UROP Project
Discovery and Characterization of Experimental Antiparasitic Compounds
Antiparasitic drug discovery; Plasmodium; Naegleria fowleri; drug screening; cell culture; microscopy; mechanism of action; genomics; proteomics; infectious disease
Research Mentor: Dr. Anthony Ruberto,
Department, College, Affiliation: Biomedical Sciences, Medicine
Contact Email: anthony.ruberto@med.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Biomedical Sciences, Medicine
Contact Email: anthony.ruberto@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: Biology, Chemistry & Biochemistry
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 8, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Biology, Chemistry & Biochemistry
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 8, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
- Day: Thursday, September 3
Start Time: 4:00
End Time: 4:30
Zoom Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/289502819658832?p=gLksq9STTkuxSvKNFc - Day: Friday, September 4
Start Time: 4:00
End Time: 4:30
Zoom Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/237773997386213?p=TUZYinFb29WF3DHE0V
Project Description
Infectious diseases caused by unicellular parasites impose a substantial burden on human health. The Ruberto Laboratory, established in May 2026 within the Department of Biomedical Sciences, investigates the biology of two medically important parasites: *Plasmodium* species, the causative agents of malaria, and *Naegleria fowleri*, commonly known as the “brain-eating amoeba,” which causes primary amebic meningoencephalitis. The overarching goal of the laboratory is to define the cellular and molecular biology of these pathogens and use this knowledge to support the development of new therapies for parasitic diseases.UROP trainees will contribute to a project focused on evaluating experimental antiparasitic compounds using in vitro models. Working closely with Dr. Ruberto, a postdoctoral researcher, and graduate students, trainees will learn how to maintain parasite cultures, prepare compounds, perform drug-screening assays, and quantify parasite growth and drug susceptibility. Students may also assist with follow-up experiments designed to validate promising compounds and characterize their effects on parasite viability, morphology, development, and cellular function.
Because many of the compounds evaluated in the laboratory have unknown mechanisms of action, trainees will also have opportunities to contribute to cellular and molecular studies investigating how these compounds affect parasite biology. Depending on project needs and student interests, this work may involve microscopy, molecular assays, sample preparation for next-generation sequencing or proteomic analyses, and the analysis and visualization of experimental data.
The Ruberto Laboratory operates within an interdisciplinary research environment and regularly collaborates with medicinal chemists and other investigators involved in antiparasitic drug discovery. UROP trainees will have opportunities to participate in collaborative meetings in which biological screening results, compound properties, structure–activity relationships, and experimental priorities are discussed. This exposure will help students understand how expertise in parasitology, cell biology, chemistry, genomics, proteomics, and data analysis is integrated to advance potential therapies from initial screening through mechanistic investigation.
Through these activities, trainees will gain hands-on experience in experimental design, quantitative data analysis, scientific communication, teamwork, and the responsible conduct of biomedical research. They will also contribute directly to the laboratory’s efforts to identify and characterize new antiparasitic strategies and will present their work and contributions at the annual undergraduate research symposium.
Research Tasks: UROP research assistants may participate in the following activities, depending on project needs, their interests, and their level of training:
* Conduct literature reviews on parasite biology, antiparasitic drug discovery, drug resistance, and mechanisms of action.
* Complete laboratory safety, responsible conduct of research, and project-specific technical training.
* Assist with the maintenance of *Plasmodium* and/or *Naegleria fowleri* cultures under appropriate supervision.
* Prepare media, reagents, compound dilutions, and experimental materials.
* Perform in vitro antiparasitic drug-screening and dose-response assays.
* Collect quantitative measurements of parasite growth, viability, morphology, and drug susceptibility using microscopy, plate-based assays, and other laboratory methods.
* Organize, document, and quality-check experimental data and laboratory records.
* Analyze and visualize experimental results using spreadsheet, statistical, and bioinformatic tools.
* Assist with follow-up experiments designed to validate active compounds and investigate their effects on parasite cellular or molecular processes.
* Contribute to sample preparation and, when appropriate, analysis of next-generation sequencing or proteomic datasets.
* Participate in laboratory meetings and interdisciplinary project meetings with medicinal chemists and other collaborators, where students will discuss screening results, compound properties, structure–activity relationships, and experimental priorities.
* Communicate research progress through brief presentations, figures, written summaries, and discussions with the research team.
* Prepare a research poster and present their project, findings, and individual contributions at the annual undergraduate research symposium.
Students will initially work alongside experienced laboratory members and will assume increasing responsibility as they demonstrate proficiency. Each student will be assigned a defined component of the broader research project so that their contributions are identifiable, intellectually meaningful, and appropriate for presentation at the undergraduate research symposium.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: **Required**
* Respect for fellow students, mentors, laboratory personnel, collaborators, and the shared research environment.
