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NSF PREM Center for Intelligent Materials Assembly (PREM CIMA)

Research

PREM - CHEM Seminars

What is PREM?

PREM CIMA

 

The NSF Partnership for Research and Education in Materials (PREM) Center for Intelligent Materials Assembly (CIMA) works to strengthen the pipeline of students in materials science and STEM careers through research and education. 

Publications published under NSF DMR 2122041.

Become a PREM CIMA Associate or Researcher

Picture of a PREM Student Organization meeting

Undergraduate and graduate students interested in joining PREM as Associates or Researchers are encouraged to read our highlights page. PREM Associates participate in student meetings where they gain professional development and are exposed to materials research, with the hope of becoming a hands-on researcher in the near future. Students are also encouraged to browse faculty pages to learn more about their research interests.


Upcoming Events

  • PREM-Organized Events for Researchers

    • Join us for BBQ and business at LBJ 3-21.3 from 12-1 p.m. We'll welcome new PREM students, go over the calendar of PREM events for the semester, remind all of the perks/expectations of being a PREM researcher, and socialize a little.

      Time: 12:00-1:00 pm

      Location: LBJ 3-21.3

    • Join us to learn best practices on how to present your research data in oral presentations and written publications. This workshop will be led by Dr. Chris Wight, our PREM-MRSEC Faculty Liaison. Light snacks will be provided. 


      What makes a figure great? How can great figures improve our understanding of the science or improve the impact of our work? What is the best way to start making figures? In this workshop, we will discuss these questions and more as we talk about best practices in data presentation for research articles and presentations. We will talk about the differences between manuscript figures and abstract/TOC images, and the value of catching the eye. Having trouble figuring out how to best represent your data? Bring your data and a laptop and get valuable input from your peers. 

      Time: 12:00-1:00 pm

      Location: LBJ 3-21.3

    • Join us to learn about the research being conducted in two of our PREM Labs. The meeting will be led by Drs. Jennifer Irvin and Nikoleta Theodoropoulou, leaders for each of our research thrusts. Light snacks will be provided. 

      Time: 12:00-1:00 pm

      Location: LBJ 3-21.3

    • Please join us @ UT Austin to learn more about our PREM partner's activities and how our PREM fits into their research and education enterprise. The day will include tours of MRSEC and Texas Materials Institute facilities, lunch, a poster session (including PREM presenters), student oral presentations (also including PREM presenters), talks by industry representatives, and networking with MRSEC and industry reps. 

      Time: 

      February 20 - 8:30 am - 6:00 pm

      February 21 - 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

      Location: 

      UT Austin (room numbers and agenda details can be found here)

      PREM students and faculty attendees will be reimbursed for mileage and parking. 

    • "Embracing All Forms of Microscopy” @ TXST University - http://texas.microscopy.org/

      Texas Workshops-February 22nd: Roy F. Mitte (RFM) & Supple Science Building 

       1.) Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (Horiba) 

      2.) Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (Olympus) 

      3.) XPS (Thermo Fisher) 

      4.) STEM-EDS (Thermo Fisher) 

      Each workshop is offered twice (9-12 and 1-4). Please register by sending choices of workshops and time to: Dr. Joyce Anderson jha39@txstate.edu Spaces are limited, please, register early!

      Meeting-February 23rd & 24th: LBJ Student Center Ballroom & RFM

      Poster and platform presentations and a vendor fair will be held in the LBJ Student Center Ballroom (February 23rd) and the Roy F. Mitte Building (February 24th) at Texas State University.

      Social Reception – February 22nd, 2024

      There will be a reception on Thursday evening the 22nd of February 2024 at 7p.m. at “Industry” (110 E Martin Luther King Dr #126, San Marcos, TX 78666) which is located in downtown San Marcos. This will be a great opportunity to meet and talk to colleagues, friends, and vendors and to enjoy good food.

