UROP Project
Development and Pilot Testing of CARE-LINK: A Web-Based Intervention to Enhance Detection and Bridge Care for Family Caregiver Depression
AI based Intervention, Digital Health, Depression, Mental Health, Caregivers
Research Mentor: Dr Hye Jin Park,
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida State University, Nursing
Contact Email: hpark5@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida State University, Nursing
Contact Email: hpark5@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 3
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5 hours, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable
Number of Research Assistants: 3
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5 hours, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable
Project Description
This project addresses the caregiver depression crisis—affecting up to 70% of providers—by synthesizing existing digital health research and engineering personalized AI-driven interventions. In addition, the project will develope AI-based, tailored interventions designed to provide personalized support and mitigate caregiver depression.Research Tasks: You will involve conducting a systematic literature review on the efficacy of digital health solutions for managing caregiver depression.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Demonstrated proficiency in navigating multi-disciplinary databases—including PubMed, IEEE Xplore, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library—to extract high-quality clinical and technical evidence.
Mentoring Philosophy
My mentoring philosophy is built on the belief that professional mastery emerges from the intersection of technical rigor and psychological safety. In the interdisciplinary field of digital health, I view my role as a facilitator of independence, ensuring mentees move from guided support to confident ownership of their work.I begin by identifying each mentee’s unique goals and motivators, tailoring my approach to their specific talents. Our relationship is grounded in mutual respect and an interactive learning environment where I share my own experiences while encouraging mentees to challenge existing ideas. By promoting learning through inquiry, I guide them to discover solutions independently, fostering a sense of accountability and deep project ownership.
Crucial to my approach is creating a safe environment where failure is viewed as a necessary step for growth. In the complex world of AI development, setbacks are data points; I encourage mentees to embrace these challenges to evaluate and refine their understanding. I strive to balance a strong belief in their potential with actionable experience, helping them navigate the complexities of research while building the resilience needed to tackle societal crises like caregiver depression. Ultimately, my goal is to empower mentees to become ethical, innovative leaders who are as empathetic as they are technically proficient.
Additional Information
Link to Publications
Supporting the Launch of the UNESCO Chair in Sport Ecology and Sustainable Development: Research on Sport-Environment Relationships
sport ecology, sustainable development, environmental sustainability, sport management, climate action
Research Mentor: Timothy Kellison, he/him/his
Department, College, Affiliation: Sport Management, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: tkellison@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Sport Management, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: tkellison@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5–10 hours per week (flexible based on student availability and project needs), Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5–10 hours per week (flexible based on student availability and project needs), Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
- Day: Wednesday, September 2
Start Time: 3:30
End Time: 4:00
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/94190261448
Project Description
The UNESCO Chair in Sport Ecology and Sustainable Development at Florida State University will address the interconnected challenges of sport's environmental impact and the vulnerability of sporting events, infrastructure, and organizations to climate change. Research assistants will support the early implementation phase of this groundbreaking initiative, which aims to advance interdisciplinary research, enhance education, facilitate knowledge exchange, and raise public awareness about sport's role in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.This project provides students with a unique opportunity to contribute to research examining the bidirectional relationship between sport and the natural environment. Students will gain hands-on experience in sport ecology—an emerging field that studies how sport activities impact ecosystems and how environmental change affects sport delivery. Through this work, students will contribute to research that has real-world applications for sport organizations, policymakers, and communities worldwide, while developing valuable skills in research methods, sustainability analysis, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Research Tasks: Research assistants may engage in a variety of activities supporting the UNESCO Chair's objectives, including:
