REU Site at Kent State University: Liquid Crystals and Advanced Materials

肯特州立大学的 Torsten Hegmann 教授、Michael J. Tubergen 教授及其同事主持了肯特州立大学的 REU 站点：液晶和先进材料。该站点位于肯特州立大学 (KSU) 化学与生物化学系以及液晶研究所 (LCI) 内。该网站由 NSF 数学和物理科学理事会化学部和材料研究部的 REU 网站项目资助。支持的研究项目将来自全国各地的两年制和四年制院校（包括主要为有色人种学生服务的院校）的不同学生群体带到肯塔基州立大学，与当地的肯尼迪州立大学学生进行互动。导师与这些学生密切合作，追求涉及从液晶化学和软凝聚态物理到生物和纳米材料的先进材料的科学发现。学生参与科学过程的各个方面，从项目的设计和执行到研究结果的解释和传播，所有这些都在合作和学院的氛围中进行。早期参与研究经历已被认为是学生参与科学的重要组成部分。提供独特的首次研究经验是 REU 项目的核心，对参与学生的职业生涯产生持久影响。除了接触多学科研究文化之外，这种经历还创造了新的友谊、网络和愿望，这些在夏季研究经历结束后将持续很长时间。在整个项目中对本科生的有效指导和综合方法将促进关键研究技能的发展并推进职业前景。通过这些新科学家的参与，导师可以从科学生产力的提高中受益，而参与的本科生在发展自己独特的追求时，也能享受到更大的长期影响。

Professors Torsten Hegmann, Michael J. Tubergen, and colleagues at Kent State University host the REU Site at Kent State University: Liquid Crystals and Advanced Materials. The Site is co-located in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry as well as the Liquid Crystal Institute (LCI) at Kent State University (KSU). This site is funded by the REU Site Programs of the Division of Chemistry and the Division of Materials Research, both in the NSF Directorate of Mathematical and Physical Sciences. The research projects supported bring a diverse group of students from two and four year institutions, including institutions serving primarily students of color, from various parts of the country to KSU to interact with a local cohort of KSU students. Mentors work closely with these students as they pursue scientific discovery involving advanced materials from liquid crystal chemistry and soft condensed matter physics to bio- and nanomaterials. The students participate in all aspects of the scientific process, from design and execution of their project to interpretation and dissemination of research results, all in a cooperative and collegial atmosphere.Early participation in a research experience has been identified as an important component of student engagement in science. The provision of a unique first research experience is at the heart of this REU program with a lasting impact on the career of the participating students. Aside from exposure to a multidisciplinary research culture, this experience creates new friendships, networks, and aspirations that will endure long after the summer research experiences are completed. Effective mentoring of the undergraduate students throughout this program and an integrative approach will foster the development of critical research skills and advance career prospects. Mentors benefit from the enhanced science productivity through the participation of these new scientists, and the participating undergraduates enjoy a still larger long-term impact as they evolve into their own distinct pursuits.