UROP Project
Legacies of Hate in Segregated Spaces
race, hate and prejudice, political sociology, history, communities
Research Mentor: First name Jack Mills,
Department, College, Affiliation: Criminology and Criminal Justice, Criminology and Criminal Justice
Contact Email: jmills4@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Criminology and Criminal Justice, Criminology and Criminal Justice
Contact Email: jmills4@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: Open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10, as discussed, 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: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10, as discussed, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Not participating in the Roundtable
Project Description
This project contributes to a database on American communities that exercised covert efforts of racial segregation. During this stage of the project, data on these measures will be collected using open-source techniques, like online newspapers and repositories. After this information is collected, the project endpoints are two-fold. First, I am to establish a qualitative account of these covert practices across American communities over time. Second, I will use this information to trace these historical practices to more contemporary instances of social and institutional prejudice.Research Tasks: Primary data collection through open-source materials (currently available data, online newspapers, etc.).
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Excel and basic web search skills are recommended.
Mentoring Philosophy
My approach to mentoring promotes the philosophies of communication, intersectionality, collective knowledge, and personal growth. I believe that everyone adds their own unique contributions to research and the understanding of social phenomena, and that the most important findings are produced by diverse ideas and thoughts that account for various cultural, economic, and social contexts. I also believe that mentoring accounts for personal growth alongside research, discussions on future aspirations, and learning and working styles.Additional Information
Link to Publications
Context-aware user intent inference for lower-limb assistive robotics
computer vision, assistive robotics, intent recognition
Research Mentor: Dr. or Prof. Taylor Higgins, She/her
Department, College, Affiliation: Mechanical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: th22u@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: th22u@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: Mechanical, electrical, or computer engineering. Biomechanics or physiology. May be open to other engineering or technical majors.
Project Location: AME Building (2003 Levy Ave. Tallahasse, FL)
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10 (negotiable), During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Not participating in the Roundtable
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Mechanical, electrical, or computer engineering. Biomechanics or physiology. May be open to other engineering or technical majors.
Project Location: AME Building (2003 Levy Ave. Tallahasse, FL)
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10 (negotiable), During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Not participating in the Roundtable
Project Description
Robotic lower-limb prostheses need to be able to determine what action the amputee is trying to accomplish in order to help them to achieve that goal. For instance, if the user is trying to sit down, the robotic knee joint must bend at just the right time to allow the sit action. This problem is called ‘intent recognition’. This project aims to leverage computer vision and human motion capture to improve intent recognition for these types of robots. In this case, we are collecting data as individuals go through normal activities of daily living so that we can then develop algorithms to recognize objects in the environment that the user is likely to interact with, and then reason about what these objects and their proximity tell us about the user’s intended actions.Research Tasks: Matlab programming experience. Other languages of programming, such as Python, ROS, and/or C++ are welcome, but not necessary. Human subject research.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: In order to be a researcher in the human subject experiment (data collection), you will need to complete CITI Human Subject training through the FSU Office for Human Subject Protection. You will learn how human subject research is done, how to interact with subjects, and will likely interact with equipment like the Intel Realsense depth camera, the XSens IMU motion capture suit, among other technologies.
Mentoring Philosophy
As a mentor, I work best with students who are inquisitive, pro-active, and problem solvers. I do not like to micro-manage. I see my job as being a resource to my research students, helping to solve problems when stuck, providing overall vision, and occasionally giving nudges in the right direction. I see my students as the expert in their given project, and I expect students to go learn skills, find possible solutions, try many things that may or may not work, and ultimately to come to research meetings ready to teach me all the cool things they’ve learned, tried, and developed. I aim to creating a safe environment in which mentees feel that is acceptable to fail and learn from their mistakes. I do expect mentees to take ownership of their work and have accountability for their effort in the project. Overall, I want to do fun engineering work that makes a difference in human lives, and I want my students to feel empowered to do difficult things and solve challenging problems.Additional Information
Link to Publications
https://tgambon.wixsite.com/taylorgambonGray-box modeling for improved model predictive control of an external artificial pancreas
machine learning, analytical modeling, model predictive control, artificial pancreas
Research Mentor: Dr. Taylor Higgins, She/her
Department, College, Affiliation: Mechanical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: th22u@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: th22u@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: Mechanical, electrical, or computer engineering. May consider other technical/medical majors.
