The WPI Biomedical Engineering Department offers two Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) programs funded through the National Science Foundation (NSF REU) and the KERN Family Foundation (KEEN eREU) to bring bioengineering, research, education, and outreach experiences to 10-14 undergraduate students (U.S. citizens and permanent residents) from traditionally disadvantaged groups: racial and ethnic minorities, women, and students from low socioeconomic status communities. The tentative program dates are from May 28 to August 2, 2024.

The WPI REU Site in Bioengineering research offers students an opportunity to join one of many interdisciplinary research teams for a summer research project. Examples of the types of research projects REU participants will pursue include tissue engineering, disease modeling, wound healing, and low-cost medical devices. KEEN eREU participants will conduct research on innovated biomedical technologies with immediate translational applications. See the Projects tab to obtain more detailed information on potential project areas.

In addition to carrying out cutting-edge research, REU participants will attend weekly professional development seminars and workshops. Participants will learn about careers in biomedical engineering, academic research, scientific communication, incorporating curiosity, connections, and creating value into research and design, and societal awareness in engineering design and innovation. The program will conclude with the final poster presentation. Communicating science is a portion of what participants will engage in, beyond the research; participants will develop video content entitled “Stories in Bioengineering” and engage with a local summer camp program.

The objectives of this program are to provide the following:

Research opportunities for undergraduate students in bioengineering

Personal and professional development training to help increase the retention of female and minority undergraduate students in engineering

Develop societal awareness in engineering design, professional skills, and confidence

According to the National Science Foundation, to be eligible for this program at WPI, a student must be:

• A U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or permanent resident of the United States or a U.S. Territory/Possession.
• Enrolled in a degree program (part-time or full-time) leading to a baccalaureate or associate degree.
• Students who are transferring from one college or university to another and are enrolled at neither institution during the intervening summer may participate.
• High school graduates who have been accepted at an undergraduate institution but who have not yet started their undergraduate study are also eligible to participate.
• Students who have received their bachelor’s degrees and are no longer enrolled as undergraduates are generally not eligible to participate (i.e. students should not apply if they will complete the bachelor’s degree prior to Summer 2024).
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Individuals that meet these criteria, and that are interested in Biomedical Engineering.

• Individuals from populations conventionally underrepresented in the STEM fields are particularly encouraged to apply.
• We place a strong emphasis on recruiting students from traditionally disadvantaged groups: racial and ethnic minorities, women, persons with disabilities, veterans, and students from low socioeconomic status communities.