Two WKU Students Accepted into NSF REU programs
- Bradley W. Smith
- Tuesday, May 13th, 2025
(L: Alejandro Ramirez, R: Marlowe Hanel)
Alejandro Ramirez and Marlowe Hanel have been accepted to participate in two National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF REU). Alejandro will participate in the University of Michigan Summer Intensive Research Experience in Neuroscience (SIREN), while Marlowe will participate in research at the University of Central Florida through the Hypersonic Propulsive, Energetic and Reusable Platforms (HYPER) REU.
The NSF REU program provides funding for competitive summer research programs in STEM and social science hosted at universities around the United States. Those selected for REUs typically receive a stipend for 10 weeks of research, plus room and board at the hosting university. In addition to gaining valuable research experience, REU participants also benefit from building their academic networks and clarifying their interests.
Alejandro Ramirez, son of Tiffeny Rose and Alejandro Ramirez from Elizabethtown, is a rising junior and Cherry Presidential Scholar studying Psychological Sciences with a concentration on Neuroscience. At WKU, he has worked with Dr. Farley Norman and Dr. Jenni Teeters of the WKU Department of Psychological Sciences, most recently on remote interventions for intoxicated driving. This is Alejandro’s second REU; last summer, he conducted research in behavioral pharmacology at West Virginia University. With multiple conference presentations and peer-reviewed articles on his CV, Alejandro is well on his way toward a goal of pursuing a Ph.D. in Behavioral Neuroscience researching the neural substrates underlying addiction.
“Alejandro easily ranks in the top 1% of students I have come across in terms of critical thinking skills, academic reading comprehension, and intellectual curiosity,” said Dr. Jenni Teeters when asked about Alejandro. “He has a genuine curiosity and interest in better understanding substance abuse at the neurological level.”
“Writing and revising the essays needed for this application took significant time, effort, and support from myself, Bradley Smith from [the WKU Office of Scholar Development], and my research mentor, Dr. Jenni Teeters,” Alejandro said when asked to reflect on the application process. “This process taught me invaluable lessons in applying for competitive programs, and will certainly inform and strengthen my applications for graduate school and fellowships.”
Marlowe Hanel, daughter of Emily and Michael Hanel from Louisville, is a rising junior studying Mechanical Engineering and Visual Journalism & Photography. As a part of her WKU Mahurin Honors College curriculum, Marlowe augmented courses under Dr. Benjamin Dinan and Dr. Kirolos Haleem in the WKU School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) where she compared two different truss bridge designs and studied the makeup as well as the properties of optical glass. Marlowe’s interests are collaborative and focused on community impact; an interdisciplinary thinker, she draws as much from Mechanical Engineering as her experience in Visual Journalism and Photography for the College Heights Herald and serving as a WKU Spirit Master. In addition to her WKU SEAS professors, she counts James Kenney [WKU School of Media and Communication] and Dean Terrance Brown [WKU Potter College of Arts and Letters] as mentors.
“This opportunity was beyond my wildest dreams,” remarked Marlowe when asked about being accepted into an NSF REU program. “After a meeting with OSD, I decided to send in a few applications. Thanks to my Honors projects, not only did I have two research projects on my resume, but also connections with my professors […] who could speak to me as a student and a person.”
“Marlowe is eager for continuous personal development,” Dr. Kirolos Haleem had to say about Marlowe. “I anticipate her to be an outstanding researcher and engineer.” Dr. Benjamin Dinan said of Marlowe, “[Marlowe has] demonstrated remarkable academic dedication, intellectual curiosity, and an aptitude for research. I have no doubt Marlowe will thrive as both a student and a future engineer, and I look forward to seeing the impact she makes in her field.”
Alejandro and Marlowe prepared their applications with support from Bradley Smith and the WKU Office of Scholar Development, and Alejandro received assistance from his research mentor Dr. Jenni Teeters in the WKU Department of Psychological Sciences.
About the Office of Scholar Development: OSD Mentors students applying for nationally competitive scholarships for "academic extras" such as study abroad, research, professional experience, and more. From first drafts to final submissions with multiple revisions in between, OSD helps students make more possible. By conceptualizing and revising the stories they tell in application essays and interviews, students better understand their strengths, interests, and purpose—and explore multiple possible pathways to that work.
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