Several National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs) and Fellowship programs at Notre Dame have welcomed undergraduate students to campus this week from across the country and around the world to collaborate with faculty and their associated researchers this summer. Students will join research groups in various laboratories and other locations to hone their research skills and knowledge in areas of most interest to them. Programs that support undergraduate researchers at Notre Dame span multiple colleges and schools, centers and institutes, and departments.
For the past three years, certain REU and Fellowship programs have joined together to provide professional development and social opportunities for undergraduate students to gain additional knowledge and experience outside their normal research environments.
This year, something new has been added to the schedule. Students will have the opportunity to learn about other research areas by attending a Brown Bag Luncheon Seminar (BBSS) every Wednesday. Faculty from each of the participating programs will share their own research experiences and provide information about various research programs within their own departments, while discussing related career opportunities. Other professional development events will focus on preparing students for the summer undergraduate research symposium, where students will present their research projects and results to a broader audience.
The learning doesn’t stop there for these students. Because so many of them are from other universities and unfamiliar with Notre Dame, a few social events have been scattered throughout the typical 10-week period to help them become better acquainted and to also have a little bit of fun. Some of the events include speed friending at Legends, ice skating at the Compton Family Ice Arena, a scavenger hunt, and a DVT show and pizza party at the Jordan Hall of Science.
Overall, 145 undergraduate students will be invited to participate in these events. “It is gratifying to know that so many talented students from around the world are attracted to Notre Dame,” stated Tiffanie Sammons, coordinator of the Wireless Institute’s REU. Knowing this and realizing the amount of valuable experience students will gain from researching with Notre Dame faculty, the entire planning team echoes this enthusiasm and agrees, “It is only fitting that we make sure when students leave campus, they will reflect fondly on their time at Notre Dame, and when they return to their home universities, they will say, ‘I had the best summer ever!’”
The REU and Fellowship programs with undergraduate students participating in research and other professional development and social events are listed below. Please join this group in welcoming undergraduate students to campus and helping them feel at-home.
Center for Nano Science and Technology (NDnano), Fellowships
Center for Research Computing, REU
Center for Sustainable Energy at Notre Dame (ND Energy), Fellowships
Department of Biological Sciences, REU
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Fellowships
Department of Physics, REU
Notre Dame International, iSURE
The Graduate School, SROP
Wireless Institute, REU
The list of professional development and social events can be viewed here. The REU and Fellowship programs thoughtfully and appreciatively recognize the speakers, coordinators, and other contributors who generously volunteered their time to make this calendar possible. The 10-week program for most summer researchers will conclude Friday, July 26.
For more information, contact Barbara Villarosa, Business and Communications Program Director, Center for Sustainable Energy at Notre Dame (ND Energy) at 574-631-4776, bvillaro@nd.edu.