UROP Project
Alzheimer's disease; Mild Cognitive Impairment; diet; sleep; physical activity; Inspiratory Muscle Strength Training; Adherence
Research Mentor: Dr. Julia Sheffler,
Department, College, Affiliation: BSSM, Center for Translational Behavioral Science, Medicine
Contact Email: julia.sheffler@med.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: BSSM, Center for Translational Behavioral Science, Medicine
Contact Email: julia.sheffler@med.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: Psychology, Neuroscience, Biology, Pre-Med, Nutrition/exercise-related majors
Project Location: Innovation Park, Research Building B
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 8-12,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Psychology, Neuroscience, Biology, Pre-Med, Nutrition/exercise-related majors
Project Location: Innovation Park, Research Building B
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 8-12,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Project Description
There are two clinical trials that may be running over the next year. One focuses on a nutrition and lifestyle adherence program for reducing dementia risk and a new pilot will look at the use of inspiratory muscle strength training as an intervention for dementia risk. Student projects can potentially use work from either of these trials.Research Tasks: developing research question/hypothesis, literature review, completing assessments with participants, data entry/double-checking, phlebotomy (if interested), conducting interviews, administering measures
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Ability to work well on a team; good communication skills; Strong interest in graduate school or medical school
Mentoring Philosophy
I view mentoring as a dynamic, collaborative relationship grounded in mutual respect, empathy, and a shared commitment to growth. At the heart of my approach is a belief that individuals thrive when they are both supported and challenged. I strive to create an environment where mentees feel heard, valued, and empowered to pursue their goals with confidence. I am deeply committed to understanding each mentee’s unique background, strengths, and aspirations. By fostering open communication and psychological safety, I encourage honest dialogue about obstacles, feedback, and opportunities for development. This understanding allows me to tailor guidance in ways that respect individual experiences while promoting resilience and self-efficacy.Collaboration is central to my mentoring philosophy. I encourage a spirit of co-learning, where the mentor-mentee relationship is enriched by shared exploration, diverse perspectives, and mutual growth. I also believe in transparency and goal-setting to ensure that expectations are clear, progress is measurable, and accomplishments are celebrated. At the same time, I hold myself and my mentees to high standards of excellence, integrity, and accountability. I believe that true mentorship involves not only encouragement but also the willingness to ask difficult questions, push for rigor, and support mentees in rising to their full potential—even when the path is challenging.
Ultimately, I see mentorship as a long-term investment in people—one that is most successful when built on trust, guided by empathy, and committed to excellence.
Additional Information
Link to Publications
https://ctbs.fsu.edu/programs/integrative-science-healthy-aging-ctbscience
Black Joy; Creative Writing; Open Access Publishing; Editorial Research; Narrative Archiving
Research Mentor: Dr. Dr. Chris Omni, MPH, MLS, She/Her
Department, College, Affiliation: African American Studies / OMNI Institute of Well-being, Social Sciences and Public Policy
Contact Email: comni@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Mr. Vince Omni, MFA He/Him
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: vomni@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators: Gemini Williamson
Faculty Collaborators Email: GOW23@fsu.edu
Department, College, Affiliation: African American Studies / OMNI Institute of Well-being, Social Sciences and Public Policy
Contact Email: comni@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Mr. Vince Omni, MFA He/Him
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: vomni@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators: Gemini Williamson
Faculty Collaborators Email: GOW23@fsu.edu
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: English; African American Studies; Editing, Writing & Media; Art, Communication, or Digital Humanities; Environmental Humanities
Project Location: remote
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 7,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: English; African American Studies; Editing, Writing & Media; Art, Communication, or Digital Humanities; Environmental Humanities
Project Location: remote
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 7,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Project Description
SoulClap is an open-access journal that centers Black Joy as a creative, communal, and scholarly force. The inaugural issue, themed Black Joy and Nature, is a collaborative effort between the OMNI Institute of Well-being and Florida State Open Publishing (FSOP) to amplify joyful, life-affirming narratives from across the African diaspora.As a UROP research assistant, you will join the editorial team supporting the Fall 2025 submission window (Sept 1 – Dec 1). Your work will involve organizing, cataloging, and archiving submissions, as well as helping maintain smooth editorial workflows. This opportunity is ideal for students interested in publishing, community-based research, Black studies, or archival storytelling.
