UROP Project
maize, STEMM, social media, genetics
Research Mentor: Prefer Hank, will also respond to Dr., Mr., or Professor Dr. Hank Bass, Prefer Hank, will also respond to Dr., Mr., or Professor
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida State University, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: bass@bio.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Bianca Sheridan
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: bsheridan@bio.fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida State University, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: bass@bio.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Bianca Sheridan
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: bsheridan@bio.fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: No
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors - good fits include information studies, science communication, STEM education, and biology.
UROP student(s) would work with both Dr. Bass and Bianca Sheridan, details to be worked out.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: THUR 12-2 PM (for Hank Bass Lab "biology science communication" UROP, Fa24)
Zoom Link:
https://fsu.zoom.us/j/99342963404?pwd=JbOEuGbp5vVnvPKAMTihhbxafFmPq5.1
passcode = miaze333
(alt time Fri 12-12:30, for either project, same zoom link)
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors - good fits include information studies, science communication, STEM education, and biology.
UROP student(s) would work with both Dr. Bass and Bianca Sheridan, details to be worked out.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: THUR 12-2 PM (for Hank Bass Lab "biology science communication" UROP, Fa24)
Zoom Link:
https://fsu.zoom.us/j/99342963404?pwd=JbOEuGbp5vVnvPKAMTihhbxafFmPq5.1
passcode = miaze333
(alt time Fri 12-12:30, for either project, same zoom link)
Project Description
To assist with public education outreach on social media using Dr. Bass 21-year maize-10-maze project.See crazylazycorn.org for more information.
The Bass las has excellent picture and video content of students of all ages learning about fun maize mutants and genetics.
Active on Instagram and tik tok (tik tok see "scienceforyall" [Dr. Bass site] and "cornqueenB" [Bianca Sheridan's site, doctoral student in Bass lab]
Students will work with Bianca and Hank to curate, update, and develop maize genetics educational online content.
We also have an image and movie database omeka at https://crazycornmutants.omeka.net/
The Bass lab is an active, fun, and supportive place to be creative and contribute to society through research and outreach.
Research Tasks: Curate & add photos from Bass lab stocks.
Make new videos or movies featuring kids learning or teaching about maize genetics.
Have fun.
Present to the weekly Bass Lab Group meeting once per semester.
Learn about genetics from DNA to organism using maize (Zea mays) as a model system.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Professional and reliable team player.
Commitment to working with flexible and set times, as needed for Bianca's & Hank's schedules.
Good organization and communication.
Good cooperation and consideration.
Creativity and a passion for learning and teaching.
Mentoring Philosophy
As a Professor of Biological Science, my focus is on studying plant genetics, maize epigenomics, and genome architecture, utilizing 3D imaging, molecular genetics, and genomics. My students are engaged, therefore, in our shared research goals.My mentoring philosophy involves treating students as though they are already in the next stage of their professional development. While the expectations are high, I make sure to acknowledge and support their efforts, training, and growth, irrespective of the outcome of their projects. By doing so, they experience the ups and downs of being a real scientist and receive meaningful guidance and skills to enhance and apply their education.
To bring this philosophy to life, I help my students produce lasting contributions from their work in the form of presentations or peer-reviewed publications. This enables them to make a tangible impact and gain recognition for their work.
After working with student scholars at FSU for over 20 years, I created the E3 principle of student mentoring - Empowerment, Excellence, and Elevation.
EMPOWERMENT: Creating opportunities for additional career growth and putting students in charge of their projects for them to learn to own and enjoy their achievements.
EXCELLENCE: Hands-on training teaches excellence in scholarship, and how adhering to high standards in data quality and management can lead to success.
ELEVATION: Providing opportunities to excel beyond the traditional student experience, embedding them in conferences, scientific discussions, and collaborations. These activities elevate their performance, confidence, and competitiveness for their future careers.
Additional Information
Our NSF-funded outreach page -https://www.bio.fsu.edu/bass/maizenucleosome/outreach/
Bianca's recent poster on the maize-10-maze
https://drive.google.com/file/d/10_RJy9572hFe94NLcRFmuj4IeywY3pGF/view