UROP Project | Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement

DexKit: Low-cost Educational Platform for Dexterous Manipulation of a Robotic Arm

Haptics, Robotics, Robot-Human Interfaces

Research Mentor: John Marcial-Manjarres, He/Him
Department, College, Affiliation: Mechanical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: john1.marcial@famu.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: Engineering
Computer Science
Project Location: College of Engineering: AME
Research Assistant Transportation Required: FAMU and FSU buses go from on campus to engineering center
Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 10-20, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:

Day: Friday, September 4
Start Time: 1:00
End Time: 2:00
Zoom Link: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/7696970324?pwd=3G39GIQElBWZjtwEmMC5OK09vOxnbV.1

Project Description

This project seeks to establish a low-cost educational platform to teach robotic dexterity. Current state-of-the-art for robotic hands can mimic the likeness of an actual human hand in both fine movements and force, however not without financial setbacks making these largely inaccessible to students. For this project, the following research questions will drive this study:
1) How can we reach the same performance as state-of-the-art with off-the-shelf components?
2) How do we design a control system with these reduced parameters?
3) How many different human-input methods can we implement into one platform?
This study utilizes resources from collaborators, such as haptic devices, that we can modify for a more robust educational platform and expand what we can teach. We currently have a platform running with a control interface, but we are looking to expand!

Research Tasks: data collection, data analysis, 3D modeling, literature review, programming

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required - Mechatronics Embedded Systems (Arduino, Raspberry Pis, etc), CAD (SolidWorks or Fusion 360)
Recommended - Programming (Python or C/C++)

Mentoring Philosophy

My mentoring philosophy borders on creating a safe environment in which you can fail and learn from your mistakes. For instance, if you do not know how to program, that is fine. I will give you resources that will give a fundamental understanding of how to program, resources in which I used when I was an undergraduate researcher to figure things out on the job. If you are encountering challenges that are stopping you from progressing, I can help you identify the problem, but I want to foster that creativity that comes to problem solving. This takes trial and error, you are going to mess up but you will get better and have more insight further into your career/education.

Additional Information

Link to Publications

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Artificial Intelligence and Predictive Machine Learning in Educational Data Mining for Early Identification of Academic Risk and Instructional Support in Undergraduate Mathematics: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Undergraduate Mathematics Performance, AI-informed predictive machine learning models, Mathematics-specific academic risk, Educational data mining, Instructional support

Research Mentor: Ms. Zhen Zhang, She/Her
Department, College, Affiliation: School of Teacher Education (STE), Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: zz23i@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:

Looking for Research Assistants: Maybe one more
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Preferred: Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science, Computer Science, or other STEM majors.
Open to all majors with strong quantitative skills and proficiency in R and/or Python. Experience with statistical analysis, meta-analysis, data visualization, or machine learning is especially desirable.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required:
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:

Day: Wednesday, September 2
Start Time: 1:00
End Time: 2:00
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/95264900501
Day: Friday, September 4
Start Time: 1:00
End Time: 2:00
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/95264900501

Project Description

This research project investigates the use of artificial intelligence (AI), predictive machine learning models, and educational data mining to support the early identification of mathematics-specific academic risk and instructional decision-making in undergraduate mathematics education. The project includes a systematic review and meta-analysis of existing research on predictive models, student success indicators, model performance, and instructional applications.
The study is IRB-approved, and faculty interviews from FSU Mathematics/ Statistics department have already been conducted as part of the broader research project. Undergraduate RA will support the next phases of the study, which include literature searching and screening, organizing and coding research articles, extracting quantitative data, preparing datasets, assisting with statistical and meta-analytic analyses, and summarizing research findings. Depending on their background and interests, students may also have opportunities to work with R and/or Python, data visualization, and machine-learning-related performance measures.
Through participation in the project, RA will gain hands-on research experience in educational research, quantitative analysis, systematic review methodology, and interdisciplinary applications of AI and data science in undergraduate mathematics education.

