Get SMART with summer research opportunity

The Tulane School of Science and Engineering is accepting applications for a summer undergraduate research opportunity on Tulane’s uptown campus.

The Summer Materials Research at Tulane (SMART) program is a 10-week multidisciplinary research experience for undergraduates incorporating the departments of chemistry, biomedical engineering, chemical and biomolecular engineering and physics and engineering physics.

Participants will engage with faculty advisers and graduate students in original research projects focusing on materials for health, energy and the environment. In addition, they will receive professional development mentoring on research and presentation skills, as well as on the graduate school application process and science careers.

“We want them to see how leading-edge research gets done.”

—Hank Ashbaugh, professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering

The program will accept 14 students.

“We want them to see how leading-edge research gets done, working with both faculty and graduate students working on their PhDs,” said Hank Ashbaugh, a professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. “We also expose them to research going on at Tulane and provide symposia on general research techniques to give them a feel for the possibilities for future careers in scientific research.”

Last summer, student research projects included developing a new class of polymers, developing new hydrogel materials in which nerve cells can be grown and studying ways to lessen potential side effects of drugs.

Funded by the National Science Foundation, the program is open to students from two-year junior colleges and undergraduates from four-year colleges who are pursuing engineering or natural science-related degrees. Those accepted will receive a $5,000 stipend and up to $500 for travel expenses. The deadline to apply is Monday, Feb. 27.

To apply or for more information, visit SMART online.