UROP Project
Evaluating the Influence of Rainfall–Storm Surge Timing on Compound Flooding in Perdido Bay
Compound flooding, storm surge, rainfall, timing, hydrodynamic modeling, Perdido Bay, coastal resilience
Research Mentor: Husnain Tansar,
Department, College, Affiliation: Civil and Environmental Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: htansar@eng.famu.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Civil and Environmental Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: htansar@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: 2
Relevant Majors: Civil and Environmental Engineering, Earth and Ocean Sciences, Climate Science, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Fully 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: 2
Relevant Majors: Civil and Environmental Engineering, Earth and Ocean Sciences, Climate Science, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Fully 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
Compound flooding occurs when multiple flood drivers, such as heavy rainfall, riverine discharge, and storm surge, interact and amplify flooding in coastal regions. An important but less understood factor is the relative timing of rainfall and storm surge peaks. Flood impacts may vary substantially depending on whether peak rainfall occurs before, during, or after the peak coastal water level. This project aims to evaluate how different rainfall–storm surge timing combinations influence flood depth, extent, duration, and spatial distribution in Perdido Bay. Using an existing calibrated hydrodynamic model, the student will develop and analyze controlled timing scenarios to identify conditions that produce the most severe compound flooding. The findings will improve understanding of compound flood mechanisms and support coastal flood-risk management and resilience planning.Research Tasks: 1. Process rainfall, storm surge, water-level, and other hydrologic data used for compound flood simulations.
2. Develop rainfall–storm surge timing scenarios by shifting the relative timing of rainfall and coastal water-level peaks.
3. Apply an existing calibrated hydrodynamic model to simulate compound flooding under different timing scenarios.
4. Compare flood depth, inundation extent, flood duration, and spatial flood patterns among scenarios.
5. Analyze and visualize model results using GIS, Python, Excel, or similar tools.
6. Summarize findings and identify rainfall–surge timing combinations that produce the greatest compound flood impacts.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required: Interest in coastal flooding and environmental modeling, self-motivation, attention to detail, and ability to manage and process environmental data using Excel or similar software.
Preferred: Programming experience in Python, R, or MATLAB; familiarity with GIS; and/or experience with hydrologic or hydrodynamic modeling software.
Mentoring Philosophy
I believe effective mentoring combines technical guidance with career development. I work closely with students to ensure they understand not only how to complete research tasks but also why the work is important in real-world applications. I provide clear expectations, regular feedback, and encourage open communication so that challenges can be identified and addressed early. Students will be encouraged to develop independent thinking, interpret results critically, and contribute their own ideas to the research. I also support the development of technical, communication, and professional skills through hands-on research experience. My goal is to help students grow as researchers and prepare for future opportunities in academia, industry, or public agencies.Additional Information
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=CZwmKA8AAAAJ&hl=en&oi=aoLink to Publications
https://husnaintansar.wixsite.com/htansarIndividual Variability in Learning and Development
Reading Difficulties, Multilingual Learners, ar-risk, Kenya, Individual Differences
Research Mentor: Dr. Brenda Wawire, She
Department, College, Affiliation: Learning Systems Institute, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: bwawire@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Learning Systems Institute, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: bwawire@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 6
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Fully 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: 6
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: 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
My lab investigates the sources of variability in early literacy development. Current work examines how cognitive traits — executive function, rapid automatized naming (RAN), and working memory — interact with environmental factors such as the home literacy environment, socioeconomic status, and family risk to shape literacy growth and outcomes among at-risk learners. The work is grounded in Bronfenbrenner and Morris's bioecological model, which treats development as the product of ongoing person–context interaction.The core project is an ongoing longitudinal study in Kenya spanning 35 primary schools, 1,002 learners, and 978 parents and caregivers, with two waves of data collected to date. A second strand investigates sources of reading difficulty among multilingual learners; to support this, I developed a screening tool for developmental dyslexia in Kiswahili, currently being pilot-tested in participating schools. The aim throughout is to generate evidence that helps stakeholders distinguish among profiles of struggling readers, so that interventions reach the right learners in the right form.
UROP students will join this work in two ways. The main task is analyzing qualitative data from teachers and parents of at-risk learners to understand their perspectives and experiences. Students will be trained to use Dedoose and will code interview transcripts, prepare code summaries, and help synthesize findings across participants. They will also contribute to the project's literature review.
