UROP Project
Understanding Opioid Use and Mental Health Treatment Strategies in Older Black Adults with Low Back Pain: A Secondary Analysis Using All of Us Database
chronic pain, Older Black Adults, Opioid, Mental Health
Research Mentor: Dr. Kofi Sorkpor,
Department, College, Affiliation: FSU, Nursing
Contact Email: ssorkpor@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators: Dr. Dr. Yijiong Yang
Faculty Collaborators Email: yy22f@fsu.edu
Department, College, Affiliation: FSU, Nursing
Contact Email: ssorkpor@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators: Dr. Dr. Yijiong Yang
Faculty Collaborators Email: yy22f@fsu.edu
Looking for Research Assistants: No
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: Remote via Zoom
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Fully 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:
Not participating in the roundtable
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: Remote via Zoom
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Fully 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:
Not participating in the roundtable
Project Description
This secondary analysis aims to investigate the interplay between opioid use and the treatment of psychological conditions in older Black adults experiencing low back pain (LBP) with comorbid depression and/or anxiety. The study seeks to elucidate how the use of antidepressant and anxiolytic medications correlates with opioid consumption patterns in this population. By analyzing existing data, the research will explore whether effective management of depression and anxiety through psychotropic medications is associated with reduced reliance on opioids for pain control. The findings are intended to inform strategies for integrated pain and mental health management, ultimately contributing to improved treatment outcomes and reduced opioid dependence among older Black individuals with LBPResearch Tasks: Literature review
Data analysis
Report writing
Generating tables
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: REQUIRED:
Attention to detail
Communication skills
Ethical understanding
RECOMMENDED:
Basic understanding of Statistical analysis
Basic Data management
Basic Research skills
Mentoring Philosophy
My mentoring philosophy focuses on empowering mentees through tailored, supportive guidance. I prioritize understanding each mentee's personal and professional goals, talents, and motivations, establishing a relationship built on mutual respect. By evaluating their current understanding and fostering a sense of ownership over their work, I aim to promote independence and accountability. Sharing my own experiences provides practical insights and context, enhancing their learning process. I strive to create an interactive learning environment that encourages growth through inquiry and challenges. Recognizing what motivates each mentee allows me to align my support with their interests and needs. Additionally, I ensure that mentees feel safe to make mistakes and learn from them, ultimately helping them develop resilience and achieve their full potential. This approach is designed to facilitate both their immediate success and long-term development.Additional Information
Link to Publications
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8737-0095Analyzing HIV/AIDS Disparities by Nativity: Insights from All of Us Data among Black individuals in the United States
HIV/AIDS, Disparities, Nativity, Black Individuals, Socioeconomic Factors
Research Mentor: Dr. Kofi Sorkpor,
Department, College, Affiliation: FSU, Nursing
Contact Email: ssorkpor@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators: Dr. Yijiong Yang
Faculty Collaborators Email: yy22f@fsu.edu
Department, College, Affiliation: FSU, Nursing
Contact Email: ssorkpor@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators: Dr. Yijiong Yang
Faculty Collaborators Email: yy22f@fsu.edu
Looking for Research Assistants: No
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: Remote via Zoom
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Fully 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:
Not participating in the roundtable
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: Remote via Zoom
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Fully 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:
Not participating in the roundtable
Project Description
This project aims to investigate HIV/AIDS disparities among Black individuals in the United States, focusing on differences based on nativity (US-born vs. non-US-born). Despite representing a small percentage of the US population, Black individuals experience disproportionately high rates of HIV/AIDS diagnoses. Using data from the All of Us Researcher Workbench (2018-2023), this cross-sectional study will compare HIV/AIDS diagnosis rates between US-born and non-US-born Black adults, analyzing the impact of nativity alongside demographic and socioeconomic factors. The study will employ statistical methods to assess differences in diagnosis rates and identify underlying factors contributing to these disparities. Findings will provide insights into how nativity and other characteristics influence HIV/AIDS outcomes and inform targeted interventions to address these disparities.Research Tasks: Literature review
Data analysis
Report writing
Generating tables
drafting manuscript
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Attention to detail
Writing
Communication skills
Ethical understanding
RECOMMENDED:
Basic understanding of Statistical analysis
Basic Data management
Basic Research skills
Mentoring Philosophy
