Research Mentor Information
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Primary Research Mentor Name: Elizabeth Mansfield
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): emansfield@fsu.edu
Position Title: Post Doc
FSU College (if applicable): Arts and Sciences
FSU Department or Non-FSU Organization Affiliation: Coastal & Marine Lab
Headshot (optional): {Empty}

Additional Research Mentor(s)
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Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from above): Lillie Bradshaw
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Pronouns: she/her
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Honorific?: Ms.
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): lb22l@fsu.edu
Name of Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) (if applicable): Josh Breithaupt
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Pronouns: he/him
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Honorific?: Dr.
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): jbreithaupt@fsu.edu

Overall Project Details
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Title of the Project: Historical Mapping of Oyster Habitat in Apalachicola Bay
Project Keywords:  Biology, Geography, Geographic Information Systems, GIS, Oysters, Ecology, Data Analysis, Marine
Are you currently looking for research assistants?: No
Number of Research Assistants Needed : 1
Relevant Research Assistant Major(s):
Biology/Biological Sciences, Oceanography, Geography, Environmental Science, Natural resources/conservation

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):: Partially Remote
Approximately how many hours a week would the research assistant(s) need to work?: 8-10
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:
The FSU Coastal and Marine Laboratory (FSUCML) is home to a large, multi-faceted research project; the Apalachicola Bay System Initiative (ABSI). ABSI aims to conduct research and restoration experiments that will guide management efforts to help the recovery of the local oyster population following the 2012 ecosystem collapse. Understanding the history of the Apalachicola Bay oyster habitat can be key in determining historical baselines, and provide understanding of system change over time. Digitization of historical maps to track oyster reef changes through time can help with baseline information, and provide context of historical events and ecological disturbances. For this UROP project students will be trained to use the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online to aid in digitizing historical maps of the Apalachicola Bay oyster population distribution and map changes through time. Outside the main GIS component, additional field experience will be available in various ABSI sampling efforts to provide students with a deeper context of the project.

Research Tasks:
1. GIS: The UROP student will be trained in how to use ArcGIS Pro for geo-referencing and digitizing historical maps.
2. Data Entry: Data collected from historic maps and publications will be recorded and maintained in a database. Additional historical information will be collected and recorded. 
3. Data Analysis: Changes in shape and size will be analyzed using ArcGIS Pro. Information of historical influences to area changes will be summarized.


Skills that research assistant(s) may need::
1. Available at least one day per week to meet with mentor for check-ins and training assistance, in-person or over Zoom. As independence is achieved schedule will be more flexible for working from home *Required*
2. Proficiency in the basics of MS Excel and MS Word * Required*
3. Foundational knowledge of statistical analysis *Recommended* 
4. Foundational knowledge of Geographic Information Systems, specifically ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online. *Strongly Recommended*


Mentoring Philosophy:
Our goal as UROP mentors is to foster a welcoming and encouraging learning environment for our students to explore their interests and grow in their scientific skills. Scientifically, we will provide training in industry relevant mapping software, exposure to a highly studied and relevant fisheries and ecological system, and training in critical thinking necessary for data analysis and interpretation. Communicatively, we will work with our student to provide background knowledge  and literature to understand the complex and dynamic nature of the Apalachicola Bay and the importance of this specific project in understanding the historical context of the ecosystem. We understand the busy schedule students have and therefore would like to work with the student to develop a clear list of expectations for each other, goals for the end of the year, and find ways to help the student network and prepare for their next steps in their scientific careers. This will allow us to tailor the project to the students’ goals and future aspirations. While clear guidance will always be available, we encourage independence in work to develop critical problem-solving skills and time management that can be applied to future work in any field. We believe the most important aspect of a mentor – mentee relationship is active and honest communication. Therefore, we ask that our students communicate with us throughout the project to ensure a positive work-life balance and allow us to best support them in their scientific journey.

Please provide a link to your publications, a video clip, or a website for your research project (if applicable):: https://marinelab.fsu.edu/absi/
Please add any additional information here (if applicable)::
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Roundtable times and Zoom links:
Wednesday Sept 6, 5:30-6:00 pm 

https://fsu.zoom.us/j/99300036816
Meeting ID: 993 0003 6816


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?token=tIF8DTahmkeySbpxPrHbVwkAoq3VJ-jXWrk8cF0osK0