UROP Project | Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement

Educational Analytics, Student Performance Monitoring, Learning Management System, learning Analytics

Research Mentor: jm22cf@fsu.edu Jean Baptiste MBANZABUGABO, JB
Department, College, Affiliation: Department of Educational Psychology & Learning Systems, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: jm22cf@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: At least one candidate should come from computer programming and applications, computer science, information and communication technology (ICT), information technology majors.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required:
Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 10,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Not participating in the Roundtable

Project Description

With the growing shift towards online education, educators/instructors/professors face significant challenges in effectively monitoring and supporting student progress. The current learning management systems (LMS) like Canvas offer basic tracking capabilities, but they fall short in providing comprehensive, real-time analytics and feedback mechanisms that can help educators identify at-risk students and tailor their support. The lack of detailed, actionable insights into student engagement and performance makes it difficult for professors to intervene early and effectively. There is an urgent need for an integrated system that enhances the capabilities of existing LMS platform by providing detailed analytics, automated notification, and intuitive dashboards to better support student success in online environments. {Mo detail to be provided}
Objective: Create a system to be integrated with Canvas that provides comprehensive monitoring and analytics on students' progress in online classes.

Research Tasks: 1. Conduct a thorough review of existing research (at least 10 ABs) on learning management systems (LMS), with a focus on analytics, student performance monitoring, and real-time feedback in online education.
2. Identify and analyze other educational platforms and tools that provide student progress tracking and analytics and compare the features of these tools with those of Canvas, focusing on their effectiveness in monitoring student performance.
3. Document the specific requirements and design document for the new system.
4. Assist in the design and development of a prototype system that will be integrated with Canvas.
5. Conduct user testing with educators and sample students to assess the effectiveness and usability of the new system and document the findings.
6. Prepare a Poster presentation /Showcase

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Basic research method
System analysis
Ability to quickly grasp and apply new technologies (Tech Savviness)
Experience with user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design
PHP, Python & machine learning
Working with Application Programming Interfaces
Data Management

Mentoring Philosophy

I will play a pivotal role in guiding students through the project. This includes helping them navigate new technologies, encouraging self-learning, fostering collaboration, and providing tips and feedback. I will also facilitate the training to understand the actual development needed. My approach to mentoring is rooted in the belief that effective guidance is both a partnership and a shared journey, where both mentor and mentee grow together.
I am committed to support the growth and success, both in the context of this project and in their broader career development.

Additional Information

Who is Jean Baptiste Mbanzabugabo?
He is a PhD student in Instructional Systems and Learning Technologies within the department of Educational Psychology and Learning Systems at the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, a Master of Computer Applications, a Master of Science in Software Engineering, and a Doctor of Science in Computer Science. Prior to joining FSU as ISLT PhD Student, he served as a Senior Lecturer and Dean of the School of Computing and Information Technology at the University of Kigali.

Link to Publications

orcid.org/ Researcher ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9996-4480

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Reading, Early Childhood, Elementary Schools, Data Collection, Data Analysis, Mixed Methods

Research Mentor: Dr. Denise L. Dennis, she/her
Department, College, Affiliation: FCRR, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: DLDennis@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators: Dr. Jenny Root
Faculty Collaborators Email: jrroot@fsu.edu

Looking for Research Assistants: No
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors- more relevant for education, psych, com/dis, ed leadership, etc.
Project Location: FSU campus and possibly various local schools
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes
Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 7 hours,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Tuesday, September 3rd, 3:00-3:30 pm https://fsu.zoom.us/my/dldennis
Wednesday, September 4th, 7:30-8:00 pm https://fsu.zoom.us/my/dldennis
Thursday, September 5th, 2:00-2:30 pm https://fsu.zoom.us/my/dldennis
Friday, September 6th, 4:30-5:00 pm https://fsu.zoom.us/my/dldennis

Project Description

We are conducting a muti-phase mixed methods study of how UFLI, an early literacy reading program, has been implemented in local elementary schools. UFLI is a literacy curriculum meant for Kindergarten -2nd grade students from the University of Florida that has taken the education world by storm. It is being implemented in a wide variety of way across the nation and internationally (Australia in particular). Additionally, we are investigating the role that a research practice partnership with this district played in supporting this implementation. This study provides opportunities to learn about qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods designs.