Research Tasks: Literature review and article screening; data extraction and coding; organization and cleaning of research datasets; quantitative data analysis; support for systematic review and meta-analysis; analysis of machine-learning performance metrics; preparation of tables, figures, and data visualizations; and synthesis of research findings.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required: Ability to read and summarize academic research articles; basic quantitative/statistical literacy; reliability in following research protocols
Recommended: Experience withPython and/or R ; coursework in statistics, mathematics, data science, computer science, or a related STEM field; familiarity with literature reviews, systematic reviews, data coding/extraction, Excel, or data visualization; and interest in AI, machine learning, educational data mining, or undergraduates' mathematics learning behaviors.

Mentoring Philosophy

I value a supportive, collaborative mentoring relationship built on mutual respect, clear expectations, and open communication. My goal is to create a supportive, interactive environment in which undergraduate researchers develop confidence, critical thinking, and practical experience that can support their academic and professional growth.

Additional Information

Link to Publications

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Following Plastic Pollution Across the Global Ocean: Linking plastic distribution, ocean dynamics, and marine life exposure

Plastic pollution, global ocean, marine life

Research Mentor: Abdul Mobin Ibna Hafiz, He/Him
Department, College, Affiliation: Civil and Environmental Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: ai22h@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: FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Research Assistant Transportation Required: FAMU-FSU Bus Service
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

Plastic particles have become ubiquitous in global ocean, covering from coastal estuaries to the open sea and the poles. These particles are transported in a connected path from land and rivers, through estuaries, and into the open ocean, and once they enter the water, ocean physics govern the transport. Currents, winds, waves, and surface drift carry particles over long distances and concentrate them in accumulation zones such as subtropical gyres and coastal convergence zones. Additionally, human activities also shape where plastics enter and build up, with shipping lanes, fishing grounds, and river mouths acting as major sources. The species most exposed to this pollution are often the ones least able to avoid it, including filter feeders such as oysters that pump large volumes of water and benthic organisms such as crayfish that live in the sediments where these particles settle. My research focuses on how plastic particles move through stormwater and marine systems and how they can be detected and mapped using field, satellite, and modeling approaches. However, research gap remains regarding the global spatial link between where plastics accumulate, the oceanographic and anthropogenic activities that drive that accumulation, and how vulnerable species get affected by this. This project will combine a large global plastic dataset with oceanographic and ship-activity data to map that overlap and to explore how pollution and ocean dynamics together shape habitat exposure for marine life. The aim is to move from knowing that plastics are everywhere toward understanding where the risk to marine habitats is highest and why, which supports better monitoring, restoration, and pollution-reduction decisions.

Research Tasks: 1. Collect and process the data. Compile and clean the NOAA NCEI Marine Microplastics dataset (the provided global dataset of ocean plastic measurements) along with matching oceanographic data from the Copernicus Marine Service (CMEMS), such as surface currents, Stokes drift, wind speed, and sea surface temperature, and global ship-traffic data from Automatic Identification System (AIS) sources. Standardize these datasets to common units, time periods, and a shared map grid so they can be compared directly.
2. Map and characterize global plastic distribution and its drivers. Create maps of plastic concentration by ocean and region, then use straightforward statistics and visualization in to test how concentrations relate to currents, wind, drift, and ship activity. This step identifies accumulation zones and the likely pathways along which plastics travel.
3. Interpret and communicate the findings. Prepare clear figures and a short summary or poster describing where and why marine habitats are most exposed to plastic pollution, and what the results suggest for future monitoring and mitigation.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: 1. Literature review (required)
2. Exploratory Data Analyses (required)
3. Data and result interpretation (required)
4. Map generation (recommended)

Mentoring Philosophy

My mentoring philosophy is grounded in attentive listening, intentional availability, and a commitment to developing independent researchers. I approach each mentee as an individual with distinct goals, strengths, motivations, and barriers. Early in a mentoring relationship, I try to understand what the student hopes to accomplish, what skills they already bring, and where they need structured support. This helps me tailor guidance rather than offer a generic approach.
I believe effective mentorship balances support with ownership. My role is not to solve every problem a mentee may face, but to help them build the judgment, confidence, and accountability needed to solve complex problems themselves. In my previous mentoring experiences with undergrad and masters students, this has meant training students in experimental protocols, explaining the scientific rationale behind each step, and gradually giving them responsibility to adapt methods, troubleshoot, and communicate their findings.
I also value a mentoring environment where questions are welcomed and mistakes are treated as part of learning. Research requires persistence, uncertainty, and revision; students grow when they are challenged in a setting built on mutual respect and constructive feedback. I aim to be accessible and responsive while maintaining clear expectations about communication, timelines, and responsibilities.
Ultimately, I measure successful mentorship by a mentee’s increasing independence. I want students to leave our work together not only with stronger technical skills, but also with greater curiosity, confidence, ethical awareness, and readiness to contribute meaningfully to the scientific and engineering community.

