EFRI-REM at CCNY: Research experience and mentoring for underrepresented groups in cross-disciplinary research on assistive technology

We have successfully run the NSF EFRI-REM program at The City College of The City University of New York (CUNY) for four years (2012 to 2015) with over 50 research participants (RPs), most of whom are from underrepresented groups, particularly individuals who are disabled, women, veterans and minorities. Each year we started with an 8 to 10-week summer research program and then mentored the participants' education and career paths in the following academic year. We have not only provided exciting cross-disciplinary, student initiated research opportunities in human and machine vision research and applications in assisting visually impaired people, but also shaped an innovative model to support career development of high school students, community and senior college students, graduate students (mentors), high school teachers, as well as community college professors. The EFRI-REM program provides a novel and effective platform to allow more underrepresented students in the greater NYC area to participate in our multidisciplinary research.