Research Tasks: tasks associated with data collection and analysis, attend meetings, support the literature review process.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: All required-
attention to detail
timeliness
knowledge of Google and Microsoft tools
communication skills
clerical skills
willingness and desire to learn

Mentoring Philosophy

As a researcher, I believe that team science creates a better final outcome. Mentoring provides an opportunity to co-create trusting, respectful, relationships that foster growth, development of self-determination skills, and improve the quality of research. I think it is critical to work with mentees to support them in developing skills that they value. Self-discipline and attention to detail are important when setting and meeting timelines and priorities, so working collaboratively to establish timelines and expectations, and learning why bringing your whole self to your work makes for a richer more complex experience. As a mentor, I value diversity, communication, willingness to fail forward, and an understanding of the immense responsibility and rewards that come with being entrusted to work with participants for the purpose of research. Mentees should have the opportunity to explore areas of interest, build knowledge about research, and develop a sense of pride in their accomplishments. Mentoring can provide a facilitated exploration into areas of research that mentees have had little to no experience with previously and an introduction to research topics that they may not have the opportunity to discover independently. Ultimately, co-creating knowledge is the goal of both research and mentoring, and collaboration makes our research and us all better.

Additional Information

Link to Publications

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3D scanning, web design, geology, fossils, minerals

Research Mentor: Scott Evans, He/Him
Department, College, Affiliation: Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: sde22b@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators: Matther Hunter, Digital Scholarship Librarian
Faculty Collaborators Email: mhunter2@fsu.edu

Looking for Research Assistants: No
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Advertising (Communication); Anthropology; Art History; Classical Archaeology; Communication (Digital Media Production); Computational Science; Entrepreneurship; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Science; Environmental Science Policy; Environment and Society; Exploratory; FSU-Teach (Applied Geosciences); FSU-Teach (Environmental Sciences); Geology; Geosciences; Information, Communication & Technology; Information Technology
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes
Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 8-10,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Tuesday, September 3rd at 3pm: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/93348369282
Wednesday, September 4th at noon: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/97698407899

Project Description

Using state-of-the-art 3D scanners and other digitization methods, this UROP candidate will perform a series of projects to create virtual content for materials held by the EOAS department. Possible materials to be digitized are broad ranging and include the extensive Mineral, Biological and Fossil specimens of the Cowart collection on display in the EAOS building. Digitized content will be used in a variety of settings including classroom instruction, web-based exhibit displays, interactive digital museum experiences, and more. In consultation with the Digital Scholarship Librarian, Matthew Hunter, and Dr. Evans, the UROP student will learn how to identify and select candidate materials for digitization, 3D scanning and model editing techniques, web development, digital exhibit construction, and more. This effort will build upon prior work of digitization and specimen identification viewable on the project website https://eoascollections.create.fsu.edu/. This project will mainly explore the capabilities of the various digitization techniques such as 3D scanning, photogrammetry, and 3D modelling, for the purposes of teaching, engagement, and outreach. Opportunities will also be presented within this context to learn more about the specimens themselves and develop outreach material. Students from any earth or environmental science major, anthropology, archaeology, or IT related fields will especially benefit from experience on this project, as it will engage with emerging research methodologies.

