UROP Project
Asymptotically preserving numerical method for incompressible or compressible multiphase flows
fluid mechanics, deforming boundary problems, high performance computing
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:
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: 1
Relevant Majors: engineering, department of scientific computing, math, physics, or computer science
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:
Not participating in the roundtable
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: engineering, department of scientific computing, math, physics, or computer science
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:
Not participating in the roundtable
Project Description
An "asymptotically preserving" numerical method for fluid mechanics is a method that works for both incompressible flows and compressible flows with the "relaxed" requirement that max|u|\Delta t <= \Delta x. I say "relaxed" because the standard requirement is max (|u|+c)\Delta t<=\Delta x. "c" is the sound speed of the fluid.We have recently developed an improved "asymptotically preserving" method that, so far, works well. But the method needs to be tested more! Ideally, if a student can prove analytically that the method works for all cases, and then that student will win the millenial prize!
The student' role will be to test the new "asymptotically preserving" method on a class of "Riemann" problems. Also, it might be illuminating if the student codes up his/her own version of the algorithm.
Research Tasks: Literature review: what has been proved regarding convergence of numerical methods for fluid mechanics?
data collection: as stated above "The student' role will be to test the new "asymptotically preserving" method on a class of "Riemann" problems. Also, it might be illuminating if the student codes up his/her own version of the algorithm. "
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: student needs to know how to computer program or is seriously interested in learning. Also, student should have knowledge of partial differential equations (or is concurrently taking the class).
Mentoring Philosophy
Learning occurs by doing. Practice makes better.from the web:
AI Overview
"Learning occurs by doing" is an educational philosophy famously championed by philosopher John Dewey, asserting that hands-on, active experience and real-world problem-solving build deeper, more permanent understanding than passive listening or reading alone
Additional Information
Link to Publications
More Than a Mispronunciation: African American English and Oral Language Assessment
Language, psychology, children, literacy, speech
Research Mentor: Jordyn Thomas-Velazquez, M.Ed., She/Her
Department, College, Affiliation: Teacher Education, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: jlt25@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Teacher Education, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: jlt25@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: 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:
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: 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:
- Day: Monday, August 31
Start Time: 12:00
End Time: 12:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/6707587475 - Day: Monday, August 31
Start Time: 1:00
End Time: 1:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/6707587475 - Day: Monday, August 31
Start Time: 1:30
End Time: 2:00
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/6707587475 - Day: Monday, August 31
Start Time: 2:00
End Time: 2:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/6707587475 - Day: Monday, August 31
Start Time: 2:30
End Time: 3:00
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/6707587475 - Day: Tuesday, September 1
Start Time: 1:00
End Time: 1:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/6707587475 - Day: Tuesday, September 1
Start Time: 1:30
End Time: 2:00
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/6707587475 - Day: Wednesday, September 2
Start Time: 1:00
End Time: 1:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/6707587475 - Day: Wednesday, September 2
Start Time: 1:30
End Time: 2:00
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/6707587475 - Day: Friday, September 4
Start Time: 12:00
End Time: 12:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/6707587475 - Day: Friday, September 4
Start Time: 12:30
End Time: 1:00
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/6707587475 - Day: Friday, September 4
Start Time: 1:00
End Time: 1:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/6707587475 - Day: Friday, September 4
Start Time: 1:30
End Time: 2:00
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/6707587475
Project Description
Children bring diverse language backgrounds to the classroom, but the assessments used to measure their language and literacy skills do not always account for this variation. For children who speak African American English (AAE), features of their home language may differ from Mainstream American English (MAE), the language variety on which many educational assessments are based. Understanding how these differences interact with assessment is important for accurately interpreting what children know and can do.This project uses existing data from an oral language task administered to children who speak African American English as well as a matched sample of peers who speak the mainstream dialect (N = 500). In the task, participants provide a corrected form of a mispronounced word, where the words are strategically mispronounced as the result of mis-applying the decoding rules of English (e.g., "Wed-ness-day" for Wednesday). We will examine variation in child responses on the task in terms of pronunciation discrepancies between the expected pronunciation based on the mainstream dialect and responses by children who speak AAE. By examining language variation on performance on this task, this project aims to contribute to a better understanding of how children's linguistic backgrounds intersect with the ways language and literacy skills develop and are measured. A better understanding of these differences is important for ensuring that educational treatments, including assessments, are sensitive to the language background of developing children.
