University of Tennessee Chattanooga earns National Science Foundation grant

University of Tennessee Chattanooga has earned a National Science Foundation grant in the amount of $464,970. The grant will allow the university to host a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program, called “Interdisciplinary Computational Biology (iCompBio),” which will bring students from around the country to campus for an opportunity to work on faculty-mentored research projects.

According to an article on the University of Tennessee Chattanooga’s website, Yingfeng Wang, who is an Associate Professor of Data Analytics within the university’s College of Engineering and Computer Science, was quoted as saying of biological research, “Computational biology is an important area for undergraduate research right now because biological research has become increasingly data-driven and computationally intensive. Modern life science questions—from disease mechanisms and epidemic forecasting to biodiversity loss, antibiotic resistance, metabolite discovery and bio-inspired technologies—now require students to integrate biology with data science, machine learning, mathematical modeling, high-performance computing and emerging tools such as generative AI and quantum computing. We hope students leave the program with both technical confidence and a stronger sense of themselves as scientists.”

Wang is leading the summer program alongside Jannatul Ferdoush, an Assistant Professor of Genetics in the College of Arts and Sciences. 

The iCompBio REU is a program that runs from May to July, with participants working on faculty-mentored research projects on topics like data and modeling and computational tools. In addition to working on the research project, students will also attend weekly scientific seminars. Ten students participate each summer and receive a stipend and travel and housing support. 

Dr. Mengjun Xie, who serves as the head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, said, “UTC is a strong place to host an REU site like iCompBio because of its commitment to undergraduate research, interdisciplinary collaboration and applied computer science. The program brings together faculty expertise in computer science, biology, data science, machine learning, mathematical modeling and high-performance computing, giving students access to a broad research environment that connects computing with real biological and societal problems. This grant fits directly into UTC’s broader efforts to expand research in computational science, interdisciplinary computing and high-impact undergraduate education. It also supports UTC’s larger research strategy by strengthening faculty-led research, expanding externally funded opportunities and engaging undergraduate students in meaningful, mentor-guided projects.”

For more information about the University of Tennessee Chattanooga, visit the school’s website.