An Overview of the REU Site,
Expectations and Work
Anant R. Kukreti
Director for Engineering Outreach & Professor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
College of Engineering
University of Cincinnati
January 22, 2010
PRESESENTATION OUTLINE
 Introductions
 Project Office and Contact Information
 Project Title and Participants
 REU Site Activities
 Laboratory and Office Usage and Safety
Issues
PROJECT OFFICE and CONTACT
INFORMATION
 Your Project Office
 Separate for each project – contact your Faculty Mentor
 Project Director




Dr. Anant R. Kukreti
Office: ERC 701F
Phone: 513-556-4105
E-Mail: anant.kukreti@uc.edu
 Grant Coordinator




Mrs. Marlo Thigpen
Office: Baldwin Hall 665 & ERC 701
Phone: 513-556-4864
E-Mail: marlo.thigpen@uc.edu
PROJECT TITLES AND PARTICIPANTS

Project # 1: “Development of Integrated Multi
Functional Nano Assembly for Cancer
Diagnosis and Therapy”

Student Participants
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

Ashley Frierson, Department of Biomedical Engineering,
Pre-Junior, and Email: friersay@email.uc.edu.
Racquel Redwood, Department of Biomedical
Engineering, Pre-Junior, and Email:
redwoorl@email.uc.edu.
Faculty Mentor

Dr. Donglu Shi, Professor, Department of Chemical and
Materials Engineering, 493 Rhodes Hall, Tel: 513 556
3100, and Email shid@email.uc.edu.
PROJECT TITLES AND PARTICIPANTS

Project # 2: “Pulse Detonation Engines
(PDE)”

Student Participants



Devina Dawson, Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Sophomore, and Email: dawsonda@email.uc.edu.
Gregory Chatlos, Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Junior, and Email: chaltog@email.uc.edu.
Faculty Mentor

Dr. Ephraim J. Gutmark, Distinguished Research
Professor and Ohio Regents Eminent Scholar,
Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering
Mechanics, 799 Rhodes Hall, Tel: (513) 556-1227, and Email: Ephraim.Gutmark@uc.edu.
PROJECT TITLES AND PARTICIPANTS

Project # 3: “Electrofluidic Materials and
Device Discovery”

Student Participant


Everett Stephens, Department of Computer Science,
Sophomore, and Email: stepheel@email.uc.edu.
Faculty Mentor

Dr. Jason Heikenfeld, Associate Professor, Department
of Electrical & Computer Engineering, 836A Rhodes Hall,
Tel.: 513-556-4763, and E-Mail:
Jason.C.Heikenfeld@uc.edu.
PROJECT TITLES AND PARTICIPANTS

Project # 4: “Intelligent Algorithms for Maze
Exploration and Exploitation”

Student Participants
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

Faculty Mentor


Dr. Kelly Cohen, Associate Professor, Department of
Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics , 735
Rhodes Hall, Tel.: 513-556-6523, and E-Mail:
Kelly.Cohen@uc.edu.
Expert Advisor to Project


Sydney Barker, Department of Aerospace Engineering,
Junior, and Email: barkersy@email.uc.edu.
Vinson Butler, Department of Electrical Engineering,
Sophomore, and Email: butlervn@email.uc.edu.
Mr. Elad Kivelevitch
Lab Facility Manager & Graduate Student Support

Ms. Chelsea Sabo
PROJECT TITLES AND PARTICIPANTS

Project # 5: “Measuring Travel Reliability
Using Advanced Hybrid Technologies”

Student Participants



Avery Johnson, Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Pre-Junior, and Email: johnsav@mail.uc.edu.
Kaitlin Welch, Department of Computer Science, PreJunior, and Email: welchkc@email.uc.edu.
Faculty Mentor

Dr. Heng Wei, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil &
Environmental Engineering, 792 Rhodes Hall, Tel: 513556-3781, and Email: heng.wei@uc.edu.
PROJECT TITLES AND PARTICIPANTS

Project # 6: “Mobile Robot Navigation in an
Unstructured Environment”

Student Participant


Tacarra Gordon, Department of Biomedical Engineering,
Pre-Junior, and Email: gordontd@email.uc.edu.
Faculty Mentor

Dr. Manish Kumar, Assistant Professor, Department:
Mechanical Engineering, 629 Rhodes Hall, Tel.: 513-5564668, and Email: manish.kumar@uc.edu.
PROJECT TITLES AND PARTICIPANTS