Research Tasks: - Environmental scan and literature review of example digital exhibits featuring geologic and biologic specimens
- Digitize (3D scanning, photogrammetry, etc.) EOAS collection materials (fossils, minerals, marine biota, etc.)
- Develop teaching materials and learning modules that utilize digitized materials, in consultation with faculty instructors of introductory courses
- Develop and build digital exhibits and interactive web tools around digitized materials
- Research and communicate information regarding specimen identification, background and significance
- Outreach and communication of scientific information

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: - Web development - recommended
- Web design - recommended
- Photography experience – recommended
- 3D modelling experience – recommended
- Geology/paleontology research experience – recommended
- Archaeology/excavation experience – recommended

Mentoring Philosophy

This project is open ended – there is an extensive amount of material that can be digitized and various effective methods for presenting the content produced. Thus, mentoring will begin with an evaluation of the selected student’s skills and interests. Mentors and will work with the mentee to create a work plan that best fits them with the goal of empowering the mentee and creating a sense of ownership over the final product(s) produced. The mentee is expected to develop a work schedule and organization strategy that best suits their abilities. Regular meetings will be scheduled on a weekly to bi-weekly basis for project updates, and mentors will generally hold an open-door policy for additional reports and other inquiries. We will work to create a safe learning environment that encourages growth of the mentee and offers opportunities for learning beyond the general goals of the project.

Additional Information

Link to Publications

https://eoascollections.create.fsu.edu/

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Transition planning, self-determination training, young adults with disabilities

Research Mentor: Dr. Janae Duclos,
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida State University, College of Education, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: jduclosfrancois@fcrr.org
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: 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 a week,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Not participating in the Roundtable

Project Description

The primary purpose of this study is to examine the effects of enhanced self-determination instruction using conversational small-group communication activities (C3 for Me) alongside a published self-determination curriculum (“Whose Future is it Anyway”) on self-determination skills of transition-aged young adults with disabilities.
● To explore the teachers' perceptions towards enhanced self-determination instruction, their understanding of the concept of self-determination, and their experiences with implementing self-determination training in their classrooms.
● To examine teacher’s perceptions towards (C3 for Me) and the significance of self-determination skills learned, instructional priority of self-determination instruction, and feasibility of C3 Communication Cards Activity within instruction.

Research Tasks: Primary research tasks will include data collection and analysis (both quantitative and qualitative)
inputting the data into a spreadsheet and transferring into a software like SPSS for descriptive and inferential analysis. Sorting, and coding the interviews to identify themes is another task as well.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Literature review- recommended
Data collection- recommended (quantitative and qualitative)
Data analysis- recommended
quantitative analysis- required
qualitative analysis- recommended

Mentoring Philosophy

As a mentor, my goal is to create a supportive and empowering environment where individuals can discover their passions, build their capacity, develop their skills and reach their full potential. I believe in the power of active listening and understanding and strive to foster a growth mindset. I encourage my mentees to view challenges as opportunities for learning and personal growth. Together, we will explore ways to overcome obstacles, develop resilience and embrace a lifelong learning mindset. I strive to foster and encourage creativity and innovation through problem solving and hands on learning experiences. Lastly, I strongly believe in the power of positivity and kindness I aim to create a safe and non-judgmental space where mentees feel comfortable expressing themselves and making mistakes. Overall, my mentoring philosophy is centered around empowering others, fostering growth and creativity, and creating a positive and supportive environment for personal and professional development.

Additional Information

https://c3forme.org/

Link to Publications

https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.25892767.v1

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robotics, printing, microarray, biosensor, drug discovery

Research Mentor: Dr. Steven Lenhert,
Department, College, Affiliation: Biological Science, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: lenhert@bio.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Vincent Tocci
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:

Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 6
Relevant Majors: Engineering
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required:
Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Tuesday Sept 3, 2:30-3:00 pm
https://fsu.zoom.us/j/93514430344
Recording:
https://fsu.zoom.us/rec/share/-9DGE2TwlUR0Ed3sAjOg9MN8i7I5gwH1so2y4keeWkyxKBZloTA-LI5PvqrybSaO.L6Sk8DL8oTLgqqju

