UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal: Submission #855

Research Mentor Information
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Primary Research Mentor Name: Changhyun (Lyon) Nam
Research Mentor Preferred Pronouns: {Empty}
When potential research assistants are reaching out via email, what is your preferred honorific?: Dr.
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): cn12@fsu.edu
Position Title: Faculty
FSU College (if applicable): Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship
FSU Department or Non-FSU Organization Affiliation: Florida State University
Headshot (optional): https://cre.fsu.edu/system/files/webform/urop_project_proposal_portal/14901/Lyon%20Headshot%203_Square%20-%202022%20copy.jpg

Additional Research Mentor(s)
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Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from above): {Empty}
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}
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Honorific?: {Empty}
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): {Empty}

Overall Project Details
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Title of the Project: Develop an Optimal Comfort Wetsuit
Project Keywords: Wetsuit, material testing, water sports 
Are you currently looking for research assistants?: No
Number of Research Assistants Needed : 1
Relevant Research Assistant Major(s):
Primarily material science, design, or (textile and product development) of Entrepreneurship; However, 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?: Yes
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?: 10
Roughly what time frame do you expect research assistant(s) to work?: During business hours
Overall Research Project Description:
The development of manual model performance data for thermal comfort in a wetsuit aims to create new standards for optimal wetsuit thickness guidelines and correlating water temperature table for safer diving for leisure and prolonged underwater occupations, i.e., military, rescue, and construction, resulting in fewer cold stress incidents.

Problem/Issue and Research Questions 
As a protective clothing item for water sports and underwater occupations, the wetsuit is a significant piece of gear that shields the human body during immersion in cold water, reducing total heat loss and maintaining body temperature. Wetsuits are widely applied in water sports clothing (e.g., surfing, triathlon, scuba diving) and categorized by different styles (e.g., shorty, spring, convertible, full, hooded) and with broad ranges of thickness (from 1 to 7 mm). Wetsuits are also critical pieces for some occupations, such as the military, search and rescue teams, underwater construction, and exploration. In other words, wetsuits and thermal insulation suits with a single layer made for warmth and protection play an important role in reducing the rate of heat buildup and perspiration on the skin caused by exposure to cold water and minimizing cold stress in critically dangerous, unexpected, and prolonged submersion situations. 

Therefore, the key purpose of this study is to develop a manual performance model of wetsuits considering varied material thicknesses among different water temperatures and make a new wetsuit prototype. 

Research Tasks:
 literature review, data collection, and conducting interviews

Skills that research assistant(s) may need::
I strongly recommend that the student have research experience regarding material testing and design.

Mentoring Philosophy:
Mentorship is a professional, working alliance in which individuals work together over time to support the relational partners' personal and professional growth, development, and success through career and psychosocial support. So, I believe every challenge is an opportunity for growth first, and I encourage my mentees to embrace setbacks as learning experiences. Second, my approach to mentoring focuses on the whole person, helping my mentees balance their professional ambitions with personal well-being. Finally, I see mentoring as a partnership where both mentor and mentee learn from each other and grow together.

Please provide a link to your publications, a video clip, or a website for your research project (if applicable):: {Empty}
Please add any additional information here (if applicable)::
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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