Additional Information

Link to Publications

https://abdulmobinibnahafiz.github.io/

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Measuring Sediment Accumulation of Apalachicola Bay Marshes

wetlands, marshes, sediment

Research Mentor: Dr. Josh Breithaupt,
Department, College, Affiliation: FSU Coastal & Marine Laboratory, N/A
Contact Email: jbreithaupt@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: Environmental Science, Ecology, Geography, Marine Science
Project Location: FSU Coastal & Marine Lab, 3618 US-98, St Teresa, FL 32358
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes
Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 8-10, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable

Project Description

Coastal marshes adjust to rising sea level by increasing their elevation through the accumulation of surface sediments and increased root production. For this project you will assist ongoing work by Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the US Geological Survey measuring change in rates and processes occurring in marshes surrounding Apalachicola Bay. Your specific role will be focused on deploying and retrieving Net Sedimentation Tiles at field sites following by analyzing the sediment in the lab. The research question you will be investigating is whether surface sediment composition and accumulation rates vary by location around the Bay.

Research Tasks: Your research tasks will consist of three phases. In the First Phase, field work will be done in October 2026. Field work will consist of travel with our state and federal research partners to the marsh sites, either by truck or boat. At each site you will collect previously deployed tiles and deploy new ones. The Second Phase of your research will focus on analyzing the sediments at the FSU Coastal & Marine Lab. Lab analyses will consist of measurements for dry bulk density, organic matter content, and Carbon, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus content. The Third Phase will consist of data analysis.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: The research assistant should have a general knowledge of environmental science, marine science, ecology, or physical geography as demonstrated by completion of such coursework in high school or college. Applicants should have strong attention to detail, a positive attitude, a strong work ethic, and enthusiasm for contributing to a supportive and productive lab environment. The student will need reliable transportation to the FSU Coastal and Marine Laboratory (1 hour drive south of Tallahassee).

Mentoring Philosophy

There are three key ideas I focus on in my mentoring approach for new undergraduate researchers. First, I’ve learned the importance of setting and maintaining high expectations. I expect you to work hard, do excellent work, and exceed your own expectations for what you are capable of. Second: mistakes happen and they provide great learning opportunities; we’ll acknowledge mistakes and talk about ways to avoid them, but we’ll also focus on the extraordinary and clever things you’re doing to advance the research. Third, I want to meet regularly and I want you to set the agenda and run the meeting rather depending on me. It’s important for your skills as a researcher to take time to develop and articulate your questions and ideas for which I can give guidance and feedback.

Additional Information

The best way to communicate with me is via email. I will respond to all emails generally within a few hours, and expect students to respond within 24 hours.
We will meet weekly at the FSU Coastal & Marine Lab and discuss progress and project schedules during weekly lab work.
I would like the student to update me weekly about upcoming deadlines and projects in the UROP classrooms. Specifically, I would like to be involved as early as possible in discussing UROP project tasks including development of hypothesis, methods, Abstracts, reference lists etc.

Link to Publications

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=j8OcRBgAAAAJ&hl=en

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Causes, Effects, and Mitigation Strategies of Smartphone Distraction Among FSU Undergraduates

Digital distraction, Undergraduate Students, Smartphone Use

Research Mentor: ln25k@fsu.edu Lizoon Nahar, She/Her/Hers
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida State University, Undergraduate Studies
Contact Email: lnahar@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: 5
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required:
Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5 hours, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable

Project Description

This study will explore smartphone distraction among undergraduate students at Florida State University (FSU), looking at what causes it, how it affects students, and the strategies they use to manage it. Participants will be recruited through snowball sampling, with an online Qualtrics survey link shared among FSU undergraduates. The survey will collect basic demographic information and include open-ended questions asking students to describe what tends to trigger their phone use, how it affects their focus, mood, or academic work, and the strategies they rely on to cope with or reduce it.

