REU Participants

Physics Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program


May 19 - July 24, 2024


Application Deadline: Feb. 15, 2024

A summer research program in physics for undergraduates. 

APPLY NOW!!

If there are questions, please email physreu@uark.edu. Thanks.

National Science Foundation logo

Supported by the National Science Foundation

Overview

Selected undergraduate students perform frontier research  during the summer REU 2024 on experimental and theoretical projects in one of their chosen research areas. 

Research Areas:

  • Nano-materials and Condensed Matter
  • Photonics, Lasers, and Quantum Optics
  • Soft Condensed Matter and Biophysics

Additional activities include social events jointly with other REU's, field trips to industrial labs, seminars on ethics, use of a research library, and technical writing and research presentations. 

Physics majors or those in fields related to Optics and Materials Science are eligible to apply. Students from small colleges and groups that are underrepresented in science and engineering, including women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

The project descriptions below will give you an idea of the type of project that you will work in the associated professor's lab. Actual projects may vary somewhat from these descriptions. To find out more about a project, click on it. To find out more about a professor, click on his or her name.

E=Experimental, T=Theoretical, *=Projects for Physics REU 2024 
NMCM=Nano-materials and Condensed matter, QOPL=Quantum Optics, Photonics, and Lasers, SMBP=Soft matter and Biophysics

Professor Research Area1 Project Title
Salvador-Barraza-Lopez* T, NMCM Predicting Shape from Atomic Bonds and Atomic Locations *
Laurent-Bellaiche T, NMCM Static and Dynamical Properties of Perovskites
Hugh Churchill* E, NMCM Quantum Devices Based on Atomically Thin Materials*
Huaxiang Fu* T, NMCM Understanding and Predicting Technological Important Materials *
Jin Hu* E, NMCM Quantum material synthesis and properties *
Pradeep Kumar* E, SMBP Adaptation bottlenecks and evolution of bacteria *
Jiali Li* E, SMBP Science and Applications of Nanoscale Materials *
Hiroyuki Nakamura*  E, NMCM Studying Nanoscale Vibrations Using Lasers*
Gregory-Salamo* E, NMCM,SMBP Exploring Nanoscale Materials*
Woodrow Shew* E, SMBP Statistical and Nonlinear Physics of the Brain *
Surendra Singh* E, QOPL, SMBP Lasers Quantum Optics and Optical Studies of Biomolecules *
Paul Thibado E, NMCM Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) of Twisted Bilayer Graphene*
Reeta Vyas* T, QOPL Interaction of Non-classical Light with Simple Material System *
Yong Wang* E, SMBP, QOPL Single-molecule & single-cell nanometric biophysics*

1 E=Experimental
   T=Theoretical
   NMCM=Nano-materials and Condensed matter
   QOPL=Quantum Optics, Photonics, and Lasers
   SMBP=Soft matter and Biophysics 

2022

The table below summarizes various projects on which students worked.

E=Experimental, T=Theoretical, NMCM=Nano-materials and Condensed matter, QOPL=Quantum Optics, Photonics, and Lasers, SMBP=Soft matter and Biophysics.

 

