UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal: Submission #1397

Research Mentor Information
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Primary Research Mentor Name: Youneng Tang
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): ytang@eng.famu.fsu.edu
Position Title: Faculty
Are you and FSU employee?: Yes
Will you be employed at FSU for the entirety of Fall and Spring semesters?: Yes
FSU College (if applicable): FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
FSU Department or Non-FSU Organization Affiliation: Civil and Environmental Engineering
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Additional Research Mentor(s)
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Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from above): Dennis Ssekimpi
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Pronouns: He/him
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Honorific?: Mr.
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): dssekimpi@fsu.edu
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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: Dioxane Contamination and Transport
Project Keywords: Environment, Permeation, 1,4-Dioxane, Measurement, Pollution  
Are you currently looking for research assistants?: Yes
Number of Research Assistants Needed : 1
Relevant Research Assistant Major(s):
Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering

Project Location:: FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
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?: 6
Roughly what time frame do you expect research assistant(s) to work?: During business hours
Overall Research Project Description:
1,4-Dioxane is a likely carcinogen and common groundwater contaminant due to its wide presence in industrial and home products.  Many products are disposed of in landfills.  To prevent solid waste in landfills contaminating groundwater, landfills are usually contained by bottom liners.  The objective of this project is to determine the 1,4-dioxane transport characteristics through the bottom liners such as the breakthrough time.  We welcome one UROP scholar to participate in this research project.  Professor Tang and his graduate student will supervise the UROP scholar.  The graduate student will provide most of the direct supervision.  

Research Tasks:
The UROP scholar is expected to:
1)	Complete a few lab safety training sessions.
2)	Shadow the graduate student.
3)	Review the literature to understand 1,4-dioxane and their contamination.
4)	Learn the method based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for measuring 1,4-dioxane.
5)	Use the measurement method to determine the 1,4-dioxane transport characteristics in diffusion cells.
6)	Summarize and discuss the research results in a poster and/or a white paper. 

Skills that research assistant(s) may need::
Required: MS WORD

Mentoring Philosophy:
I believe that that quality of research products is more important than the quantity of research products.  I also believe that interest in research is the primary motivation. 

Please provide a link to your publications, a video clip, or a website for your research project (if applicable):: https://eng.famu.fsu.edu/cee/people/tang
Please add any additional information here (if applicable)::
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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