* Ability to work effectively as a team member, communicate professionally, accept constructive feedback, and contribute positively to a collaborative laboratory culture.
* Reliability, accountability, attention to detail, and willingness to follow written and verbal instructions.
* Genuine interest in biomedical research, infectious diseases, parasitology, drug discovery, or related fields.
* Willingness to learn new laboratory and data-analysis methods and to ask questions when clarification is needed.
* Commitment to maintaining accurate laboratory records and following established safety, biosafety, research-integrity, and confidentiality practices.
* Availability to participate consistently throughout the year-long UROP appointment.
Prior cell-culture or laboratory research experience is not required. Dr. Ruberto has extensive experience mentoring undergraduate researchers at the University of Georgia, including students who entered the laboratory with little or no prior cell-culture experience. Students will receive structured, hands-on training and will initially work closely with Dr. Ruberto and other laboratory members. As they demonstrate proficiency, reliability, and sound laboratory practices, students will assume increasing responsibility and independence in their research activities.
**Recommended**
* Completion of, or enrollment in, coursework in biology, microbiology, cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics, or a related discipline.
* Previous experience with basic laboratory techniques, microscopy, cell culture, quantitative data analysis, or scientific literature review.
* Familiarity with spreadsheet software, graphing programs, statistics, or introductory programming.
* Interest in learning mammalian or parasite cell culture, drug-screening methods, next-generation sequencing, proteomics, or bioinformatic analysis.
* Interest in interdisciplinary research and in communicating with researchers from fields such as parasitology, cell biology, medicinal chemistry, genomics, and proteomics.
Recommended skills are not prerequisites. Students will be selected primarily on the basis of their respect for others, ability to work as part of a team, curiosity, dependability, willingness to learn, and potential to contribute positively to an inclusive and collaborative research environment.
Mentoring Philosophy
My mentoring philosophy is centered on mutual respect, individualized guidance, and the gradual development of independence. I begin by learning each student’s goals, prior experience, interests, and motivations so that I can tailor training and assign responsibilities that are both meaningful and appropriately challenging.I have mentored undergraduate researchers at the University of Georgia, including many students who entered the laboratory with little or no prior cell-culture experience. This experience has reinforced the importance of structured, hands-on training, clear expectations, frequent feedback, and patience. I first model techniques and explain the scientific reasoning behind them, then provide supervised practice before students assume greater responsibility. I regularly assess understanding through discussion, observation, and opportunities for students to explain their decisions and interpret their data.
I aim to create an environment in which students feel comfortable asking questions, acknowledging uncertainty, and learning from mistakes. Errors are treated as opportunities to strengthen experimental judgment, problem-solving skills, and accountability, while maintaining appropriate standards for safety, rigor, and research integrity.
As students gain confidence, I encourage them to take ownership of defined aspects of their projects, contribute ideas, analyze results, and communicate their findings. I also expose students to interdisciplinary collaboration through laboratory and project meetings with researchers from fields such as parasitology, cell biology, medicinal chemistry, genomics, and proteomics. Ultimately, my goal is to help each mentee grow into a thoughtful, dependable, collaborative, and increasingly independent scientist.
Additional Information
My research goals are closely connected to my commitment to creating an inclusive, respectful, and supportive environment in which students from varied backgrounds can participate meaningfully in scientific research. As a first-generation college graduate, I recognize that access to research opportunities is not distributed equally and that students may enter a laboratory with different levels of preparation, confidence, and familiarity with academic research. I therefore aim to evaluate students based not only on prior experience, but also on their curiosity, dependability, willingness to learn, and potential for growth.My experiences conducting research in France and at the Institut Pasteur in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, further shaped this approach. Working across languages, cultures, and scientific environments taught me the value of adaptability, thoughtful communication, and creating space for individuals to contribute their distinct perspectives. These experiences also reinforced the importance of connecting biomedical research to the communities affected by the diseases being studied.
I am requesting two UROP research assistants because I believe a small peer cohort will strengthen both the students’ training and the research environment. The students will receive individualized mentorship while also learning to work collaboratively, discuss experimental results, troubleshoot challenges, and support one another’s development. Where appropriate, they may contribute to complementary aspects of a shared research objective, allowing each student to maintain ownership of a defined project component while gaining experience with teamwork and interdisciplinary problem-solving.
My goal is to provide students—particularly those who may not yet see themselves as researchers—with structured opportunities to build technical competence, scientific confidence, professional relationships, and a sense of belonging within biomedical research.
