UROP Project

Ergonomic Assessment of Male versus Female Cut Firefighter Protective Clothing for Fit/Function Analysis Protocol Validation

Firefighter, PPE, Ergonomics, Human Subjects, Textiles, Clothing
NATDCheadshots-34_original.jpg
Research Mentor: Dr. Dr. Meredith McQuerry,
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida State University, Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship
Contact Email: mmcquerry@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Dr. Dr. Josephine Bolaji
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: jtb24@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Retail Entrepreneurship; open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required:
Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 10, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable

Project Description

We will be conducting an ergonomic assessment of local female firefighters on campus this fall, utilizing electronic goniometers and subjective perception scales to determine how male versus female cut PPE patterns impact range of motion. This project is part of a larger, federally funded FEMA grant to develop novel structural and wildland firefighter protective clothing for women in the fire service. Students will have the opportunity to gain experience with human subjects, use electro-goniometers, analyze range of motion data, and compare to a recently developed Fit/Function Analysis protocol. This project will further inform the design of the developed female firefighting PPE and the validation of the FFA protocol for implementation across the fire service.

Research Tasks: -Human subjects training
-Wear trial data collection
-Data analysis
-Student abstract/poster submissions
-Written publications

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: -Willingness to learn and be teachable
-Enthusiasm to work with local first responders
-Pay close attention to detail when interfacing with highly sensitive and expensive equipment and human instrumentation
-Seriously approach data collection and analysis efforts promptly
-Meet with faculty supervisor when scheduled, without delay or repeat cancellation

Mentoring Philosophy

In my 9 years at FSU, I have mentored nearly two dozen UROP students, receiving the FSU Undergraduate Research Mentor Award in 2018. Through my mentorship, these students have gone on to publish their research in conference proceedings and academic journals, as well as receive medical, law, and other professional degrees. Many of these students continue to work with me in my labs throughout the rest of their time at FSU. I am a "hands-on" mentor, working alongside my students in the lab to prepare, collect, and analyze data. I set my students up for success by ensuring they have the skills and tools necessary to complete the tasks they are assigned. I have an open-door policy when it comes to student concerns and questions. I typically meet weekly with my lab team, including UROP students, to go over projects. Students, if interested, also have the opportunity to observe and assist on numerous other projects in my labs over the course of their UROP project. I love to empower students to step outside their comfort zone and realize how truly capable they are in the research space, even as an undergraduate.

Additional Information


Link to Publications

https://jimmorancollege.fsu.edu/about/faculty-staff/faculty-meredith-mcquerry
Return to Project Database