UROP Project
Seeking Answers Beyond AI: Exploring Nature Through Symbol-Making
Nature, Symbol-Making，Knowledge Generation Beyond Ai, Creativity
Research Mentor: Siyu Siyu Zhang, she/her
Department, College, Affiliation: art education, Fine Arts
Contact Email: sz23h@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: art education, Fine Arts
Contact Email: sz23h@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 1-3hours, 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: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 1-3hours, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable
Project Description
In the age of artificial intelligence, answers to questions are increasingly available with a simple prompt. However, human beings have long sought understanding through observation, creativity, and engagement with the natural world. This project explores whether new knowledge and insights can emerge through nature observation and artistic inquiry rather than through immediate access to information.Students will begin by identifying a personal question related to their lives, interests, or experiences. Through guided hikes and nature observation, they will document natural forms, patterns, and shapes through photography. Inspired by the ways ancient civilizations developed symbolic systems and pictographic writing from their observations of the world around them, students will create original symbols based on forms discovered in nature.
Throughout the project, students will develop a personal visual dictionary, assigning meanings to their symbols and using them as the foundation for artistic exploration. Through drawing, mixed-media experimentation, photography, and other creative approaches, students will investigate how observation, symbol-making, and artmaking can support reflection and meaning-making.
Students will meet with the mentor every two weeks to share ideas, discuss observations, and reflect on their creative processes. No advanced artistic skills are required. The project welcomes students from all academic backgrounds who are interested in creativity, nature, visual thinking, and exploring alternative ways of generating knowledge.
By the end of the project, students will develop a personal visual dictionary inspired by forms and patterns found in nature. Using these self-created symbols, they will produce an original artwork that responds to a personal question or area of inquiry. Students will also document their creative process through reflection and share their findings at the Undergraduate Research Symposium.
This project asks a timely question: When answers are instantly accessible through AI, what kinds of understanding can emerge throughartistic inquiry in nature?
Research Tasks: Conduct a literature review on creativity, nature-based learning, symbol systems, and knowledge generation in the age of AI
Participate in guided nature observations and hiking activities
Collect visual data through photography and field documentation
Create and refine original symbols inspired by natural forms and patterns
Develop and maintain a personal visual dictionary
Experiment with simple creative responses using drawing, collage, photography, or other accessible art forms
Maintain brief written and visual reflections throughout the project
Participate in group discussions and idea-sharing sessions
Explore how observation, creativity, and reflection can support new ways of generating knowledge
Assist with the development of a research poster for the Undergraduate Research Symposium
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required:
Interest in nature, hiking, and outdoor exploration
Curiosity and openness toward creative exploration
Willingness to bring a current question, challenge, or uncertainty from one’s life or learning into the project
Willingness to participate in observation, reflection, and group discussions
Recommended:
Interest in art, photography, visual storytelling, or personal expression
Openness to exploring questions related to everyday life, learning, or personal experiences
Comfort with trying new ideas and engaging in creative activities
No prior art experience is required
Mentoring Philosophy
My mentoring approach is rooted in creating a supportive and collaborative learning environment where students feel comfortable exploring ideas, taking creative risks, and learning through both success and challenge. I value each student's unique background and encourage them to draw from their own lived experiences as meaningful sources of knowledge and inquiry.In this project, I emphasize process over perfection, guiding students to develop their ideas through exploration, reflection, and dialogue. I meet regularly with students to provide feedback, ask questions, and support their growth, while also encouraging them to take ownership of their creative and research work.
I aim to build a relationship based on mutual respect, open communication, and trust. Students are encouraged to share their thoughts, experiment with materials, and connect personal experiences with broader social and cultural themes. Through this process, they not only develop creative skills but also gain confidence in their ability to think critically and express themselves.
Ultimately, my goal is to support students in discovering their own voice and understanding how creative practices can be used as a form of inquiry and reflection.