Project # 7: “Microalgae Culture for
Wastewater Treatment and Biodiesel
Production”

Student Participant


Rachel Rheaume, Department of Biomedical
Engineering, Junior, and Email:
rachael.rheaume@gmail.com.
Faculty Mentor

Dr. Joo-Youp Lee, Assistant Professor, Department of
Chemical & Materials Engineering, 640 ERC, Phone:
513-556-0018, and Email: joo.lee@uc.edu.
PROJECT TITLES AND PARTICIPANTS

Project # 8: “Determination of Massively
Separated Unsteady Flows - An
Undergraduate Project”

Student Participants



Christopher McGlown, Department of Aerospace
Engineering, Senior, and Email:
mcglownca@mail.uc.edu.
Charles Williams, Department of Aerospace Engineering,
Senior, and Email: willc6@mail.uc.edu.
Faculty Mentor

Dr. Kirti N. Ghia, Professor, Department of Aerospace
Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, 693 Rhodes
Hall, Tel: (513) 556-3243, and E-mail:
kghia@cfdrl.uc.edu.
PROJECT TITLES AND PARTICIPANTS

Project # 9: “Microfluidic Sensor for
Electrochemical Detection of Heavy Metals”

Student Participant


Josi Herren, Department of Biomedical Engineering,
Sophomore, and Email: josiherren@gmail.com.
Faculty Mentors


Dr. Ian Papautsky, Associate Professor, Department of
Electrical and Computer Engineering, 387 ERC, Tel: 5562347, and Email: ian.papautsky@uc.edu.
Dr. William R. Heineman, Distinguished Research
Professor, Department of Chemistry, 120 Crosley Tower,
513-556-9210, and Email: william.heineman@uc.edu.
PROJECT TITLES AND PARTICIPANTS

Project # 10: “Green Entrepreneurship:
Public -Private Joint Venture in Energy
Audits”

Student Participant


Keith Lackey Jr., Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Pre-Junior, and Email: lackeyKL@email.uc.edu.
Faculty Mentor

Dr. Daniel B. Oerther, Professor, Center for Sustaining
the Urban Environment, Department of Civil and
Environmental Engineering, 746 Engineering Research
Center, Tel: 513-556-3670, and E-Mail:
Daniel.Oerther@uc.edu.
PROJECT TITLES AND PARTICIPANTS

Project # 11: “Transport of Pollutants
Through Liquid-Gas Interfaces - A Numerical
Approach”

Student Participants



Marlon Patton, Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Pre-Junior, and Email: pattonmo@email.uc.edu.
Amanda McGee, Department of Aerospace Engineering,
Sophomore, and Email: mcgeead@email.uc.edu.
Faculty Mentor

Dr. Urmila Ghia, Professor, Department of Mechanical
Engineering, 683 Rhodes and Computational Fluid
Dynamics Research Laboratory (CFDRL) in 637 ERC, Tel:
(513) 556-2347, and Email: urmila.ghia@uc.edu.
PROJECT TITLES AND PARTICIPANTS

Project # 12: “Multimedia and HCI Research”

Student Participant


Justin Jemison, Department of Computer Science,
Sophomore, and Email: jemisojt@email.uc.edu.
Faculty Mentor

Dr. Chia-Yung Han, Associate Professor, Department of
Computer Science, 532 ERC, Tel: 513-556-1813, and EMail: chia.han@uc.edu.
PROJECT TITLES AND PARTICIPANTS

Project # 13: “Jet Engine Design and
Optimization”

Student Participant


Kevin Park, Department of Aerospace Engineering,
Junior, and Email: parkke@email.uc.edu.
Faculty Mentor

Dr. Mark G. Turner, Associate Professor, Department of
Aerospace Engineering, 730 Rhodes Hall, Tel: (513) 5563222, and Email: mark.turner@uc.edu.
PROJECT TITLES AND PARTICIPANTS

Project # 14: “Turbine Blade Thermal Barrier
Coating Erosion”

Student Participant


Nathanial Woggon, Department of Aerospace
Engineering, Senior, and Email: Nwoggon@gmail.com.
Faculty Mentor

Dr. Awatef Hamed, Department Head and Professor,
Department of Aerospace Engineering, 475 Rhodes Hall,
Tel: (513) 556-3553, and E-Mail: A.Hamed@uc.edu.
PROJECT TITLES AND PARTICIPANTS

