This project is unique because many of the participants of this program will conduct research in neighborhoods that are shared between faculty mentors with interests in Sustainable Chemistry and Catalysis. This open and collaborative environment will afford participants the opportunity to spend time with REU colleagues and researchers from other laboratories. The following faculty mentors are planning to accept REU participants next summer, whose research interests cover a variety of topics:

• Christina Birkel (Materials Chemistry) – Optimizing the Synthesis of MAX phases and MXenes
• Giovanna Ghirlanda (Biochemistry) – Design of Functional Proteins
• Pierre Herckes (Environmental Chemistry) – Evaluating the Occurrence and Fate of Environmental Contaminants
• Matthias Heyden (Biochemistry) – Design of Functional Proteins
• Anne Jones (Bioinorganic Chemistry) – Enzymes as Electrocatalysts
• Kristina Lilova (Materials Chemistry) – Surface Interaction Energetics of Nanomaterials with Environmental, Planetary, and Industrial Applications
• Timothy Long (Polymer Chemistry) – Sustainable Macromolecular Materials and Manufacturing
• Jeremy Mills (Biochemistry) – Computational Protein Design
• Alexandra Navrotsky (Materials Chemistry) – Materials of the Universe
• Alberto Rascon (Biochemistry) – Biological Functions and Substrates of Mosquito Proteases
• Liza Roger (Biochemistry) – Impacts of Environmental Change on Marine Organisms
• Scott Sayres (Physical Chemistry) – Interaction of Matter with Ultrashort Laser Pulses
• Don Seo (Solid-State Inorganic Chemistry) – Design and Synthesis of Metal Oxide Nanomaterials for Sustainability Applications
• Ellen Stechel(Physical and Materials Chemistry) – Low Carbon Fuel, Chemicals, and Food
• Ryan Trovitch(Organometallic Chemistry) – Design of Earth-Abundant Metal Catalysts
• Wade Van Horn(Biochemistry) – Roles of Membrane Proteins in Human Health and Disease
• Jeffery Yarger(Physical Chemistry) – Structural and Dynamical Characterization of Amorphous Materials

Haven’t found a research topic that you love? No problem! ASU’s School of Molecular Sciences features approximately 60 research groups that may have an opportunity available as part of this program. For a full set of research topics and possible mentors, please click here.

You must meet the following requirements to apply:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident.
• Must be 18 years of age at time of application
• Should be a current freshman, sophomore, or junior at a U.S. college that does not have a graduate program in chemistry.

Students from community colleges are strongly encouraged to apply. Women and underrepresented minorities are also strongly encouraged to apply.

Your application will require:

• Contact Information
• A list of three research groups within ASU’s School of Molecular Sciences that you are most interested in joining. 
• A copy of your academic transcript (official or unofficial)
• A statement of research interests and career goals (this may include mention of the research groups you are interested in joining)
• The email addresses of three recommenders (at least two letters should be requested from faculty at your undergraduate institution)

*Applications for Summer 2024 accepted until February 15, 2024.

Apply

• Do I have to be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident?
  Yes, the National Science Foundation requires all REU participants to be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident.
• Is there an age requirement?
  Yes, applicants must be at least 18 years of age so that they can perform laboratory-based research.
• Is there an application fee?
  No, it is free to apply for this REU program.
• Is there an application deadline?
  Yes, applications will be accepted until February 15, 2024.
• When do students find out if they have been accepted into the REU program?
  Students will be informed of admission starting December 1, 2023 and will continue to be admitted until March 29, 2024.
• Are Arizona State University students eligible?
  Students at ASU are welcome to apply; however, a majority of those accepted into this program will come from smaller institutions that have a lower level of research activity in the chemical sciences.
• Can graduating seniors apply?
  Seniors are welcome to apply; however, preference will be given to students in the earlier stages of their academic training.
• How are recommendation letter requests handled?
  When you apply, you will be asked to provide the contact information and email addresses of three letter writers. When you submit this information, a recommendation letter request will automatically be sent to each recommender.
• Is the starting date flexible?
  No, the program will start on May 20, 2024 with a targeted move-in date of May 19, 2024 for those who will be living on campus.
• Where will I live at ASU?
  Participants will be provided with free on-campus housing, in a dormitory that is within walking distance to the research laboratories.
• Can I bring a car to ASU?
  It is possible to bring a car with you to campus. Before doing so, you would need to purchase a parking permit from ASU’s transit office. The cost for parking over the summer would be somewhere between $100-$250 depending on the lot that is chosen.
• Do I have to live on campus if I live in the Phoenix Metro area?
  If you already live in Maricopa County, you are not expected to move to campus. The program will provide local participants with a parking or transit pass.
• Who should I contact with additional questions?
  Please contact the administrator, Prof. Ryan Trovitch (ryan.trovitch@asu.edu), with any additional questions that you have about the Sustainable Chemistry and Catalysis REU program at ASU.