Ole Miss Nanoengineering Summer REU Program:
The main purpose of the Ole Miss Nanoengineering Summer REU program is to provide cutting-edge research opportunities for undergraduate students interested in furthering a career in STEM. We will accomplish this through Principal Investigators (PIs) hosting and mentoring students over a 10-week period from May to August. In addition to performing research, students will have the chance to experience Oxford and Ole Miss through social and extracurricular activities.
Each student participant will receive a $6,000 stipend, a 10-week housing and meal plan, and additional travel assistance in an effort to break down any financial barriers in participating in this research experience.
You do NOT have be an engineering major to apply, and there are no minimum GPA requirements! Any STEM background is welcome, and research experience is not required.
Research Activities:
Over the summer, students will participate in original research projects supervised by their PI. In addition, the Nanoengineering REU program will facilitate training, weekly seminars, and mini-courses that will allow all participating students to gain a deeper understanding of the different research areas represented by the program (see Calendar for examples).
By the end of the summer, mentored undergraduate students should be able to:
- Conduct day-to-day research activities safely and ethically
- Be proficient in performing basic experimental techniques in nanoengineering-focused labs
- Effectively document and store data in lab notebooks and digital repositories
- Appropriately analyze experimental results
- Have awareness of ongoing research in related fields
- Communicate scientific information and findings with technical and lay audiences both orally and through writing
- Be competitive for future research opportunities (e.g. REUs, national scholarships and fellowships, graduate school)
Social Events and Community Building:
In addition to working with us over the summer, we want to encourage teamwork and camaraderie through social events. In previous years, our program has hosted beginning and end of the summer cook outs, participated in the Rebel Challenge Ropes Course, attended the Summer Concert Series in the Grove, 4th of July fireworks, trivia and bingo around the Oxford Square, and weekly pickleball games. We also have had friendly competitions with the Ole Miss Chemistry REU program at the UM Intramural fields with volleyball, basketball, and kickball.
REU STEM Outreach:
A unique aspect about this REU program is we want to give the student participants an opportunity to be in the “driver’s seat” through helping with a STEM outreach program. REU students will plan and execute a Nanoengineering Research Day for middle school and high school students, which will include student-led demonstrations and campus facility tours.
Campus Housing:
Campus housing is included in the REU experience! We are pleased to offer apartment-style housing for our summer 2025 REU cohort. Students will be housed in the Campus Walk apartments. Each unit includes 4 bedrooms with private bathrooms, living/dining room, full sized kitchen, and washer/dryer. More information can be found here.
About Ole Miss and Oxford, MS:
Touted as the “Cultural Mecca of the South”, creativity abounds in Oxford as musicians, artists, and writers alike find inspiration in Oxford’s rich history, small town charm, and creative community. Over the years, Oxford has also been known for offering exceptional culinary experiences and artistic displays through concerts and festivals.
Oxford is home to The University of Mississippi, otherwise known as Ole Miss. The relationship to the University runs deep and the presence of the school gives Oxford the energy and vibrancy that is often found in a college town.
Founded in 1848, Ole Miss is the flagship University and is home to the only Department of Biomedical Engineering in the State of Mississippi. Ole Miss has been named a Best College Buy by Forbes Magazine, the campus has been touted as The Most Beautiful Campus by the Princeton Review, and Oxford was voted the Best Small College Town by USA Today.