Project # 15: “Controlling Nano-Particles in
Engine Exhaust”

Student Participant


Maesa Idries, Department of Chemical Engineering,
Sophomore, and Email: idriesme@gmail.com.
Faculty Mentor

Dr. Gregory Beaucage, Associate Professor, Department
of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Tel.: 513-5563063, and E-mail: Gregory.Beaucage@uc.edu.
REU Site Activities

General Project Schedule

Project Meetings

Biweekly Group Leaders and Responsibilities

Reports and Presentations

Awards

Skills Workshops

Enrichment Seminars

Evaluations from Each Participant

Activities Beyond 2009-2010 REU Program
REU Site Activities:
General Project Schedule

First and Second Months:

Identifying goals and the research tasks

Plan the time schedule

Conduct literature survey

Attend Equipment and Research Content
Training Seminars

Write Abstract, Goals, Objectives, Literature
Review, and Time Schedule – get reviewed
from Faculty Mentor and finalize it
REU Site Activities:
General Project Schedule (Continued)

Third and Fourth Months:
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Literature search and equipment and research
content training seminars to continue, as
needed
Fabricating specimens / conducting
simulations
Laboratory testing / field investigations
Analyzing test results
Generalizations of results
Interim Progress Report and PowerPoint
presentations at the end of First Quarter –
reviewed and critiqued by Faculty Mentor
REU Site Activities:
General Project Schedule (Continued)

Fifth and Sixth Months:
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Literature search and equipment and research content
training seminars to continue, as needed
Fabricating specimens / conducting simulations to
continue
Laboratory testing / field investigations to continue
Analyzing test results to continue
Generalizations of results to continue
Attend Enrichment Seminars and Skills Workshops and
submit reflective feedback
Interim Progress Report and PowerPoint presentations
at the end of sixth month - reviewed and critiqued by
Faculty Mentor
REU Site Activities:
General Project Schedule (Continued)

Seventh Month:
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Literature search and equipment and research content
training seminars to continue, as needed
Fabricating specimens / conducting simulations
Laboratory testing / field investigations
Analyzing test results
Generalizations of results
Interim Progress Report at the end of seventh month reviewed and critiqued by Faculty Mentor
Eight Month (End of Second Quarter):
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Final Research Technical Paper preparation
Final PowerPoint Presentation preparation
Final Display Poster preparation
REU Site Activities:
Project Meetings
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Frequency
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Place
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
Research Faculty Mentor will fix the meeting place
Time
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At least once every two weeks (or biweekly)
Research Faculty Mentor will fix the meeting time for the week
If missed, it must be rescheduled
Attendance mandatory
Documenting the Meeting
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If a REU project has 2 students, one will serve as Project Leader for the meeting and
reporting. This responsibility will rotate.
Discuses progress from past meeting
Present work planned till next meeting
Ask questions, if any
Participants will e-mail a reflective feedback soon after the meeting to the Faculty
Mentor, Grant Coordinator (marlo.thigpen@uc.edu) and Project Director
(anant.kukreti@uc.edu). This must be submitted latest by Friday of the meeting week.
Format for this feedback will be e-mailed to all participants.
REU Site Activities:
Bi-weekly Group Leaders & Responsibilities

Group Leader for week one
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First participant in the list, if 2 students working on the
project
Group Leader will rotate each week (except for
projects with only one participant)
Group Leader for the week will maintain a daily log of
activities in a "Log Book“
Entries for each day must be written by the end of the
day
At the biweekly meeting show Log Book to Faculty
Mentor and get signature with date
Show Log Book to Grant Coordinator once a month
and get signature with date
Log Book will be submitted on the last day of the
program
REU Site Activities:
Reports and Presentations (Continued)

Interim Progress Reports

Three Interim Reports:
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
At end Sixth Month - submit a written progress report and make a
PowerPoint Presentation

At end of Seventh Month - submit a written progress report

Must follow the given guidelines for written reports – no exceptions


At end of First Quarter – submit a written progress report (must have
submitted)
All reports must be reviewed by Faculty Mentor and corrected before
submission
Reflective feedback of biweekly meetings – due by Friday of the meeting
week

Show Log Book to Grant Coordinator once a month

The date and venue for the PowerPoint Presentation will be announced via
BlackBoard

Give an electronic and hard copy of the report and PowerPoint
Presentation to Faculty Mentor and Grant Coordinator

