UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal: Submission #875

serial: '875'
sid: '15001'
uuid: bf79fd6b-f689-4b54-a3a0-d311285539d8
uri: /urop-research-mentor-project-submission-portal
created: '1724089126'
completed: '1724089126'
changed: '1727645501'
in_draft: '0'
current_page: ''
remote_addr: 144.174.212.49
uid: '0'
langcode: en
webform_id: urop_project_proposal_portal
entity_type: node
entity_id: '1116'
locked: '0'
sticky: '0'
notes: ''
metatag: meta
data:
  roundtable_info: {  }
  approximately_how_many_hours_a_week_would_the_research_assistant: '8'
  are_you_currently_looking_for_students_: 'No'
  confirmation_1: '1'
  contact_email_fsu_email: ''
  contact_email_fsu_email2: ''
  contact_email_fsu_email_if_affiliated_: jrt21e@fsu.edu
  faculty_advisor_confirmation: '1'
  faculty_advisor_name: 'Michael G Roper'
  faculty_advisor_s_fsu_email: mroper@fsu.edu
  fsu_college: 'Arts and Sciences'
  fsu_department_if_applicable_: 'Molecular Biophysics'
  headshot_optional_: ''
  if_the_project_location_is_off_campus_does_the_student_need_to_p: 'Yes'
  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.'
  mentor_handbook_and_faqs: '1'
  name_of_other_faculty_collaborator_if_applicable_: ''
  number_of_assistants_needed_faculty_postdoc_max_6_graduate_stude: '1'
  other_faculty_collaborator_s_preferred_pronouns: ''
  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.
  please_add_any_additional_information_here: ''
  please_provide_a_link_to_your_publications_a_video_clip_or_a_web: 'https://roperlab.com/'
  please_select_the_choice_that_most_accurately_describes_your_exp: In-person
  please_select_the_location_of_your_project_: 'On FSU Main Campus'
  position_availability_for_student_research: 'Flexible schedule'
  position_title: 'Graduate Student'
  primary_research_mentor_name: 'James Thornham'
  project_keywords: '3D Printing, Engineering, Analytical Chemistry, Microfluidics'
  relevant_student_major_s_: 'Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, (not compulsary and open to all STEM majors)'
  research_mentor_preferred_pronoun2: ''
  research_mentor_pronouns: he/him
  research_mentor_supervisor_if_different_from_above_: ''
  research_tasks_for_student_research_assistant_s_: 'Learning to use 3D design software, designing microfluidic devices, 3D printing and fabricating components, collecting data on the efficacy of microfluidic devices or components.'
  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!
  skills_that_research_assistants_may_need_: 'Experience with 3D modelling or printing would help but is not required. '
  title_of_the_project: '3D printing microfluidic devices for rapid prototyping'
  update_url: 'https://cre.fsu.edu/urop-research-mentor-project-submission-portal?token=GKciRY9ia1nH5uAjXompOU34oK9BI71i5-bjPiFkX78'
  urop_performance_evaluation: '1'
  urop_poster_presentation: '1'
  when_potential_research_assistants_are_reaching_out_via_email_2: ''
  when_potential_research_assistants_are_reaching_out_via_email_wh: ''
  when_students_are_reaching_out_via_email_what_is_your_preferreda: ''
  would_you_like_to_participate_in_the_urop_research_mentor_round2: 'Yes'
  would_you_like_to_participate_in_the_urop_research_mentor_roundt: 'Yes'
  year: '2024'