Research Mentor Information
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Primary Research Mentor Name: Julia Sheffler
Research Mentor Preferred Pronouns: She, her
When potential research assistants are reaching out via email, what is your preferred honorific?: Dr. 
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): julia.sheffler@med.fsu.edu
Position Title: Faculty
FSU College (if applicable): Medicine
FSU Department or Non-FSU Organization Affiliation: BSSM, Center for Translational Behavioral Science
Headshot (optional): https://cre.fsu.edu/system/files/webform/urop_project_proposal_portal/7486/Sheffler%2C%20Julia_3.jpg

Additional Research Mentor(s)
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Overall Project Details
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Title of the Project: A scalable Mediterranean-ketogenic nutrition intervention to improve gut and brain health in underserved rural older adults with mild cognitive impairment
Project Keywords: lifestyle intervention, Alzheimer's, dementia, rural, brain health, gut-brain axis
Are you currently looking for research assistants?: No
Number of Research Assistants Needed : 2
Relevant Research Assistant Major(s):
Psychology, Nutrition, Exercise physiology, neuroscience, any pre-med tracks, any major with interest in aging and/or Alzheimer's research

Project Location:: 2010 Levy Ave, Research Building B
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?: 5-10
Roughly what time frame do you expect research assistant(s) to work?: During business hours
Overall Research Project Description:
Current projects in the lab focus on developing lifestyle interventions for older adults at risk for Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Students will have access to previously collected data and will be involved in recruiting and preparing for a clinical trial set to begin in the spring. More information about my lab and the center can be found here: https://ctbs.fsu.edu/programs/integrative-science-healthy-aging

Research Tasks:
literature review, screening participants, preparing intervention and assessment materials for the clinical trial, assisting with data collection and other laboratory tasks as needed, guided data analysis, developing and completing the UROP project

Skills that research assistant(s) may need::
Required: good time management, professional behavior, exposure to APA style, good interpersonal skills, self-motivated
Recommended: experience with excel or SPSS, experience writing in APA style, completion of a Research Methods course; strong interest in aging and/or Alzheimer's research

Mentoring Philosophy:
As a research mentor, my primary goal is to provide students with the knowledge, resources, and experiences that will allow them to see how research is a relevant and powerful tool, regardless of the career path they choose. As a teacher, my goal is to provide students with an interactive and challenging classroom experiences that provides opportunities for critical thinking. Given my background as a psychologist, I have found that some of my clinical training overlaps with teaching and mentoring. For example, motivational interviewing’s foundational spirit of compassion, acceptance, partnership, and respect is directly applicable to a classroom setting. I believe the concepts of open collaboration and goal setting, while increasing motivation and autonomy are key to being an inclusive mentor and effective instructor.  

Please provide a link to your publications, a video clip, or a website for your research project (if applicable):: https://ctbs.fsu.edu/programs/integrative-science-healthy-aging
Please add any additional information here (if applicable)::
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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: 2023
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=EvB7pnWVsW-YzouwEeJy4-8pfKlBxKggi2juN9xZHCI