Research Tasks: Data processing, data coding, data analysis
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required:
-Basic computer skills and comfort working with digital files
-Strong attention to detail
-Ability to follow detailed coding and data-management procedures
-Willingness to learn new research and data-processing skills
Recommended:
-Experience with Microsoft Excel
-Experience with OneDrive or other cloud-based file management systems
-Comfort working with digital files and learning new software
Mentoring Philosophy
I view mentorship as a collaborative, evolving relationship built on mutual respect, intellectual curiosity, and shared growth. I believe students thrive when they are supported in developing new skills, challenged to think independently, and given opportunities to take ownership of their work. In my mentoring relationships, I want undergraduate research assistants to see themselves as emerging scholars and meaningful contributors to the research process.My approach is to meet mentees where they are and provide the support they need to become increasingly independent. This may mean modeling a new research skill, practicing it together, and providing feedback before gradually stepping back. Beyond mastering research skills, I encourage mentees to ask questions, consider different perspectives, and think critically about the decisions we make and the implications of our research.
Open communication is essential to this relationship. I aim to provide clear expectations and specific, constructive feedback while encouraging mentees to communicate their needs and offer feedback in return. I recognize that mentoring is not one-size-fits-all. I will regularly seek feedback, reflect on my own mentoring practices, and adjust my approach when needed.
I want to understand what each mentee hopes to gain from research and help them work toward those goals. I strive to create an inclusive environment where mentees feel supported while also developing the independence, accountability, and confidence to take ownership of their growth as researchers.
Additional Information
This project includes many tasks that can be completed remotely, so work will take place both in person and remotely throughout the year. Much of the work at the beginning of the project will be completed in person so that I can provide adequate support, guidance, and hands-on training. Once RAs feel comfortable and confident with the project tasks, we can discuss their preferences and determine a work arrangement that best supports both their needs and the project.Link to Publications
Roundtable Session Recording: https://fsu.zoom.us/rec/share/oJ3JWy-YN9Y89KT7IHM0KK5UGM5-GL0irKR_ZQVV6-hN_alk92JRKsKiNo93F8jN.wlKwNAdExjLJjqR1Using Radon as a Geochemical Tracer to Quantify Discrete Flows in Karst Conduits
Geology, Groundwater, Chemistry
Research Mentor: Dr. Ming Ye, he/him
Department, College, Affiliation: Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: mye@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Gavin Wills he/him
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: gjw24@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: mye@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Gavin Wills he/him
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: gjw24@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Geology, Environmental Science, Chemistry, Applied Mathematics
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes 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:
Not participating in the roundtable
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Geology, Environmental Science, Chemistry, Applied Mathematics
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes 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:
Not participating in the roundtable
Project Description
The goal of this project will be to develop an executable method for estimating groundwater input from karst (meaning characteristic of dissolution) aquifer rock (matrix) into submerged caves (conduits). To accomplish this goal, radon concentration, measured at karst windows, will be assessed for the ability to accurately quantify matrix discharge into a conduit. By nature, karst aquifers can be heterogenous regarding both structure and water transport. Due to their heterogeneity, researchers have had limited success accurately quantifying how the flow of groundwater changes across the matrix/conduit boundary. Current estimation methods of matrix discharge rates use differences between measured flow volumes at different locations. These estimations can contain large sources of error which require large distances to mitigate. Previous studies have shown success with using radon to quantify diffuse flows through sediments. This study will aim to adapt riverine theory to karst conduits.This project will consist of two major parts. First, we will review literature to formulate a justifiable, executable plan which then allows us to transition into data collection. Following field data collection, we will interpret our results into a scientifically proven report.