REU Student and Instituion 

Professor  Research Area Project Title 
REUAshley Allen, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Dr. Pradeep Kumar E, SMBP Using liposomal models to study the binding kinetics of cytoskeletal proteins
REUJonathan Barrett, Wheaton College Dr. Hiro Nakamura E, QOPL Building Raman measurement system for 2D materials
REUJeremy Choh, Hendrix College Dr. Hugh Churchill  E, NMCM Optimization of Quantum Device Fabrication for the MonArk Quantum Foundry
REUJessica Fink, Missouri State University Dr. Yong Wang E, SMBP The Effects of Magnetic Field on Bacterial Motility
REUAlexandra Lee, University of North Carolina Asheville Dr. Reeta Vyas E T, QOPL Laguerre-Gaussian Beam Fraunhofer Diffraction of Varying Radial Indices
REUChasen McPherson, Oklahoma State University Dr. Hugh Churchill  E, NMCM Searching for Superconductivity in Twisted Double-Bilayers of WS2
REULucas Miller, Wilkes University Dr. Jin Hu E, NMCM Characterization of Ge, SiGe, and GeSn Films Grown on Si Using UHV-CVD Reactor
REUSam Mortenson, Drake University Dr. Woodrow Shew E, SMBP Orthonasal Versus Retronasal Olfaction: How the Brain Encodes Sensory Input
REUArantxa Pardue, Belmont University Dr. Jin Hu E, NMCM Flux Growth of hBN single crystals
REULeslie Paul, Arkansas Tech University Dr. Jiali Li E, SMBP De Novo Assembly of DNA and mRNA Reads from Nanopore Sequencing
REUAbigail Strack, Wheaton College Dr. Surenda Singh E, QOPL Polarization Synthesis of Hermite-Gaussian Beams Using a Mach-Zehnder Interferometer
REULee Thompson, Arkansas Tech University Dr. Hiro Nakamura E, QOPL Growth of Few Layer WSe2 for Nonlinear Optics Study
REURyan Yoder, William & Mary Dr. Yong Wang E, SMBP Silver Ion’s on Bacteria Tumbling rates and Fluorescent Flagella Labelling

2021

The table below summarizes various projects on which students worked. To find out more about a professor, click on his or her name.

E=Experimental, T=Theoretical, NMCM=Nano-materials and Condensed matter, QOPL=Quantum Optics, Photonics, and Lasers, SMBP=Soft matter and Biophysics.

REU Student and Institution

Professor Research Area Project Title
Hope Dannar Hope Dannar, University of Northern Colorado Dr. Surenda Singh E, QOPL Exploring Different Ways to Generate LG Beams
Dawn Ford Dawn Ford, Univeristy of Virginia Dr. Jin Hu E, NMCM Property Tuning of Layered Materials by Electrochemical Intercalation
Christopher Hocevar Christopher Hocevar, Oklahoma State University Dr. Gregory Salamo E, NMCM Using Raman Spectroscopy to Determine Composition of our Growth of Germanium-Tin Nano Structures
Juan Martinez Juan Martinez, University of Arkansas at Little Rock Dr. Reeta Vyas T, QOPL Diffraction of Laguerre Gaussian Beams from two parallel slits
Xavier Mleziva Xavier Mleziva, University of Wisconsin Whitewater Dr. Yong Wang E, SMBP The Growth of Escherichia Coli in Microgravity
OsgoodAyla Ayla Osgood, Mount Holyoke College Dr. Woodrow Shew E, SMBP Using Deep Learning to Improve Motion Tracking
Steven Rhodes Steven Rhodes, Middle Tennessee State University Dr. Huaxiang Fu T, NMCM Numerical Analysis of LiZnSb as a Candidate Hyperferroelectric
Kaylee TenBarge Kaylee TenBarge, Butler University Dr. Jin Hu E, NMCM Dimensionality Engineering of Electronic Bands in Layered ZrGeTe4 and HfGeTe4
Mark Whitledge Mark Whitledge, Arkansas State University Jonesboro Dr. Hiro Nakamura E, QOPL Building an Ultralow-Frequency Raman Spectroscopy System
Seth Williams Seth Williams, Arkansas Tech University Dr. Pradeep Kumar E, SMBP Analyzing motility of E. coli using Differential Dynamic Microscopy

2019

The table below summarizes various projects on which students worked. To find out more about a professor, click on his or her name.

E=Experimental, T=Theoretical, 

NMCM=Nano-materials and Condensed matter, QOPL=Quantum Optics, Photonics, and Lasers, SMBP=Soft matter and Biophysics.