Each project member must participate in the presentation

Social hour with light refreshments follow the presentations
REU Site Activities:
Reports and Presentations (Continued)

Final Technical Research Paper, PowerPoint and
Display Poster Presentations:
 Draft due one week before the last week of the
REU program
 Format instructions supplied must be used
 Five hard copies for distribution to the Judges
 Submit an electronic copy to Grant Coordinator
 Poster and oral presentation to external judges on
last week (date, time, and venue will be
announced):
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Poster presentation
15-20 minutes PowerPoint presentation
10 minutes of questions and answers
Refreshments will be served
REU Site Activities:
Reports and Presentations (Continued)

Final Summary Report for NSF:
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

Draft due one week before the last week of the REU program
A 4 to 5 page, single line spaced, Arial 10 Font Size, I inch margins
all around. The report narrative must be organized in following
sections:
 Project Title and names of the group members, student status in
2009-10 year, degree program
 Goal and Objectives of the study
 Research Tasks undertaken to meet the goals and objectives
 Methodologies Used to execute the research tasks (be brief)
 Training Received in use of specialized equipment - give the
names of such equipment
 Conclusions of your study
 Four action photographs showcasing your project with captions
(not counted in the 4-5 page narrative).
 Must be reviewed and critiqued by Faculty Mentor and corrected
prior to submission
All figures and tables included must be numbered and have
captions. Do not use first person, e.g., I, we, etc.
REU Site Activities:
Awards

Certificate for each participant

“Best Project” Award
REU Site Activities: Skills Workshops
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Six Research Skills Workshops will be scheduled via
Blackboard – date, time and venue will be in the
announcement section
Each participant must complete each viewing and
evaluation at the end of each workshop
Each participant will submit a reflective write-up for
each: one page, single line spaced, Arial 10 Font size,
1 inch margins on all four sides
E-mail the above to Grant Coordinator and Project
Director
Workshop Topics:
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Workshop # 1: Technical Writing and Presentation
Workshop # 2: Online Literature Search Using Library Facilities
Workshop # 3: Ethics in Engineering
Workshop # 4: Public Speaking and Communication
Workshop # 5: Poster Making and Presentation
Workshop # 6: Statistical and Uncertainty Analysis
REU Site Activities: Enrichment
Seminars
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Four Enrichment Seminars are tentatively scheduled –
date, time and venue will be informed
Each participant must attend
Each participant will submit a reflective write-up for
each: one page, single spaced line, Arial 10 Font size,
1 inch margins on all four sides
E-mail the above to Grant Coordinator and Project
Director
Seminar Topics:

Enrichment Seminar # 1: Research in an Academic Setting

Enrichment Seminar # 2: Taking Research from Lab to Real World

Enrichment Seminar # 3: Creative Thinking

Enrichment Seminar # 4: Graduate Education Opportunities and
Application Process
REU Site Activities:
Evaluations From Each Participant

REU Site Satisfaction Questionnaire: to
evaluate quality of facilities, activities,
and guidance provided

Post-Evaluation: to evaluate research
skills acquired, mentorship provided,
and future plans
REU Site Activities:
Activities Beyond 2009-10 REU Program

A presentation at your department, e.g., at an ASCE
Student Chapter Meeting

UC students must present a poster in the Spring (in
May-June) Undergraduate Poster Presentation Day

Submit a paper with Faculty Mentor to a student
paper presentation competition and/or conference –
this is a requirement

Complete Online Tracking Form Annually in April
Laboratory and Office Usage and
Safety

Attire





Closed toe shoes
Full length pants
Safety glasses when needed
Hard hats when needed
Equipment training and usage



Provided by laboratory technician and/or Graduate
Research Assistant prior to usage
No equipment should be used without receiving
training
All tools borrowed should be returned before the end
of the day
Laboratory and Office Usage and
Safety Issues (Continued)


Never work alone when testing
Use of Project Office (if you are assigned one)



Project Office should be kept clean on a daily
basis - no exceptions
Lock the room after leaving – no exceptions
Copy Machine Usage

Grant Coordinator will assist in getting copies
made for Interim and Final Reports if requested
OVERVIEW OF 2009-2010 REU
RESEARCH PROJECTS
 Need
3 t0 4 slides presenting an
overview of each project from the
Faculty Mentors
 Need
as soon as possible
QUESTIONS?