About the Program

Student presenting her research poster

The Ohio State University Department of Biomedical Engineering’s BUCKEYE REU program allows undergraduate students to get hands-on research and professional development experience during our 10-week, on-site summer research program. The opportunity is for students pursuing a STEM major, with an interest in biomechanics and mechano-biology (BMMB). The growing interdisciplinary field of BMMB unites an understanding of the complex and unusual mechanical behavior and response exhibited by biological systems with an increasing number of applications in healthcare. This experience will allow students to participate in research that can benefit human health.

According to the National Science Foundation, REU projects offer an opportunity to increase the participation of the full spectrum of the nation's diverse talent in STEM. Several million additional people — specifically, individuals from groups historically underrepresented in STEM fields are necessary for the U.S. science and engineering workforce to reflect the demographics of the U.S. population and maintain competitiveness. Thus, this REU Site will provide opportunities for 10 undergraduates in engineering to conduct cutting-edge research with faculty mentors from Biomedical, Materials Science or Mechanical Engineering each summer to support broadening participation. The research experience provided by the REU Site will not only help advance the field of BMMB, it also provides students with an independent fundamental and/or translational research experience.

Additionally, students will participate in:

  • Weekly journal clubs
  • Workshops
  • Clinical and research facility tours
  • Social events with other Ohio State REU students, faculty and graduate students

These robust professional development activities will enhance each students’ technical comprehension and communication skills and prepare them to apply to and be successful in graduate school and pursue careers in BMMB and engineering research.

Contacts

PI: Dr. La’Tonia Stiner-Jones // stiner-jones.1@osu.edu

Co-PI: Dr. Gunjan Agarwal // agarwal.60@osu.edu

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