Research Tasks: Literature review
Data collection/analysis
Field work
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Algebra(required)
Basic calculus(recommended)
Basic knowledge of hydrogeology(recommended)
Ability to operate in the field (recommended)
Mentoring Philosophy
My primary goal is making the learning environment a comfortable place to make mistakes. Mistakes are expected and will ultimately lead to greater success as each mistake fosters further learning. I believe that meeting frequently is key to facilitating learning and inquiry. Additionally, a mentoring relationship should be based in mutual respect where both people are willing to learn from the other. I aim to promote critical thinking, inquiry, and accountability by granting the mentee independence and ownership of their work.Additional Information
Link to Publications
Scrolling Into Belief: Processing Fluency as a Mechanism Linking Online Exposure to Stereotype Endorsement[1
Online engagement; social media; stereotyping
Research Mentor: Bayla K Thompson, She/Her
Department, College, Affiliation: Psychology (Social), Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: bkthompson@psy.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Psychology (Social), Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: bkthompson@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: Psychology; Sociology; Communications
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10 hours, 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: Psychology; Sociology; Communications
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10 hours, 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
How can social media shape what we believe about other people? We are examining how extensive exposure to social media may lead people to believe the content of stereotypes about different social groups (e.g., women, Black people). Decades of research show that statements that are easy to process feel true. Repeat a claim, sharpen its contrast, make it familiar, and people rate it as more accurate, regardless of whether it is. We are testing whether the same progression operates for exposure to stereotypes via social media. If a stereotype-congruent portrayal is repeated often enough in a feed, does the resulting sense of cognitive ease get misread as true evidence about a group?Our prior studies established the correlational relationship that chronic online engagement is associated with endorsement of both positive and negative stereotypes about social groups. The current project will experimentally test our theory. Research assistants will help build and validate a set of curated, naturalistic social media feeds that hold format, valence, arousal, and production quality constant while varying only stereotype content and repetition. After pilot testing these social media feeds, we will run research studies that test whether fluency and repetition lead people to believe the content that they see repeatedly on social media. This is a project where research assistants will get to see the entire arc of experimental social psychology from conception to testing. This full-cycle view will facilitate learning about research methods and provide an invaluable lens on the process.
Research Tasks: ● Building the study: (a) conduct targeted literature searches and contribute annotated summaries on fluency, illusory truth, cultivation theory, and stereotype measurement; (b) source and standardize social-media feed stimuli for the experimental feed conditions; (c) assist with coding stimuli by preparing and administering pre-rating surveys for stereotypicality and valence, (d) assist with testing Qualtrics protocols including timing and survey clarity; (e) present a short reading and stimulus-set update at small group meeting.
● Running and interpreting the study: (a) recruit, schedule, and run participants, deliver standardized scripts and debriefings; (b) serve as experimenter during pilot sessions and assist with stimulus revisions; (c) clean, code, and organize data, maintain codebook and documentation (d) assist with reliability coding of open-ended and content-exposure responses (if any); (e) run descriptive and manipulation-check analyses under supervision (R or SPSS); (f) contribute to conference abstracts, poster construction, and presentation at the university research symposium
● Other tasks include: (a) bi-weekly lab meeting attendance and participation; (b) maintain accurate participant and data records; (c) uphold confidentiality and professional neutrality when handling sensitive stereotype content.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: ● Required: (a) completion of introductory psychology and ideally, research methods or statistics; (b) careful, detail-oriented work habits (this project relies heavily on stimulus consistency and clean data); (c) reliability with effective and timely communication as well as consistent attendance at scheduled sessions and lab meetings; (d) clear verbal/written communication which includes reading/summarizing empirical journal articles; (e) professionalism and discretion with sensitive material regarding race and gender with an ability to remain neutral and script-faithful while running participants; (f) willingness to ask questions and say “I don’t know yet”
● Preferred (I anticipate that many of these will be learned during work on the project): (a) familiarity with Qualtrics survey construction; (b) basic R/SPSS/Excel (R preferred) data-management experience; (c) design/media skills like Canva or video editing for stimulus creation; (d) running participants; (e) interest in social cognition, stereotype psychology, media psychology, or intergroup relations
● Dispositional fit: (a) report your mistakes honestly and promptly; (b) ask before you improvise; (c) can tolerate tedium without losing precision (for coding stimuli); (d) curious behind the why; (e) accept feedback as information (not a verdict!); (e) communicative when something slips; (f) handles sensitive material with professionalism
Mentoring Philosophy
No matter the discipline, acquiring new knowledge carries discomfort, and academics understand this challenge all too well. However, with experience, we forget what enduring it felt like for the first time. I hold two core values that embody my drive to mentor; cultivate (1) a passion for research and (2) a growth-oriented environment.First, I want my research assistants to cultivate genuine passion and to not be dissuaded by the potential feelings of rejection and mental load it carries. I model this by sparking interest through personal applicability and creativity, letting mentees engage in a way that most inspirits them. Diverse modes of engagement cultivate intrinsic passion-- the foundation for their future work and a resilient zeal that transcends research’s inevitable failures.
Second, I nurture a growth-oriented environment by empathizing with students new to research. As a graduate researcher still in training, I experience that same discomfort, so I can acknowledge theirs and prioritize transparency about expectations. I demand that my assistants be agentic adults in charge of their own training, while strategizing ways for them to grow at their own pace. This lets me treat mentees as active researchers rather than passive recipients of a new CV line.
