UROP Project
*** Gradient descent method for potential energy of four equal charges
Potential theory, real analysis, optimization
Research Mentor: Dr. Alexander Reznikov, He/His
Department, College, Affiliation: Mathematics, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: areznikov@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Mathematics, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: areznikov@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, statistics, physics, computer science, engineering
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 7, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Mathematics, statistics, physics, computer science, engineering
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 7, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable
Project Description
Imagine placing four electrons on the sphere of radius 1 (a common beast in a Calculus class). They will repel each other, and therefore move along the sphere. They will stop moving when they reach an "equilibrium state"; mathematically speaking, when their potential energy is minimized. Unfortunately, the word "minimized" has different meanings in pure math vs the real life. In reality, this stable state can be reached at a critical point of the potential energy (the difference between a critical point, a local minimum and a global minimum is a common Calculus 3 problem).For the project, I propose to collect numerical evidence for the following conjecture: unless the four electrons were placed in a very unfortunate locations, they will reach the stable state at the global minimum of the potential energy. Specifically, they will arrange themselves in the vertices of a regular pyramid.
Research Tasks: The main task will be to develop an efficient script implementing the gradient descent method for a specific "potential energy" function.
The efficiency of the script can be evaluated as follows: the same question can be asked in a more general setting (for example, in higher dimensions), when the number of variables grows. The script is expected to be adaptable to those settings.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required: good knowledge of the first half of Calculus 3
Recommended: knowledge of a common programming language, such as C or Python.
The project can be viewed as a learning opportunity to better learn such a language.
Mentoring Philosophy
The main point in my mentoring philosophy is fostering independent work of a student and teaching the student to come up with ideas, problems, and their solutions on their own.Additional Information
Link to Publications
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=x5-srkIAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=sraTribology of PTFE Composites
wear, friction, PTFE
Research Mentor: Catherine Fidd, she/her
Department, College, Affiliation: Mechanical Engineering, Material Science and Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: cf22k@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Mechanical Engineering, Material Science and Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: cf22k@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: AME Building- 2003 Levy Ave, Tallahassee, FL 32310
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Bus Remote or In-person: In-person
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: 1
Relevant Majors: Open to all Majors
Project Location: AME Building- 2003 Levy Ave, Tallahassee, FL 32310
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Bus Remote or In-person: In-person
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 2
Start Time: 3:30
End Time: 5:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/92219172548 - Day: Thursday, September 4
Start Time: 12:30
End Time: 2:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/92219172548
Project Description
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a popular polymer for tribological applications due to it's remarkably low coefficient of friction. Unfortunately, it's high wear rate limits many of its applications. To combat this issue, composites of PTFE filled with microparticles or polymer blends have been created to reduce the wear rate with minimal impacts on frictional properties. This project is centered around creating PTFE composites and testing their friction and wear capabilities in various environmental conditions on an in-house made tribometer. Additionally, characterization of the polymer composites with be performed with electron microscopy, contact angle measurements, and other characterization methods to determine the mechanism for the observed friction and wear properties in the polymer.Research Tasks: -Polymer manufacturing
-Surface energy measurements using contact angle
-Post-processing of sample (sintering)
-Machining of manufactured polymer into testable samples
-Testing of sample on tribometer, data collection
-Data processing in MATLAB
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: -MATLAB (recommended)
-Calculus
-Machining (recommended)
-Understanding of basic mechanics, especially friction
*all skills necessary for this project will be taught
Mentoring Philosophy
