UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal: Submission #1074

serial: '1074'
sid: '19966'
uuid: cd3fd7f8-18c2-43ab-8b40-19c911564aa6
uri: /urop-research-mentor-project-submission-portal
created: '1754244827'
completed: '1754245141'
changed: '1761764619'
in_draft: '0'
current_page: ''
remote_addr: 142.186.67.144
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:
    - day: 'Friday, September 5'
      endingtime: '3:00'
      starttime: '2:30'
      zoomlink: 'https://us04web.zoom.us/j/75708533780?pwd=MqDwQc5BuIq8ODwZVD4R4kYIdcO1Ff.1'
  approximately_how_many_hours_a_week_would_the_research_assistant: '6-10 hours'
  are_you_currently_looking_for_students_: 'No'
  confirmation_1: '1'
  contact_email_fsu_email: rs25t@fsu.edu
  contact_email_fsu_email2: ''
  contact_email_fsu_email_if_affiliated_: leo.liu@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_: 'CBE - Chemical & Biomedical Engineering'
  headshot_optional_: '62136'
  if_the_project_location_is_off_campus_does_the_student_need_to_p: ''
  mentoring_philosophy: |-
    As a mentor, I aim to create an inclusive, supportive, and intellectually stimulating environment where students feel empowered to explore, question, and contribute meaningfully to scientific discovery. I view mentorship as a collaborative process centered on mutual respect, curiosity, and growth.

    My first priority is understanding each student’s background, goals, and learning style. I strive to tailor mentorship to their interests—whether in experimental work, computational modeling, or biomedical systems—so they feel ownership of their project and are motivated by its impact. I emphasize hands-on experience and inquiry-based learning, encouraging students to test hypotheses, troubleshoot setbacks, and critically analyze results. I believe learning is strongest when students are trusted with real responsibility but know they can ask questions freely without fear of failure.

    I provide structured support through regular one-on-one meetings, project feedback, and step-by-step guidance where needed, gradually increasing independence as confidence grows. I also share my own experiences navigating research challenges to demystify the scientific process and model perseverance.

    Ultimately, I hope students leave our collaboration not only with new technical skills, but with a deeper sense of scientific curiosity, intellectual resilience, and confidence in their ability to contribute to meaningful research.
  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: |
    Project Description:
    Menstrual bleeding is tightly regulated by complex vascular and haemostatic mechanisms. Disruptions in these processes can lead to menorrhagia, or excessive menstrual bleeding, a condition that affects many women worldwide. This project uses cutting-edge thrombosis-on-a-chip microfluidic platforms to recreate the microenvironment of uterine spiral arteries in vitro. These systems mimic blood flow and vessel geometry under physiologically relevant shear stress conditions, allowing real-time observation of clot formation and stability.
    As a UROP research assistant, you will play a critical role in running and optimizing these microfluidic experiments. Tasks will include handling blood samples, maintaining sterile lab conditions, preparing endothelial cell cultures, and operating microfluidic devices to monitor thrombus formation. You will also analyze experimental data using computational tools to quantify clot dynamics and relate findings to menstrual haemostasis mechanisms.
    This hands-on research experience bridges experimental lab work (70%) and data analysis (30%), providing you with a unique opportunity to develop skills in bioengineering, hematology, and microfluidics. The project contributes to foundational knowledge in reproductive health and may inform future therapies for abnormal uterine bleeding.
    ________________________________________
    Time Commitment & Mentorship:
    •	6–10 hours/week during the semester (flexible scheduling)
    •	Weekly one-on-one mentoring meetings with Dr. Liu and Dr. Saghian
    •	Opportunity to participate in UROP symposium and co-author publications
  please_add_any_additional_information_here: ''
  please_provide_a_link_to_your_publications_a_video_clip_or_a_web: 'https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=cm3NWHgAAAAJ&hl=en'
  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: 'During Business Hours'
  position_title: Faculty
  primary_research_mentor_name: 'Dr. Leo Liu, PhD '
  project_keywords: 'Menorrhagia, heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB),  bleeding-on-a-Chip, cell cultures, microfluidic devices '
  relevant_student_major_s_: 'Open to all majors'
  research_mentor_preferred_pronoun2: ''
  research_mentor_pronouns: ''
  research_mentor_supervisor_if_different_from_above_: 'Dr. Rojan Saghian'
  research_tasks_for_student_research_assistant_s_: |-
    Student Responsibilities:
    •	Prepare and maintain endothelial cell cultures for microfluidic devices
    •	Collect and handle human blood samples following safety protocols
    •	Operate thrombosis-on-a-chip microfluidic setups to monitor clot formation
    •	Perform microscopy and imaging to capture thrombus development
    •	Analyze flow and clotting data using MATLAB, Python, or similar software
    •	Document experimental procedures and assist in data presentation
    ________________________________________
  roundtable_times_and_zoom_links: |-
    Friday, 5th September, from 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm.
    Zoom link: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/75708533780?pwd=MqDwQc5BuIq8ODwZVD4R4kYIdcO1Ff.1
  skills_that_research_assistants_may_need_: |-
    Preferred Qualifications:
    •	Interest in biomedical engineering, physiology, or bioengineering research
    •	Basic lab skills and comfort with sterile technique (training provided)
    •	Willingness to learn blood handling and microfluidic operation protocols
    •	Familiarity with data analysis tools (MATLAB/Python) is a plus but not required
    ________________________________________
  title_of_the_project: 'Investigating Menstrual Hemostasis Using bleeding-on-a-Chip Platforms'
  update_url: 'https://cre.fsu.edu/urop-research-mentor-project-submission-portal?element_parents=elements/research_mentor_information/headshot_optional_&ajax_form=1&_wrapper_format=drupal_ajax&token=GqsmVqYtonOPz-cqZvOYM2KBkXJ9IC8PcYYcN47TV38'
  urop_performance_evaluation: '1'
  urop_poster_presentation: '1'
  when_potential_research_assistants_are_reaching_out_via_email_2: Dr.
  when_potential_research_assistants_are_reaching_out_via_email_wh: ''
  when_students_are_reaching_out_via_email_what_is_your_preferreda: Dr.
  would_you_like_to_participate_in_the_urop_research_mentor_round2: 'Yes'
  would_you_like_to_participate_in_the_urop_research_mentor_roundt: ''
  year: '2025'