UROP Project

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:

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:

• 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: 12:00
  End Time: 5:00
  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)

Legislative 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:

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

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.

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

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

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).

Can 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:

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:

• 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.

Expression and Characterization of Recombinant Human Immunity-Related GTPase M (IRGM)

Host-Pathogen Interactions; Antimicrobial; Innate Immunity; Recombinant Protein; GTPase

Research Mentor: Taiwo Scholes Adewole, he/his/him
Department, College, Affiliation: Biological Science, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: tsa23@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: Biology
Chemistry
Biochemistry
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required:
Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 8-10 hours a week, 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

Expression and Characterization of Recombinant Human Immunity-Related GTPase M (IRGM)

Background
Human immunity-related GTPase M (IRGM) is a key regulator of innate immunity, linking autophagy, inflammation, and cellular homeostasis(Goswami et al., 2022; Singh et al., 2006). This interferon-inducible dynamin-like GTPase has garnered interest for its multifunctional role in controlling immune responses, tumorigenesis, and host-pathogen interactions, and its deficiency is associated with multiple inflammatory and autoimmune disorders (Chauhan et al., 2015; Tan et al., 2021; Xia et al., 2016). It serves as a molecular regulator orchestrating autophagic processes that clear intracellular pathogens and regulate inflammation, which emphasizes its importance in defending against infectious diseases and maintaining immune balance (Dockterman & Coers, 2022). Originally characterized for its mitochondrial localization and affinity, IRGM has more recently been implicated in viral infection. Studies indicate that it facilitates autophagy associated with Golgi fragmentation induced by the Hepatitis C virus, highlighting its role in viral pathogenesis and in the remodeling of host intracellular membranes (Hansen et al., 2017; Singh et al., 2010).
Understanding IRGM’s biochemical properties through recombinant expression and subsequent functional studies will illuminate its largely undefined mechanisms in human immunity and disease. Using a bacterial expression system, this project aims to produce recombinant human IRGM, purify, and characterize the recombinant IRGM protein, giving students exposure to modern molecular biology and protein biochemistry techniques.

Objectives
The project focuses on transforming plasmids carrying the IRGM gene into Escherichia coli, optimizing bacterial growth and protein induction, purifying the expressed recombinant protein, and, conditions permitting, applying fundamental biochemical assays to assess its activity. This work will train students in essential laboratory techniques relevant to biomedical research.

Methodology
1. Plasmid Transformation: Competent E. coli cells will be transformed with plasmids encoding human IRGM. The standard heat shock method will be used for optimized gene delivery.
2. Cell Growth and Protein Induction: Transformed colonies will be selected and expanded through standard bacterial culture techniques. Optimization of growth conditions will be used to ensure efficient cell proliferation prior to protein expression. Protein expressions will be induced with Isopropyl β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) under the control of a bacterial T7 promoter.
3. Protein Purification: Following induction, cells will be harvested and lysed to release intracellular proteins. Recombinant IRGM will then be purified using affinity chromatography, such as nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid (Ni-NTA) purification for His-tagged constructs. Additional purification steps, including size-exclusion chromatography, may be employed to enhance protein purity. Protein quality will be assessed using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE).
4. Biochemical Characterization (optional): If time permits, students will conduct basic biochemical assays to characterize IRGM function. These may include GTP-binding or hydrolysis assays, as well as preliminary studies of protein stability, oligomerization, and membrane-binding. Such analyses will provide foundational insights into the enzymatic and structural properties of IRGM, contributing to a deeper understanding of its role in immunity.

Learning Outcomes
By completing this project, students will:
• Master essential molecular biology techniques, including plasmid transformation and bacterial culture.
• Develop skills in recombinant protein expression and purification.
• Learn to analyze protein purity by SDS-PAGE.
• Gain introductory experience in biochemical assays to characterize protein function.
• Enhance problem-solving, experimental design, and critical thinking applicable to immunology and protein biochemistry research.
This hands-on training offers comprehensive experience at the intersection of molecular biology, immunology, and biochemistry, preparing students for advanced research in disease-related protein function.

