REU Site: The Northern Plains REU Site - Serving the Needs of Regional Tribal Colleges and Local Primarily Undergraduate Institutions

这一奖项来自化学系(CHE)，支持由南达科他大学的David Hawkinson和Andrew Sykes领导的本科生研究体验(REU)网站。该网站支持的研究项目涉及化学的广泛领域。教师和学生团队将从地区性的本科大学和部落学院(贝瑟德堡社区学院、内布拉斯加州印第安人社区学院和新格拉斯卡大学)招募到该网站。在三年的时间里，该网站将在每个暑期项目中为49名学生和教职员工提供为期10周的支持。研究人员将开展的项目样本包括：(1)使用选择性发光传感器检测鱼类中的汞(II)；(2)电纺纳米纤维的制备和表面功能化；(3)用于生产生物柴油的生物质固体酸催化剂的合成和研究；(4)从萝卜(Psoralea Esculenta)中分离、表征和定量类黄酮；(5)用于太阳能燃料催化的多域纳米结构材料的合成和研究；(6)基于贵金属二氧化钛气凝胶的环境光催化剂的开发。除了在暑期进行研究外，参加这个项目的学生还将参加一些专业发展活动，包括提供化学安全和使用化学文献培训的研讨会。学生将有许多机会在不同的环境中展示他们的成果，包括现场的简短研讨会和海报演示，以及在区域和国家专业学会会议上。青年科学家需要接触到现代研究方法和工具，作为他们培训的一部分。这个REU网站旨在为没有重大研究经验的学生提供机会，在这个以本科生为主的机构中，在敬业的教师指导下进行化学科学的尖端研究。在这个地点参与研究的不同学生群体将为进一步学习化学科学和研究生院做好充分准备，最终将成为该国技术劳动力的一部分。这个REU网站的一个独特之处是，来自地区学院和大学的教职员工和学生参与其中，包括部落学院，这些学院和大学缺乏重要的研究基础设施。

This award from the Division of Chemistry (CHE) supports a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) site led by David Hawkinson and Andrew Sykes at the University of South Dakota. The research projects supported in this site are in a wide range of areas of chemistry. Faculty-student teams will be recruited to this site from regional primarily undergraduate universities and Tribal Colleges (Fort Bethold Community College, Nebraska Indian Community College, and Sinte Gleska University). Over three years, the site will support 49 students and faculty in a ten-week per summer program. A sample of the projects that researchers will work on include: (1) the detection of Hg(II) in fish using a selective luminescence sensor; (2) the fabrication and surface functionalization of electrospun nanofibers; (3) the synthesis and study of biomass-based solid acid catalysts for biodiesel production; (4) the isolation, characterization and quantitation of flavonoids from the prairie turnip (Psoralea esculenta); (5) the synthesis and study of polydomain nanostructured materials for solar fuels catalysis and (6) the development of photocatalysts for environmental applications based upon noble metal containing titanium dioxide aerogels. In addition to conducting research during the summer, the students participating in this program will participate in a number of professional development activities, including workshops providing training in chemical safety and in using the chemical literature. Students will have numerous opportunities to present their results in a variety of settings, including a brief seminar and poster presentation on-site, as well as at regional and national professional society meetings.Young scientists need exposure to modern research methods and tools as part of their training. This REU site aims to provide students without significant research experience a chance to conduct cutting-edge research in the chemical sciences with dedicated faculty mentors at this predominantly undergraduate institution. The diverse student cohort participating in research at this site will be well-prepared for further study in the chemical sciences, and graduate school, with eventual employment as part of the country's technical workforce. A unique feature of this REU site is the involvement of faculty and students from regional colleges and universities, including Tribal Colleges, which lack access to significant research infrastructure.