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Outreach

The Borunda Research group promotes interdisciplinary education and research in materials science and physics. Group members are involved in programs that engage the future scientific workforce. Along with increasing public awareness and scientific literacy, Dr. Borunda strives in promoting career advancement and broaden participation of the diverse group of scientists involved in our group.

Public Engagement:

  • Public lectures by Mario Borunda and colleagues in Oklahoma libraries and in GrandParents University at OSU
  • Talks for science museum audiences
  • Participation in NanoDays at the WONDERtorium

Broadening Participation: We are proud of our recruitment and outreach activities on Oklahoma’s large population of Native American students. The 2010 census revealed a Native American population of Oklahoma that is eight-times that of the country at large, with Oklahoma possessing the highest number of Native American students enrolled in public school systems. Oklahoma ranks 3rd in Native American population and leads the nation in the number of Native Americans that graduate from college. OSU, through student organizations such as SACNAS (Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science)and the OK-LSAMP (Oklahoma-Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation) program, also engage a large number of minority students. Dr. Borunda works with SACNAS (as the faculty advisor for the OSU SACNAS chapter), the National Society for Hispanic Physicists (NSHP), and OK-LSAMP to perform outreach to members minority populations.

Engaging Undergraduates in Research: There are usually few chances for undergraduates to discover the academic culture of graduate research and education and to experience the excitement of interdisciplinary work. As Undergraduate Research Coordinator for the Physics Department, Dr. Borunda provides service to the Physics Department by interacting with undergraduate students who are interested in performing research. The Physics Faculty has provided information on the ongoing research in their research groups which could involve undergraduates. Dr. Borunda strives to pair the interested students with research groups. Additionally, he is directing undergraduates students to apply for research scholarships, provide information on the REU opportunities offered by various programs across the country, and graduate scholarships from agencies such as NSF and the DoE.