Materials REU 2022
The CCAM Materials REU is an 8-week program with a focus on research to discover new materials and novel functionalities through structural design and molecular-scale control. REU participants will be matched with CCAM faculty and graduate student mentors who will guide and oversee student progress via weekly meetings and one-on-one mentoring. CCAM REU program will support up to 18 participants in: (1) a one-week boot camp introducing fundamentals of MSE concepts to provide baseline knowledge to succeed on their REU project; (2) design and execution of interdisciplinary materials research projects: (3) preparation for applying to advanced degree programs in the physical sciences and engineering; and 4) seminars and enrichment activities to build students’ skills to be successful in graduate programs.
Program Dates and Deadlines
Date: June 19 – August 12, 2022
Location: University of California, Irvine
Application Deadline: Monday, February 28, 2022, at 5:00 PM PST
Research Areas
- Complex Concentrated Materials: Develop foundational interface science for complex concentrated metals and ceramics. The goal is to establish the structure-property relationships to guide the design of these new complex materials for desirable applications.
- Bioinspired Active Materials: Develop self-assembly strategies to study fundamental charge-matter interactions in supramolecular “living” materials. This research will lay the groundwork for a new class of bioinspired materials.
Program Benefits
- 8-weeks of research experience
- Hands-on research guided by faculty mentors and graduate students
- Guest speakers, lab tours, and field trips
- $4,800 stipend and travel stipend to travel to/from UCI
- On-campus housing and meals
Application Requirements
- Complete the application form
- Curriculum vitae (CV) or resume (PDF)
- Unofficial college/university transcripts, from all colleges/universities you have attended
- Two recommendations: On the form, you will provide the name(s) and email(s) of the people you have asked to submit a recommendation for you. When you submit your application, emails will be automatically sent to your recommenders to request a recommendation for you, so please be sure to provide accurate contact information.
- 2-page Statement of Interest addressing all of the following:
- Discuss why you are interested in pursuing a graduate degree.
- Describe how this program will help you reach your educational and career aspirations.
- Describe your educational background and achievements providing information on barriers (educational, social, and/or cultural) you may have personally faced and how you overcame them. For example, if your family members experienced barriers in higher education, whether you are the first person in your family to go to college, and whether you have experienced a lack of role models or informational resources about higher education and careers.
- Briefly discuss your commitment to addressing educational, social, and/or cultural barriers that prevent participation from underrepresented groups in graduate programs.
- Briefly describe your research area of interest. This does not need to be based on research that you have done or are currently doing. We simply want to understand what areas interest you.
- Be sure to mention your participation in undergraduate achievement programs (e.g., CAMP, MESA, McNair, MEP/CEED/OAI, etc.).
- Please expand upon these components and share any additional information you feel is relevant to your unique personal or education history.
Eligibility
- Must be a United States citizen, national, or permanent resident to apply. International students are NOT eligible for this program
- Sophomores, juniors, and non-graduating seniors enrolled in 2- and 4-year colleges and universities in the United States
- 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher
- No prior research experience required
- Available for the duration of the entire program: June 19 – August 12, 2022
Students who are first in their family to go to college, come from low-income backgrounds, are from underserved communities, and/or are women and/or veterans are encouraged to apply.
For more information, please contact Dr. Gregory Diggs-Yang at oai@uci.edu.