and in Partnership with Industry
Research Experience for Undergraduates
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering Research Center for Advancing Sustainable and Distributed Fertilizer Production (CASFER) strives to solve one of the most pressing problems facing humankind: how do we feed the growing world population while protecting and sustaining our environment?
CASFER hosts a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program every year during the summer. Our REU participants are talented and motivated students eager to learn and team up with people from all backgrounds. Students are placed in a wide range of projects, working directly with faculty, post docs and graduate students while contributing to the transformation of the agricultural and fertilizer industries into a Nitrogen Circular Economy.
REU Program 2025
Program Dates: June 2 - July 25, 2025
Application Deadline: March 17, 2025
The CASFER 2025 Summer REU Program will be housed at several of our partner institutions, including Texas Tech University, Georgia Institute of Technology, and Case Western Reserve University. Students will receive training in a laboratory environment and be expected to assist with ongoing research projects. REU students will work closely with scientific mentors and further develop their network of scientists, engineers, and industry professionals. This program is designed to develop not only a student's STEM-based skills, but also their presenting, public speaking, and communication.
Eligibility Requirements:
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Undergraduate student in engineering, agricultural sciences, or environmental sciences
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Strong Academic Record
Students Will Receive
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On-Campus Housing
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A Stipend of $6,000
Application Materials:
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Resumé
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Statement of Purpose (explaining why you are interested in this program/project)
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Unofficial Transcript
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Two Letters of Recommendation
If you have any questions, please contact Zaida Gracia.
Research Projects:
Research Topic | Research Advisor | Institution |
|---|---|---|
Prediction Through Novel Geospatial Representations of River Network Connections | Dr. Roger French | Case Western Reserve University |
Characterization of Trace Contaminants of Concern in Biosolids/Wastewater and their Fate in Treatment Processes | Dr. Balaji Rao | Texas Tech University |
The Responses of Soil Bacteria to Electrochemically-treated Waste Activated Sludge | Dr. Kay Millerick | Texas Tech University |
Ion Exchange Processes from WWTP | Dr. Gerri Botte | Texas Tech University |
Sludge Electrolysis for NBF | Dr. Gerri Botte | Texas Tech University |
Nutrient Recovery via Engineered Peptides | Dr. Julie Renner | Case Western Reserve University |
Past REU Programs
CASFER has housed two years REU programs that allow students to take part in ground-breaking scientific advancement. We have hosted REU students at several of our partner institutions, teaching them a wide range of topics from electrochemistry to agriculture, and helping to develop their presentation and research skills.
