UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal: Submission #1115

serial: '1115'
sid: '20171'
uuid: 469836d8-312a-4857-937f-cd57b6bdf4a9
uri: /urop-research-mentor-project-submission-portal
created: '1755020729'
completed: '1755027014'
changed: '1759337826'
in_draft: '0'
current_page: ''
remote_addr: 144.174.214.38
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: '10'
  are_you_currently_looking_for_students_: 'No'
  confirmation_1: '1'
  contact_email_fsu_email: ''
  contact_email_fsu_email2: ''
  contact_email_fsu_email_if_affiliated_: guan@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_: 'Florida State University'
  headshot_optional_: '62241'
  if_the_project_location_is_off_campus_does_the_student_need_to_p: 'Yes'
  mentoring_philosophy: 'My approach to mentoring undergraduate researchers centers on fostering curiosity, independence, and resilience. I begin by identifying each student’s goals, strengths, and areas for growth, then tailor opportunities to build on their talents while expanding their skills. I believe in creating a safe and respectful environment where questions are encouraged, mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities, and perseverance is celebrated. I provide structured guidance at the start, gradually granting greater ownership of projects to promote accountability and confidence. Through regular feedback, I help students critically evaluate their understanding, refine their experimental approaches, and connect their work to broader scientific questions. I share my own experiences including challenges and failures to normalize the learning process and model professional integrity. Ultimately, my goal is to equip students with the technical skills, problem-solving mindset, and self-motivation needed to thrive in research and beyond, while cultivating a genuine enthusiasm for discovery.'
  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: 'Insulin-derived amyloidosis (“insulin balls”) develops at sites of repeated subcutaneous insulin injection and can impair insulin absorption and glycemic control. However, the cellular mechanisms that allow these deposits to persist remain poorly understood. We hypothesize that when macrophages phagocytose insulin amyloid, the fibrils inflict both physical and chemical damage to phagosomal membranes, resulting in lysosomal dysfunction and pro-inflammatory signaling that impairs clearance. To investigate this, we will employ a novel approach to synthesize insulin amyloid aggregates with precisely defined compositions and structures, enabling controlled studies of their interactions with model macrophages. Our research has two primary objectives: (1) to optimize methods for producing synthetic insulin amyloids with reproducible properties, and (2) to determine whether these aggregates cause measurable phagosomal damage in macrophages. By elucidating the mechanisms underlying insulin amyloid–induced cellular injury, this work aims to provide new insights into the pathogenesis of insulin-derived amyloidosis and to inform strategies for preventing or mitigating these lesions in diabetes management.'
  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=_8QHCAgAAAAJ&hl=en'
  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: 'Jingjiao Guan'
  project_keywords: 'insulin, diabetes, phagocytosis, macrophage'
  relevant_student_major_s_: 'Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Biology'
  research_mentor_preferred_pronoun2: ''
  research_mentor_pronouns: Prof.
  research_mentor_supervisor_if_different_from_above_: ''
  research_tasks_for_student_research_assistant_s_: 'Conducting experiments including fabricating microparticles and culturing cells.'
  roundtable_times_and_zoom_links: N/A
  skills_that_research_assistants_may_need_: |
    Recommended skills: 
    Fluorescence microscopy and image analysis
    Data analysis and lab documentation
    BSL-2 safety practices and chemical handling
  title_of_the_project: 'Determine if phagocytosed insulin amyloid damages phagosomal membranes of macrophages'
  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=CLoeSRy6Hy6fkOiW2nnwiaGeh3r6k4XFTSn8osut7zQ'
  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: guan@eng.famu.fsu.edu
  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'