NSF REU Experience at UT Austin (Summer 2025)

In summer 2025, I participated in an NSF research experience for undergraduates (REU) at the University of Texas at Austin. This REU was part of the greater NSF Materials Research Science and Engineering Center REU program, focused on materials research. At Texas, this was specifically called the Center for Dynamics and Control of Materials (CDCM). My research was done with Prof. Thomas Truskett and involved the study of nanoparticle electrostatic interaction computation and modeling, using Python packages to run Brownian dynamics simulations and solve Integral Equation Theory (IET) problems. In addition to the research, there was a large amount of career and graduate readiness programming, including networking events, presentation guidance, how to apply to graduate school, and more. Below, I detail my experience applying to REUs, my time in Austin, TX, my REU research experience, and general advice for prospective REU applicants.

Applying to an REU

In this cycle, I applied to 17 REUs. Two programs discontinued, one I never heard from, and I was accepted to 5 programs. Below summarizes my applications.

The majority of these applications were due in mid-February, with some notable exceptions in mid to late January. Each application required a CV, letters of recommendation, and one to several essay responses.

• Letters of Recommendation: Those you ask should be able to speak strongly to (1) your interest, success, and adaptability in science, and (2) your potential to succeed in research. The best letters come from professors you have done research with. This demonstrates that you can do research and that you have support from a well-respected faculty member. The next best come from tenured professors in whose classes you excelled. Industry professionals should only be asked if they are highly respected and academia-adjacent. Always ask at least a month in advance.
• Your CV: A strong CV is essential. Highlight, in order of importance: educational success, research experiences, industry experiences, publications, presentations, awards, laboratory skills, technical skills, leadership roles, relevant coursework, and interests. Keep the style clean and readable. The UW Business School guide is a good reference. Undergraduate CVs can go beyond one page but should not exceed two.
• Personal Statements: Your statement should highlight why you would be successful in research at their institution. Start with why you are interested in science and who you are. Discuss your major(s)/certificate(s) and how they support your ability to do research. Then talk about your experiences. Include 2-3 faculty members or research areas you'd be excited to work on. Many application portals list faculty accepting REU students, so prioritize those. Explain both why you'd be good for their group and why the experience would benefit you.

My Experience in Austin, TX

If I had a nickel for every time someone said "Oh, Austin in Austin, huh?" I would have quite a few nickels. Beyond the jokes, my summer in Austin was transformative. A perfect balance of rigorous scientific research and meaningful community.

For most REU programs, in addition to a research stipend, you receive free housing, a dining hall meal plan, a travel stipend, and other perks like gym memberships. These were all provided at UT Austin. The dorm was a typical college setup with roommates, and the dining hall was solid. I especially loved the gym, which was right next to our dorm and had a great climbing wall. The campus was also very close to the Austin airport, making travel home easy.

Austin has no shortage of things to do. The food and music scenes are truly exceptional. Every meal I had, from nicer restaurants to the city's thousands of food trucks, was phenomenal. Almost every restaurant or bar in downtown Austin featured live music in open-air venues. Big-name musicians regularly play at UT Austin's Moody Center and the COTA amphitheater, including Willie Nelson's Fourth of July Picnic. Austin is an outstanding city to spend a summer as a college student.

My Research Experience at UT Austin

This was my first time doing computational research. I was initially skeptical about theoretical work, but quickly found it combined most of what I love about chemical engineering. My mentor Tsung-Lun Lee and PI Prof. Thomas Truskett (recently moved to the University of Michigan) were extremely supportive and pushed me to succeed in a short time. Their guidance was invaluable for building the background knowledge necessary for theoretical work, and they were patient in teaching me Python, which I had very little experience with beforehand.

My project focused on computational and theoretical methods for colloidal nanoparticle systems, which have broad applications in optoelectronics and pharmaceutical formulations. Charged interactions in these systems are poorly understood for nanoscale particles. The common Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek (DLVO) model holds primarily for mesoscale particles. I developed three models of varying complexity and computational cost to account for ion-ion correlations and examine how these factors affect structural behavior and interactions. The result was a "primitive" colloid model that challenges DLVO theory assumptions, forming a foundation for further study and broader design principles.

Over the summer I developed skills in Brownian dynamics simulations, Python workflows for molecular dynamics and integral equation theory, and supercomputing via NSF ACCESS at the San Diego Supercomputing Center (SDSC).

The program concluded with two informal and one formal oral presentation, plus a program-wide poster session where I received honorable mention for best poster. These milestones were great forcing functions for organizing data and forming conclusions throughout the summer.

REU Programming at UT Austin

Throughout the summer, several events focused on personal enrichment, career development, and networking:

• Research seminars and faculty roundtables
• Workshops on scientific communication, abstract writing, and poster design
• Graduate school application and career preparation sessions
• Networking and industry panels
• Personal branding and LinkedIn workshops

These events were designed to help students grow into confident, capable researchers. Many were extremely valuable for learning to communicate science effectively and navigate next steps toward graduate school.

Advice for Prospective REU Students

• Apply broadly. REUs are competitive, especially as funding fluctuates.
• Show enthusiasm. Programs want students who are genuinely excited about research.
• Pick places you could see yourself in graduate school. REUs are great "test drives" for future programs.
• Be confident. Talk about what makes you stand out.
• Work hard once you're there. Arrive early, stay late, and immerse yourself in learning. It's the best way to prepare for graduate research.