Research Tasks: Data analysis ( coding data, thematic analysis, preparing code summaries) and literature review
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: No prior experience needed.
Mentoring Philosophy
Umoja ni nguvu utengano ni udhaifu. Unity is strength separation/division is weakness. This Swahili proverb, one of my favorites, aligns with my belief that we must work together to create a supportive academic culture. Critical components of such an environment are effective communication, mutual respect, and the ability to work toward common objectives while celebrating individual differences. Mentorship is integral in fostering a climate conducive to inclusion, support, and professional growth. Since my early days as a graduate student and throughout various stages of my career, I have significantly benefited from the support of mentors, and it is essential to pay it forward.The following principles guide my mentoring:
Communication and caring. I maintain open communication lines with my mentees and encourage them to ask questions and request support as needed. I am keen to listen to their experiences, concerns, and knowledge and skills they have to share. Fostering a culture of caring in academic work is crucial for me.
Time. Working with a timeline is critical to meeting the needs of the various projects I support. I plan regular meetings with my mentees to check in, provide guidance, and help them maximize their benefits from this experience.
Goal setting: Each semester, I set goals that I endeavor to achieve. When I work with mentees, I share the project goals with them and also help them plan their own goals for the duration of our collaboration.
Additional Information
Link to Publications
Financial Experiences of Transfer Students
Education, program evaluation, transfer students, psychology, student needs
Research Mentor: bsaridjo@fsu.edu Brandon Nicholas Saridjo,
Department, College, Affiliation: Transfer Student Success, Undergraduate Studies
Contact Email: bsaridjo@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Transfer Student Success, Undergraduate Studies
Contact Email: bsaridjo@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: 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: 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: 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
Examining the potential financial hardships transfer student experience when transferring to FSU. This data will be used to inform University leaders, donors, and staff.Research Tasks: Interviews, data collecting, coding, research question development
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Ability to build rapport req
College level writing skills req
Transfer student rec
Mentoring Philosophy
It is important to me that students have equal ownership of the project. Meaning, it is not just my study but it is OUR study. I want students to feel invested in the work they do, and also recognize that the data they collect, interpret, and disseminate in this study impact their peers for classes to come.Additional Information
Link to Publications
Examining effects of a self-monitoring intervention on the on-task behavior of students with ADHD
self-monitoring of attention, on-task behavior,
Research Mentor: Dr. John Romig,
Department, College, Affiliation: School of Teacher Education , Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: jr25bi@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Ms. Trisha Phillip
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: tbp25a@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: School of Teacher Education , Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: jr25bi@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Ms. Trisha Phillip
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: tbp25a@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: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
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, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
- Day: Tuesday, September 1
Start Time: 12:00
End Time: 1:00
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/3535533617
Project Description
The ultimate goal of this project is to teach elementary students with ADHD the skills and strategies they need to remain engaged in classroom instruction. Students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and related disabilities can struggle to remain on-task during academic instruction and activities. When students have low levels of on-task behavior they often struggle to retain academic knowledge and skills. This project will examine an intervention (self-monitoring of attention) aimed at increasing students’ on-task behavior. Many interventions designed at improving students’ behavior rely on the teacher implementing certain strategies. When the teacher or strategies change, the student’s behavior can revert to pre-intervention levels. In contrast, self-monitoring of attention teaches students the skills they need to be successfully engaged in instruction without a specific teacher or teaching strategy present. When successfully using self-monitoring of attention, students can generalize improved behavior to a wide-range of contexts and settings. UROP students will explore past research published on this intervention and participate in original research with elementary students in the Tallahassee area to determine whether the intervention was effective at increasing these students’ on-task behavior.Research Tasks: 1. Read articles on self-monitoring of attention and extract specific information (e.g., grade level of participants, dependent measures, research design)
2. Observe video recordings of participating elementary aged students and collect data about their on-task behavior
3. Create graphs visualizing students' on-task behavior
4. Interview classroom teachers about effectiveness of self-monitoring intervention
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required:
1. Attention to detail - able to use coding manuals and follow definitions and instructions.
2. Fluency with Microsoft Office tools (e.g., OneDrive, Word, Excel)
3. Ability to work collaboratively with professors and graduate research assistants
Mentoring Philosophy
Entering college, I wanted to coach high school soccer. So, like all coaches I knew, I majored in social studies education. In my first semester, I read about students with invisible disabilities. I had never heard of this concept before, but it referred to things like ADHD, dyslexia, and other disabilities that are not visibly apparent when looking at someone. The article described how these students often fall through the cracks of identification processes in schools and remain unidentified without receiving the services they need to be successful. This article really resonated with me and, to make a long story short, I eventually changed my major to special education.In this process, I began to meet with the head of the special education program at my university. He quickly became a mentor to me for the rest of my career, which shapes my mentoring philosophy. He explained special education to me and emphasized the importance of evidence-based practices – the idea that we had to be able to prove if classroom strategies were working or not. I loved this concept and quickly decided I wanted to be involved in developing evidence-based practices.
This experience shaped how I mentor students now. When participating in a research experience, I want the experience to be aligned to the students’ interests and goals. I want open communication where students can ask questions and explore their fields of interest. I want to guide students on their academic journey with specific feedback.
Additional Information
Link to Publications
The Gendered Frontier: Analyses of Eco-Feminist and Queer Alaskana Music
Popular Music, American History, Eco-Feminism, Queer Studies, Indigenous Studies
Research Mentor: yy21a@fsu.edu Yui Tim Timothy Yu,
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida State University, Music
Contact Email: yy21a@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida State University, Music
Contact Email: yy21a@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: Looking for research assistants/undergraduate students with majors in the humanities, including but not limited to: Music, English, Anthropology, Media and Communications, History, Philosophy, Cultural Geography etc.
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, 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: Looking for research assistants/undergraduate students with majors in the humanities, including but not limited to: Music, English, Anthropology, Media and Communications, History, Philosophy, Cultural Geography etc.
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, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
- Day: Tuesday, September 1
Start Time: 5:00
End Time: 6:00
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/9905635889?omn=92202868142 - Day: Wednesday, September 2
Start Time: 5:00
End Time: 6:00
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/9905635889?omn=92202868142 - Day: Thursday, September 3
Start Time: 5:00
End Time: 6:00
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/9905635889?omn=92202868142
Project Description
The UROP project is part of my ongoing dissertation research in ethnomusicology, through which I examine a contemporary indie/pop music genre in Alaska called "Alaskana" - a regional variation of the broader musical category "Americana." Broadly, I am interested in how music evokes and produces a sense of place, and how constructions of place as an idea can coexist, contradict, and overlap with one another. Alaska has long been mythologized as a place of hypermasculinity since the Klondike Gold Rush, serving as a "final frontier" for the American nation's expansionism in the American West. This project seeks to explore the works of Alaskana by contemporary Alaskan women and queer musicians, namely Marian Call, Annie Bartholomew, Robin Hopper, and Quinn Christopherson. By analyzing lyrics, music videos, performance videos, and interview transcripts from my preliminary fieldwork, I explore how understand how feminism, Indigeneity, and queer ecologies intersect and evoke alternative iterations of "Alaskanness."Research Tasks: Students who partake in this UROP project will learn essential skills to work as a graduate student in the humanities, including:
1) Digital ethnography (study of communities and cultures through observing interactions in digital spaces)
2) Reading scholarship pertaining to critical theory, eco-feminism, feminism, queerness, philosophies of space and place, history of Indigenous Nations in Alaska, Alaskan/American history.
3) Analysis of music videos and popular music lyrics from literary, musicological, and historical/cultural perspectives
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required:
- Social media accounts (Facebook and Instagram) for digital ethnography
Mentoring Philosophy
Having taught a variety of undergraduate classes for the past three years and mentored students at both UROP and the Undergraduate Music Research Symposium at the College of Music, I have had a lot of experience working with undergraduate students (both music and non-music majors) at FSU. My philosophy as an educator and mentor in UROP is to help you utilize research and writing skills in the humanities and apply them to their personal interests, scholarly endeavours, and potential graduate school work in the future.While my topic is on Alaska and concerns music, you do not need to have prior knowledge about the themes I listed above in the description; rather, I encourage you to join because you are interested and curious about knowing more! While I will be guiding you through this process of research, I see you as a fellow researcher along WITH me, not for me. Looking forward to your great ideas!