You will contribute to the behind-the-scenes process of publishing SoulClap’s inaugural issue and help establish a model for future volumes.
Research Tasks: Cataloging submissions using spreadsheets and project management tools; Creating metadata entries (title, author, genre, theme tags); Tracking submission status and supporting peer review logistics; Reading and summarizing select submissions for internal review; Participating in weekly team check-ins and editorial planning; Assisting with digital archiving in collaboration with FSOP
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required:
* Detail-oriented with strong organizational and reading skills
* Comfort using Google Drive and Google Sheets
* Ability to work respectfully with sensitive, creative, and personal material
Recommended:
* Interest in publishing and community-engaged research
* A joyful, collaborative presence
Mentoring Philosophy
I view mentoring as a sacred, reciprocal relationship rooted in trust, cultural care, and joy. Informed by eco-womanism, my mentoring practice honors the interconnectedness of land, lineage, and liberation. I support the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—not just the academic identity.Whether mentoring through research, writing, or intergenerational storytelling, I encourage students to bring their full selves into the work. Their lived experiences, ancestral memory, and emotional insight are not side notes—they are sources of knowledge and power. I help students recognize that their stories matter and that scholarship can be soulful.
My style is affirming yet accountable. I walk alongside mentees, offering guidance that is grounded in deep listening, clarity, and collaboration. I center joy as both method and outcome—because when students feel seen and safe, they flourish.
Projects like SoulClap and Dear Beloved SoulFlower (a secondary UROP experience) invite students into a model of scholarship that is healing, embodied, and impactful. Whether we’re cataloging submissions or curating research for publication, I teach that publishing is not just a product—it’s a process of becoming.
Ultimately, my goal is not to replicate myself but to help each student uncover and amplify their unique voice. Mentorship, to me, is about creating space where confidence can grow, authenticity can lead, and joy can take root.
Additional Information
We will host a UROP Research Mentor Roundtable on Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at 7pm EST. Feel free to tune in, activate your joy, and learn more about SoulClap. https://fsu.zoom.us/my/blackjoyLink to Publications
www.OmniInstituteOfWellbeing.org
Biomimetics; biomass; cellulose; 3D printing; material processing
Research Mentor: Yimin Mao, Prof.
Department, College, Affiliation: Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: yimin.mao@eng.famu.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators: Sharma, Anamika
Faculty Collaborators Email: anamika.sharma@famu.edu
Department, College, Affiliation: Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: yimin.mao@eng.famu.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators: Sharma, Anamika
Faculty Collaborators Email: anamika.sharma@famu.edu
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Materials Sciences and Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Bioengineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering
Project Location: FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Research Assistant Transportation Required: School shuttle Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 8,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Materials Sciences and Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Bioengineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering
Project Location: FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Research Assistant Transportation Required: School shuttle Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 8,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Project Description
Cellulose is one of the major components in plant cell walls, primarily in that of wood, playing a critical role analogous to scaffolding steels in concrete, maintaining plant cells’ mechanical properties. Human beings have been utilizing wood since the primary stage of civilization, however, until now our ways of using wood materials are not much different from our ancestors, mostly relying on macroscopic materials processing, such as cutting, drilling, lathing, and assembling, etc. The fundamental difficulty lies in that cellulose cannot be melted as can be done for metals and dissolved as for synthetic polymers, which significantly limits its processability.Paper wasps are nature-born masters of material engineering and architecture. They use wood to build their nests in a completely different way: paper wasps peel off wood fibers using their mouthparts; chew the fibers with the presence of saliva, and bit by bit build their nests with the pulp. The entire process resembles 3D printing in modern technology, apart from the fact that the starting material is wood, which has never been processed in such a creative way.
We will employ the principle of biomimetics, aiming at learning from how paper wasps make nests; examining hierarchical structures of their nest material (from macroscopic down to atomic scale); developing eutectic mixture solvents mimicking paper wasp saliva; and printing 3D objects using cellulose pulp. This is interdisciplinary research combining chemical engineering, materials science and engineering, and entomology. Close collaboration with entomologist at FAMU will be conducted throughout the project.
Research Tasks: A) Materials characterization of paper wasp nest
- Optical microscopy
- Tensile stress measurement
B) Sample preparation: 1) cellulose pulp; 2) 3D printing
C) Data analysis and presentation
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Motivation is THE most critical skill. General lab operation skills are recommended but not required. Students will be trained with the needed skills during the project.
