UROP Leader Information Submission: Submission #39

First Name: Cara
Last Name: Gillespie
Full name as you would like it to appear on the website: Cara Gillespie
Preferred Pronouns: she/her/hers
Hometown, State, and Country (ex: Tallahassee, FL, USA): St.Augustine, FL, USA
FSU email : ceg19b@fsu.edu
Please check this box if you are willing to be contacted by students interested in UROP: Yes
LinkedIn URL (optional): {Empty}
Major(s): Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences: Clinical Professions
Minor(s): {Empty}
Graduation Semester and Year (ex: Fall, 2022): Spring, 2023
What is your current research focus?:
I am currently a Global Scholar working on understanding how the social determinants of health are used in Jacksonville, Florida. Additionally, I am working on a capstone project for my major understanding the impacts of cellphone usage on sleep patterns in college-aged students. 

Are there any other research related activities you participate(d) in?:
Over the summer, I worked as a research intern at Mayo Clinic Florida where I was involved in two projects in the Department of Social Work. The two projects I worked on were titled, Advanced Care Planning in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Financial Preparedness in Kidney/Pancreas Patients Post-Transplant. Prior to this, I conducted research with the Children's National Hospital in Washington, D.C. understanding the role of the Childhood Opportunity Index in surrounding communities, and the role the hospital can directly play in community engagement. As a UROP student, I worked with the College of Human Sciences on a project titled, The Role of NADPH Oxidase in Endothelial Function. 

Answer one of the following two questions about being a UROP Leader or your UROP background. : How has UROP impacted your time at FSU?
Please answer the question you selected above in the area provided.:
As a UROP student, I was introduced to many different students with like-minded goals, as well as faculty and staff that allowed me to make connections both inside and beyond my immediate interest. Supported by the UROP leadership, I was provided various resources and made aware of numerous opportunities that allowed me to get involved very early on in my academic career. UROP helped to initiate a passion of mine to continually seek information, apply myself in ways I did not know I could, and create long-lasting connections with peers and staff. 

Please list any other hobbies or interests you would like to share:
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Headshot: https://cre.fsu.edu/system/files/webform/urop_leaders_information/4316/headshot%20.JPG
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2025Year2025: 2022
Approved: Yes
Update URL UROP Leaders: http://cre.fsu.acsitefactory.com/urop-leader-information-submission?token=sC20oZjMOEtiWUhfVhVVPP3TCTgvaFIrFXUiezczCXA
Years as a UROP Leader: 2021-2022 and 2022-2023