NSF Engineering Research Center
and in Partnership with Industry
Research Experience for Undergraduates
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering Research Center for Advancing Sustainable and Distributed Fertilizer Production (CASFER) strives to solve one of the most pressing problems facing humankind, how do we feed the growing world population while protecting and sustaining our environment?
CASFER hosts a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program every year during the summer. Our REU participants are diverse and talented students eager to learn and grow with others from different backgrounds. Students are placed in a wide range of projects, working directly with faculty, post docs and graduate students while contributing to the transformation of the agricultural and fertilizer industries into a Nitrogen Circular Economy.
REU Program 2024
Program Dates: June - July, 2024
specific dates will be established by each institution
Application Deadline: March 1, 2024
The CASFER 2024 Summer REU Program will be housed at several of our partner institutions, including Texas Tech University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Florida A&M University, and Case Western Reserve University. Students will receive training in a laboratory environment and be expected to assist with ongoing research projects. REU students will work closely with scientific mentors and further develop their network of scientists, engineers, and industry professionals. This program is designed to develop not only a student's STEM-based skills, but also their presenting, public speaking, and communication.
Eligibility Requirements:
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Undergraduate student in engineering, agricultural sciences, or environmental sciences
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Strong Academic Record
Students Will Receive
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On-Campus Housing
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A Stipend of $6,000
Application Materials:
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Resumé
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Statement of Purpose (explaining why you are interested in this program/project)
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Unofficial Transcript
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Two Letters of Recommendation
The 2024 Application Window Has Closed. Please apply next year!
Research Projects:
Research Topic | Research Advisor | Institution |
|---|---|---|
Membrane Electrolysis for Nutrient Recovery | Dr. Paul Kohl | Georgia Institute of Technology |
Nitrogen and Carbon Attenuation in Soils Amended with Novel Fertilizers and Animal Manure | Dr. Matthew Siebecker | Texas Tech University |
The Responses of Soil Bacteria to Electrochemically-treated Waste Activated Sludge | Dr. Kay Millerick | Texas Tech University |
Trends in C-B Bond Formation and Breaking Across Transition Metals in an Electrochemical Environment | Dr. Joseph Gautier | Texas Tech University |
Ion Exchange Processes from WWTP | Dr. Christian Alvarez & Dr. Ozhan Gecgel | Texas Tech University |
Sludge Electrolysis for NBF | Dr. Gerri Botte | Texas Tech University |
Electrified Nutrient Recovery Systems | Dr. Marta Hatzell | Georgia Institute of Technology |
Geospacio-temporal Predictive Models
| Dr. Katherine Milla | Florida A&M University |
Nutrient Recovery via Engineered Peptides | Dr. Julie Renner | Case Western Reserve University |
Past REU Programs
CASFER has housed REU programs at Texas Tech University and Georgia Institute of Technology, allowing students to take part in ground-breaking scientific advancement. We have hosted 10 REU students, teaching them a wide range of topics from electrochemistry to agriculture, and helping to develop their presentation and research skills.