Project Description

Miniaturization of laboratory devices is enabling mobile technologies capable of detecting environmental contaminants, diagnosing diseases, and discovering novel therapeutics. For example, the Lenhert lab has been developing arrays of sensors to carry out multiple tests on small volumes of biological or environmental samples.1-3 Another application is in drug discovery and precision medicine, where miniaturized arrays containing potential therapeutic drugs can be tested in a high throughput manner.4-6 These applications rely on integrating multiple biological materials onto a surface while retaining biological function. Our lab has developed methods using lipid-based inks in printing processes such as pin spotting to achieve this goal.7-9
Pin spotting is a process by which pins can be dipped into an ink from a reservoir and transferred to a surface. This process can be carried out rapidly and reliably to enable production of arrays of multiple different materials. Construction of a robotic pin spotter using DIY or open source robotics will allow rapid fabrication of prototype devices. The arrays will be characterized optically, and quality control carried out in real time.10 Once such devices are constructed they can provide the basis for future autonomous experimentation for AI driven discovery and optimization of lab-on-a-chip devices.11
References:
1. T. W. Lowry, A. E. Kusi-Appiah, D. A. Fadool, S. Lenhert, Odor Discrimination by Lipid Membranes. Membranes 13, 151 (2023).
2. P. Prommapan, T. W. Lowry, N. Brljak, D. V. Winkle, S. Lenhert, Aptamer Functionalized Lipid Multilayer Gratings for Label Free Analyte Detection. Nanomaterials MDPI 10, 2433 (2020).
3. S. Lenhert, F. Brinkmann, T. Laue, S. Walheim, C. Vannahme, S. Klinkhammer, . . . H. Fuchs, Lipid Multilayer Gratings. Nat Nanotechnol 5, 275-279 (2010).
4. T. N. Bell, A. E. Kusi-Appiah, V. Tocci, P. Lyu, L. Zhu, F. Zhu, . . . S. Lenhert, Scalable Lipid Droplet Microarray Fabrication, Validation, and Screening. Plos One 19, e0304736 (2024).
5. A. Kusi-Appiah, T. Lowry, E. Darrow, K. Wilson, B. Chadwick, M. Davidson, S. Lenhert, Quantitative Dose–Response Curves from Subcellular Lipid Multilayer Microarrays. Lab Chip 15, 3397-3404 (2015).
6. A. E. Kusi-Appiah, N. Vafai, P. J. Cranfill, M. W. Davidson, S. Lenhert, Lipid Multilayer Microarrays for in Vitro Liposomal Drug Delivery and Screening. Biomaterials 33, 4187-4194 (2012).
7. L. Ghazanfari, S. Lenhert, Screening of Lipid Composition for Scalable Fabrication of Solvent-Free Lipid Microarrays. Frontiers in materials 3, 55 (2016).
8. T. W. Lowry, A. Kusi‐Appiah, J. Guan, D. H. Van Winkle, M. W. Davidson, S. Lenhert, Materials Integration by Nanointaglio. Adv Mater Interfaces 1, 1300127 (2014).
9. S. Lenhert, P. Sun, Y. Wang, H. Fuchs, C. A. Mirkin, Massively Parallel Dip‐Pen Nanolithography of Heterogeneous Supported Phospholipid Multilayer Patterns. Small 3, 71-75 (2007).
10. O. A. Nafday, S. Lenhert, High-Throughput Optical Quality Control of Lipid Multilayers Fabricated by Dip-Pen Nanolithography. Nanotechnology 22, 225301 (2011).
11. S. Liu, A.-T. Wei, H. Wang, D. Van Winkle, S. Lenhert, Combinatorial Mixtures of Organic Solutes for Improved Liquid/Liquid Extraction of Ions. Soft Matter 19, 6903-6910 (2023).

