UROP Project
machine learning, flow control, flow experiments
Research Mentor: kshoele@fsu.edu Kourosh Shoele,
Department, College, Affiliation: Mechanical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: kshoele@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Mechanical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: kshoele@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: Mechanical Engineering, mathematics
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 8,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Thursday September 5: 3-5
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Mechanical Engineering, mathematics
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 8,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Thursday September 5: 3-5
Project Description
Soft robotics are increasingly being used in underwater applications due to their flexibility, adaptability, and ability to navigate complex aquatic environments. Unlike traditional rigid robots, soft robots can deform and conform to their surroundings, enabling them to move efficiently through water, navigate tight spaces, and interact gently with delicate marine life or fragile underwater structures. These capabilities make soft robots ideal for environmental monitoring, marine biology research, underwater exploration, and search-and-rescue missions. Their soft, compliant materials allow safer interactions with the environment and living organisms, reducing the risk of damage or injury. Additionally, many soft robots are inspired by aquatic animals, making their movement patterns more energy-efficient and versatile in the dynamic underwater environment. As this technology advances, soft robots have the potential to expand the range of underwater operations and provide new tools for scientific discovery, conservation efforts, and industrial applications. The system to be useful needs to be carefully controlled, which for soft robots comes with extra complexity. Here, we explore how to use machine learning, computational model and towing tank experiments to identify the optimal way to improve the perform of flexible soft robots.This study explores the application of reinforcement learning (RL) to optimize the control of tail motion in a soft swimming robot. By leveraging RL, the robots that are equipped with piezoelectric tails autonomously learn efficient tail movements that enhance propulsion and maneuverability in aquatic environments. The soft, flexible tail allows for a wide range of motion, mimicking natural swimming behaviors observed in aquatic organisms. Through iterative training, the RL algorithm adjusts the control policy to maximize swimming efficiency, stability, and agility, while adapting to varying fluid dynamics and external disturbances. this is done considering the limitations imposed by tradition force producing units in the robot and with the consideration of its flexibility. The expected results should demonstrate the potential of RL in advancing the performance of soft robots for underwater exploration, environmental monitoring, and bio-inspired robotics.
Research Tasks: -help in performing towing tank experiments
-reading literature
- postprocess the data
-learn how to measure forces and perform robotic experiments for underwater applications
-scientific presentation
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required: Creativity and interest in interdisciplinary research
Recommended: Desirable previous basic classes in fluid mechanics and/or robotic, and dynamics
Mentoring Philosophy
It is crucial to teach undergraduate students the concepts and details of scientific topics through hands-on experiences. Undergraduate students supported by this project will be mentored by PI Shoele and will have opportunities to interact with the research team, gaining valuable insights into the research process.Orientation: Orientation will occur within the first week of the program. Students will be introduced to the entire research group by the end of the first month to foster a collaborative environment.
Career Counseling: PIs will provide career counseling to help students navigate their academic and professional paths. Students will be encouraged to attend career workshops at FSU.
Professional Development: Undergraduate students will be encouraged to benefit from resources provided by FSU to enhance their professional skills. Internships at other institutions, such as Argonne and Oak Ridge labs will be discussed.
Group work: Students will engage in monthly group meetings with the PI group to learn from interactive mentoring practices. They will also have opportunities to to learn from graduate students.
Scientific Communication: Students will be introduced to present to peers, identifying research significance, objectives, and work planning. Additionally, they will be encouraged to present their research at regional conferences, gaining experience and communication skills.
Assessment of Success: The success of this research experience will be assessed through regular meetings between the students and PI Shoele.
Through these initiatives, undergraduate students will gain the skills, knowledge, and experience necessary to excel in their academic education, particularly in the rapidly evolving field of soft robotics.
