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Essential Tips for Managing a Successful REU Student Experience in Micro/Nano Engineering

This guide offers crucial strategies for professors managing Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) in Micro/Nano Engineering. It covers planning, preparation, and effective communication to foster a productive research environment. Key practices include mentoring students appropriately, selecting projects that answer research questions, and introducing students to lab procedures. Emphasizing regular communication, enthusiasm for the work, and social engagement enhances the student experience. This resource aims to ensure both students and faculty benefit from the research opportunities.

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Essential Tips for Managing a Successful REU Student Experience in Micro/Nano Engineering

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  1. Managing an REU Student David K. Mills Created for Louisiana Tech’s NSF-Funded Research Experiences in Micro/Nano Engineering Program

  2. Tips for a Successful REU • Planning and preparation • Early communication • Student mentoring • Select an appropriate project • Plan how to introduce the student to your lab • Encourage frequent communication • Show enthusiasm for the work • Include the student in social activities

  3. Planning and Preparation • Prepare a description of your laboratory interests. • Outline a research project • Order needed supplies • Select the most valuable journal articles • Decide what skills the student will need to learn

  4. Early Communication • Make contact with your student by phone or email. • Send the student introductory material (journals/project outline/overview of your lab)

  5. Student Mentoring • You cannot be with the student 24/7 or even 8 hours a day. • Pair the student with someone already in your lab. • Allow the student to have some independence.

  6. Appropriate Project • Not a Ph.D. project. • Answers a research question. • May lead to a conference presentation or other publication. • Appropriate to your laboratory. • Do not use your student as a pair of hands.

  7. Introducing the Student to the Lab • How much do you need to tell the student? • Who will the student work with primarily? • Group meetings. • Communications/Deliverables schedule. • Written expectations: • Hours spent in the lab. • Hours spent reviewing literature. • Documentation of the student’s work. • Written reports from the student.

  8. Communicating with the Student • Daily emails (informal) • Weekly summary of activity. • Action plan for each week. • Group meetings. • Feedback from other students (e.g. a graduate student mentor). • Communicate with Dr. Jones

  9. Show Enthusiasm • Why do you think your work is important? • Why do you think your project is interesting/fun. • Show that you have a life outside of the lab. • Share anecdotes/stories.

  10. Social Activities • Lab parties/socials. • Encourage socialization with your other students. • Encourage the student to participate in REU-sponsored activities.

  11. Action Plan • Each objective includes • Title • The objective to be accomplished • The deliverable • The target date

  12. Objective Example • Title: BACKGROUND READING AND LITERATURE REVIEW ON LBL ASSEMBLY & NANOFILMS • Objective: (1) Identify literature on the application of LbL assembly to biomaterials for cell and tissue engineering. • What cells have been studied? • What materials have been studied? • What are the major assessment techniques? • What questions have been asked? • What controversies have arisen? • What questions remain to be answered? • Deliverable: (1) 1 page summary of findings, (2) Copies (paper, pdf) for our Lab files. • Targetdate: JUNE 10th. A longer summary will be due AUGUST 1ST.

  13. REU Expectations for Your Lab • Content Area • Laboratory Techniques • Safety Considerations • Expected work hours • Documentation • Communications • Meetings

  14. Example Expectations • Content Areas from the Literature • LbL assembly & NanoFilms • Biomaterials for dental implants • TMJ research • Osteoblast cell biology • Laboratory Skills • LBL assembly method • Cell culture • Immunocytochemistry • Protein Assays

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