My mentoring philosophy revolves around fostering independence while providing support and guidance. In the context of polymer processing and mechanical testing, my approach emphasizes empowering students to take ownership of their project, starting with foundational training and evolving into self-directed work. I believe in the ultimate goal of developing critical thinking skills through data processing and analysis. I encourage students to delve deeply into relevant literature, linking past research with their experimental results. By maintaining open lines of communication, I aim to create an environment where questions are welcomed, and curiosity is nurtured. Our lab has a multi-tiered mentoring structure, where the student will be able to talk to both the graduate student and faculty advisor regarding the project. My role is to guide and support, helping students navigate challenges and refine their understanding, ultimately leading to a more profound grasp of both the theoretical and practical aspects of their project.Additional Information
This project has some work that can be conducted on main campus as well.Link to Publications
https://web1.eng.famu.fsu.edu/~bkrick/Development of Optical Diagnostics for High-Speed Aerodynamics
Optical Diagnostics Hypersonic Supersonic Aerodynamics
Research Mentor: Dr. Alexandre Berger,
Department, College, Affiliation: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: aberger2@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: aberger2@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: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Project Location: Engineering campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: FSU shuttle Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 10, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Project Location: Engineering campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: FSU shuttle Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 10, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
- Day: Tuesday, September 2
Start Time: 1:00
End Time: 1:30
Zoom Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ZDA2ZjJhNGUtZjc1Yi00NjEzLWJkM2QtZTA0ZjAwZGQyNWU0%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22a36450eb-db06-42a7-8d1b-026719f701e3%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22de0da904-31d8-4897-9341-135e029a2b14%22%7d - Day: Tuesday, September 2
Start Time: 1:30
End Time: 2:00
Zoom Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ZDA2ZjJhNGUtZjc1Yi00NjEzLWJkM2QtZTA0ZjAwZGQyNWU0%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22a36450eb-db06-42a7-8d1b-026719f701e3%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22de0da904-31d8-4897-9341-135e029a2b14%22%7d - Day: Tuesday, September 2
Start Time: 2:00
End Time: 2:30
Zoom Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ZDA2ZjJhNGUtZjc1Yi00NjEzLWJkM2QtZTA0ZjAwZGQyNWU0%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22a36450eb-db06-42a7-8d1b-026719f701e3%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22de0da904-31d8-4897-9341-135e029a2b14%22%7d - Day: Tuesday, September 2
Start Time: 2:30
End Time: 3:00
Zoom Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ZDA2ZjJhNGUtZjc1Yi00NjEzLWJkM2QtZTA0ZjAwZGQyNWU0%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22a36450eb-db06-42a7-8d1b-026719f701e3%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22de0da904-31d8-4897-9341-135e029a2b14%22%7d
Project Description
This project aims to improve two advanced optical flow diagnostics — Self-Aligned Focusing Schlieren (SAFS) and Focused Laser Differential Interferometry (FLDI) — by testing and implementing larger diameter field lenses. The work will take place in the experimental aerodynamics laboratory and involve hands-on alignment, calibration, and testing of optical systems that use lasers to visualize and measure flow structures. The goal is to increase measurement sensitivity and field of view while maintaining system stability.Research Tasks: Assist with setup, alignment, and calibration of SAFS and FLDI optical systems.
Replace and test field lenses of various diameters, recording any changes in image quality and measurement sensitivity.
Collect optical data from controlled flow experiments and document test configurations.
Analyze image and signal data to compare system performance with different lens setups.
Maintain lab safety protocols when working with lasers and optical equipment.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required: Attention to detail, ability to follow laboratory safety procedures, willingness to work hands-on with optical equipment and lasers (training will be provided).
Recommended: Basic knowledge of optics or physics, experience with experimental setups, familiarity with data analysis software (MATLAB, Python, or similar).
Mentoring Philosophy
Initial communication will take place via email, with the potential for creating a Microsoft Teams group as needed. Timely communication is essential, and responses are expected within 24 hours at the latest, though quicker replies are encouraged.Weekly group meetings will be held with all UROP students working under Dr. Berger’s supervision on similar projects. While every week is the target, meetings may occasionally shift to a biweekly schedule under constrained circumstances. During these meetings, students are expected to present progress reports and establish objectives for the upcoming week.
Students are encouraged to reach out to their advisor via email or Teams if they require assistance.
