Forest Bioproduct seeks 10 undergraduates for a ten-week summer research experience

Explore it! Building the Next Generation of Sustainable Forest Bioproduct Researchers” at the University of Maine Forest Bioproducts Research Institute (FBRI) aims for participants to develop and utilize new knowledge in an ethical manner to address forest bioproduct issues impacting society.

This program provides 10 undergraduates with a ten-week summer research experience, leveraging the focus areas of the University of Maine’s Forest Bioproducts Research Institute (FBRI). The focus on sustainable forest bioproducts is highly topical and of great global importance in the context of sustainable energy and material alternatives. In collaboration with faculty mentors, students conduct research advancing their general knowledge of the field and one of several thematic elements, including: i) sustainability and life cycle assessment, ii) feedstock extraction/ modification, iii), process control and sensing, iv) nanomaterial production and utilization, v) new product development and vi) nanotechnology risk assessment.

The REU program concludes with a forest products industry field trip to Chile (subject to possible COVID-19 travel restrictions) and a research conference where participants present their work to faculty and students at the University of Concepcion-UDT. A unique set of evaluation and assessment tools are employed that allow tracking of student performance, thus offering feedback to students and the program.

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