Research Tasks: A robotic pin spotter will be designed and constructed using DIY or open source control systems such as a Raspberry Pi or and Ardurino system. The robot will be constructed and used to fabricate arrays. The resulting array quality will be characterized optically using camera systems and microscopy available in the lab. Further details related to the tasks will be determined based on the student’s abilities and availability. An ideal result of this project would be coauthorship on a paper that makes use of the arrays produced by the pin spotter.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required: Robotics
Recommended: Programming, chemistry, microscopy

Mentoring Philosophy

I seek to understand student’s goals and current abilities and to provide guidance to enable them to achieve their goals. This involves providing opportunities as they appear. Examples of opportunities could be an experiment that the student could carry out, coauthorship on a publication, or involvement in a collaboration. As an interdisciplinary scientist, I value different ways of thinking and approaching research tasks. When working in groups I look for synergy. If I’m teaching a student a skill that I have myself, then I demonstrate it and then let the student repeat it. I also tend to think of my students as collaborators and appreciate learning from them as well. I use, and encourage use of deliberate practice, which is an approach to developing expertise based on solving well designed achievable goals using feedback and guidance from a mentor. I meet at least once a week with my research group where we discuss our research, get feedback from each other, and identify achievable goals. Examples of research goals could be to take steps towards constructing a device, design or carry out an experiment, analyze a data set, search the literature for relevant papers, work on some scientific writing and communication. I continue to practice these skills myself and to improve my mentoring as well, doing my best to be a good example. As Isaac Asimov once wrote, “education is not something that can be finished.”
Reference:
https://jasonhaaheim.com/how-did-scientist-become-timpanist-met-orchestra/

Additional Information

Link to Publications

https://www.bio.fsu.edu/lenhertgroup/publications.php

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chemistry, biology, physics, biosensor, drug discovery

Research Mentor: Dr. Steven Lenhert,
Department, College, Affiliation: Biological Science, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: lenhert@bio.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Vincent Tocci, Tracey Bell
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:

Looking for Research Assistants: No
Number of Research Assistants: 6
Relevant Majors: Chemistry, Biology, Physics, or Engineering
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required:
Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Tuesday Sept 3, 2:30-3:00 pm
https://fsu.zoom.us/j/93514430344
Recording:
https://fsu.zoom.us/rec/share/-9DGE2TwlUR0Ed3sAjOg9MN8i7I5gwH1so2y4keeWkyxKBZloTA-LI5PvqrybSaO.L6Sk8DL8oTLgqqju

Project Description

Molecular recognition is a fundamental function of large biological polymers such as proteins and nucleic acids that makes life possible. The ability for these molecules to recognize eachother and other, smaller molecules allows processes such as metabolism, cell signaling, transport, immunology, gene expression, and cell division. In the last hundred years, polymeric molecular recognition has come to be understood in terms of one molecule binding selectively to another by means of the three dimensional shapes of the molecules involved, or molecular fits. A well studied example is antibody binding to antigens, which is crucial for immunology and has found a variety of biotechnological applications in diagnostics and therapeutics.
Our group has demonstrated another kind of molecular recognition that is based on the partitioning of molecules between two phases such as oil and water. This type of molecular recognition is based on aggregates of small molecules such as lipid bilayers or lipid droplets. This project uses model systems composed of organic oil droplets in water to characterize the molecular recognition capabilities.1-5 In addition to providing insights into the organization and function of biological molecules in cells, the project has technological applications for new lipid-based drug targets and biosensors for diagnostic and environmental detection.6
References:
1. S. Liu, K. Kumar, T. Bell, A. Ramamoorthy, D. Van Winkle, S. Lenhert, Lipid-Based Catalysis Demonstrated by Bilayer-Enabled Ester Hydrolysis. Membranes 14, 168 (2024).
2. H. Zhou, E. Shiel, T. Bell, S. Lin, S. Lenhert, Kinetic Mechanism of Surfactant-Based Molecular Recognition: Selective Permeability across an Oil–Water Interface Regulated by Supramolecular Aggregates. The Journal of Physical Chemistry B, (2023).
3. T. W. Lowry, A. E. Kusi-Appiah, D. A. Fadool, S. Lenhert, Odor Discrimination by Lipid Membranes. Membranes 13, 151 (2023).
4. S. Liu, A.-T. Wei, H. Wang, D. Van Winkle, S. Lenhert, Combinatorial Mixtures of Organic Solutes for Improved Liquid/Liquid Extraction of Ions. Soft Matter 19, 6903-6910 (2023).
5. T. N. Bell, K. Feng, G. Calvin, D. H. Van Winkle, S. Lenhert, Organic Composomes as Supramolecular Aptamers. ACS Omega 5, 27393-27400 (2020).
6. S. Lenhert, E. Shiel, H. Zhou, Two Phase Indicator Displacement Assay, US Patent Pending, US20230333127A1