Link to Publications
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=fCZofS8AAAAJ&hl=en&oi=sraInternal Religious Struggle and Suicide-Related Outcomes in Young Adults
suicide, young adults, sexual identity, religiosity
Research Mentor: Athena Thai, she/her
Department, College, Affiliation: Psychology, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: thai@psy.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Psychology, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: thai@psy.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
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 9, 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
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 9, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
- Day: Monday, August 31
Start Time: 4:00
End Time: 4:30
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/7848498610?pwd=AWM2BsqSSwkGt9QTABrUvGdWIViL9d.1&omn=93585625439
Project Description
Sexual minority young adults are at increased risk of suicide as a result of identity-based rejection and discrimination during a critical developmental period. While religiosity is often protective against suicide among heterosexual young adults, it has been associated with greater suicide risk among religious sexual minority young adults. Given that many major religious traditions include doctrinal teachings that conflict with sexual minority identities, religiosity may function as a uniquely salient risk factor that amplifies internal conflict and distress within this group. However, prior research has not clearly identified temporal pathways linking internal religious struggle to suicide-related outcomes, nor examined how these pathways align with established suicide theories. The proposed longitudinal study will examine (1) the relationship between internal religious struggle and suicide-related outcomes, including suicide ideation and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI); (2) whether attending religious activities prospectively predicts future suicide-related outcomes; and (3) the moderating role of proximal interpersonal suicide risk factors in the association between religious struggle and suicide-related outcomes among religious sexual minority and heterosexual young adults. A nationwide sample of N = 150 young adults will be recruited through ResearchMatch and FSU SONA. Participants will complete a baseline survey and two weekly follow-up surveys assessing religious struggle, recent religious activities, suicide ideation, NSSI, and interpersonal suicide risk factors (i.e., thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and capability for suicide).Research Tasks: Research tasks will include participant-facing tasks, such as contacting eligible participants and assisting with participant recruitment, conducting suicide risk assessments, and reminding participants of upcoming study tasks. Research tasks will also include participant tracking, data management, and data analysis. Independent projects will require literature reviews and data analysis.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Coding in R- recommended
Experience with Microsoft Excel- recommended
Clinical experience- recommended
Experience reading and understanding research articles- required
Mentoring Philosophy
As a mentor, I strive to provide unconditional support to my mentees to the best of my ability. In my undergraduate career, I received valuable mentorship from senior graduate students, and I hope to pay that forward as a UROP mentor. I aim to help mentees identify goals and provide appropriate professional development opportunities, including teaching research skills, discussing paths to graduate school, and exploring career options. I also hope to foster growth as a researcher and help mentees identify their passions and research interests. I value work-life balance and a collaborative, welcoming work environment.Additional Information
Link to Publications
Impact of Pre-sleep Alpha-Lactalbumin Supplementation on Sleep in Postmenopausal Females
Sleep, female, supplement, exercise, postmenopause
Research Mentor: Laynie Thompson, she/her
Department, College, Affiliation: Health, Nutrition, and Food Sciences, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: ajt24a@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: ajt24a@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: Preferred majors include Exercise Physiology and STEM majors but open to adjacent majors as well.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-8 hours, 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: Preferred majors include Exercise Physiology and STEM majors but open to adjacent majors as well.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-8 hours, 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
We are evaluating whether consuming milk enriched with alpha-lactalbumin, a dairy protein high in the melatonin precursor tryptophan, improves sleep in postmenopausal women, a population prone to sleep dysregulation. In a 6-week randomized, double-blind crossover study, 35 postmenopausal women will complete three 7-day treatment periods testing alpha-lactalbumin enriched milk, plain skim milk, and a placebo. Using various measures like OURA Rings, sleep diaries, and continuous glucose monitors, the study measures objective and subjective sleep quality, blood tryptophan ratios, and 24-hour blood sugar.Research Tasks: Research tasks will involve primarily data collection and data analysis.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required skills include general people skills, organization, and a general understanding of how to use Excel.
Mentoring Philosophy
This mentoring philosophy centers on transforming student curiosity into scientific agency through three foundational pillars:Transparent Communication: Demystifying research by creating a judgment-free space where asking questions and admitting uncertainty are welcomed. Leading with vulnerability helps ease mentee anxiety and encourages open dialogue.
Holistic Support: Recognizing mentees as whole individuals balancing academic rigor with personal lives, employment, and extracurriculars. Checking in on their overall well-being builds trust and allows for tailored guidance.
Bridging Theory and Practice: Connecting daily laboratory protocols to the broader "why" in exercise physiology. Providing hands-on experience with step-by-step guidance builds student independence without leaving them unsupported.
