UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal: Submission #738

Research Mentor Information
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Primary Research Mentor Name:  Amanda Lovett
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Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): alovett@coaps.fsu.edu
Position Title: Faculty
FSU College (if applicable): Arts and Sciences
FSU Department or Non-FSU Organization Affiliation: Center for Ocean-Atmospheric Prediction Studies
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Additional Research Mentor(s)
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Name of Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) (if applicable): Shawn R. Smith
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Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): smith@coaps.fsu.edu

Overall Project Details
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Title of the Project: Development of a User-Friendly DB Web Interface for Excluding Unwanted Data Contents
Project Keywords: database, programming, web development
Are you currently looking for research assistants?: No
Number of Research Assistants Needed : 1
Relevant Research Assistant Major(s):
 Computer science, computer engineering, information technology, scientific computing, or a related field

Project Location:: 2000 Levy Avenue, Building A, Suite 292
If the project location is off campus, does the research assistant(s) need to provide their own transportation?: FSU bus system provides transport between main campus and Innovation Park
Please select the choice that most accurately describes your expectations for the research assistant(s):: In-person
Approximately how many hours a week would the research assistant(s) need to work?: 5-10
Roughly what time frame do you expect research assistant(s) to work?: During business hours
Overall Research Project Description:
If you are looking for a research project that will allow you to gain real world experience with programming, web development, and relational databases, this is the project for you. The Marine Data Center (MDC) at FSU is looking for a student who is willing and eager to develop a web interface that will be actively used by the data management team at the MDC.

The MDC receives data from numerous research vessels on a daily basis, which includes variables such as air temperature, sea level pressure, wind speed/direction, and more. Not only does the MDC process and store this variable information, metadata regarding how these variables are obtained (ex. What device was used) is stored as well. In some instances however, we want to ignore new, incoming metadata.

The goal of this project is to develop a web interface in which users can add, remove, or modify unique variable identifiers that are stored in a blacklist. Currently the only way to make changes is manually through a MySQL interface, which is not user friendly. The student will learn HTML and PHP development, how to use MySQL and develop an understanding of relational databases, and how to make technical information accessible to non-technical users via a web user interface.

Research Tasks:
The student will be responsible for developing web-based code to assist data analysts and senior scientists, and will do so under the guidance of in-house software developers. They will learn to read and understand existing code systems and validate code results through testing and debugging. Additionally, the student will obtain hands-on experience with relational databases by learning about database queries and how to efficiently execute them. In the end, the student will integrate their code into an existing web user interface that is used operationally by the MDC staff. The student will be expected to report on their progress to superiors on a weekly basis and communicate should any issues arise.


Skills that research assistant(s) may need::
The ability to learn new programming languages and frameworks, paying attention to detail, and communicating effectively with team members will be essential. Any level of experience with past programming projects, specifically those involving HTML, PHP, and databases will be beneficial, but is not necessary. Experience with Linux or using a command line interface is desired, but not required. 

Mentoring Philosophy:
My mentoring philosophy centers on fostering a student’s growth through practical skill development. I aim to guide students through projects that not only deepen their academic understanding but also equip them with real-world skills essential for their future careers. I believe in treating students with respect, maintaining an open-door policy for any questions or concerns, and providing consistent, constructive feedback. I strive to inspire confidence and independence in my students by creating a supportive and engaging environment.

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Are you interested in participating in the UROP Research Mentor Roundtable?: No
Roundtable times and Zoom links:
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UROP Program Elements
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Mentor Handbook, FAQs, and Communication: Yes
UROP Performance Evaluation: Yes
Materials Grant: Yes
UROP Poster Presentation: Yes

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Year: 2024
update url: https://cre.fsu.edu/urop-research-mentor-project-submission-portal?token=reB8KLo5kAp_vJbHrFtrGCuro5D5zcKQ-x1ZZ81p24I