      Invited Speakers – February 23rd, 2024

      Material Sciences: Dr. Jamie Warner (The University of Texas at Austin)

      Life Sciences: Dr. Esther Bullitt (Boston University)

    • Seminar presentation by MRSEC post-doc, Dr. Gabriel Cossio, in Dr. Ed Yu's Lab.

      Lunch provided. 

      Time: TBA

      Location: LBJ 3-13.1

       

    • Seminar presentation by MRSEC graduate student, Ben Stacy, in Dr. Brian Korgels lab. 

      Lunch provided. 

      Time: TBA

      Location: LBJ 3-13.1

    • Come meet with an amazing group of women who have made their careers in academia and industry in the field of materials science. The event will include accounts of the career trajectories of these professionals, including honest accounts about the challenges and opportunities for women in STEM. A Q&A session and networking lunch will follow.

      Time: 11:30 - 1:30 pm

      Location: Flowers Hall 230

       

    • Come learn about IP generation and protection, as well as various ways of taking a technology from the bench to the market (spin off, licensing, etc.) including ways of obtaining funding/mentorship/support, team needs, resources at TxState, and challenges associated with all entrepreneurial activities.

      Hosted by Dr. Shannon Weigum, Associate Professor of Biology

      Light snacks will be provided. 

      Time: 12:00 - 1:00 pm

      Location: ALKEK 441AB

    • Students and faculty will act as speakers letting students know about our life trajectories to STEM. We will also have hands-on STEM activities and lunch with elementary kids and parents! More details to come!

      Date: Saturday, March 23

      Time: 9:00-1:00 (Volunteers arrive at 8:30 a.m.)

      Location: 211 Lee St, San Marcos, TX 78666

      Sign up to Volunteer: https://txst.sharepoint.com/:x:/s/GRP-NSFPREM/ESamyK8LMRZPlgcLlfjNH4YB8iSxKif3LeQ974LCRWNiZg?e=iQenPT

       

    • Join us to learn about the research being conducted in two of our Thrust 1 PREM Labs (Reconfigurable Soft Materials). The meeting will be led by Dr. Jennifer Irvin, our Thurst 1 leader. Light snacks will be provided. 

      Time: 12:00 - 1:00 pm

      Location: COMAL 212

    • Location: CHEM 100

      Time: 3:30-4:30 p.m.

    • Please join us to learn about research ethics and intellectual property from Mr. Jonathan Lollar, M.A., student development specialist from the IDEA Center. Jonathan earned his MA in Applied Ethics and Philosophy and is now pursuing a PhD in Developmental Education with a concentration in learning support. Jonathan has taught philosophy (PHIL 1320, Ethics and Society). Light snacks will be provided. 

      Time: 12:00-1:00 pm

      Location: Comal 212

    • Igniting Curiosity, Powering Innovation – Where Knowledge Meets Fun!


      Be a part of an exhilarating celebration at San Marcos High School, where innovation meets inspiration! The S.T.E.A.M. Fair is a vibrant showcase of the dynamic intersections between Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. Immerse yourself in a fusion of creativity and knowledge as local businesses unveil captivating exhibits, and student groups dazzle with performances.

       

      Time: 10 AM - 1 PM

      Location: San Marcos High School (2601 Rattler Rd. San Marcos, TX 78666)

       

    • Location: CHEM 100

      Time: 3:30-4:30 p.m.

    • Join us to learn about the research being conducted in two of our Thrust 2 PREM Labs (Control of Nanostructure for Energy and Electronics). The meeting will be led by Dr. Nikoleta Theodoropoulou, our Thurst 2 leader. Light snacks will be provided. 

      Time: 12:00-1:00 pm

      Location: COMAL 212

    • Students and faculty will act as speakers letting students know about our life trajectories to STEM. We will also have hands-on STEM activities and lunch with elementary kids and parents! More details to come!

      Date: Saturday, April 20

      Time: 9:00-1:00 (Volunteers arrive at 8:30 a.m.)

      Location: 211 Lee St, San Marcos, TX 78666

      Sign up to Volunteer: https://txst.sharepoint.com/:x:/s/GRP-NSFPREM/ESamyK8LMRZPlgcLlfjNH4YB8iSxKif3LeQ974LCRWNiZg?e=iQenPT

       

    • Location: CHEM 100

      Time: 3:30-4:30 p.m.