Additional Information
This project is ideal for students who enjoy spending time in nature, are curious about creativity and meaning-making, and are interested in exploring questions that may not have simple answers. Rather than seeking immediate answers through AI, participants will experiment with observation, symbol-making, and creative inquiry as alternative ways of generating understanding.No prior experience in art, research, or symbol-making is required. Curiosity, openness, and a willingness to explore are valued!
Link to Publications
Morphological Analysis Pathway to Reading
schoolage, language, vocabulary, intervention, literacy, Spanish, sign language, computer-delivered
Research Mentor: Dr. Carla Wood, She/Her
Department, College, Affiliation: School of Communication Science and Disorders, Communication and Information
Contact Email: carla.wood@cci.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators: Dr. Michelle Torres-Chavarro She/Her
Faculty Collaborators Email: mc13r@fsu.edu
Department, College, Affiliation: School of Communication Science and Disorders, Communication and Information
Contact Email: carla.wood@cci.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators: Dr. Michelle Torres-Chavarro She/Her
Faculty Collaborators Email: mc13r@fsu.edu
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 4
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: Although most of the tasks can be completed in the lab or remotely, we will also be administering assessments in local 3rd-5th grade classrooms.
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5 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: Open to all majors
Project Location: Although most of the tasks can be completed in the lab or remotely, we will also be administering assessments in local 3rd-5th grade classrooms.
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5 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
The MAP-R (Morphological Awareness Program for Reading) grant project is seeking a Research Assistant to support its efforts to improve language and literacy outcomes for children and youth with or at-risk for disabilities, including hearing loss. Funded through the Stepping Up Technology initiative, this position contributes to the development, deployment, and evaluation of a computer-delivered supplemental vocabulary intervention program with multilingual and multimodal support.The Research Assistant will work closely with the project team to carry out data collection and management, analyze data, monitor fidelity of implementation, assist with school recruitment and communication, and gather satisfaction ratings from users. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a translational research initiative aiming to close persistent academic language gaps among Multilingual Learners (MLs) with or at risk for disabilities.
Research Tasks: collect data- administer classroom-based assessments in local schools
manage data- score completed assessments, enter participant data
track participants' completion rates
analyze children's writing samples
survey parents and teachers about implementation
recruit new school partnership sites
analyze written responses of students
Develop applied research skills by participating in the full research cycle—including data collection, data management, fidelity monitoring, and preliminary analysis—within a federally funded educational intervention study.
Gain experience in school-based research implementation by assisting with participant recruitment, school coordination, and ongoing communication with educators and administrators in diverse educational settings.
Enhance understanding of language and literacy development for children and youth with or at risk for disabilities, including Multilingual Learners, by supporting the delivery and evaluation of a technology-based vocabulary intervention.
Build competence in research communication and dissemination
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Recommended: Strong communication skills
Recommended: Interest in language development and/or disorders
Recommended: Interest in school age English Language Arts/ supplemental instruction
Mentoring Philosophy
As a mentor, my primary goal is to support mentees in becoming creative researchers and scientists equipped with knowledge and skills to become consumers and producers of research. I offer guided experiential learning experiences tailored to individual student's needs, including hands-on research opportunities. I provide constructive feedback, model effective research practices, and encourage participation in dissemination of the research. In return, I hope mentees will approach our projects with curiosity and a strong work ethic. They should actively engage in the research process, communicate their progress and challenges, and take initiative in pursuing their learning goals. I aim to be approachable, supportive and kind, and I prioritize open and honest communication. My goal is to create a safe and encouraging environment where students feel empowered to take risks and build knowledge and skills. I am committed to demystifying the process and practice of science to develop the next generation of researchers.Additional Information
Link to Publications
https://pubs.asha.org/doi/10.1044/2024_AJSLP-24-00319Preservice Teacher's Knowledge and Self-Efficay on Childhood Anxiety and Their Referral Decision Making Process
Presearvice Teachers, Anxiety Knowledge, Teacher Self-efficacy
