REU Site: Dare to BE FIRST - Biomechanical Engineering Foundations in Impactful Research, Science & Technology

This Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site, “Dare to BE FIRST: Biomechanical Engineering Foundations in Impactful Research, Science, and Technology,” will provide undergraduate students with mentored summer research experiences in biomedical engineering at the University of Delaware. Biomedical engineering increasingly depends on quantitative skills such as modeling, computation, data analysis, and experimental design, yet many undergraduates have limited access to research environments where these skills can be developed through hands-on practice. This project addresses that need by engaging students in research at the interface of engineering, biology, and medicine, with an emphasis on how quantitative approaches can be used to understand and improve human health. The project serves the national interest by helping develop a skilled STEM workforce prepared to advance science, improve health and well-being, and contribute to U.S. prosperity through biomedical innovation. Recruitment will focus on students with limited access to research opportunities, while keeping the program open to all eligible U.S. students. Each year, the REU Site will support 9 undergraduate students in a 10-week, full-time summer research experience in the Center for Biomechanical Engineering Research (CBER)-affiliated laboratories across the University of Delaware. Students will work on interdisciplinary bioengineering projects spanning cellular and molecular mechanics, tissue biomechanics, joint and system biomechanics, and rehabilitation-related bioengineering, with a strong emphasis on quantitative analysis. This renewal builds on prior REU programming while introducing several enhancements to new programs. New learning modules include a Core Facilities Passport with structured tours of CBER laboratories and core facilities, expanded peer mentoring, and weekly cohort-building activities. The workshop series has been expanded from 3 to 9 sessions. Workshops will cover quantitative methods, experimental design, biostatistics, reproducible workflows, scientific communication, and career preparation. They will also include an alumni career session, speed mentoring, and a LinkedIn/CV clinic. Students will complete regular progress reports, prepare abstracts and posters, and present their work at the University of Delaware summer research symposium. When appropriate, students will be included as coauthors on peer-reviewed abstracts, conference proceedings, and full-length manuscripts. Recruitment will occur through the Dare to BE FIRST Alliance and other outreach channels, and program outcomes will be assessed through surveys and independent evaluation by the Center for Research in Education and Social Policy to support continuous improvement. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria. NSF Award ID: 2548398 | Program: 01002627DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT | Principal Investigator: Xin Lu | Institution: University of Delaware, NEWARK, DE | Award Amount: $414,858 View on NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/show-award/?AWD_ID=2548398 View on Research.gov: https://www.research.gov/awardapi-service/v1/awards/2548398.html