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OUR

Students at the University of Central Florida have numerous opportunities to work with faculty and graduate students pursuing research interests across various STEM disciplines. Though there are many ways to get involved in undergraduate research, the Office of Undergraduate Research provides a wealth of resources for exploring these enriching opportunities. We encourage you to explore the programs, workshops and nationally funded projects available at UCF. For more information about the Office of Undergraduate Research, visit their website or email them at our@ucf.edu.

Center for Research in Computer Vision

Research Experience for Undergraduates in Computer Vision. The National Science Foundation (NSF) has designated the Center for Research in Computer Vision at the University of Central Florida (UCF) as a site for Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) in the area of Computer Vision for 2015-2017. The purpose of the REU is to encourage undergraduate students to pursue graduate school and research careers.

NSF REU

NSF REU Site: Research Experiences on the Internet of Things (IoT) will train undergraduate students in research-based theory and applications of the technologies used in this fast-moving interdisciplinary field. The REU students will join well-established research groups under the close supervision of faculty with expertise in security, privacy, hardware design, data analytics, healthcare simulations, and social computing. This REU site is open to undergraduate students majoring in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, information technology, and mechanical engineering.

GIS REU Site in BrazilNSF

REU/RET Site: Preparing the Next Generation of Scholars through Community Geographic Information Systems and Citizen Science in Orlando and Belize emphasizes engaged, community-based research while also preparing students for future academic and non-academic careers in GIS, geospatial technologies, geography, geosciences, sociology, education, community development, public health, and land use planning. The research training program is the first of its kind for U.S. undergraduates given its explicit international focus on community geography/GIS and participatory methodologies. Student mastery of geospatial STEM research skills will be accomplished largely through students creating an open and freely available geospatial data infrastructure to address social and environmental disparities related to marine debris and flooding/disaster management in Belize. This objective will include the creation of an online, interactive geospatial data and mapping portal through ArcGIS Online.

CATER

NSF REU Site: Advanced Technologies in Hypersonic, Propulsive, Energetic and Reusable Platforms addresses challenges in next-generation modes of transportation and energy generation. Realizing planned platforms for advanced space travel and energy production can only be achieved through multidisciplinary research. This REU site will actively recruit and partner a diverse group of approximately eleven students each summer with leading faculty and graduate students at UCF. Together, these teams will advance the fundamental knowledge needed to overcome technical barriers limiting hypersonic flight. This REU is jointly hosted by the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and the Center for Advanced Turbomachinery and Energy Research.

NANO

NSF REU Site: Engineering and Nanoscience of Materials and Device Applications in Biotechnology and Medicine emphasizes hands-on research training in topics such as adoptive cancer immunotherapy and targeted nanoparticle cancer therapy, engineering of MEMs devices and body-on-a-chip systems for proteomics research, develop nanofibers for tissue engineering, engineer smart wound healing patches, and nanomanufacturing of tunable plasmonic sensors. The research will involve both experimental and theory based learning.

NSF REU Site: Conservation, Restoration and Communication program focus meets a critical national need to train students in the fields of conservation and restoration using cutting-edge tools and techniques. Our REU mentors combine field data collection with cutting-edge laboratory research (e.g., eDNA, metabolomics). This REU program focuses on inquiry-based research projects developed by students with support from their mentors. Directly connected to both conservation and restoration is communication. Students participating in this REU will enhance their communication skills with the goal of each student developing a science identity by the end of summer. Professional development training is designed to remove common barriers to success; workshops include ethics and responsible conduct of research, career choices and job shadowing opportunities, how to navigate graduate school admissions, and time management.