Ultimately, the goal is to serve as a supportive launchpad, equipping students with the confidence, transferable skills, and self-belief needed to succeed as capable contributors in any career path—whether in the lab, clinic, or beyond.
Additional Information
Link to Publications
Analysis of Ocean Surface Weather via Satellite Remote Sensing
scientific, research, computing, weather, data
Research Mentor: David Moroni,
Department, College, Affiliation: Department of Earth, Ocean & Atmospheric Science, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: dmoroni@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators: Mark Bourassa; Amanda Lovett
Faculty Collaborators Email: bourassa@coaps.fsu.edu
Department, College, Affiliation: Department of Earth, Ocean & Atmospheric Science, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: dmoroni@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators: Mark Bourassa; Amanda Lovett
Faculty Collaborators Email: bourassa@coaps.fsu.edu
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Meteorology, Physical Oceanography, Computer Science
Project Location: 2000 Levy Avenue Building A, Suite 292 Tallahassee, FL 32306-2741
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 10, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Meteorology, Physical Oceanography, Computer Science
Project Location: 2000 Levy Avenue Building A, Suite 292 Tallahassee, FL 32306-2741
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 10, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable
Project Description
The Marine Data Center at the Center for Ocean-Atmospheric Prediction Studies (COAPS), an off campus laboratory operated by Florida State University, produces global scale meteorological and surface oceanographic datasets supporting scientific research across NASA, NOAA, NSF, and cross-institutional academia. A recently developed multi-decadal series of ocean surface wind vector datasets have been produced using radar scatterometer instruments aboard space-based orbital platforms, providing high resolution global and coastal coverage. Ongoing research with these datasets covers a variety of topics, including but not limited to: air-sea interaction, marine weather forecasting, and ocean circulation.We are looking for a student who is passionate about weather, learning real-world computer science techniques, and learning to work with datasets that are used to answer key questions about weather impacts near the ocean surface. If you care about how weather over the ocean contributes to the weather over the land and would like to understand the data and techniques commonly used in answering these types of questions, then this project is a perfect opportunity for you to learn and develop real-world experience. You will also gain the ability to understand and communicate complex insights on ocean surface winds and weather. For example, you will gain an understanding of how a high wind speed event over the ocean many miles away from your local beach may lead to a variety of changing local weather conditions, such as dangerous boating conditions, hazardous swimming conditions, and the development of storms that can make landfall in your area. You will also learn how phenomena can develop and be transported under the ocean surface as a result of particular wind events, such as seaweed, harmful algal blooms, and biological productivity for fisheries.
This project proposes to involve a highly motivated undergraduate student to learn how to generate value-added datasets, from the source data previously described, to study weather-related diagnostics calculated from near the ocean surface data. With guidance from highly experienced mentors, the student researcher will develop one or more specified research topics from a set of higher level research topics and use cases, including but not limited to: coastal upwelling/downwelling, extreme wind events, tropical/mid-latitude cyclones, ocean mixing, air-sea interaction, and lower atmospheric boundary layer weather.
The student selected for this project will receive an introduction to satellite remote sensing and air-sea interaction. Additional mentorship and training will address the following: scientific software engineering principles, programmatic access of data from application programming interfaces (APIs), data management, interoperable data & metadata structures, understanding the limitations of the data, validation & uncertainty assessment of the data, global-scale data analysis & processing, open-source scientific computing, scientific literature review, critical scientific inquiry, technical writing, and developing new data & tools to support further research. This student will work in a collaborative research laboratory environment alongside other students and researchers, with an opportunity to engage with diverse colleagues studying disciplines across computer science, data science, applied mathematics, meteorology, and physical oceanography.
The high level goals of this project are as follows:
1. Learn how to calculate ocean surface weather diagnosticse transformed into datasets spanning a multi-decadal time scale.
2. From scientific literature review within a high-level topic of interest, develop a specified research topic that answers one or more critical scientific questions.
3. Receive peer-review feedback from community members via oral presentations during various stages of the research.
4. Publish open-source software associated with the research.
5. Write and present a technical poster summarizing the data, research methods, analysis and results.
Research Tasks: The student will learn about the methods and technology used in the context of global-scale satellite remote sensing research applied to air-sea interaction, marine boundary layer weather, and associated physical oceanographic processes. Embedded within these tasks, the student is expected to gain a higher level understanding of scientific computer programming, limitations & challenges of specific remote sensing datasets, how to troubleshoot & problem-solve within complex scientific computing workflows, and develop project-task management skills.