References
Chauhan, S., Mandell, M., cell, V. D.-M., & 2015, undefined. (2015). IRGM governs the core autophagy machinery to conduct antimicrobial defense. Cell.ComS Chauhan, MA Mandell, V DereticMolecular Cell, 2015•cell.Com. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcel.2015.03.020
Dockterman, J., & Coers, J. (2022). How did we get here? Insights into mechanisms of immunity-related GTPase targeting to intracellular pathogens. Current Opinion in Microbiology, 69, 102189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mib.2022.102189
Goswami, A. B., Karadarević, D., & Castaño-Rodríguez, N. (2022). Immunity-related GTPase IRGM at the intersection of autophagy, inflammation, and tumorigenesis. Inflammation Research, 71(7–8), 785–795. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00011-022-01595-x
Hansen, M. D., Johnsen, I. B., Stiberg, K. A., Sherstova, T., Wakita, T., Richard, G. M., Kandasamy, R. K., Meurs, E. F., & Anthonsen, M. W. (2017). Hepatitis C virus triggers Golgi fragmentation and autophagy through the immunity-related GTPase M. Pnas.OrgMD Hansen, IB Johnsen, KA Stiberg, T Sherstova, T Wakita, GM Richard, RK KandasamyProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2017•pnas.Org, 114(17), E3462–E3471. https://doi.org/10.1073/PNAS.1616683114
Singh, S. B., Davis, A. S., Taylor, G. A., & Deretic, V. (2006). Human IRGM Induces Autophagy to Eliminate Intracellular Mycobacteria. Science, 313(5792), 1438–1441. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1129577
Singh, S. B., Ornatowski, W., Vergne, I., Naylor, J., Delgado, M., Roberts, E., Ponpuak, M., Master, S., Pilli, M., White, E., Komatsu, M., & Deretic, V. (2010). Human IRGM regulates autophagy and cell-autonomous immunity functions through mitochondria. Nature Cell Biology, 12(12), 1154–1165. https://doi.org/10.1038/ncb2119
Tan, Y. Q., Wang, F., Ma, R. J., Zhang, J., & Zhou, G. (2021). Interferon-γ activated T-cell IRGM–autophagy axis in oral lichen planus. International Immunopharmacology, 94, 107478. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.INTIMP.2021.107478
Xia, Q., Wang, M., Yang, X., Li, X., Zhang, X., Xu, S., Shuai, Z., Xu, J., Fan, D., Ding, C., & Pan, F. (2016). Autophagy-related IRGM genes confer susceptibility to ankylosing spondylitis in a Chinese female population: a case–control study. Genes & Immunity 2017 18:1, 18(1), 42–47. https://doi.org/10.1038/gene.2016.48




Research Tasks: 1. Prepare and handle competent E. coli cells for plasmid transformation
2. Perform plasmid transformation using heat shock and plate transformed cells
3. Select colonies and maintain bacterial cultures under appropriate antibiotic conditions
4. Monitor bacterial growth and optimize culture conditions (temperature, time, media)
5. Induce recombinant IRGM protein expression using IPTG
6. Harvest bacterial cells and perform cell lysis to extract proteins
7. Carry out affinity purification (e.g., His-tag/Ni-NTA chromatography)
8. Perform additional purification steps if needed (e.g., size-exclusion chromatography)
9. Prepare and run SDS-PAGE gels to assess protein expression and purity
10. Calculate concentrations, prepare buffers, and perform solution dilutions
11. Record experimental procedures and results in a lab notebook
12. Assist in basic biochemical assays (e.g., GTP-binding or hydrolysis, if applicable)
13. Help troubleshoot issues in expression or purification (low yield, contamination, etc.)
14. Maintain lab cleanliness, organize materials, and follow safety protocols


Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required
1. Basic laboratory skills: safe handling of reagents, pipetting, measuring volumes, following protocols
2. Attention to detail: accurate measurements, careful observation, minimizing contamination
3. Data recording and organization: maintaining clear lab notes, documenting procedures and results
4. Basic quantitative skills: simple calculations (concentrations, dilutions, yields)
5. Lab safety awareness: proper use of PPE, understanding safety guidelines and waste disposal
6. Willingness to learn technical methods: protein expression, purification, gel electrophoresis

Recommended
7. Understanding of core biology concepts: cell structure, DNA/RNA, proteins, gene expression
8. Introductory chemistry knowledge: solutions, buffers, pH, molecular interactions
9. Microbiology fundamentals: aseptic technique, bacterial growth, culture handling
10. Critical thinking: interpreting results, troubleshooting experimental issues
11. Time management: planning experiments, meeting lab schedules and deadlines
12. Teamwork and communication: collaborating with peers, reporting findings clearly

Using AI to accelerate multiphase flow predictions

Multiphase flows, artificial intelligence, deforming boundary problems

Research Mentor: Mark Sussman,
Department, College, Affiliation: Mathematics, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: msussman@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: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 7.5, 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

Multiphase flows, and multiphase flow simulations have many applications: nuclear power (cooling), fuel tanks in rockets, atomization and spray in internal compbustion engines (e.g. rotating detonation engine), arc-dwelling phenomena in electric engines, phase change in heat management devices, gas hydrates for fuel, structure fatigue and breakdown in hypersonic vehicles, shock wave lithotripsy, flash boiling atomization, raceway pond for biodiesel production, gear lubrication breakdown (geared turbofan), hurricane and tornado dynamics, etc.

