The NANO-NY Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program, funded by the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Engineering Education and Centers (EEC) Division, supports outstanding undergraduates as Summer Research Fellows each year in a collaborative REU program between Columbia University and the City University of New York’s Advanced Science Research Center (CUNY-ASRC).

Selected undergraduates participate in an immersive 9-week residential summer research experience, where they are placed in the labs of NANO-NY faculty and contribute to projects in the areas of microfabrication and nanotechnologies, while learning about cutting-edge topics in nanoscience and engineering, as well as related career paths.

During the program, all REU participants join workshops, visits to local industry, weekly research seminars, a symposium of presentations by students, and other recreational activities. The NANO-NY REU program includes training in laboratory practices and safety, shared materials characterization tools and scientific writing and presentations. Alongside professional development provided by Columbia and CUNY-ASRC faculty and researchers, the NANO-NY REU program culminates in a daylong symposium at the conclusion of the program, where participants present their research findings and highlights from an extended research abstract.

The NANO-NY REU program is run in collaboration with the Columbia PAQM MRSEC REU site, giving all participants additional opportunities to network and form connections with future researchers, as well as learn about recent advancements and applications in the field of materials science and engineering.

Faculty labs for the Summer 2026 NANO-NY REU Program include:

• Marisa Buzzeo (Barnard)

• Xi Chen (ASRC)

• Cory Dean (Columbia)

• Savannah Eisner (Columbia)

• Ioannis Kymissis (Columbia)

• Tai De Li (ASRC)

• Jonathan Owen (Columbia)

• Rein Ulijn (ASRC)

• Tong Wang (ASRC)

Tentative Summer 2026 program dates: May 26th, 2026 - August 1st, 2026

Click Here to Apply!

NOTE: Applications for the NANO-NY REU program are managed by the Columbia University MRSEC through the Columbia SEAS Office of Graduate Admissions. When applying, be sure to select the “NANO-NY REU Site” as your preferred area of research to ensure your application is considered for the NANO-NY REU program.

For additional information on application requirements and a list of Frequently Asked Questions, please refer to the Columbia MRSEC REU webpage.

For all other inquiries, please reach out to Jeff DeMars, Director of Programs and Outreach for the PAQM MRSEC at the Columbia Nano Initiative.