IOU-NA

The Integrated Optics for Undergraduate Native Americans (IOU-NA) Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program is designed for Native American students interested in participating in hands-on research opportunities in top laboratories in optics and photonics, as well as in hydrology, astronomy, soil sciences, atmospheric sciences, and environmental sciences. Selected students are paired with a research project complementing their interests and goals.

IOU-NA students will also participate in Native American focused workshops facilitated by University of Arizona’s Native American-serving entities, gain hands-on experience in CIAN’s culturally relevant two-week Native American focused Optics Research Workshop (ORW), attend presentations given by Native American STEM graduate students and faculty, as well as participate in other activities designed to support Native American Undergraduate students. Pictures from our IOU-NA Event are included below.

STIPEND

A stipend of $5,000 is available for successful participation in the full 10-week program. Additionally, travel to and from the university at the start and close of the program will be covered as well as housing on campus during the 10-weeks of the program.

DATES

June 8, 2020 to August 12, 2020 (Dates subject to change)

EXAMPLES OF PREVIOUS PROJECTS

• Smartphone-Based Ocular Imaging System
• Investigating Lead and Arsenic Exposure Risks to a Community Area through Analysis of Airborne Particles on Children’s Playground Surface Equipment
• Changes in DOM Quantity and Quality in a Southern Rockies Forested Catchment
• Polarized Raman Microscopy of Aligned Carbon Nanotubes
• The Influence of Ordered Nanostructured Carbon Electrodes on Supercapacitor Performance
• Evidence for Deep Mountain Block Circulation from Stream Chemical Data in Sabino Creek
• Nutrient Uptake by Plants and their Associated Microbiota Grown in Different Porous Rock Substrate
• Optimization of Optical Transmission of Gigabit Ethernet Rates

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Native American undergraduates, attending a two or four-year college or tribal college, of all levels majoring in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM). Minimum 3.0 GPA required, on a 4.0 scale. US Citizenship or permanent residency is also required.

Read About Past Student Experiences

Solianna Herrera – Atmospheric Sciences, "My Experience with CIAN's IOU-NA"
Robert Castellanos – Optics, "Plunging into Academics with CIAN"

Apply to the IOU-NA Program

Application Deadline: February 14, 2020

Additional Materials Required for Application

• Letter of Recommendation(Print this form)

• Official Transcript

May be mailed to CIAN in a sealed and signed envelop by the letter writer, or emailed directly by the letter writer. Please mail an official transcript to the CIAN headquarters.

All mail may be directed to CIAN headquarters.

Center for Integrated Access Networks (CIAN)
University of Arizona
c/o Trin Riojas, CIAN Education & Outreach Manager
1630 E University Blvd., 504
Tucson, AZ 85721

Email Trin Riojas with any questions.