2024 Summer REU Program in Chemistry & Environmental Science | Department of Chemistry & Environmental Science

Program Dates: May 26, 2024 – August 1, 2024
Organizers: New Jersey Institute of Technology
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Site Directors: Professor Wunmi Sadik and Dean Kevin Belfield

Priority Application Deadline March 1, 2024

Program Flyer | Introduction | Research Mentors | Application | FAQs

Introduction

This REU Site at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) is supported by NSF to provide undergraduate research experiences on BioSensor Materials for Advanced Research and Technology (BioSMART) at the Environment and Biotechnology Nexus. BioSMART capitalizes on the interdisciplinary biosensor research opportunities for undergraduates (UG) at NJIT in the departments of Chemistry & Environmental Science, Biological Sciences (Federated with Rutgers), and Chemical & Materials Engineering and the members of the BioSMART Center.

The program provides a unique learning experience by introducing UG students to the rapidly growing and technologically relevant research field of biosensors through their designs, development, characterization, and applications. Students participating in this project will receive a $6,000 ($600/week) stipend for the 10-weeks program, free accommodation, and a host of career development activities and industrial visits. The program is designed for four-year and community college students interested in completing graduate school or attending professional school and who have not had substantial research experience. Most students in this category will be rising sophomores with credits in introductory Chemistry, Physics, and Biological Sciences with a grade of B or better. Such scholars are not bound by location, are interested in exploring the STEM discipline with an interest in technology and innovation, and are willing to explore the STEM environment that NJIT offers.

Participants Benefits

Stipends of $6,000 and free accommodation for 10-weeks
Attend an interactive three-day Research Boot Camp on biosensors and a series of seminars on practical aspects of research
Conduct immersive research under the close guidance of mentors in the laboratories and field experience.
Participate in professional developments, team-building, mini-workshops, and basic training on lab safety, cultural competency, and online resources
Present research accomplishments in scientific conferences
Participate in career opportunities and Authentic Teach the Art of Dissemination© workshop

Eligibility

College sophomores, juniors/rising seniors with interest in chemistry, biochemistry, environmental science, nanotechnology, and biosciences
Women and students with disabilities, LGBTQ+, underrepresented minorities, and non-traditional students are encouraged to apply.
Undergraduate students supported with NSF funds must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its possessions.
You must be enrolled in a US college and have not received your bachelor’s degree by this summer

Requirements

Perform full-time research with the mentor for 10-weeks. Each participant cannot take any summer course or job during the period
Submit NSF-GRFP Style Graduate Research Application by the end of the program
Present research outcomes at scholarly communities or national conferences
Make a presentation at the NJITCampus-wide Undergraduate Research Innovation Conference
Participate (faculty, postdocs, graduate students, and program coordinators) in the regular summer orientation program NJIT offers
Respond to all blinded questionnaires administered during the summer (weeks 1, 5, 10).

Research Mentors

A central feature of this REU site is the interdisciplinary mentoring research team that will provide direct research exposure and mentoring to the students. Faculty pair in each interdisciplinary team around a project goal, and students work together and across labs to increase exposure to different techniques. We expect to have 10 REU students placed in groups of 2 or more.

Faculty Mentor	Institution	Research Interests
Omowunmi "Wunmi" Sadik	CES-NJIT	Biosensors, biorecognition, sensor materials, and applications for environmental, biological, and field testing
Sara Casado-Zapico	CES NJIT	Biochemical techniques applied to Forensic Sciences: epigenetics for age estimation, “omics” technologies for post-mortem interval determination, body fluid identification, improving DNA extraction techniques
Hao Chen	CES-NJIT	Analytical and biological technologies for environmental and forensic mass spectrometry
Trevor Del Castillo	CES-NJIT	Polymer Chemistry, Organic Synthesis, Polymer Characterization, Material Properties Determination, Sequence-defined Polymer Synthesis/Properties, Drug/Gene Delivery, Pharmaceuticals, Automated/Flow Chemistry, Polymer Recycling
Michael Eberhart	CES-NJIT	Inorganic chemistry, organometallic chemistry, electron transfer mechanisms, chemistry at interfaces, and catalysis
Edgardo Farinas	CES-NJIT	Protein Engineering, Directed Evolution, Protein Display, Enzymes, Biotechnology
Alex Khalizov	CES-NJIT	Understanding the chemical and physical mechanisms responsible for the transformation of atmospheric aerosols as well as associated impacts of aerosols on climate and human health.
Mengyan Li	CES-NJIT	Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Environmental Remediation, Water and Wastewater Treatment, Microbial Ecology and Toxicology
Basuray Sagnik	Chemical, Biological & Pharmaceutical Engineering	Developing chemical and biological sensors using nano/microfluidics and nanotechnology platforms
Farnaz Shakib	CES-NJIT	Theoretical and computational chemistry, Quantum information science, Computational materials science, Energy conversion and storage
Genoa Warner	CES-NJIT	Effect of endocrine-disrupting chemicals on the reproductive system using chemical biology methods
Liji Zhang	CES-NJIT	Environmental biogeochemistry, soil and water remediation, water treatment and resource recovery
Yuanwei Zhang	CES-NJIT	NIR Light-Regulated Cell Signaling and Neuron Activation: Cellular signaling and neuron activities govern a wide variety of essential physiological processes

