very productive summer. Our REU students will present their research findings in a departmental poster session at the conclusion of the program in mid-August.”