MIRTHE REU Summer Program
Research Experience for Undergraduates
MIRTHE conducts an annual summer REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) program, where undergraduate students are invited into the lab for original research as early in their careers as possible, making them fully participating, responsible members of the research endeavor.
The REU program aims at allowing students to experience that “the total can be more than the sum of its parts”; i.e. the students learn early on the essence of an interdisciplinary and cross-institutional center. The REU program spreads across the MIRTHE sites, yet still operates as one program by using major communication tools such as frequent web-conferences, technical talks, and presentations.
The following is a representative timetable for an 8 week program:
Week 1: Web-conference: Introductory lecture and discussion on MIRTHE; meeting on being a “good lab citizen” and on “data taking and recording – lab books.”
Week 2: Web-conference: symposium on components (lasers, detectors) and design of trace-gas sensor systems; meeting on “conducting literature searches and finding supporting materials.”
Week 3: Lectures and discussions on research ethics.
Week 4: Web-conference: lecture and discussion on science policy.
Week 5: Web-conference: lecture and discussion on science policy.
Week 6: Web-conference: Symposium on Sensing Applications in Environment, Homeland Security, and Health.
Week 7: Web-conference: short research presentations to other REUs; meeting on “presenting and discussing research results.”
Week 8: Participation in the MIRTHE Summer Intern Presentations Workshop.
The MIRTHE REU program is focused on providing students with an opportunity to carry out research at the forefront of mid-IR spectroscopy and engineering. Click here to view 2015 REU research projects. To view a list of MIRTHE summer intern mentors with links to their personal pages, please visit the MIRTHE Summer Intern Mentors contact page
We encourage applications from students of all science and engineering disciplines. Those interested in applying to the program may do so online by March 1st.
Application ( applications are now closed)
All applicants should arrange to have a copy of their college transcript mailed and to have identified a faculty reference. When describing your research interests in your application, it is important to be explicit about the research areas that interest you, and we will then make an effort to find the best match between potential research projects and your research interests.
Please note: after submitting your application online, an email will be automatically generated and sent to the faculty member you provided asking for a letter of recommendation. In addition, you will receive an email at the email address you provide us confirming that we have received your application and that it is being reviewed.
The deadline for applications is March 1st. Those selected for the program will be notified by email by April 30th with information about a potential research topic and research mentor.
Transcripts are to be mailed to:
MIRTHE+ – REU
Attn. Roxanne Zellin
Princeton University
70 Prospect Avenue, 217 Bowen Hall
Princeton, NJ 08540-5211
Inquiries may be addressed to Roxanne Zellin, Director of Education Outreach, 609-258-7922.