NewFoS Research Experience and Mentoring (REM)
The New Frontiers of Sound (NewFoS) Research Experiences and Mentoring (REM) program is a 12-month opportunity funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) that introduces undergraduate students to research and professional development in the field of Topological Acoustics (TA). Through NewFoS REM, students spend the summer in a NewFoS research lab, where they are guided and trained by faculty, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers. After the summer, students continue with mentoring, leadership development, and skill-building activities throughout the academic year. The program is designed to give undergraduates a first, sustained experience in scientific research, help them build meaningful mentoring relationships, and support them in sharing their contributions through presentations and projects. NewFoS REM prepares students to see themselves as scientists and leaders while exploring possible pathways to graduate school and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Program Structure
- 12-Month Student Commitment: REM is not just a summer program. Students remain engaged for one year, including full-time summer research and continued participation during the academic year in preparation for conference presentations and continued mentorship.
- Summer Research: Past students were placed full-time in research labs, typically for 8 weeks at either their own institution or a completely new host site.
- Mentoring Ecosystem: Each student is guided by a team of mentors, including faculty, graduate students, and peers.
- Professional Development: Weekly workshops and primers cover leadership, mentoring, communication, and professional development. These professional development programs were designed using the Linking Integrative Narratives to Create STEM Synergy (LINCSS) framework.
- Presentations: Students share their work at the end of the summer through a research poster and oral presentation as well as a personal StoryBoard of their summer experience.
Outcomes So Far
Launched in June 2025, the REM program has already supported 9 undergraduate researchers across partner institutions in its first summer. Students gained hands-on experience in topological acoustics, developed stronger scientific identities, and grew more confident in pursuing STEM research and graduate pathways.
Program Highlights (Summer 2025 Cohort)
- 9 undergraduate researchers completed the inaugural REM program across partner institutions
- 9 digital storyboards produced, highlighting research and learning outcomes
- 6 research posters presented at the end-of-summer symposium
National Conference Impact
- 1 poster presentation at the American Association for the Advancement of Science Conference, earning Honorable Mention
- 7 poster presentations at the Emerging Researchers National Conference (ERN)
- 3 Second Place poster awards at ERN
- 1 undergraduate oral presentation at ERN
- 1 graduate oral presentation at ERN
Survey and focus group results showed that students’ knowledge of topological acoustics increased significantly, their interest in STEM graduate programs and research-related careers grew, and their sense of belonging in STEM improved. Mentors also reported that students became more independent researchers and more confident in communicating their work.
“I think it helped me be more confident tackling things that I'm not familiar with and building on new skills. I’m more confident going into the next academic year.” – REM Participant
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INSIDE THE NewFoS Research Experience
Discover how undergraduate researchers are building the future of science and how you can join them.
Past REM Projects
Presentations – Summer REM Participants 2025 at 2026 Emerging Researcher National (ERN) Conference
- Gotibeh Alhady — Geometry to Wave Control: Phononic Crystal Design for SAW-Based Phi-Bit Waveguides
- Catherine Campbell — Modeling and Validation of Phononic Crystals for Next-Gen Wireless Tech
- Received Second Place Undergraduate Poster Presentation in Nanoscience or Material Science at AAAS Emerging Researcher National (ERN) Conference
- Anwar Gatto — Solvent Processing Unlocks Processes to Synthesize Chalcogenide Glass Thin Films
- Gatto Khalil — Low Temperature Fabrication of Amorphous AsTe₃ Thin Films by Spin Coating
- Graduate Oral Presentation
- Ture Gustafson — Phononic Crystals Integrated with Surface Acoustic Wave Devices Allows for Advancement Past 5G
- Snehith John — Experimental Realization of a Macroscale SSH Lattice for Demonstrating Topological Edge States
- Received Second Place Undergraduate Poster Presentation in Physics at AAAS Emerging Researcher National (ERN) Conference
- Yousif Kandelchy — Characterization of Surface Acoustic Wave Devices for Advanced Radio Frequency Technologies
- Received Second Place Undergraduate Poster Presentation in Technology and Engineering: Civil, Mechanical, and Industrial at AAAS Emerging Researcher National (ERN) Conference
- Kevin Kraseman — Design of Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) Devices for Advanced Radio Frequency Technologies
- Arturo Whipple — And the Beat Goes On: Leveraging Acoustic Waves for Accessible Table-Top Quantum Physics
- Undergraduate Oral Presentation
Interested in Joining the REM Program?
The NewFoS REM program is more than just a summer research experience — it’s a community. There are several ways to get involved:
- Students: Applications for the next REM cycle are open. Visit the Application page or contact us at gbatchelder@arizona.edu for questions or details.
- Student Council: Any student can join the Student Council as a general member to stay informed about student work and get involved with topological acoustics activities.