Project Location: AME Building (2003 Levy Ave. Tallahasse, FL)
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10 (negotiable), During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Not participating in the Roundtable
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Mechanical, electrical, or computer engineering. May consider other technical/medical majors.
Project Location: AME Building (2003 Levy Ave. Tallahasse, FL)
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10 (negotiable), During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Not participating in the Roundtable
Project Description
There are many ways that engineers model complex systems. Sometimes we understand the underlying principles, such as physics, well enough to write out an analytical equation (usually a differential equation) that describes how the system evolves through time. We often call these analytical models white-box models, because it is clear exactly how the inputs to the model are related to the outputs. Other times, however, we don’t have good models for how the many influencing factors (model inputs) relate to a metric of interest (the output). In these cases, we sometimes use machine learning strategies to model the system. We call these black-box models, because it is often obscure exactly how the inputs are related to the outputs. Some new modeling techniques blend the two types of modeling in order to realize the best of both worlds and are called gray-box modeling. In this project we aim to use gray-box techniques to arrive at a better, more personalized, and controllable model for the human metabolic system. Then we hope to use these models to control an external artificial pancreas for individuals with insulin-dependent Type 1 diabetes.Research Tasks: Programming related to: Machine learning, data analysis and data-driven modeling, simulating dynamic systems, model-predictive control techniques.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Matlab programming. Other languages of programming, such as Python and/or C++ are welcome, but not necessary. Machine learning. Differential equations.
Mentoring Philosophy
As a mentor, I work best with students who are inquisitive, pro-active, and problem solvers. I do not like to micro-manage. I see my job as being a resource to my research students, helping to solve problems when stuck, providing overall vision, and occasionally giving nudges in the right direction. I see my students as the expert in their given project, and I expect students to go learn skills, find possible solutions, try many things that may or may not work, and ultimately to come to research meetings ready to teach me all the cool things they’ve learned, tried, and developed. I aim to creating a safe environment in which mentees feel that is acceptable to fail and learn from their mistakes. I do expect mentees to take ownership of their work and have accountability for their effort in the project. Overall, I want to do fun engineering work that makes a difference in human lives, and I want my students to feel empowered to do difficult things and solve challenging problems.Additional Information
Link to Publications
https://tgambon.wixsite.com/taylorgambonDevelopment of a formative and summative multiple choice assessment platform for Dynamics I
Dynamics, teaching, programming, assessment program
Research Mentor: Dr. Taylor Higgins, She/her
Department, College, Affiliation: Mechanical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: th22u@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: th22u@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: Anyone how has strong MATLAB programming skills and is interested in how students learn Dynamics 1 (a required mechanical engineering course)
Project Location: AME Building (2003 Levy Ave. Tallahasse, FL)
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10 (negotiable), During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Not participating in the Roundtable
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Anyone how has strong MATLAB programming skills and is interested in how students learn Dynamics 1 (a required mechanical engineering course)
Project Location: AME Building (2003 Levy Ave. Tallahasse, FL)
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10 (negotiable), During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Not participating in the Roundtable
Project Description
Dynamics 1 is often one of the first really difficult courses for mechanical engineering students. The best way to learn, however, is to actually attempt to solve problems and to receive feedback on these problems. I would like to develop a Matlab GUI software that let’s Dynamics Students do multiple-choice practice problems chosen by topic, choose from a set of ‘life-line’ hints to get them moving when they get stuck, and have their answers automatically graded. The platform should keep track of student’s use of the life-lines, and guide students to try to reduce their life-line usage as they practice. It should also show students how they are scoring according to the topic, so that they can compare their current scores (and life-line usage) to the topics that will be covered in upcoming exams. The platform may have a formative-mode (during learning/practice, where life-lines are allowed) and a summative-mode (for test-taking, where life-lines are not allowed). Researchers will program the learning platform in Matlab and also start to develop a problem library.Research Tasks: MATLAB GUI programming. Will involve working with Dynamics 1 topics. Developing multiple-choice Dynamics 1 problems.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Strong Matlab programming skills are a must! We will work together to design the platform’s features.