Application

Please fill out the online application here and submit your documents to genti.m.price@njit.edu or price@njit.edu.

FAQs

I participated in REU in the past. Can I apply again?

Yes, you can apply again; however, due to the popularity of REU, priority is given to first-time participants.

I’m a senior and will graduate in May. Am I still eligible for your program?

No. The program targets undergraduates who are yet to receive their bachelor’s degree. According to NSF rules, students who have received their bachelor’s degree by the time of the program are ineligible.

What is the workload as an REU participant?

As an REU participant, you are committed to working a maximum of 40‐hours per week for 10 weeks. Thus, you should not enroll in REU if you plan to carry a significant coursework load or hold a second part-time job. Accepting an REU position implies that you agree to be available for the entire ten‐week program. You should consult with your faculty advisor regarding your specific work schedule and flexibility.

I am a high school student but will start college this Fall. Am I eligible for your program?

Yes. According to NSF rules, high school graduates who have been accepted at an undergraduate institution for the coming academic year are eligible.

I am a first-year student. Should I apply?

Perhaps. You may be eligible if you have had some research experience or have taken upper-level courses with grades of B or higher.

Can I take a part-time job while participating in the REU program in the summer?

No. This program requires full-time participation.

Can I take summer classes while participating in the REU?

Typically not, though exceptions may be made in exceptional circumstances.

I need to take some time off during the 10-week program for personal or family obligations. Will I be accommodated?

Participants are expected to be fully engaged during the REU program. However, the program director would accommodate one- or two-day absences to attend to immediate family obligations in advance.

How do I apply for the REU program? What is the selection process?

The NJIT REU BioSMART Committee will select students based on these set criteria: 1) Student preference, 2) faculty preference, 3) program diversity, and 4) special mentoring needs. On program diversity, we will consider the diversity of each research group, and the training program and selection will be made to enhance diversity.

The REU faculty submit projects for students to choose from; students choose up to 4 of their favorite projects to apply for as REU candidates. The faculty/mentors are notified of the students who chose their project, and students are encouraged to meet with faculty/mentors to discuss the specific project more. Additionally, faculty will review the REU candidates and submit their project preferences. Students are matched with projects using a combination of both student and faculty preferences. Unfortunately, after the students present their applications, they will not change their project preferences. Appointed students will receive offer letters with the next steps. Students will have 1‐2 weeks to decide whether to accept or decline REU assignments.

Will I be notified if I have not been matched to a project?

Yes. All applicants will be notified whether or not they receive an offer letter.

Can I still be a part of the REU if I did not match on a project?

NJIT has a host of undergraduate programs, including the McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program, Newark Innovation Acceleration Challenge, TechQuest Innovation Competition, and Provost Summer Research Fellowship program. In Fall 2019, more than 360 undergraduate students were supported by URI Phase-1 and Phase 2 Student Seed Grants and summer stipends to pursue basic, applied, and translational research and technology prototype developments. Interested NJIT students can apply and, if funded, can participate in summer research.

More information about the program is available by visiting https://centers.njit.edu/smart/about-biosmart-center/, or by contacting the PI (Dr. Wunmi Sadik at sadik@njit.edu) or the co-PI (Dr. Kevin Belfield at belfield@njit.edu).