UROP Project | Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement

Linguistics, Spanish, bilingualism, language contact, indigenous language

Research Mentor: Dr. Antje Muntendam, she/her
Department, College, Affiliation: Modern Languages and Linguistics, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: amuntendam@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: 4
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors. Linguistics and Spanish majors are most relevant.
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: Wednesday September 4, 5:30-6:00 pm (https://fsu.zoom.us/j/93656836145)
Thursday September 5, 5:00-5:30 pm (https://fsu.zoom.us/j/96474265582)
Friday September 6, 12:00-12:30 pm (https://fsu.zoom.us/j/98254588011)

Project Description

This project examines the linguistic outcomes of language contact between Spanish and Quechua in Peru and Argentina, with particular attention to intonation. Quechua is an indigenous language spoken across the Andes, and has been in contact with Spanish for almost 500 years. This long-term contact situation as well as differences between the two languages have led to cross-linguistic influence .
This project specifically investigates intonation, which is an area that has been relatively unexplored in language contact studies in general, and in Quechua-Spanish contact studies in particular. Intonation is the melody of a sentence and corresponds to changes in pitch (e.g., high and low tones), which may cause changes in meaning. For instance, in many varieties of Spanish, intonation is used to make a distinction between questions and statements (e.g., ¿Tienes un gato? ‘Do you have a cat?’ vs. Tienes un gato. ‘You have a cat'). Intonation systems vary highly across languages and language varieties, and based on intonation, we can recognize where someone is from (e.g., from Spain, Peru, Argentina, or Cuba).
This project specifically focuses on the marking of yes/no-questions (e.g., Do you have a cat?), wh-questions (e.g., What do you have?), and statements in Quechua and Spanish. Quechua and Spanish use different strategies to mark questions and statements. In Quechua, questions are marked in morphology, that is, with an interrogative particle. Importantly, in Quechua questions and statements are not distinguished intonationally: both have a falling intonation. In Spanish, however, intonation is used to distinguish questions and statements and questions often have a rising intonation. The question is what happens when these languages come into contact. The specific research questions of this project are: (1) Do Quechua-Spanish bilinguals in Peru and Argentina use intonation and/or morphology (i.e., interrogative particles) to mark questions and statements in Quechua and Spanish? (2) How do Spanish monolinguals use intonation to mark questions and statements? (3) Are bilingual Quechua and Spanish in Peru and Argentina affected by language contact? If so, how?
To answer these questions, data were collected from Quechua-Spanish bilinguals from Cusco (Peru), and Quechua-Spanish bilinguals and Spanish monolinguals from Santiago del Estero (Argentina). The tasks included a sociolinguistic background questionnaire, two elicitation tasks (a game and a map task) to elicit questions and statements, and a story telling task. The project is ongoing and additional data will be collected in Peru and Argentina.
In all, this project will provide new empirical data on understudied Quechua and Spanish varieties and will contribute to our understanding of the outcomes of language contact, in particular in the area of intonation.

Research Tasks: The research assistants will focus on the analysis of the Spanish elicitation tasks and story-telling tasks. Their tasks consists of transcribing the data from the story-telling task, and segmenting, transcribing , annotating and acoustically analyzing data from the elicitation tasks. The research assistants will receive detailed instructions on all aspects of the project and will work closely with their mentor. There will be in-person meetings for instructions and checking work. The research tasks can be carried out on a computer in the lab or on a laptop computer, as all the software is freely available.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: The required skill for this project is (basic) knowledge of Spanish. There are no other required skills as students will be trained in all aspects of the research, but some background in Linguistics (e.g., LIN 2004 World Languages, LIN 3041 Introduction to Linguistics, IDS 2291 Language Birth, Language death, or another course) or in Spanish Linguistics (e.g., LIN 4700 Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics, LIN 4780 Spanish Phonetics, or another course) is a plus.