Additional Information
Link to Publications
Evaluating Brief Mind-Body Interventions for Pain and Anxiety in Orthopedic Care
mindfulness, breathwork, pain, anxiety, integrative medicine
Research Mentor: Adam Hanley,
Department, College, Affiliation: Complementary Health and Innovation Lab, Nursing
Contact Email: adam.hanley@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Carter Minnick
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: cm25bo@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators: Kennedi Childs
Faculty Collaborators Email: kc24bf@fsu.edu
Department, College, Affiliation: Complementary Health and Innovation Lab, Nursing
Contact Email: adam.hanley@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Carter Minnick
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: cm25bo@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators: Kennedi Childs
Faculty Collaborators Email: kc24bf@fsu.edu
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 3
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: 2605 Welaunee Blvd, Tallahassee, FL 32308
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 8, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Number of Research Assistants: 3
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: 2605 Welaunee Blvd, Tallahassee, FL 32308
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 8, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
- Day: Tuesday, September 2
Start Time: 2:30
End Time: 3:00
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/92355600117 - Day: Wednesday, September 3
Start Time: 2:30
End Time: 3:00
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/95634966670
Project Description
This research program explores how mind-body interventions, like mindfulness and breathwork, can reduce pain and anxiety for patients at the Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic. As a UROP student, you’ll play a hands-on role: inviting patients waiting for an x-ray to take part in a study and guiding them through a brief (<5 minute) tablet-based intervention. Over the academic year, we’ll run multiple randomized controlled trials, and you’ll be part of the full research process—from data collection to dissemination. All participating UROP students will be credited as co-authors on peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.Research Tasks: As a UROP student, you’ll help recruit and guide patients through brief tablet-based mind-body interventions, collect and manage study data, conduct literature reviews, contribute to manuscripts and presentations, and, if interested, assist with psychophysiological data collection.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required: Required skills include confidence in approaching and engaging with strangers, strong interpersonal communication, the ability to work independently, strong critical thinking, effective prioritization and problem-solving, and attention to detail.
Recommended: Recommended skills include experience in a clinical setting, a personal mindfulness practice, knowledge of integrative medicine, familiarity with clinical trial design and methodology.
Mentoring Philosophy
My mentoring philosophy centers on cultivating curiosity and competence in undergraduate research assistants studying brief mindfulness-based interventions in medical care. I provide structured, hands-on training in study design, data management, and analysis, offering close guidance at the outset and gradually expanding autonomy as students’ skills develop. Throughout the process, I emphasize ethical conduct, professionalism, and cultural humility, while fostering interdisciplinary connections across psychology, medicine, and integrative health. Grounded in mindfulness, my approach encourages present-moment engagement, thoughtful feedback, and resilience in the face of challenges. My goal is for students to leave with robust research skills, confidence in their abilities, and an appreciation for mindfulness as both a scientific focus and a practical tool for addressing complex problems with empathy.Additional Information
Link to Publications
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=7MSGw1kAAAAJ&hl=enStudying dynamics of membraneless organelles formation in living cells through computational modeling
synthetic biology, mathematical modeling, molecular biology
Research Mentor: Dongheon Lee,
Department, College, Affiliation: Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: dlee@eng.famu.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: dlee@eng.famu.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: Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Physics, Math, Computational Science or any other relevant major
Project Location: Interdisciplinary Research and Commercialization Building ,2001 Levy Avenue
Research Assistant Transportation Required: there is public transportation, via FSU shuttle to innovation park Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 10, 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: Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Physics, Math, Computational Science or any other relevant major
Project Location: Interdisciplinary Research and Commercialization Building ,2001 Levy Avenue
Research Assistant Transportation Required: there is public transportation, via FSU shuttle to innovation park Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 10, 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
After spontaneous protein phase separation (PS) in a living cell was observed for the first time, subsequent studies have revealed that the occurrence of biomolecular PS is ubiquitous in a living system. The immediate consequence of PS is the formation of membraneless organelles (MLOs), where select biomolecules such as proteins and mRNAs are enriched. Due to such enrichment of selective biomolecules, MLOs are suggested to play important regulatory roles in cellular processes. Past studies focused on biophysical mechanisms behind the biomolecular PS, which significantly enhances our understanding of the PS processes. Despite such progress in the past decade, we lack a predictive model that accurately predicts the dynamics of MLO formation in living cells. Motivated by the above considerations, this project aims to 1) construct a mechanistic model that describes the dynamics of MLO formation in bacteria 2) perform estimation of parameters in the proposed model to maximize the predictive capability of the proposed model based on the real microscopic images of MLOs in bacteria 3) Validate the prediction accuracy by performing new experiments (in bacteria).Research Tasks: Literature Review, Simulation Submissions on RCC Cluster, Data Collection, Data Analysis, Scientific Writing, and Presentation