Quantitative responses will be summarized using descriptive statistics to help identify patterns in the causes, effects, and mitigation strategies students report. Open-ended responses will be analyzed thematically using NVivo, with the goal of identifying recurring themes in why students get distracted by their phones, how that distraction shows up in their daily lives, and what they do to manage it.

The findings will be shared through a research poster presentation.

Research Tasks: 1. Literature Review
2. Data Collection
3. Data Analysis
4. Presentation on Scholarly Forum
These tasks will help students to practice
APA 7th edition academic writing
Finding and evaluating reliable, peer-reviewed scholarly articles
Conducting effective literature searches using academic databases
Data cleaning and preparation
Quantitative data analysis
Qualitative data analysis
Data management and secure data storage
Thematic analysis using NVivo
Interpretation of research findings
Empirical research writing
Research poster development and presentation
Presenting empirical research in peer-reviewed scholarly platforms

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required skills:
1. Ability to read and understand scholarly, peer-reviewed articles
2. Basic computer and digital literacy
3. Attention to detail and ability to work accurately with data
4. Ability to maintain confidentiality and ethical handling of research data
5. Willingness to learn Qualtrics, NVivo, and statistical analysis tools
6. Effective communication and teamwork skills
7. Interest in learning how to interpret and communicate research findings

Mentoring Philosophy

As an educator with a research background at Florida State University, my mentoring philosophy for the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) is grounded in John Dewey’s principle of learning-by-doing. I view undergraduates as active collaborators capable of driving empirical research. My primary objective is to empower UROP scholars to transition from passive learners into confident, data-driven researchers by providing a supportive, hands-on learning environment.
To build comprehensive scholarly skills, I immerse students step-by-step into the research cycle: conducting literature reviews, managing data collection, performing qualitative and quantitative analysis, and disseminating findings. Throughout this cycle, I directly teach students how to execute academic database searches, evaluate peer-reviewed sources, ensure secure data management, utilize research tools, interpret complex results, and design research posters for scholarly presentations.
Within each stage, I apply a progressive "crawl, walk, run, fly" framework to guide students from novice learners to independent experts. In any given task students begin in the crawl phase by observing and through explicit instruction. They transition to the walk phase as they practice skills under guided supervision, move into the run phase through increasing independence and execution, and ultimately fly as autonomous scholars taking complete ownership of their work.
Even if a student does not reach the "fly" stage across every aspect of the project within the program's timeframe, my overarching goal is to instill a strong growth mindset. I empower scholars to view challenges as learning opportunities, equipping them with resilience, technical confidence, and a lasting commitment to scholarly growth.

Additional Information

N/A

Link to Publications

https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C10&q=lizoon+nahar&oq=Lizoon

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Why Sexual Violence? Understanding Gendered Violence in Armed Conflict

Political Violence; Armed Conflict; Human Rights Sexual Violence; Gender

Research Mentor: Rachel Marriott, she/her
Department, College, Affiliation: Political Science, Social Sciences and Public Policy
Contact Email: rsmarriott@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: Political Science; International Affairs; Criminology; Sociology; Open to related majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote
Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable

Project Description

Why do some armed conflicts experience widespread sexual violence while others do not? This project examines variation in conflict-related sexual violence across civil wars, focusing on how armed-group characteristics, gender norms, organizational practices, and conflict dynamics may shape the use or restraint of sexual violence. The broader goal is to better understand why violence becomes sexualized in some conflicts but not in others.

Research Tasks: The research assistant will assist with literature review, document collection, and data collection on armed groups and civil conflicts. Tasks will include reviewing academic and policy sources, identifying relevant case materials, coding armed-group and conflict characteristics, organizing sources, and assisting with the construction and validation of a cross-national dataset.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required: Strong reading, writing, organization, and attention to detail; ability to work independently and engage professionally with research on sensitive topics.

Recommended: Interest or coursework in political science, international affairs, conflict studies, human rights, or gender; familiarity with Excel/Google Sheets, literature reviews, or basic data analysis. No prior research or coding experience is required.