Research Mentor: Ms. Jessica Ritchie,
Department, College, Affiliation: EPLS, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: jritchie2@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: EPLS, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: jritchie2@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: Research Foundation Building B, 2010 Levy Ave Suite 100, Tallahassee, FL 32310
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes 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: 1
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: Research Foundation Building B, 2010 Levy Ave Suite 100, Tallahassee, FL 32310
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes 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
This research project examines preservice teachers’ mental health literacy related to childhood anxiety and how this knowledge influences their self-efficacy and decision-making about referring students to mental health services. Using a cross-sectional survey design, the study assesses participants’ knowledge of anxiety symptoms, self-efficacy in delivering mental health content, and likelihood of referring students across varying levels of symptom severity presented in vignettes. The project also involves the development and validation of a novel anxiety-specific mental health knowledge measure. By identifying factors that influence early identification and referral of students with anxiety, this research aims to address gaps in teacher preparation and improve school-based mental health support.Research Tasks: Undergraduate research assistants will assist with survey-based data collection, data cleaning and dataset preparation, and basic quantitative analyses (e.g., descriptive statistics and data visualization). They will gain experience managing research data and supporting a study examining preservice teachers’ mental health literacy and referral decision-making.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Preferred skills include strong attention to detail, organizational ability, and comfort working with spreadsheets or survey data. Experience with basic statistics or data analysis is helpful but not required, as training will be provided. Students should be reliable, able to follow research procedures, and interested in gaining experience with quantitative research in education and mental health.
Mentoring Philosophy
My mentoring philosophy emphasizes creating a supportive and collaborative environment in which undergraduate researchers can actively engage in the research process while developing both technical and professional skills. I tailor mentorship to each student’s goals and prior experience, encourage inquiry and critical thinking, and gradually increase independence to promote ownership and accountability. I prioritize providing regular feedback and fostering a safe space where mistakes are part of learning. Ultimately, my goal is to help students build confidence, gain hands-on research experience, and develop skills that support their future academic and career goals.Additional Information
Link to Publications
Blurred Lines: Negotiating Race and Masculinity from the Interwar Period through the Occupation of Germany
African American, Soldiers, Germany, World War II, Gender & Sexuality
Research Mentor: Darian Abenes, She/Her
Department, College, Affiliation: History, German, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: da23c@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: History, German, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: da23c@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: History
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 8, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: History
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 8, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable
Project Description
This project investigates the evolving relationship between African Americans and Germans across the interwar period, World War II, and the U.S. occupation of Germany. While existing scholarship offer valuable insights, it tends to fall into two limitations. Current historiography often examines these periods in isolation rather than through a longue durée analysis that bridges the World Wars and occupation period. Within these segmented histories, scholars primarily focus on either race or gender. These studies will briefly note the relationship between the two categories of analysis, but their theses emphasize either shifts in racial boundaries or gender and sexuality.Building upon these two historiographical trends, this project traces encounters between African Americans and Germans to reveal how war and military occupation catalyzed renegotiations of both racial ideologies and masculine identities. I tentatively argue that by integrating race and gender within a transnational wartime framework, this dissertation reveals how Americans and Germans renegotiated racial hierarchies and masculine ideals during and after the twentieth century’s two global conflicts. These shifts in power dynamics and reformulations of race and masculinity subsequently influenced the U.S. civil rights movement and American military culture and policy.
Research Tasks: Research assistants will review primary source materials such as Black Press newspapers, Veterans Oral History interviews and digitized NAACP papers. Research assistants may be asked to provide transcripts of oral history interviews or translations of letters (if fluent in German).
