Mentor Awards

Dr. Jizhe Cai

Faculty Research Mentor Award

My philosophy in mentoring undergraduate researchers is to develop independent, confident researchers, rather than training them to serve as “testers” who simply follow instructions. I view undergraduate research as a formal and crucial learning experience in which students build technical skills while also developing the habits that will define their future success as engineers and scientists: curiosity, careful thinking, ownership, ethical responsibility, and clear communication.

My primary objective is to guide students from “I’m helping with a project” to “I can drive this project”, so that by the end of they can frame meaningful questions, design and execute experiments or simulations, interpret results, and communicate their findings clearly. This kind of independence prepares them for whatever comes next—whether industry, where they’ll be expected to solve problems with limited direction and work effectively in teams, or graduate school, where they’ll take initiative, think critically, and contribute new ideas. 

— Dr. Jizhe Cai, from his mentoring statement 

Dr. Jizhe Cai has proved an excellent research mentor since I began working under him with fellow undergraduate Taylor Joseph to fabricate and improve carbon nanofiber filters for purifying nanoplastic contaminated water. Never once have I felt confused or isolated working in his lab. Dr. Cai’s encouragement for communication between him and his researchers has taught me a lot about nanomaterials and lab techniques that have improved my work. During our weekly group meetings he organizes, group members talk and utilize each other’s unique expertise so that they can generate ideas useful to their individual work. In addition to this, Dr. Cai always makes himself available to answer questions in-person or online so that his team can progress quickly and continue doing high-quality research. Dr. Jizhe Cai’s highly developed skills in communication and organization, and his pleasant personality make him uniquely enjoyable to work with. His dedication to mentorship shows he cares deeply about equipping students with the tools they need to make positive impacts on the world. I look forward to continuing my work under him, and I am excited to see more fascinating discoveries come from his lab in the future. 

— Ryan Coudurier, UROP student 2025-2026, from his nomination letter 

Dr. Helene Tigro 

Post-Doc Research Mentor Award

My philosophy of undergraduate research mentoring centers on rigorous training, inclusive support, and the gradual development of independence. I am deeply committed to helping students discover their potential as scientists and scholars. Through structured guidance, individualized mentoring, and meaningful research engagement, I strive to create high-impact UROP experiences that empower students to thrive. 

— Dr. Helene Tigro, from her mentoring statement 

My research mentor has been an exceptional guide and teacher from the very beginning of my time in the lab. She is always willing to answer the many questions I bring to her and never makes me feel unintelligent for asking them. Instead, she takes the time to give thoughtful, detailed explanations, ensuring that her students fully understand what we are doing, why we are doing it, and how each step contributes to the larger goals of the project. Much of our learning happens during the quieter moments in the lab, while waiting for proteins to centrifuge or while packing columns. During these times, we engage in meaningful discussions, and I leave the lab each day knowing far more than I ever expected about protein purification, biochemistry, the blood–brain barrier, Alzheimer’s disease, and many related topics. Since beginning my work with Dr. Tigro, I have become increasingly motivated in my chemistry and biology courses, eager to build the foundational knowledge that allows me to contribute more meaningfully to these discussions, ask better questions, and continue learning. 

— Isabelle Rodriguez, UROP student 2025-2026, from her nomination letter 

I nominate Helene Tigro for the UROP because she has been a wonderful mentor throughout my time working with her. Helene has been very patient with me and my co-UROP students in answering questions and providing opportunities. I told Helene about my goals and interests and she was able to give me opportunities to expand my skillset in allowing me to do data analysis and SAXs work on proteins. She has also been very patient and fair in explaining and allowing me to do protein purification. She is very communicative with the UROP students and I and always checks in on us and looks out for us. She is an incredible role model and motivates me to pursue research and challenge myself in work. 

— Martina Madrzak, UROP student 2025-2026, from her nomination letter 

Christopher Gahagan

Graduate Student Research Mentor Award

Ultimately, my goal in mentoring is not simply to help students produce a strong poster presentation, although that matters. It is to equip them with a clearer understanding of how rigorous scholarship operates, how questions are formulated, how data is gathered and analyzed, and how to anticipate critiques and plan to address them. I devote the time necessary to that process because I recognize how transformative careful mentorship can be. As someone who benefited deeply from faculty guidance, I approach mentoring as both a responsibility and a privilege, one that is inseparable from my identity as a scholar. 

— Christopher Gahagan, from his mentoring statement 

Chris’ office is a windowless closet in the bowels of Bellamy. I got lost twice the first time I tried to find it, and it contains what very likely may be the most uncomfortable chairs known to man. Despite these facts, I willingly spent two hours sitting on those relics from the Inquisition during my initial interview with him. He painstakingly explained the specifics of his project, the mechanisms behind it, and possible confounding factors. In the time I’ve known Chris, he has continuously gone above and beyond to educate and inspire those around him. He spoke with UROP leadership asking if he could take on an extra mentee, because he believed all three of us were well-equipped and would serve as assets on the project. I have no idea if we’ve lived up to that aspiration, but I do know that his faith and passion for what he does has pushed me to learn things I never thought I’d have any grasp on... I believe this is his third year in the UROP program, and I cannot emphasize enough how lucky you are to have him. Chris has a genuine passion not only for his research, and its tangible results, but in sharing that passion and knowledge with others. There are very few people who have such an authentic love for what they do. 

— Andrea Hernandez, UROP student 2025-2026, from her nomination letter 

Neda Mobasher

Graduate Student Research Mentor Award

My objective in mentoring undergraduate researchers is not only to develop their technical abilities but to build the confidence, curiosity, and sense of belonging that will allow them to see themselves as capable contributors to a research team. I want the students I mentor to trust their preparation, recognize that their work has value, and understand that their individual growth strengthens the teams and communities they become part of.

By approaching mentorship as a collaborative effort rooted in patience, structure, and shared responsibility, I hope to enhance the quality of undergraduate research education while helping students carry these habits forward into whatever paths they choose. Their independence, persistence, and willingness to engage with challenging work are, to me, the clearest reflections of success, both in the student and in me as a mentor 

— Neda Mobasher, from her mentoring statement 

Going into UROP, I was unsure of what I would be able to accomplish. I worried that I wouldn’t find a project, or maybe find one I wasn’t interested in. Fortunately, I stumbled upon my mentor Neda, who has really changed my experience as an undergraduate here at Florida State. Throughout my UROP project, Neda has been an incredible mentor. She has made me feel like a true part of the lab, helped me understand the significance of my work, and has inspired me to continue to pursue research during my undergraduate career. Neda’s mentoring style has allowed me to feel like more than just another asset to the lab. I truly feel like part of the team and collaborate daily with lab mates!... Neda was not only a mentor, but also a colleague, a coach, and someone I could go to for advice about furthering myself in my undergraduate career...In fact, my UROP project is going to roll into a more complex honors in the major project. This would not have been possible without Neda being there advocating for the success of everyone in the lab. Neda has also shared incredible resources on finding grants, scholarships, and internship opportunities that would help me continue doing research in the lab. Each day, it’s very clear that my success is a priority. My UROP experience has been amazing thanks to my mentor. Neda has created a sense of belonging, fostered excitement about the project, and has gotten me excited about future research opportunities. 

— Khaled Bouaziz, UROP student 2025-2026, from his nomination letter