- Literature review: Conducting systematic reviews of academic literature on sport ecology, sustainable sport practices, climate vulnerability in sport infrastructure, and environmental impacts of sporting events
- Content development: Assisting in the creation of educational materials, policy briefs, and research summaries for diverse audiences
- Data collection and organization: Supporting research on sport-environment relationships, including gathering case studies, organizing datasets, and documenting sustainable practices in sport
- Communications support: Helping to develop website content, social media posts, newsletters, and promotional materials for the Chair's public engagement initiatives
- Event coordination: Assisting with the organization of Sport Ecology Dialogues, public lectures, and research presentations
- Partnership outreach: Supporting communication with network partners, including academic institutions, sport organizations, and sustainability practitioners
Tasks will be tailored to student interests, skills, and the evolving needs of the Chair's implementation.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required:
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Ability to work independently and meet deadlines
- Organizational skills and attention to detail
- Genuine interest in environmental sustainability and/or sport
Preferred (any of the following):
- Familiarity with research methods (literature reviews, data organization)
- Social media management or content creation experience
- Knowledge of sustainability concepts or sport industry practices
- Experience with qualitative or quantitative research methods
- Graphic design skills (Canva, Adobe Creative Suite) for communications materials
Mentoring Philosophy
My mentoring philosophy centers on preparing students to become thoughtful leaders who understand how their work impacts communities and environments. Drawing from my research background in sport ecology, I aim to help students see beyond immediate tasks to recognize the broader significance of their contributions.I approach mentoring as a collaborative partnership built on mutual respect and genuine curiosity. I begin by understanding each student's motivations, strengths, and aspirations, then design experiences that align personal growth with meaningful project contributions. For UROP students, this approach might mean matching a student interested in communications with social media strategy or connecting a policy-focused student with climate adaptation literature reviews.
My mentoring emphasizes progressive responsibility—starting with well-defined tasks and gradually increasing autonomy as students demonstrate capability. I prioritize regular communication that creates space for honest dialogue about progress and challenges. I'm committed to creating inclusive environments by adapting to different learning styles, ensuring prior research experience never becomes a barrier, and modeling professional behaviors: intellectual humility, ethical practices, clear communication, and curiosity about diverse perspectives. And when obstacles arise, I treat them as learning opportunities rather than failures, enabling students to engage in problem-solving strategies they can apply throughout their careers. My goal is for students to leave with more than completed tasks—but with an understanding of how research creates change, confidence in contributing to complex projects, and a connection to work that matters.
Additional Information
This project offers students a rare opportunity to be involved in the inaugural phase of a UNESCO Chair—one of only a handful of sport-related UNESCO Chairs worldwide and Florida State's first. Students will contribute to work with international reach and real-world impact on sustainable development policy and practice.The flexible nature of this project allows students from diverse academic backgrounds to contribute meaningfully. Whether their strengths lie in research, writing, communications, data analysis, or event coordination, there are opportunities for students to apply their skills while developing new ones.
I am committed to providing a mentorship experience that balances meaningful contribution to important research with substantial professional development opportunities tailored to each student's goals.
Link to Publications
https://annescollege.fsu.edu/faculty-and-staff/dr-timothy-kellisonThe Effect of BPC-157 on Cancer Cell Growth
Cancer, Recovery, Growth
Research Mentor: Kyle Smith,
Department, College, Affiliation: Health, Nutrition, and Food Sciences, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: k.smith@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Health, Nutrition, and Food Sciences, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: k.smith@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable
Project Description
Peptides advertised to improve recovery after an injury or increase muscle growth are being increasingly utilized in the general population. By their nature, these peptides influence major growth signaling pathways in cells. This investigation aims to determine whether a common peptide (BPC-157) can influence cancer growth patterns in vitro.Research Tasks: Literature review, experimental design, data collection, and data analysis.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required experience working in a laboratory.
Recommended experience in reading and reviewing scientific literature.
