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

该研究经验的本科生（REU）网站奖圣地亚哥，位于加利福尼亚州圣地亚哥的大学，为10名学生提供10周的研究和专业发展，每年夏天从2021年至2023年的支持。在这个程序中，由化学部的支持，学生参加代表不同的方法和技术的项目，让他们有一个独特的机会来探索多学科科学的力量。除了科学收益，学生将与教师导师并肩工作，参与化学中的社会意识，正义和责任问题。至少有一半的学生是从当地社区学院招募的，否则实验室研究的机会有限。为了提高这些学生在科学方面的保留率，该网站包括学术，个人和专业发展的课程，如学术准备，财务知识和职业道路。与导师密切合作，学生将获得专业指导，培养他们的科学身份，并发展他们的研究项目的所有权。来自第一代，服务不足，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型有机分子，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。 参与者也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，清洁水和健康相关的研究项目。与他们的研究活动相结合，参与学生还将考虑社会影响和科学研究的影响，包括公平，环境正义和获得新兴技术的问题。REU学生群体还将参与与导师，同行和特邀演讲者的讨论，探讨科学界和整个社会的多样性，公平，包容和访问问题。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值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.