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
Exploring the Role of Religious Expression in Parent-Child Relationships in Families
Religion; Families; 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: Friday, September 4
Start Time: 6:00
End Time: 6:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/92326771138 - Day: Thursday, September 3
Start Time: 7:00
End Time: 7:30
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 study on religion in families. This project is currently being revised, but most likely we will be using and analyzing a large databank of interview transcripts with religious families.Research Tasks: I have already written most of the literature review, but assistants may help with some portions of it. The research assistant tasks would be primarily related to data analysis: coding interviews, synthesizing overall themes from the interviews, and writing out a final summary of our findings.
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.
Required: Ability to learn a new computer program (we will be using an interview analysis program designed for qualitative research).
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
HealthMpowerment 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
Mentoring Philosophy
My goal as a mentor is to teach early career researchers to draw upon their interests and expertise, follow the sources to wherever they lead, explore the unexpected, and ultimately develop original and thoughtful insights. Each student will be provided with a general framework of the history of FSU and the Seminoles (the conventional wisdom) so that they can begin their work, but this framework is simply a way of helping students ask their first and often overly-broad set of questions from an equally broad range of sources. Rather than starting with a specific topic that I chose, I hope that students find their topics in an open ended and organic way. I want my students to learn how to pivot when they face roadblocks, find alternate paths to discover sources that are often hidden, and to allow the sources themselves to reframe the questions that are posed.Additional Information
Link to Publications
Children's Engagement in Domestic Violence Research: A Scoping Review
Domestic violence, children and adolescents, child welfare, social work, research ethics, vulnerable populations, trauma, qualitative research, quantitative research, scoping review, methodology, safeguarding, informed consent
Research Mentor: Oluwaseun Jegede, She/her
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida Institute for Child Welfare (FICW), Florida State University, College of Social Work, Social Work
Contact Email: ojegede@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida Institute for Child Welfare (FICW), Florida State University, College of Social Work, Social Work
Contact Email: ojegede@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.
Students with backgrounds in Public Health, Social Work, Law, Sociology, Psychology, Criminology, Human Development and Family Science, or related fields are especially encouraged to apply.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
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:
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors.
Students with backgrounds in Public Health, Social Work, Law, Sociology, Psychology, Criminology, Human Development and Family Science, or related fields are especially encouraged to apply.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
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:
- Day: Wednesday, September 2
Start Time: 1:30
End Time: 5:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/97778651131 - Day: Friday, September 4
Start Time: 12:30
End Time: 3:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/97778651131 - Day: Monday, August 31
Start Time: 12:30
End Time: 4:00
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/97778651131
Project Description
This project is a rigorous scoping review that examines how children are engaged as participants in domestic violence research. The study focuses on empirical work conducted in the United States and systematically analyzes how researchers recruit, consent, and safeguard children within studies on domestic violence. Particular attention is given to ethical procedures, including assent and consent processes, protections for children’s emotional well-being, and the ways researchers manage risk before, during, and after participation. The project is conducted in collaboration with FSU university librarians and a faculty supervisor, and it follows a structured, transparent review process to identify patterns, gaps, and best practices in the field.Students who join this project will gain meaningful exposure to the foundations of research. They will learn how to search and identify high-quality academic studies, critically read and evaluate empirical work, and understand the ethical and methodological decisions that shape research involving vulnerable populations. This experience is especially valuable for students considering graduate school or careers in research, public health, social work, law, or related fields. Students will develop confidence in engaging with scholarly literature, contribute to a real and ongoing research project, and build skills that extend beyond the classroom into professional and academic pathways.
Research Tasks: Conduct structured literature searches in collaboration with librarians
Screen and select relevant empirical articles based on study criteria
Read and extract key information from selected studies
Support data organization and management (e.g., coding tables, tracking decisions)
Contribute to identifying patterns in research methods and ethical practices
Participate in team discussions on study selection and interpretation
Assist with summarizing findings and drafting sections of the review
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Strong attention to detail
Basic computer skills (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, or similar tools)
Ability to read and engage with academic articles
Organization and time management skills
Willingness to learn and ask questions
Clear communication skills
Interest in research, domestic violence, or child welfare (recommended, not required)
Mentoring Philosophy
I center my mentoring on identifying mentees’ goals, strengthening their existing capacities, and fostering ownership of their work. I begin by understanding each mentee’s interests, motivations, and long-term goals. This process allows us to co-develop a structured and meaningful plan that aligns with both their aspirations and the demands of research and professional development.I approach mentees as individuals who already possess strengths and emerging talents. My role is to recognize these capacities, refine them, and extend them through intentional guidance. I work with mentees to identify what they do well, where they seek growth, and how those areas can be strengthened through deliberate practice, feedback, and exposure to research processes.
