Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) in Physics and Astronomy

Our goal is to provide a 10-week research experience to undergraduate students with diverse backgrounds. These students will work on their own research project together with a faculty mentor in physics and astronomy and a team of graduate students and postdocs within a research group. Example projects span four major themes described below connected by the common concept of waves. The REU program synergizes with other interdisciplinary STEM summer research programs across the Washington State University (WSU) campus in Pullman Washington to enable unique social activities and professional development opportunities. The end of the internship culminates in a poster presentation at the WSU Undergraduate Summer Research Symposium in early August.

In addition to a $7000 stipend, student travel and housing are covered as well as a paid 1-day trip to tour the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) to hear from scientists there about their experiences in research and professional career opportunities.

Application Deadline: is usually February for programs running June to July of the same year.

For general inquiries please contact us.

Program directors: Dr. Brian A. Collins, Dr. Anya Guy

Support for this program comes from the National Science Foundation and Washington State University Department of Physics and Astronomy.

Student projects fall into one of four themes:

1. Phonons and shockwaves
2. Quantum wavefunctions
3. Photons in applied materials
4. Waves revealing the cosmos

Professional Development and Networking