Mentoring Philosophy
As a mentor, I work best with students who are inquisitive, pro-active, and problem solvers. I do not like to micro-manage. I see my job as being a resource to my research students, helping to solve problems when stuck, providing overall vision, and occasionally giving nudges in the right direction. I see my students as the expert in their given project, and I expect students to go learn skills, find possible solutions, try many things that may or may not work, and ultimately to come to research meetings ready to teach me all the cool things they’ve learned, tried, and developed. I aim to creating a safe environment in which mentees feel that is acceptable to fail and learn from their mistakes. I do expect mentees to take ownership of their work and have accountability for their effort in the project. Overall, I want to do fun engineering work that makes a difference in human lives, and I want my students to feel empowered to do difficult things and solve challenging problems.Additional Information
Link to Publications
https://tgambon.wixsite.com/taylorgambonLongitudinal Study of Human Motor Learning Through Unicycling Skill Acquisition
Motor learning, human robot interaction, human subject research, unicycling
Research Mentor: Dr. Taylor Higgins, She/her
Department, College, Affiliation: Mechanical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: th22u@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: th22u@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: Mechanical, electrical, or computer engineering. May be open to other technical/medical majors.
Project Location: AME Building (2003 Levy Ave. Tallahasse, FL)
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10 (negotiable), During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Not participating in the Roundtable
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Mechanical, electrical, or computer engineering. May be open to other technical/medical majors.
Project Location: AME Building (2003 Levy Ave. Tallahasse, FL)
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10 (negotiable), During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Not participating in the Roundtable
Project Description
Technologies like rehabilitation exoskeletons aim to help humans to regain motor skills that have been lost because of injury or disease. One skill of particular interest is to re-train how to walk. Walking is a challenging dynamic task involving multiple degrees-of-freedom needing to coordinate in order to achieve forward movement without falling. In order to study how humans learn to perform tasks like this, we are studying the biomechanics and motor learning involved in the development of a similarly dynamic and tricky task – learning to ride a unicycle. We plan to develop a human subject experiment where we will collect human motion capture and other biomechanics-related signals as subjects learn to ride a unicycle under various conditions. For instance, we might try to partner with the FSU Flying High Circus to determine if motor learning improves with coaching versus without. We may eventually seek to develop a robotically powered unicycle so that we can study the effect of robotic assistance during the development of the skill. The idea is that with this platform, we can answer questions about robotically assisted motor learning that will be useful across many robotic assistance platforms such as exoskeletons.Research Tasks: Human motion capture. Data collection. Literature review. Human-subject experimentation. Human biomechanics. Some modeling of dynamic systems.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: No need to know how to ride a unicycle! I do need someone who is excited to learn about human motor learning and who can think critically about how to develop a well-controlled human subject experiment. We may also collect some preliminary data to help us develop the experiment.
Mentoring Philosophy
As a mentor, I work best with students who are inquisitive, pro-active, and problem solvers. I do not like to micro-manage. I see my job as being a resource to my research students, helping to solve problems when stuck, providing overall vision, and occasionally giving nudges in the right direction. I see my students as the expert in their given project, and I expect students to go learn skills, find possible solutions, try many things that may or may not work, and ultimately to come to research meetings ready to teach me all the cool things they’ve learned, tried, and developed. I aim to creating a safe environment in which mentees feel that is acceptable to fail and learn from their mistakes. I do expect mentees to take ownership of their work and have accountability for their effort in the project. Overall, I want to do fun engineering work that makes a difference in human lives, and I want my students to feel empowered to do difficult things and solve challenging problems.Additional Information
Link to Publications
https://tgambon.wixsite.com/taylorgambonUtilizing a non-lethal sampling method for detecting oyster parasites
Biology, Oysters, Disease, Aquaculture, Marine
Research Mentor: Dr. Tara Stewart Merrill, she/her
Department, College, Affiliation: FSU Coastal and Marine Laboratory, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: tstewartmerrill@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Grace Westphal She/they
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: ghw22@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators: David DuBose he/him
Faculty Collaborators Email: dd22bj@fsu.edu
Department, College, Affiliation: FSU Coastal and Marine Laboratory, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: tstewartmerrill@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Grace Westphal She/they
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: ghw22@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators: David DuBose he/him
Faculty Collaborators Email: dd22bj@fsu.edu
Looking for Research Assistants: No
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Biology/Biological Sciences, Oceanography, Environmental Science, Natural Resources/Conservation
Project Location: 3618 US-98, St Teresa, FL 32358
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 8-10, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Not participating in the Roundtable
