Our IMPACT-REU Family

Participant Testimonials

MArch 2020

“I've been working on a satellite with a large team. We did multiple poster sessions for our work and my time in Dr. McNamara's lab really helped me guide others to make an effective academic poster and how to present.  I can't thank you enough and everyone else for the wonderful experience.

I graduated from UC Davis in December and I accepted an offer at Kratos Unmanned Aerial Systems, Inc. in Sacramento and Roseville, CA (where I'm from)”.

Ryan Silva

APRIL 2020

“I've accepted my offer of admission to Stanford's EE Phd program this fall. Thank you again for allowing me to have the opportunity to jumpstart my career at the IMPACT REU; it's really made a huge impact on the direction that my life has taken”,

Jerry Yang

FEB 2024

“My IMPACT REU experience was pivotal for me. It helped me grow as an engineer and a student. It gave me a new understanding of what research meant, and I fell in love with it. I had previously written off grad school, but this experience made me change course and get my master’s degree. The experience of designing and rapidly developing a novel creation as I did in the REU has been incredibly helpful as I now do that regularly in my career. I use the technical communication skills I learned through the REU on a daily basis. Even though I am not in the nanotechnology field the IMPACT REU experience was still immensely helpful to me. Thank you!”

J. Kevin Tobin

JUNE 2020

“I am a Chemical Engineering Major going into my final semester. I am currently doing a co-op with Bridgestone Americas and did an internship with ExxonMobil after the IMPACT REU. The IMPACT REU was not just a nice name to add to my resume but gave me hands on experience, critical thinking skills, and presentation skills necessary for work. It was the best summer I ever had and transitioned well into one of the best semesters I've ever had. Louisville will always have a place in my heart!”

Jack Wei

August 2022

JULY 2025

"My time in Louisville with the IMPACT-REU was a pivotal experience in my development as an aspiring engineer. I gained invaluable experience in both qualitative and quantitative research, along with a deeper understanding of the full research development process. While engineers in the field may not always conduct lab-based research, the fundamental skills like critical thinking, data analysis, and problem-solving are universally applicable across engineering disciplines. The experience I gained through IMPACT has given me a competitive edge when applying for internships and jobs. This summer, I landed a position at The American Woodmark Corporation, a global cabinet manufacturer. And, just as important as the experience, the professional relationships I built through the NNCI network are ones I will continue to value and draw upon throughout my career. I highly recommend the IMPACT program to anyone pursuing a future in a STEM field."

-Connor Denney, IMPACT REU 2024 Participant