UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal: Submission #1352

Research Mentor Information
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Primary Research Mentor Name: Ameya Kolarkar
Research Mentor Preferred Pronouns: he/him
When potential research assistants are reaching out via email, what is your preferred honorific?: Dr. 
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): akolarkar@fsu.edu
Position Title: Faculty
FSU College (if applicable): N/A
FSU Department or Non-FSU Organization Affiliation: CAT / Math 
Headshot (optional): https://cre.fsu.edu/system/files/webform/urop_project_proposal_portal/21356/Gemini_Generated_Image_5t99tx5t99tx5t99.png

Additional Research Mentor(s)
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Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from above): {Empty}
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Pronouns: {Empty}
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Honorific?: {Empty}
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): {Empty}
Name of Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) (if applicable): {Empty}
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Pronouns: {Empty}
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Honorific?: {Empty}
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Overall Project Details
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Title of the Project: Research and Development of Accessible Materials and Processes for Low-Vision / Blind Students 
Project Keywords: coding, XR/AI, braille, 3D-printing, development
Are you currently looking for research assistants?: Yes
Number of Research Assistants Needed : 3
Relevant Research Assistant Major(s):
Open to all majors.
Some tech familiarity will help.
Some basic math knowledge will be useful. (Other subjects are possible too.)


Project Location:: On FSU Main Campus
If the project location is off campus, does the research assistant(s) need to provide their own transportation?: {Empty}
Please select the choice that most accurately describes your expectations for the research assistant(s):: Partially Remote
Approximately how many hours a week would the research assistant(s) need to work?: 5-10 hours a week (depends on familiarity with the tech)
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:
About a year ago, we started working on developing a special section of a basic math course for low-vision/blind students (LVBS). A lot of research has been done, and some development has happened, but a lot more needs to be done. Furthermore, other subjects are interested in providing a better learning experience for our LVBS. This project will continue that research and development using features like generating XML documents to be converted to braille, generating images to be embossed, using 3D-printing, XR and AI technologies to make life and learning for our LVBS better.

Research Tasks:
(Everything here can be learned) Transcribing existing content into XML (PreTeXt) format to be converted to braille (along with other formats), Prefigure for embossing figures and graphs (AI can be used for all coding aspects). 3D-printing, so CAD use will be helpful (AI can be used to generate gcode directly), interacting with my blind students to get feedback and modify designs, conducting interviews with faculty interested in providing a great learning experience for our LVBS. I welcome your ideas to improve this project!

Skills that research assistant(s) may need::
Creativity - Recommended. There is no one way of doing things, so bring your ideas.
Patience - Required. This seems simple - it's basic math, for example - but in this context, listening to feedback from the LVBS is necessary. If they say something will not work, you need to go back and modify the design based on their feedback.
Innovation - Recommended. We will play around with tech (AR/AI/...) and be on the cutting edge of tech to make learning achievable and enjoyable for LVBS. The tools/material we develop will be opened up for anyone in the world to use!
Teaching/Education Literature - Recommended. This will help with the design aspect, and in interviews with faculty.

Mentoring Philosophy:
Bring in your ideas, and I will listen and give feedback. Generate design blueprints or initial "paragraph" for example, I'll give feedback, and you may then continue. Feel comfortable to reach out if stuck - I'd rather give feedback and help sooner than later in the process. Most important aspect is taking the LVBS' feedback seriously. 

Once a week or two, we will have an in-person meeting with all involved and take stock of where we stand. We will spend time at the OAS or the Innovation Hub to figure out what is possible etc. This will be a fun group and you will have the opportunity to discuss with other experts too. I am rather easy going, and can provide as much hands-on or hands-off mentorship as you may require. (For example, you have a test or are overwhelmed, take some time off, and/or come talk to me.)

Please provide a link to your publications, a video clip, or a website for your research project (if applicable):: {Empty}
Please add any additional information here (if applicable)::
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Are you interested in participating in the UROP Research Mentor Roundtable?: Yes
Roundtable times and Zoom links:
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Roundtable Info:
- Day: Friday, September 5
  Start Time: 1:00
  End Time: 1:30
  Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/my/kolarkar?omn=93756999129

UROP Program Elements
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Mentor Handbook, FAQs, and Communication: Yes
UROP Performance Evaluation: Yes
Materials Grant: Yes
UROP Poster Presentation: Yes

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Year: 2025
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=zhHts0FwfO-y7jOE7ZaYMYnoFE67eifCD6QQ9-9w_hw