Additional Information
This project is ideal for students who enjoy thinking critically and broadly about place, identity-formation, and discourses on nationalism and regionalism. This is ultimately a qualitative project, which means that we might end up with more questions at the end - but that's why it's fun!Naturally, you'll already be a great fit if you enjoy listening to popular music and watching music videos (or simply, a good understanding of popular culture in the United States). No prior musical experience necessary!
Link to Publications
Measuring Changes in Glomerular Volume Due to Diet Induced Obesity
Imaging, neuroscience, Obesity, Neurodegeneration, Data analysis, Data science, programming, MATLAB
Research Mentor: dstorace@gmail.com Douglas Storace,
Department, College, Affiliation: Biological Science, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: dstorace@gmail.com
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Julia Won
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: Julia.won@bio.fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Biological Science, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: dstorace@gmail.com
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Julia Won
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: Julia.won@bio.fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Maybe one more
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience, Psychology, Biomedical Engineering (Open to Similar Majors)
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10 hours per week, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience, Psychology, Biomedical Engineering (Open to Similar Majors)
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10 hours per week, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable
Project Description
The research project aims to look at how diet induced obesity shifts the anatomical and functional activity of specific cell structures in the olfactory bulb, called glomeruli in mice. These structures are the main unit for olfactory processing, and we aim to investigate how these cells shift in their activity and the known degeneration that occur with prolonged exposure to poor diets.Research Tasks: Research assistants will be expected to work on a laptop or lab computer to analyze structural morphology of glomeruli (cell structures) using downloadable imaging software. Assistants will also be expected to learn simple commands in MATLAB to support their analysis. Students (if interested) may also participate in the development of code to support the analysis that will be completed.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Soft skills that will be necessary for this work include attention to detail, patience, critical thinking, logical reasoning and communication.
Assistants may already have and will develop image processing knowledge, basic programming skills, and an understanding of the biological context of their images
Mentoring Philosophy
My goal is to support you to become a confident, capable and independent researcher. My mentoring approach is a three-step process designed to help you master new tasks and concepts:Watch and Learn: First, I'll demonstrate a task from start to finish, explaining each step so you can see how it's done.
Practice with Guidance: Next, you'll complete the task while I'm present. I'll provide real-time guidance and feedback as you take the lead.
Independent Practice: Finally, you'll complete the task on your own. I'll be in the room as a resource, but the work will be entirely yours. I’ll review it at the end with you to ensure successful completion.
As you build competence, I'll step back, giving you more autonomy. You'll take ownership of your work, though I'll always be here to support you. I'll expect weekly updates and will review all your work to ensure we stay on track.
Additional Information
Link to Publications
Modeling Human Motor Learning Trends in Computer Games (QWOP)
learning, data, psychology,
Research Mentor: Dr. Brady DeCouto,
Department, College, Affiliation: Educational Psychology and Learning Systems, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: bsd24b@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Educational Psychology and Learning Systems, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: bsd24b@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: Psychology, Computer Science, Statistics/Data Science, Exercise Physiology, Neuroscience, Mathematics
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10 hours, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Psychology, Computer Science, Statistics/Data Science, Exercise Physiology, Neuroscience, Mathematics
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10 hours, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
- Day: Wednesday, September 2
Start Time: 3:00
End Time: 4:00
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/my/bradydecouto - Day: Thursday, September 3
Start Time: 3:00
End Time: 4:00
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/my/bradydecouto
Project Description
This project uses QWOP, a computer browser-based game requiring players to control a runner's legs via four independent computer keys, to study how people learn complex, unfamiliar motor coordination. Our lab's custom version automatically logs behavioral and performance data on every attempt. This project is part of an active research line. Findings will also lay groundwork for future studies, potentially pairing this paradigm with EEG to study the neural basis of motor learning in different conditions (e.g., anxiety) or according to individual differences (e.g., computer experience, personality).Research Tasks: The research tasks will first entail getting this study approved through the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and collecting data on individuals playing QWOP. The majority of time will be spent exploring the data, including learning trajectories and the timing of emerging motor coordination patterns (i.e., identifying in the data when people "figure it out").