Mentoring Philosophy

I approach mentoring as a collaborative process, where both the student and the mentor mutually and actively engage. My main goals are to provide an excellent education beyond the classroom, motivate students, and offer them opportunities to grow and to become independent thinkers . Clear communication is essential in this collaborative effort. From the start, I discuss responsibilities and expectations, and I ask my students to share their goals, creating a mutual understanding. To enhance student engagement, I find out students' prior knowledge and skills and build on them. I provide instructions tailored to my students' background, and I regularly discuss the students' work to ensure we are on the same page. Creating a positive interaction is crucial for a productive collaboration and active engagement. I strive to make my lab a supportive environment, where students feel comfortable and motivated. I treat students with respect, encourage them to take risk, and praise effort through positive, constructive feedback. I also encourage students to ask for help when they need it. Students have opportunities to work independently in my lab, but I also promote collaboration between students, so they will not only learn from me but also from each other. Finally, I offer students opportunities to grow by teaching them new analyses and involving them in different aspects of my research.

Additional Information

Link to Publications

https://modlang.fsu.edu/person/antje-muntendam

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dyslexia; specific reading comprehension difficulty; meta-analysis

Research Mentor: Richard Wagner, his/him
Department, College, Affiliation: Psychology, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: rkwagner@psy.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Dorota Kossowska-Kuhn she/her
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: kuhn@psy.fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:

Looking for Research Assistants: No
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required:
Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: Between 5 and 10 to be agreed upon,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Wednesday, September 4th
11:00-11:30 AM https://fsu.zoom.us/j/98591244134
3:00-3:30 PM https://fsu.zoom.us/j/94693648073
4:00-4:30 PM https://fsu.zoom.us/j/91515913197

Project Description

If you read about an important scientific breakthrough that makes the news, chances are it resulted either from a meta-analysis of the literature in an area or from a very large-scale study. The reason is that the results of individual small-scale studies may not replicate or generalize. Meta-analysis is the quantitative combination of a set of studies on a topic. It is used in almost every area of science and medicine. Our research project involves carrying out several meta-analyses on topics related to dyslexia and to specific reading comprehension difficulty. Dyslexia refers to difficulty reading words fluently. Specific reading comprehension difficulty refers to difficulty understanding what is read despite being able to read the words. Our research project is part of FSU’s NIH Multidisciplinary Learning Disabilities Research Center. It is one of only two Centers funded by NIH to study learning disabilities in the country. You will have the opportunity to learn the basics of how meta-analysis is done, including getting hands-on experience by participating as a research assistant on one or more meta-analyses. Depending on your interest and involvement, there may be an opportunity to be a co-author on a manuscript submitted for publication. Optionally, you may participate in meetings and other activities carried out as part of the Center.

Research Tasks: Literature review by searching databases to identify possible studies for inclusion. Using a provided codebook, applying inclusionary and exclusionary criteria to determine whether a study should be included in the meta-analysis. Extracting data from included studies. If you have interest and some relevant background, an opportunity to participate in data analysis will be provided.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required skills include the ability to work carefully and follow written instructions.

Mentoring Philosophy

My mentoring philosophy has four parts. The first is that the best way to learn about something is to get involved in research on it. The second is that I value your time and am invested in you getting the most out of the experience. This means going beyond providing merely an opportunity to participate in the research project by making it possible for you to learn a method for doing science (meta-analysis) that could make you more a more valuable student for admission to a graduate or professional training program you might end up applying to. The third is that I treat this as an apprenticeship that may help you determine whether this kind of research is something you might want to do more of in the future or not. This requires giving you the opportunity to understand the larger context of the research we are doing. The fourth and final part is that I appreciate the mentoring and opportunities faculty provided to my daughters, both of whom got their undergraduate degrees from FSU. I can help pay this back by providing that for other students.

Additional Information

Please feel free to email me at rkwagner@psy.fsu.edu if you have questions or want additional information about this opportunity.

