University of Houston launches NSF-funded undergraduate research program

A new initiative is underway at the University of Houston's Industry-University Cooperative Research Center for Building Reliable Advances and Innovations in Neurotechnology (BRAIN) Center. The program, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), is called the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) site. It focuses on safe and effective human-device interaction to aid individuals with mobility challenges.

The REU site aims to prepare students for careers in regulatory science and medical device development. Regulatory science involves creating tools, standards, methods, and approaches to evaluate the safety, efficacy, quality, and performance of products regulated by the FDA. This REU Site is notable as it is the first focused specifically on regulatory science.

"The program will address best design and engineering practices, computing tools and new computational methods to support early-stage medical device development and their evaluation so that as a nation, we can keep up with the accelerated pace of technology development and innovation," stated Jose Contreras-Vidal, who serves as both the REU Site program director and faculty mentor at UH IUCRC BRAIN Center.

Patricia Simmons from NSF expressed enthusiasm about this unique opportunity: "The National Science Foundation’s REU Site program leadership is excited by the unique opportunity for program participants to work at both a research institution and a government agency (FDA) as part of the program."

Seven students are participating in this twelve-week program located in Houston, Texas, and Silver Spring, Maryland. They will collaborate with neural engineers and neuroscientists at the BRAIN Center before working alongside FDA scientists at the Office of Science and Engineering Labs within the Center for Devices and Radiological Health. Their research will contribute to developing regulatory science tools aimed at supporting innovative medical device development. These tools will focus on diagnostics assessment methods, neural interfaces, medical robotics, among other areas in neural, cognitive, and rehabilitation engineering.

"The program is designed to inspire bright and motivated undergraduates to pursue graduate education and careers in science and engineering research," said Contreras-Vidal. He emphasized their goal: "Our objective is to develop a diverse, inclusive, socially responsible workforce of young scientists needed to address major gaps in early-stage product development fulfilling healthcare needs."

The REU site officially opened its doors on September 1st.