    • TBA

      Time: 

      Location: CENT 220

    • Location: LBJ 3-13.1 and 3-14.1

      Time: TBA

  • PREM-Organized Events for Associates

    • The NSF PREM Center for Intelligent Materials Assembly or PREM CIMA is excited to host the PREM Associates Luncheon on Friday, January 19 from 12-1 pm in COMAL 116. The purpose of this event is to follow up on our prior discussions of opportunities for students to become involved in research through PREM CIMA and other avenues and on your pathway as a PREM Associate. In addition, we will go over the planned PREM events for the semester that may be of interest to you. Pizza will be served.

      Time: 12:00-1:00 pm

      Location: COMAL 116

      RSVP: https://forms.office.com/r/nMkBqDiVrq

       

    • Join us to learn best practices on how to present your research data in oral presentations and written publications. This workshop will be led by Dr. Chris Wight, our PREM-MRSEC Faculty Liaison. Light snacks will be provided. 


      What makes a figure great? How can great figures improve our understanding of the science or improve the impact of our work? What is the best way to start making figures? In this workshop, we will discuss these questions and more as we talk about best practices in data presentation for research articles and presentations. We will talk about the differences between manuscript figures and abstract/TOC images, and the value of catching the eye. Having trouble figuring out how to best represent your data? Bring your data and a laptop and get valuable input from your peers. 

      Time: 12:00-1:00 pm

      Location: LBJ 3-21.3

       

    • Come meet with an amazing group of women who have made their careers in academia and industry in the field of materials science. The event will include accounts of the career trajectories of these professionals, including honest accounts about the challenges and opportunities for women in STEM. A Q&A session and networking lunch will follow.

      Time: 11:30 - 1:30 pm

      Location: Flowers Hall 230

       

    • Details TBD. Light snacks will be provided. 

      Time: 12:00 - 1:00 pm

      Location: ALKEK 441AB

    • Please join us to learn about research ethics and intellectual property from Mr. Jonathan Lollar, M.A., student development specialist from the IDEA Center. Jonathan earned his MA in Applied Ethics and Philosophy and is now pursuing a PhD in Developmental Education with a concentration in learning support. Jonathan has taught philosophy (PHIL 1320, Ethics and Society). Light snacks will be provided. 

      Time: 12:00-1:00 pm

      Location: LBJ 3-21.3

  • Events Organized by IDEA Center or CIE for PREM Researchers and Associates

    • Visit the IDEA Center page for a list of upcoming events. The following is a small list of relevant events, but for up to date details and to RSVP please follow the link above.

      • IDEA Center research ethics workshop
      • Stress and anxiety management
      • Imposter syndrome
      • Self-efficacy and motivation
      • IDEA Center Undergraduate Research Forum
      • How to approach a mentor
      • How to I network?
      • What skills do I need to create my research poster?
      • Letters of recommendation
    • Please visit the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship website for up to date details.

      CIE Programs: IGNITE, DEEP DIVE and ACCELERATE

      CIE Upcoming Events: Innovation Series seminars and Future Maker Accelerator Entrepreneurship Program

    • RCR Brown Bag Lecture Series 

       

      TitleDate
      IRB Protocol Submission and Review ProcessWednesday, January 24, 2024
      Collaborative ResearchWednesday, January 31, 2024
      Peer Review & AuthorshipWednesday, February 7, 2024
      CybersecurityWednesday, February 14, 2024
      Research Involving the Use of rDNA & Biohazardous MaterialsWednesday, February 21, 2024
      Life Cycle of a Research GrantWednesday, February 28, 2024
      Social Impacts of Scientific and Technological AdvancementWednesday, March 6, 2024
      Social Dimensions of Research Teams and CivilityWednesday, March 20, 2024
      Export Control, International Travel, & Foreign InfluenceWednesday, March 27, 2024