Mentoring Philosophy
A) Task Modularization. Mentor and the student will discuss to understand the nature of the problem and divide a "big" problem into small pieces each manageable and with foreseeable boundary, allowing the student to see progress throughout the project. Students will feel achieved during the course and will have a presentable package when wrapping up the project.B) Working smart. The students will NOT be asked to conduct matrix experiments with multiple control parameters varying; rather, mentor will discuss with the student, identifying the key question that needs to be addressed, and performing critical experiments to attack.
C) Learning by doing. The students will be encouraged to perform educated trial experiments to help understand the nature of the problem or test their hypothesis. Discussion with mentor is always encouraged, to avoid students “overthink”.
Additional Information
Link to Publications
https://eng.famu.fsu.edu/cbe/people/mao
Encapsulation; healthy fats; Pickering emulsion; plant protein; nanocellulose
Research Mentor: Yimin Mao, Prof.
Department, College, Affiliation: Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: yimin.mao@eng.famu.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators: Zi Teng
Faculty Collaborators Email: zi.teng@usda.gov
Department, College, Affiliation: Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: yimin.mao@eng.famu.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators: Zi Teng
Faculty Collaborators Email: zi.teng@usda.gov
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Chemical Engineering; biomedical engineering; chemistry; mechanical engineering; materials science and engineering; food science
Project Location: FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Research Assistant Transportation Required: campus shuttle Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 6,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Chemical Engineering; biomedical engineering; chemistry; mechanical engineering; materials science and engineering; food science
Project Location: FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Research Assistant Transportation Required: campus shuttle Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 6,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Project Description
Many polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), such as Omega-3 fatty acid, play a pivotal role in human health. Convincing evidence has shown that lack of these PUFAs is often associated with chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s, etc. However, PUFAs belong to the type of ‘fragile oil’; and as the name suggested, they are prone to becoming rancid due to various oxidation processes. Thus, it is critical to protect the oils so that the chances of being exposed to oxidative species are reduced. This is the reason why commercially available fish oil supplements are often sold in the form of capsules.When developing materials and methods for PUFA encapsulation, one also needs to consider delivery efficiency and oil absorption by the human body. It’s known that fats need to be emulsified into small droplets in digestive tracts to allow enzymes to efficiently break them down for us to absorb. Therefore, compared with macro-encapsulation (e.g., supplement capsules), micron-sized (in the order of 10^-6 m) nutrient droplets are much easier for human digestion.
This project concerns developing Pickering emulsion for PUFA encapsulation, with the ultimate goal being to extend PUFAs’ shelf life, facilitate delivery and absorption. For Pickering emulsions, oil droplets are dispersed in the water phase, stabilized by solid particles attached to the interface between oil and water. We will use two types of solid particles to create Pickering emulsion: 1) plant proteins extracted from soybean, sunflower, or silflower seeds, mimicking the oleosome structure of those oilseeds; and 2) cellulose nanocrystals (nano particles extracted from wood cell wall). These two stabilizing particles are “all natural”. Omega-3 fatty acids (rich in fish oils) will be used as a model compound. In addition, we will apply similar methods to encapsulate squalene, a polyunsaturated oil with significant benefits to cardiovascular and skin health. Emulsion morphology, texture, and stability will be examined.
This is a collaborative work with Dr. Zi Teng at USDA-ARS, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research; Selected students will have chance to interact with USDA scientists in various aspects of agriculture, food and nutrition, and how they are associated with human well-being.
Research Tasks: A) Preparing Pickering emulsion
B) Emulsion characterization: structure and stability
C) Data presentation
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Motivation is THE most critical skill. General lab operation skills are recommended but not required. Students will be trained with the needed skills during the project.
Mentoring Philosophy
A) Task Modularization. Mentor and the student will discuss to understand the nature of the problem and divide a "big" problem into small pieces each manageable and with foreseeable boundary, allowing the student to see progress throughout the project. Students will feel achieved during the course and will have a presentable package when wrapping up the project.B) Working smart. The students will NOT be asked to conduct matrix experiments with multiple control parameters varying; rather, mentor will discuss with the student, identifying the key question that needs to be addressed, and performing critical experiments to attack.
C) Learning by doing. The students will be encouraged to perform educated trial experiments to help understand the nature of the problem or test their hypothesis. Discussion with mentor is always encouraged, to avoid students “overthink”.
