UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal: Submission #875

Submission information
Submission Number: 875
Submission ID: 15001
Submission UUID: bf79fd6b-f689-4b54-a3a0-d311285539d8

Created: Mon, 08/19/2024 - 01:38 PM
Completed: Mon, 08/19/2024 - 01:38 PM
Changed: Sun, 09/29/2024 - 05:31 PM

Remote IP address: 144.174.212.49
Submitted by: Anonymous
Language: English

Is draft: No
Primary Research Mentor Name James Thornham
Research Mentor Preferred Pronouns he/him
When potential research assistants are reaching out via email, what is your preferred honorific?
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated) jrt21e@fsu.edu
Position Title Graduate Student
Faculty Advisor Name Michael G Roper
Faculty Advisor's FSU Email mroper@fsu.edu
FSU College (if applicable) Arts and Sciences
FSU Department or Non-FSU Organization Affiliation Molecular Biophysics
Headshot (optional)
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from above)
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Pronouns
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Honorific?
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated)
Name of Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) (if applicable)
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Pronouns
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Honorific?
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated)
Title of the Project 3D printing microfluidic devices for rapid prototyping
Project Keywords 3D Printing, Engineering, Analytical Chemistry, Microfluidics
Are you currently looking for research assistants? No
Number of Research Assistants Needed 1
Relevant Research Assistant Major(s) Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, (not compulsary and open to all STEM 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? 8
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 Microfluidic devices use fluidic channels to achieve highly precise control of nanoliter volumes of liquids. These devices have been used in commercial bio-analysis systems and wearable biotechnology. They are also commonly utilized in biological and health science research. In the Roper laboratory, we apply microfluidics to the study of islets of Langerhans, a micro-organ found in the pancreas. Islets are responsible for the secretion of insulin and other hormones into the bloodstream to regulate blood glucose. In diabetes mellitus, blood glucose becomes dysregulated, resulting in increased risk of heart disease among other life-threatening symptoms. Over half a billion people have diabetes world-wide, making the study of islet dynamics and behavior critical. In the past decade, we have used microfluidic devices to enable measurements of insulin release dynamics from individual islets. Microfluidics have also been central to our study of the interactions between islets under varying glucose conditions and how they synchronize their secretion patterns.
Traditionally, microfluidic devices are fabricated using a technique called photolithography which requires expert training and is labor intensive. With the advent of 3D printers, long fabrication processes requiring highly skilled technicians can be circumvented. Multiple devices can be 3D printed in the same printing run and prototype devices can easily be designed and made, speeding up the development process of microfluidic devices for research, healthcare and bioanalysis applications.
In this project, we will be developing and optimizing methods for 3D printing of microfluidic devices. The UROP student will be learning how to design microfluidic devices in 3D modelling software, and how to fabricate them with 3D printing. Specifically, we would like to design and fabricate a rapid mixing junction which combines and mixes two flows of liquid in a few seconds. We would also like to design a variable microfluidic resistor, a component which would make microfluidic devices significantly easier to design and control. Additionally, any ideas that the student has will certainly be incorporated into the project. If development of the microfluidic components is successful, the devices will be utilized by researchers in our lab and others in the microfluidics field, and likely will result in becoming a named author on a publication.
Research Tasks Learning to use 3D design software, designing microfluidic devices, 3D printing and fabricating components, collecting data on the efficacy of microfluidic devices or components.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Experience with 3D modelling or printing would help but is not required.
Mentoring Philosophy Previous lab mentors who I look up to always considered my opinions and absorbed what I said with their full attention. I believe mutual respect, where both the mentor and mentee are comfortable communicating, is the backbone of a strong mentoring relationship. Clearly outlining project expectations is key, but helping you identify motivations and what you want to gain from this experience is equally important. My role as a mentor is to assist in your professional development throughout the academic year and hopefully beyond. In our meetings, we will have a designated space to speak openly with one another and discuss whatever you wish to bring to me, regarding the project, university, or life in general. I will help support your intellectual growth and skillset development to become better rounded and a more confident individual, both academically and carrying into wider life, through challenging you but also by reassurance and encouragement. I will strive to nurture a working environment where your views and opinions are encouraged, and where mistakes are viewed as positive learning steps towards the ultimate goal. I want you to feel ownership over the work you do and a sense of achievement and satisfaction in your successes. I wish also that you communicate to me what I can do or change to better help you. Every person is different in the way they learn, approach adversity, and receive feedback. As such, I will adjust the specifics of my mentoring approach to fit the individual.
Please provide a link to your publications, a video clip, or a website for your research project (if applicable): https://roperlab.com/
Please add any additional information here (if applicable):
Are you interested in participating in the UROP Research Mentor Roundtable? Yes
Roundtable times and Zoom links Wednesday, Sept. 4 from 3:00-3:30 PM (https://fsu.zoom.us/j/6991611323?omn=92758939424)
Thursday, Sept. 5 from 3:00-3:30 PM (https://fsu.zoom.us/j/6991611323?omn=92758939424)
Friday, Sept. 6 from 3:00-3:30 PM (https://fsu.zoom.us/j/92758939424)

I have been made aware that there have been difficulties joining my roundtable sessions. I apologise for this inconvenience. I have changed the link for the final session, so hopefully it works this time. Please reach out if you are having trouble or were not able to attend a session and would like more information. Thank you!
Roundtable Info
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
Year 2024
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