Specifically, the student will be tasked with the following:
+ Develop software to ingest “real” satellite remote sensing data and process that data into a derived data product, along with corresponding metadata. Much of this task will take advantage of existing code.
+ Develop additional software for graphical data visualization, statistical analysis, validation, and uncertainty quantification.
+ Develop a research topic with a set of science questions. This is done to ensure the topic is motivating to the student, and with the help of the mentors.
+ Publish final set of software and data products in an open-source repository.
+ Present research findings in group meetings.
+ Develop and deliver a poster presentation for the FSU UROP Symposium.
As an embedded research assistant, the selected student is expected to report regularly (at least weekly) to their scientific mentor(s) for face-to-face meetings. The student will be expected to conduct their work in person at our lab in Innovation Park.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required: Intermediate computer skills (e.g., Mac or Windows OS, teleconferencing applications, Email, Microsoft Office Suite). A willingness to learn1 or more scientific programming languages (e.g., Python, R, MATLAB, C, C++). An interest in acquiring an introductory understanding of Earth Science topics, such as within the disciplinary domains of meteorology and oceanography. A willingness to learn new techniques/tools/topics, ability to work within a collaborative team environment, and exhibit attention to detail. Other relevant fields of study include applied mathematics, computer science, data science, and geography.
Recommended: Prior training (e.g., job, internship or coursework) in scientific computer programming (e.g., Python, R, MATLAB, C, C++), experience in coding/debugging within an integrated development environment (e.g., Visual Studio, VS Code, PyCharm, RStudio, and Jupyter), and knowledge/skills in the following: shell scripting, GitHub, and Linux/UNIX OS environments. Past experience in working with one or more datasets, ideally with geospatial and temporal structuring. It’s expected the student will be able to learn and utilize many more tools, concepts and coding techniques during the project.
Mentoring Philosophy
My overarching belief is that the student is most empowered to excel when he/she is motivated with a strong desire to succeed and exhibits intellectual curiosity to accumulate & apply knowledge across academic disciplines (e.g., physics, mathematics, meteorology, oceanography, and computer science). The student will have access to the necessary tools and shall be embedded in a collaborative team ecosystem that encourages inquiry-based critical thinking & learning within a group of thriving researchers producing high-quality and high-impact results. That effectively summarizes the laboratory environment at COAPS that has repeatedly produced world-class research over the past 3 decades and led many undergraduates to successful career paths from graduate school and beyond. Starting with this foundation, my mentorship style combines personal coaching with team-oriented collaboration, with the expectation that the student will be self-motivated to take ownership of their research and have a passion for producing high-quality work. All students are encouraged to be regularly communicative and comfortable asking questions at any time, as I likewise make myself available for both structured and informal mentoring sessions to all students. The expected result of my mentorship philosophy is to have each student conclude their project having gained foundational & transformative knowledge, career-forming skills (technical & communicative), and the confidence to succeed in more challenging and complex areas of science and technology.Additional Information
Link to Publications
https://mdc.coaps.fsu.edu/Advanced reservoir evaporation suppression technologies (physical or chemical) to preserve federal water assets in arid regions.
Water management, data assimilation, evaporation control
Research Mentor: Mark Sussman,
Department, College, Affiliation: Math, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: msussman@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Math, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: msussman@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 7.5, 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: 1
Relevant Majors: open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 7.5, 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
The project addresses the recent NSF BAA:Focus BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT
49100426R0009
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Establishing Consortia to Advance Energy-Water Security
In particular this topic:
Advanced reservoir evaporation suppression technologies (physical or chemical) to preserve federal
water assets in arid regions.
There are other topics to be researched too:
AI-informed predictive modeling for hydropower stability and federal reservoir elevation
management.
• Advanced reservoir evaporation suppression technologies (physical or chemical) to preserve federal
water assets in arid regions.
• Low/no water-cooling technologies for baseload thermal power generation.
• Coupled water-energy system modeling (high-performance computing) for forecasting scarcity-to-
generation risk.
• Engineered or bioengineered aquifer storage and recovery systems for seasonal industrial load
balancing.
Grid-load management via high-volume water conveyance (utilizing pumping infrastructure as grid-
balancing or "virtual battery" load assets).
• Closed-loop, recycled-water cooling systems for exascale data centers and high-density industrial
manufacturing.
• Modular atmospheric water capture for remote industrial site security and decentralized resilience.
• Decreasing energy intensity for industrial-scale brackish groundwater desalination and municipal
wastewater recycling.
• Resource and critical mineral recovery from industrial wastewater streams to secure domestic supply
chains.
• Scalable technologies for the treatment and beneficial reuse of produced water associated with
hydrocarbon production in water-scarce regions.
