UROP Project

Assessing Use and Application of Science for Decision-Making in the Gulf of Mexico Region

survey analysis, literature review, implementation science, ecosystem-based management, natural resources management, peer-reviewed publication, Gulf of Mexico, actionable information
1Professor Kassie Ernst 01 mw 091119.jpg
Research Mentor: Dr. Kassie Ernst, she, her, hers
Department, College, Affiliation: Student Services and Undergraduate Affairs/Civil and Environmental Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: kernst@eng.famu.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators: Dr. Ivanna Pengelley she/her
Faculty Collaborators Email: ipengelley@fsu.edu
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: No, the project is remote
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: View the recording of the project overview here: https://fsu.zoom.us/rec/share/TqqccKfXboJfl9hXE_I7qHPmlviV_ri4U9fWD8vc51Oly2NnVLEaHfL_SZ3By0ZI.488K6MWlJCp3Vt0K?startTime=1694030637000
September 6th 4-5 p.m. fsu.zoom.us/my/kassernst



Project Description

This work assesses the use of scientific information for planning and management in the Gulf of Mexico Region. It mainly focuses on natural resources management and whether and how scientific information is used in planning, policy, and decision-making. UROP participants will analyze survey results, report findings, and compare findings within a research group. UROP participants will also conduct a literature review focused on actionable information and how science, and scientific information, is used to inform decision-making.

Research Tasks: analyze survey results, write findings, compare findings with others, produce visualization of results, conduct a literature review, compare and contrast findings with the literature

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Awareness of social inequities (required); ability to navigate research databases (required); critical thinking (required); strong writing and communication skills (recommended)

Mentoring Philosophy

I enjoy mentoring undergraduate students and connecting them to research and projects that makes their work meaningful and impactful. I believe a mentor is a temporary role that supports a mentee in their growth and development. It is important for mentees to know where they want to go in order to get the best support from a mentor. Most of my time towards building a mentorship relationship occurs within our weekly check-in time. It is important that you can articulate your needs as a mentee within that time and are able to be at those meetings. Moving forward, I advocate for my mentees, send them resources, and am available to meet when needed.

Additional Information


Link to Publications

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=9qLtsYUAAAAJ&hl=en