UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal: Submission #1047

serial: '1047'
sid: '19831'
uuid: 9d126c85-f530-4584-a8f7-23a142a1df17
uri: /urop-research-mentor-project-submission-portal
created: '1752629796'
completed: '1752629796'
changed: '1756144572'
in_draft: '0'
current_page: ''
remote_addr: 73.129.212.28
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: '6'
  are_you_currently_looking_for_students_: 'Yes'
  confirmation_1: '1'
  contact_email_fsu_email: ''
  contact_email_fsu_email2: zi.teng@usda.gov
  contact_email_fsu_email_if_affiliated_: yimin.mao@eng.famu.fsu.edu
  faculty_advisor_confirmation: ''
  faculty_advisor_name: ''
  faculty_advisor_s_fsu_email: ''
  fsu_college: 'FAMU-FSU College of Engineering'
  fsu_department_if_applicable_: 'Chemical and Biomedical Engineering'
  headshot_optional_: ''
  if_the_project_location_is_off_campus_does_the_student_need_to_p: 'Campus shuttle'
  mentoring_philosophy: |
    A) Task Modularization. Mentor and the student will discuss to understand the nature of the problem and divide a "big" problem into small pieces each manageable and with foreseeable boundary, allowing the student to see progress throughout the project. Students will feel achieved during the course and will have a presentable package when wrapping up the project. 

    B) Working smart. The students will NOT be asked to conduct matrix experiments with multiple control parameters varying; rather, mentor will discuss with the student, identifying the key question that needs to be addressed, and performing critical experiments to attack.

    C) Learning by doing. The students will be encouraged to perform educated trial experiments to help understand the nature of the problem or test their hypothesis. Discussion with mentor is always encouraged, to avoid students “overthink”. 
  mentor_handbook_and_faqs: '1'
  name_of_other_faculty_collaborator_if_applicable_: 'Zi Teng'
  number_of_assistants_needed_faculty_postdoc_max_6_graduate_stude: '2'
  other_faculty_collaborator_s_preferred_pronouns: 'Dr. '
  overall_research_project_description: |
    Starch is one of the cornerstones of the source of food energy for human beings. Not all starches are created equal: some can be quickly digested and provide fuel for cells, others may be passed from small intestine to larger intestine where they are decomposed by bacteria, releasing beneficial small molecules such as short fatty acids, hence termed resistant starch (RS). There is growing interest in understanding the relationships between digestion of starch and its effect on human health, particularly diet-related disorders such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Such knowledge will help researchers develop artificial starches that can be digested by human beings, following optimal digestion profiles tuned for individuals. 

    This project consists of two tasks: 1) characterizing microstructures of starches of different botanic origin, and 2) creating artificial starches by re-crystallizing starch molecules with varied morphology and compare their digestive properties. Collaborating with Dr. Zi Teng at USDA-ARS, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, we will prepare starch samples from waxy rice, navy beans, pinto beans, lentil, and sorghum. Artificial starch will be created by using purified amylopectin and amylose, two types of starch molecules, via hydrothermal treatment followed by re-crystallization. Digestive properties of native and artificial starches will be compared, and the structure-property relationship established. 

    This project is interdisciplinary by nature. Selected students will have opportunities to interact with chemical engineers, materials scientists, as well as food scientists. 
  please_add_any_additional_information_here: ''
  please_provide_a_link_to_your_publications_a_video_clip_or_a_web: 'https://eng.famu.fsu.edu/cbe/people/mao'
  please_select_the_choice_that_most_accurately_describes_your_exp: In-person
  please_select_the_location_of_your_project_: 'FAMU-FSU College of Engineering'
  position_availability_for_student_research: 'Flexible schedule'
  position_title: Faculty
  primary_research_mentor_name: 'Yimin Mao'
  project_keywords: 'Starch; structure; crystallization; digestion'
  relevant_student_major_s_: 'Chemical Engineering; Biomedical Engineering; Materials Science and Engineering; Chemistry; Mechanical Engineering; Food Science'
  research_mentor_preferred_pronoun2: ''
  research_mentor_pronouns: Prof.
  research_mentor_supervisor_if_different_from_above_: ''
  research_tasks_for_student_research_assistant_s_: |-
    A) Lab work: sample preparation

    B) Material Characterization

    C) Data analysis and presentation
  roundtable_times_and_zoom_links: ''
  skills_that_research_assistants_may_need_: 'Motivation is THE most critical skill. General lab operation skills are recommended but not required. Students will be trained with the needed skills during the project.'
  title_of_the_project: 'Food is the best medicine: developing artificial starch with controlled digestion profile'
  update_url: 'https://cre.fsu.edu/urop-research-mentor-project-submission-portal?token=4ehA_72aI8_1Uoj0I4r7FTJlSSAtWtR-U9tDKP4CWFo'
  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: 'No'
  would_you_like_to_participate_in_the_urop_research_mentor_roundt: ''
  year: '2025'