Research Tasks: 1. literature review
2. least squares best fit and/or AI
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: basic math courses recommended; in particular: Statistics
Mentoring Philosophy
My mentoring philosophy: one learns by doing; failure to prepare is preparing to fail. The best was to learn is via the (potentially aggravating) "trial and error" process.Additional Information
Link to Publications
Learning With Artificial Intelligence: Challenges and Opportunities
AI in education, educational technology, AI tutoring, learning outcomes, human-AI interaction, K-12 learning
Research Mentor: Wajeeha Hazoor Bajwa,
Department, College, Affiliation: Office of Research, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: wb24a@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Office of Research, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: wb24a@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: Education, Psychology, Computer Science, Statistics, Communication, or related fields; open to all majors with a genuine interest in AI and learning.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 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: 3
Relevant Majors: Education, Psychology, Computer Science, Statistics, Communication, or related fields; open to all majors with a genuine interest in AI and learning.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 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
Artificial intelligence is entering classrooms in the Global South through two very different doors. In some programs, students in Pakistan interact with AI directly: working through lessons, practice, and feedback on tablets or other devices. In others, the AI never reaches the student at all: instead, teachers are trained, coached, or supported by AI tools, and students experience its influence only through their instructors. This project examines both how these AI-based learning programs came to be implemented in Pakistan and whether students in them actually learn well.The first strand of the project is an implementation study. We will trace how these programs emerged and took root: which actors drove them (government ministries, NGOs, international donors, ed-tech companies), what policy decisions and funding arrangements shaped them, how schools and communities were selected, and what barriers (infrastructure, teacher capacity, language, cost, and cultural fit) shaped how the programs look on the ground. Understanding this implementation pathway matters because a promising technology can succeed or fail depending on how it is introduced.
The second strand evaluates learning. Using interviews with program staff and educators, we will examine whether students in these programs show meaningful learning gains.
Together, these strands will help answer a question of growing importance for education policy internationally: not just whether AI can improve learning, but under what conditions of implementation it actually does.
Research Tasks: - Conducting a literature review on AI tutoring systems, AI-assisted teacher training, and technology-mediated learning
- Cleaning, coding, and analyzing qualitative data
- Summarizing findings and contributing to a research poster for the Undergraduate Research Symposium
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required: Reliability, attention to detail, strong written communication, and willingness to learn new tools
Required: Comfort using everyday technology (Microsoft Office)
Recommended: Coursework or interest in education, psychology, learning sciences, or AI
Recommended: Familiarity with data analysis (training provided)
Mentoring Philosophy
My mentorship philosophy puts the mentee first and emphasizes a collaborative rather than hierarchical dynamic. I take the time to understand the mentee's capacity and ambitions, fully accounting for them when establishing the mentoring relationship and milestones. In addition to equipping the mentee with the skills they seek to develop, I seek to equip them with sustainable skills and knowledge, such as time management, communication, and problem-solving, that will benefit them throughout their academic career. I have strong networks in academia in the United States and Europe and am happy to leverage them to benefit the mentee's higher educational ambitions. I also have strong industry connections and can advise mentees on building on their academic strengths to position themselves for careers in non-profits, philanthropy, and development consulting. I was nominated for a research mentor award in the AY 2024/2025 UROP cycle.Additional Information
ORCID identifier: 0009-0007-5513-8049Link to Publications
Genetic engineering of probiotic E. coli Nissle strain
microbiology, biomedical engineering, synthetic biology
Research Mentor: Dongheon Lee,
Department, College, Affiliation: Chemical & Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: dl25s@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators: Cesar Rodriguez
Faculty Collaborators Email: cesar.rodriguez@med.fsu.edu
Department, College, Affiliation: Chemical & Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: dl25s@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators: Cesar Rodriguez
Faculty Collaborators Email: cesar.rodriguez@med.fsu.edu
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: open to all majors
Project Location: 2001 Levy Avenue
Research Assistant Transportation Required: There is a FSU shuttle to FAMU-FSU College of Engineering 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:
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: open to all majors
Project Location: 2001 Levy Avenue
Research Assistant Transportation Required: There is a FSU shuttle to FAMU-FSU College of Engineering 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:
- Day: Wednesday, September 2
Start Time: 4:00
End Time: 4:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/7152536248?omn=93894965226 - Day: Thursday, September 3
Start Time: 3:30
End Time: 4:00
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/7152536248?omn=93894965226
Project Description
Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a working horse for modern molecular biology and synthetic biology research. While there are a wide variety of E. coli strains exist, E. coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) is a probiotic strain and has gained generally recognized as safe status from FDA due to its non pathogenicity and its potential as therapeutics for many diseases such as gut inflammation. Due to this feature, EcN has been extensively studied and engineered to detect onset of a disease or deliver therapeutic biomolecules at disease sites in our guts. Inspired by this, we want to engineer EcN as a potential therapeutic for various metabolic disorder. In order to achieve this goal, we need to genetically engineer genomes of EcN. Specifically, we need to insert genes of interest into EcN's genome so that EcN can stably express the genes. In other scenarios, we need to delete EcN's native genes. In this proposed UROP project, a student will learn various genetic engineering tools available for E. coli and apply them to EcN to seek a robust method for doing genetical engineering in EcN.Research Tasks: Literature Review, Experimental Design, Microbial culture, Molecular cloning, Data Collection, Data Analysis, Scientific Writing, and Presentation
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Recommended: Prior coding knowledge, Basic knowledge of molecular biology
Mentoring Philosophy
As the most of the undergraduates are new to research and will face various challenges. I will establish various communication channels with the undergraduate to ensure that the student can communicate with me whenever an issue arises even outside of our scheduled meetings. This will be especially critical at the beginning when the student faces a completely new topic and learns new approaches. By creating such environment, I believe the student will feel supported and encouraged to ask critical questions for the success of the project and the student.Additional Information
Link to Publications
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=RWaEOVgAAAAJ&hl=enAPPLES: Academic Progress in Phonological Learning in Elementary School children with speech sound disorders
Examining reading, spelling, language, cognitive, and speech abilities in children with communication disorders
Research Mentor: Dr. Farquharson or Dr. F Kelly Farquharson, she/ her/ hers
Department, College, Affiliation: School of Communication Science and Disorders, Communication and Information
Contact Email: kfarquharson@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: School of Communication Science and Disorders, Communication and Information
Contact Email: kfarquharson@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: Open to all majors, but particularly strong option for communication science and disorders, special education, all psychology, biology, etc. Opportunities available for students wanting to use data for methodological or statistical analysis in various majors.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Number of Research Assistants: 3
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors, but particularly strong option for communication science and disorders, special education, all psychology, biology, etc. Opportunities available for students wanting to use data for methodological or statistical analysis in various majors.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
- Day: Wednesday, September 2
Start Time: 3:30
End Time: 4:00
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/9245822071 - Day: Wednesday, September 2
Start Time: 5:00
End Time: 5:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/9245822071
Project Description
APPLES is a 4-year, NIH-grant funded study examining the reading, spelling, speech, language, hearing, memory, and cognitive skills of children with speech sound disorders. Children are in kindergarten, first, or second grades. Speech sound disorders are communication disabilities that cause (for unknown reasons) difficulty with producing certain speech sounds. Our research team directly tests the children in their schools. All scoring and processing of data happens in the lab. The lab is located in the Warren Building, which is 201 W. Bloxham Street (room 512). It is a campus building, but not walkable from campus. Reliable transportation is required. UROP students are asked to work in-person (only) in the Warren building. Hours are flexible week-to-week; however, students can only enter the building when the building is unlocked (~8:30 am - 4:30 pm). We do not allow students in the building past 7:00 pm. Students are asked to put their scheduled hours on a shared Google calendar the Thursday of the week prior, at the latest. Students have the option of working the same hours every week (e.g., every Monday and Wednesday 2-5), or change their schedule weekly as needed. STUDENTS MUST COMPLETE CITI (Human Subjects) TRAINING BEFORE BEGINNING. This training can take some time and from there, you will be added to the IRB. This also takes time; expected start dates are in November as a result.Research Tasks: Most tasks involve data processing, scoring, and entry. Extensive training and support will be provided. No direct contact with children is provided or required. All tasks administered to children are video and audio recorded. UROP students will watch videos and score tasks and enter data into REDCap databases.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required: Excellent communication skills. Prompt. Reliable. Eager to learn. Extremely organized. Must have access to Microsoft Teams on phone and computer. Must have strong skills with Excel, Word, and PowerPoint (the microsoft versions are required; the Apple/ iPad versions are not acceptable).
Mentoring Philosophy
I am eager to meet undergraduate students and help them get involved in research. Research can sometimes be scary and intimidating, but I believe firmly in making it a human-centered experience. All of our work is related to understanding how humans learn and how we can support young children. As a result, I love thinking about the various ways that i can help support undergraduate students as they acquire new research skills. I am always happy to meet and answer questions.Additional Information
Instagram: @classlab_KellyLink to Publications
www.applesproject.comProtective Effects of Novel Respiratory Muscle Training on Cerebrovascular and Immune Function in adults with Obesity
Obesity, Respiratory, Cerebrovascular health
Research Mentor: Thomas G Bissen,
Department, College, Affiliation: Health, Nutrition, & Food Sciences, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: tgb23@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Health, Nutrition, & Food Sciences, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: tgb23@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, Biology, Health sciences, Athletic training; we will also consider any major if student is on a pre-health track (pre-med, pre-PT, pre-PA, pre-OT,etc.)