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Fluency in German (recommended)
Mentoring Philosophy
Trust is the cornerstone of my philosophy on mentorship, which requires a professional relationship built on open dialogue and goal setting. From the inception of a mentoring partnership, it will be critical to identify the research assistants’ goals and previous relevant experience. By assessing previous experience, the mentee will discuss their areas of strength with the mentor. Through this dialogue, the mentor and mentee can set a realistic baseline and goals for development through the research process using a strength-based approach. Through this approach, researchers will gain the confidence to make bolder inquiries while having the mentor serve as a safeguard. While participating in this program, researchers will receive formal and informal feedback regarding their analysis. The informal and formal processes ensure open dialogue between the mentor and mentee and cultivate a trusting professional relationship between both parties.Additional Information
Link to Publications
Art Therapy and injury rehabilitation: a systematic review and meta-analysis
rehabilitation; art therapy; injury; systematic review
Research Mentor: Dr. Malhotra Bani Malhotra, she/her
Department, College, Affiliation: Department of Art Education, Fine Arts
Contact Email: bmalhotra@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Department of Art Education, Fine Arts
Contact Email: bmalhotra@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: Art therapy, Psychology, Medicine, Neurology, Social Sciences, Health Sciences, Nursing, Rehabilitation
Project Location: Can be done remotely
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 7-10 hours, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Art therapy, Psychology, Medicine, Neurology, Social Sciences, Health Sciences, Nursing, Rehabilitation
Project Location: Can be done remotely
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 7-10 hours, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
- Day: Monday, August 31
Start Time: 12:00
End Time: 12:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/94074789630 - Day: Wednesday, September 2
Start Time: 2:00
End Time: 2:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/91600985437 - Day: Thursday, September 3
Start Time: 4:00
End Time: 4:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/93079542589
Project Description
Physical injuries affect individuals across the lifespan, with long-term medical, social, and psychosocial repercussions. Injuries such as brain injury, spinal cord injury, burns, and physical injuries are a leading public health concern and a cause for significant disability needing multidisciplinary rehabilitation. Art therapy as a non-pharmacological intervention has been used to facilitate rehabilitation goals within integrative medical care setting that addresses psychosocial needs for military members with TBI, burn patients, and other trauma and rehabilitation units in both adult and pediatric settings. The objective of this review is to identify art therapy studies addressing injury rehabilitation outcomes for individuals with injuries, identifying characteristics, and the outcomes that are examined to guide future research in art therapy, and identify gaps in current knowledge using systematic review and meta-analaysis.Research Tasks: - Literature review
- Data screening
- Data extraction using training on data evidence synthesis software (Covidence)
-Rating study quality
-Preparing data set for metanalysis and narrative synthesis
- Data analysis (for qualitative and quantitative synthesis of secondary sources) and data visualizations
-Manuscript writing
-Reference citation and management
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required:
-Openness to learning
-Attention to detail: Essential for screening and data extraction accuracy
-Ability to follow protocols: Adhering closely to predefined review procedures
-Time management: Meeting deadlines for screening or extraction tasks
-Responsiveness to feedback- Willingness to revise decisions based on calibration exercises
-Clear communication: Reporting uncertainties or discrepancies to supervisors
-Basic academic reading comprehension for research articles: Ability to identify research purpose, sample, methods, and outcomes
-Data organization: Use of Excel/Google Sheets for tracking articles and data extraction
-Applying structured criteria: Ability to follow inclusion/exclusion guidelines consistently
Recommended:
-Understanding of research methods: Basic knowledge of study designs (RCTs, qualitative, observational)
-Introductory statistics knowledge: Familiarity with means, standard deviations, etc
-Data extraction experience: Prior exposure to structured coding or dataset creation
-Reliability in team-based work: Consistency when working alongside other coders
- Intellectual curiosity: Interest in engaging deeply with research questions, especially interdisciplinary work
Mentoring Philosophy
My mentoring philosophy is grounded in growth-oriented, collaborative, and reflective framework. I view mentoring as a relational process that values curiosity, and critical thinking, and development of professional identity. I strive to create a supportive space where mentees feel empowered to ask questions, engage in dialogue, and take initiatives.I prioritize providing timely, constructive, and strength-based feedback while also encouraging mentees to engage in self-reflection and deepening skills with practice. Drawing from my experiences as a clinician-researcher, I support mentees in navigating tasks and learning through interdisciplinary contexts with humility, rigor, and self-awareness. While curiosity and inquiry as central to scientific growth, I recognize that each mentee’s engagement is shaped by their lived experiences grounded in their intersecting identities. I believe these perspectives meaningfully inform the questions mentees ask (and don’t ask), the ideas they engage with, and the ways they approach research work. For instance, a decade ago, I would not have imagined that I could write scholarly articles that would contribute meaningfully to the scientific community. Over time, however, I learned that writing is simply not an innate skill, but a practice that develops through persistence, mentorship, feedback, and continued engagement with ideas. This experience shapes how I mentor students and trainees: I aim to demystify research tasks and scholarly writing.