Additional Information
Link to Publications
literacy, language, children, disabilities, speech-language pathology
Research Mentor: Dr. Shannon Hall-Mills,
Department, College, Affiliation: School of Communication Science and Disorders, Communication and Information
Contact Email: Shannon.Hall-Mills@cci.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: School of Communication Science and Disorders, Communication and Information
Contact Email: Shannon.Hall-Mills@cci.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: 3
Relevant Majors: All majors are welcome; this project may be most relevant to the following majors: Communication Science and Disorders, Psychology, Education and Special Education, Family and Child Sciences.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Tuesday, September 3, 2:00-2:30pm. Must register. Register in advance for this meeting:
https://fsu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwucu6oqDwqGtcECdHArnApkRkLWk7aWLwn
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Number of Research Assistants: 3
Relevant Majors: All majors are welcome; this project may be most relevant to the following majors: Communication Science and Disorders, Psychology, Education and Special Education, Family and Child Sciences.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Tuesday, September 3, 2:00-2:30pm. Must register. Register in advance for this meeting:
https://fsu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwucu6oqDwqGtcECdHArnApkRkLWk7aWLwn
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Project Description
The Language-Literacy Bridges project is an active project within the School-based Practices, Effectiveness, and Research (SPEAR) Lab. It involves interviews with speech-language pathologists who work with school-age children with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), to document the SLPs’ perspectives, experiences, and practices supporting children’s literacy success.Research Tasks: UROP students may be involved in the following project activities and tasks: assisting with participant recruitment and interview scheduling, gathering data from practicing SLPs, assisting with organizing data, reviewing relevant literature, and attending biweekly lab meetings.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required: Punctuality, Ability to work both collaboratively with peers and team members as well as independently for some tasks. Recommended: Familiarity with and willingness to learn to use Microsoft Office Suite programs and systems for project tasks (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive and SharePoint, OneNote, TEAMS).
Mentoring Philosophy
For students in my research lab, I prioritize hands-on, experiential learning, where you'll actively engage in research projects that not only deepen your understanding but also allow you to contribute meaningfully to real-world issues in speech-language pathology.Additional Information
Link to Publications
https://directory.cci.fsu.edu/shannon-hall-mills/
Medicare, Theory, Environmental policy, Hospital management
Research Mentor: Hyunji Christine Kim, She
Department, College, Affiliation: Askew School of Public Administration and Policy, Social Sciences and Public Policy
Contact Email: hk22a@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Askew School of Public Administration and Policy, Social Sciences and Public Policy
Contact Email: hk22a@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: No
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: No certain majors that I'm looking for as long as you are in social science or policy, MPH. Or anyone interested in Medicare/Medicaid and how the policy outcome could be differed by the implementation and management. I need your brilliant insights and ideas from your background.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 6 hours per week,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Not participating in the Roundtable
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: No certain majors that I'm looking for as long as you are in social science or policy, MPH. Or anyone interested in Medicare/Medicaid and how the policy outcome could be differed by the implementation and management. I need your brilliant insights and ideas from your background.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 6 hours per week,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Not participating in the Roundtable
Project Description
The intersection of health management, environmental policy, and energy usage presents a critical area of research, especially in the context of how these factors influence health outcomes and the financial sustainability of hospitals.My research explores the dynamic relationship between environmental conditions, especially energy insecurity, and health outcomes, particularly focusing on Medicare-funded hospitals. By integrating theory organizational theory, this research seeks to develop a comprehensive understanding of how external environmental conditions and internal energy management practices contribute to both the quality of care and the economic viability of hospitals.
By focusing on the intersection of environment, energy, and health management, this research contributes to a growing body of literature that emphasizes the importance of sustainable practices in healthcare. It seeks to provide actionable recommendations for policymakers and healthcare administrators, helping to shape a future where healthcare institutions can thrive financially while promoting better health outcomes in the face of environmental challenges.
However, my research interests are not limited to the hospital context, but rather I am also interested in theoretical development related to administrative burden and its impact on the program take up and burden tolerance on the social welfare programs, how to make people more tolerate.
Research Tasks: Mainly two tasks, literature review and data collection
For the literature review, you can just scrap the papers matching the topics and theory.
For data collection, mainly about going into the website and getting the information of policies, and checking the dictionaries.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: No specific skill is required or mandatory. However, it would be great and preferred if you have a general idea of Public administration topics and interests in public policy and social equity. In addition, interest in Medicare and Medicaid, and their relationship between health outcomes and its burden on applying the social welfare programs and how it impacts the takeup rate and their welfare as well as hospital financial sustainability and quality of care.
