My REU Story
Top: the author at the petrified forests of Lesvos, Greece; below: the REU group in Greece.
Photos Courtesy of Liam Wrixon
I am a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, and I want to encourage other Native students to apply to Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) programs. These competitive summer programs are sponsored by the National Science Foundation to give undergraduates hands-on, inquiry-based experience in research relevant to their fields. Most REUs provide research opportunities to students with minimal previous experience who are attending schools without robust research offerings.
The NSF website lists 748 REUs in multiple STEM fields hosted by universities all over the U.S., plus approximately 12 international opportunities. Each eight-to-10-week program accepts about 10 undergraduates, typically sophomores and juniors (but there are exceptions so don’t be afraid to reach out). Students receive a stipend of up to $6,000, and programs cover travel, housing, and food.
I was fortunate to be accepted into the international REU “Pollinators, Climate Change, and the Aegean Archipelago” on the Greek island of Lesvos. We spent seven weeks in Greece, preceded by several days at the University of Central Oklahoma where we learned about research design and ethics and met the principal investigators (PIs) and the other REU students.
Expect to form lifelong relationships and make friends, connections, and mentors who will be happy to help you along your future path.
This REU had three main focuses: the physiological responses of pollinators to temperature variation, understanding the behavior of different pollinators, and the comparative analysis of behavior. I was in the comparative behavior group, where I was able to pursue my lifelong interest in ants under Dr. Charles Abramson of Oklahoma State University.
Because each program is tailored to a specific STEM topic, an REU is an amazing opportunity to hone your educational and career goals. You will get hands-on experience in your area of research, along with practical skills like data analysis and preparing presentations. You will meet researchers in your field, peers also passionate about your topic, and knowledgeable scientists. Expect to form lifelong relationships and make friends, connections, and mentors who will be happy to help you along your future path.
While research is the REU priority, there is time to socialize and immerse yourself in the local culture. The REU was my first time outside the U.S. — we saw amazing sights like the Parthenon and the petrified forests of Lesvos, and even took a ferry to Turkey. For me, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit Greece with all expenses paid while furthering my education and contributing to the scientific community.
I did not know about REUs until Dr. Victor Gonzalez, one of the REU PIs, presented about this opportunity to my entomology class. Each REU is different, but the application for this one required an essay, along with two reference letters, a transcript, and an interview. If you apply, be sure to submit exactly what they are asking for. Make sure you request letters of recommendation from someone who can advocate for you and promote your strengths. Take advantage of all the resources at your disposal: ask a trusted mentor to proofread your essay; visit your institution’s writing center; or check your documents with a program like Grammarly.
Here are some tips to help you experience an REU that can enhance your CV, support your education, broaden your outlook, and change your life:
Liam Wrixon is a senior at Haskell Indian Nations University studying environmental science. Read more about him in The Student Body.
Page, M., Abramson, C. I., & Jacobs-Lawson, J. (2004). The National Science Foundation research experiences for undergraduates program: Experiences and recommendations. Teaching of Psychology, 31, 241-247. doi: 10.1207/s15328023top3104_3.
Grant number: This project was supported by NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) grant 1950805.