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Biology/Biological Sciences, Oceanography, Environmental Science, Natural Resources/Conservation
Project Location: 3618 US-98, St Teresa, FL 32358
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 8-10, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Not participating in the Roundtable
Project Description
The Stewart Merrill laboratory focuses on understanding the causes and consequences of parasitism and infectious disease in aquatic ecosystems. By looking at the impacts of disease on existing oyster populations in Apalachicola Bay, we aim to inform future restoration and management efforts following the 2012 ecosystem collapse. Current efforts in the Stewart Merrill lab involve rigorous disease monitoring and laboratory experiments to understand interactions between oyster hosts, parasites, and the environment. Our current methodology to monitor oyster disease involves lethal sampling, limiting our ability to assess changes in infection over time (i.e. disease recovery or progression). This UROP project will focus on testing and optimizing a non-lethal sampling method to extract oyster hemolymph and perform disease assays. Students will work with graduate students and laboratory technicians to design and execute a pilot study. This project will involve field work, microscope work, and oyster husbandry. Additionally, there will be opportunities to assist in various projects at the FSU Coastal and Marine Laboratory and in Apalachicola Bay.Research Tasks: a. Field Sampling: Kayaking to oyster reefs and obtaining experimental oysters
b. Oyster Husbandry: Feeding oysters, maintaining water quality, general aquarium maintenance
c. Lab Bench Skills: Using a centrifuge, pipettes, balances, and shucking oysters
d. Microscope work: Quantifying disease using a compound scope
e. Data Entry / Analysis: Use excel to input data, opportunity to analyze data in RStudio (prior knowledge NOT expected)
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: a. Available at least one day per week to meet with mentor for check-ins and training assistance. *Required*
b. Available to work at FSU Coastal and Marine Lab 1 – 2 days per week (there is a 1 hour commute from Tallahassee) *Required*
c. Proficiency in the basics of MS Excel and MS Word *Required*
d. Open to physical tasks like kayaking and dissection of oysters *Required*
e. Foundational knowledge of experimental design *Recommended*
f. Foundational knowledge of statistical analysis *Recommended*
Mentoring Philosophy
We believe the mentor-mentee relationship should be one of collaboration and we value fostering an environment where students can develop their identities as scientists. Scientifically, we will provide training in experimental design, oyster husbandry, and critical thinking necessary for data analysis/interpretation. We understand that the UROP program can be challenging, and we will work with students to develop project and time management skills to meet realistic goals. We believe the most important aspect of collaboration is active and honest communication. Therefore, we ask that our students communicate with us throughout the project to ensure a positive work- life balance and allow us to best support them in their scientific journey.Additional Information
FSU CML Website: https://marinelab.fsu.edu/Link to Publications
https://tarastewartecology.weebly.com/Spanish-Arabic Glottal Stops
Linguistics, Language, Culture, Arabic, Phonology, Technology, Translation, International, Middle-East, Culture, Diaspora
Research Mentor: Mrs. Eden Gordon Stafstrom,
Department, College, Affiliation: Modern Languages, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: erg14@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Dr. Dr. Antje Muntendam
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: amuntendam@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators: Mr. Sergio Salazar Rodó
Faculty Collaborators Email: sjsalazar@fsu.edu
Department, College, Affiliation: Modern Languages, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: erg14@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Dr. Dr. Antje Muntendam
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: amuntendam@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators: Mr. Sergio Salazar Rodó
Faculty Collaborators Email: sjsalazar@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: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-8, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Not participating in the Roundtable
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: 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: 5-8, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Not participating in the Roundtable
Project Description
This project documents the speech patterns and experiences of Moroccan immigrants to Alicante, Spain. Previous studies have documented specific phonological patterns in Spanish-Arabic bilinguals in the Caribbean. It is hoped that comparisons between this Caribbean data and our Alicante data, we might add to a broader understanding of bilingual speech and how languages affect one another. We have collected data from ten participants, and are in the process of data analysis.Research Tasks: Our team is seeking new members to help balance our time between data analysis and presentations at research conferences. Tasks need for data analysis include:
-Translation of Moroccan Arabic in brief recorded interviews
-Identification of vowel sequences
-Online file uploads
Undergraduate assistants may also be eligible to come with the team on conferences. We are willing to mentor students in how to prepare research presentations, network at research conferences, and search for travel funding. If students develop related research interests, we are willing to help them develop their own projects with their own presentations and/or publications.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required:
At least intermediate level of understanding of Moroccan Arabic
Digital Literacy, comfortable learning Praat (existing experience not required)
Recommended:
Linguistic/cultural knowledge
Any level of understanding of Spanish
Comfortable with statistics
Understanding of Excel and related apps
Note: Please apply even if you do not have all of these recommended skills! We are happy to help you learn!