if the simulation part goes well, students will perform fluorescence microscopy experiments to image the formation of membraneless organelles in bacteria
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required: Willingness to learn, Computer competency, Scientific curiosity
Recommended: Prior coding knowledge, Basic knowledge of molecular biology
Mentoring Philosophy
As the most of the undergraduates are new to research and will face various challenges. I will establish various communication channels with the undergraduate to ensure that the student can communicate with me whenever an issue arises even outside of our scheduled meetings. This will be especially critical at the beginning when the student faces a completely new topic and learns new approaches. By creating such environment, I believe the student will feel supported and encouraged to ask critical questions for the success of the project and the student.Additional Information
If anyone is interested in knowing more about the project, please send me an email to schedule a meeting.Link to Publications
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=RWaEOVgAAAAJ&hl=enDefining Cultural Credibility: Consumer Perceptions of Authenticity in Brand Campaigns
Cultural identity, Branding, Advertising, Marketing
Research Mentor: Santiago Reyes,
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida State University, Communication and Information
Contact Email: sr20n@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Alessandra Noli Peschiera
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: anolipeschiera@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida State University, Communication and Information
Contact Email: sr20n@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Alessandra Noli Peschiera
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: anolipeschiera@fsu.edu
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: In-person
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: 2
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: 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
In an era where brands seek cultural alignment to build trust and relevance, cultural authenticity and “credibility” has become a key component of successful branding strategies. However, while brands often borrow from multicultural aesthetics, consumers are increasingly critical of inauthentic or performative representation. The study investigates the cues that signal authenticity such as storytelling, representation, and collaboration, and how audiences distinguish between cultural appreciation and appropriation. Drawing on theories of social identity, symbolic convergence, and reception, the project aims to uncover what makes a person or campaign feel genuinely representative, and how cultural icons are constructed and validated in the eyes of the consumer.Research Tasks: Literature review, data analysis, conducting focus groups
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Recommended: familiarity with field of study, qualitative data analysis
Required: Written communication, Attention to detail
Mentoring Philosophy
I believe in building a respectful, trusting relationship where mentees feel safe to learn, ask questions, and make mistakes. My approach focuses on understanding each person’s goals and strengths, encouraging ownership of their work, and providing guidance through shared experiences. I aim to inspire growth by offering both support and challenges, fostering the skills and confidence needed for long-term success.Additional Information
Link to Publications
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=M5TkGkUAAAAJ&hl=enVisual Analytics Dashboard for System Model Traceability
SysML, Traceability, Data Visualization, Network Graphs
Research Mentor: Dr. David Gross,
Department, College, Affiliation: Center for Advanced Power Systems, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: dcgross@eng.famu.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Mr Matthew Bosworth
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: matt@caps.fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators: Ms Carmen Araujo
Faculty Collaborators Email: caraujo@caps.fsu.edu
Department, College, Affiliation: Center for Advanced Power Systems, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: dcgross@eng.famu.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Mr Matthew Bosworth
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: matt@caps.fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators: Ms Carmen Araujo
Faculty Collaborators Email: caraujo@caps.fsu.edu
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: open to all majors
Project Location: Innovation Park
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 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: 1
Relevant Majors: open to all majors
Project Location: Innovation Park
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
- Day: Thursday, September 4
Start Time: 3:00
End Time: 3:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/my/matt.fsu
Project Description
This project creates an interactive dashboard that visualizes relationships between requirements, behaviors, and structures in SysML models. Students will use Python libraries to process XMI model exports, generate network graphs, and create visual analytics to improve traceability and design insight.Research Tasks: Working dashboard, sample visualizations, technical documentation.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Python experience (data visualization, network analysis libraries like NetworkX or Plotly) preferred.
