Auburn to host four NSF-funded summer research sites

Each summer, undergraduate students across the country take part in Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) programs funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). These intensive research opportunities place students side-by-side with faculty mentors on active research projects, and this summer, Auburn will host four different sites.

Each REU site program is built around a distinct research focus and led by faculty teams who receive NSF funding to support a cohort of undergraduates. Based on their academic interests, students apply to individual REU sites to conduct NSF-supported research in a range of disciplines, from the sciences and engineering to mathematics and interdisciplinary fields.

While each program has its own topic and structure, all REU sites immerse students in hands‑on research guided by close mentorship and collaboration with others. Students learn how to navigate the world of academia and what a career in research might look like. They also take time away from the lab or field to do extracurricular activities and team-building exercises, where they gain more than just technical knowledge.

“It goes beyond what you learn in the lab,” said Russell Mailen, an associate professor of aerospace engineering. “You learn how to navigate academia and interpersonal relationships; it's a lot more than being able to pour fluids into a beaker. There’s a very human-centered aspect to the work.”

This summer, Auburn’s four REU sites will span three colleges and a range of disciplines.

REU site: Applied Terrestrial Ecology of a Biodiversity Hotspot

Led by faculty member Chris Lepcyzyk and researcher Jean Fantle-Lepcyzk of the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, this REU site will welcome 10 undergraduate students to explore applied terrestrial ecology and conservation, with a focus on the North American Coastal Plain Biodiversity Hotspot — a region that spans much of Alabama. Through a hands-on, big-picture approach to ecology, students will learn how to ask research questions, design experiments, analyze data and think about the ethical responsibilities of scientific work.

REU site: Research Experience for Undergraduates in Algebra and Discrete Mathematics

This site, led by Assistant Professor Joseph Briggs of the College of Sciences and Mathematics (COSAM), is an eight-week program that begins with two weeks of intensive introduction to open questions and problem areas in algebra and discrete mathematics. Participants work in small groups, jumping between topics as ideas evolve and spending their days digging into problems, giving daily presentations and talking through challenges together. They’re encouraged to stay connected with Briggs and his staff after the program has ended for future research or collaboration.   

REU site: Collaborative Approaches among Scientists and Engineers

As leaders of this REU site, faculty members Kimberly Mulligan of COSAM and Cordelia Brown from the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering help students develop an understanding of the cross-disciplinary nature of STEM disciplines and foster mentorships that provide a sense of belonging. This 10-week program introduces participants to using multidisciplinary approaches to solve problems, merge ideas and develop critical thinking skills. Students participate in professional development and social activities and can present their research at a closing symposium.

REU site: Study of transport phenomena in engineered materials

Under the mentorship of faculty members Russell Mailen and Kyle Schulze, who are affiliated with the College of Engineering’s Center for Polymers and Advanced Composites, this 10-week program will teach participants to use teamwork and research to solve real-life problems focusing on transport phenomena — how things like heat, fluids or electricity move through materials. The program helps students gain a deeper understanding of research, explore pathways to graduate school and research careers and experience firsthand how engineers from different disciplines collaborate.