Mentoring Philosophy
As a research mentor, my favorite moments as a mentor are when I get the chance to help them achieve their own goals, by helping them navigate graduate school applications, writing letters of recommendation, searching for international opportunities, applying for undergraduate funding, or preparing them for prominent conferences and networking events. I firmly believe in the importance of fostering the growth and development of research assistants in the pursuit of their own dreams. I approach mentorship with the values of identifying mentees' goals and aspirations, evaluating their unique talents and skills, and building upon them to help them achieve their full potential.A strong mentor-mentee relationship is founded on mutual respect, open communication, and trust. I strive to create an environment where mentees feel valued and empowered to take ownership of their work.
I recognize the importance of giving mentees a chance to shine and showcase their abilities. I actively promote their achievements, both within the research team and in professional settings, allowing them to gain recognition and build their confidence. I strive to empower mentees to become leaders in their own right, equipped with the skills, knowledge, and determination to achieve their goals.
My approach to research mentorship is centered on fostering mentees' growth, learning, and achievement. By identifying their goals, building on their talents, promoting mutual respect and accountability, embracing challenges, and encouraging inquiry-based learning, I aim to empower mentees to shine as leaders who can confidently pursue and accomplish their aspirations.
Additional Information
Please do not hesitate to email me if you have any questions!Link to Publications
Analysis of drone footage to assess marine turtle and vessel interactions in the Gulf of Mexico
marine biology, conservation, sea turtles, marine turtle, marine megafauna, drones
Research Mentor: Ms. Julia Saltzman, She/Her/Hers
Department, College, Affiliation: EOAS, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: jrs22bb@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Dr. Dr. Mariana Fuentes She/Her/Hers
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: mfuentes@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: EOAS, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: jrs22bb@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Dr. Dr. Mariana Fuentes She/Her/Hers
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: mfuentes@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: No
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Environmental Science, Biology, Computer Science
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: In-person
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: 2
Relevant Majors: Environmental Science, Biology, Computer Science
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: In-person
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
This project is part of a larger lab project "Assessing Risk and Conducting Public Outreach to Reduce Vessel Strikes on Sea Turtles along Florida's Gulf Coast". This multi-stage project will obtain information on the distribution of sea turtles and vessels in areas previously identified as hotspots of vessel strike mortality of sea turtles and assess the willingness of local communities to change their behavior to reduce the risk of watercraft-related mortality of sea turtles.We are seeking student for assistance with analysis of drone footage of transects
Research Tasks: Data analysis
Watching and analyzing videos
Potential for assistance in field work
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Attention to detail (required)
Willingness to learn (required)
Microsoft Excel (required)
Statistical Analysis (recommended)
Mentoring Philosophy
As a mentor, I value your autonomy and encourage you to develop your own research questions. Together, we will create an environment where you can freely express ideas and challenge existing knowledge. I will actively involve you in practical experiences, from experimental design, and field work if your schedule permits to data analysis, to enhance your learning and problem-solving skills. I want you to be an active participant in shaping your research path. I am committed to providing a supportive, inclusive environment where open communication and mutual respect thrive. My role is to facilitate your personal and professional growth, nurturing your curiosity and helping you become a confident, independent researcher. As your mentor, I am committed to providing you with a supportive and inclusive environment. I value open communication and mutual respect. I am here to listen to your thoughts, concerns, and aspirations, and to offer guidance when needed. My role is not only to impart knowledge but also to facilitate your personal and professional growth. I want to help you become a confident, independent researcher who is capable of making meaningful contributions to conservation biology.Additional Information
Link to Publications
https://marineturtleresearch.com/ or juliasaltzmanscience.comUsing Multiple Case Studies to Explore MTSS-B in Elementary Schools
Qualitative, Transcripts, Coding
Research Mentor: Denise L Dennis, she/her
Department, College, Affiliation: Special Education, Education
Contact Email: dldennis@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Special Education, Education
Contact Email: dldennis@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: Education, Dis/Com, Psychology, Social Work, Child Development, open
Project Location: remote/online
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Not participating in the Roundtable
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Education, Dis/Com, Psychology, Social Work, Child Development, open
Project Location: remote/online