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Sandels Building on campus Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10 hours a week, During business hours (some weekends), During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Exercise physiology, Biology, Health sciences, Athletic training; we will also consider any major if student is on a pre-health track (pre-med, pre-PT, pre-PA, pre-OT,etc.)
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Sandels Building on campus Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10 hours a week, During business hours (some weekends), During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable
Project Description
This research is highly relevant to public health as it seeks to address the knowledge gap regarding the direct impact of obesity on cerebrovascular function in younger adults without comorbidities or the effects of aging, which is crucial for understanding stroke risk and prevention strategies. Additionally, it explores the potential of Inspiratory Muscle Strength Training as a time-efficient and cost-effective intervention to improvecerebrovascular function and mitigate inflammation-related immune dysfunction in adults with obesity, potentially enhancing healthspan and lifespan. These findings could inform public health initiatives targeting approximately 40% of American adults with obesity, improving overall cerebrovascular function in the short term for adults with obesity and reducing stroke incidence later in life.
Research Tasks: Recruit research participants, help generate/manage recruitment approaches, schedule/coordinate with study participants, help with data collection, help with exercise testing and other research procedures, provide data management support, data analysis, assist with IRB, help with equipment maintenance, perform equipment calibration, and/or other study-related tasks. There will be lots of hands on data collection.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Values: Diligence, ambition, curiosity, and integrity; Abilities: Effective and timely oral/written/etc. communication. Skills: Teamwork, professionalism.
Mentoring Philosophy
As a mentor, my primary goal is to help my mentee develop their skills and abilities to get to the next professional stage. Ideally, with enough training, they become productive members in the laboratory. Networking will help mentees find their next mentor and get them engaged with the profession. I also have personal strength with networking and would like to use that to help foster mentees' feelings of belonging within our respective scientific communities.In addition to this, I will prioritize communication and cultivate safe spaces. I will be considerate in how I ask questions and mindful of giving opportunities to mentees. I think personally, when it comes to the psychosocial parts of a mentor/mentee relationship, it is a priority I have for my mentee that they are in a good place psychosocially.
I expect my mentees to be open and honest with me about professional topics, and if they are comfortable, I do think I will lean towards being a nurturing mentor. I also expect mentees to always put their best foot forward and try new things. I think this aligns with cultivating a safe place where mentees can try or write things they are not sure about and feel comfortable having their mentor provide feedback. I strive for my mentoring relationship to allow for the growth of the mentee, but also create a laboratory that is productive to keep funding and training for mentees.
Additional Information
Link to Publications
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=thomas%20g%20bissen&sort=date&ac=yesThe Impact of Suicide-Related Language on Helping Intentions and Perceptions Among Young Adults
suicide prevention, language, stigma
Research Mentor: Ms. Sara Prostko, She/her
Department, College, Affiliation: Psychology, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: sprostko@psy.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Psychology, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: sprostko@psy.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 6, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 6, 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: 1:00
End Time: 1:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/97009417827 - Day: Wednesday, September 2
Start Time: 1:30
End Time: 2:00
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/97009417827
Project Description
This research project aims to examine how suicide-related language influences helping intentions, perceptions, and attitudes toward individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts. Participants will be asked to complete a brief online study in which they watch short video scenarios and respond to questionnaires about their reactions and beliefs. The goal of our findings is to improve our understanding of how communication about suicide may impact stigma and to encourage more effective, compassionate responses to individuals in crisis.Research Tasks: Research assistants will assist with participant recruitment, study administration, data collection, data analysis, and maintaining research records while gaining hands-on experience in suicide research. This opportunity is ideal for students interested in clinical psychology, mental health research, or suicide prevention research and provides valuable experience in research methodology, ethical conduct of human subjects research, and professional collaboration under the supervision of Dr. Thomas Joiner.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Research assistants interested in this role are required to have strong attention to detail, proficient organizational and communication skills, and the ability to maintain participant confidentiality while following research protocols. It is required that applicants are reliable, professional, and able to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment. An interest in clinical psychology, mental health, or suicide prevention research is highly recommended, but not required. Previous coursework in psychology or research methods, and familiarity with programs such as Qualtrics are beneficial but not required.