DEARBORN, Mich.— The University of Michigan-Dearborn is set to launch a new 10-week summer research program in May 2026, thanks to a substantial $465,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The program, named the Urban Watershed Science REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) Site, will provide hands-on, interdisciplinary research opportunities for 30 undergraduate students.
Led by Dr. Sonia Tiquia-Arashiro, Professor of Microbiology, the program will engage students from both community colleges and four-year institutions. Participants will focus on urban river ecosystems, specifically investigating the Rouge River watershed, a vital Southeast Michigan waterway affected by urbanization, pollution, and climate change.
Students will be mentored by faculty from the College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters (CASL) in Natural Sciences, Behavioral Sciences, and Mathematics and Statistics. They will gain valuable experience in fieldwork, environmental data collection and analysis, and science communication. Their research will not only help improve local watershed health but also contribute to a global understanding of challenges facing urban freshwater ecosystems.
“This project represents a strong collaborative effort, and I’m especially grateful for the support of my colleagues across the department and CASL,” said Dr. Tiquia-Arashiro. “We aim to provide meaningful research experiences and highlight the Rouge River as an exceptional training site for future scientists.”
The program is designed to support students transitioning from community colleges to four-year STEM programs, as well as current university undergraduates. A key goal is to build students’ confidence, strengthen their research skills, and open up career pathways in science, sustainability, and environmental policy.
“The REU Site is particularly focused on preparing students from underrepresented and non-traditional backgrounds to become leaders in aquatic ecology and environmental stewardship,” added Dr. Tiquia-Arashiro. “We look forward to welcoming future scientists to the Rouge River and helping them grow as researchers and changemakers.”
Student research is expected to advance the understanding of how urbanization affects river ecosystems and may help inform local policy and water management practices.
Interested students can apply through the NSF ETAP platform.