Link to Publications

https://thewagnerlab.com/about/

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tattoo, satisfaction, bald head, hair loss market, fashion

Research Mentor: Changhyun (Lyon) Nam,
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida State University, Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship
Contact Email: cn12@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:

Looking for Research Assistants: No
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes
Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 10,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Not participating in the Roundtable

Project Description

The global tattoo market size was valued at $2.04 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $3.93 billion by 2030 (GlobeNewswire, 2023). Tattoos (also called body art) are a form of body modification performed using inks, pigments, and dyes (Farley et al., 2019). Tattooing, a type of body art that marks human skin with indelible design, is growing in popularity (Farley et al., 2019). Tattoos occur when exogenous pigment is introduced into the dermis by piercing the skin with a needle or other sharp object laden with pigment until an image is created (Ho & Goh, 2015).
There is a rapid growth of tattooed individuals in the United States, as almost half of American adults have permanently modified their bodies through tattooing (Statista, 2023). 32 % of Americans have a tattoo, including 22% who have more than one tattoo. Tattoos used to be stigmatized as rebellious, anti-social, and criminal (Schaeffer & Dinesh, 2023). However, the described deviant nature of the tattooed individual has transformed as more get tattooed to adorn their bodies to demonstrate their commitment to their lifestyle and as an act of resistance against established cultural norms (Haenfler, 2004; Walzer & Sanjurjo, 2016). The prevalence of tattooed individuals within greater communities necessitates a deeper consideration of what motivates individuals to become tattooed, form their identities with a subcultural group, and engage in their local communities (Frankel et al., 2023).
The hair loss market had a global size of USD 52.37 billion in 2022 in terms of sales of hair loss products and treatments (Scott, 2024). Approximately 85% of men and 33% of women experience hair loss, primarily due to genetic factors, along with diet, stress, lifestyle, and illness. In the United States, over 65% of men will experience hair loss to some extent by age 35, increasing to around 85% by age 50 (Scott, 2024).

Research Questions (RQs)
RQ1. How do middle-aged men perceive their image before and after getting hair tattoos?
RQ2. What is the general public's perception of middle-aged men with hair tattoos in terms of attractiveness and professionalism?
RQ3. How do middle-aged men's self-esteem and confidence levels change after getting hair tattoos?
RQ4. Are there any societal stereotypes or judgments associated with middle-aged men who choose to get hair tattoos?
RQ5. To what extent do middle-aged men find satisfaction in their overall appearance after applying hair tattoos?

This study aims to investigate the effect of hair tattoos on middle-aged men’s image and acceptance.

Research Tasks: literature review, data collection, and conducting interviews

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: I strongly recommend that the student have research experience.

Mentoring Philosophy

Mentorship is a professional, working alliance in which individuals work together over time to support the relational partners' personal and professional growth, development, and success through career and psychosocial support. So, I believe every challenge is an opportunity for growth first, and I encourage my mentees to embrace setbacks as learning experiences. Second, my approach to mentoring focuses on the whole person, helping my mentees balance their professional ambitions with personal well-being. Finally, I see mentoring as a partnership where both mentor and mentee learn from each other and grow together.

Additional Information

Link to Publications

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Genetics, Genomics, Epigenomics, G4 DNA, Maize, Human

Research Mentor: bass@bio.fsu.edu Dr. Hank Bass, Prefer Hank, will also respond to Dr., Mr., or Professor
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida State University, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: bass@bio.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): bass@bio.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: bass@bio.fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators: Dr. Hank Bass
Faculty Collaborators Email:

Looking for Research Assistants: No
Number of Research Assistants: 4
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors, proficiency, interest, or computer expertise is most important. Interest in biology & genes is also important.
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: ZOOM LINK FOR EACH is
https://fsu.zoom.us/j/99342963404?pwd=JbOEuGbp5vVnvPKAMTihhbxafFmPq5.1
passcode = maize333
9/3 TUE 1-1:30 PM, genomics, Prof. Bass
9/5 THUR 1-1:30 PM, sci comm, Prof. Bass & Grad student Sheridan
9/6 FRI 12-12:30 PM, either project in case unable to attend Tue or Thur, Prof Bass