I also prioritize ownership and accountability. I encourage mentees to take responsibility for their work, decisions, and development. This ownership builds confidence, independence, and scholarly identity. I support this process by creating a structured yet flexible environment, where mentees are challenged, supported, and connected to broader academic and professional networks within Florida State University.
Additional Information
I bring an interdisciplinary and international perspective to mentoring, grounded in both practice and research. I am a trained mental health counselor, registered psychologist, and social worker, with a bachelor’s degree and two master’s degrees in social work and psychology, completed across the United Kingdom and multiple European contexts. My training spans diverse systems in Europe, Africa, and the United States, which allows me to effectively support students from varied cultural, academic, and professional backgrounds. I am currently a PhD student and a graduate research assistant at the Florida Institute for Child Welfare, where I engage in applied and policy-relevant research. Students who work with me will gain exposure not only to this project but also to broader research environments, collaborative work, and the practical realities of research that informs child welfare and mental health systems.I mentor with both structure and flexibility. While this project focuses on a scoping review of children’s engagement in domestic violence research, I support students in developing their own research interests alongside the project. Students who wish to pursue independent ideas, including empirical studies or secondary data analysis, will be guided in shaping and advancing those projects. I provide support in research design, academic writing, and quantitative analysis, including the use of SPSS and other statistical tools. I believe this approach allows students to build technical competence while also developing ownership of their work. I am particularly interested in students from social sciences and health-related fields, as this creates a strong foundation for collaboration, but I remain open to motivated students from all backgrounds who are ready to engage, learn, and grow.
Link to Publications
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Oluwaseun-Jegede?ev=hdr_xprfLegislative Information in the American States
lobbying; state government; legislatures; staff; information
Research Mentor: Prof. James Strickland, he/him
Department, College, Affiliation: Political Science, Social Sciences and Public Policy
Contact Email: jms25s@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Political Science, Social Sciences and Public Policy
Contact Email: jms25s@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: 4
Relevant Majors: Political science; economics; public policy; history; public administration; library science; data science; and related fields.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 8, 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: 4
Relevant Majors: Political science; economics; public policy; history; public administration; library science; data science; and related fields.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 8, 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 seeks to identify the individuals who provide information to state legislators around the country over time. For legislators, informative people include staff persons and lobbyists. This project is part of two long-term projects involving databases of state legislative staff and lobbyists. The two projects seek to establish large, online databases on a single website where the public (including researchers) may look up names of staff and lobbyists active in each state for various years. The data are expected to be of widespread use in the social sciences (especially political science, public administration, and economics) and humanities (especially history). The data may be used to determine how staff and lobbyists influence policy, among many other questions. Between the two projects, data-collection began for lobbyists in 2015 and continues to the present day. Data collection for staff began in 2025.Research Tasks: The assistant(s) will be provided with lists of staff or lobbyists and asked to use artificial technology (AI) to transcribe the lists into Excel spreadsheets, or to transcribe the lists manually if artificial technology (AI) does not work well. The assistant(s) will be free to choose the AI program and subscriptions to AI programs will be paid for by Prof. Strickland or by using a UROP grant, as needed. The assistant(s) may also be asked to locate staffer or lobbyist lists using library and online searches. The transcription, including by AI or manually by hand, can be performed from any location where the assistant(s) has a reliable internet connection. The assistant(s) will be asked to meet with Prof. Strickland at least once every two weeks, and to commit at least eight hours of transcription or searches per week.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required: 1) familiarity with Excel or Google Sheets, 2) ability to type at least 45 words (mostly names) per minute, 3) attention to detail, 4) ability to focus on a single task for extended periods, 5) familiarity with Adobe and/or .pdf files, 6) familiarity with ChatGPT and/or other AI tools, and 7) ability to use online library resources to locate records.
Recommended: 1) a strong interest in lobbying and lawmaking, and 2) an understanding of how political science research is conducted.
Mentoring Philosophy
I cannot product research without great assistants. I always incorporate students, as assistants or coauthors, into my research. Since 2015, I have worked with more than 50 undergraduate research assistants and have coauthored three articles with students, including one with an undergraduate student. When working with mentees, I meet with them regularly. I provide as much choice to my mentees as possible regarding their work assignments. I inform my mentees about opportunities that may interest them, such as networking events and guest lectures.My desire to mentor students is related to my background. I grew up in a small town in South Carolina and was the first person in my family to attend college. When I first entered college, I did not know that I could major in political science. I am a professor now due in large part to my faculty mentors.