As a mentor, I aim to honor varied experiences and ultimately, my goal is to instill confidence, foster openness to learning, while working collaboratively with mentees in advancing their growth.
Additional Information
Link to Publications
https://arted.fsu.edu/people/bani-malhotra/ ; https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=Lwd4R8wAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=aoIntegrate-and-Fire Sampling Meets Optimal Transport
Integration, Sampling, Optimal Transport, Signal Encoding and Reconstruction
Research Mentor: Rocio Diaz Martin,
Department, College, Affiliation: Department of Mathematics, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: rdiazmartin@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Department of Mathematics, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: rdiazmartin@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: mathematics, computer science, physics, engineering
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: 1
Relevant Majors: mathematics, computer science, physics, engineering
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
This project studies the relationship between the classical integrate-and-fire sampling scheme and one-dimensional optimal transport.The integrate-and-fire sampling scheme is a method for recording a signal by tracking when its accumulated value reaches a fixed threshold. Instead of measuring the values of the signal at fixed times, this sampler starts a counter at zero and continuously integrates, or accumulates, the signal until the total mass reaches a prescribed threshold. It then records that time stamp as a spike and resets the counter to zero. This process is repeated to obtain subsequent time stamps.
At its core, this scheme is closely related to optimal transport, since both ideas involve moving from one representation of a signal to another in terms of accumulated mass. The integrate-and-fire sampler records the times at which equal amounts of the signal have been accumulated. In one dimension, optimal transport similarly describes how to move uniformly distributed mass into the shape of a given signal. Therefore, the firing times can be understood as samples of the map that transports uniform mass to the signal.
Although this connection is hinted in the literature, it has not been explicitly stated. The first goal of this project is to make this connection precise. We will then investigate and implement the reconstruction of signals from spike times by interpolating the transport map, and compare density-based error with Wasserstein reconstruction error, that is, the error measured using a distance from optimal transport. The goal is to determine whether optimal transport geometry provides a natural and stable framework for analyzing integrate-and-fire sampling.
Research Tasks: - Literature review.
- Developing and implementing algorithms through programming.
- Formulate and rigorously prove mathematically grounded results.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Foundation in Calculus (required) and linear algebra (recommended).
Basic programming skills, preferably in Python (recommended).
Some knowledge of probability theory is preferred (recommended).
Mentoring Philosophy
I consider students as junior colleagues, empowering them to grow as collaborators rather than passive learners. I begin by sharing the theoretical foundations (especially intuitive and proof-based thinking) while suggesting programming as a tool for exploration.As a young researcher, I recognize that mentoring presents a challenge for me, but it is one that excites me deeply. I view this process as a two-way learning experience: while students grow as mathematicians and programmers, I grow as a mentor and teacher. Coming from Argentina, I also bring a perspective shaped by my own educational journey, which helps me relate to students navigating diverse paths and backgrounds.
I set clear, mutual goals and maintain open, respectful communication. By inviting students to co-create the learning path, align expectations and build trust. My mentorship is inclusive: I’m attentive to different learning styles and backgrounds, ensuring all students feel valued and encouraged to share their ideas. Being approachable is essential, and I actively cultivate this quality in myself to create a welcoming and supportive environment for everybody.