Mentoring Philosophy
My mentoring philosophy centers on building independence through structured guidance. I begin by understanding student career goals and current skill level, then assign them ownership of discrete, achievable project components that align with lab priorities; these might include managing cell culture protocols, performing flow cytometry analyses, or conducting literature reviews. I share my own research failures and pivots openly to normalize setbacks as learning opportunities, creating a safe environment where mistakes during technique acquisition are expected and used for growth. Rather than providing answers, I guide them through inquiry-based problem-solving; when data looks unexpected or a protocol fails, we work through troubleshooting together. I balance this independence with regular check-ins to ensure accountability, assess understanding, and adjust the challenge level - pushing them beyond comfort zones while providing support structures. Ultimately, I aim to transform students from task-followers into scientific thinkers who can formulate hypotheses, critically evaluate results, and connect bench work to translational outcomes that matter for human health.Additional Information
Link to Publications
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/kyle.smith.7/bibliography/public/Sitting with Trees: Visual Storytelling, Eco-Autoethnographic Research, and Black Elder Wisdom
Visual Storytelling , Black Ancestral Knowledge, Trans/Inter-generational Memory, Grandparents, Arts-Based Research
Research Mentor: Dr. Dr. Christal Mischelle Omni, MPH, MLS, She/Her
Department, College, Affiliation: OMNI Institute of Well-being, Inc., Social Sciences and Public Policy
Contact Email: Christal.omni@gmail.com
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Gemini Williamson she/her
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: GOW23@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: OMNI Institute of Well-being, Inc., Social Sciences and Public Policy
Contact Email: Christal.omni@gmail.com
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Gemini Williamson she/her
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: GOW23@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors with an emphasis on:
Illustration
Studio Art
Graphic Design
Environmental Studies
African & African American Studies
Creative Writing
Digital Media / Visual Communication
Project Location: virtual
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 7, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors with an emphasis on:
Illustration
Studio Art
Graphic Design
Environmental Studies
African & African American Studies
Creative Writing
Digital Media / Visual Communication
Project Location: virtual
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 7, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
- Day: Tuesday, September 1
Start Time: 4:00
End Time: 5:00
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/91078188319 - Day: Thursday, September 3
Start Time: 4:00
End Time: 5:00
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/91078188319
Project Description
This research project explores illustration as a form of inquiry, memory-keeping, and intergenerational storytelling within Black families. It builds upon the Sitting with Trees study conducted with Black women ages 65–70, which documented how intentional time with nature functioned as a site of reflection, healing, spiritual grounding, and life-story meaning-making. In that study, elders described trees as witnesses, teachers, and relational companions across the arc of their lives.Since the completion of the original study, Sitting with Trees has expanded through conference presentations, invited talks, and course design in university and community settings, positioning nature as a living text and story as a form of knowledge. This work has now entered a publication phase through an anthology contract that centers elder wisdom and a children’s book contract that extends the research into intergenerational space—foregrounding Black grandparents and grandchildren encountering trees together as sites of memory, care, and transmission.
This current phase invites research mentees interested in illustration to support the visual translation of this arc. Illustration is treated not as embellishment, but as method—capable of holding ancestral presence, silence, emotion, and relational knowing beyond words. Research activities may include visual journaling, illustration drafts, and collaborative story development contributing to children’s literature, curricular materials, and arts-based scholarship grounded in Black ecological knowledge.
Research Tasks: Research assistants will support the project through a combination of creative, analytical, and reflective tasks, including:
1. Visual journaling and observational drawing connected to nature-based inquiry
2. Illustration drafts and image development for intergenerational narratives
3. Storyboarding and visual sequencing for children’s book concepts
4. Assisting with the visual translation of elder narratives and intergenerational themes
5. Reviewing and organizing visual materials for archival and curricular use
6. Participating in reflective dialogue about illustration as a research method
7. Supporting conference, course, anthology, and publication-related materials as needed
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required:
1. Experience with illustration, studio art, or visual journaling
2. Willingness to engage illustration as a research and reflective practice
3. Openness to working with themes of ancestry, memory, nature, and intergenerational storytelling
4. Reliability, care, and respect when engaging elder-centered and child-centered narratives
Recommended
1. Familiarity with children’s literature or narrative sequencing
2. Comfort with reflective writing or arts-based research practices
3. Experience working with or learning from elders and/or children
4. Basic digital skills (scanning artwork, organizing image files, or working in shared folders)
5. Interest in Black studies, environmental humanities, or creative research methods
Mentoring Philosophy
I take a eco-womanist approach to my pedagogical practices to support the wholeness of students, not just their intellectual well-being. I even offer creative, metaphorical undercurrents of eco-womanist thought because of my deep love and honoring of Mother Earth. I prioritize the "green heart" approach to mentoring as I follow a G.R.O.W. acronym:To be Gentle: I acknowledge that students may not show up to the classroom or my office in emotional states of readiness; therefore, I create and hold space for healing and self-restoration that complements the educational goals of the course or meets the needs of the meeting.
