Two researchers from the Oklahoma State University (OSU) College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology (CEAT), Sri Ramesh and Ranji Vaidyanathan, plan to launch a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) site focused on the intersection of advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity.
The program will host 10 students each summer from 2026 through 2028 for a 10-week research and professional development experience. The goal is to prepare students for careers in advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity and related fields, while also building a foundation for graduate research.
“Advanced manufacturing is transforming how we design and produce materials, while cybersecurity has become critical to protecting increasingly digital and interconnected systems,” Ramesh said. “Industry reports indicate that over 94% of manufacturers are already using or evaluating smart manufacturing and AM, and most expect to expand their workforce to support these technologies.”
The REU program was inspired from the recognition that advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity are now inseparable fields, and future engineers must be equipped to both innovate and protect the systems that support modern manufacturing.
Students will join OSU faculty in hands-on projects in areas such as aerospace, bioengineering, construction and energy storage, while also tackling the cybersecurity challenges of connected manufacturing systems.
They will present their research at a final symposium on campus, with opportunities for broader dissemination through conferences and reports. Each year, one student will be selected to present at the Annual International Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium in Austin, Texas.
The program places special emphasis on supporting students from community colleges, regional universities and other institutions without access to large research facilities. Each participant will be paired with a faculty and graduate student mentor.
In addition to research, students will participate in structured workshops on professional communication, ethical research practices and graduate school preparation. They will also interact directly with industry professionals and national lab researchers.
Site visits to facilities such as Tinker Air Force Base, along with webinars with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and conversations with OSU alumni entrepreneurs, will expose participants to both industrial and entrepreneurial perspectives.
CEAT has faculty with established funding from agencies such as NSF, NASA and the Department of Defense in advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity.
Additionally, OSU has unique facilities, including the Advanced Technology Research Center, the ENDEAVOR Maker Space and the OSU Microscopy Facility.
“You do not need prior lab experience to succeed here,” Ramesh said. “If you want to explore advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity in a supportive environment, this is your chance."
