Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) for NSF Award ANI-0240524

What is a REU?

The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program is a National 
Science Foundation (NSF) program supporting  participation in research by 
undergraduate students. This REU is a supplement to the NSF award ANI-0240524,
``Characterizing Protocol Interaction in NEWS: A Network Environment Wireless 
State Service.'' This project is a collaboration between Dr. Violet R. Syrotiuk
of Arizona State University and Dr. Tracy Camp of the Colorado School of Mines.

NEWS Project Summary

In the past years, research in wireless mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) has 
focused on the optimization of protocols at individual layers of the protocol 
stack. For example, tremendous effort has been invested in designing routing 
protocols in MANETs, a fundamental network layer problem since a MANET has no 
fixed infrastructure and all of the nodes are routers. Similarly, technological
constraints create diverse challenges in media access control (MAC) for MANETs.

While the network and MAC protocols that have emerged are excellent solutions 
in isolation, by design these protocols interact.  As a result the protocols 
affect one another, both directly and indirectly.  Characterizing how and to 
what extent protocols interact will ultimately impact network performance. In 
this research project, we study the network and MAC layer protocol interaction
in MANETs in the context of a ``news'' service. 
 
See http://mars-lab.eas.asu.edu for more information about this and other 
projects in Dr. Syrotiuk's research group.

Application Process and Selection Criteria
 
Submit a resume, statement of interest, and the names of two references to 
syrotiuk@asu.edu. The applications will be evaluated by Dr. Syrotiuk and two 
of her graduate students according to the following criteria: 

* The candidate is preferably a junior, and must be majoring in CS/CSE at 
  Arizona State University.
* The candidate must have reasonably good grades and background in networking.
* The candidate's interest, creativity, and persistence are important factors.

In order to better evaluate the candidates, at least three will be interviewed
by the committee. This provides both an opportunity to explain the scope of 
the NEWS project, expectations of the position, and the stipend.

If all other criteria are equal, there is a preference to support a candidate 
that is a woman, from an underrepresented minority (e.g., Hispanic), or a 
person with disabilities, in accordance with NSF's interest to increase the 
involvement of such students in research.

For more information about this REU, contact Dr. Syrotiuk at: syrotiuk@asu.edu