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Recommended: Microsoft Excel, Coding Experience (e.g., R, Python), Prompt Engineering with AI
Mentoring Philosophy
As an educator, I invest deeply in developing scientific literacy and critical thinking in students, as they may hold my position in the future. I treat mentorship as a duty deserving full attention, since my interactions shape how students perceive collaboration and academia long after they leave my supervision. Three tenets guide my approach:Intellectual Independence: Inspired by the Socratic method, I believe learning is self-discovery requiring effort from the learner. Even in motor learning research, less explicit instruction often produces better long-term learning by fostering autonomy. In meetings, rather than leading with my own theoretical opinions, I often open the floor for students to contribute first, integrating my input afterward. This trains them to communicate ideas confidently among peers and faculty.
Individualization: Mentorship allows more tailored approaches than classroom teaching. I begin by treating students as collaborators, giving them space to speak so I can understand their thinking, goals, and skill gaps. For example, if a student possesses strong technical skills but their writing needs development, I might assign iterative writing revisions while ensuring the core ideas remain his, offering feedback through questions rather than answers.
Collaborative Tone: I maintain mutual respect, recognizing students often fear being "wrong" in front of faculty. When a student raises a view I disagree with, I first strengthen their position before offering a counterpoint, keeping feedback collaborative rather than corrective.
Ultimately, I aim to meet students where they are, and hope my genuine enjoyment of mentorship shows in how I guide them.
Additional Information
I am the Principal Investigator of the Brain, Learning, Attention, and Performance (BLAP) lab in FSU's Sport Psychology program. Students who join this UROP project will be integrated into the lab, gaining exposure to other research through lab meetings, presentations, and events. There may be opportunities to be involved with other research through this experience.Link to Publications
https://blaplab.github.io/A Rapid, High-throughput ATR-FTIR Screening of Skeletal Remains for Species Identification
FTIR spectroscopy, forensic science, species discrimination, chemometrics
Research Mentor: Dr Sayali Sangamnerkar, She/her
Department, College, Affiliation: Anthropology, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: ss25d@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Anthropology, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: ss25d@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: Chemistry, Anthropology, forensic science and/or anyone with interest in analytical techniques
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: 1
Relevant Majors: Chemistry, Anthropology, forensic science and/or anyone with interest in analytical techniques
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
The recovery and identification of fragmented skeletal remains from forensic, archaeological, disaster, and military MIA contexts often require extensive laboratory analyses to determine species origin and assess the potential for successful DNA recovery. Existing approaches rely heavily on morphological assessment and destructive molecular testing, which can be time-consuming, resource-intensive, and inconclusive when remains are highly fragmented or degraded. Published studies have demonstrated the potential of vibrational spectroscopy combined with machine learning methods for skeletal tissue characterization, suggesting an opportunity to develop rapid, non-destructive screening tools that can support forensic and recovery workflows. This project will develop and validate a non-destructive spectroscopic screening framework using ATR-FTIR and near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy integrated with machine learning. Spectral data, combined with preprocessing and feature extraction, will support modeling (PCA, PLS-DA, Random Forest) to discriminate human vs. non-human boneResearch Tasks: Literature review, preparation of skeletal samples, data collection using FTIR spectrometer, and data analysis
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Following skills required or willingness to learn:
Basic lab safety and following protocols
Sample handling, labelling, and record keeping
Experience with scientific instrumentation
data entry, quality control procedures
Microsoft office (word, excel, powerpoint)
Basic statistical analysis
Scientific research skills
Attention to detail and being able to work independently with guidance
Time management, problem-solving and critical thinking
Mentoring Philosophy
My mentoring philosophy is centered around fostering collaboration, growth, confidence and independence through useful research experience. Through this mentoring, I will provide, guidance, support and any opportunities while encouraging my mentees to take increasing ownership of the project, their learning, and critical thinking throughout the project and continue professional development. I think learning is most effective when it is active and hands-on, rather than simply focusing on completing tasks. I want to help students understand broader research questions and significance of their contribution, encourage independent and critical thinking while providing guidance appropriate to their level of experience. A key aspect of my mentoring approach is creating a culture of open communication, mutual respect, safe working environment and cultivate scientific rigor and ethical best practice. I encourage my students to learn from their mistakes, research setbacks and challenges and take initiative to be curious, learn and grow which ultimately will allow them to be better professional, researchers and scientists.Additional Information
Link to Publications
Do relationships help or hurt? Exploring the role of couple relationships in the trauma-pain connection
pain; trauma; couples; health; relationships; mental health
Research Mentor: Dr. Emilie Ellis, they/them