Additional Information
Link to Publications
https://eng.famu.fsu.edu/cbe/people/mao
Starch; structure; crystallization; digestion
Research Mentor: Yimin Mao, Prof.
Department, College, Affiliation: Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: yimin.mao@eng.famu.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators: Zi Teng
Faculty Collaborators Email: zi.teng@usda.gov
Department, College, Affiliation: Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: yimin.mao@eng.famu.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators: Zi Teng
Faculty Collaborators Email: zi.teng@usda.gov
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Chemical Engineering; Biomedical Engineering; Materials Science and Engineering; Chemistry; Mechanical Engineering; Food Science
Project Location: FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Campus shuttle Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 6,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Chemical Engineering; Biomedical Engineering; Materials Science and Engineering; Chemistry; Mechanical Engineering; Food Science
Project Location: FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Campus shuttle Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 6,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Project Description
Starch is one of the cornerstones of the source of food energy for human beings. Not all starches are created equal: some can be quickly digested and provide fuel for cells, others may be passed from small intestine to larger intestine where they are decomposed by bacteria, releasing beneficial small molecules such as short fatty acids, hence termed resistant starch (RS). There is growing interest in understanding the relationships between digestion of starch and its effect on human health, particularly diet-related disorders such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Such knowledge will help researchers develop artificial starches that can be digested by human beings, following optimal digestion profiles tuned for individuals.This project consists of two tasks: 1) characterizing microstructures of starches of different botanic origin, and 2) creating artificial starches by re-crystallizing starch molecules with varied morphology and compare their digestive properties. Collaborating with Dr. Zi Teng at USDA-ARS, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, we will prepare starch samples from waxy rice, navy beans, pinto beans, lentil, and sorghum. Artificial starch will be created by using purified amylopectin and amylose, two types of starch molecules, via hydrothermal treatment followed by re-crystallization. Digestive properties of native and artificial starches will be compared, and the structure-property relationship established.
This project is interdisciplinary by nature. Selected students will have opportunities to interact with chemical engineers, materials scientists, as well as food scientists.
Research Tasks: A) Lab work: sample preparation
B) Material Characterization
C) Data analysis and presentation
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Motivation is THE most critical skill. General lab operation skills are recommended but not required. Students will be trained with the needed skills during the project.
Mentoring Philosophy
A) Task Modularization. Mentor and the student will discuss to understand the nature of the problem and divide a "big" problem into small pieces each manageable and with foreseeable boundary, allowing the student to see progress throughout the project. Students will feel achieved during the course and will have a presentable package when wrapping up the project.B) Working smart. The students will NOT be asked to conduct matrix experiments with multiple control parameters varying; rather, mentor will discuss with the student, identifying the key question that needs to be addressed, and performing critical experiments to attack.
C) Learning by doing. The students will be encouraged to perform educated trial experiments to help understand the nature of the problem or test their hypothesis. Discussion with mentor is always encouraged, to avoid students “overthink”.
Additional Information
Link to Publications
https://eng.famu.fsu.edu/cbe/people/mao
Student Parents, Academics, Advocacy
Research Mentor: Nicole Wicker, she/her
Department, College, Affiliation: FSU Childcare & Early Learning Program, N/A
Contact Email: nw25@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Tiffany Karnisky
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: tkarnisky@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: FSU Childcare & Early Learning Program, N/A
Contact Email: nw25@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Tiffany Karnisky
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: tkarnisky@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: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10 hours per week; The hours each week will vary on the project. ,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10 hours per week; The hours each week will vary on the project. ,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Project Description
Introduction:Of the 43,640 students enrolled at Florida State University in Spring 2025, the number of student parents remains unknown, as this data is not currently collected by the university. Yet, understanding the needs and experiences of student parents is essential for evaluating student success and improving support services. This raises a critical question: how can we enhance the educational experience for students who are balancing academics, parenting, and employment? This project will focus on surveying and collecting data from the student parents at FSU who are attending graduate school.
Methodology:
Using the Family Friendly Campus Toolkit developed by the Program Evaluation and Research Group (PERG) at Endicott College, we will begin by taking an inventory of existing resources available to student parents with a more in-depth focus on graduate students. This will inform a collaborative taskforce—comprised of graduate student parents, faculty, and staff—that will evaluate the effectiveness of current support systems and identify areas for improvement.
