UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal: Submission #1381

Submission information
Submission Number: 1381
Submission ID: 22353
Submission UUID: 8d430020-276c-47eb-9f87-9e4bb214c6b1

Created: Mon, 04/27/2026 - 11:05 PM
Completed: Mon, 04/27/2026 - 11:05 PM
Changed: Mon, 04/27/2026 - 11:05 PM

Remote IP address: 2601:4c2:4300:a230:6cd4:efa4:67ba:ae24
Submitted by: Anonymous
Language: English

Is draft: No
Primary Research Mentor Name Yuwen Wan
Research Mentor Preferred Pronouns She, Her, Hers
When potential research assistants are reaching out via email, what is your preferred honorific? Ms. Yolanda or just Yolanda
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated) yw23c@fsu.edu
Position Title Graduate Student
Are you and FSU employee? Yes
Will you be employed at FSU for the entirety of Fall and Spring semesters? Yes
Faculty Advisor Name Arienne Ferchaud
Faculty Advisor's FSU Email arienne.ferchaud@cci.fsu.edu
FSU College (if applicable) Communication and Information
FSU Department or Non-FSU Organization Affiliation School of Communication
Headshot (optional)
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from above)
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Pronouns
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Honorific?
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated)
Name of Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) (if applicable)
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Pronouns
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Honorific?
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated)
Title of the Project Can AI Change the Way We Think About Food and Body Image
Project Keywords Artificial Intelligence, Body Image, Eating Behaviors
Are you currently looking for research assistants? Yes
Number of Research Assistants Needed 3
Relevant Research Assistant Major(s) Communication, Psychology, Public Health, Information Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Sociology, Social Work, Nutrition/Dietetics, Data Science, Computer Science
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
If the project location is off campus, does the research assistant(s) need to provide their own transportation? No, the project is remote
Please select the choice that most accurately describes your expectations for the research assistant(s): Fully Remote
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? Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Overall Research Project Description This project explores how artificial intelligence may influence college students’ body image, eating attitudes, and disordered eating behaviors. As AI tools become increasingly common in everyday life, students may use chatbots, social media algorithms, or AI-generated content to seek advice, compare themselves to others, or make decisions about food, exercise, and health. This study examines both the potential risks and benefits of AI in this area, including how AI may shape students’ perceptions, emotions, and health-related behaviors.

Research assistants will gain hands-on experience with literature reviews, study design, data collection, qualitative coding, and data analysis. This project is a good fit for students interested in AI, health communication, psychology, body image, mental health, eating behaviors, and student well-being.
Research Tasks Research assistants will support different stages of the project, including conducting literature reviews, developing study materials, assisting with participant recruitment and data collection, organizing and coding data, helping with basic qualitative or quantitative analysis, and contributing to research presentations or manuscripts. This position is ideal for students who want hands-on experience with health communication, AI research, and student well-being studies.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Research assistants should be responsible, organized, and willing to learn. Students should have good communication skills, pay attention to details, and be interested in topics such as AI, body image, eating behaviors, mental health, or student well-being. No previous research experience is required.
Mentoring Philosophy My mentoring philosophy is based on support, encouragement, and hands-on learning. I believe undergraduate research assistants learn best when they feel respected, included, and comfortable asking questions. I aim to create a welcoming environment where students can explore their interests, build confidence, and learn from mistakes without fear.

I also believe mentoring should be flexible because each student has different goals, strengths, and levels of experience. I will work with research assistants to understand what they hope to learn, provide clear guidance, and gradually give them more ownership of their work as they grow. My goal is to help students develop research skills, critical thinking, responsibility, and confidence while feeling supported throughout the process.

I see mentoring as a collaborative relationship. I will share my own research experience, provide feedback, and encourage students to ask questions, try new tasks, and reflect on what they are learning. Ultimately, I hope students leave the project with stronger research skills, a better understanding of academic research, and more confidence in their future academic or professional goals.
Please provide a link to your publications, a video clip, or a website for your research project (if applicable):
Please add any additional information here (if applicable):
Are you interested in participating in the UROP Research Mentor Roundtable? Yes
Roundtable times and Zoom links
Mentor Handbook, FAQs, and Communication Yes
UROP Performance Evaluation Yes
Materials Grant Yes
UROP Poster Presentation Yes
Faculty Advisor Confirmation Yes
Are you interested in attending in a UROP Research Mentor Workshop Series? Yes
Year 2026