Summer 2025 RET & REU Program Overview

We are pleased to celebrate the accomplishments of our Summer 2025 Chemurgy 2.0 cohort, which brought together undergraduate researchers through the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program and STEM educators through the Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) program.

This year’s Chemurgy 2.0 participants:

REU: Abby Remus, Emery Breitharth, Greta Musgrave

RET: Joshua Selep, Matt Cain

Over six immersive weeks at Iowa State University’s Office of Biotechnology, participants worked alongside faculty and graduate mentors four days a week in active research labs, while spending a fifth day in professional learning sessions. These experiences not only strengthened their research and teaching skills but also fostered meaningful connections between Iowa classrooms and cutting-edge STEM research.

Key Highlights:

RET/REU participants gained hands-on experience in biotechnology and data science research.

Educators developed new classroom tools and approaches to bring real-world science practices into Iowa schools.

REU students advanced projects in chemistry, biology, and engineering while gaining valuable mentorship and career insights.

All participants collaborated on professional reflections, culminating in this year’s publication of Cultivate Curiosity, a digital magazine that showcases their personal and professional growth.

• Read all of the students' reflections in the Cultivate Curiosity magazine here.
• Meet the members of the 2025 RegenPGC cohort and explore their stories here.

The program also contributes to the broader impacts required by federal agencies such as the NSF, USDA, and NIH, demonstrating how university research can directly enrich K–12 STEM education and inspire the next generation of scientists.

We greatly appreciate the support of Iowa State University’s Office of Biotechnology, faculty, mentors, and staff, whose guidance and resources made this summer possible for our students.