At the same time, anything that can accelerate the simulation process is a good thing; this project addresses the use of Artificial Intelligence for achieving some kind of speed up.

Research Tasks: The research tasks involve computer programming, mathematics (e.g. statistics, linear algebra, differential equations, calculus), and writing (e.g. the poster). I have no problem assuming that the student starts at level "zero" in any of these topics. In other words, the research tasks depend on the student background and all students are different.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: The research tasks involve computer progamming, mathematics, and writing. That being said, I have no prerequisites and the goal is to tailor the projects' activities as close to the students' individual objectives as possible.

The Pitted Floor: Comparative Analysis of Gig Workers Under Algorithmic Control

Labor, Precarity, Technology, Emotions, Inequality

Research Mentor: Bennett S. LaBree, he/him
Department, College, Affiliation: Sociology, Social Sciences and Public Policy
Contact Email: bsl25b@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: 5, 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: 12:00
  End Time: 1:00
  Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/91354557817

Project Description

This project evaluates how different types of gig workers, rideshare (Uber, Lyft) and food delivery (DoorDash, UberEats, etc.), internalize their experiences and adapt their behavior to the technological algorithms which mediate their working relationship to clients. Their status and evaluation is instantaneous and done without human input, solely based on data collected through client rating and logistic/efficiency metrics. This project studies how socially mediated feedback, and its level of importance/intensity in different positions, changes the worker relationship and resistance practices. We will also include discussions of driver safety, gendered experiences, and racial inequities among respondents.

Research Tasks: - Learn how to conduct qualitative coding and interview transcript evaluation
- Small scale literature review
- Potential for conducting interview data collection if other tasks completed well
- Attend meetings every week or two (determined by size of current task)

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: - Basic understanding of Google Suite Applications (Google Sheets, Docs, etc)
- Ability to be detail-oriented and learn the setup of the study
- Ability to synthesize and analyze information
- Good communication about your own level of understanding and ability (you don't need to become an expert to help on this project!)

Moral Language and Governance in AI Policy Documents

Artificial Intelligence, AI, AI ethics, AI governance, Policy analysis, Policy, Large Language Model, LLM

Research Mentor: Seul Lee, Dr.
Department, College, Affiliation: School of Information, Communication and Information
Contact Email: seul.lee@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: Information, Information Technology, Information Science, Management Information Systems, Political Science, Law, HCI, UX, UI, Computer Science, Communication, Mass Communication, Media and Communication Studies, Media and Communication Studies, Psychology, Data Science, Computational Science, Computer Engineering, Business Analytics, Sociology, Social Science Education, Organizational Behavior and Human Resources, Engineering, Biostatistics, Creative Writing, Editing, Writing and Media, Education, Mathematics, Measurement and Statistics, Neuroscience, Behavioral Neuroscience, Cognition and Cognitive Neuroscience
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required:
Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 10, 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: 12:00
  End Time: 1:00
  Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/98782145189

Project Description

This study examines how leading Artificial Intelligence (AI) companies, including Anthropic, Google, Meta, and OpenAI, construct ethical commitments in their governance documents. It investigates how patterns of ethical framing, responsibility attribution, and value prioritization vary across their AI documents through comparative discourse analysis.

Research Tasks: After consulting with their mentors, research assistants might assume some of the following responsibilities:
1. Literature review (Review prior literature on the topic)
2. Data collection & cleaning
3. Quantitative coding
4. Qualitative coding & annotation
5. Data analysis

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Recommended
- Attention to detail
- Strong written communication skills
- Spreadsheet/data management skills are helpful
- Experience with qualitative and behavioral data or policy document is helpful
- Basic statistical analysis skills are helpful
- Experience with NVivo, Excel, R, or Python is helpful

Exploring the Interactive Effects of Sodium and Potassium on Vascular Health in Older Adults

Nutrition, Health, Cardiovascular Disease, Clinical Trial

Research Mentor: Dr. Andrea Lobene, She/Her
Department, College, Affiliation: Health, Nutrition, and Food Sciences, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: al23ce@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: Open to all majors with a preference for students interested in nutrition, cardiovascular physiology, and the relationship between diet and chronic disease risk
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

For this study, we will recruit human research participants between the ages of 55-75 who will complete three different study interventions. The interventions require participants to consume three laboratory-prepared diets varying in sodium and potassium content for 10 days at a time. After each intervention, participants will come to our laboratory in the Sandels building for a variety of tests including blood pressure measurements and tests for vascular health. Biochemical analyses will also be conducted.

