2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

REU: A Collaborative and Interdisciplinary Model to Enhance Undergraduate Research Experiences in the Gulf Coast Region

Presented at NSF Grantees Poster Session II

This poster presents an overview of a 10-week summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program focused on addressing microplastics pollution in the Gulf Coast region. The program adopts a collaborative and interdisciplinary model that integrates diverse fields, including materials science, sensor technology, civil infrastructure, biology, marine science, environmental engineering, and electrical and computer engineering. Faculty mentors, graduate students, and undergraduate researchers work together to advance scientific understanding and develop practical solutions to regional environmental challenges.

The program’s structure combines hands-on research with a series of coordinated cohort activities aimed at strengthening participants’ technical, professional, and interpersonal skills. Weekly activities include technical writing workshops, industry site visits, cultural and social events, guest speaker sessions, multiple field trips, and a final symposium and celebration. These experiences promote experiential learning while cultivating participants’ abilities in research communication, teamwork, and critical thinking.

By fostering a culture of interdisciplinary collaboration and community engagement, this REU program not only enhances the research experience of undergraduate participants but also builds meaningful connections with local industries, stakeholders, and Gulf Coast communities committed to sustainability and environmental stewardship.

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 interests include civil engineering materials characterization, pavement performance evaluation and modeling, design and maintenance, multidisciplinary approaches to addressing complex engineering issues, and STEM education. He serves as the Director of the Interdisciplinary Center for Sustainable Engineering (ICSE), Executive Director of the Gulf Coastal Environmental Engagement Center (GCEEC), and Director of the Gulf Coast Center for Addressing Microplastics Pollution (GC-CAMP), and is the founding faculty advisor for the Society of Sustainable Engineering (SSE). Dr. Wu teaches a range of undergraduate and graduate courses and is an active member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), and the Academy of Pavement Science and Engineering (APSE). He also serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, Journal of Testing and Evaluation, and International Journal of Pavement Research and Technology. Dr. Wu is a registered Professional Engineer in Alabama and a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP).
Mr. Jianqiao Song University of South Alabama [biography]

I am a Ph.D student in system engineering. Focusing on microplastic removal
Lu Ding University of South Alabama [biography]

Dr. Lu Ding's research lies at the intersection of learning sciences and instructional design, where I explore how to make learning more accessible and context-sensitive. She designs educational solutions that democratize teaching and learning by helping educators customize their approaches through gamification without commercial platforms, easy-to-produce instructional videos, and low-tech or no-tech family learning experiences. The overarching theoretical framework that guides her research is ICAP (Interactive, Constructive, Active, and Passive), and she also integrates self-determination theory and social cognitive career theory to further her design of educational solutions, as well as the evaluation of the learning outcomes.
Melike Dizbay-Onat University of South Alabama
Prof. Jinhui Wang http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4731-8481 The University of Alabama [biography]

Dr. Jinhui Wang currently is an Associate 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.
Jeremiah A Henning University of South Alabama

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