I guide them to develop mathematical intuition by asking guiding questions and encouraging reflection, helping them formulate logical results and rigorous proofs in their own words. We periodically assess progress, celebrate small victories, and iterate our process to strengthen understanding and confidence.
Ultimately, I aspire for students to become confident, independent thinkers: capable programmers, insightful mathematicians, and critical collaborators who continue learning beyond our time together.
Additional Information
The goal of this project is to connect the nonlinear sampling scheme of integrate-and-fire with tools and concepts from Optimal Transport theory. Optimal Transport is a central area of my current research, and as a new Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics, I am excited to continue studying it, connect it with different areas of mathematics, and share my background with undergraduate students. We will begin by exploring both the fundamental theory and applications of Optimal Transport. For example, the Wasserstein metric, also known as the Earth Mover's Distance, is a key object in Optimal Transport and is widely used in Machine Learning, inspiring developments such as Wasserstein Generative Adversarial Networks, introduced by M. Arjovsky and collaborators in 2017. This theoretical study will also provide an opportunity to explore other important concepts in applied mathematics.We will then focus on making a clear connection with the integrate-and-fire technique. Classical integrate-and-fire sampling is a nonlinear sampling mechanism in which a nonnegative signal is integrated until the accumulated mass reaches a prescribed threshold. At that moment, a spike is recorded and the integrator is reset. We will review the literature on this procedure, including the recent work “Model Agnostic Signal Encoding by Leaky Integrate-and-Fire: Performance and Uncertainty” by Diana Carbajal and José Luis Romero.
The guiding questions for the project are: Can the integrate-and-fire scheme be characterized exactly as sampling a specific optimal transport map? Can one reconstruct a signal, or at least its induced probability measure, from spike times? Can the stability of spike times be described using Wasserstein distances? Can optimal transport geometry provide improved reconstruction guarantees from spike data?
The resulting algorithms will preferably be implemented in Python.
We will work in-person during the Fall semester 2026 and remotely during the Spring semester 2027.
Link to Publications
https://rociodm.github.io/Learning the Rules, Not Just the Data: Property-Preserving Neural Networks for Learning Mathematical Functions and Operators
Neural Networks, operator learning, function approximation
Research Mentor: Rocio Diaz Martin,
Department, College, Affiliation: Department of Mathematics, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: rdiazmartin@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Department of Mathematics, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: rdiazmartin@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: mathematics, computer science, physics, engineering
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: 1
Relevant Majors: mathematics, computer science, physics, engineering
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
Many mathematical functions and operators are characterized not only by their input-output behavior, but also by structural properties such as linearity, multiplicativity, symmetry, equivariance, differential identities, or commutation relations. As a simple example, the exponential function satisfies exp(x+y)=exp(x)exp(y). Moreover, this property, together with the condition exp(0)=1, essentially characterizes the exponential function. Similarly, sine and cosine satisfy trigonometric identities, while operators between function spaces, such as the Fourier transform, are linear and interact in useful ways with translations and convolutions.Standard neural networks are universal approximators and can often learn accurate pointwise approximations from data. However, when trained only through pointwise error, they may fail to preserve the mathematical identities that characterize the object being learned, especially outside the training range.
This project is motivated by the following broad question: Can neural networks be trained or designed to behave like known mathematical functions and operators by enforcing their structural properties?
The project will investigate neural networks that approximate known mathematical functions, viewed as maps between points, and operators, viewed as maps whose inputs and outputs are functions, while also respecting their defining structure. We will compare standard neural networks trained only to minimize approximation error with structure-preserving models in which a specific identity or property is enforced either through the loss function or through the architecture.
The exponential function will serve as a first model problem. We will compare a standard neural network approximation of exp(x) with models that enforce its homomorphism property, namely that addition in the input corresponds to multiplication in the output. The project may then extend to other mathematical functions and simple operators, where one can enforce properties such as linearity, equivariance, or commutation relations.
