REU Site: Multifunctional NanomaterialsMichelle Richards-Babb, West Virginia University Research Corporation, DMR 1004431

Intellectual Merits: GoalsResearch on….. Integration of novel biological and solid state

devices Optical, electronic, and magnetic properties of

single and arrays of proteins, new solid state materials and devices

Biomolecular sensors (hybrid sensing devices) with potential applications in biometrics and health care

Energy conversion materials

Intellectual Merits: Results 2010 Designed and tested novel resonant magnetic

sputtering technique (D. Hudson Smith, Erskine College; Advisor: S. Urazhdin, Physics)

Mapped morphological and mechanical properties of biological surfaces (Kaitlin Hensal, St. Francis U.; Advisor: J. Legleiter, Chemistry) [a]

Development of polymer-based photonic crystal biosensor (Caroline Kilemi, Coppin State U.; Advisor: Jeremy Dawson, Elect. Eng.) [b]

Notable Developments Synthesis of water soluble superparamagnetic

iron oxide nanoparticles (Thomas Wood, WV Wesleyan College; R.L. Carroll, Chemistry)-biocompatible and potentially useful in biomedical applications (cancer treatment, targeted drug delivery, enhanced MRI imaging) [c]

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[a] Formation of Huntingtin protein fibrils and oligomers ; thought to be

responsible for onset of disease

[b] Polymer based photonic crystal surface for improved

detection of low concentrations of biological

markers in lab-on-a-chip applications

REU Site: Multifunctional NanomaterialsMichelle Richards-Babb, West Virginia University Research Corporation, DMR 1004431

Broader Impacts: Goals Increase retention of underrepresented

minorities and women in STEM majors Increase number of students that pursue

post-grad STEM degrees and improve STEM workforce

Focus on four-year colleges from Appalachian region (students that might normally not consider attending graduate school)

Broader Impacts: Results 2010 For ten REU positions, 150 applications were

received 2010 REU participants included 6 women

(60%) and five minority (4 African American and 1 Hispanic) (50%) students.

Six of 12 2009 REU participants have applied to or have been accepted to graduate school. Five of 12 are current seniors.

Notable Developments Scientific career mentoring speakers

provide: networking opportunities and role models

Culminating scientific poster symposium: is coordinated with three other summer UG research programs; allows participants to showcase their communication and research skills; and provides REU participants with an experience analogous to a scientific conference; 81 participants in 2010.

2010 WVNano REU Participant, Autumn Bullard, Elect. Eng.

Major from Norfolk State University (right) showing graduate student mentor

Christian White her microchip electrophoresis setup.

Autumn received best poster award at culminating

symposium

2010 WVNano REU Participant, Dominic Gutierrez, Mech. Eng.

Major from American River College discussing his

research with Dr. Larry Hornak (WVU CSEE faculty) during the

poster symposium.

Visiting speaker, Dr. Ron Clawson, from Alliant

Techsystems and Dr. Mark Hoover from NIOSH during the career mentoring seminar for

STEM undergraduates.