PSU’s virtual Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) project, Computational Modeling Serving Portland, recently received an NSF grant renewal of $428,608 over the next three years.
Professor Christof Teuscher at the Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Sciences–along with Co-PI Jay Gopalakrishnan–will lead this virtual REU site, teaching students the foundations of computational modeling and providing them with an opportunity to apply what they learn to understanding and discovering solutions to real-world problems.
“The goal of this REU site is to serve and enhance Portland and its greater region,” says Teuscher. “It will illustrate that computational modeling and thinking is not just limited to the use of information technology, but can be applied to thinking about and solving problems well beyond the traditional computing disciplines.”
For this project, Teuscher and his team seek to recruit a diverse group of eight undergraduate students per year from institutions within the U.S. with limited science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) research opportunities and from tribal colleges and universities. The virtual nature of the project reduces barriers to participation and allows for the recruitment of students who cannot travel to Portland. All that is required to join this REU site is an Internet connection.
Teuscher’s project endeavors to build upon PSU’s reputation as a national model for urban universities that enhance their regions by working with community partners to solve real-world problems. Under guidance from faculty mentors, students will receive training in computational modeling during the first two weeks, followed by an eight-week research project conducted alongside a community member.
“Through their projects and interactions with their community partners,” Teuscher adds, “students are gaining an understanding of the potential and limits of computational tools and how they can serve diverse communities.”
During the project, Teuscher and Gopalakrishnan will be working with a team of faculty and junior faculty members, including:
- Ameeta Agrawal (Computer Science)
- Heejun Chang (Geography)
- Samantha Hartzell (Civil and Environmental Engineering)
- Sirisha Kothuri (Civil and Environmental Engineering)
- Tammy Lee (Transportation Research and Education Center)
- John Lipor (Electrical and Computer Engineering)
- Dorcas Ofori-Boateng (Mathematics and Statistics)
- Banafsheh Rekabdar (Computer Science)
- Liming Wang (School of Urban Studies & Planning)
Community partners for this project include the cities of Portland and Gresham, Clean Water Services of Washington, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, the Oregon Department of Transportation, the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services, and more.
Participating students can expect to come away from a research internship with an “intellectual toolbox” that Teuscher says will aid them in whatever career field they pursue, outfitted with the real-world experience of helping communities solve complex problems.
“We hope this program will spur other educational initiatives with the goal to serve and enhance Portland and its greater region,” Teuscher notes. “We also hope that the program can serve as a foundation to attract and motivate a diverse population of students to pursue a STEM career.”