My mentoring philosophy focuses on empowering mentees through tailored, supportive guidance. I prioritize understanding each mentee's personal and professional goals, talents, and motivations, establishing a relationship built on mutual respect. By evaluating their current understanding and fostering a sense of ownership over their work, I aim to promote independence and accountability. Sharing my own experiences provides practical insights and context, enhancing their learning process. I strive to create an interactive learning environment that encourages growth through inquiry and challenges. Recognizing what motivates each mentee allows me to align my support with their interests and needs. Additionally, I ensure that mentees feel safe to make mistakes and learn from them, ultimately helping them develop resilience and achieve their full potential. This approach is designed to facilitate both their immediate success and long-term development.Additional Information
Link to Publications
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8737-0095Psychosocial and Lifestyle Predictors of Neurobehavioral Function of Adolescents with Neurofibromatosis Type 1: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study
psychology, sleep, physical activity, cognition, behavior
Research Mentor: yang.hou@med.fsu.edu Yang, Dr.
Department, College, Affiliation: Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine, Medicine
Contact Email: yang.hou@med.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Julia Moreira
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: julia.moreira@med.fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine, Medicine
Contact Email: yang.hou@med.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Julia Moreira
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: julia.moreira@med.fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: No
Number of Research Assistants: 4
Relevant Majors: It is open to all majors, but the most relevant majors are psychology, human development, education, and premed students.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10 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: 4
Relevant Majors: It is open to all majors, but the most relevant majors are psychology, human development, education, and premed students.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10 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
Most NF1 neurobehavioral research has focused on comparing individuals with and without NF1 and assessed neurobehavioral function at one time using traditional psychological measures in the clinic or lab. We know little about how neurobehavioral function varies across contextual factors in the daily lives and natural living environments of individuals with NF1. This critical knowledge gap impedes the development of interventions to improve the neurobehavioral function of individuals with NF1. The proposed study will address this critical gap by examining how psychosocial factors (e.g., parenting, social support, coping strategies) and lifestyle factors (physical activity, sleep) are related to neurobehavioral (cognitive, behavioral, emotional) function in the daily lives of adolescents with NF1. The project team will collect rich data on neurobehavioral function and its potential predictors from adolescents with NF1 (ages 13-19 years) in real-time and real-world environments using ecological momentary assessment and Fitbit activity trackers. Multilevel modeling will be used to analyze the data. Findings from the study will be critical for patient management and developing interventions to improve neurobehavioral function and overall quality of life among adolescents with NF1.Research Tasks: • Literature search
• Collecting data from participants
• Cleaning and analyzing data
• Students with outstanding performance will have the opportunity to be promoted to be team leaders for various tasks
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required: Great communication and interpersonal skills; Great time management skills.
Recommended: Interested in going to graduate school or medical school; have basic data management or analytical skills.
Mentoring Philosophy
I work hard to promote students’ positive development and help them achieve their aspirations, with great attention to individual student needs. I communicate with students regarding their research interests and professional goals and offer them training options that are particularly relevant to their ultimate career aspirations. I have weekly lab meetings and always respond to students’ needs timely. I have provided mentorship for over 50 undergraduates and over 10 graduate students from various scholarly disciplines and social backgrounds (e.g., ethnic minorities, immigrants, first-generation college students, and international students) in the past years. These students received training on literature searches, data collection, data management and analysis, academic writing and presentation, and/or grant/fellowship applications. I support students with all my efforts in applying for scholarships, graduate programs, internships, and jobs.Additional Information
Link to Publications
https://med.fsu.edu/houlab/homeFabrication of Silicon Carbide Nanocomposites for Extreme Environment
Nanomaterials, microstructure, mechanics, electrospinning
Research Mentor: Jizhe Cai,
Department, College, Affiliation: Mechanical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: jc23dc@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Mechanical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: jc23dc@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: No
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Mechanical engineering, industrial & manufacturing engineering.
