REU Site: Wearable and Emerging technologies - Facilitating research Opportunities and Creating pathways for Underrepresented Students (WE-FOCUS) at FIU

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Wearables systems are smart, connected Internet of Things (IoT) devices which integrate digital health and user-friendly wearables. With the exponential increase in the wearable market growth (predicted to be $34 B by 2020), education and training in these areas becomes crucial. The multi and interdisciplinary research in wearables spans the areas of nanotechnology, advanced materials engineering, microelectronics, sensors, interfaces, and communications; and forms the cornerstone to impact many engineering sectors, ranging from defense to healthcare. As an example, wearable sensors powered by advances in nanotechnology and communications are facilitating the tracking of vital parameters in the patients' natural environment. Over the next decade, the correlation of environmental parameters with individual health parameters generated by nano-enabled wearable sensors will lead to a new paradigm in healthcare and will enable patients, doctors, scientists and engineers to predict, manage and treat chronic disease. The REU Site: Wearable and Emerging technologies - Facilitating research Opportunities and Creating pathways for Underrepresented Students (WE-FOCUS) at Florida International University (FIU) aims to provide students an early exposure to the cutting-edge research activities to prepare them to adapt to new technological environments they will live and work in. It will help prepare students to successfully serve in the nation's continuing development through their careers as scientists, engineers, and leaders in these emerging technologies, and advance the cultural diversity in the American STEM workforce. This vision directly supports NSF's 2018-2022 strategic goal of early investment in the development of the next generation of researchers to advance the capability of the Nation to meet current and future challenges. FOCUS addresses the growing need for a skilled workforce in the areas of critical technology needs in the coming decades. Through this program, FIU will recruit academically talented students from culturally and racial/ethnically diverse populations along with placing a special emphasis on attracting women participants to the program. Students will be immersed in a research experience in the field of wearable sensors and systems integrated with and facilitated by tiered mentoring offered by faculty, postdocs, and graduate students to ensure their persistence in the program. Additionally, professional development seminars, workshops, and field trips will be organized to enhance scholars' interest in STEM careers. Upon completion of their summer research project, focused advising will be provided throughout the academic year to ensure the success of students in advance level engineering courses. Student feedback and program evaluation results will be used to identify the best practices to improve research experience in engineering disciplines.This site is supported by the Department of Defense in partnership with the NSF REU program.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.