Mentoring Philosophy
My mentoring philosophy is grounded in the belief that a successful mentor-mentee relationship is built on mutual respect, trust, and a shared commitment to growth. As a doctoral student, I aim to guide undergraduate mentees through self-discovery and skill development, helping them articulate and achieve their academic and professional goals.I believe in promoting learning through inquiry, encouraging mentees to ask questions, seek out resources, and explore different perspectives. This approach not only helps them develop critical thinking skills but also prepares them to face challenges with confidence. I believe in using these experiences to model perseverance and adaptability. I encourage mentees to explore different perspectives and ask questions, fostering an environment where they can grow through inquiry and critical thinking.
Having taught for several years, I have accumulated a wealth of experiences that I share with my mentees. Therefore, I strive to create an interactive environment where mentees feel comfortable taking risks and learning from their experiences. To do so, I would willingly share my own experiences, both successes and challenges.
As we are both students, I wish we could use this opportunity to develop our interests together and improve ourselves through discussion and interaction. I focus on building respectful relationships, providing personalized guidance, and fostering a secure and interactive working environment. Through this approach, I aim to help mentees achieve their academic and career goals, particularly as they prepare for the challenges of graduate school and beyond.
Additional Information
Link to Publications
Physics, Data Analysis, Programming
Research Mentor: Edmundo S. Barriga, he/him
Department, College, Affiliation: Physics, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: ebarriga@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators: Alicia Remington
Faculty Collaborators Email: aremington@fsu.edu
Department, College, Affiliation: Physics, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: ebarriga@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators: Alicia Remington
Faculty Collaborators Email: aremington@fsu.edu
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors, but physics is preferred
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 7 hrs,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Tuesday 4:00 - 4:30 pm (https://fsu.zoom.us/j/98037478316)
Wednesday 4:00 - 4:30 pm (https://fsu.zoom.us/j/98037478316)
Friday 4:00 - 4:30 pm (https://fsu.zoom.us/j/98037478316)
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors, but physics is preferred
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 7 hrs,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Tuesday 4:00 - 4:30 pm (https://fsu.zoom.us/j/98037478316)
Wednesday 4:00 - 4:30 pm (https://fsu.zoom.us/j/98037478316)
Friday 4:00 - 4:30 pm (https://fsu.zoom.us/j/98037478316)
Project Description
The student will perform a survey on a physics reaction looking for intermediate resonances. This means that they will have to identify their final state particles, eliminate backgrounds, and plot mass distributions or other kinematical variables that would allow for potential identification of the parent particle of the final state particles. The students will write or modify code to help them analyze the physics events. In addition, the student will learn to generate Monte Carlo simulations to understand the behavior of potential intermediary resonances.Research Tasks: The student's primary task consists of data analysis performed by writing or modifying code. The students will also review articles to provide context for the research they will be performing.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Basic physics knowledge is needed. Knowledge of Linux OS, C++ coding, and presentation will be developed through the project. If the student already has this knowledge, the learning curve will be smaller, but it is not required.
Mentoring Philosophy
As mentors, we like to understand the needs and backgrounds of the students to make sure we can adjust the project to a level that will promote growth. We do not provide all the answers as we believe there is a lot to learn from a challenging environment. Nonetheless, we are open to brainstorming and guiding the students so that they gain the necessary skills and confidence to continue the path forward. We like to provide resources that will serve as tools to enhance the learning process.Additional Information
Link to Publications
education, information, social media, digital literacy, information literacy, visual literacy
Research Mentor: Dr. Vanessa Dennen, she/her
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida State University, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: vdennen@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators: Dr.
Faculty Collaborators Email: jpmyers@fsu.edu
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida State University, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: vdennen@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators: Dr.
