Engineering New REU Approaches to Challenges in MultiTERM

这三年的研究经验，为本科生（REU）网站程序，工程新REU方法，以挑战多在维克森林再生医学研究所（WFIRM），将在组织工程和再生医学（$TERM）的挑战性领域提供工程学和生物学接口的研究机会来自代表性不足的群体的多样化本科生群体，获得研究设施的机会有限。拟议的研究项目跨越多个生理系统（心血管，肌肉骨骼，泌尿和内分泌），为REU学生提供了一个独特的机会，通过欣赏一般化的，系统独立的方法，成为高技能的问题解决者，其中许多项目被NSF和DoD确定为高优先级。尽管取得了早期的成功，但仍然存在四个主要挑战：1）生物材料，2）细胞来源，3）血管化和4）使能技术，如细胞输送装置，3D生物打印和组织生物反应器。 REU项目将有助于应对这些挑战。WFIRM将在10个夏季周内接待10名本科生，他们将从事高度跨学科和具有挑战性的TERM研究领域。该计划的成果目标强调：1）对团队研究和高级教育的兴趣和兴奋的发展; 2）技能转移和动手接触现代仪器和技术以及严格的分析; 3）提高口头和书面沟通技巧，强调跨学科沟通的能力，在外行和技术术语，并在正式提出书面（对于科学文献）和演讲（对于科学会议）;以及，最终，4）将社会化引入从依赖到独立研究者地位的非常重要的成长过程。REU的经验补充了额外的计划元素和研究过程中的教育，动手仪器培训，生物伦理和负责任的研究行为，有效的口头和书面沟通研讨会，专业发展和职业机会主题的研讨会。 为了增加计划的影响和社区意识，REU参与者还将参加WFIRM和URM合作伙伴的非研究和外联活动，提供论坛讨论STEM进步对更大社会的影响，同时促进与其他学生，工程师，科学家和教育工作者的网络联系。所有学生将在夏季多次展示他们的研究成果，并在最后的研究日活动中以口头和海报形式展示。 还强调有机会出席和出席地方和国家会议。

This three year Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site program, Engineering New REU Approaches to Challenges in MultiTERM at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM), will provide research opportunities at the interface of engineering and biology in challenging areas of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM) to a diverse cohort of undergraduate students from underrepresented groups with limited access to research facilities. The proposed research projects span multiple physiological systems (cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, urological, and endocrine), providing REU students a unique opportunity to become highly skilled problem solvers by appreciating generalized, system-independent approaches with many of the projects identified as high priority by NSF and DoD. Despite early successes, four main challenges remain spanning: 1) biomaterials, 2) cell sources, 3) vascularization and 4) enabling technologies such as cell delivery devices, 3D bioprinting and tissue bioreactors. REU projects will help address these challenges. WFIRM will host 10 undergraduate students over 10 summer weeks where they will engage in highly interdisciplinary and challenging areas of TERM research. Outcome objectives of the program emphasize: 1) development of interest and excitement for team-based-studies and advanced education; 2) skill transference and hands-on exposure to modern instrumentation and techniques as well as rigorous analysis; 3) enhanced verbal and written communication skills emphasizing abilities to communicate across disciplines in lay and technical terms and in formally presenting in writing (for the scientific literature) and speaking (for scientific meetings); and, ultimately, 4) to initiate socialization into the very important process of growth from dependent to independent researcher status. The REU experience is supplemented with additional program elements and education on the research process, hands-on instrumentation training, workshops on bioethics and responsible conduct of research, effective oral and written communications workshops, professional development and career opportunities topics. To increase program impact and sense of community, REU participants will also participate in non-research and outreach activities at WFIRM and with URM partners, providing forums to discuss implications of STEM advances to the larger society, while fostering networking with other students, engineers, scientists and educators. All students will present their research findings several times over the summer and in oral and poster format at a final research day event. Opportunities to attend and present at local and national meetings is also emphasized.