The main goal is to understand whether incorporating mathematical structure improves generalization, extrapolation, and interpretability. The project combines numerical experiments, neural network implementation, and mathematical analysis, and is suitable for a student interested in applied mathematics, machine learning, harmonic analysis, or scientific computing.
Research Tasks: - Literature review on physics-informed neural networks, structure-preserving learning, and operator learning.
- Mathematical background review to identify the structural identities and properties that characterize functions and operators.
- Dataset generation: creation of synthetic training and testing datasets for simple functions and operators, including interpolation and extrapolation regimes.
- Development and implementation of algorithms through programming, including exploratory AI-assisted coding.
- Visualization and interpretation of results, including plots of learned functions, error curves, training behavior, and failure cases.
- Documentation and presentation of the methodology, experiments, and conclusions
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Foundation in Calculus (required) and linear algebra (recommended).
Basic programming skills, preferably in Python (recommended).
Mentoring Philosophy
I consider students as junior colleagues, empowering them to grow as collaborators rather than passive learners. I begin by sharing the theoretical foundations (especially intuitive and proof-based thinking) while using programming as a tool for exploration.As a young researcher, I recognize that mentoring presents a challenge for me, but it is one that excites me deeply. I view this process as a two-way learning experience: while students grow as mathematicians and programmers, I grow as a mentor and teacher. Coming from Argentina, I also bring a perspective shaped by my own educational journey, which helps me relate to students navigating diverse paths and backgrounds.
I set clear, mutual goals and maintain open, respectful communication. By inviting students to co-create the learning path, align expectations and build trust. My mentorship is inclusive: I’m attentive to different learning styles and backgrounds, ensuring all students feel valued and encouraged to share their ideas. Being approachable is essential, and I actively cultivate this quality in myself to create a welcoming and supportive environment for everybody.
I guide them to develop mathematical intuition by asking guiding questions and encouraging reflection, helping them formulate logical results and rigorous proofs in their own words. We periodically assess progress, celebrate small victories, and iterate our process to strengthen understanding and confidence.
Ultimately, I aspire for students to become confident, independent thinkers: capable programmers, insightful mathematicians, and critical collaborators who continue learning beyond our time together.
Additional Information
Link to Publications
https://rociodm.github.io/Measuring Intellectual Humility in Written Responses
Social Psychology, Perception, Humility, Leadership, Text Analysis
Research Mentor: Dr. Irmak Olcaysoy Okten, She/her
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida State University, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: okten@psy.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida State University, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: okten@psy.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Psychology, pre-med, sociology, anthropology. education, communication preferred. All social science majors will be considered.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 8-10 hours, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Psychology, pre-med, sociology, anthropology. education, communication preferred. All social science majors will be considered.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 8-10 hours, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
- Day: Monday, August 31
Start Time: 12:00
End Time: 12:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/4156299509
Project Description
Successful leadership in today’s professional world increasingly depends on intellectual humility (IH). Individuals high in IH recognize the limits of their knowledge, avoid both overconfidence and underconfidence, and remain open to learning from others (Leary et al., 2017). Despite its many documented benefits, however, IH may be undervalued in leadership contexts. Important questions, therefore, remain about why intellectually humble leaders are not always viewed positively and how IH can be fostered among current and emerging leaders.The goal of this project is to examine how people perceive intellectual humility in leadership and to identify factors that shape these perceptions. As part of a larger longitudinal research program, we will investigate how individuals with current or prior leadership experience express intellectual humility, particularly when responding to social conflict and disagreement. Research assistants recruited through the UROP program will contribute to the development of a coding system for assessing intellectual humility in written responses and will gain experience in content analysis, psychological research methods, and data management.
Research Tasks: This project will involve conducting a literature review of prior research on intellectual humility and contributing to the development of a coding scheme for the thematic analysis of intellectual humility expressed in written responses. Students will have the opportunity to review and analyze existing research data, participate in the coding process, and gain experience with content analysis.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Research assistants will work as a team, so strong collaboration skills are required for this position. Previous experience with scientific literature review and APA- style writing is recommended.