Additional Information
Link to Publications
https://cosspp.fsu.edu/polisci/faculty/james-strickland/Undergraduate Introduction to Experimental Economics Research
Economics, Experiments
Research Mentor: Prof. Mark Isaac,
Department, College, Affiliation: Economics, Social Sciences and Public Policy
Contact Email: misaac@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators: Prof. Tony Kwasnica
Faculty Collaborators Email: amk23p@fsu.edu
Department, College, Affiliation: Economics, Social Sciences and Public Policy
Contact Email: misaac@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators: Prof. Tony Kwasnica
Faculty Collaborators Email: amk23p@fsu.edu
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Economics, Computer Science, Philosophy
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: 2
Relevant Majors: Economics, Computer Science, Philosophy
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
The student will learn the methodological underpinnings of experimental economics research and the principles of human subjects protection. The student will develop a poster exploring the potential for new research in an are of interest to the student. Depending upon the total number of successful applicants and their individual strengths, they will assist the wider experimental social sciences laboratory by among the following: recruitment of subjects, helping in the logistics of an important June 2027 conference on social dilemmas, or helping to update lab-adjacent web pages.Research Tasks: Certification in human subjects protection, recruitment of subjects, literature reviews, website improvement, logistical assistance in conference planning.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Ability to think logically (required); webpage development skills (recommended but not required for all successful applicants).
Mentoring Philosophy
Last year I had four UROP students. On the one hand, I expected them to work cooperatively with other UROP students in general lab support projects (subject recruitment, assistance in lab presentations, etc.). On the other hand, I expected them to work with me to understand the methodology of experimental economics and to develop a project of their own based upon extensive literature reviews plus critical thinking and mentoring with me. IN addition, we are anticipating this year that we may have a bi-monthly colloquim for all of the lab UROP students.Additional Information
Link to Publications
myweb.fsu.edu/misaacCan AI Change the Way We Think About Food and Body Image
Artificial Intelligence, Body Image, Eating Behaviors
Research Mentor: Ms. Yolanda or just Yolanda Yuwen Wan, She, Her, Hers
Department, College, Affiliation: School of Communication, Communication and Information
Contact Email: yw23c@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: School of Communication, Communication and Information
Contact Email: yw23c@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: Communication, Psychology, Public Health, Information Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Sociology, Social Work, Nutrition/Dietetics, Data Science, Computer Science
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
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:
Number of Research Assistants: 3
Relevant Majors: Communication, Psychology, Public Health, Information Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Sociology, Social Work, Nutrition/Dietetics, Data Science, Computer Science
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
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:
- Day: Thursday, September 3
Start Time: 2:00
End Time: 2:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/94373854792 - Day: Monday, August 31
Start Time: 2:00
End Time: 2:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/91745327638
Project Description
This project explores how artificial intelligence may influence college students’ body image, eating attitudes, and disordered eating behaviors. As AI tools become increasingly common in everyday life, students may use chatbots, social media algorithms, or AI-generated content to seek advice, compare themselves to others, or make decisions about food, exercise, and health. This study examines both the potential risks and benefits of AI in this area, including how AI may shape students’ perceptions, emotions, and health-related behaviors.Research assistants will gain hands-on experience with literature reviews, study design, data collection, qualitative coding, and data analysis. This project is a good fit for students interested in AI, health communication, psychology, body image, mental health, eating behaviors, and student well-being.
Research Tasks: Research assistants will support different stages of the project, including conducting literature reviews, developing study materials, assisting with participant recruitment and data collection, organizing and coding data, helping with basic qualitative or quantitative analysis, and contributing to research presentations or manuscripts. This position is ideal for students who want hands-on experience with health communication, AI research, and student well-being studies.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Research assistants should be responsible, organized, and willing to learn. Students should have good communication skills, pay attention to details, and be interested in topics such as AI, body image, eating behaviors, mental health, or student well-being. No previous research experience is required.
Mentoring Philosophy
My mentoring philosophy is based on support, encouragement, and hands-on learning. I believe undergraduate research assistants learn best when they feel respected, included, and comfortable asking questions. I aim to create a welcoming environment where students can explore their interests, build confidence, and learn from mistakes without fear.I also believe mentoring should be flexible because each student has different goals, strengths, and levels of experience. I will work with research assistants to understand what they hope to learn, provide clear guidance, and gradually give them more ownership of their work as they grow. My goal is to help students develop research skills, critical thinking, responsibility, and confidence while feeling supported throughout the process.
I see mentoring as a collaborative relationship. I will share my own research experience, provide feedback, and encourage students to ask questions, try new tasks, and reflect on what they are learning. Ultimately, I hope students leave the project with stronger research skills, a better understanding of academic research, and more confidence in their future academic or professional goals.