Russ College of Engineering and Technology
Create for Good
Meta Engineering and Technology
Diversity and Outreach
Russ Prize
Alumni + Friends
Engineering Technology and Management
Russ Research Center
Student Research Opportunities
Wei Laboratory
Ingenuity Magazine
Russ College
Civil engineering junior wins National Science Foundation summer research grant
Author: Baylee Demuth
The National Science Foundation has awarded Ohio University student Liz Myers, a junior studying civil engineering, was awarded a nationally competitive Research Experiences for Undergraduates grant (REU) for a sponsored summer research internship. Only 10 percent of applicants were accepted.
The REU program, which supports active research participation by undergraduate students in any NSF-funded research area, places applicants at a host institution, where each student is associated with a specific research project and works closely with faculty and other researchers. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year's summer internships are canceled – but Myers has been automatically accepted for next summer. She'll stay for nine weeks at Virginia Tech, where she'll study stream restoration. The grant provides housing, food and a $4500 stipend.
"I love research, and it's one of my favorite things to do," said Myers, who was also accepted to host institution University of Nebraska-Lincoln. "The research I've spent the most time on is with Dr. Guy Riefler – his acid mine drainage (AMD) project, which is a stream restoration project at its core. This project at Virginia Tech is as well, so I have experience directly in the field."
Myers has been performing research as an undergraduate since her first year in the Russ College.
"Liz started conducting undergraduate research as a freshman and quickly became a leader on the project," said Riefler, chair of the Department of Civil Engineering in the Russ College of Engineering and Technology. "I continue to rely on her dedication to the AMD-to-paint project."
For now, Myers will continue to work with Riefler to better prepare for next summer. This work includes deepening her interdisciplinary skills, thanks to exposure to Riefler's collaborator, Chair of Painting and Drawing John Sabraw in the College of Fine Arts, and his graduate students.
Her impressive work in the field granted her this opportunity that only eight out of 80 applicants were accepted.
"I really love this project," she said. "I'm happy it could benefit me in this way, so I can branch out and see where I want to go with what I'm doing."
Stocker Center
E engineering@ohio.edu