Mentoring Philosophy
In the Motivated Social Cognition Lab within the Department of Psychology, students work collaboratively as part of a research team alongside fellow students and me. My goal is to foster students’ enthusiasm for scientific research through a mentoring approach that is both structured and flexible. I strive to create a supportive, respectful, and productive environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, sharing ideas, learning from mistakes, and developing their skills. Through regular lab meetings and hands-on involvement in research projects, students receive training in core research skills, including study design, data collection, data analysis, and scientific communication. As students build their methodological and theoretical knowledge, I encourage increasing independence, with the ultimate goal of helping them become confident and capable researchers.Additional Information
Link to Publications
https://www.motivatedsocialcognition.com/publicationsDioxane Contamination and Transport
Environment, Permeation, 1,4-Dioxane, Measurement, Pollution
Research Mentor: Dr. Youneng Tang, He/him
Department, College, Affiliation: Civil and Environmental Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: ytang@eng.famu.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Mr. Dennis Ssekimpi He/him
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: dssekimpi@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Civil and Environmental Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: ytang@eng.famu.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Mr. Dennis Ssekimpi He/him
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: dssekimpi@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering
Project Location: FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 6, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering
Project Location: FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 6, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable
Project Description
1,4-Dioxane is a likely carcinogen and common groundwater contaminant due to its wide presence in industrial and home products. Many products are disposed of in landfills. To prevent solid waste in landfills contaminating groundwater, landfills are usually contained by bottom liners. The objective of this project is to determine the 1,4-dioxane transport characteristics through the bottom liners such as the breakthrough time. We welcome one UROP scholar to participate in this research project. Professor Tang and his graduate student will supervise the UROP scholar. The graduate student will provide most of the direct supervision.Research Tasks: The UROP scholar is expected to:
1) Complete a few lab safety training sessions.
2) Shadow the graduate student.
3) Review the literature to understand 1,4-dioxane and their contamination.
4) Learn the method based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for measuring 1,4-dioxane.
5) Use the measurement method to determine the 1,4-dioxane transport characteristics in diffusion cells.
6) Summarize and discuss the research results in a poster and/or a white paper.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required: MS WORD
Mentoring Philosophy
I believe that that quality of research products is more important than the quantity of research products. I also believe that interest in research is the primary motivation.Additional Information
Link to Publications
https://eng.famu.fsu.edu/cee/people/tangExploring Women Characters in Bollywood Films
Film Studies, Bollywood, Media Studies, Gender Studies, South Asia
Research Mentor: Dr. Dr. Rebecca Peters, she/her
Department, College, Affiliation: Religion, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: rlp08c@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Religion, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: rlp08c@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: 6
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: 5-10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Number of Research Assistants: 6
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: 5-10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
- Day: Tuesday, September 1
Start Time: 4:30
End Time: 5:00
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/91524726261 - Day: Wednesday, September 2
Start Time: 4:30
End Time: 5:00
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/91575128544 - Day: Friday, September 4
Start Time: 12:00
End Time: 12:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/98061402050
Project Description
This project looks to quantify whether women directors impact the representation of women characters in their films. We are doing so by analyzing Bollywood films directed by women. To determine the number and quality of female characters, we will utilize what is called "film coding." "Film coding" is done through through close watching and marking every time we see certain things. Basically, we're looking to see what real impact having a woman in the role of director has on a film.Research Tasks: The student research assistant will watch subtitled Bollywood films (no language proficiency or other experience in or knowledge of India is necessary), and complete surveys on their computers about each woman character onscreen. The student will receive training and will have the support of the mentor for any questions or points of clarification. The process allows for a flexibility of when it can be completed within the week, for students who have more unusual schedules. NO prior film knowledge and no coding knowledge is necessary.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required: None
Recommended: Access to Netflix and Prime; An understanding of Excel; Understanding of Google drive folders and files organization