Project Location: FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes 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
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Mechanical engineering, industrial & manufacturing engineering.
Project Location: FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes 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
The overall objective of this project is to provide a fundamental understanding of the dynamic mechanical behaviors and failure mechanisms of Silicon Carbide (SiC) nanocomposite under high-velocity impacts and achieve the optimal design of SiC-based materials for various extreme engineering applications. We will formulate a comprehensive understanding of how structural features and material properties at hierarchical size scales influence the impact resistance of SiC nanocomposite and provide critical insights towards the development of impact-resistant material systems for extreme engineering applications.Research Tasks: Literature review, hands-on experiment, data collection, data analysis.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Literature Review: required.
Data Collection and Analysis: recommended.
Laboratory skills: required.
Time management: required.
Problem-Solving: required.
Mentoring Philosophy
As a mentor, in addition to providing necessary academic guidance and support, I always focus more on cultivating a positive relationship with my student built out of mutual respect and personal connection. By getting to know their academic, personal, and career pursuits in a relaxed environment, I can advise them in a more specific way that meets their best personal interests. I always share my own stories about my academic journey with my students, especially failures I have experienced, which helps them to be more prepared for incoming challenges and avoid the same mistakes during their own careers. I believe, based on my profound experience of teaching and mentoring, I could successfully fulfill my mentoring philosophy and effectively contribute to the education goals of FSU to educate engineering students and make them fully prepared for solving the emerging global engineering challenges with knowledge and hands-on experience they gained.Additional Information
Link to Publications
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=pG99z7gAAAAJ&hl=en(1) Music Therapy, military, & trauma: A scoping review
Systematic Review, music therapy, truama, military
Research Mentor: Dr. Gooding Lori Gooding, She/her
Department, College, Affiliation: Music (Music Therapy), Music
Contact Email: lgooding@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators: Ms. Langston Diane Langston She/her
Faculty Collaborators Email: deg10d@fsu.edu
Department, College, Affiliation: Music (Music Therapy), Music
Contact Email: lgooding@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators: Ms. Langston Diane Langston She/her
Faculty Collaborators Email: deg10d@fsu.edu
Looking for Research Assistants: No
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Music Therapy
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5, 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: Music Therapy
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5, 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
For this project, we will be conducting a scoping review (a type of systematic review) that seeks to identify and map the available evidence on music therapy, military, and trauma. Scoping reviews involve exploring various types of published data to determine what is currently known about a topic and identifying gaps in the literature. The results from the research help researchers better understand what exists and help determine some possible next steps regarding research in the topic area.Because this research does not involve working with people, no IRB approval is needed. The UROP student would not need to complete CITI training to participate in this project.
Research Tasks: If you are selected to work on this project, you will help the researchers with a variety of tasks. These tasks include things like literature review, collecting data, and organizing data. The tasks will change across the project based on the stage that the project is in.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: To be successful in working on this project, you will be required to communicate regularly, organize your work, work independently under supervisor guidance, manage your time, and be able to take and implement feedback. It is also recommended that you have experience with various types of technology, including use of Word, Excel, databases such as Web of Science, and apps like Covidence.
Mentoring Philosophy
As a mentor, I intentionally strive to build relationships based on trust, respect, and collaboration with the goal of fostering students' personal and professional growth. To help us reach this goal, I use a student-centered, integrated approach. This involves strategies such as (1) making myself available for formal/informal meetings, (2) providing formal/informal feedback, (3) creating opportunities for individual/group discussion, (4) modeling professional engagement, (5) individualizing guidance for students in a culturally responsive, developmentally appropriate way that considers their unique needs, (6) connecting students with other professionals for additional mentorship, (7) challenging students to think critically, and (8) providing a variety of supports that encourage professional development.Additional Information
Link to Publications
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=b0TXWm8AAAAJ&hl=enMeasuring Frustration in Dating: Scale Development
Frustration, Dating, Scale
Research Mentor: Ava Joy Cockey, She, her, hers
Department, College, Affiliation: Human Development and Family Sciences, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: ajc23h@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Human Development and Family Sciences, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: ajc23h@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: No
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: HDFS, Psychology, Sociology.