To honor Reciprocity: I honor the fact that teaching and mentoring are spaces of reciprocity. Although there is a structured system of hierarchy based upon my position as an educator, I frequently remind students and mentees of the power that they, too, possess based upon their own lived experiences.
To provide Oxygen: I honor my Divine assignment to support student's educational and emotional journeys of discovery. I provide a fresh air approach to research as well as my courses. I build in nature-based experiences in every course to allow students time to engage in a Praxis of Pause rather than be consumed by a culture of hyperproductivity.
To amplify Wonder: I ensure that most encounters are full of excitement and potential. I offer opportunities to demonstrate creativity while expanding one’s imagination.
Additional Information
This project is part of a longer-term, multi-phase research and creative program that integrates qualitative research, arts-based inquiry, teaching, and publication. Research mentees will be joining a living project with active scholarly, pedagogical, and publishing pathways already in motion.Participation offers exposure to:
1. Arts-based research methods grounded in Black feminist, eco-womanist, and Afro-Indigenous traditions
2. Intergenerational storytelling practices centered on Black elders and children
3. The full research-to-publication arc, including conference presentations, course design, anthology development, and children’s book creation
Link to Publications
www.OmniInstituteOfWellbeing.orgExploring the Role of Religious Expression in Parent-Child Relationships in Single-Parent Families
Religion; Single-Parent; Parenting; Qualitative
Research Mentor: Tyler Hall, he/him
Department, College, Affiliation: Human Development and Family Sciences, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: tjh23@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Human Development and Family Sciences, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: tjh23@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 6-8, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 6-8, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
- Day: Monday, August 31
Start Time: 6:00
End Time: 6:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/92326771138 - Day: Tuesday, September 1
Start Time: 6:00
End Time: 6:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/92326771138 - Day: Wednesday, September 2
Start Time: 6:00
End Time: 6:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/92326771138
Project Description
My study is a qualitative, interview-based study on how religious beliefs, practices, and other religious factors strengthen or strain the relationship between single parents and their teenage children. Participants will be interviewed in pairs - an interview with a single parent, and an interview with their child. Afterwards, all the interviews will be transcribed and analyzed to identify overall themes.Research Tasks: I have already written the literature review, and will personally be conducting the interviews. The research assistant tasks would be primarily related to recruitment and data analysis: finding participants (may involve recruiting or putting up flyers at community centers, churches, family clinics, etc.), transcribing interviews, coding the interviews, synthesizing overall themes from the interviews, and writing out a final summary of what it is like to be religious and be in a single-parent family.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required: Ability to read through and analyze long passages of text. The main task we will have as a research team is reading through many hours worth of interviews to identify common themes that show up between all the interviews.
Required: Access to a computer and internet.
Required: Ability to work and collaborate with a small team.
Recommended: Excellent typing skills. Before analyzing the interviews, we will need to type them out.
Mentoring Philosophy
I believe mentoring is, first and foremost, about the person. It goes beyond just teaching skills or techniques (though that is important); it is characterized by an investment in the mentee’s life and well-being. I’ve been very lucky to have had warm and supportive mentors in my life – both in my professional training as a therapist, as well as in my education as a researcher. For me, the best mentors were the ones who would not only teach me, but ask about my life, my concerns, and so on. As is often said, people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.My mentoring style is typically characterized by warmth and positivity, but with clear directness when it comes to feedback. I want those I mentor to feel supported while they learn and grow professionally. Growth requires feedback, but that feedback can be hard to implement if it’s vague and sugarcoated, or conversely, if it’s harsh and overly critical. As such, my mentees can expect feedback that is clear, direct, and kind.
