Summer 2009 (May 31st - August 8th)

Our first REU cohort consisted of 11 students from civil and environmental engineering, chemical engineering, chemistry, biology, and physics. They came from the University of Florida, Clarkson University, SUNY New Paltz, University of South Florida, University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez, University of Georgia, Albany State, Langston University, and South Carolina State University. The group was 64% women, 45% under represented minority and included one student from Trinidad and Tobago. Students were paired with 10 different faculty from the departments of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and College of Public Health.

Over the summer, students attended weekly seminars given by various professors including: Dr. Jim Mihelcic, Dr. Amy Stuart, Dr. Daniel Yeh, Dr. Jeff Cunningham, and Mrs. Sharon Hanna-West.

The group also went on mini field trips inlcluding (see pics here):

• Howard Curren Wastewater Treatment Facility
• MOSAIC Phosphate Mines
• MOTE Aquactulture Research Park
• Ecofarms
• Tampa Bay Desalinization Plant

Deliverables included:

• Mid way project overview (7 minute presentation)
• Final project overview (10 minute presentation)
• Final project report including ethics and sustainability sections
• A poster presentation

Social activities included a pool party with other USF REU programs, bowling, trips to Busch Gardens and Clearwater beach, and a night at the Tampa Improv.

The graduate assistants who worked with the Dr. Trotz and Dr. Thomas at co-ordinating this effort were Henry Cabra and Lissette Tejada.

© The University of South Florida. Contact information: Dr. Maya Trotz (matrotz@eng.usf.edu) or (813 974-3172.

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