UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal: Submission #800 | Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement

Submission information

Submission Number: 800

Submission ID: 14626

Submission UUID: 3e50e1ce-1cda-4b76-9b25-666e64c2959c

Submission URI: /urop-research-mentor-project-submission-portal

Submission Update: /urop-research-mentor-project-submission-portal?token=-SDuv2lPn2A2yTWCnQ8cUxP196dwc2GC4tUjkIcHy4I

Created: Thu, 08/15/2024 - 12:20 PM

Completed: Thu, 08/15/2024 - 02:44 PM

Changed: Tue, 10/22/2024 - 11:31 AM

Remote IP address: 144.174.212.12

Submitted by: Anonymous

Language: English

Is draft: No

Webform: UROP Project Proposal Portal

Submitted to: UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal

Research Mentor Information

Primary Research Mentor Name Elio Fernandez

Research Mentor Preferred Pronouns He/Him

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Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated) efernandez3@fsu.edu

Position Title Graduate Student

Faculty Advisor Name Dr. William Butler

Faculty Advisor's FSU Email wbutler@fsu.edu

FSU College (if applicable) Social Sciences and Public Policy

FSU Department or Non-FSU Organization Affiliation Urban and Regional Planning

Headshot (optional)

Additional Research Mentor(s)

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Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Pronouns {Empty}

Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Honorific? {Empty}

Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated) {Empty}

Name of Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) (if applicable) {Empty}

Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Pronouns {Empty}

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Overall Project Details

Title of the Project Environmental Justice Concerns in Rural Planning and Regional Biosolids Management: Implications for a Sustainable Future

Project Keywords Sustainability, Water Quality, Rural Planning, Public Health, Environmental Justice

Are you currently looking for research assistants? No

Number of Research Assistants Needed 2

Relevant Research Assistant Major(s) Open to all majors.

Project Location: On FSU Main Campus

If the project location is off campus, does the research assistant(s) need to provide their own transportation? {Empty}

Please select the choice that most accurately describes your expectations for the research assistant(s): Partially Remote

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? Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)

Overall Research Project Description The purpose of this research project is to broaden our understanding of Sustainability as the world's population grows and becomes more developed. Sustainability research continues to emphasize the value of recycling waste in conserving the earth's natural resources and promoting a healthy and functioning environment. The literature on planning and development has expanded on this concept to provide insight on various approaches to achieve environmental sustainability for future generations and to ensure that diverse needs are being met when multiple actors are involved. Several case studies, however, have highlighted negative environmental and social impacts associated with the improper management of biosolids and limitations in regional planning between urban and rural areas.

Biosolids, another term for human waste that is treated and returned to the environment for beneficial purposes (mainly agricultural), are considered a sustainable resource due to their high nutrient content which contributes to soil health and plant growth. Several cases, however, have described negative environmental and social impacts resulting from the improper treatment of contaminants that are released into the environment and make their way back into the food chain. These studies have also identified environmental justice concerns in rural communities associated with a lack of participation in regional planning and an inequitable distribution of pollution and public nuisances.

To address these concerns, this research will review trends and gaps in the literature on sustainability and regional planning between urban and rural areas. The results of this research will contribute to a more holistic understanding of sustainability and regional planning that considers broader interactions and more long-term implications of waste management in a world that continues to grow and is increasingly interconnected.

Research Tasks This research will require a literature review based on annotated bibliographies and structured content analysis to identify main themes, trends, and gaps in research presented in environmental, sociological, and planning literature. Main themes, trends, and gaps will be organized and synthesized to present a general summary of the literature.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: It is recommended that the research assistant is familiar with scholarly databases such as FSU Libraries and Google Scholar. The research assistant should also be comfortable with reviewing and documenting information from multiple articles and books.

Mentoring Philosophy As part of my mentoring philosophy, I strive to create a productive learning environment where both the mentees and myself have the freedom to learn as much as possible in a way that is comfortable to all involved. I understand that everyone has a different way of learning and I must be flexible to accommodate various approaches. Communication based on transparency and accountability is key to maintaining a productive working relationship, and understanding that individuals also have and prefer different ways of communicating will help to ensure a smooth transfer of knowledge and inquiry. There is no right answer when it comes to evaluating complex social and environmental problems, so all input is extremely valuable. I constantly encourage the mentee to ask any questions that may pop up and I aim to provide as much feedback as possible to facilitate growth. From the beginning, I aim to have all of our goals and due dates laid out so the are no surprises down the road, and I always make myself available to answer any questions or discuss project related material.

Please provide a link to your publications, a video clip, or a website for your research project (if applicable): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNuymLP9IA8

Please add any additional information here (if applicable): This research will build on my recent work with 1000 Friends of Florida in evaluating recent biosolids management practices throughout Florida and the associated environmental and social impacts. There may be opportunities to expand on the UROP project in the future as we continue to raise awareness on the issue and increase our understanding of planning for sustainability. For now, this research project will be contributing to my dissertation work.

Are you interested in participating in the UROP Research Mentor Roundtable? Yes

Roundtable times and Zoom links Wednesday Sept. 4 from 12-12:30 https://fsu.zoom.us/j/97772390722
RECORDING: https://fsu.zoom.us/rec/share/pbhokdKloKNBaGF8vbcm9gp8ldBvhiGHMi8GjqYn5EvfnVbZspA0mKzd2BxhCdhf.exH-VCFM2Wz9aUWU?startTime=1725465224000

Wednesday Sept. 4 from 12:30-1 https://fsu.zoom.us/j/99020416971
RECORDING: https://fsu.zoom.us/rec/share/YC60NM5qbu9s7NXpqvYTvXeKNNyEnMBANoYlWV5mx5cecfs0Trak3rvGV9hpex1q.GOGUuIIvHXD-BDpM?startTime=1725467485000

Thursday Sept. 5 from 12-12:30 https://fsu.zoom.us/j/94637931318
RECORDING: https://fsu.zoom.us/rec/share/V9BozTq2ZIX0dvqwoAnXk2PKwlRPqczCcr8HzX6qs-RpH35HDk_z5qbnyKVkQo8T.HvOAf7UqWBHJBy-f?startTime=1725551790000

Before reaching out for an interview, please send a copy of your resume, CV, and/or a letter explaining your research interests (couple of sentences).

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UROP Program Elements

Mentor Handbook, FAQs, and Communication Yes

UROP Performance Evaluation Yes

Materials Grant Yes

UROP Poster Presentation Yes

Faculty Advisor Confirmation Yes

Are you interested in attending in a UROP Research Mentor Workshop Series? Yes

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Year 2024

update url https://cre.fsu.edu/urop-research-mentor-project-submission-portal?element_parents=elements/research_mentor_information/headshot_optional_&ajax_form=1&_wrapper_format=drupal_ajax&token=-SDuv2lPn2A2yTWCnQ8cUxP196dwc2GC4tUjkIcHy4I