Research Tasks: Research tasks will include interacting with human research participants, data collection, data analysis, food preparation, handling biological samples, biological sample analysis.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required skills: effective time management, strong attention to detail, effective written and verbal communication skills, proficiency in Microsoft Office, comfortable working with human research participants, comfortable handling blood and urine samples, willingness to learn, able to work as part of a laboratory team.

Recommended skills: basic understanding of kitchen/food safety, understanding of how to find and interpret research articles.

Connecting Memory Performance to the Accuracy of Self-Reported Psychopathology

Neuroscience, Psychology, Cognition, Memory

Research Mentor: Mrs. Danielle Jones,
Department, College, Affiliation: Psychology, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: djones@psy.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: This position is open to all majors, but it's a great fit for students planning to apply to grad school in psychology, neuroscience, or healthcare fields like medicine, nursing, or PA programs.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required:
Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:

• Day: Monday, August 31
  Start Time: 3:30
  End Time: 4:00
  Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/97880797715
• Day: Tuesday, September 1
  Start Time: 4:00
  End Time: 5:00
  Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/99301947746

Project Description

Many psychology studies ask people to summarize how they have felt over the past week or two, but those answers depend on memory. Someone might report that they felt anxious “most days,” for example, even if their daily reports show a different pattern. This study asks whether those differences are random noise, or whether they tell us something meaningful about symptoms, memory, and psychological functioning.

The project focuses on three main research questions:

1. What types of symptoms do people misremember?
We are interested in whether some symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, impulsivity, physical symptoms, or substance-related experiences, are harder to recall accurately than others.

2. What types of people are more likely to misremember their symptoms?
We examine whether symptom-reporting accuracy is related to memory performance, overall mental health symptoms, and other individual differences.

3. Do daily surveys give us better insight into brain and behavior?
Participants complete EEG and behavioral tasks related to attention, emotion, reward, memory, and error-monitoring. We test whether daily symptom ratings, compared with traditional retrospective questionnaires, are more strongly related to these brain and behavior measures. These brain and behavior measures give us something like an anchor, or a reality check, for evaluating different ways of measuring mental health. If daily symptom reports line up better with brain responses than traditional retrospective questionnaires do, that would tell us something important about how mental health symptoms should be measured in both research and clinical practice.

Participants complete two EEG sessions, memory tasks, questionnaires, and two weeks of daily surveys. By comparing what people report each day to what they remember later, this project aims to improve how researchers measure mental health symptoms and understand when self-report questionnaires are useful versus when they may miss important information.

Research Tasks: As a research assistant on this project, you'll be trained to handle every step of the study process. You'll start by learning how to use EEG equipment to record brain activity. This includes prepping the scalp, placing the EEG cap, checking signal quality, and running the recording software. I’ll teach you how to troubleshoot common issues, manage participant comfort, and make sure the data you're collecting is high quality. By the end of your training, you'll be able to set up and run EEG sessions independently.

In addition to EEG, you'll guide participants through the entire study visit. This includes obtaining informed consent, collecting saliva samples, walking them through each task, and monitoring them throughout the session to make sure everything goes smoothly. You’ll also help with setting up the daily survey system (delivered via text), installing a location tracking app, and conducting a short interview where participants describe their daily experiences during the study period. You'll be the main point of contact for participants, so this is a great role if you like interacting with people and want a deeper understanding of how complex studies are run from start to finish.

EEG data processing can be pretty technical, but you’ll start learning the basics as you prepare your poster presentation. If you're interested in programming, you’ll have the chance to work with MATLAB to clean and preprocess EEG data, and use R to run analyses that link brain activity to mental health symptoms. If you’re not into coding, no problem—there are non-programming alternatives. You’ll use Brain Vision Analyzer, a point-and-click program for EEG data processing, and SPSS for statistical analysis. Both options will give you hands-on experience working with real data and learning how to interpret brain responses in the context of psychological research.

When you're not working with participants, there will be other research duties to complete. This will include transcribing interview data, doing data entry from previous projects, and other tasks as the needs arise. Students who are interested in may also have the opportunity to work in a "wet lab" environment to pre-process the saliva samples.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required Skills: None – all training will be provided.

Recommended Skills:
- Strong attention to detail
- Comfortable interacting with people
- Reliable and organized
- Interested in mental health or brain research
- Willingness to learn new technology and procedures
- Good communication skills
- Ability to follow protocols and problem-solve in real time
- Professional and respectful