Research Tasks: Relevant literature will be read and experimental design carried out. Droplet arrays containing various solutes will be produced and exposed to analytes. The partitioning will be measured using an optical detection system available in the lab. Data will be analyzed and graphs plotted to determine the partitioining as a function of droplet composition. Further details related to the tasks will be determined based on the student’s abilities and availability. An ideal result of this project would be coauthorship on a paper that makes use of the data produced during the project.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required: Basic chemistry or molecular biology
Recommended: Data analysis, microscopy

Mentoring Philosophy

Additional Information

Link to Publications

https://www.bio.fsu.edu/lenhertgroup/publications.php

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dyslexia, vocabulary, orthography

Research Mentor: Lydia Kim,
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida State Univ, Communication and Information
Contact Email: jk22v@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: Communication Science and Disorders
Special Education
Psychology
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote
Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 7,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Not participating in the Roundtable

Project Description

This study aims to demonstrate the applicability of orthographic facilitation in children with dyslexia, showing that spoken word acquisition is more efficient in environments that include orthography. It also investigates the interaction among the presence or absence of orthography, syllable length of novel words, and individual child's phonological working memory, examining its impact on spoken word acquisition. Finally, we seek to investigate whether the degree of consistency between pronunciation and orthography exerts influence on their oral language acquisition. The study seeks to identify predictive factors for effective novel word learning in dyslexic children and enhance understanding of practical training methods in clinical settings.

Research Tasks: data collection via Zoom

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: natural communication with young children recommended

Mentoring Philosophy

My approach to mentoring is rooted in fostering a collaborative and supportive environment where mentees can thrive both personally and professionally. I begin by identifying each menteeâ€™s goals and evaluating their unique talents, understanding that these are the foundations upon which their growth will be built. By assessing their current understanding and abilities, I can tailor my guidance to meet their specific needs, helping them to capitalize on their strengths while addressing areas for improvement.
I believe in developing a relationship based on mutual respect, where open communication and trust are paramount. This respect extends to giving mentees ownership of their work, promoting accountability, and empowering them to take charge of their development. I share my experiences candidly, using them as tools to illustrate lessons and strategies while also encouraging mentees to learn through inquiry and exploration.
Creating an interactive and safe learning environment is crucial, as it allows mentees to experiment, fail, and learn without fear of judgment. I view challenges as opportunities for growth, motivating mentees to push beyond their comfort zones while providing the support they need to succeed. Ultimately, my goal is to guide mentees in balancing belief with action and experience, equipping them with the confidence and skills necessary to achieve their aspirations.

Additional Information

Link to Publications

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Materials, Friction and Wear, Hydrogen power

Research Mentor: Craig Barbour,
Department, College, Affiliation: Mechanical Engineering , FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: craig1.barbour@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: 1
Relevant Majors: Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Engineering, Material Science, Physics, Chemistry
**Students from other backgrounds are welcome to apply**
Project Location: 2003 Levy Ave, Tallahassee, FL 32310
Research Assistant Transportation Required: FSU and FAMU Bus lines to the College of Engineering
Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Not participating in the Roundtable

Project Description

Energy and Power companies have been looking at possible renewable power sources to propel mankind into the future. One possibility at the front of this search is hydrogen power. However, hydrogen puts major stress on materials when stored and burned as fuel causing critical failures in power systems. Students will be investigating protective coatings meant to be used in hydrogen environments.