Project Description

Analysis of large genomic data sets related to the maize or human chromatin project or G-quaduplex (G4 DNA) motifs, DNA replication, or some combination of those.
Students will develop computation skills learned from Dr. Bass, their home dept, and online self-taught resources. We are interested in understanding questions of structure-function relationships that operate on DNA, chromatin, and chromosomes in our model genetic organism, maize (Zea
mays) or newer projects or with human chromatin via funded collaborators.
Additional projects exist (molecular biology & microscopy) and students will be exposed to those areas of research through required participation in our weekly Bass Lab Group Meetings.

Research Tasks: Learn and do computer work in the area of genomics.
Participate in lab meetings. Write proposals to secure research scholarships.
Explore, inquire, & discover - it's hard work but much fun!
Learn how to design, execute, and interpret experiments - become an explorer of the unknown.
Organize and disseminate scientific information during lab meetings, local posters, and, if possible, major scientific conferences and publications.
More info on the bass lab members here:
http://www.bio.fsu.edu/bass/people

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required:
(1) Serious desire & commitment to learning how to do science.
(2) Ability to do or learn computational genomics.
(3) Good work ethic, teamwork, and commitment to a positive & healthy work environment.
Recommended:
(1) Interest in genomics or genetics or plants (maize).
(2) Self-motivated, proactive participant and self-teaching learner.

Mentoring Philosophy

As a Professor of Biological Science, my focus is on studying plant genetics, maize epigenomics, and genome architecture, utilizing 3D imaging, molecular genetics, and genomics.
My students are engaged, therefore, in our shared research goals.
My mentoring philosophy involves treating students as though they are already in the next stage of their professional development.
While the expectations are high, I make sure to acknowledge and support their efforts, training, and growth, irrespective of the outcome of their projects.
By doing so, they experience the ups and downs of being a real scientist and receive meaningful guidance and skills to enhance and apply their education.
To bring this philosophy to life, I help my students produce lasting contributions from their work in the form of presentations or peer-reviewed publications. This enables them to make a tangible impact and gain recognition for their work.
After working with student scholars at FSU for over 20 years, I created the E3 principle of student mentoring - Empowerment, Excellence, and Elevation.
EMPOWERMENT: Creating opportunities for additional career growth and putting students in charge of their projects for them to learn to own and enjoy their achievements.
EXCELLENCE: Hands-on training teaches excellence in scholarship, and how adhering to high standards in data quality and management can lead to success.
ELEVATION: Providing opportunities to excel beyond the traditional student experience, embedding them in conferences, scientific discussions, and collaborations. These activities elevate their performance, confidence, and competitiveness for their future careers.

Additional Information

9/3, 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM. "Computational Genomics" UROP, Fa24, with Prof. Hank Bass
Zoom Link:
https://fsu.zoom.us/j/99342963404?pwd=JbOEuGbp5vVnvPKAMTihhbxafFmPq5.1
Zoom passcode = maize333

Alt. time, 9/6 Friday, 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM, Prof. Bass avail to discus either of two UROP projects
Same zoom link & passcode

Link to Publications

https://www.bio.fsu.edu/bass/

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pre-owned market, second-hand luxury, M-commerce

Research Mentor: Dr. Changhyun (Lyon) Nam,
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida State University, Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship
Contact Email: cn12@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:

Looking for Research Assistants: No
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes
Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 10,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Not participating in the Roundtable