As a mentor, I expect my mentees to be responsible, timely, and honest. This is especially important in a research capacity, where dishonesty or corner-cutting is unethical, and has significant consequences for both the researchers and the public. If it is discovered that mentees are lying or being dishonest in any way, the mentee-mentor relationship will not be able to continue, and other measures may need to be taken.
Additional Information
Link to Publications
Applications of High Resolution Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Dynamic NMR, Diffusion, LED-illumination-NMR
Research Mentor: Banghao Chen, Dr.
Department, College, Affiliation: Chemistry & Biochemistry, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: chen@chem.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Chemistry & Biochemistry, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: chen@chem.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Chemistry or Biochemistry background
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Chemistry or Biochemistry background
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable
Project Description
Set up workable LED-illumination NMR to capture the reactive intermediates that will become detectable when their lifetimes exceed the so-called “NMR time scale” (e.g., milliseconds) at sufficiently low temperatures.Research Tasks: literature review, data collection, data analysis,
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: research lab safety knowledge
Mentoring Philosophy
Teach principles, build habits, and grow independence—step by step.1. Start with clarity and safety.
2. Focus on learning by doing.
3. Encourage thinking over memorizing.
4. Maintain high standards, but be patient.
5. Promote ownership.
6. Model professionalism and curiosity.
Additional Information
Link to Publications
Tracking Preschool Narrative Development
early childhood, narrative development, longitudinal study
Research Mentor: Yarui Chen,
Department, College, Affiliation: Educational Psychology and Learning Systems, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: yc24m@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Educational Psychology and Learning Systems, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: yc24m@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 10, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 10, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable
Project Description
Early childhood narrative skills have been widely studies and predict later literacy skills and academic achievement. Despite this, few study has traced the narrative competence trajectories at preschool age over time. Therefore, the present study aim to investigate the development of preschool children’s narrative competences, both macrostructure and microstructure skills, in children with and without language delay. The study specifically explore developmental trajectories and groups different in narrative skills over time.Research Tasks: Data coding
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality work.
Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
Mentoring Philosophy
Every mentee is different. Grounded in educational psychology, my philosophy centers on motivation–action pairing: I begin by understanding each mentee’s needs, motivations, and context, then we co-design roles and milestones. I move mentees from scaffolded practice to independent stewardship by calibrating support and challenge so they can work at the edge of their competence as it grows. I practice culturally responsive, inclusive mentoring, recognizing how background, identity, and lived experience shape aspirations and needs. As an international scholar studying children’s language development, I attend closely to linguistic, cultural, and institutional contexts. Using a flexible, customized approach, I adapt strategies to honor and leverage this diversity, ensuring each mentee feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.Moreover, I view mentorship as a reciprocal learning dialogue. I share my own reasoning and experiences openly and invite critique to model curiosity and reflective practices. Through open communication and constructive feedback, I aim to create a safe and respectful space where challenges are shared, ideas are refined, and growth is continuous. Feedback is not one-directional but a collaborative process that supports critical thinking, reflection, and professional identity development.
My ultimate goal as a mentor is to empower mentees to build their research aligns with their interest, strengthen their critical-thinking skills, and develop into confident, ethical and independent scholars or educators prepared for careers in education.