REU Student and Institution

Professor Research Area Project Title
Bailey Brycelynn Bailey,
Arkansas Tech University, AR
Dr. Jin Hu E, NMCM Nanostructures Growth of Topological Quantum Materials
Corbitt Anna Corbitt, Southern Arkansas University, AR Dr. Jin Hu E, NMCM Growth and Characterization of 1T-TaS2 and 1T-TaSe2
Du Albert Du, North Central College, Naperville, IL Dr. Salvador-Barraza Lopez T, NMCM Energy barrier of ferro-to-paraelectric transitions of hole and electron doped group-IV monochalcogenide monolayers
Johnson Kayleigh Johnson, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, AR Dr. Pradeep Kumar E, SMBP  Bacterial motility and chemotaxis at dierent concentrations of Magnesium Sulfate
Kurilich Matthew Kurilich, Middle Tennessee State University, TN Dr. Yong Wang E, SMBP  The Motion of Bacteria in Various Media
Mastalish Michael Mastalish, Marquette University, WI Dr. Hugh Churchill E, NMCM Measuring the Excitonic Insulator Transition in Ta2NiSe5
Murillo Nathan Murillo, Oklahoma Baptist University, OK Dr. Surendra Singh E, QOPL A Comparative Study of the Phase Structure of HG and LG Beams
Norman Victoria Norman, The University of Scranton, PA Dr. Woodrow Shew E, SMBP Behavioral Consequences of Abnormal Development of a Fly’s Nervous System
Richter Jake Richter, Texas A&M University at Commerce, TX Dr. Gregory Salamo E, NMCM Analyzing Linear Dislocation Density of Ge1-x Snx/Ge interfaces as Layer Thickness changes using X-ray Diffraction
Salazar Salas Fernando Salazar-Salas, East Central University, Ada, OK Dr. Paul Thibado E, NMCM Modeling, building, and Analyzing, Energy Harvesting Circuit for Graphene
Strawter De'Neshia Strawter, Fort Valley State University Dr. Reeta Vyas T, QOPL Diffraction of LG beam by square aperture and cantor set

 

2018

The table below summarizes various projects on which students worked. To find out more about a professor, click on his or her name.

E=Experimental, T=Theoretical, 
NMCM=Nano-materials and Condensed matter, QOPL=Quantum Optics, Photonics, and Lasers, SMBP=Soft matter and Biophysics.

REU Student and Institution

Professor Research Area Project Title
Ariel Rogers Ariel Rogers,
Truman State University, MO
Dr. Yong Wang E, SMBP Single-Cell Investigation of the Effects of DC Electric Current on Bacteria
Aiden Glaser Aiden Glaser, Vassar College, NY Dr. Pradeep Kumar  E, SMBP Stochastic Analysis of Phenotypic Switching and the Development of a Portable Photometer
Emily Walla Emily Walla, University fo Arizona, AZ Dr. Surendra Singh E, QOPL The Role of Symmetry in the Diffraction of Laguerre-Gauss Vortex Beams

 

2017

The table below summarizes various projects on which students worked. To find out more about a professor, click on his or her name.

E=Experimental, T=Theoretical, 
NMCM=Nano-materials and Condensed matter, QOPL=Quantum Optics, Photonics, and Lasers, SMBP=Soft matter and Biophysics.

REU Student and Institution

Professor Research Area Project Title
Sophia Andaloro Sophia Andaloro,
University of Dallas, TX
Dr. Surendra Singh E, QOPL The Diffraction of Laguerre-Gaussian Vortex Beams Carrying Equal and Opposite Angular Momentum
Alex J. Bishop Alex J. Bishop,
University of Alabama, AL
Dr. Paul Thibado  E, QOPL Molecular Dynamics Modeling of Monolayer Graphene
Lauren Corby Lauren Corby,
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, AR
Dr. Fisher Yu E, NMCM Study of high-temperature operation of materials and LEDs for 3D high density power modules
Nicholas Corkill Nicholas Corkill,
Loyola University, Chicago, IL
Dr. Gregory Salamo E, NMCM Probing In(ga)N/GaN Quantum Wells Using Photoluminescence
Joseph Delmar Joseph Delmar,
University of Scranton, PA
Dr. Salvador-Barraza-Lopez T, NMCM Two-dimensional transitions and structural degeneracies of silicene
Maya Kedem Maya Kedem,
Fort Valley State University
Dr. Woodrow Shew E, SMBP New techniques for automated analysis of rat behavior
Sophia McKinney Sophia McKinney,
Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, AR
Dr. Pradeep Kumar E, SMBP Dynamic Response of Yeast Cells using Automated Microfuidic Devices
Peter Murphy Peter Murphy,
SUNY at Geneseo, NY
Dr. Hugh Churchill E, NMCM Optoelectronic Properties of Phosphorene
Janet Piefer Janet Piefer,
Juniata College
Dr. Yong Wang E, SMBP Translational and Rotational Diffusion of Bacteria Under the Influence of Direct Current
Ariel Rogers Ariel Rogers, 
Truman State University, MO
Dr. Yong Wang E, SMBP Single-Cell Investigation of the Effects of Low Electric Current on E. coli Bacteria
Connor Ross Connor Ross,
Rhodes College, TN
Dr. Reeta Vyas T, QOPL Higher Order Intensity Functions for Degenerate Parametric Oscillators