Research Tasks: Students will conduct experiments, review literature, and learn how to interpret data in a tribology (study of friction, wear, and lubricants) laboratory. The main goal of the work performed by students is to help advance readiness of materials to be used in hydrogen environments.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: There are no "required" skills needed to start working in this laboratory.
Recommended:
- Excel
- Matlab
**Recommended skills can/will be learned while working in lab**

Mentoring Philosophy

As a mentor, I believe in developing relationships built on mutual respect, where both mentor and mentee contribute to each other's growth. My approach centers on creating a safe and supportive environment where it's okay to fail and learn from those failures. This safety net is crucial for encouraging risk-taking and exploration, which are essential for personal and professional growth.

I seek to challenge my mentees, guiding them through obstacles that push their boundaries and develop resilience. I encourage them to ask questions and seek understanding, as this is a powerful tool for learning. My goal is to empower mentees to become independent thinkers who are confident in their abilities to navigate challenges and continuously seek knowledge.

Additional Information

Link to Publications

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Middle East North Africa, Theatre, digital humanities, database, website development, archives

Research Mentor: Dr. Sarah Fahmy, she, hers
Department, College, Affiliation: School of Theatre, Fine Arts
Contact Email: sfahmy@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: Remote
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote
Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-7,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Wednesday September 4th from 2:30 - 3pm ET: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/8826419924

Project Description

The Middle Eastern North African (MENA) Theatre Scholarship Handbook is the first open-access digital repository of its kind. It is an initiative by the board of the Middle Eastern Theatre (MET) focus group at the Association of Theatre in Higher Education Conference—one of the largest, most notable academic conferences in theatre academe. The MET Focus Group at ATHE is the only long-term group established at an academic theatre conference in the US that is dedicated to MENA theatre and performance, and only the second in the world; to date.
The Handbook, which is an iterative collaboration between scholars, students, and practitioners around the world, is still in its early stages of archiving and research generation, yet has already been used as a pedagogy and research tool by scholars and students worldwide. Upon completion, it will serve as a central, comprehensive repository of historic and contemporary MENA theatre in the region and diasporas, and scholarship pertaining to it. Through this handbook, we hope to extend research and pedagogical support, connect emerging and senior scholars in the MENA theatre field, as well as provide an accessible entry point to help those who are less familiar with MENA theatre histories and scholarship. The Handbook includes: (1) Plays from the region and its diasporas, in English and regional languages. Each play is listed with a synopsis, casting breakdown, key words, instructions on how to access the script, notable production history, reviews by critics, video archival footage, and scholars who can guest lecture on them. (2) Published anthologies of plays and instructions on how to access them. (3) Academic resources, including books, peer-reviewed journal articles, podcasts, recorded lectures, interviews, websites, digital resources, and play databases. (4) A list of MENA scholars in the US and abroad and their areas of research and contact information. (5) A list of notable MENA theatre companies in the US and abroad and their specialties.

Research Tasks: • Data collection: Researching and cataloguing scholarship, videos, plays and their production histories, etc. and entering them into the Handbook database.
• Data visualization: Selecting public-facing data visualization software, and preliminary development and curation of content for the website.
• Enhancing usability of the Handbook. This includes designing user-friendly future data collection surveys (this is how website visitors will submit entries from the website).

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required:
• Have interest in Middle Eastern North African performance histories and communities.
• Be self-guided, thorough and detail oriented, trustworthy, reliable, and eager to share/ take ownership of your ideas to advance the research.
• Be capable of designing surveys for qualitative data input that connects to Google Sheets.
• Have experience with website development or humanities data curation and visualization (or something similar).
Recommended:
• Have experience in digital humanities, library science, website development, archiving of humanities resources.
• Be proficient with Google Forms & Sheets.
• (Extra bonus skill, beyond required or recommended skills): Have proficient reading and listening comprehension in any of the languages of the MENA region (including French as there is a lot of North African Francophone literature).