Faculty Collaborators Email: jpmyers@fsu.edu
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: Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Tuesday Sept 3 / 12-12:30
Wednesday Sept 4 / 2:30-3
Apologies - I had to cancel the Friday sessions that I had previously planned BUT I have made a recording:
https://bit.ly/UROP2024
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Tuesday Sept 3 / 12-12:30
Wednesday Sept 4 / 2:30-3
Apologies - I had to cancel the Friday sessions that I had previously planned BUT I have made a recording:
https://bit.ly/UROP2024
Project Description
In this project, we will examine how K-12 teachers draw upon a variety of literacies (digital, information, visual) as they navigate the online world, including social media, and subsequently incorporate information and visuals in their instruction. Additionally, we consider how teachers' knowledge, skills, and attitudes in this arena affect how they work with students. We will use interviews as our primary data source, and plan to be actively engaged in the interview process during Fall 2024, with data analysis beginning in fall and extending into spring.Research Tasks: At a minimum, you can expect to be involved in systematic literature review, data processing and coding, and data analysis (videos, images, interviews). You will learn to use a variety of tools and techniques. There may be an opportunity to participate in conducting interviews, too.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Strong organizational skills and attention to detail are needed.
We will train you on all research-specific skills.
Students need to complete CITI training (“FSU Faculty, Staff, and Students” Social/Behavioral) before beginning any work.
Mentoring Philosophy
UROP offers a great opportunity for students to have early research experiences. I apply the cognitive apprenticeship model in my research teams, in which my UROP mentees are full members of the research team. As cognitive apprentices, you get to see all parts of the research process, contribute your own insights along the way, and gradually gain responsibilities as you learn how to perform different research tasks. I have high expectations for our research outcomes, and will train and support you to meet them. I will also seek ways to help you work toward your long-term educational and professional goals.Above all else, I believe in kindness, respect, and lifelong learning, and aim to foster a research environment that supports these ideals.
I have worked with many UROP students over the years. Several have become collaborators on presentations at national conferences and some have published with me. The opportunity is there for you if you seek it. :)
Additional Information
Link to Publications
International, adolescent, teens, community-based, visual art, art therapy
Research Mentor: kdonald@fsu.edu Karina Donald, She, her
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida State University, Fine Arts
Contact Email: kdonald@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida State University, Fine Arts
Contact Email: kdonald@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: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-7,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Tuesday September 3 2-2:30 pm https://fsu.zoom.us/j/97603242073
Wednesday September 4 5-5:30 pm https://fsu.zoom.us/j/97603242073
Thursday September 5 6-6:30 pm https://fsu.zoom.us/j/99971152596
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: 5-7,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Tuesday September 3 2-2:30 pm https://fsu.zoom.us/j/97603242073
Wednesday September 4 5-5:30 pm https://fsu.zoom.us/j/97603242073
Thursday September 5 6-6:30 pm https://fsu.zoom.us/j/99971152596
Project Description
Community engagement is considered helpful among Caribbean people who are navigating challenges. In particular, research indicates the protective nature of social support on adolescent self-esteem. It is believed that community art therapy plays a pivotal role in strengthening and enhancing communities and participatory research approach could assist in assessing and addressing community needs. However, it is unclear how art therapists should merge community and other cultural values for sustaining or increasing self-esteem among Caribbean youth. Therefore, this project explores the impact of community art therapy on the well-being of Caribbean youth, specifically focusing on self-esteem and types of visual arts that boost Caribbean youth well-being.Research Tasks: Literature review; data collection, arts data analysis; manuscript preparation
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: The research assistant(s) will be working with graduate students and I to collect data, analyze visual arts data, manuscript preparation and possibly present at a research conference in late Spring 2024. Therefore, curiosity about the research process is important. Research assistants will need to learn from their experiences and from ongoing collaboration. Although experiences of working in a team is not required, openness to working in a team on a research project is necessary. Skills that will be helpful are: literature review, academic writing, data analysis, and preparation of a manuscript. Writing skills are important because we will be preparing a manuscript. There will be opportunities to learn new skills; therefore, I hope that research assistant(s) will be open to share their triumphs, mistakes, and questions throughout our research relationship.