Data Collection:
Additionally, we will conduct a campus-wide survey to gather data on the number of graduate student parents and their needs. Please see the toolkit link for an in-depth look at the survey questions. The insights gained will guide future initiatives to improve the educational experience and outcomes for parenting students at FSU.
Research Tasks: The research assistant will be helping with marketing the survey, data collection, data analysis, and if time allows helping to build and have conversations with the taskforce regarding the data.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Recommended: creative, empathic, devoted to learning, good communication skills, critical thinker, and is not afraid to learn through making mistakes.
Mentoring Philosophy
My philosophy as a mentor is to encourage the mentee to grow through the process. This project will push us to learn together through the gathering of information and finding the common themes in the data. I will value communication and create a safe environment to learn.Additional Information
Link to Publications
lobbying; state government; legislatures
Research Mentor: Prof. James Strickland,
Department, College, Affiliation: Political Science, Social Sciences and Public Policy
Contact Email: jmstrickland@asu.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: jmstrickland@asu.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: Political science; public policy; history; economics.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 8-10,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Political science; public policy; history; economics.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 8-10,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Project Description
This project involves the transcription of the names of registered lobbyists in Florida from the 1950s to the present day. Assistants will be given access to high-resolution images of lobbyist registration records from the Florida State Archives, and be instructed how to transcribe the names of lobbyists and their clients into Excel spreadsheets. The data from the Excel sheets may then be used for a variety of research projects, including for UROP posters. Research questions that may be answered using the data include, among others: 1) When did the lobbying industry begin to grow in Florida and why, 2) What kinds of organizations are most active in Florida politics and why, and 3) How long do lobbyists remain in their profession or continue to register?Research Tasks: Assistants are primarily instructed in transcription of names, data management in Excel, and (possibly) rudimentary data analysis skills (as needed for their UROP poster).
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required: Typing.
Mentoring Philosophy
I support assistants in numerous ways. First, I aim to educate assistants about research on lobbying. In addition to transcribing records, I meet with assistants weekly to discuss an article or book chapter (and these discussions and readings count towards the weekly time commitment). Second, I support assistants' career goals by regularly writing recommendation letters for assistants when needed, and passing onto them relevant internship opportunities. Third, I meet with assistants regularly to ensure that their questions are answered and that they feel empowered to continue transcribing.Additional Information
Link to Publications
https://igc.fsu.edu/faculty-staff/constitutional-liberty
juvenile justice; teen court; recidivism
Research Mentor: Dr. Dr. Alexandra Cockerham,
Department, College, Affiliation: Interdisciplinary Social Science, Social Sciences and Public Policy
Contact Email: amg08k@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Dr. James Cockerham and Dr. Radha Modi
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: jmc09m@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email: rmodi@fsu.edu
Department, College, Affiliation: Interdisciplinary Social Science, Social Sciences and Public Policy
Contact Email: amg08k@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Dr. James Cockerham and Dr. Radha Modi
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: jmc09m@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email: rmodi@fsu.edu
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: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Number of Research Assistants: 6
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,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Project Description
This project aims to examine the effects of teen courts on recidivism in Florida by learning how restorative practices and procedures are implemented across teen courts in our state. Teen courts are a diversion program serving as an alternative to processing juveniles through the traditional justice system. The goal of Teen Court is to address the youth’s behavior through peer-driven consequences and support, without involving the juvenile justice system typically assigning rehabilitative measures such as counseling, restitution, curfews, and community service. By focusing on restorative justice and peer accountability, Teen Court helps youth understand the impact of their actions and encourages positive behavioral changes.However despite their common mandate, there is variance in the way the process is implemented across counties. This variance offers the opportunity to learn from restorative practices and procedures and the way that they are implemented. Across Florida, teen court programs vary in the way that they structure their sessions, the involvement of parents in the process, the methods through which volunteers are recruited and trained, the extent of cross-sector collaboration between teen courts and other juvenile justice stakeholders, the types of sanctions typically handed out, the number of times a youth can be admitted for services, and the struggles that they face.
In this project we want to learn more about the best practices across Florida teen court by conducting site visits across several teen courts in Florida and through reviewing survey responses from prior research we have conducted on this topic.
Research Tasks: We envision that our research assistant would help work on more of the qualitative components of this project. In addition to conducting a handful of site visits and observations, we also sent a survey to teen courts which allowed us to gather information on the type of teen court model that is used and types of sentencing that are typically handed out.