 

2016

The table below lists various projects on which students worked. To find out more about a professor, click on his or her name.

E=Experimental, T=Theoretical, 
NMCM=Nano-materials and Condensed matter, QOPL=Quantum Optics, Photonics, and Lasers, SMBP=Soft matter and Biophysics.

REU Student & Institution Professor Research Area Project Title
Zachary Browley Zachary Browley,
University of Central Arkansas, AR
Dr. Joseph Herzog E, QOPL Characteristics of Au Nanowire Arrays on GaAs for Optimal Optical Enhancement
Crystal Brown Crystal Brown,
Ouachita Baptist University, AR
Dr. Salvador-Barraza-Lopez T, NMCM Majorana Fermions
Bria Collier Bria Collier,
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, AR
Dr. Fisher Yu E, NMCM Optically Pumped GeSn Laser
Emily Ebeling Emily Ebeling,
Truman State University, MO
Dr. Yong Wang E, SMBP Fitness Benets: A Lesson from Hybrid Organization of High-Copy Number Plasmids in Bacteria
Orion Guan  Orion Guan,
Truman State University, MO
Dr. Jiali Li E, SMBP Artificial Photosynthesis Using Bilayer Lipid Membranes
Cameron Hart Cameron Hart,
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, IN
Dr. Gregory Salamo E, NMCM Photoluminescence of Compositionally Graded AlGaN Semiconductors
Kionna Henderson Kionna Henderson,
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, AR
Dr. Pradeep Kumar E, SMBP Effect of Environmental Conditions on the Metabolism of Bacteria
Hamilton Johnson Hamilton Johnson, 
Ouachita Baptist University, AR
Dr. Hugh Churchill E, NMCM Methods of Stacking Atomically Thin Materials without High Temperature Heating
Michael Linn Michael Linn,
Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, MO
Dr. Huaxiang Fu T, NMCM Computational Methods for Determining Ferroelectric Properties of Potassium Niobate
Steven Murray Steven Murray,
Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, AR
Dr. Pradeep Kumar E, SMBP Real-time dynamics of cell-division of Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Hyrum Richardson Hyrum Richardson,
Brigham Young University, UT
Dr. Surendra Singh E, QOPL Linear and Nonlinear Properties of Pancharatnam's Phase
Jazmin Urioste Jazmin Urioste,
Arkansas Tech University, Russellville, AR
Dr. Woodrow Shew E, SMBP Experimental Systems for Studying the Sense of Touch in the Rat Whisker System
Grace Woods Grace Woods,
UC Santa Cruz, CA
Dr. Hugh Churchill E, NMCM Order-Disorder 2D Phase Transition of Layered GeSe

 

The table below lists title of the projects on which students worked. To find out more about a professor, click on his or her name.

E=Experimental, T=Theoretical, 
NMCM=Nano-materials and Condensed matter, QOPL=Quantum Optics, Photonics, and Lasers, SMBP=Soft matter and Biophysics.