Project Description

The second-hand luxury goods market is defined as the market for pre-owned high-end products associated with prestigious brands. Second-hand luxury goods encompass many items, including fashion accessories, clothing, handbags, watches, footwear, and jewelry in pre-owned markets (e.g., The RealReal, ThredUp, Farfetch Limited; Impactful Insights, 2023). The second-hand luxury goods market has experienced significant growth in recent years, driven by shifting consumer lifestyles, growing awareness about sustainable shopping practices, and increasing demand. In 2023, the second-hand fashion goods and resale market size was estimated to be worth $34.2 billion (Impactful Insights, 2023). According to the Thredup resale report (2023), the global second-hand market is expected to grow three times faster on average than the global apparel market by 2027. The global second-hand luxury market is projected to reach approximately US$58.30 billion by 2028 (Research and Markets, 2023). It is believed that this consistent growth in the second-hand luxury market is primarily driven by Millennials and Generation Z (Gen-Z).

Despite the growing pre-owned market related to luxury goods among the young generation, there is little research to understand the impact of luxury brand value perception on purchase intention toward second-hand luxury goods in the pre-owned market platforms. Thus, this study aims to examine the influence of perceived luxury brand value on the purchase intentions of young consumers in the pre-owned market platform, exploring underlying factors such as social media marketing, consumer engagement, trust, and attitude.

Research Tasks: Literature review, data collection, and conducting interviews.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: I strongly recommend that the student have research experience.

Mentoring Philosophy

Additional Information

Link to Publications

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Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Assistant, Literature Review

Research Mentor: Alexey Suslov,
Department, College, Affiliation: National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: suslov@magnet.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Orion Qualls
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: oq20a@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:

Looking for Research Assistants: No
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: STEM majors, ideally: student 1 studying Physics or Electrical Engineering and student 2 in Computer Science or Information Systems, or related fields.
Project Location: Magnet Lab, 1800 E. Paul Dirac Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32310
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Tallahassee bus stop at the intersection of E. Paul Dirac Dr. and Levy ave.
Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Wednesday September, 4; 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM; https://fsu.zoom.us/j/96565392423
Thursday September, 5; 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM; https://fsu.zoom.us/j/96565392423

Project Description

The goal of the project is to construct a database, a task of significant importance, by entering data from reviewed scholarly publications. This database will serve as a valuable resource in the field of cryogenic preamplifiers.
A student, leveraging the power of artificial intelligence (AI) assistants, will build a comprehensive publicly available database of transistors used for cryogenic preamplifiers worldwide.

Research Tasks: The student activity will include but not be limited to the following steps:
1. Find articles/publications that mention a specific type of transistor in the text.
2. Review the articles, finding where a transistor model is mentioned, and summarize it, indicating a publication, page number, and other details agreed upon. AI will be used in this step.
3. By entering data, create a usable database that will serve as a foundation for a more detailed review of transistors.
4. Conduct a search for datasheets for the transistors.
5. Summarize transistor properties and usage conditions. AI will be used in this step.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required:
• Programming skills in Python (or willing to gain them).
• General knowledge of AI and conversational agent concepts and techniques.
• Good communication and writing skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Passion and curiosity for research and innovation.
• Attention to detail.
Recommended:
• Literature review skills
• Analytical skills

Mentoring Philosophy

I would like this UROP experience to be rewarding and impactful for both of us. I consider the following elements to be critical success factors:
1. Knowing my mentees and understanding their academic and career aspirations would allow me to tailor and personalize my guidance, increase student motivation, and establish a connection with the research project. Assessing their strengths and weaknesses (more likely first through the self-assessment survey in Qualtrics followed by the face-to-face conversation) would be a solid foundation for me to prepare and provide relevant training resources and support the person more effectively. It will also help both of us to manage expectations.
2. Preparing and sharing resources that are required for overall research skills development and the project specifically. Resources will include, but not be limited to FSU libraries, FSU workshops, online tutorials, and my curated resources.
3. Engaging in active, hands-on research experiences would contribute to developing curio

Additional Information

Technology:
• It is expected that students have their own computers.
• Library search software, AI tools, and prompt engineering strategies will be introduced.
Benefits for the student participants:
• Gain valuable hands-on experience in a cutting-edge research project in an active world-class research facility.
• Enhance your skills and knowledge in AI and conversational agents.