We hope that our UROP research assistant would conduct site visits, synthesize site visit observations to help us recognize patterns and generate theory, and help us review survey results from county teen courts. Research tasks may involve reviewing relevant literature, compiling descriptive information regarding county level teen courts, visiting teen court, and detailing patterns observed.
Specific ideas below:
1. Literature review on therapeutic justice
2. Survey Results Analysis-- Students may review the survey results from the teen court project. They will summarize general impressions of the teen court landscape and/or any patterns observed across counties in the way that teen court operates.
3. Conducting site visits to teen court sessions
4. Site Visit Analysis- students will review site visit notes to better understand teen court operations in specific teen courts.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required- Enthusiasm for the project and a willingness to participate
Mentoring Philosophy
My goal as a faculty at FSU is to help students find their passions and realize their potential. Mentors have the power to expose students to new interests and opportunities. In my PhD program, I had the immense privilege to work with mentors that have changed the trajectory of my life just because they believed in me, encouraged me to challenge myself and guided me along the way. I hope to pay this forward to undergraduate students.Additional Information
Link to Publications
http://doi.org/10.1111/jfcj.70011
Hebrew Bible; Dead Sea Scrolls; Ancient Judaism
Research Mentor: Prof. Matthew Goff, he; him
Department, College, Affiliation: Religion, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: mgoff@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Religion, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: mgoff@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: Religion
Classics
English
History
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Religion
Classics
English
History
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Project Description
I need a research assistant. I am a professor in the Religion Department. My research is primarily on ancient Judaism; I do a lot of work on the Dead Sea Scrolls. I am the editor of a journal, the Journal for the Study of the Pseudepigrapha. I publish a lot. I am also writing a book on demons in ancient Judaism. I need help with work as it comes in--reviewing proofs of articles for the journal, editing proofs of my own articles as they come in; it would also help to get editing assistance with articles and chapters while I am working on them. Key for the position is that you are a proofreader extraordinaire--the ability to find errors, both small and large, in written work. The link below to a podcast I did recently will give you a sense of the kind of work I do. Ideally the person should be interested in biblical studies and the study of antiquity more generally. Knowing some Hebrew or Greek would be wonderful.Research Tasks: editing articles at the proof stage
giving feedback on written work
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Editorial skills
proofreading
Mentoring Philosophy
I regularly mentor graduate students--typically doctoral students who want a career in academia. I give them feedback on their written work and help them figure out their own professionalization process, by helping them give papers at conferences and get articles published. That shapes how I approach the UROP program. If you are thinking about graduate school in religious studies, classics or some other field in the humanities, this opportunity can benefit you. It will demystify the publication process. You'll see how it works. I will meet with UROP students to ensure they are learning that. I am committed to training and helping students become scholars.Additional Information
Link to Publications
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIzWffvv7HE
Cultrual identity, Panethnicity, Intersectionality, Hispanic Latino Gen Z
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: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5,
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: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Project Description
This study explores the complex construction of Latino/Hispanic identity, focusing on how U.S. born generation Z self identifying Latinos navigate identity within the multicultural landscape of the United States. It examines the historical, cultural, racial, and social factors shaping these identities, highlighting tensions between imposed categorizations and self-identification. The project analyzes generational shifts, intersectional identities (including Afro-Latinx and Indigenous perspectives), and the role of language, media representation, and social groups in identity formation. Ultimately, it seeks to understand how individuals define their Latino identity and how it is shaped by migration, cultural expression, and systemic structures.Research Tasks: Literature review and aid with qualitative data collection, coding and thematic analysis.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Qualitative Data Collection (Recommended) Conducting and transcribing interviews or focus groups.
Literature Review & Academic Research (Required): Searching scholarly databases, Organizing and summarizing literature.
Basic data management (Recommended): Organizing transcripts, audio files, and literature systematically.
Mentoring Philosophy
I view mentoring as a collaborative and supportive process centered on helping research assistants grow into independent, confident researchers. By understanding each mentee’s goals, strengths, and motivations, I aim to create a respectful environment where they feel safe to ask questions, make mistakes, and learn through inquiry.My approach emphasizes regular feedback, shared learning, and encouraging ownership of their work to promote accountability and critical thinking. I want research assistants not only to contribute to current projects but also to gain the skills and experience needed to initiate and lead their own research in the future.