REU site: engaging undergraduates in interdisciplinary evolutionary science

The National Science Foundation Division of Biological Infrastructure awarded the University of Iowa $465,000 on December 1, 2026, under the Biological Sciences program (CFDA 47.074) to establish a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site in interdisciplinary evolutionary science.

The program will train 10 undergraduate students per summer for 10 weeks during the summers of 2027–2029, with a total of 30 students anticipated to participate, primarily from schools with limited research opportunities. Students will conduct research projects across seven academic departments spanning evolutionary ecology, behavior, paleontology, genomics, bioinformatics, evolution of infectious disease, and developmental biology. Faculty mentors will train students in how research is conducted in evolutionary science, engage them directly in research activities, and instruct them in communicating science to public audiences. Students will receive training in ethical and responsible conduct in research, participate in career workshops, make formal research presentations, and learn about career paths in evolutionary science and its applications. Many participants are expected to present results at scientific conferences. Faculty mentors will receive formal training designed to have a lasting effect on their future mentoring efforts. Program assessment will be conducted through online surveys, and students will be tracked after program completion to determine their career paths. The training aligns with NSF priorities in artificial intelligence and biotechnology.

Period of performance runs from December 1, 2026, through November 30, 2029. Work is performed in Iowa City, Iowa.

Abstract

This REU site award to the university of iowa, located in iowa city, IA, will support the training of 10 students for 10 weeks during the summers of 2027-2029. IT is anticipated that a total of 30 students, primarily from schools with limited research opportunities, will be trained in the program. Students will be trained by faculty mentors how research is conducted in evolutionary science, will participate directly in that research, and will learn how to communicate science to public audiences. Potential career paths that exist for evolutionary scientists and for the application of evolutionary science will be discussed and explored. Many participants will present the results of their work at scientific conferences. Required formal mentor training of faculty mentors will have a lasting effect on their future mentoring efforts. Assessment of the program will be done through online surveys. Students will be tracked after the program to determine their career paths. Students should apply to the REU site using NSF etap (education and training application: https://etap.NSF.GOV). The training students will receive is aligned with NSF priorities in artificial intelligence and biotechnology. The focus of this REU is evolutionary science, with students conducting research projects across several disciplines. Scientist-mentors in seven academic departments will offer research projects that span a wide range of topics, including evolutionary ecology, behavior, paleontology, genomics, bioinformatics, evolution of infectious disease, and developmental biology. Students will work on evolution-themed projects in one of these specific areas and will also work as a cohort to make broad connections among disciplines. As part of the program, students will receive training in ethical and responsible conduct in research, participate in career workshops, make formal research presentations based on their work, and create an interactive digital research poster. All students will be encouraged to participate in a series of three optional short courses in computational methods and phylogenetics. Students will be selected by program directors based on previous academic performance, enthusiasm for conducting research, interest in specific faculty research projects, and potential for future success in a research-related career. Students who have limited research opportunities at their home institution will be especially encouraged to apply. More information about the program is available by visiting https://biology.uiowa.EDU/REU, or by contacting the PI (DR. John logsdon at