REU Site for Increasing Diversity in Engineering at Duke University

这项为期三年的杜克大学工程多样性项目将为8名本科生提供跨学科和跨部门的研究机会，每年为期9周。该项目将涉及杜克大学普拉特工程学院的所有部门：生物医学工程、机械工程与材料科学、土木与环境工程、电气与计算机工程。这个REU项目的智力重点是开放整个工程领域，使所有人都能充分参与，特别是未被充分代表的人群——妇女、未被充分代表的少数民族和残疾人。首席研究员在学校范围内具有独特的地位，指导教育项目，这些项目为数百名本科生提供了与学校几乎每位教授进行研究的机会，并且可以为所有学科的项目提供经验丰富，强大的顾问和训练有素的导师。杜克大学普拉特工程学院的生物医学工程系一直排在全国前五名。由于该领域的实力，普拉特REU计划将提供大约一半的生物医学工程和生物工程领域的项目，从生物医学心血管工程到生物化学工程，细胞和硬组织和软组织的生物力学，细胞和生物表面工程，以及心脏和大脑的电活动。材料科学方面的多个项目，包括生物启发材料和材料系统、机械、电气、计算机、土木和环境工程。更广泛的影响这个REU网站项目的首席研究员旨在从代表性不足的群体中招募超过75%的学生。该项目将包括至少25%的残疾学生。这个项目的重点是招募那些没有机会进行如此具有挑战性的研究的学生，并将他们置于一个培育环境中，以解决他们在进入和留在STEM领域方面的弱点。这个项目将改变学生的生活，通过培养他们的研究能力和信心，并鼓励他们继续读研究生，在STEM领域从事职业。这个REU网站计划将对学生的职业可能性产生重大影响。

Intellectual MeritThe three-year renewal REU site program for Increasing Diversity in Engineering at Duke University will provide interdisciplinary and interdepartmental research opportunities for 8 undergraduate students for nine weeks each year. The program will involve all departments of the Pratt School of Engineering at Duke: Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Electrical and Computer Engineering. This REU program has as its intellectual focus opening the whole field of engineering for the full inclusion of all individuals, in particular underrepresented populations - women, underrepresented minorities, and persons with disabilities. The Principal Investigator is in a unique school-wide position directing educational programs which have placed many hundreds of undergraduates in research opportunities with almost every professor in the school, and can provide projects across all disciplines with experienced, strong advisors and trained mentors. Duke University's Biomedical Engineering Department at the Pratt School of Engineering consistently ranks in the top 5 in the nation. Due to the strength of this area, the Pratt REU Program will provide approximately half of its projects in biomedical engineering and bioengineering areas, ranging from biomedical cardiovascular engineering to biochemical engineering, biomechanics of cells and hard and soft tissues, cellular and biosurface engineering, and electrical activity of the heart and brain. Multiple projects in materials science including those on biologically inspired materials and material systems, mechanical, electrical, computer, civil, and environmental engineering will also be offered. Broader ImpactsThe Principal Investigator of this REU site program aims to recruit over 75% of its students from underrepresented groups. This program will include at least 25% disabled students. The emphasis in this program is recruiting students who would not have the opportunity to do such challenging research and placing them in a nurturing environment which addresses their weaknesses in moving into and staying in STEM areas. This program will change students' live, by developing research competence and confidence and encouraging them to continue on to graduate school and pursue careers in STEM areas. This REU site program will have a major impact on students' career possibilities.