Additional Information
Link to Publications
Sitting with Trees: Nature, Memory, and Black Elder Wisdom (The Anthology)
Black Elder Wisdom, Oral History, Literature Review, Intergenerational Storytelling, Endarkened Narrative Inquiry
Research Mentor: Dr. Dr. Christal Mischelle Omni, MPH, MLS, She/Her
Department, College, Affiliation: OMNI Institute of Well-being, Inc., Social Sciences and Public Policy
Contact Email: dr.chris@OmniInstituteOfWellbeing.org
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: OMNI Institute of Well-being, Inc., Social Sciences and Public Policy
Contact Email: dr.chris@OmniInstituteOfWellbeing.org
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all with a particular focus in:
English / Literature
African & African American Studies
History
Sociology
Anthropology
Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Environmental Studies
Education
Creative Writing
Project Location: virtual
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all with a particular focus in:
English / Literature
African & African American Studies
History
Sociology
Anthropology
Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Environmental Studies
Education
Creative Writing
Project Location: virtual
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable
Project Description
Sitting with Trees: Nature, Memory, and Black Elder Wisdom (The Anthology) is an intergenerational, arts-based research project that centers the narratives of Black elders as sites of knowledge, memory, and ecological wisdom. This phase of the Sitting with Trees ecosystem focuses on curating and contextualizing stories shared by Black elders, with particular attention to the relational, spiritual, and environmental dimensions of their lived experiences.The project engages Endarkened Narrative Inquiry as its primary methodological framework, drawing from Black feminist thought, womanism, and culturally situated storytelling traditions. This approach affirms that Black elders’ narratives are not simply stories to be collected, but forms of theory, memory, and ancestral knowledge that require careful, culturally responsive interpretation.
Research mentees will support the development of the anthology by identifying and synthesizing scholarly, literary, and cultural texts that resonate with and deepen the meaning of these narratives. This includes pairing elder stories with supporting literature that reflects similar themes—such as spirituality, resilience, intergenerational care, joy, land-based memory, and survival.
This work contributes to a living archive that honors Black elders as knowledge holders and positions their stories within broader intellectual and cultural traditions. The anthology will serve as both a scholarly and accessible text, bridging research, storytelling, and community memory.
Research Tasks: Research assistants will engage in literature-based and interpretive work, including:
Conducting targeted literature reviews aligned with themes emerging from elder narratives
Identifying scholarly, literary, and cultural texts (e.g., books, articles, oral histories) that resonate with specific stories
Creating annotated bibliographies that connect literature to elder narratives
Assisting with thematic analysis across stories and supporting texts
Organizing and cataloging sources for anthology development
Participating in reflective discussions about narrative meaning, cultural context, and interpretation
Supporting writing and synthesis of literature-informed narrative sections
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required: Strong interest in reading, writing, and critical inquiry; Willingness to engage Black elder narratives with care, respect, and cultural humility; Ability to identify themes and make connections across stories and texts; Reliability and attention to detail in organizing sources and notes
Recommended: Experience with literature reviews or academic research; Interest in oral history, storytelling, or narrative research; Comfort with annotation, synthesis, and analytical writing; Curiosity about spirituality, ancestry, and intergenerational knowledge.
Mentoring Philosophy
My mentoring philosophy is rooted in relationship, presence, and becoming. I approach mentorship as a shared space of inquiry where mentees are invited to slow down, listen deeply, and recognize themselves as knowledge holders. Before any task begins, I seek to understand who they are—what they carry, what they are curious about, and what is trying to emerge through them.Grounded in eco-autoethnographic and endarkened narrative traditions, I guide mentees to engage research as both intellectual and lived practice. This means learning to sit with questions, to notice patterns, and to trust that story, memory, and experience are valid forms of knowledge.
I cultivate an environment where it is safe to try, to not know, and to grow. At the same time, I hold a steady expectation of care, accountability, and follow-through, honoring the work and the people it represents.
Mentees are encouraged to take ownership of their contributions while being supported through reflection and dialogue. I see mentorship as a reciprocal process—one where we learn with and from one another.
Ultimately, I aim to support mentees in developing clarity, confidence, and a grounded sense of purpose in their work and in themselves.
