The University of Wisconsin-Madison MRSEC offers an inclusive, welcoming research and professional development opportunity to underrepresented students every summer through its two Research Experiences for Undergraduate (REU) programs. The MRSEC’s Nano REU program, led in collaboration with the UW Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center (NSEC) and the UW Graduate School, hosted 12 students in summer 2009 as they engaged in research, learned about effective poster presentations and the grad school application process, and created a sense of community and belonging at UW. The Engineering REU program, offered through a partnership with the UW Graduate School’s minority-serving student fellowship program, Graduate Engineering Research Scholars (GERS), hosted 15 undergraduates during the ten weeks. Students in the Engineering REU also benefitted from research and professional development opportunities and a strong sense of community, but their program culminated in 15-minute, formal research presentations to colleagues within the College of Engineering. Both programs demonstrate tremendous success at encouraging participants to attend graduate school, with over 80% of past participants who have graduated continuing on to a doctoral degree program.

UW MRSEC director Juan de Pablo learns about a student’s research during the Nano REU poster session.