At the heart of the Future of Arizona in Research (FAIR) Program lies a profound commitment to empowering the next generation of STEM students. The Department of Physics and the School of Molecular Sciences are dedicated to enriching the educational journey by offering unique, hands-on experiences that extend beyond the traditional classroom setting. Our mission is to nurture the STEM pipeline by equipping undergraduate students in the fields of molecular sciences and physics with transformative research experiences and, whenever possible, internships. These high-impact practices have demonstrated the potential to enhance student retention and bolster graduation rates.
Why the FAIR Program Matters
Arizona is on the cusp of significant workforce growth in STEM, making it crucial to prepare students for dynamic, real-world challenges. Through FAIR, students gain valuable problem-solving and critical thinking skills that make them competitive in a wide array of occupations. As the needs of both the workforce and society rapidly evolve, our students are poised to adapt and excel in fields such as materials science, quantum science, and more. Their abilities extend to finding solutions for ever-evolving, real-life challenges.
Our program is inspired by numerous studies highlighting the transformative impact of undergraduate research on minority students. FAIR serves as an effective intervention to not only retain these students in STEM but also propel them toward successful careers in research.
I was already planning to supervise an undergraduate student research project during the 2023-24 academic year, but the FAIR program allowed the student to get an early start on the project over the summer, while being compensated for her work at above minimum wage. This extra FAIR-supported summer work term has been essential to the student’s progress, because it provided her with dedicated time to learn the physics concepts and computer skills relevant to her project. She was also able to attend a meeting of the CHIME Collaboration (which operates the telescope whose data she is using) at the end of July, giving her greater exposure to the software infrastructure and people she is now working with, as well as allowing her to network with potential future research supervisors. Without the support of the FAIR program, she would not have been able to join the collaboration before this meeting. Overall, this program provides valuable opportunities for undergraduates to get involved in research and be compensated for their work. Simon Foreman, Assistant Professor
Receiving funding from FAIR over the summer allowed me to get a head start on my research with Dr. Foreman and has allowed me to be more successful throughout the beginning of this semester. I was able to gain more experience with computing, something that was fairly new to me. These new skills will allow me to not only be more successful with my research here at ASU but will also be vital to help me with graduate school or a career in Physics. This opportunity has been tremendously helpful and I am extremely grateful for the funding from FAIR. Grace, Physics BS, Class of 2025
This summer I had the opportunity to work with the FAIR Program while conducting physics research at ASU. As an out-of-state student, the FAIR Program allowed me to support myself while staying in Arizona for the duration of my work. Thanks to this, I was able to have in-person meetings with my research advisor and continue having access to ASU's resources, both of which helped to accelerate my research output and understanding in physics as a whole.
Olivia, Physics BS, Class of 2025
Working in Dr. Kirian's lab has been invaluable in applying my knowledge to various practical tasks and utilizing the skills I've acquired.Dr. Kirian has been instrumental in accelerating my ability to apply my skills in both real-life situations and within the lab environment. Anubbav, Physics BS, Class of 2024
Target Student Population
Our program is open to undergraduate students across the Department of Physics and the School of Molecular Sciences, whether they are attending classes on campus or participating in online degree programs. We focus on recruiting sophomores to seniors, especially those who haven't traditionally engaged in research due to financial and time constraints. Our initial aim is to establish relationships and demonstrate the immense value our students can bring without asking for financial support.
A significant part of our mission involves reaching out to students from underrepresented groups, particularly Hispanic and Latino(a) communities. In Arizona, nearly one-third of the population is of Hispanic descent, and projections indicate that the majority of new entrants into the workforce will be Hispanic between 2020 and 2030. Nevertheless, they are less likely to pursue STEM degrees compared to other racial and ethnic groups. We are determined to bridge this gap and contribute to a stronger STEM workforce in Arizona.
Online Opportunities
We leverage ASU's extensive online education infrastructure to ensure that research opportunities are accessible to all, regardless of their geographical location. This approach enables us to extend the reach of our program to groups that might not otherwise have the opportunity to participate.
Join Us
Students interested in being funded should work with the faculty member they have identified to work with and contact, physics.hr@asu.edu.
Faculty interested in funding a student should contact , physics.hr@asu.edu.