Research Mentor Information
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Primary Research Mentor Name: David Merrick
Research Mentor Preferred Pronouns: he/him
When potential research assistants are reaching out via email, what is your preferred honorific?: Prof.
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): dmerrick@em.fsu.edu
Position Title: Faculty
FSU College (if applicable): Social Sciences and Public Policy
FSU Department or Non-FSU Organization Affiliation: Emergency Management and Homeland Security
Headshot (optional): {Empty}

Additional Research Mentor(s)
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Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from above): {Empty}
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Pronouns: {Empty}
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Honorific?: {Empty}
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): {Empty}
Name of Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) (if applicable): Jarrett Broder
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Pronouns: he/him
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Honorific?: Prof.
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): jbroder@em.fsu.edu

Overall Project Details
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Title of the Project: Development of a Remote Sensing and Unmanned Aircraft Systems Handbook for Disaster Response
Project Keywords: disaster, remote sensing, uas, writing
Are you currently looking for research assistants?: No
Number of Research Assistants Needed : 2
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?: 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:
As the collection, analysis, and distribution of disaster remote sensing increases in emergency and disaster management, it has become clear that a simplified, standardized methodology does not exist for practitioners in the field.  While there are accepted practices for assorted disaster remote sensing practices, the lack of a consolidated standard operating procedure creates a mix of technical processes and products that are sometimes difficult to integrate into existing emergency management processes.  This project will create and test standard workflows, organizational structures, and product standards that will be easy for practitioners to utilize during disaster operations. The student researcher will research the needs, help develop and write workflows, and assist in the production of a Handbook to be used in future events. 

Research Tasks:
literature review, technical writing, reviewing, organization of content, developing supplemental materials.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need::
Written communication skills (required), MS Office applications (required), graphics design (recommended).

Mentoring Philosophy:
My mentoring philosophy revolves around the need for students, professionals, and citizens to understand "why things work". In emergency management, we have to understand people and communities to be able to understand why the processes work (or don't). People are successful not because of knowledge or skills gained - but because they understand the why of it and how to apply those skills.  I work to understand my students, including their objectives and goals as well as their motivations.

To accomplish this, I strive to create and maintain clear communication with students, enabling them to set achievable goals, create work plans to progress toward those goals, and provide clear and consistent feedback on that progress. I strive to be open-minded and inclusive, learn from my peers and students, and accept differing opinions.  By the end of their training experience, students are better prepared to perform a variety of hard and soft skills and positioned to perform in academia and professional careers.

Please provide a link to your publications, a video clip, or a website for your research project (if applicable):: {Empty}
Please add any additional information here (if applicable)::
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Roundtable times and Zoom links:
Tuesday, September 5, 12:00-12:30.  https://fsu.zoom.us/my/davidmerrick
Wednesday, September 6, 12:00-12:30.  https://fsu.zoom.us/my/davidmerrick
Thursday, September 7, 12:00-12:30.  https://fsu.zoom.us/my/davidmerrick
Friday, September 8, 12:00-12:30.  https://fsu.zoom.us/my/davidmerrick

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=iwFy4oA5wPv6PRQI3ZoMepJhhgM4zDidt-yTmptJdmU