Professors Deniz Besiktepe (PI), Soowon Chang (Co-PI), and Bryan Hubbard of Purdue Polytechnic’s School of Construction Management Technology plus Luciana Debs from Texas State University have been awarded a $439,266 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish a new Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Site. Faisal Aqlan from University of Louisville will serve as the external evaluator. The three-year program will provide hands-on research opportunities focused on the critical challenge of decarbonizing the built environment.
"This is one of the very few NSF REU sites in the country led by a Construction Management School Besiktepe said.
The new REU Site, titled "Research Experience for Undergraduates in Built Environment Decarbonization," will host eight undergraduate students each summer for a 10-week immersive program. The research will address reducing carbon emissions across the entire lifecycle of buildings, including the manufacturing and transportation of materials, construction processes and facility operations.
"The project aims to expand research opportunities to students enrolled non-doctoral low research activity universities," Besiktepe said. Purdue, as an R1 University can provide opportunities that might not otherwise be available to these students. "It will also serve as a strong pipeline from undergraduate level to graduate studies.”
Participants will tackle real-world challenges and explore innovative decarbonization solutions using advanced technologies. Students will engage with state-of-the-art methods and tools, including artificial intelligence, digital twins, Internet of Things (IoT) sensing platforms, immersive reality, and smart energy assistants. This systems-level perspective aims to equip them with the skills to address complex environmental challenges in the built environment.
Beyond the core research, the program is designed to be a comprehensive developmental experience. "There will be professional development activities for mentor faculty and students, social activities, workshops, industry presentations and more." Besiktepe explained. The support structure is designed to enhance students' analytical reasoning, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities while encouraging them to pursue advanced degrees or innovation-focused careers.
The program will begin in the summer of 2026 and run for three years.
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