UROP Project
***Improving mental health outcomes in USVI adults with a history of trauma
mental health, global health, trauma,
Research Mentor: Dr. Dr. Shermeeka Hogans-Mathews, she/her
Department, College, Affiliation: Department of Family Medicine & Rural Health, Medicine
Contact Email: shermeeka.hogans-mathews@med.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Dr. Dr. Ericka Horne she/her
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: ericka.horne@med.fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators: Ms./ Dr./ Dr. Cindy Telfort, Dr. Joedrecka Brown Speights, Dr. Ransome Eke
Faculty Collaborators Email: cindy.telfort@med.fsu.edu
Department, College, Affiliation: Department of Family Medicine & Rural Health, Medicine
Contact Email: shermeeka.hogans-mathews@med.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Dr. Dr. Ericka Horne she/her
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: ericka.horne@med.fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators: Ms./ Dr./ Dr. Cindy Telfort, Dr. Joedrecka Brown Speights, Dr. Ransome Eke
Faculty Collaborators Email: cindy.telfort@med.fsu.edu
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Public Health
Biostatics
Clinical Professions Major (IMS)
Community Patient Care (IMS)
Health Management, Policy, & Information (IMS)
Exercise Physiology
Nursing
Human and Health Sciences
Psychology
Food and Nutrition Science
Open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes 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: 2
Relevant Majors: Public Health
Biostatics
Clinical Professions Major (IMS)
Community Patient Care (IMS)
Health Management, Policy, & Information (IMS)
Exercise Physiology
Nursing
Human and Health Sciences
Psychology
Food and Nutrition Science
Open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes 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
Students will gain an understanding of how trauma and adverse life experiences impact the mental health of adults in the United States Virgin Islands. They will explore how cultural and geographic factors shape access to care, health outcomes, and community well-being. In addition, students will learn about mindfulness-based interventions as a potential approach to support resilience and healing. By engaging in this study, students will contribute to data-informed insights that can guide researchers and decision-makers in developing culturally relevant strategies to reduce mental health disparities and improve community health.Research Tasks: literature review
data cleaning
data analysis
manuscript drafting
poster drafting
presentations
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: reading and critical thinking skills
Mentoring Philosophy
Give mentees hands on experience working and opportunities of expressing themselves and sharing their ideas.Giving mentees’ ownership of their work and promoting accountability.
Mentees are encouraged to ask questions and be inquisitive.