Mentoring Philosophy
I enjoy the process of collaborating with students and also seeing them grow in knowledge about themselves and about the world. Therefore, I prefer a developmental approach in my mentorship. Mentees learn through having a variety of experiences. I believe that there are phases that mentees work in reaching their professional goals. Each phase is built upon previous knowledge, skills, and experiences. Through disclosing my research and professional experiences that are applicable to mentees’ tasks, I hope that mentees can process how they are gaining new insights and skills to increase openness to talk about successes, challenges, and mistakes in their work. I prefer open communication about mentees’ needs and goals to support accomplishment of research projects.Ultimately, my mentorship model is experiential. Hands-on learning is beneficial to mentees’ development. I do not believe in talking at mentees; talking with mentees creates stronger relationships and teams. Change occurs in teams through mutual encouragement of growth and being flexible. When one team member changes through authentic communication, the entire team shifts and benefits. My collaborative way of processing options in research helps mentees develop skills that are applicable yet unique to their professional goals and personality. By mentees willing to integrate their personality in our collaborative work, their confidence and skills in research blossoms.
Additional Information
Link to Publications
LGBT, HIV, Clinical Trials, Health Disparities
Research Mentor: Cxavierhall@fsu.edu Casey Xavier Hall, He/him
Department, College, Affiliation: Center of Population Sciences for Health Equity, Nursing
Contact Email: cxavierhall@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Center of Population Sciences for Health Equity, Nursing
Contact Email: cxavierhall@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: 4
Relevant Majors: Open to all Majors (slight preference for nursing, but not required).
Project Location: Innovation Park and distance via Zoom
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Sept. 3 at 10 a.m. Eastern via Zoom.
Meeting URL:
https://fsu.zoom.us/j/92911772355?from=addon
Meeting ID: 929 1177 2355
Number of Research Assistants: 4
Relevant Majors: Open to all Majors (slight preference for nursing, but not required).
Project Location: Innovation Park and distance via Zoom
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Sept. 3 at 10 a.m. Eastern via Zoom.
Meeting URL:
https://fsu.zoom.us/j/92911772355?from=addon
Meeting ID: 929 1177 2355
Project Description
In past partnerships with the Food & Drug Administration we’ve conducted projects that will have the potential to change policies and practices to increase representation of LGBTQ+ and people living with HIV in clinical trials. These have included a funded project focused on Latinx LGBTQ+ participants in clinical trials as well as a Pride Month event with the Commissioner of the FDA to discuss clinical trial participation among LGBTQ+ and people living with HIV. This project is inspired by this work.Currently, most clinical trials do not take consideration the best ways to recruit and retain LGBTQ+ people and most clinical trials excluded people living with HIV even if HIV-status isn’t clinical important relative to the trial outcomes. Without data on these populations it’s not possible to know if treatments and interventions that are assessed in clinical trials not have good fit with LGBTQ+ communities or people living with HIV. The current project will conduct a scoping review of existing literature on these topics. Through this project students will learn about how to conduct a scoping review, about the Food & Drug Administration, and about clinical trial diversity. This project will end with a published document summarizing existing strategies and next steps for improving representation of LGBTQ+ and people living with HIV in clinical trials.
Research Tasks: Assisting with abstract review, and full-text review
Writing summaries of literature
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: In past partnerships with the Food & Drug Administration we’ve began projects that will have the potential to change policies and practices to increase representation of LGBTQ+ and people living with HIV in clinical trials. These have included a funded project focused on Latinx LGBTQ+ participants in clinical trials as well as a Pride Month event with the Commissioner of the FDA to discuss clinical trial participation among LGBTQ+ and people living with HIV. This project is inspired by this work.
Currently, most clinical trials do not take consideration the best ways to recruit and retain LGBTQ+ people and most clinical trials excluded people living with HIV even if HIV-status isn’t clinical important relative to the trial outcomes. Without data on these populations it’s not possible to know if treatments and interventions that are assessed in clinical trials not have good fit with LGBTQ+ communities or people living with HIV. The current project will conduct a scoping review of existing literature on these topics. Through this project students will learn about how to conduct a scoping review, about the Food & Drug Administration, and about clinical trial diversity. This project will end with a published document summarizing existing strategies and next steps for improving representation of LGBTQ+ and people living with HIV in clinical trials.
