ASPIRE REU Program: Expanding the Call for Undergraduate Researchers

Every summer, ASPIRE hosts the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program, where students from across the nation are invited to apply for the opportunity to be paired with an ASPIRE faculty member and conduct research for two months during the summer. 

“Through the REU program, more motivated undergraduate students outside ASPIRE campuses can be introduced to exciting and broad activities about electrifying roadways, especially fundamental sciences and technology development related to high-power, fast EV charging,” said Hailei Wang, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Utah State University who participated as a faculty member for the first time this year. 

This program opens doors for non-ASPIRE students to continue expanding their knowledge and expertise during the summer season. 

“Undergraduate students commonly face challenges in obtaining high-quality and cutting-edge research experiences during summer, especially for community college students,” said USU Electrical and Computer Engineering professor Hongjie Wang, an experienced REU mentor. “These opportunities prove that ASPIRE is providing new opportunities that facilitate the undergraduate students to develop their research skills, learn the cutting-edge research in electrified transportation related fields, build their career development paths, and be prepared as the future engineering workforce to carry on and advance the new technologies.” 

Electrical engineering student and REU participant Asher Arshia Shams experienced this, appreciating this experience to work alongside expert mentors on electrification-related research. 

“ASPIRE provides valuable experiences for students in STEM by making research opportunities more available for emerging scientists and engineers,” Shams said. 

A “One-of-a-Kind” Experience 

Faculty mentor Mario Harper, a USU professor of electrical and computer engineering, agrees, stating that the program offers a “one-of-a-kind” experience. 

“Only a few places in the country have the kind of technology that ASPIRE has,” Harper stated. “We want to give other students a chance to experience these innovations.” 

These research opportunities allow students to explore new disciplines and campuses, which encouraged political science student Scott Nguy to participate. 

“I wanted to explore another college campus in a different state while furthering my education for my career,” Nguy said. “The experience has been life-changing since I became interested in transportation and self-sufficiency in all aspects from advanced building to electrification in transportation mobility.” 

As this is a research-based program, it offers a very unique opportunity for students. 

“I have studied abroad, I have interned abroad, and this experience has been very different — unlike any experience I’ve ever had,” said REU participant Angel Antayhua-Reynoso. “I had never really experienced the academic side of research and development. This experience made me more open-minded and passionate about research.” 

As students discover the excitement of research, their future options are expanded as they explore new academic possibilities. 

“As a rising sophomore studying engineering, I saw the REU program as a great opportunity to explore different academic fields and career paths,” said mechanical engineering student Sofiia Goncharuk. “Before the program I was 100% confident that I wouldn’t go to grad school and would work in industry my entire life, but doing actual research changed my mind.” 

Gaining Hands-On Skills 

Applicable skills are developed as students like computer science major Aaron Paddy discover how their majors can be applied to real-world challenges. He said the REU program helps participants to “grow both technically and professionally.” 

“I’ve gained hands-on experience with simulation tools, deepened by understanding of smart infrastructure, and improved my communication and collaboration skills,” Paddy said. “More importantly, it’s sparked a stronger interest in research, which I had never seriously considered before this experience.” 

Ava Watson, a political science major, has also appreciated the opportunity to better understand how a graduate school can fit in her future. 

“This opportunity has been invaluable in teaching me the necessary steps of research and further planning for graduate school,” Watson said. “ASPIRE has given me insight into the process of pursuing graduate school, specifically a Ph.D.” 

Graduate school is one of many opportunities for students to build on skills gained in the two months spent in this program. 

“I wish they could be here longer,” said faculty mentor and USU Transportation professor Sarah Grajdura. “But I think it gives them a good place to jump off from for further research, or if we want to continue working together, we can write a publication together and explore other similar options.” 

The option to publish is a benefit that one of Wang’s past REU students was able to take advantage of, as Wang said his student “published his first paper in his life in a journal with the work he accomplished during the REU program.” 

At the end of the program, students participated in a virtual Research Symposium, where they presented their research to ASPIRE faculty, staff, and students from across the center’s 10 campuses. 

“The research symposium shows the growth and the research these students have worked hard on,” said Brandon Allen, a co-director of Electrification Workforce Development at ASPIRE, who also runs the REU program. “It’s also an opportunity to showcase the growth in what ASPIRE is doing.” 

For students interested in participating in the REU program or ASPIRE faculty interested in becoming a faculty mentor, please reach out to Brandon Allen for details. 

About ASPIRE: 

ASPIRE, a National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center headquartered at Utah State University, leads groundbreaking research and development to accelerate electrification. With over 400 global collaborators, ASPIRE focuses on creating seamless, affordable electrified transportation systems, accessible for all vehicle classes, along with the public infrastructure needed to support them. By reducing emissions, improving air quality, and fostering economic growth through job creation and workforce training, ASPIRE’s work spans engineering, social science, policy, and business. Partnering with top universities, industry leaders, and community groups, ASPIRE is driving the future of advanced transportation. Learn more at aspire.usu.edu. 

Contacts: 

Brandon Allen 
Co-Director of Electrification Workforce Development 
ASPIRE ERC 

Writer: 

Kayleigh Kearsley 
Marketing & Communications Intern 
ASPIRE ERC