Link to Publications

https://nationalmaglab.org/staff/?name=AlexeySuslov

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maize, STEMM, social media, genetics

Research Mentor: Prefer Hank, will also respond to Dr., Mr., or Professor Dr. Hank Bass, Prefer Hank, will also respond to Dr., Mr., or Professor
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida State University, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: bass@bio.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Bianca Sheridan
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: bsheridan@bio.fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:

Looking for Research Assistants: No
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors - good fits include information studies, science communication, STEM education, and biology.
UROP student(s) would work with both Dr. Bass and Bianca Sheridan, details to be worked out.
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: THUR 12-2 PM (for Hank Bass Lab "biology science communication" UROP, Fa24)

Zoom Link:
https://fsu.zoom.us/j/99342963404?pwd=JbOEuGbp5vVnvPKAMTihhbxafFmPq5.1
passcode = miaze333

(alt time Fri 12-12:30, for either project, same zoom link)

Project Description

To assist with public education outreach on social media using Dr. Bass 21-year maize-10-maze project.
See crazylazycorn.org for more information.
The Bass las has excellent picture and video content of students of all ages learning about fun maize mutants and genetics.
Active on Instagram and tik tok (tik tok see "scienceforyall" [Dr. Bass site] and "cornqueenB" [Bianca Sheridan's site, doctoral student in Bass lab]
Students will work with Bianca and Hank to curate, update, and develop maize genetics educational online content.
We also have an image and movie database omeka at https://crazycornmutants.omeka.net/
The Bass lab is an active, fun, and supportive place to be creative and contribute to society through research and outreach.

Research Tasks: Curate & add photos from Bass lab stocks.
Make new videos or movies featuring kids learning or teaching about maize genetics.
Have fun.
Present to the weekly Bass Lab Group meeting once per semester.
Learn about genetics from DNA to organism using maize (Zea mays) as a model system.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Professional and reliable team player.
Commitment to working with flexible and set times, as needed for Bianca's & Hank's schedules.
Good organization and communication.
Good cooperation and consideration.
Creativity and a passion for learning and teaching.

Mentoring Philosophy

As a Professor of Biological Science, my focus is on studying plant genetics, maize epigenomics, and genome architecture, utilizing 3D imaging, molecular genetics, and genomics. My students are engaged, therefore, in our shared research goals.
My mentoring philosophy involves treating students as though they are already in the next stage of their professional development. While the expectations are high, I make sure to acknowledge and support their efforts, training, and growth, irrespective of the outcome of their projects. By doing so, they experience the ups and downs of being a real scientist and receive meaningful guidance and skills to enhance and apply their education.
To bring this philosophy to life, I help my students produce lasting contributions from their work in the form of presentations or peer-reviewed publications. This enables them to make a tangible impact and gain recognition for their work.
After working with student scholars at FSU for over 20 years, I created the E3 principle of student mentoring - Empowerment, Excellence, and Elevation.
EMPOWERMENT: Creating opportunities for additional career growth and putting students in charge of their projects for them to learn to own and enjoy their achievements.
EXCELLENCE: Hands-on training teaches excellence in scholarship, and how adhering to high standards in data quality and management can lead to success.
ELEVATION: Providing opportunities to excel beyond the traditional student experience, embedding them in conferences, scientific discussions, and collaborations. These activities elevate their performance, confidence, and competitiveness for their future careers.

