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

该奖项来自化学学部（CHE），支持由南达科他州大学大卫·霍金森和安德鲁·赛克斯领导的本科生研究经验（REU）网站。该网站支持的研究项目涉及化学的广泛领域。师生团队将从地区主要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社区学院和辛格莱斯卡大学）招募到这个网站。在三年的时间里，该网站将为49名学生和教师提供为期10周的暑期课程。研究人员将从事的项目包括：(1)使用选择性发光传感器检测鱼类中的汞（II）；(2)静电纺纳米纤维的制备与表面功能化；(3)生物质基固体酸催化剂的合成与研究；(4)草原萝卜黄酮类化合物的分离、鉴定和定量研究；(5)用于太阳能燃料催化的多畴纳米结构材料的合成和研究；(6)基于含二氧化钛的贵金属气凝胶的环境应用光催化剂的开发。除了在夏季进行研究外，参加该计划的学生还将参加一些专业发展活动，包括提供化学品安全和使用化学文献培训的讲习班。学生将有很多机会在各种环境中展示他们的成果，包括简短的研讨会和现场海报展示，以及在地区和国家专业协会会议上。作为培训的一部分，年轻科学家需要接触现代研究方法和工具。这个REU网站旨在为没有重要研究经验的学生提供一个机会，在这个以本科生为主的机构中，与专门的教师导师一起进行化学科学方面的前沿研究。在这里参与研究的不同学生群体将为在化学科学和研究生院的进一步学习做好充分准备，并最终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在于来自地区学院和大学的教师和学生的参与，包括部落学院，这些学院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.