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Not participating in the Roundtable
Project Description
This qualitative multiple case study explores MTSS teams in elementary schools who make decisions regarding students with challenging behavior. There will me focus groups, rating scales, and individual interviews that will be coded and analyzed.Research Tasks: Transcription cleaning for accuracy, data organization, data entry, data coding, discussion and analysis, weekly meetings
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: required- listening, typing, attention to detail, timeliness, commitment to quality, pass the human subject course
recommended- knowledge of google drive, basic knowledge of spreadsheets
Mentoring Philosophy
As a researcher, I believe that team science creates a better final outcome. Mentoring provides an opportunity to co-create trusting, respectful, relationships that foster growth, development of self-determination skills, and improve the quality of research. I think it is critical to work with mentees to support them in developing skills that they value. Self-discipline and attention to detail are important when setting and meeting timelines and priorities, so working collaboratively to establish timelines and expectations, and learning why bringing your whole self to your work makes for a richer more complex experience. As a mentor, I value diversity, communication, willingness to fail forward, and an understanding of the immense responsibility and rewards that come with being entrusted to work with participants for the purpose of research. Mentees should have the opportunity to explore areas of interest, build knowledge about research, and develop a sense of pride in their accomplishments. Mentoring can provide a facilitated exploration into areas of research that mentees have had little to no experience with previously and an introduction to research topics that they may not have the opportunity to discover independently. Ultimately, co-creating knowledge is the goal of both research and mentoring, and collaboration makes our research and us all better.Additional Information
I have slight hearing loss which makes cleaning up transcripts for accuracy challenging. Being able to depend on a mentee to take on tasks surrounding that process will be important. This work can be done remotely which could benefit a student who lacks transportation.Link to Publications
Arms Races between Great Powers – Experimental Evidence from the US and China
US-China relations, arms races, experimental design
Research Mentor: Weifang XU ,
Department, College, Affiliation: Political Science, Social Sciences and Public Policy
Contact Email: wx18@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Political Science, Social Sciences and Public Policy
Contact Email: wx18@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 3
Relevant Majors: Political science major especially students who are interested in International Relations, US-China relations, US foreign policy and China foreign policy. This project is also open to students who receive other social science training such as economics, statistics and computer science. But you should take relevant political science class. See the requirements below.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 10-12; You need to commit at least 10 hours a week before applying. , During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Please use the following links to join the zoom meeting.
Tuesday, September 5th, 7.30-8pm; Join URL: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/94912023877
Wednesday, September 6th, 4.30-5pm; Join URL: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/97447118160
Thursday, September 7th, 10.00-10.30 pm; Join URL: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/99486680185
Number of Research Assistants: 3
Relevant Majors: Political science major especially students who are interested in International Relations, US-China relations, US foreign policy and China foreign policy. This project is also open to students who receive other social science training such as economics, statistics and computer science. But you should take relevant political science class. See the requirements below.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 10-12; You need to commit at least 10 hours a week before applying. , During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Please use the following links to join the zoom meeting.
Tuesday, September 5th, 7.30-8pm; Join URL: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/94912023877
Wednesday, September 6th, 4.30-5pm; Join URL: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/97447118160
Thursday, September 7th, 10.00-10.30 pm; Join URL: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/99486680185
Project Description
The United States (US) and China are currently engaged in a broad spectrum of great power competition, spanning from the economy, technology, military, to political influence. One arena of this competition is the arms race, with the US and its allies, Japan and South Korea, on one side, and China and its partner, Russia, on the other side.States engage in arms races for a variety of reasons, and one of the most well-known explanations is the action-reaction model, which argues that arms dynamics are driven by external factors (Richardson 1960). While the action-reaction model has been widely used to account for arms races through formal modelling and observational studies (e.g., Richardson 1960; Kydd 2000; Majeski and Jones 1981), there is limited experimental evidence that investigates how external threats shape public opinion on military spending. Given that policymakers take public opinion into account when making decisions about military spending (Hartley and Russett, 1992; Ostrom and Marra, 1986), understanding the effect of external threats on public support for military spending is crucial.