Additional Information

Our NSF-funded outreach page -
https://www.bio.fsu.edu/bass/maizenucleosome/outreach/

Bianca's recent poster on the maize-10-maze
https://drive.google.com/file/d/10_RJy9572hFe94NLcRFmuj4IeywY3pGF/view

Link to Publications

https://www.crazylazycorn.org/

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Wetsuit, material testing, water sports

Looking for Research Assistants: No
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Primarily material science, design, or (textile and product development) of Entrepreneurship; However, open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes
Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 10,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Not participating in the Roundtable

Project Description

The development of manual model performance data for thermal comfort in a wetsuit aims to create new standards for optimal wetsuit thickness guidelines and correlating water temperature table for safer diving for leisure and prolonged underwater occupations, i.e., military, rescue, and construction, resulting in fewer cold stress incidents.

Problem/Issue and Research Questions
As a protective clothing item for water sports and underwater occupations, the wetsuit is a significant piece of gear that shields the human body during immersion in cold water, reducing total heat loss and maintaining body temperature. Wetsuits are widely applied in water sports clothing (e.g., surfing, triathlon, scuba diving) and categorized by different styles (e.g., shorty, spring, convertible, full, hooded) and with broad ranges of thickness (from 1 to 7 mm). Wetsuits are also critical pieces for some occupations, such as the military, search and rescue teams, underwater construction, and exploration. In other words, wetsuits and thermal insulation suits with a single layer made for warmth and protection play an important role in reducing the rate of heat buildup and perspiration on the skin caused by exposure to cold water and minimizing cold stress in critically dangerous, unexpected, and prolonged submersion situations.

Therefore, the key purpose of this study is to develop a manual performance model of wetsuits considering varied material thicknesses among different water temperatures and make a new wetsuit prototype.

Research Tasks: literature review, data collection, and conducting interviews

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: I strongly recommend that the student have research experience regarding material testing and design.

Mentoring Philosophy

Additional Information

Link to Publications

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Documentary, filmmaking, storytelling, history, digital media

Research Mentor: Mr. Donald Gjoka, He/him/his
Department, College, Affiliation: N/A, N/A
Contact Email: 3MusesPhotos@gmail.com
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Ms. Danielle Wirsansky She/her/hers
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: dw12d@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:

Looking for Research Assistants: No
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Digital media, film, history, but open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote
Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: 5 pm-5:30 pm EST on Tuesday September 3rd: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/92065062244

Project Description

Are you passionate about storytelling, history, or social justice? Do you want to be part of a creative team bringing powerful stories to life through documentary filmmaking? Join us at 3 Muses Photography & Productions, where we’re currently developing a series of documentaries that explore diverse and impactful subjects.

Our ongoing projects include:

1. The Haserot Angel: A deep dive into the mysterious and evocative Haserot Angel sculpture in Cleveland, exploring its historical significance and cultural symbolism.
2. Bound by Love: A poignant documentary on intermarriage during the Holocaust, capturing the stories of love, resilience, and defiance during one of history’s darkest periods.
3. Queer Politics & Theatre in Florida: An exploration of the intersection of queer politics and theatre in Florida, examining how the arts are being used to navigate and challenge current political climates.

As a research assistant, you’ll have the unique opportunity to contribute to the creative and analytical aspects of documentary production. Your tasks will include conducting thorough research on the topics, assisting with script development, organizing and editing film footage, and possibly engaging with the technical aspects of documentary editing using tools like DaVinci Resolve.

This is a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on experience in documentary filmmaking while exploring topics that are both deeply personal and widely relevant. Your work will help bring these important stories to the screen, where they can educate, inspire, and provoke thought.

Research Tasks: Archival Research & Story Development, Visual & Audio Content Research, Interview Transcription & Analysis, Editing & Technical Assistance, Creative Contribution & Feedback

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required:

1. Strong Research Skills: Ability to conduct thorough and detailed research using both primary and secondary sources.
2. Attention to Detail: Careful attention to accuracy and precision, especially when handling historical documents and organizing research materials.
3. Writing & Communication Skills: Ability to clearly and effectively communicate research findings, as well as assist in scriptwriting and story development.
4. Time Management: Capacity to manage time effectively, meet deadlines, and contribute to ongoing projects in a timely manner.
5. Transcription Skills: Ability to accurately transcribe interviews and other audio content.