Ultimately, my mentees shape both why and how I mentor. I hope to model genuine passion for research and to show that rigor is not compromised by empathy but strengthened by it. My mentorship supports research assistants wholly but does not spare the work or discomfort that growth requires.
Additional Information
Link to Publications
Isometric Handgrip Training as a Novel Strategy to Improve Cerebrovascular Function in Humans
human subjects research, vascular, health, exercise, clinical trial
Research Mentor: Joe Vondrasek,
Department, College, Affiliation: Health, Nutrition, and Food Sciences, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: jdv22e@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Health, Nutrition, and Food Sciences, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: jdv22e@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: Students of any major can be a research assistant for this project. However, students majoring in health science with interests in health, exercise, and medicine are preferred.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: Up to 10 hours per 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
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Students of any major can be a research assistant for this project. However, students majoring in health science with interests in health, exercise, and medicine are preferred.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: Up to 10 hours per 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
Isometric handgrip training is an effective method for lowering blood pressure. Also, isometric handgrip training has been used to improve peripheral (arm) vascular function. Because of this effect, isometric handgrip training and isometric exercise training are generally recommended by national organizations like the American Heart Association. However, no previous work has determined the effect of isometric handgrip training on cerebrovascular function. Cerebrovascular diseases are among the leading causes of death in the United States. Early life vascular function sets the stage for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health outcomes. Thus, there is a need to optimize cerebrovascular health early in life. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine the effect of isometric handgrip training on young, physically inactive adults. Participants in the study will complete eight weeks of isometric handgrip training and complete three training sessions per week.Research Tasks: Tasks will be related to conducting human subjects research. Tasks may include welcoming participants to the laboratory and helping them prepare for the study visit, helping schedule visits, helping maintain accurate data collection forms during participant visits, and helping organize and analyze data. Tasks will not be limited to one of these areas during this project. Students can expect to be involved in hands-on research and may help with new tasks as they gain confidence and experience in the laboratory setting.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required
- Effective communication and bedside manner – students will likely interact with human participants on a regular basis, so it will be expected that students are able to communicate and help participants feel welcomed in a professional laboratory environment.
- Organization - students will significantly contribute to data analysis, so it is imperative to be organized
Recommended
- Experience with Microsoft Office suite (Word, PowerPoint, etc.)
Mentoring Philosophy
My goal as a mentor is to help students achieve their academic and personal goals through hands-on learning experiences. I aim to help students develop a broad understanding of the research process with a focus on working with human participants, so they appreciate the work required to conduct meaningful research. To support this, I strive to create a learning environment where students develop valuable research skills and a growth mindset—one that views failure not as a setback, but as an opportunity to learn and improve. As a mentor, I commit to regular communication, being available when needed, and creating space for open and honest dialogue. I believe these efforts help build mutual trust and reinforce the value of each student’s contribution to the research process. In turn, I expect students to engage actively by being organized, communicating honestly, and showing initiative. A successful mentor-mentee relationship is built on shared responsibility, transparency, and mutual respect. Lastly, I want students to know that science and research can be deeply rewarding—and even fun. As my college wrestling coach used to remind us when we were taking ourselves too seriously in practice, “It’s okay to smile.” I hope to carry that same spirit into my mentoring, encouraging students to enjoy the process as they grow.Additional Information
Students interested in helping with this project should complete the project interest form (https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/BwLCZybr2z). Only applicants who follow the instructions outlined in the form will be considered for the position.Link to Publications
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=4kDD7D4AAAAJ&hl=en&oi=aoAssessing the Impact of Florida Teen Courts
juvenile justice; teen court; restorative justice; criminal justice policy
Research Mentor: Dr. Alexandra Cockerham,
Department, College, Affiliation: Interdisciplinary Social Science, Social Sciences and Public Policy
Contact Email: amg08k@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Dr. James Cockerham
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: jmc09m@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Interdisciplinary Social Science, Social Sciences and Public Policy
Contact Email: amg08k@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Dr. James Cockerham
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: jmc09m@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
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: Yes 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
Number of Research Assistants: 5
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes 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 aims to examine the effects of teen courts on recidivism in Florida by learning how restorative practices and procedures are implemented across teen courts in our state. Teen courts are a diversion program serving as an alternative to processing juveniles through the traditional justice system. The goal of Teen Court is to address the youth’s behavior through peer-driven consequences and support, without involving the juvenile justice system typically assigning rehabilitative measures such as counseling, restitution, curfews, and community service. By focusing on restorative justice and peer accountability, Teen Court helps youth understand the impact of their actions and encourages positive behavioral changes.However despite their common mandate, there is variance in the way the process is implemented across counties. This variance offers the opportunity to learn from restorative practices and procedures and the way that they are implemented. Across Florida, teen court programs vary in the way that they structure their sessions, the involvement of parents in the process, the methods through which volunteers are recruited and trained, the extent of cross-sector collaboration between teen courts and other juvenile justice stakeholders, the types of sanctions typically handed out, the number of times a youth can be admitted for services, and the struggles that they face.