REU Student & Institution Professor Research Area 1 Project Title
Gabrielle Abraham Gabrielle Abraham,
University of Arkansas, AR
Dr. Joseph Herzog E, QOPL Optical Enhancement of Photoluminescence with Colloidal Quantum Dots
Kathryn Andonoro Kathryn Andonoro,
Carnegie Mellon University, PA
Dr. Pradeep Kumar E, SMBP Effect of pressure and temperature on transcription elongation of T7 promoter by RNA polymerase
Christopher Blankenship Christopher Blankenship,
Northeastern Oklahoma State in Talequah, OK

Dr. Jiali Li

E, SMBP Characterization of Lipid Membrane, Ion Pump, and Salt Solution in Artificial Photosynthesis
Sara Diletti Sara Diletti, 
University at Buffalo, NY
Dr. Pradeep Kumar E, SMBP Gene regulatory systems in fluctuating environment
Alex Dorio Alex Dorio,
University of Oklahoma, Norman OK
Dr. Salvador-Barraza-Lopez T, NMCM 2D Lower Symmetry Materials for Valleytronics
Sarah Freed Sarah Freed, University at Buffalo, NY Dr. Reeta Vyas T, QOPL Time Evolution of Discord of Two Coupled Quantum Dots in a Driven Cavity
Joshua Nelson Joshua Nelson,
Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS
Dr. Jiali Li E, SMBP Tuning Fork Based Force Sensing Probe Tip for Nanopore Experiments
Nicole Nichiniello Nicole Nichiniello,
University of Arkanssas at Monticello
Dr. Woodrow Shew E, SMBP Real-time recording of neural activity and controlled sensory feedback based on action potentials
Paul Somers Paul Somers,
Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, MO
Dr. Jacques Chakhalian E, NMCM X-Ray Reflectivity Measurements on Thin Film Superlattice and Electron Transport Measurements
Kahlil Wade Kahlil Wade,
Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, AR
Dr. Jacques Chakhalian E, NMCM Electrical Transport and Atomic Force Microscopy
Charlotte Welch Charlotte Welch,
Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL
Dr. Surendra Singh E, QOPL Electrical Transport and Atomic Force Microscopy

 

Fellowship

Funding from the National Science Foundation will provide:

  • Stipend of $6000 for each participant,
  • Room and Board Allowance sufficient to cover dormitory and meal plan,
  • Travel Support from and to home town of participants,
  • Field Trip: sometime in June, to high-tech industrial labs in the Dallas area.

Eligibility

  • Undergraduates with Physics Majors or those in a field related to Optics and Materials Science are eligible to apply. Preference will be given to those applicants who have completed 60 hours of college credit prior to the program start date with GPA greater than 3.0 (4.0 scale).
  • US citizenship or permanent residency is required for NSF-REU fellowship.
  • Students who will graduate before December of the program year are not eligible.

Application 

Application for 2024 REU will available in Dec. Interested applicants should complete the following steps by Feb. 15, 2024. Applications received after the deadline will be considered if any positions remain open. 

Completing the Online Application Form - What You'll Need: 

  • Ranked research projects - pick three research projects of interest and rank them. See  REU Project Descriptions above.
  • Statement of interest - Make PDF copy of statement of interest for uploading
  • Resume and Transcript - Make PDF copies of your current CV/resume and transcripts for uploading.

Two letters of reference - Request two of your professors (preferably physics, math, or related areas) familiar with your academic work to send us letters of reference. The form that you will need is available here (REU Recommendation Form). Give this fillable form and/or its link to your professor. Letters of reference can be emailed (physreu@uark.edu) or mailed to Physics REU, Department of Physics, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701.

To Apply click [Apply Now!] at the upper right hand corner. 

NOTE: Please note that demographic information provided in the application may be used to report statistics to the National Science Foundation or other reporting agencies in a summary form while keeping individual information confidential.

CONTACT

Professor Reeta Vyas
Department of Physics
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
Phone: (479) 575-6569 or (479) 575-2506
Fax: (479) 575-4580
Email: physreu@uark.edu or rvyas@uark.edu