REU Site: University of Memphis Interdisciplinary Research in Chemistry

该奖项由美国国家科学基金会化学部（CHE）颁发，支持孟菲斯大学本科生研究经验（REU）网站。REU计划每年夏天将带10名学生到校园进行为期10周的深入研究。这些学生将合成具有不同性能和潜在应用的材料。这些材料及其性质的理论研究将补充实验研究。其他研究例子包括用于光开关或光存储器件的双稳态光致变色材料的合成、表征和理论研究，用于单细胞生物传感器的金纳米颗粒的合成和表征，以及G蛋白偶联受体（一类重要的膜蛋白）的水溶性类似物的开发和表征。膜蛋白研究将为研究这类重要受体的结构和激活机制提供替代策略。这些项目和其他拟议项目的成果将通过出版物和简报传播。研究小组参加者的旅费将用于在其研究经验结束后的一年内在国家和区域会议上发言。除了目前的招聘计划外，一个重要的补充是扩大努力，使学生家长能够参与到这种密集的研究经历中来。因此，这个REU网站将广泛影响化学培训，少数族裔的参与，以及学生家长对化学研究的参与。REU网站还将促进孟菲斯大学和地区HBCU机构之间的伙伴关系。

This award from the Division of Chemistry (CHE) at the National Science Foundation supports the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site at University of Memphis. The REU Program will bring ten students to campus for ten weeks each summer for an intensive research experience. These students will synthesize materials with varied properties and potential applications. Theoretical studies of these materials and their properties will complement experimental studies. Other research examples include the synthesis, characterization, and theoretical investigation of bistable photochromic materials for development as optical switches or optical memory devices, the synthesis and characterization of gold nanoparticles for single-cell biosensor applications, and the development and characterization of water-soluble analogs of G protein-coupled receptors, an important class of membrane proteins. The membrane-protein studies would enable alternative strategies for studying the structure and activation mechanisms of this important class of receptors. Results from these and other proposed projects will be disseminated through publications and presentations. Travel funds for REU participants will allow presentations at national and regional meetings during the year following their research experience. An important addition to the current recruiting plan is an expanded effort to enable the participation of students who are parents in this intensive research experience. Therefore, this REU site will broadly impact training in chemistry, the participation of underrepresented minorities, and student parent participation in chemical research. The REU Site will also promote partnerships between the University of Memphis and regional HBCU institutions.