Research Mentor Information
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Primary Research Mentor Name: Laurel Field
Research Mentor Preferred Pronouns: she/her/hers
When potential research assistants are reaching out via email, what is your preferred honorific?: Ms. 
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): lcf22a@fsu.edu
Position Title: Graduate Student
Faculty Advisor Name: {Empty}
Faculty Advisor's FSU Email: {Empty}
FSU College (if applicable): Arts and Sciences
FSU Department or Non-FSU Organization Affiliation: Department of Biological Science
Headshot (optional): https://cre.fsu.edu/system/files/webform/urop_project_proposal_portal/8976/Headshot%201.jpg

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): Sarah Lester
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Pronouns: she/her/hers
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Honorific?: Dr.
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): slester@fsu.edu

Overall Project Details
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Title of the Project: Climate change vulnerability of the Bonaire National Marine Park in the Caribbean
Project Keywords: marine science, climate change, coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass, GIS, management, conservation
Are you currently looking for research assistants?: No
Number of Research Assistants Needed : 1
Relevant Research Assistant Major(s):
Biological Science, Computational Biology & Science, Environmental Science, Environment & Society, Geography, Environmental Science & Policy, Natural resources & Conservation, Computer Science, Oceanography

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?: 5-8 hours a week
Roughly what time frame do you expect research assistant(s) to work?: During business hours
Overall Research Project Description:
This research is aimed at understanding the climate vulnerability of the national marine park in Bonaire, which is a country that is part of the Dutch Caribbean. The goal is to map human uses of the marine environment, overlay the locations of important species and habitats, and evaluate historical patterns in sea surface temperature. This project does not involve lab or field work but will involve working with large and diverse datasets, mapping, and coding. Students could be involved with the following research components: literature review, data compilation and synthesis, data organization, and data analysis and mapping, based on student interests. Students working on this project will have the opportunity to gain experience with coding, analysis, and mapping in R as well as some use of ArcGIS to organize and visualize data. 

Research Tasks:
Research tasks may include:
- using google earth or satellite images to estimate human uses of the marine park (e.g., fishing vessel counts, visitation to beaches based on vehicle numbers)
- collection and analysis of remote sensing data (e.g., sea surface temperature) as well as other existing data sources (e.g., benthic habitat maps, coral bleaching data, coral disease data) 
- cross-referencing remotely sensed temperature data with in-situ temperature measurements (instruments in the water in Bonaire). 
- review literature on topics like assessing climate vulnerability of coastal environments, methods for comparing water temperature data to remote sensing data
- map extent of important habitats, locations of field sampling and restoration projects, and human uses onto the marine park in Bonaire

Skills that research assistant(s) may need::
It is required that the student have some familiarity with basic software like Word, Excel and the Google Earth Engine. It is required that the student have experience with scientific writing and reading scientific papers. 
It will be useful if the student has some experience with R Studio or ArcGIS, but is not required. However, students working on the project should be willing to learn some technical and coding skills, based on what most interests them. 

Mentoring Philosophy:
I aim to introduce mentees to new skillsets, data types, and analysis methods with the goal of identifying what component of the research is most interesting to the student. I will encourage student ownership over components of this research, while providing support and guidance as needed. I will work to keep lines of communication open and to promote interactive learning in a safe space. Further, I will provide mentees with opportunities to learn about how scientific research can inform marine policy and management in the face of climate change. I also want to encourage students to consider their educational and professional goals and can provide advice about how to reach those goals. 


Please provide a link to your publications, a video clip, or a website for your research project (if applicable):: https://www.lenfestocean.org/en/research-projects/tools-to-assess-and-respond-to-climate-impacts-on-bonaire-national-marine-park
Please add any additional information here (if applicable)::
Lester Lab website: https://www.lester-lab.com/


UROP Program Elements
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Mentor Handbook, FAQs, and Communication: Yes
UROP Performance Evaluation: Yes
Materials Grant: Yes
UROP Poster Presentation: Yes
Faculty Advisor Confirmation: {Empty}

Are you interested in attending in a UROP Research Mentor Workshop Series?: No
{Empty}
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=wjoq1xQZomGA6KBjQz9XLzipvJIS1z650wPxJAJdBJo