In this project we want to learn more about the best practices across Florida teen court by conducting site visits across several teen courts in Florida and through organizing and analyzing field notes.
Research Tasks: We envision that our research assistant would help work on more of the qualitative components of this project. In addition to conducting a handful of site visits and observations, we also have a collection of field reports from prior site visits that need to be condensed and analyzed for insights.
We hope that our UROP research assistant would conduct site visits, synthesize site visit observations to help us recognize patterns and generate theory, and help us review survey results from a prior survey sent out to county teen courts. Research tasks may involve reviewing relevant literature, compiling descriptive information regarding county level teen courts, visiting teen court, and detailing patterns observed.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Ability to read academic literature, synthesize field reports, and observe teen court
Mentoring Philosophy
My goal as a faculty at FSU is to help students find their passions and realize their potential. Mentors have the power to expose students to new interests and opportunities. In my PhD program, I had the immense privilege to work with mentors that have changed the trajectory of my life just because they believed in me, encouraged me to challenge myself and guided me along the way. I hope to pay this forward to undergraduate students.Additional Information
Link to Publications
https://osf.io/x6qvu/files/c9nqyRobust Statistical Inference for Phase Variability: A Median-Based Approach
Functional Data Analysis, Time Warping Functions, Functional Spatial Median, Centered Log-Ratio Transformation, Robust Hypothesis Testing
Research Mentor: Wei Wu,
Department, College, Affiliation: Statistics, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: wwu@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Statistics, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: wwu@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
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: 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: 1
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: 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
In Functional Data Analysis (FDA), time warping functions are essential for aligning structural features and isolating phase variability, such as the timing of biological growth spurts or the rhythm of a human gait. However, analyzing these functions is mathematically challenging because they inherently reside on a constrained, non-linear manifold. While recent advancements have utilized the Centered Log-Ratio (CLR) transformation to map these functions into an unconstrained Hilbert space to perform Functional Analysis of Variance (FANOVA), these methods rely exclusively on the functional mean. The functional mean is notoriously sensitive to outliers, meaning a single anomalous subject, such as one irregular stride in a biomechanical dataset, can severely distort the estimated phase variation and lead to flawed statistical inferences.To address this vulnerability, this project proposes a novel, robust hypothesis testing framework centered on the functional spatial (geometric) median rather than the mean. Because the geometric median is inherently resilient to extreme outliers, it provides a much more accurate representation of central tendency in messy, real-world datasets. The research will leverage the CLR transformation to project the data into a linear space, compute the functional median, and construct a robust, distance-based test statistic to compare independent populations. By utilizing non-parametric resampling techniques like permutation testing to evaluate statistical significance, the framework's power and robustness against data contamination will be rigorously validated through simulation studies and applied to empirical datasets.
Research Tasks: Literature Review: The student will begin by conducting a targeted literature review focusing on Functional Data Analysis (FDA), time warping functions, and the Centered Log-Ratio (CLR) transformation. Under my direct guidance, they will also study robust statistical methods, specifically the functional spatial median, to build a strong theoretical foundation for the research.
Methodological Framework: In close collaboration with me, the student will help formulate the robust mathematical framework for comparing median warping functions. This will involve mapping the non-linear data into an unconstrained Hilbert space and defining the appropriate distance-based test statistics for population comparison.
Algorithm Development: The student will translate our theoretical framework into computational algorithms, primarily focusing on adapting methods to compute the functional spatial median. I will provide hands-on coding support as we implement non-parametric resampling techniques, such as permutation testing, to evaluate statistical significance.
Data Analysis and Simulation: Once the algorithms are established, the student will execute comprehensive simulation studies to test our method's robustness against artificial outliers, comparing it directly to traditional mean-based tests. Working together, we will then apply this robust framework to analyze empirical datasets, such as biomechanical gait or growth data, to extract real-world insights.
