Research in Industrial Projects for Students (RIPS) 2008

Sponsor a Project

IPAM is always looking for new sponsors with interesting projects. We look forward to the opportunity to familiarize prospective sponsors with IPAM’s mission, work and educational opportunities with undergraduate students.

Who can be a RIPS sponsor?

Any private industry, laboratory, or public organization whose work is influenced by or reliant upon the application of mathematical principles or theory can propose a project for the RIPS Program. Projects have been undertaken for sponsors representing such diverse sectors as the national laboratories, biotechnology and bioinformatics, atmospheric research and weather forecasting, surveillance and reconnaissance, animation and fluid animation, to name a few.

What are the benefits to the sponsor?

The sponsor has an opportunity to make an important contribution to undergraduate research training at UCLA. For many RIPS students, this is their first exposure to research. Industrial, laboratory and public sector sponsors have an opportunity to open an exciting intellectual door that allows students to see and experience the excitement of applying mathematics to practical problems.

In some cases, companies may find it more efficient and cost-effective to have a small research project conducted by a team of bright, motivated college students than by company researchers. IPAM supplies the research space, students and resources, freeing up companies to provide oversight and direction. Industry mentors meet weekly with their student team at IPAM as well as arrange for their team to meet them and their staff at the industry site (as necessary for the project, but at least once). All research resources (with the exception of data sets or other background materials supplied by the industrial sponsor) are provided by IPAM to facilitate student work. UCLA mathematics faculty mentors are available to meet with the industry sponsor to discuss the project as well as provide daily direction to the students on research design and methodology, report preparation, and presentation skills. During this time, the industrial sponsor acquires a skilled labor resource dedicated to solving their problem.

Often, projects require development of software or hardware, an actual device or program. The sponsor will receive these products at the end of the summer program. Future recruitment may be enhanced because the sponsor gains access to a select national and international pool of student mathematicians, computer scientists, and young trainees in a variety of scientific fields.

What role does the industry mentor play?

Sponsoring organizations agree to appoint an industry mentor (or mentor team) who is the primary source of project-related and industry-specific expert information. The mentor/mentor team typically meets weekly with the student team, answering questions and providing direction as necessary to their work. For those who are not located in Los Angeles, regular conference calls and WebEx meetings may take the place of meetings in person. Like any research project, good communication and information flow typically results in a good outcome. Regular communication between the sponsor, student team and faculty mentor is the key to the success of RIPS projects.

Please send an email to rips2008@ipam.ucla.edu for more information.