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:
Not participating in the roundtable
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: HDFS, Psychology, Sociology.
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:
Not participating in the roundtable
Project Description
The study is examining the relationship between frustration and dating and facilitate the development of a new scale measuring frustration in dating. The study also includes previously developed scales on loneliness and rejection to collect additional data on this population’s experience of loneliness and rejection. This will be done by measuring these variables using questionnaires. Data will be collected at two-time points via surveys.Research Tasks: The researcher's tasks will include data collection and organization, as well as study advertisement.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required: Time-management and organization skills.
Recommended: Working well with a team, advertisement skills, and ability to engage with others.
Mentoring Philosophy
When mentees' finish working with me, I want them to be able to use the tools and skills they have learned and developed in the real world. As a research mentor, an important goal of mine is for mentees' to be able to apply what they have learned in a meaningful way to help them meet their future goals. This is why I believe it is important to have a dedicated space and time when students can ask questions about both their research project and professional development.Additionally, my mentoring philosophy emphasizes the importance of building a safe space where mentees' feel able to learn without judgement and feel mutual respect. It is important to me that I emphasize that part of the learning process is making mistakes, and mentees' should not be blamed or judged for what they do not know. However, it is a mentees' responsibility that when they make a mistake or learn a new thing, they are able to be corrected and learn how to implement a change going forwards. Successful mentoring and teaching means students feel safe making mistakes and are able to learn from those mistakes in a judgement-free environment.
Finally, it is important that I help instill a sense of ownership into mentees and that they feel pride in the work they are doing. To do this, mentees' must be held accountable for the work they produce and be held to high standards. With great power comes great responsibility.
Additional Information
Link to Publications
Shared Book Reading in Early Childhood: Are Books a Rich Source of Input for Language Learning?
language acquisition, early childhood, text corpus, shared book reading
Research Mentor: Rebecca Vasile, she/her/hers
Department, College, Affiliation: School of Teacher Education, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: rvasile@fcrr.org
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: School of Teacher Education, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: rvasile@fcrr.org
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: 2010 Levy Avenue, Suite 100 Tallahassee FL 32310
Research Assistant Transportation Required: The Seminole Express comes to IN (Innovation Park) where the lab is located during the Fall and Spring semesters. Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: 2010 Levy Avenue, Suite 100 Tallahassee FL 32310
Research Assistant Transportation Required: The Seminole Express comes to IN (Innovation Park) where the lab is located during the Fall and Spring semesters. 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 current study builds on an existing body of research that states that the language in books is unique when compared to the everyday speech children hear (Cameron-Faulkner and Noble, 2013; Dawson et al., 2021; Montag et al., 2015). While these studies have shed important light on the unique contributions of book language, there are important weaknesses with these studies that are worth considering. The first one being the selection of books being examined. All three corpora used picture books that came from parent recommendations, book review websites, and librarian recommendations. This selection process lacks ecological validity that would come from parent or teacher reports or observations of books they had read to their child(ren). The final weakness of the current corpus work with early childhood picture books is the lack of examination of genre and how this impacts the lexical diversity of a book. If a larger goal of this work is to better understand the stimuli children experience and how it influences their learning, we need to analyze stimuli that most closely resembles what children experience. This study addresses both limitations by analyzing books that we observed early childhood teachers reading in their classrooms and by including genre in analyses of book language.Research Tasks: Data collection: here data collection consists of transcribing the text in books, scanning the books for later reference, and collecting secondary data about the books (i.e., author, publisher, publication year, award status, etc).
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: It is recommended that the student working on this project is detail oriented, self directed, and has effective time management skills.
