UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal: Submission #925
Submission information
Submission Number: 925
Submission ID: 15251
Submission UUID: d45d9841-146b-42ac-8b73-b55e3d5fce54
Submission URI: /urop-research-mentor-project-submission-portal
Submission Update: /urop-research-mentor-project-submission-portal?token=SFZ3mGQZ6Wm6VxYY1r-9H45fCGXpFRcFi4Z9onWieY8
Created: Mon, 08/19/2024 - 10:43 PM
Completed: Mon, 08/19/2024 - 10:43 PM
Changed: Mon, 08/26/2024 - 02:15 PM
Remote IP address: 131.106.53.118
Submitted by: Anonymous
Language: English
Is draft: No
Webform: UROP Project Proposal Portal
Submitted to: UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal
| Primary Research Mentor Name | Niall Whalen |
|---|---|
| Research Mentor Preferred Pronouns | |
| When potential research assistants are reaching out via email, what is your preferred honorific? | |
| Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated) | nwhalen@fsu.edu |
| Position Title | Graduate Student |
| Faculty Advisor Name | Dr. Gregory Erickson |
| Faculty Advisor's FSU Email | gerickson@bio.fsu.edu |
| FSU College (if applicable) | Arts and Sciences |
| FSU Department or Non-FSU Organization Affiliation | Biological Sciences |
| 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 | An Evolutionary Survey of Seed Plant Phytolith Form |
| Project Keywords | Plants, Biology, Evolution, Microscope |
| Are you currently looking for research assistants? | Yes |
| Number of Research Assistants Needed | 1 |
| Relevant Research Assistant Major(s) | Biology Anthroplogy |
| Project Location: | On FSU Main Campus |
| If the project location is off campus, does the research assistant(s) need to provide their own transportation? | |
| 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 |
| 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 | Phytoliths are microscopic silica deposits that form within the tissues of plants. Different plant taxa deposit these phytoliths in different cellular regions, resulting in distinct phytolith shapes and forms that can be directly identified with the source plant. In this graduate research thesis project, characteristic phytolith shapes are actively being described from taxonomic families within the seed plants (spermatophyta), the group including the evergreen gymnosperms and the flowering angiosperms. The result will be a catalog of phytolith shapes typical of each family, from which evolutionary trends in phytolith development and morphology can be investigated. Phytolith research is an exciting and emerging field of study carrying applications to disciplines as diverse as ecology, geology, anthropology, and environmental science. This catalog will also open up possible avenues of inquiry into these fields. Please reach out if you have any questions. |
| Research Tasks | Preparing phytolith samples using a laboratory centrifuge Observing phytoliths under the microscope Cataloging specimens |
| Skills that research assistant(s) may need: | No specific skills required, but the ideal candidate will be: Conscientious Detail-oriented Well-organized |
| Mentoring Philosophy | I believe in fostering a balance between independent learning and supportive guidance. I hold that the most valuable and lasting knowledge comes from the student’s own discoveries and problem-solving efforts, as these experiences are not only more memorable but can also lead to new research insights. However, I also recognize the importance of being an accessible and dependable resource. My role as a mentor is to be present, ready to provide clarity, direction, and encouragement whenever challenges arise, ensuring that the student feels supported and confident in their journey of exploration and growth. Through this approach, I aim to nurture a learning environment that empowers the student to develop critical thinking skills and intellectual curiosity while knowing they have a reliable mentor to turn to whenever needed. |
| Please provide a link to your publications, a video clip, or a website for your research project (if applicable): | |
| Please add any additional information here (if applicable): | |
| Are you interested in participating in the UROP Research Mentor Roundtable? | No |
| Roundtable times and Zoom links | |
| 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? | No |
| Year | 2024 |
| update url | https://cre.fsu.edu/urop-research-mentor-project-submission-portal?token=SFZ3mGQZ6Wm6VxYY1r-9H45fCGXpFRcFi4Z9onWieY8 |