Report Writing and Presentation: The final phase involves synthesizing our findings into a comprehensive research report and a poster presentation for the UROP symposium. I will actively mentor the student through the scientific writing process, helping them structure their arguments, visualize the data effectively, and clearly articulate the project's significance.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Foundational Mathematics and Statistics Background -- Required: To successfully grasp the core concepts of Functional Data Analysis and our proposed methodology, the student must possess a strong quantitative foundation. Specifically, the student is required to have completed basic mathematics and statistics coursework, including Calculus, Linear Algebra, Introduction to Probability, and Introduction to Statistics. This background is essential for understanding the geometric spaces and probabilistic frameworks we will be working with.
Programming Experience (Python or MATLAB) -- Recommended: While I will provide extensive mentorship and hands-on guidance for all computational tasks, prior coding experience in Python or MATLAB is highly recommended. Familiarity with either of these programming languages will allow the student to transition more smoothly into algorithm development, execute simulation studies efficiently, and actively participate in the empirical data analysis phases of the project.
Mentoring Philosophy
My mentoring philosophy is centered on developing a relationship founded on mutual respect, identifying mentees' goals, and encouraging growth through rigorous challenges.Although this UROP position requires a commitment of only 5 to 10 hours per week, my approach is to mentor the undergraduate student using the traditional methods I apply to my graduate students. I believe in giving mentees ownership of their work and promoting accountability early on. The proposed project -- focusing on robust statistics and functional spatial medians -- is conceptually profound yet highly accessible, making it an exceptional fit for an ambitious undergraduate.
I will invest significant, hands-on effort into guiding the student through every phase of the research process. I am committed to creating a safe environment where it is acceptable to fail, debug code, and learn from mistakes, thereby promoting learning through inquiry. By evaluating the mentee’s talents and actively building on them, we will create an interactive environment for learning that bridges the gap between foundational coursework and applied statistical research.
Ultimately, my goal is to balance belief in the student's potential with concrete action and experience. By setting high academic standards and providing unwavering support, I expect our collaborative efforts to culminate in the completion of a graduate-level paper for publication within a year.
Additional Information
Link to Publications
Developing Digital Twin Modeling Framework for Spacecraft Propulsion Systems
Space Propulsion
Research Mentor: Ryan Gosse,
Department, College, Affiliation: MAE, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: rgosse@eng.famu.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: MAE, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: rgosse@eng.famu.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: Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
Electrical & Computer Engineering
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:
Not participating in the roundtable
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
Electrical & Computer Engineering
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:
Not participating in the roundtable
Project Description
Our research group is working on the modeling of space propulsion systems with focus on nuclear electric and thermal propulsion technologies. This project will focus on developing digital twin modeling framework using the NVIDIA Omniverse (https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/omniverse/) development library. UROP students will work with graduate student conducting research on how to integrate high fidelity modeling results into digital twin systems models that flow into a rendered representation of the spacecraft and its subsystems.Research Tasks: 1) Literature review on how NVIDIA Omniverse is used for modeling.
2) Conduct research on how to build a digital twin framework for space propulsion.
3) Work with graduate students to develop digital threads for integrating high fidelity modeling capabilities into the digital twin environment.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: The UROP student should be knowledgeable in Linux operating systems and Python programing language. Preferred knowledge in the Blender software rendering suite or other equivalent programs. Motivated to self learn the NVIDIA Omniverse libraries, APIs, and services for OpenUSD data interoperability.
