REU Site: Multidisciplinary Chemistry Research: Empowering Scientists to Improve Society

这项本科生研究经验(REU)站点奖授予位于加利福尼亚州圣地亚哥的圣地亚哥大学，从2021年到2023年，每年夏天为10名学生提供为期10周的研究和专业发展支持。在这个由化学系支持的项目中，学生们参与了代表不同方法和技术的项目，给了他们一个独特的机会来探索多学科科学的力量。除了科学上的收获，学生还将与教师导师并肩工作，参与讨论化学中的社会意识、正义和责任问题。至少有一半的学生是从当地社区大学招收的，除此之外，他们的实验室研究机会有限。为了留住这些学生，该网站提供了学术、个人和职业发展方面的计划，主题包括学术准备、金融知识和职业道路。与导师密切合作，学生将接受专业指导，培养他们的科学认同感，并培养他们对研究项目的所有权。来自第一代、服务不足和不同种族和民族背景的学生将参与真正的指导研究，深思熟虑地整合社会正义主题。与教师合作，学生研究人员将合成和研究新的有机分子，研究纳米材料、胶体和活性物质，并探索大气、表面、水和植物化学。与会者还有机会研究蛋白质化学和生物大分子相互作用，并参与与气候变化、可再生能源、清洁水和健康有关的研究项目。除了他们的研究活动，参与的学生还将考虑科学研究的社会影响和影响，包括公平、环境正义和获得新兴技术的机会等问题。REU学生群体还将参与与导师、同行的讨论，并邀请演讲者在科学界和整个社会探索多样性、公平性、包容性和可获得性问题。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) site award to the University of San Diego, located in San Diego, CA, provides support for 10 students for 10 weeks of research and professional development each summer from 2021-2023. In this program, supported by the Division of Chemistry, students take part in projects representing diverse approaches and techniques, giving them a unique opportunity to explore the power of multi-disciplinary science. Beyond scientific gains, students will work side-by-side with faculty mentors to engage with issues of social awareness, justice, and responsibility in Chemistry. At least half of the students are recruited from local community colleges with otherwise limited opportunities for laboratory research. To increase the retention of these students in science, the site includes programming for academic, personal, and professional development on topics such as academic preparation, financial literacy, and career paths. Working closely with mentors, students will receive professional guidance, grow their scientific identities, and develop ownership of their research projects.Students from first-generation, underserved, and diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds will be engaged in authentic mentored research that thoughtfully integrates social justice themes. In collaboration with faculty, student researchers will synthesize and study novel organic molecules, investigate nanoscale materials, colloids and active matter; and explore atmospheric, surface, water, and plant chemistry. Participants also have the opportunity to examine protein chemistry and biomacromolecular interactions and engage in research projects related to climate change, renewable energy, clean water, and health. In conjunction with their research activities, participating students will also consider societal implications and impact of scientific research including issues of equity, environmental justice, and access to emerging technologies. The REU student cohort will also participate in discussions with mentors, peers, and invited speakers to explore issues of diversity, equity, inclusion and access in the scientific community and in society at large.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.