Mentoring Philosophy
As a mentor, my goal is to create an environment where undergraduate researchers can confidently explore new ideas, develop technical skills, and contribute meaningfully to active research. I view mentorship as a collaborative process — students bring curiosity, fresh perspectives, and energy, while I provide guidance, resources, and structure to help them grow.I believe in balancing independence with support. Students will receive the background, tools, and initial training needed to get started, but will also be encouraged to take ownership of their work, make decisions, and learn through problem-solving. I emphasize clear communication, regular check-ins, and constructive feedback to ensure progress while maintaining flexibility for different learning styles.
My projects often combine technical research with creative problem-solving, so I encourage students to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and connect their work to real-world applications. Above all, I want students to leave the experience with not only new skills but also greater confidence in their ability to learn, adapt, and contribute in any professional or academic setting.
Additional Information
Link to Publications
Immersive Augmented/Virtual Reality Prototyping for SysML-Based System Models
SysML, AR/VR, Unity, Digital Twin
Research Mentor: Dr David Gross,
Department, College, Affiliation: Center for Advanced Power Systems, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: dcgross@eng.famu.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Mr. Matthew Bosworth
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: matt@caps.fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Center for Advanced Power Systems, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: dcgross@eng.famu.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Mr. Matthew Bosworth
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: matt@caps.fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: open to all majors
Project Location: Innovation Park
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 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: 1
Relevant Majors: open to all majors
Project Location: Innovation Park
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
- Day: Friday, September 5
Start Time: 12:00
End Time: 12:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/my/matt.fsu
Project Description
This project prototypes immersive AR/VR environments in Unity using SysML-based models as authoritative data sources. Students will enable virtual exploration and interaction with system designs, bridging MBSE with cutting-edge visualization technologies.Research Tasks: AR/VR prototype, demonstration video, technical documentation.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Interest in AR/VR; familiarity with Unity and C# helpful.
Mentoring Philosophy
As a mentor, my goal is to create an environment where undergraduate researchers can confidently explore new ideas, develop technical skills, and contribute meaningfully to active research. I view mentorship as a collaborative process — students bring curiosity, fresh perspectives, and energy, while I provide guidance, resources, and structure to help them grow.I believe in balancing independence with support. Students will receive the background, tools, and initial training needed to get started, but will also be encouraged to take ownership of their work, make decisions, and learn through problem-solving. I emphasize clear communication, regular check-ins, and constructive feedback to ensure progress while maintaining flexibility for different learning styles.
My projects often combine technical research with creative problem-solving, so I encourage students to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and connect their work to real-world applications. Above all, I want students to leave the experience with not only new skills but also greater confidence in their ability to learn, adapt, and contribute in any professional or academic setting.