Additional Information
This project is part of a broader research and creative ecosystem (Sitting with Trees) that includes course design, community-engaged research, and forthcoming publications. Mentees will have the opportunity to contribute to work that bridges scholarship, storytelling, and community knowledge, with potential for acknowledgment in publications and presentations.Link to Publications
www.OmniInstituteOfWellbeing.orgHealthMpowerment Media Lab: Turning Health Information Into Digital Experiences
Health communication, global health, creative storytelling, digital platform, youth empowerment
Research Mentor: Ms. Aimee Rochelle, She/her/hers
Department, College, Affiliation: IDHI, Nursing
Contact Email: arochelle@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Ms. Aijha Phillips She/her/hers
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: aphillips5@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: IDHI, Nursing
Contact Email: arochelle@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Ms. Aijha Phillips She/her/hers
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: aphillips5@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Public Health, Nursing, Communications, Multimedia Journalism, Digital Media or Media Studies, Film, Video Production, Marketing, UX Design, Writing or Human Centered Design, Creative Writing
Project Location: Remote
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Public Health, Nursing, Communications, Multimedia Journalism, Digital Media or Media Studies, Film, Video Production, Marketing, UX Design, Writing or Human Centered Design, Creative Writing
Project Location: Remote
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable
Project Description
In this project, students will creatively transform text-based health content in a mobile health research app into videos, audio, visuals, stories, and interactive activities to be used by real study participants.The Institute on Digital Health and Innovation at the College of Nursing was established in 2022 to advance individual and public health through collaborative and synergistic partnerships focused on the development, evaluation, and dissemination of digital health tools, technologies, and innovations. HealthMpowerment (HMP) is a mobile health research platform created by Lisa Hightow-Weidman (Director of the Institute) that provides health and wellness information, resources and tools through a smartphone app. The platform is adapted for different populations and health issues around the globe, with content on topics such as physical and mental health, relationships, identity, sexual health, stress, nutrition, education, careers, advocacy, and other life skills.
This project is open to undergraduate or graduate students who are interested in both public health and creative media. The students will help adapt existing HealthMpowerment text-based content into new formats such as short videos, audio clips or podcast‑style pieces, visual explainers, or interactive activities. They may also help develop new content ideas as part of this work. The focus is not on marketing or promotion, but on improving how health information is experienced and understood within the app, making it clearer, more engaging, and easier for users to interact with in meaningful ways.
Some weeks will lean more heavily on creative work like drafting scripts, outlining a video concept, or reworking how a topic is presented across different formats. Other weeks will include more routine but necessary tasks such as formatting content, uploading it into the app’s content management system, and doing quality checks to make sure everything is clear, appropriate, and ready for users.
UROP students mentored by IDHI faculty and staff during the 2026-2027 academic year will participate in an institute-wide cohort and have opportunities to contribute to supplemental projects aligned with their interests. Cohort members will attend a weekly virtual lab meeting via Zoom on Fridays at 1:00 PM focused on professional development and collaborative opportunities across the institute. While the meeting time may offer some flexibility, preference will be given to applicants who can regularly attend a weekly Friday meeting at 1:00 p.m.
Research Tasks: • Review existing HealthMpowerment content including articles, activities, and discussion prompts to understand the platform and audience
• Help identify content that could be strengthened or refreshed through new formats such as video, audio, visual explainers, or interactive activities
• Adapt existing written content into new, more engaging formats while maintaining accuracy and appropriate tone
• Brainstorm and propose new content ideas that align with public health goals and user needs
• Draft scripts, outlines, storyboards, or activity concepts for new or adapted content
• Tailor content for different age groups such as youth, adults, and older populations by adjusting tone, format, and pacing
• Assist with basic content production tasks as appropriate, such as recording audio, editing short videos, or creating simple visuals
• Upload, format, and organize content within the HealthMpowerment platform’s content management system
• Conduct quality checks to ensure content is clear, accessible, and ready for users
• Collaborate with the HealthMpowerment team through regular check ins and feedback cycles
• Balance creative work with routine but important operational tasks required to keep the platform updated
• On camera appearance is not required. The focus is on scripting, editing, and production using voice over, visuals, animation, or AI generated assets
• Students may use tools they already know. Licenses for advanced software can be provided if needed
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: This is a good fit for a student who likes creative work but is also comfortable with detail‑oriented follow‑through. The student should be curious about how health information is communicated through digital tools and apps, who enjoys thinking in new and creative ways about how content can be presented, and who is motivated by the opportunity to create content that is used by real people outside of a classroom setting.