Research Tasks: (1) For the most part, your time will be devoted to reading high-level journal articles, equivalent to PhD level or above, and summarizing their main arguments. However, what's most crucial is that I will guide you in utilizing the existing literature effectively to support our own arguments, which is the essence of the publication process.
(2) It is required of you to locate relevant existing survey data and examine the phrasing used in surveys. Since my expertise lies in survey experiments, you will extensively study experimental design and survey methodology, following my instructions to develop into an independent scholar.
In general, I am an ambitious supervisor who expects more than just completion of a certificate. I aim to provide you with practical, hands-on training. This means that your enthusiasm for research should be driven by a genuine passion, rather than merely focusing on grades. My objective is to mentor you into becoming an outstanding scholar, capable of gaining admission into a reputable graduate program, particularly if your current plan involves pursuing political science at the graduate level.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Last year, I received over 50 applications from undergraduate students, but due to limited capacity, I can only accommodate 2-3 students each year. Consequently, I conduct interviews with 5-8 students during the first week to ensure the selection of the most suitable candidates. To streamline the process and identify appropriate applicants, please ensure that you meet the following requirements before submitting your application. If you cannot commit the hours I listed, I suggest you applying other projects.
Requirements:
(1) You must have completed at least THREE semesters at FSU (Including this fall semester), as I do not accept freshmen. The assigned tasks in this program are geared towards graduate or PhD-level work.
(2) If you are majoring in political science or international affairs, you should have successfully FINISHED INR 2002 Introduction to International Relations before applying.
(3) During the Fall semester, you will be required to enroll in one of my classes for training purposes. Your options are either Chinese Foreign Policy or US-China Relations, both held on Wednesdays or Thursdays from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm.
(4) Prior to applying, you should be able to commit to a minimum of 10 hours of work per week. Typically, you will work 12 hours, except during exam weeks.
(5) In order to be eligible for an interview, please submit your CV and transcript in PDF format, rather than screenshots. Failure to complete these two tasks will render you ineligible for consideration.
The following are not mandatory requirements, but if you have fulfilled them, you will benefit greatly from this training:
If you are currently enrolled in or have completed the following courses—POS 3713 (Understanding Political Science Research Methods) and POS 4715 (Politics and the Theory of Games)—you will derive the greatest advantage. The statistical methods you learned in these classes can be directly applied to hands-on research.
Mentoring Philosophy
I usually work closely with my students and will give them detailed guidance to do the research. Students will benefits from gaining hands-on experience as a researcher.Additional Information
The students should be 2nd year, 3rd year or 4th year students who have strong motivations in doing scientific research in International Relations (IR) and US-China relations, or who want to pursue a graduate degree and Law School, or who want to be a qualified data/policy analyst in government or non-government positions. The skills that you will learn in this research project will be applied to academic and non-academic positions.Why you want to apply for this position:
If you are interested in pursuing graduate school or law school, or if you aspire to become a scholar in the field of social science, the research assistant experience offers significant benefits. One of the primary advantages is gaining practical research skills through hands-on experience. This includes learning how to collect, code, and analyze data using scientific methods.
During my own undergraduate years, I discovered that while I acquired numerous concepts and studied statistical models in my classes, I lacked the know-how to apply these skills to real-world research projects. However, graduate schools (and law schools) seek students who possess the ability to conduct research rather than solely absorb academic papers. Therefore, it is crucial to undergo the essential training of "learning statistics by doing" or "learning research by doing" to excel in graduate school. To support you in achieving this goal, I will assist you in honing your research skills.
To initiate the application process, please provide a concise CV (not exceeding 2 pages) and a brief cover letter (less than 1 page). In your cover letter, kindly include details such as your overall GPA, reasons for desiring to become a research assistant under my supervision, your programming proficiency (e.g., R or Python), the international relations (IR) and method classes you are currently taking, the number of hours you can commit per week, and the skills that qualify you for this job/training opportunity. Don't include anything which is unrelated to your academic experience.