Summer program introduces undergrads to research process

The University of New Mexico Physics and Astronomy department faculty are leading student interns through a 10-week program designed to introduce them to the academic research process.

The annual Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program pays for most student expenses -- travel (up to $600), on-campus housing, a $6,000 stipend, the cost of most activities -- and focuses on the development of strong student-mentor relationships as well as laboratory and research skills.

"There are about 15 participating faculty members who essentially take on a student intern for the summer," said James Thomas, principal investigator for the department's REU program. "It provides opportunities for students to do cutting edge research in physics or astronomy to get their feet wet."

There are typically 8 students selected every year from across the country to participate. There is no requirement that students have any prior research experience; in fact, one of the goals of the project is to provide research opportunities for students who otherwise might not have them, according to Prof. Thomas.

"I think the impact of the program goes beyond the students who participate. We had nearly 300 applications for eight spots this spring and all those students who applied to our program are now aware that UNM has an NSF-funded undergraduate research program," Thomas said. "When they think about that, when they think about going to graduate school, I think that that's in the back of their mind saying, you know, UNM is a player."

Thomas said this program is perfect for students who don't know what they want to pursue in college. "It's a special opportunity for students to gain research experience working with world class researchers in physics and astronomy," Thomas said.

Diana Dragomir Ph.D., assistant professor in the physics and astronomy department, said they do a lot of data analysis. "It will be a lot of programming to manipulate, plot and interpret data. Students working with other faculty may spend most of their time in a lab running experiments or building instruments. It's uncommon, but there can be some field work with some faculty," Dragomir said.

Dragomir also said one of the students she supervised through this program is now a graduate student working alongside her, and another is now an engineer at Boeing. "The student said, unprompted, that summer was one of the best experiences of her life," Dragomir said.

For a list of projects and mentors, visit the UNM Physics and Astronomy REU Program website.