NSF Designates Purdue Calumet a Summer Research Site for Undergraduates

PUC-student-researchers-REU-sum-2015Purdue University Calumet has been designated a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) site for the next three summers (2015-17) by the National Science Foundation.

With NSF support of $323,846, Purdue Calumet is providing a nine-week yearly program of research activities for 10 selected undergraduate students majoring in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or computer information technology from institutions nationwide. Participants this year represent universities from California to Connecticut.

4 participating Purdue Calumet students
Four Purdue Calumet students—Holly Markovich, Hamed Mojtahed and Kyle William Riordan, all of Munster, and Arturo Saavedra of Schererville—have been selected to participate in this summer’s initial program, which continues through July 17.

They and their peers are working with Purdue Calumet faculty mentors in response to a research theme of Sustainable Wireless Communication.

Assistant Professor of Computer Science Shuhui (Grace) Yang is serving as Principal Investigator for the Purdue Calumet site program. Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering Besma Smida is co-Principal Investigator.

First Purdue Calumet REU award
“We believe this represents the first REU award Purdue Calumet has received,” Yang said. “With Purdue Calumet’s commitment to undergraduate research, this program will benefit students and faculty, as well as provide an opportunity to promote our graduate programs to potential students.”

Among other Purdue Calumet faculty members participating in senior personnel capacities are Interim Associate Vice Chancellor/Center for Innovation through Visualization and Simulation/Professor of Mechanical Engineering Chenn Zhou, Assistant Professors of Computer Information Technology Manghui Tu and Tae-Hoon Kim, Associate Professor of Computer Engineering Muhammad Anan and Assistant Professor of Education Emily Hixon.

Similar to a mini-graduate program
The REU program is designed to inspire students of underrepresented minorities and/or from institutions with limited research opportunities and resources to pursue advanced education and professional careers in computer and information science and engineering fields.

“It’s similar to a mini-graduate program,” Yang said. “The students will experience from start to finish development of a research project, and they will be assigned to a faculty mentor who will monitor their progress.”

The program also supports a Purdue Calumet strategic goal of Learning through Engagement and Discovery.