Mentoring Philosophy
UROP mentoring philosophy will be conducted under a bi-weekly meeting with professor (Gosse) to discus over all vision and progress of UROP tasks. We will also discus UROP students interest in engineering and how they would like to prepare for an aerospace engineering career. UROP students are expected to be engaged weekly with graduate students working on space propulsion research. As the UROP student progresses, they will be expected to document best practices learned for making digital twins in the Omniverse environment.Additional Information
Link to Publications
https://faculty.eng.ufl.edu/aprg/wp-content/uploads/sites/130/2024/03/Nuclear_Wave_Rotor_Bi_Modal_Cycle_for_In_Space_Propulsion___2023_AIAA_SciTech-c.pdfBuilding Florida: Entrepreneurship, Family Business, and Economic Opportunity
family business, entrepreneurship, economic development, public policy, business networks and ecosystems
Research Mentor: Dr. Eric Liguori,
Department, College, Affiliation: Entrepreneurship, Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship
Contact Email: eliguori@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Madisen Britz
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: mab22ba@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators: Dr. Juliana Binhote
Faculty Collaborators Email: Jbinhote@jmc.fsu.edu
Department, College, Affiliation: Entrepreneurship, Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship
Contact Email: eliguori@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Madisen Britz
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: mab22ba@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators: Dr. Juliana Binhote
Faculty Collaborators Email: Jbinhote@jmc.fsu.edu
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 6
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors. Students interested in Business, Entrepreneurship, Economics, Political Science, Public Administration, International Affairs, Family Enterprise, Communications, and/or Sociology may find a particularly strong alignment.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 6-8, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Number of Research Assistants: 6
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors. Students interested in Business, Entrepreneurship, Economics, Political Science, Public Administration, International Affairs, Family Enterprise, Communications, and/or Sociology may find a particularly strong alignment.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 6-8, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
- Day: Tuesday, September 1
Start Time: 12:30
End Time: 1:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/8257454875 - Day: Thursday, September 3
Start Time: 4:00
End Time: 5:00
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/8257454875 - Day: Wednesday, September 2
Start Time: 2:30
End Time: 3:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/8257454875
Project Description
Family businesses, ranging from global giants like Aldi, Samsung, and Mars to the local sandwich shop down the street, are critical drivers of economies at every level. Yet despite their economic importance, our understanding of family businesses remains surprisingly underdeveloped. This is particularly true in Florida, where we know relatively little about the family businesses operating across the state, the challenges they face, or how policymakers and other organizations can better support their continued growth and success.This research project, housed within the LEAD Lab (https://eliguori.com/lead-lab/) in the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, seeks to better understand the role of family businesses across Florida’s economy while simultaneously building stronger connections with Florida’s family business ecosystem. Our goal is to identify and engage family-owned businesses from across the state and learn directly from the entrepreneurs and families who own, operate, and lead them. In doing so, we will also engage policy makers, to learn what they are doing to support this unique population of entrepreneurs. Overall, we hope to generate new insights that can not only advance academic research but also help inform public policy and economic development efforts affecting family-owned businesses in Florida and beyond.
The research will center around a large series of interviews with family business owners and policy makers across Florida. Working as a team, UROP students will help identify family businesses, build a statewide network of potential participants, develop an interview protocol, and conduct interviews. These conversations will explore topics such as the opportunities and challenges associated with family ownership, succession and generational transitions, growth, innovation, family dynamics, and the resources family businesses need to remain successful over time. We will also seek to understand how the regulatory and policy environment affects these businesses and identify opportunities for policymakers to better support their creation, growth, and continuity across generations.
A second, albeit aspirational, component of the project will involve working toward hosting a Family Business Summit in Spring 2027. The goal of the summit will be to convene family business owners and leaders from across Florida for networking and professional development while also creating an additional opportunity for the research team to engage with and learn from this unique population of entrepreneurs.
We anticipate that the resulting dataset will provide a unique perspective on family enterprise in Florida and create opportunities for conference presentations, peer-reviewed publications, practitioner-oriented reports, and policy-focused outputs. Just as importantly, the project is intended to have real-world impact by strengthening connections among Florida’s family businesses and providing evidence that can help entrepreneurs and policymakers alike make better-informed decisions.
Research Tasks: We will kick off the project with a one-day research retreat designed to immerse ourselves in the family business literature, establish our research priorities, and develop a strategic plan for moving the project forward. From there, we will collectively develop our interview protocol while building a database of prospective family business participants from across Florida. Once the interview protocol is finalized, students will begin outreach to family business owners and leaders and move into active data collection. UROP students will receive training in qualitative research and interviewing before conducting interviews themselves. Finally, students will help organize, analyze, and interpret the resulting data to identify common themes, challenges, opportunities, policy implications, and support needs. The ultimate deliverables from the project are expected to include conference presentations, academic publications, and policy recommendations, as well as the development of an ongoing network connecting family businesses across Florida.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required Skills: strong written and verbal communication skills; professionalism and comfort communicating with business owners and other external stakeholders; high attention to detail; reliability and willingness to work collaboratively as part of a research team
Recommended Skills: interest in entrepreneurship, family business, economic development, and/or public policy; critical thinking; collecting and analyzing qualitative data; community engagement
Mentoring Philosophy
This project is part of the LEAD Lab in the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship. The LEAD Lab's mentoring philosophy is rooted in empowering undergraduate researchers to excel in both academic inquiry and practical application. We prioritize collaboration, encouraging students to engage with diverse perspectives and interdisciplinary approaches that reflect the complexities of entrepreneurship. Mentorship at the LEAD Lab focuses on fostering continuous learning, ethical research practices, and entrepreneurial action. By creating an inclusive environment where every student is valued, we aim to inspire the next generation of scholars to contribute meaningfully to both the academic community and society at large. Through this mentorship, students are equipped to transform research into impactful, real-world outcomes.Additional Information
This project will be co-led by JMC Associate Dean Dr. Eric Liguori and Professor Juliana Binhote. Together, they will provide students with mentorship spanning entrepreneurship, family business, research methods, and the translation of academic research into real-world impact.UROP students engaging in this project will become affiliates of the LEAD Lab and be eligible to engage in the lab's other projects, be invited to lab events, and benefit from access to the lab's expansive network of scholars, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and other stakeholders. This project will provide students with a unique opportunity to develop relationships with family business owners and entrepreneurial leaders from across Florida while gaining hands-on experience conducting original research with the potential to inform both scholarship and public policy.
