UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal: Submission #819

Research Mentor Information
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Primary Research Mentor Name: Evan Lloyd
Research Mentor Preferred Pronouns: he/him
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Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): elloyd@bio.fsu.edu
Position Title: Post Doc
FSU College (if applicable): Arts and Sciences
FSU Department or Non-FSU Organization Affiliation: Biology
Headshot (optional): https://cre.fsu.edu/system/files/webform/urop_project_proposal_portal/14721/cavefish.PNG

Additional Research Mentor(s)
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Overall Project Details
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Title of the Project: Evolution of olfaction in the Mexican cavefish
Project Keywords: Evolution, neuroscience, sensory systems, behavior
Are you currently looking for research assistants?: No
Number of Research Assistants Needed : 3
Relevant Research Assistant Major(s):
Biology, Neuroscience, Behavioral Neuroscience, Cell and Molecular Neuroscience

Project Location:: On FSU Main Campus
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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:
The blind Mexican cavefish has evolved in a cave environment absent of light, and has no visual sensory system. To compensate for this, it has evolved enhanced chemosensation including olfaction and taste. This project takes a comparative approach, studying the molecular and behavioral phenotypes that the cavefish exhibits, and comparing them with their closely related surface relatives. In doing so, we seek to understand how evolution has shaped brain function in these fish.

Research Tasks:
Research tasks will be focused on data collection and analysis, including behavioral testing, histology and confocal imaging of brain tissues.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need::
Prior experience with fish husbandry, histology techniques, and/or programming would be a plus but are not required. I will work with the researcher to help develop these skills.

Mentoring Philosophy:
I believe that every person possesses a set of skills and experiences that can make them a valuable collaborator. As a mentor, I strive to meet my mentees where they are, so that we can both benefit from the relationship. I will work with you to identify your strengths and how they can help the project move forward, while also sharing my own experience and knowledge to help you grow your skillset. Every project is first and foremost a learning experience, and as such mistakes are expected and encouraged, as they provide the best opportunities to learn.

Please provide a link to your publications, a video clip, or a website for your research project (if applicable):: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=2DJ2cTcAAAAJ&view_op=list_works&sortby=pubdate
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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?element_parents=elements/research_mentor_information/headshot_optional_&ajax_form=1&_wrapper_format=drupal_ajax&token=o6cqIwZ-2vMGR6fkZWHjyxdWj-gY6xaJXFc639nvFQQ