Mentoring Philosophy

My mentoring philosophy arises from my experience being a woman of color scholar and applied theatre facilitator who was raised as a Third-Culture-Kid. Whether I’m working with undergraduate or graduate students, my central focus is to celebrate students’ autonomous voices in a dynamic learning environment. My research is on ecofeminist decolonial artvism in the Global South, specifically focusing on Middle Eastern North African performance and identities. As such, I am invested in cultivating intergenerational knowledge exchange circles where I can co-learn and un-learn alongside my mentees. I develop individualized mentorship plans with my mentees, to best serve their self-identified needs and goals and prepare them for a future as researchers. My aim is to cultivate responsive spaces where mentees bring their full selves into the research, and feel capable of intellectual risk-taking without fearing making mistakes. Above all, I firmly believe that education and research should be fun and soul-nourishing; and that everyone no matter of their educational background is a worthy scholar.

Additional Information

Please don’t be deterred by any of the research tasks, or the required/recommended skills. Students involved in this research will be a part of helping develop an emerging sub-field of scholarship. If you are curious about this work in any capacity, let’s chat! The research tasks will be allocated first and foremost based on your interest, engagement level, and capacity. Please skim through the attached journal publication for an idea of what this research is contributing to.

Link to Publications

https://dx.doi.org/10.1353/tt.2024.a920474.

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Supersonic flow, laser technology, holography, AI-based image processing, 3D printing, microfluidic manufacture

Research Mentor: Huixuan Wu,
Department, College, Affiliation: Mechanical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: hwu8@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: Mechanical Engineering
Industrial Engineering
Electric Engineering
Physics
Mathematics
Project Location: FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Research Assistant Transportation Required: There is a shuttle connecting the COE campus and main campus
Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 10,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Not participating in the Roundtable

Project Description

Wall shear stress is crucial in analyzing complex flows, such as supersonic boundary layers, three-dimensional separation, and shock-boundary layer interactions. However, experimentally measuring the shear stress across large surface areas poses significant challenges. The state of the art methods include discrete physical sensors and oil film. Across a range of 2-D and 3-D flows, various implementations of oil film interferometry (OFI) have been used to calculate shear stresses along bands/drops of oil from the subsonic to supersonic Mach regimes. Existing technologies typically allow mean stress detection only at limited points or within small domains, which is insufficient for capturing large-scale flow structures. This research proposes to overcome these technical challenges by employing holography methods to measure steady and unsteady shear stresses over a large surface.

Research Tasks: Literature review,
experiment design,
data collection,
data analysis

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required:
Programming, basic knowledge about optics and laser, basic skills to use CAD software

Recommended:
Python programming,

Preferred:
Familiar with AI, understand holography, have experience with 3D printing

Mentoring Philosophy

My mentoring philosophy centers on empowering mentees to achieve their goals by fostering an environment of mutual respect, active learning, and personal growth. I begin by identifying each mentee’s unique aspirations and understanding their current knowledge base. This allows me to tailor my guidance, building on their strengths and addressing areas for improvement. I believe in giving mentees ownership of their work, which not only promotes accountability but also instills a sense of pride and responsibility in their progress.

Sharing my own experiences, both successes and failures, helps create a relatable and open atmosphere where mentees feel safe to take risks and learn from mistakes. I strive to create an interactive learning environment where inquiry is encouraged, and challenges are viewed as opportunities for growth. By identifying what motivates each mentee, I can inspire them to push their boundaries while providing the necessary support to navigate obstacles.

Ultimately, my goal is to guide mentees toward becoming independent thinkers who are confident in their abilities, equipped with the tools to continue learning, and prepared to contribute meaningfully to their fields.

Additional Information

Link to Publications

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=yX2Yxn8AAAAJ&hl=en

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