Required skills
(Not all skills need to be fully developed at the start)
• Interest in public health, health communication, digital media, or related topics
• Strong written communication skills and comfort rewriting or adapting content
• Ability to think creatively about how information can be presented in different formats
• Some prior experience with video, audio, or multimedia creation
• Familiarity with tools like Canva, simple video editors, audio recording tools, or similar software
• Comfortable with basic video and audio editing and adding captions or subtitles using tools such as iMovie, Clipchamp, CapCut, Canva, Audacity, GarageBand, Descript, or similar
• Comfort working independently and managing small tasks with guidance
• Attention to detail, especially when formatting or uploading content
• Willingness to do both creative and routine work as part of a real product workflow
• Basic organizational skills and reliability with weekly time commitments
• Openness to feedback and iteration on content
Recommended or nice-to-have skills
• Interest in writing scripts, storytelling, or narrative based content
• Awareness of how content needs differ for youth versus adult audiences
• Experience using or thinking critically about apps, social media, or digital products
• Basic understanding of accessibility, inclusive language, or human-centered design
• Experience balancing creative thinking with structured or detail oriented tasks
Mentoring Philosophy
My mentoring approach is grounded in collaboration, trust, and initiative. I work with students as collaborators rather than traditional direct reports, giving them real ownership over their content work while being available for guidance and questions. I value students who are willing to run with assignments, try things out, and take responsibility for their work, and I try to match tasks to each student’s strengths so they can grow skills that feel useful and relevant.I aim to create a supportive, approachable environment where asking questions and sharing draft work is encouraged. Early on, especially for undergraduates, I provide more structure and hands-on guidance, then gradually step back as confidence and independence grow. Iteration and revision are a normal part of creative work, and feedback is meant to support learning, not perfection. My goal is for students to leave this project with practical experience, confidence in their skills, and content they are genuinely proud to have worked on.
Additional Information
https://idhi.fsu.edu/Link to Publications
https://healthmpowerment.org/The History of FSU and the Seminole Tribe
History, Native American, University, Tallahassee
Research Mentor: Dr. Andrew K. Frank, he/him/his
Department, College, Affiliation: Native American and Indigenous Studies Center and Department of History, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: afrank@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Native American and Indigenous Studies Center and Department of History, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: afrank@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 5
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Number of Research Assistants: 5
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
- Day: Thursday, September 3
Start Time: 1:30
End Time: 2:00
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/my/akfrank
Project Description
This UROP project will explore how the relationship between Florida State University and the Seminole Tribe of Florida developed in the 1970s. When FSU first chose the name Seminole, it did so without consulting the Florida Seminoles. Today, the university and tribe have a partnership and friendship that is quite different and reflects decades of conversations and subtle and not-so-subtle changes. This project focuses on the 1970s, a time when the Red Power movement and changing mores in the US convinced many universities to move away from their use of Indigenous names. Florida State was different. During the 1970s, FSU leaned into the use of the Seminole name. It introduced of the Osceola/Renegade tradition, included Tribe members at various public events, and abandoned the use of headdresses in the homecoming court. Student researchers will look closer at these relatively well-known events and/or other more under-explored moments in order to rewrite this history. In particular, students will explore the role that the Seminole Tribe had in the transformation. In the process, students will grapple with issues related to tribal sovereignty and cultural appropriation.Research Tasks: original archival research, historical writing, and historical analysis
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: required: strong writing skills; recommended: some independent research experience in any field