UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal: Submission #1207

Submission information
Submission Number: 1207
Submission ID: 20631
Submission UUID: 3fb66eef-d4f5-4bd7-88e1-30134d10b87b

Created: Sun, 08/17/2025 - 07:17 PM
Completed: Sun, 08/17/2025 - 07:17 PM
Changed: Mon, 08/25/2025 - 12:47 PM

Remote IP address: 217.180.196.104
Submitted by: Anonymous
Language: English

Is draft: No
Primary Research Mentor Name Douglas Storace
Research Mentor Preferred Pronouns
When potential research assistants are reaching out via email, what is your preferred honorific? Dr.
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated) dstorace@fsu.edu
Position Title Faculty
FSU College (if applicable) Arts and Sciences
FSU Department or Non-FSU Organization Affiliation Biological Science
Headshot (optional)
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from above) Leticia Leong
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Pronouns
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Honorific? Dr.
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated) lleong@bio.fsu.edu
Name of Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) (if applicable) Bridger Menlove
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Pronouns
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Honorific? Mr.
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated) bm23b@fsu.edu
Title of the Project Measuring Changes in Glomerular Volume Due to Diet Induced Obesity
Project Keywords Imaging, neuroscience, Obesity, Neurodegeneration, Data analysis, Data science, programming, MATLAB
Are you currently looking for research assistants? Yes
Number of Research Assistants Needed 1
Relevant Research Assistant Major(s) Open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
If the project location is off campus, does the research assistant(s) need to provide their own transportation? Yes
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? 10
Roughly what time frame do you expect research assistant(s) to work? During business hours
Overall Research Project Description The research project aims to look at how diet induced obesity shifts the anatomical and functional activity of specific cell structures in the olfactory bulb, called glomeruli in mice. These structures are the main unit for olfactory processing, and we aim to investigate how these cells shift in their activity and the known degeneration that occur with prolonged exposure to poor diets.
Research Tasks Research assistants will be expected to work on a laptop or lab computer to analyze structural morphology of glomeruli (cell structures) using downloadable imaging software. Assistants will also be expected to learn simple commands in MATLAB to support their analysis. Students (if interested) may also participate in the development of code to support the analysis that will be completed.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Soft skills that will be necessary for this work include attention to detail, patience, critical thinking, logical reasoning and communication.
Assistants may already have and will develop image processing knowledge, basic programming skills, and an understanding of the biological context of their images
Mentoring Philosophy My goal is to support you to become a confident, capable and independent researcher. My mentoring approach is a three-step process designed to help you master new tasks and concepts:
Watch and Learn: First, I'll demonstrate a task from start to finish, explaining each step so you can see how it's done.
Practice with Guidance: Next, you'll complete the task while I'm present. I'll provide real-time guidance and feedback as you take the lead.
Independent Practice: Finally, you'll complete the task on your own. I'll be in the room as a resource, but the work will be entirely yours. I’ll review it at the end with you to ensure successful completion.
As you build competence, I'll step back, giving you more autonomy. You'll take ownership of your work, though I'll always be here to support you. I'll expect weekly updates and will review all your work to ensure we stay on track.
Please provide a link to your publications, a video clip, or a website for your research project (if applicable): storacelab.com
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
Year 2025
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