Assisting with abstract review, and full-text review
Writing summaries of literature
Required:
• Ability to work independently and on a team
• Good time management skills including the ability to work self-set flexible hours while maintaining deadlines and deliverables
• An interest in learning about LGBTQ+ people, people living with HIV, and clinical trials as well as developing skills in scoping review
Recommended:
• Some basic understanding of published research articles
Mentoring Philosophy
My mentorship philosophy for working with undergraduate students is:1) Collaboratively create an understanding of how we envision teamwork. I always start by discussing what works well for all parties to develop a compact. This is a roadmap of what kind of communication works well, what kinds of rules we want to set for ourselves, and how we will operate as a team. We will revisit the compact regularly through the course of the project.
2) Identify common interests and long-term goals. I always want to know a students’ interests and long-term goals so that a learning experience can be tailored to best fit these interests and goals.
3) Develop foundational understanding and skills in scientific research. My goal is to help UROP students develop an understanding of behavioral health research through an applied project. This will serve as a foundation for future endeavors.
4) Encourage independent-learning and intellectual curiosity. While I provide educational resources to my students, I also encourage students to learn independently, seek resources, and develop an intellectual curiosity that will serve them if they pursue graduate coursework.
5) Meet a student where they are at. I am a queer, first-generation college graduate and I understand how those identities and experiences impacted me as an undergraduate student. I strive to meet my students where they are at in regard to identity or experience with the understanding that we all come from different backgrounds which may impact the ways we experience academic endeavors including power structures within academia.
Additional Information
Link to Publications
https://cpshe.fsu.edu/
policing, justice, violence, race, police reform
Research Mentor: Dr. Tyler McCreary, he/him/his
Department, College, Affiliation: Geography, Social Sciences and Public Policy
Contact Email: amr18ab@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Mr. Adam Rose he/him/his
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: amr18ab@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Geography, Social Sciences and Public Policy
Contact Email: amr18ab@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Mr. Adam Rose he/him/his
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: amr18ab@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: No
Number of Research Assistants: 3
Relevant Majors: Geography, Sociology, Political Science, Criminology, Environment and Society
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,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Not participating in the Roundtable
Number of Research Assistants: 3
Relevant Majors: Geography, Sociology, Political Science, Criminology, Environment and Society
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,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Not participating in the Roundtable
Project Description
In light of recent tragic deaths of civilians in police custody, the use of force by law enforcement officers has become a leading topic of public discussion. As a result of these fatal encounters, there has been an increasing demand for police reform in their use of force policies. However, there remains limited systematic research to inform to policy discussions. The Campaign Zero movement, established in 2015, has proposed a set of eight policies to decrease police violence incidents in the United States. To assess whether these eight policies decrease incidents of police use-of-force, this project engages in a comprehensive review of police use-of-force policies across police jurisdictions in Florida. It evaluates what effect adopting the recommended policies, as well as an additional policy mandating the provision of emergency medical services in the event of physical harm, has on rates of reported use of force. We will also examine any demographic trends in the areas where policies have been adopted.Research Tasks: Write emails and file information requests asking for use of force polices from different police jurisdictions; conduct policy
scan evaluating the policies in place in each jurisdiction; for those interested, participate in statistical and spatial-statistical
analysis of data.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Communication skills, policy analysis skills
Mentoring Philosophy
I view student mentoring as a central component of my work as a faculty member. I have a collaborative approach tosupervision, working directly with students to help them develop their ideas and engage their insights in the research. I also
support students to develop themselves as scholars, building communication and presentation skills, and building their
research profile for future success. I encourage students to participate in the Florida Undergraduate Research Conference
and provide detailed feedback on their posters.