Department, College, Affiliation: Human Development and Family Science , Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: eellis@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Human Development and Family Science , Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: eellis@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: Human Development and Family Science
Psychology
Social Work
Nursing
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Human Development and Family Science
Psychology
Social Work
Nursing
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
- Day: Wednesday, September 2
Start Time: 2:00
End Time: 2:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/94917113471
Project Description
Survivors of traumatic events are at increased risk of developing long-term pain disorders (chronic pain), especially if they develop symptoms of traumatic stress, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD). Evidence suggests there may be a trauma-pain connection, and those who have both traumatic stress and chronic pain, i.e., comorbid conditions, are at increased risk of opioid misuse. Therefore, there is a need for more trauma-informed interventions that don’t rely on medication (i.e., nonpharmacologic) to meet their unique needs. Further, marginalized groups, such as LGBTQ+ and racialized populations, make up a larger share than expected among those with comorbid traumatic stress and chronic pain.While biological and psychological mechanisms in the trauma-pain connection are better understood, less is known about the role that couple and family relationships may play in this connection. For example, research is mixed on how a partner's behavior affects chronic pain. When a partner validates and pays attention to their loved one's pain, it can help; but in some cases, it can make pain worse. Further, traumatic stress has also been linked to poorer relationship outcomes and weakened ability for partners to calm each other’s stress responses (i.e., co-regulation). Therefore, to understand the potential for couple relationships to serve as a focus point for treatment in the trauma-pain connection, more research is needed to understand when couple-level factors help and when they harm pain outcomes among populations with comorbid traumatic stress.
This mixed-methods project will use qualitative interviews (in-depth conversation) with couples and quantitative survey data (numerical data from questionnaires) to answer two research questions: (a) what are the day-to-day experiences of individuals with comorbid traumatic stress and chronic pain and their partners; (b) what could be changed in the individual and the relationship to improve chronic pain management in individuals with comorbid traumatic stress.
Research Tasks: As a research assistant you may be involved in the following tasks:
- Conducting literature reviews on traumatic stress, chronic pain, and couple relationships
- Transcribing interviews and cleaning qualitative data for analysis
- Inputting questionnaires into data collection software (e.g., Qualtrics)
- Participant recruitment in a variety of settings
- Preparing a research poster for the Undergraduate Research Symposium
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Skills/interests that may set you apart:
- Interest/experience in qualitative research
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Interest/experience in healthcare research in the Tallahassee area
- Experience working in a team
Mentoring Philosophy
I want to support you in doing work that feels meaningful to you. This means I want to know how you learn best, what your interests are, and what your goals are – at FSU and after! If you don’t have the answers to these questions, I want to support you in learning these things about yourself, too. As a therapist and family researcher, my mentoring style is relationally oriented, meaning I aim to build a research community by promoting the values of a strong work ethic, reliability, honesty, and open-mindedness. These are values I strive to live by myself, and I want to invest my time and energy in mentees who are committed to doing work that benefits the broader community.Additional Information
Link to Publications
https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Famp0001332Changes in bone structure and quality in the recovery from prostate cancer treatment
Bone quality, osteoporosis, prostate cancer
Research Mentor: Dr. Justin La Favor,
Department, College, Affiliation: Health, Nutrition, and Food Sciences, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: jlafavor@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Health, Nutrition, and Food Sciences, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: jlafavor@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: Exercise Physiology, Biomedical Engineering, Biological Science, Neuroscience, Clinical Professions
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 6, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Exercise Physiology, Biomedical Engineering, Biological Science, Neuroscience, Clinical Professions
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 6, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable
Project Description
Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a common treatment for prostate cancer patients. This treatment suppresses testosterone to very low levels and is typically conducted for approximately two years. Many prostate cancer patients experience an increased risk for osteoporosis and bone fractures both during ADT and for several years after completion. We are administering a common drug to mice that is used for ADT and testing mice immediately following the ADT period, and after short-term and long-term recovery periods. We will be harvesting bones and testing for structural quality, architecture, and risk of fracture.Research Tasks: Literature review, data collection, data analysis.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required: Attention to detail and a willingness to learn. Comfortable being around research mice and handling biological samples that may contain tissue or blood. Ability to communicate and work as part of a team.