Mentoring Philosophy

My mentoring philosophy emphasizes creating a collaborative and supportive environment in which students can develop practical research skills while confidence in their research and communication skills. I plan to provide regular feedback and guidance while gradually encouraging greater independence as the student becomes comfortable with the research process. I hope to learn about the student’s academic and professional goals and tailor opportunities accordingly. Ultimately, my goal is for the student to leave the project with stronger research skills, confidence working with academic research, and a meaningful understanding of how political science research develops from an initial question to an empirical study.

Additional Information

N/A

Link to Publications

https://rachelmarriott.github.io

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Bridging the Data Literacy Gap

data literacy, data analysis, instruction, community

Research Mentor: Dr. Nicholas Ruhs , he/him
Department, College, Affiliation: University Libraries , N/A
Contact Email: nruhs@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: 7-8, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:

Day: Wednesday, September 2
Start Time: 3:30
End Time: 4:00
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/92287266083
Day: Friday, September 4
Start Time: 1:00
End Time: 1:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/92772632726

Project Description

This undergraduate research opportunity is part of a project focused on advancing data literacy education for high school and community college students in the Tallahassee area. The project seeks to develop, deliver, and evaluate educational programs that help learners build skills in understanding, interpreting, analyzing, and communicating with data while preparing them for data-intensive academic pathways, careers, and everyday decision-making.

Working closely with the project team, the UROP student will contribute to the evaluation of pilot data literacy workshops by assisting with the development, collection, and analysis of instructional assessment data, including pre- and post-training surveys used to measure learning outcomes. Responsibilities will also include conducting background research on data literacy education, instructional assessment, and evidence-based teaching practices for high school and community college audiences. Additional opportunities include assisting with the development of facilitator guides and instructional materials that support educators in delivering data literacy training.

Participation in this project will provide hands-on experience in educational research, program evaluation, quantitative analysis, literature searching, and curriculum development while contributing to a community-focused initiative aimed at strengthening data literacy skills across learner populations.

Research Tasks: Quantitative data analysis
Data cleaning, organization, and management
Assessment and evaluation of learning outcomes
Literature review

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Recommended:
Willingness to learn new tools or research methods
Ability to work independently and collaboratively
Good communication skills

Mentoring Philosophy

I believe effective mentorship is built on collaboration, mutual respect, and shared learning. Together, we will establish clear goals and expectations that support a positive and encouraging environment where students can develop research skills, learn from challenges, and grow in confidence as scholars and professionals. I view mentorship as a partnership that promotes both personal and professional growth while helping students achieve their academic and career goals.

Additional Information

Link to Publications

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Understanding AI research in accounting education

education accounting AI artificial intelligence

Research Mentor: Chris McCoy,
Department, College, Affiliation: Accounting, Business
Contact Email: cmccoy@wertheim.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 business majors with a strong preference for students majoring in Accounting
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required:
Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:

Day: Wednesday, September 2
Start Time: 12:00
End Time: 1:00
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/6312274864

Project Description

We will explore what we currently know about the use of generative AI in accounting education by reviewing and summarizing the academic literature. We will organize the literature using established frameworks for university teaching and learning and use that structure to identify patterns and gaps in existing research.

From there, we will identify areas that researchers have studied less and explore opportunities for new research. You will gain hands-on experience reading and evaluating academic research, synthesizing findings across studies, and seeing how researchers develop new research questions from the existing literature.

Research Tasks: Literature review leading to other tasks considering the nature of what we discover during the lit review

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required Skills:
Interest in Accounting, AI, and Education
Ability to conduct library and academic database research
Strong reading comprehension

Recommended:
Knowledge of generative AI beyond basic use
Basic familiarity with spreadsheets
Basic knowledge of statistics

Mentoring Philosophy

My approach to mentoring is to help students become more confident and independent while contributing to meaningful research. My role is to provide guidance and support while giving you opportunities to take ownership of your work and develop new skills.
We will begin by discussing your goals, strengths, and areas where you would like to grow. I will provide more direction as you learn the research process and give you greater independence as you become comfortable with the work. We will work through problems together, ask questions, and discuss not only what we find but why it matters.
Research involves uncertainty, false starts, and mistakes. I want you to feel comfortable asking questions, trying new approaches, and learning when something does not work as expected.
My goal is for you to leave the project with a better understanding of academic research, greater confidence in your abilities, and stronger skills in evaluating evidence, asking meaningful questions, and working independently.