Additional Information
Link to Publications
Collaboration, Practitioners’ Engagement, Smart Cities
Research Mentor: Tian Luo,
Department, College, Affiliation: Askew School of Public Administration, Social Sciences and Public Policy
Contact Email: tluo@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Askew School of Public Administration, Social Sciences and Public Policy
Contact Email: tluo@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: Public Administration and Policy; Statistics
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 6 hours,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Not participating in the Roundtable
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Public Administration and Policy; Statistics
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 6 hours,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Not participating in the Roundtable
Project Description
Many studies have analyzed the challenges and benefits of collaborations between social science scholars and practitioners across various sectors, including government, non-profits, and businesses. As technology and society become increasingly intertwined, the need for more effective collaborations between scientific and engineering researchers and practitioners grows. However, there is still a significant gap in understanding how these collaborations can effectively connect technology and social aspects to benefit communities.To address these research challenges, this study evaluates whether and how collaborations between scientific and engineering researchers and practitioners in the NSF Smart and Connected Communities (S&CC) program stimulate smart technology-related activities among practitioners. It investigates the extent of influence the S&CC program has on practitioners’ engagement with smart technologies. The study focuses on the impact of S&CC program participation on both NGOs, assessing their activities in learning, adopting, and promoting smart technologies, and government agencies, evaluating the potential increase in smart technology initiatives, policies, and collaborations. The emphasis is on tangible actions that demonstrate an active engagement in smart technology integration and advocacy.
This study employs event study analysis to assess changes in smart technology activities among NGOs and government agencies before and after joining the S&CC program. It also identifies factors influencing the program's effectiveness in enhancing smart technology efforts in non-academic institutions. The findings will provide insights into the program's role in smart technology engagement, smart city development, public sector technology integration, and will inform academic researchers, practitioners, and funding agencies on designing collaborations that effectively connect science, technology, and society.
Research Tasks: Conducting Text Analysis and Basic Data Analysis
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: The research assistant is required to thoroughly review each program's abstract and identify key information. This information will be systematically coded into Excel tables. If possible, the research assistant is recommended to perform some basic regression analyses in R programme.
Mentoring Philosophy
In my role as a mentor, I aim to cultivate an environment that encourages curiosity, independence, and collaborative learning. My research focuses on bridging the gap between academia and practice, and I apply this same philosophy to mentoring. I believe in identifying and building upon each mentee’s unique strengths, guiding them to take ownership of their work, and promoting accountability. By fostering open communication and mutual respect, I encourage mentees to explore complex problems, ask critical questions, and learn from their experiences, including mistakes. I emphasize the importance of connecting theoretical knowledge with practical application, and I am committed to creating a supportive space where mentees feel empowered to engage deeply with their work, contributing to both their personal growth and the advancement of smart technologies in real-world contexts.Additional Information
Link to Publications
Text Analysis, MENA, Israel, Palestine, Middle East, conflict, peace
Research Mentor: hm22o@fsu.edu Hashim Malallah,
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida State University, Social Sciences and Public Policy
Contact Email: hm22o@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida State University, Social Sciences and Public Policy
Contact Email: hm22o@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: No
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: political science preferred but not required
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 3-5,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Not participating in the Roundtable
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: political science preferred but not required
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 3-5,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Not participating in the Roundtable
Project Description
How has elite views toward Israel and Palestine changed over time and across states? The incidents of October 7 have had major ramifications on global views towards the most salient issue in the Middle East and North Africa. Variation in public and elite sentiment towards Israel and Palestine is not specific to the October 7 incidents but rather since the Belfour Declaration in 1917, which declared the establishment of “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine. In this original dataset project, I aim to measure elite sentiments and policy positions toward Palestine and Israel using the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) debate texts. The goal of this project is to collect new data necessary to test different hypotheses in future research. Using text analysis through supervised learning on UNGA speeches, I estimate (1) general sentiment towards Israel and Palestine on separate dimensions, and (2) policy positions on different resolutions related to the Palestinian Question. I tune a model with a hand-coded training data for each separate dimension to derive estimates at the speech-year level for each country. After I derive the estimates, I move to (1) test different hypotheses for predicting sentiment and policy positions towards Israel and Palestine. (2) Examine how much convergence/divergence between elite and public sentiment on Israel-Palestine. (3) Examine how much convergence/divergence between expressed positions in speeches and actual voting record in the UNGA on the Palestinian question.Research Tasks: Data collection, data Analysis, hand coding, Literature review.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required: attention to details.
Recommended: Interest in Middle Eastern Politics.
No special requirement for any programming or coding skills.