The Ohio State REU Site on Resilient and Sustainable Infrastructure Systems for Smart Cities (RSISSC) prepares undergraduates for careers in civil engineering research aimed at addressing pressing societal challenges associated with population growth, aging infrastructure, climate change, public health, and energy systems. A central focus is the efficient and sustainable management of infrastructure services through advanced sensing, data analytics, geospatial technologies, and novel materials that support the development of smart and resilient cities. By engaging students in research that connects civil infrastructure, environmental systems, and community well-being, the project serves the national interest by helping build a skilled STEM workforce prepared to advance science, strengthen prosperity and welfare, and address complex infrastructure problems with broad societal impact. The program also expands access to research opportunities for students from a wide range of institutions and backgrounds, while contributing to engineering education through examination of how mentoring and reflection shape students’ development of a research mindset, professional identity, and long-term interest in graduate study and research careers.
The RSISSC REU Site will support 10 undergraduate students each year for three years in interdisciplinary, hands-on research at the intersections of civil, environmental, and geodetic engineering. Student projects will contribute to cross-cutting advances in resilient civil infrastructure systems, geospatial data integration, public health protection, and energy systems, with emphasis on smart-city applications enabled by advanced sensing, data-driven analysis, and emerging technologies. Research activities will be carried out under the guidance of faculty mentors and graduate ambassadors, fostering interdisciplinary problem-solving and technical skill development through data collection, modeling, analysis, interpretation, and communication of findings. These activities will be complemented by guest lectures, site visits, and structured reflection to connect research with real-world practice and to strengthen students’ communication and professional preparation. Over the three-year period, the project will generate both research and educational outcomes by broadening students’ understanding of civil engineering applications for societal benefit and by producing insights that can inform curriculum development and future undergraduate research training at Ohio State and beyond.
This award reflects NSF’s statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation’s intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.