UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal: Submission #1367

Research Mentor Information
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Primary Research Mentor Name: Kyle Smith
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Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): k.smith@fsu.edu
Position Title: Faculty
FSU College (if applicable): Education, Health, and Human Sciences
FSU Department or Non-FSU Organization Affiliation: Health, Nutrition, and Food Sciences
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Additional Research Mentor(s)
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Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from above): {Empty}
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Overall Project Details
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Title of the Project: The Effect of BPC-157 on Cancer Cell Growth
Project Keywords: Cancer, Recovery, Growth
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?: {Empty}
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?: 5
Roughly what time frame do you expect research assistant(s) to work?: During business hours
Overall Research Project Description:
Peptides advertised to improve recovery after an injury or increase muscle growth are being increasingly utilized in the general population. By their nature, these peptides influence major growth signaling pathways in cells. This investigation aims to determine whether a common peptide (BPC-157) can influence cancer growth patterns in vitro.

Research Tasks:
Literature review, experimental design, data collection, and data analysis.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need::
Required experience working in a laboratory.
Recommended experience in reading and reviewing scientific literature.

Mentoring Philosophy:
My mentoring philosophy centers on building independence through structured guidance. I begin by understanding student career goals and current skill level, then assign them ownership of discrete, achievable project components that align with lab priorities; these might include managing cell culture protocols, performing flow cytometry analyses, or conducting literature reviews. I share my own research failures and pivots openly to normalize setbacks as learning opportunities, creating a safe environment where mistakes during technique acquisition are expected and used for growth. Rather than providing answers, I guide them through inquiry-based problem-solving; when data looks unexpected or a protocol fails, we work through troubleshooting together. I balance this independence with regular check-ins to ensure accountability, assess understanding, and adjust the challenge level - pushing them beyond comfort zones while providing support structures. Ultimately, I aim to transform students from task-followers into scientific thinkers who can formulate hypotheses, critically evaluate results, and connect bench work to translational outcomes that matter for human health.

Please provide a link to your publications, a video clip, or a website for your research project (if applicable):: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/kyle.smith.7/bibliography/public/
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Are you interested in participating in the UROP Research Mentor Roundtable?: No
Roundtable times and Zoom links:
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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: 2026