Additional Information
Link to Publications
Expanding the Evidence Base: Does Use of Assistive Technology in the Form of Text-to-Speech and Related Read-Aloud Tools Improve Reading Comprehension for Students with Reading Disabilities? A Meta-Analysis
aassistive technology, reading comprehension, text-to-speech, reading disabilities, technology, meta-analysis
Research Mentor: Mr Landon R. Heller , He/Him
Department, College, Affiliation: Developmental Psychology , Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: lrh20@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Developmental Psychology , Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: lrh20@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: All majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 7-10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: All majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 7-10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
- Day: Wednesday, September 3
Start Time: 3:00
End Time: 3:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/98202885283 - Day: Tuesday, September 2
Start Time: 2:00
End Time: 2:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/98202885283
Project Description
Meta-analysis is the quantitative combination of findings from multiple studies on a given topic. It addresses the limitations of individual studies, such as small sample sizes or inconsistent results, by synthesizing evidence to produce more precise and generalizable conclusions.This research project examines the effects of text-to-speech (TTS) technology on reading comprehension for students with reading disabilities. TTS is an assistive technology that converts written text into spoken words, which may help students better understand and retain what they read. The project is part of the Florida State Department of Psychology.
The work involves identifying and coding relevant studies, analyzing effect sizes, and interpreting findings within the context of the broader literature on reading comprehension and assistive technology. The results aim to clarify the overall effectiveness of TTS and identify factors that may influence its impact, informing both research and educational practice.
Research Tasks: The research tasks will involve coding studies for categorical moderators of study features, along with additional coding of numerical features, including the extraction of means, standard deviations, and treatment group sizes. This will also require understanding the broader literature on text-to-speech within the context of the coded studies. Attend weekly meetings on coding procedures and meetings regarding hourly coding expectations.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Undergraduate students participating in this project will need strong reading comprehension skills to accurately interpret and code the studies. They must also demonstrate patience to thoroughly extract study materials in detail. In addition, strong time management skills are essential, as coding for a meta-analysis is a time-intensive process that requires both precision and persistence.
Mentoring Philosophy
First, I believe the best way to learn about something is to get directly involved in research on it.Second, I value students’ time and am committed to ensuring they get the most out of the experience. This means not only providing the opportunity to participate in a research project, but also making it possible to learn a scientific method, meta-analysis, that can strengthen their skills and make them more competitive for graduate or professional training programs.
Third, I view mentoring as an apprenticeship that helps students determine whether this kind of research is something they may want to pursue further. This requires providing opportunities to see the broader context of the work, not just the technical details.
Fourth, my own path into graduate school was shaped by the mentoring I received as an undergraduate research assistant at Florida State University. Experiencing firsthand the growth that comes from working alongside graduate students gave me a model for mentorship that I aim to continue. My goal is to provide students with the same kind of support and opportunities that guided me toward pursuing advanced training.
Additional Information
Link to Publications
https://thewagnerlab.com/our-team/Effects of Community Art Therapy on Caribbean Youth
International, teens, community-based, art therapy, self-esteem, spirituality
Research Mentor: Dr 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: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 4
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, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Number of Research Assistants: 4
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, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
- Day: Tuesday, September 2
Start Time: 2:00
End Time: 2:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/6607204460 - Day: Wednesday, September 3
Start Time: 3:00
End Time: 3:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/6607204460 - Day: Thursday, September 4
Start Time: 6:00
End Time: 6:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/6607204460
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 and spiritual well-being. 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 what are the measurable effects of community art therapy on self-esteem and spirituality 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, religiosity, and spirituality.Research Tasks: Literature review; visual art data analysis; statistical analysis; manuscript preparation
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: The research assistant(s) will be working with graduate students and I to analyze visual and statistical arts data, manuscript preparation and possibly present at the research conference at conferences in 2026. Therefore, it is required for research assistant(s) to be curious about the research process, work with a team, learn from team work for ongoing collaboration. Skills that will be recommended are: literature review, academic writing, data analysis, and preparation of a manuscript. Writing skills are important because we will be preparing at least one (1) manuscript. There will be opportunities to learn new skills; therefore, I recommend that research assistant(s) be open to share their triumphs, mistakes, and questions throughout our research relationship and will the team.
Mentoring Philosophy
Over the past 2 years of being a UROP mentor, I have enjoyed the process of collaborating with students and also seeing them grow in knowledge about themselves and about research. Therefore, I believe that a developmental approach is necessary because 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.