Program Announcement
The High Performance Materials Institute (HPMI) is now accepting applications from undergraduates in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines for the NSF REU Summer RETREAT. The 10-week RETREAT program offers a stipend of $6,200 for each participant, plus travel allowances, lodging, and a modest amount for meals. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to work with leading experts and be trained on the utilization, manufacture, and characterization of multiscale and multifunctional advanced composites. They will also learn how to successfully commercialize technological innovations by participating in seminars on entrepreneurship and an EngiPreneur Competition (an entrepreneurship-based student project competition) to be coordinated by experts from the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship of the Florida State University.
This program will be held at FSU's Material Research Building, a new 45,000 sq. ft. facility, which is the home of HPMI.
- US citizenship or permanent residency required
- Selection will be based on academic performance and faculty recommendation
- Women and underrepresented minority students are encouraged to apply
- Tentative dates: May 23, 2022 - July 29, 2022
Please contact for more info:
Primary Contact:
- Dr. Okenwa Okoli (RETREAT Program Director)
- Dr. Tarik J. Dickens (UREx Program Director/CREST-RISE Deputy Director)
Secondary Contacts:
- Ms. Kiaira McCoy (RETREAT Program Assistant Coordinator)
- Dr. Vincent O. Eze (RETREAT Program Assistant Coordinator)
NNSA/DOE MSIPP
The Minority Serving Institution Partnership Program (MSIPP) is designed to build a sustainable pipeline between the Department of Energy's (DOE) sites/labs and minority-serving institutions in STEM disciplines, and bring a heightened awareness of NNSA plants and laboratories to institutions with a common interest in STEM research fields.
Currently, MSIPP supports 24 consortium-based teams consisting of participants from select institutions. These teams bring together institutions that share interests in STEM research areas and who can utilize the facilities and technology available at DOE/NNSA’s labs and sites.
Research Projects
The RETREAT research projects will provide students with an opportunity to participate in ongoing research programs in the areas of composite materials, smart sensors and materials manufacturing. Students will work closely with faculty and graduate students and gain hands on experience with advanced techniques in demand in the field today. The following are summer 2016 projects and similar project topics will be proposed for summer 2022.
Title | Faculty | Mentor(s) | REU Fellow |
---|---|---|---|
Improving Energy Mitigation of Thermoplastic Composites Through Novel Architecture |
Dr. Okenwa Okoli |
Yourri Dessureault |
Brandon Johnson |
Autonomous - Additive Manufacturing for Printing Scale-Up |
Dr. Tarik Dickens |
Jolie Frketic |
Seam Psulkowski |
Quantification of Pain Relief by Smart Prosthesis |
Dr. Changchun Zeng |
Xiaolin Wang |
Pramith Devulapalli |
Microstructure and Failure Mode Analysis of CNT/CF Hybrid Composites |
Dr. Ayou Hao |
Songlin Zhang |
Mary Kate Holleran |
Laser Processing for Carbon Fiber Manufacturing |
Dr. Mei Zhang |
Esther Daniels |
Alayna Huckleby |
Gait Data Modeling for Personalized Manufacturing of Lower-limb Orthoses |
Dr. Hui Wang |
Jie Ren |
Isabella Martinez |
Roll to Roll Construction Device of Flexible Solar Cell Units |
Dr. Okenwa Okoli |
Ryan Adams |
Derek Guillen |
Design and Analysis of Bioengineering Systems |
Dr. Hui Wang |
Zhengqian Jiang |
Kristi Folds |
Manufacturing of Large Area, Flexible LED Panels Based on Halide Perovskites |
Dr. Zhibin Yu |
Ganesh Bade |
Melissa Davis |
Transport Property Characterization and Modeling of CNT/CF Hybrid Composites |
Dr. Richard Liang |
Nam Nguyen |
Melissa Vahid |
How to Apply
Eligibility
- U.S. citizenship or permanent residency
- STEM disciplines (undergraduate students)
- Application Deadline: February 5th, 2022 for priority consideration and February 26th, 2022 to meet extended deadline.
- Student cannot have attended two (2) other NSF REUs in the past
Application Checklist
All of the following items must be completed and submitted before your application package will be considered.
- Resume
- Current transcript
- Submission form
- Two letters of reference (preferably from your professors)
Apply Now
Application Instructions
- Prepare resume and electronic version of unofficial transcript documents prior to beginning the submission form.
- When you are ready to submit your resume and transcript. Here is the link: https://tinyurl.com/22FAMUFSUREU.
*Note: The submission form does not have a SAVE feature. It must be completed in one sitting. Have all documents prepared prior to starting the submission form.
- The two letters of reference can be submitted via to retreat@eng.famu.fsu.edu or crest@eng.famu.fsu.edu.
- If you have any questions, please contact the RETREAT Assistant Coordinators, Ms. Kiaira McCoy or Dr. Vincent O. Eze.
Program Overview
An overview of the various activities that would be embarked upon during the retreat is illustrated below. All activities and collaborations are geared at equipping the students with knowledge and skills in advanced materials and entrepreneurship. The students will also have the opportunity to present that work during the EngiPreneurship competition.
Past Participants
Summer 2016

Melissa Davis

Pramith Devulapalli

Derek Guillen

Mary Kate Holleran

Alayna Huckleby

Brandon Johnson

Isabella Martinez

Sean Psulkowski

Melissa Vahid

Thomas Porrka
Summer 2013

William Biesiadecki

Stephen Charnley

Robert Cook

Alice Daramola

Melissa Dani Gaillard

Elizabeth Ichite

Craig Seykora

Austin Shields

Ever Valasquez

Michael Wiltfong
Summer 2012

Ryan Adams

Lee Becker

Karen Bermes

Briana Cameron

Chikezie Esione

Joshua Hadisty

Stephen Markus

Annuli Okoye

Margaret Scheiner

Stuart Smith