2026 REU Community
Overview
In 2026, as part of the Iowa State University Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program, we will sponsor three undergraduate research interns all of whom aspire a future career as STEM educators. The REU experience provides opportunities for these students to engage in a hands-on research project with RegenPGC faculty mentors and members of the RegenPGC Graduate Education Community.
2026 Research experience for undergraduates
- Dr. Ken Moore
Alex Haus – Wartburg College
Brief Bio. I am currently a junior at Northern Arizona University studying Mathematics and Secondary Education with the goal of becoming a high school math teacher. I grew up in Gilbert and later moved to Flagstaff to attend college. Alongside school, I am also a licensed hairstylist and enjoy doing hair part-time while pursuing my degree.
I recently began my practicum experience, where I have worked in both science and math classrooms, which has strengthened my passion for teaching and working with students.
Outside of academics and work, I enjoy watching movies and TV shows, working out, and spending quality time with friends and family. Something unexpected about me is that even though I am a huge math enthusiast, geometry is actually my least favorite area of math.
Why I applied… I applied again to meet new people and build meaningful connections, because last year I met some amazing individuals and had a truly positive experience. Last time, the program provided me with valuable knowledge, new perspectives, and strong relationships, and I am hoping to continue building on that experience. I want to keep growing by learning from others, challenging myself in a new environment, and gaining skills that will support me throughout my college experience and future career.
My expectations for the REU program include… My expectations for the summer RET/REU program include gaining hands-on research experience, building meaningful connections, and finding opportunities to thrive in a new and challenging environment. I want to push myself to grow both personally and academically while learning from others and developing skills that will support me in my future career in education.
- Dr. Richard Roth
Kaylee Johnson, Northern Arizona University
Brief Bio. I am currently a junior at Northern Arizona University studying Mathematics and Secondary Education with the goal of becoming a high school math teacher. I grew up in Gilbert and later moved to Flagstaff to attend college. Alongside school, I am also a licensed hairstylist and enjoy doing hair part-time while pursuing my degree. I recently began my practicum experience, where I have worked in both science and math classrooms, which has strengthened my passion for teaching and working with students.
Outside of academics and work, I enjoy watching movies and TV shows, working out, and spending quality time with friends and family. Something unexpected about me is that even though I am a huge math enthusiast, geometry is actually my least favorite area of math.
Why I applied… I applied because I wanted the opportunity to explore science in a deeper and more hands-on way. I have always enjoyed physics and even considered minoring in it at one point. I believe this program will help me expand my knowledge and experience within the science field while also strengthening my background as a future math educator.
Math and science naturally connect, and participating in science-based research will allow me to bring more real-world applications and interdisciplinary learning into my future classroom. I am excited to challenge myself, grow academically, and gain experiences that will help me become a more well-rounded educator.
My expectations for the REU program include… My expectations include gaining new knowledge, experiences, and friendships while growing both personally and academically. I hope to learn more about the science field and discover new ways I can apply research and problem-solving skills to my future classroom. I also want to step outside of my comfort zone, contribute meaningfully to the program, and make the most of the opportunity while enjoying the experience along the way.
- Dr. Shui-zhang Fei
Preston Marrable, North Carolina Ag & Tech University
Brief Bio. I grew up in Los Angeles while moving around Southern California as a kid. I currently live in North Carolina, and I attend North Carolina Ag & Tech State University as a rising junior. My favorite subjects are English and History. My personal hobbies are cooking, exercise, and listening to music. Something unexpected about me is that I went to Japan last year, and I enjoyed every minute of it.
Why I applied… I applied to the program because I want to gain research experience in STEM and mathematics. I also want to gain professional insight and experience by building a coalition of connections among my Iowa State colleagues before, during, and after the program has finished.
My expectations for the REU program include… I want to gain more knowledge and strengthen my work ethic and attention to detail. As much as I want to improve on a professional level, I also want to build friendly relationships with my fellow peers.