Mentoring Philosophy
“A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself” - Oprah Winfrey. I find mentorship to be the most rewarding part of my work. Mentorship is important because it provides a gateway to more information that a mentee may otherwise not know about. Mentors can actively be the person to either help push on a door or even open it wide for the right person. I see part of the job of mentoring as helping my mentees figure out more about themselves in the process of working together. This is true whether the mentee is interested in my work or a completely different path.Generally, I want to provide an open, inclusive, and flexible environment for my mentees. This means building a relationship based on trust that includes open and effective communication that fosters independence and promotes professional development. To help achieve a successful mentorship relationship, I will make myself readily available, maintain open and honest communication along with consistent meetings to ensure that we are on the same page with expectations and goals.
Additional Information
Link to Publications
Spatial Navigation Skills in Schizophrenia – A Meta-Analysis.
meta-analysis, psychology, schizophrenia, spatial navigation, cognition
Research Mentor: Dorota Kossowska-Kuhn,
Department, College, Affiliation: Psychology, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: kuhn@psy.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Psychology, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: kuhn@psy.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: No
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors.
Project Location: Zoom
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Fully 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:
Not participating in the roundtable
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors.
Project Location: Zoom
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Fully 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:
Not participating in the roundtable
Project Description
Meta-analysis is a quantitative research design that synthesizes results from multiple studies of a particular topic, and analyses the statistical significance of these compiled results to estimate a standardized effect size. In this study, we are examining the differences between people with schizophrenia and healthy controls in regard to spatial navigation skills.Spatial navigation is a conglomeration of skills that are used to orient and navigate in daily life. Our previous research has shown that spatial navigation performance is an indicator of Alzheimer’s Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment. We are investigating schizophrenia now to see if spatial navigation impairments are dementia specific.
In this project, you will learn about and become familiarized with scientific literature, data extraction, and the nature of systematic research.
Research Tasks: Tasks range from screening through relevant literature, extracting relevant data (coding), and other miscellaneous tasks such as scientific database navigation.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: All the hardworking and motivated students are welcome.
Mentoring Philosophy
My mentoring philosophy revolves around empowering undergraduate students to excel in their project work through a combination of ownership, accountability, shared experience, and interactive learning. I believe in fostering an environment that nurtures their growth and encourages independent thinking.I emphasize giving mentees ownership of their work by involving them in project decisions, from goal setting to execution. This not only bolsters their confidence but also instills a sense of responsibility for their outcomes. I promote accountability by setting clear expectations and milestones, enabling them to track their progress and take pride in their achievements.
Drawing from my own experience, I share stories of challenges and successes, illustrating the real-world applications of their efforts. This bridges the gap between theory and practice, enhancing their understanding and motivation. I also encourage open dialogue, where questions and ideas are welcomed, creating an interactive platform for collaborative learning.
I understand that each student is unique, with varying skills and aspirations. To accommodate this, I tailor my guidance, offering guidance that aligns with their interests and goals. I provide resources, recommend reading materials, and suggest relevant workshops, fostering holistic development.
In conclusion, my approach to mentoring undergraduates centers on nurturing their autonomy, cultivating responsibility, leveraging shared experiences, and fostering an interactive learning ecosystem. By doing so, I aim to not only support their immediate project objectives but also to equip them with lifelong skills for success.
