We are pleased to announce summer research opportunities for K-12 teachers and undergraduates through our NSF REU/RET Site Materials for Bioengineering Research Internships Dedicated to Gateway Experiences (BRIDGE). Our program provides undergraduates with hands-on experiences in research at the interface of biology and materials science and engineering, along with a program that includes faculty seminars, professional development workshops, and community activities. We are seeking undergraduates from chemistry, physics, biology, applied math, and engineering. Students without prior research experience, including freshman and sophomore students, are especially encouraged to apply.

We provide a focused effort for mentoring, stimulating and training undergraduates in several exciting branches of bioengineering and materials science and engineering:

• studies of the mechanics of cells
• enhanced and novel forms of drug delivery
• the impact of surfaces on cell function
• cellular-scale approaches to regenerative medicine

Participants are part of a larger, diverse research community through organized and informal interactions with students, mentors, and faculty in the REU programs of the Materials Research Science & Engineering Center (MRSEC) and the Nanoscale Science & Engineering Center (NSEC) based at Harvard. Students receive a stipend of $3800 and a $300 travel allowance, as well as oncampus housing at no additional charge.

For more information on past students and projects, please visit: www.eduprograms.seas.harvard.edu/reu.htm

For more information on past teachers and projects, please visit: www.eduprograms.seas.harvard.edu/ret.htm

Eligibility information: Applicants must be U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents. Undergraduates must be currently enrolled. Teachers or pre-service teachers must have an appointment at a K-12 school in the upcoming academic year.

Program dates: The summer 2009 REU program will run from June 7 to August 15. The summer 2009 RET program will tentatively run from approximately June 29 to August 14.