Additional Information

Link to Publications

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The Role of Mental Health Resource Utilization in Black Student-Athletes’ Psychological Well-Being: A Study of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Student-Athletes

psychologial well-being, mental health resources, HBCUs, student-athletes

Research Mentor: Ahavah Davis,
Department, College, Affiliation: Educational Psychology and Learning Systems, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: ad20fz@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: Psychology, Athletic Training, Sports Management, Sociology
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required:
Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 7, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:

Day: Wednesday, September 2
Start Time: 6:00
End Time: 7:00
Zoom Link: https://famu.zoom.us/j/98165072497

Project Description

The research project is a study focused on examining the mental health services Historically Black Colleges/Universities (HBCUs) offer and how those various services may be associated with psychological well-being in Black student-athletes.

Research Tasks: literature review, data collection, creation of recruitment materials, data analysis

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Recommened: be able to create flyers and other recruitment materials through Canva, knowledge on how to conduct literature searches independently, some knowledge on statistical procedures and how to use SPSS, knowledge on how to write papers in APA style/formatting

Mentoring Philosophy

To me, mentoring is an essential part of a student's academic experience, and as an undergraduate and now as a graduate student, my mentors have greatly impacted my journey and facilitated my growth. I have gained experience mentoring high school and college students in the context of athletic training, which has helped me grow as a mentor. As a mentor, my goal is to help students become more prepared in their professional goals and aspirations. This starts with understanding these goals and how their work with me can help them achieve them, whether that means gaining more experience conducting research or deeper knowledge of a population they may be passionate about. I believe that mentees have talents and skills that are useful and can continue to be molded throughout their experience. I hope to build a relationship founded on mutual respect, accountability, open communication, and curiosity, ensuring a safe environment where mentees feel comfortable expressing their needs, accepting challenges, and learning from failures.

Additional Information

Link to Publications

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From Awareness to Action: Creating and Evaluating a Multiracial Identity Development Educational Intervention for Multiracial Emerging Adults

Race, Identity, Multiracial, Intervention, Education

Research Mentor: Asia Henry, She/her
Department, College, Affiliation: Educational Psychology and Learning Systems, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: arh16n@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: Psychology
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required:
Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:

Day: Friday, September 4
Start Time: 12:00
End Time: 1:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/my/asiahenry

Project Description

The project is in early development and will consist of the creation of an educational intervention teaching Multiracial emerging adults (ages 18-29) about Multiracial identity options based on Rockquemore and Brunsma's (2002) Multidimensional Model of Biracial Identity. The intervention will be provided over a pre-recorded video that will be created as a part of this project, lasting approximately 30-40 minutes, and include reflections informed by the Transformative Learning Experience framework by Pugh (2011).

Research Tasks: Anticipated research tasks include:
- Finalizing and reviewing literature review
- Filling out IRB form
- Recruitment (creating Qualtrics QR code, flyer creation, flyer distribution)
- Creating the Qualtrics survey (imbedding the video into the survey, adding demographic and variable measure items)
- Recording the intervention video (script will be provided)

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: - Excellent written communication skills (required)
- Time management skills (required)
- Receptivity to feedback (required)

Mentoring Philosophy

As a mentor, I hope to use what I have learned from my research experience to build someone up who practices cultural humility in their everyday work to learn more about themselves and the world around them. I also hope to learn from my mentee about their interests and how their experiences can benefit the research we will work on together. I hope to create a safe space where growth and exploration can merge together in a way that is interesting yet professional. Overall, through this experience, I will connect with my mentee to make sure our goals align, assess understanding, foster independence, and promote professional development. I do not believe in undue micromanaging, and I believe in adapting to my mentees' needs. Throughout the process, I will check in frequently, offer constructive criticism, and ask my mentee to do the same. I believe the mentor-mentee relationship is one where we both grow and develop as researchers and professionals.

Additional Information

Link to Publications

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