Importantly, the LEAD Lab has a proven track record of helping undergraduate researchers take their work well beyond the classroom. Students participating in Dr. Liguori's last UROP research project presented their work at three different conferences, contributed to a collaborative publication between the International Council for Small Business and the United Nations, and currently have their full academic manuscript under review at a peer-reviewed journal. The LEAD lab is outcome focused with a demonstrated record of helping students jumpstart their academic careers. For students considering graduate school or careers in research, public policy, economic development, entrepreneurship, consulting, or other business-related fields, these experiences can provide a distinctive foundation. Students on this project will not simply study family businesses; they will help build a statewide network, generate new knowledge about an important part of Florida's economy, and work alongside faculty experts to translate that knowledge into research, policy, and real-world impact.
Link to Publications
https://eliguori.com/lead-lab/Supporting Accessibility in Courses through Innovative Implementation of Emerging Technologies and Research-informed Pedagogies
accessibility, a11y, innovation, emerging tech, UDL
Research Mentor: Dr. Ameya Kolarkar, he/his
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida State University, N/A
Contact Email: akolarkar@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida State University, N/A
Contact Email: akolarkar@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: Open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 6, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Number of Research Assistants: 3
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: 6, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
- Day: Tuesday, September 1
Start Time: 3:00
End Time: 4:00
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/94451940334
Project Description
Access for all is important for success for all. Accessibility is a major component of access for all, and is the foundation of our work in the Accessibility Innovations and Emerging Technologies Research Lab (AI+ET RLab). Currently we focus on making courses accessible for low vision/blind students but are taking the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) approach so that whatever we develop works for all students. We work with OAS and several other campus partners and faculty. Listed below are some potential research and development topics.Note that receiving constant feedback from the students with disabilities is a primary feature of our research program; our research assistants (students with various disabilities) are always available to help. You may work on one or more of the following projects (or suggest one if you want to work on something different related to accessibility).
1~ For math and math-heavy courses, converting course material into accessible formats, including braille, using human-in-the-loop AI-assisted tools. If you are passionate about converting your favorite course to a more accessible format, you will have the option to work on it.
2~ Researching and helping with the design and creation of tactile and haptic learning materials, for example, a 3D molecule or a standing wave with braille or audio elements. These objects help not only students with disabilities but all students learn better, and is part of UDL (Universal Design for Learning). We will always implement UDL principles in our work towards the success of all students.
3~ Incorporating innovative and emerging technologies like AR/VR (Augmented and Virtual reality), haptics/sensor-based objects, AI glasses, etc. If you are creative and hands-on (or want to give it a try - many students think they are not creative but they just haven't gotten the opportunity yet!) you may research -- and begin development -- on some newer accessibility technologies. If interested in this project, please make a special request during interview scheduling.
4~ This project involves surveying and interviewing faculty and staff about their awareness of accessibility issues facing students, and available resources for students and faculty, on the FSU campus. This, in turn, will help improve accessibility support for all students and faculty on campus. Students will gain experience with human subjects research, interviewing, and survey methods. If interested in this project, please make a special request during interview scheduling.
We value multiple viewpoints and varied lived-experiences, and so our team is always multidimensional. Whether you are a STEM major or a Humanities/Arts major, or undecided, you are welcome to apply.
Research Tasks: Depending on the project(s) you choose to work on - coding course material, 3D modeling/printing, research and learn about UDL and accessibility features, problem-solving in conjunction with our RAs, (possibly surveys and data collection/analysis, conducting interviews, etc.). It is imperative that you regularly discuss with our low-vision/blind (and possibly other) research assistants (RAs) to get feedback.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required: Communication with students with different abilities. Lots of patience.
Recommended:
generative AI (LLM) use, reading research literature and technical docs
depending on project: computer software (coding, 3D modeling), hands-on skills.