Additional Information
Link to Publications
The routes not taken: Causal effects of transit on real estate
transit; housing; built environment;
Research Mentor: Dr. Amber DeJohn, she/her
Department, College, Affiliation: Geography, Public Health, Social Sciences and Public Policy
Contact Email: amber.dejohn@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Dr. Matthew Suandi he/him
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: Matthew.Suandi@FHFA.GOV
Faculty Collaborators: Dr. Matthew Palm he/him
Faculty Collaborators Email: palmmatt@unc.edu
Department, College, Affiliation: Geography, Public Health, Social Sciences and Public Policy
Contact Email: amber.dejohn@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Dr. Matthew Suandi he/him
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: Matthew.Suandi@FHFA.GOV
Faculty Collaborators: Dr. Matthew Palm he/him
Faculty Collaborators Email: palmmatt@unc.edu
Looking for Research Assistants: No
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Economics, Geography, Computer Science, Statistics, Civil Engineering, Urban Planning, or related majors (required skills more important)
Project Location: N/A
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 7-10, 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: Economics, Geography, Computer Science, Statistics, Civil Engineering, Urban Planning, or related majors (required skills more important)
Project Location: N/A
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 7-10, 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
This project studies the housing market effects of transit development; specifically, we consider four openings and expansions of light rail and rapid transit lines across the United States since 1999. Reverse causality is the fundamental problem affecting the credibility of estimates of the returns to transit spending. In determining where lines are to be drawn and stations are to be placed, urban planners incorporate political considerations that are likely to be associated with property values and expected changes in property values. Hence, our empirical approach leverages a quasi-experimental difference-in-differences analysis to document the key research question of the capitalization of fixed guideway public transit investments into real estate prices and trends.Research Tasks: - Geocode light rail transit alternatives for all transit projects (for which we have documentation) from the last 25 years
- Assist with data pulling and management (e.g., LODES data from the BLS; road network data from OSM)
- Assist with data checks / quality assurance
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required:
- GIS (ArcGIS/ArcPro/ArcGIS Online - software license provided by team)
- Coding (R, STATA, Python, Shell preferred; R and/or STATA sufficient)
- Strong attention to detail and ability to resolve issues independently
Mentoring Philosophy
As a research mentor, I believe in fostering a collaborative environment that encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and the open exchange of ideas. My role is to guide and support mentees in developing their skills and confidence, empowering them to become independent researchers. I prioritize open communication, mutual respect, and a growth mindset, recognizing that mistakes are valuable learning opportunities. I am committed to providing personalized mentorship, adapting to meet each student's unique needs and goals. In doing so, I hope to encourage students to feel a sense of ownership in the research and foster a passion for geographic inquiry.Additional Information
As a researcher on this project, you will have opportunities to work with world-class researchers in the federal government and academia. The student researcher will be working directly with Dr. DeJohn and Dr. Suandi, and occasionally with Dr. Palm at UNC-Chapel Hill. This is a time sensitive project, so adherence to deadlines is critical. Do not apply if your fall term is already busy.Link to Publications
Molecular Impacts of Chronic Sleep Restriction
Sleep, mice, RNA, molecular, neuroscience, hippocampus
Research Mentor: Dr. Lisa Lyons,
Department, College, Affiliation: Department of Biological Science, Program in Neuroscience, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: lyons@bio.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Natalie Storch
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: nstorch@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Department of Biological Science, Program in Neuroscience, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: lyons@bio.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Natalie Storch
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: nstorch@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: No
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Neuroscience, Biology, Biochemistry, BMS
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 10, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Neuroscience, Biology, Biochemistry, BMS
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 10, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable
Project Description
Sleep fragmentation and chronic insomnia are significant public health concerns that affect millions of children, teenagers and adults. Sleep fragmentation impairs learning and cognitive performance, increases disease risk for many diseases, and aggravates neurological disorders. We are interested in the neural and molecular consequences of chronic sleep restriction. We seek undergraduate research assistants to help investigate the impacts of chronic sleep restriction in a mouse model.Research Tasks: Student will be assisting with chronic sleep restriction experiments including animal monitoring and tissue collection. Student will need to complete training necessary for working with animals on an animal care protocol. Student will be responsible for checking on animals when assigned, assisting with sleep restriction and maintaining accurate records of weight and behavior. Student will also be expected to learn basic molecular skills in the laboratory in preparation for assisting with molecular experiments. Student will also help with lab maintenance, be expected to read assigned literature, and attend weekly lab meetings. This project requires all in person work.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Strong background in biology and neuroscience. Pipetting experience required. Recommended: experience with solution making.