Recommended:

1. Experience with Archival Research: Prior experience with historical research, especially in the context of documentary filmmaking, is highly beneficial.
2. Creativity: A creative mindset for contributing ideas and providing constructive feedback on documentary content.
3. Familiarity with Documentary Film Production: An understanding of the basics of documentary film production and editing processes.
4. Critical Thinking: Ability to analyze and synthesize information to contribute to the development of compelling and factual narratives.
5. Technical Proficiency with Editing Software: Familiarity with video editing software such as DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere Pro, or similar tools.

Mentoring Philosophy

As a mentor, I believe in creating a supportive and collaborative learning environment where students are encouraged to explore and develop their skills. I am understanding and patient, always happy to teach and guide, but I also place great importance on students putting forth their best effort. I view mentoring as a partnership where both the mentor and mentee grow together. My aim is to help students not only succeed in their current projects but also to equip them with the tools and confidence to tackle future challenges independently.

Additional Information

Link to Publications

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spanish linguistics social sciences data analysis

Research Mentor: Yeimy J Roberto, She, her hers
Department, College, Affiliation: Modern Languages and Linguistics, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: yroberto@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:

Looking for Research Assistants: No
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: 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: Wednesday, September 4 from 12 pm to 12:30 pm Access the recording here: https://fsu.zoom.us/rec/share/6OnBFlo_8IyLUWKJ0AunTGqoX24PlU5651l58XlGkib-tS7rGh591-6fNy5s7Qk.OFkflpiFgHUZoAbG?startTime=1725465658000
Friday, September 6 from 12 pm to 12:30 pm

Project Description

This research investigates the intonation of a variety of Spanish in Colombia influenced by historical Quechua. The goal is to identify unique acoustic traits and explore syntactic-prosodic mechanisms for expressing focus in Andean Spanish. To achieve this, we analyze audio data, annotate speech patterns, create a comprehensive database, document the inventory of observed traits, and compare them with previous research. As linguistic research has become a critical resource in advancing our comprehension of human aural communication, it is expected that results will enhance our understanding of syntactic-prosodic mechanisms in Spanish and identify intonation patterns specific to the region.

Research Tasks: The research assistant will assist with data analysis in the field of Linguistic Research, specifically experimental phonetics. Data for this research consists of audio recordings in Spanish. The mentee will receive special training to use the software that facilitates de visual analysis of the audio. After the training, mentees will be able to create text grids, transcribe words, and annotate movements observed in the voice. The analysis requires the ability to listen to audio recordings in Spanish and match the captions syllable by syllable.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: To do linguistic data analysis, the mentee ideally understands Spanish (highly recommended). Basic software skills, detail-oriented and time management are desired but not required, as you can develop those during our time working together. Being self-motivated is appreciated.

Mentoring Philosophy

My mentoring philosophy is centered on fostering an environment where mentees can become more competitive professionally. My priority is to empower mentees to set their milestones and encourage them to take ownership of their achievements/learning opportunities (and celebrate them!) By creating a supportive atmosphere where sharing thoughts, concerns, and new ways of completing tasks is stimulated, I believe mentees can thrive in any situation (personal, professional, academic). Fostering autonomy in their research endeavors and respectful communication will instill a lifelong commitment to intellectual curiosity and ethical research practices.

Additional Information

Having Spanish understanding is not the most valuable skill for this research. Rather, following the annotation procedures with faithfulness is. If you don't have the language requirement, but you follow procedures thoroughly, you are welcome to the team. The analysis of the data consist of premeditated sentences read by participants. As they are premeditated, you have access to the captions, but must match them syllable by syllable in the software. You'll receive specialized training to do so.

Link to Publications

https://sites.google.com/view/proyectopasto/home

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