2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

REU SITE: Interdisciplinary Research to Address Microplastics in the Gulf Coast Region

Presented at NSF Grantees Poster Session I

This poster highlights the establishment of a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) site at the University of South Alabama, dedicated to tackling the growing issue of microplastics in the Gulf Coast region through an interdisciplinary and hands-on approach. The primary objective of the program is to cultivate a positive and proactive mindset among undergraduate students regarding the detection, measurement, and remediation of microplastics, while simultaneously instilling sustainable engineering practices. The program aims to recruit 30 undergraduate students for a 10-week immersive experience at the University of South Alabama, where they will engage in collaborative research and experiential learning focused on microplastics. The intellectual framework of the program encompasses five key thrusts: (1) Understanding the degradation of plastics into microplastics and their impact on ecosystems, (2) Developing novel detection and measurement techniques for microplastics in various environmental contexts, (3) Designing and testing filters to mitigate microplastics in waterways, (4) Establishing systems to monitor microplastic pollution over time, and (5) Repurposing collected microplastics for alternative applications. Through this comprehensive approach, students will gain both fundamental research skills and practical experience, while working in teams to address real-world environmental challenges. In addition to research activities, the program emphasizes the development of essential skills such as ethics and responsible conduct in research, data collection and analysis, critical thinking, technical writing, and teamwork. Mentorship from faculty and peers will be central to the students’ growth, fostering frequent interactions that encourage creativity and innovation. The ultimate goal is to transform undergraduate students from passive learners into independent, collaborative researchers equipped to tackle complex environmental problems, with a focus on sustainable solutions for the future.

Authors

Dr. Shenghua Wu University of South Alabama [biography]

Dr. Shenghua Wu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil, Coastal, and Environmental Engineering at the University of South Alabama. His research areas include civil engineering materials characterization, pavement performance evaluation and modeling, design, and maintenance, multidisciplinary approach to address complex engineering issues, as well as STEM education. He holds multiple leadership roles, including the Director for Interdisciplinary Center for Sustainable Engineering (ICSE), Executive Director for Gulf Coast Environmental Equity Center (GCEEC), Director for the Solid Waste Sustainability Hub, Director for the Gulf Coast Center for Addressing Microplastics Pollution (GC-CAMP), and Director for the Sustainable Asphalt Materials Laboratory, as well as the founding faculty advisor for the Society of Sustainable Engineering. He teaches a mixture of undergraduate and graduate engineering courses. Dr. Wu is a committee member for Transportation Research Board (TRB) AJE35 and AKM 90, a member of American Society of Civil Engineer (ASCE), American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), and Academy of Pavement Science and Engineering (APSE), as well as an editorial member for Journal of Testing and Evaluation and International Journal of Pavement Research and Technology. He serves panel member for several NCHRP and ACRP projects. He is also a registered professional engineer in Alabama and LEED AP.
Prof. Jinhui Wang University of South Alabama [biography]

Dr. Jinhui Wang currently is a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at University of South Alabama (USA). He is co-director of the Intelligent Multi-Level Power-Aware Circuits and sysTems (IMPACT) Lab. His research interests include VLSI, 3D-IC, Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology, Neuromorphic Computing Device and Hardware, Emerging Memory Design, Cooling Technique for Electronic Devices, Wireless Sensor Networks and IoT (Internet of Things), Electronic Subsystems for Biomedical Applications.
Melike Dizbay-Onat University of South Alabama

Note

The full paper will be available to logged in and registered conference attendees once the conference starts on June 22, 2025, and to all visitors after the conference ends on June 25, 2025

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