UROP Project | Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement

Microbiology, Spoilage

Research Mentor: Ms. Nethraja Kandula, she/hers
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida State University, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: nkandula2@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:

Looking for Research Assistants: No
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Open to STEM majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required:
Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 10,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Not participating in the Roundtable

Project Description

The research project aims to evaluate the effect of sanitizer treatment on the safety and quality of seafood (salmon, catfish, shrimp). The objective is to decrease the microbial load and increase the shelf life and storage for these products in order to ensure consumer safety and preserve quality. The study will utilize various microbiological and molecular analyses, including microbial counts, PCR, and sequencing of microbial communities. This comprehensive approach will provide crucial data to support the seafood industry's efforts to minimize losses due to spoilage and improve packaging methods. The data generated from this research will contribute to ensuring the safety of the seafood. Ultimately, this project can also train individuals for careers in the seafood processing industry and in federal or state testing laboratories.

Research Tasks: Literature review
Experimentation
Data analysis and interpretation
Report writing

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: MS Excel (recommended)
Basic lab activities like pipetting, measuring (recommended)

Mentoring Philosophy

My mentoring philosophy is centered on the principle of empowerment through knowledge. I strive to create a nurturing space where mentees can freely explore their capabilities, guided by a balance of structured learning and the freedom to innovate. Recognizing and cultivating each mentee's unique talents, I encourage a collaborative environment that values mutual respect and open communication. By sharing my experiences and fostering inquiry, I aim to inspire mentees to take ownership of their growth, learn from setbacks, and pursue their goals with passion and resilience.

Additional Information

Link to Publications

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learning, teachers, children, elementary

Research Mentor: lbw17@fsu.edu Lori Walter-Carro, she/her
Department, College, Affiliation: Early Childhood, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: lbw17@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: education, math education, math, statistics
Project Location: remote
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote
Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Not participating in the Roundtable

Project Description

This project seeks to quantify how early childhood teachers use hands on materials to teach the academic school readiness skills demanded in today's kindergarten classrooms. It is also looking for a correlation between teacher beliefs and the use of hands-on instructional methods. Lastly, to identify what barriers teachers feel they face in implementing hands on instruction.

Research Tasks: Data collection (online), data clean up, data analysis

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Recommended: organization skills, critical thinking
Would be super helpful if they have knowledge of statistics and logistic regression

Mentoring Philosophy

Mentoring is about supporting others' growth and understanding in a way that helps them build their own path forward. By understanding their strengths and interests, a mentor is able to start where a mentee is currently and build skills so that they are better prepared for the future they want. One must be given the chance to problem solve and work through issues, at the same time, it is always helpful to be able to learn from someone else's experiences rather than having to make all mistakes yourself. So finding this balance in each mentoring relationship is key. In education, we call it a warm demander. I am here to support you and offer help when needed, but also hold you accountable for the agreed-upon tasks. This accountability isn't rigid, but helps you create structures that will help you hold yourself accountable as you enter the professional workplace environment.

Additional Information

Link to Publications

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hypersonic, wind tunnel, aerodynamics

Research Mentor: Dr. Alexandre Berger,
Department, College, Affiliation: Mechanical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: aberger2@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:

Looking for Research Assistants: No
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Engineering
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required:
Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5 to 10 ,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Thursday, September 5th, 2:30 to 3:00 PM
https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_NWU0M2MwMzItZjk4Mi00M2M0LWIxZDQtZWQ1YzlkYmUwMGU0%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22a36450eb-db06-42a7-8d1b-026719f701e3%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22de0da904-31d8-4897-9341-135e029a2b14%22%7d

Thursday, September 5th, 3:00 to 3:30 PM
https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ODRmZjllNDMtZWFmNS00OGI5LWE5N2ItMzEwMWU3YzZlYTBj%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22a36450eb-db06-42a7-8d1b-026719f701e3%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22de0da904-31d8-4897-9341-135e029a2b14%22%7d

Thursday, September 5th, 3:30 to 4:00 PM
https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_Mzk2NGUxMzktYzEyMi00OGQ3LWIyOGQtY2EyNmYzY2FlMDUy%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22a36450eb-db06-42a7-8d1b-026719f701e3%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22de0da904-31d8-4897-9341-135e029a2b14%22%7d

Project Description

The research objectives of this project are to experimentally measure the laminar to turbulent transition length in the Florida Center for Advanced AeroPropulsion (FCAAP) PolySonic Wind Tunnel (PSWT).

Research Tasks: The student will be responsible for a variety of tasks along the duration of the project. A 7 degree half-angle cone will be designed and manufactured. The design features include maximizing the length of the model, instrumentation ports and tunnel interface. The proper diagnostic tools will be selected and set up in the PSWT. Possible diagnostic tools include: Pressure Sensitive Paint (PSP), schlieren flow visualization, surface pressure sensors and other optical flow diagnostic methods. The student will then perform experiments in the PSWT and analyze the data. Results will be compared to the literature.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: This project required a variety of skills which will be developed along the duration of the program.
Recommended: Computer Assisted Design (CAD), programming language (Matlab or Python preferred)

Mentoring Philosophy

My mentoring philosophy centers on several key principles:
Clear and Honest Communication: Our interactions will be founded on transparent and sincere communication. By understanding each student's background and future aspirations, I will tailor the mentoring experience to best support their individual needs and goals.
Fostering Curiosity and Independence: My goal is to ignite curiosity, nurture passion, and encourage independent thinking and action. I aim to create an environment where students feel inspired to explore and take initiative in their academic pursuits.
Setting Clear Expectations: Regularly setting clear and achievable objectives is crucial. By defining specific goals on a weekly basis, we will ensure that students remain focused and aligned with their broader academic and professional aspirations.
By integrating these principles, I strive to create a supportive and dynamic mentoring relationship that empowers students to reach their full potential.

Additional Information

Link to Publications

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=WKew3T4AAAAJ&hl=en

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hypersonic, wind tunnel, aerodynamics, flow diagnostics

Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Engineering
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required:
Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5 to 10,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Thursday, September 5th, 1:00 to 1:30 PM, https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ZDQyM2UxMWYtZmMxNi00ZDMxLWJiNTgtMTgxZjM3MDEzNTEw%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22a36450eb-db06-42a7-8d1b-026719f701e3%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22de0da904-31d8-4897-9341-135e029a2b14%22%7d

Thursday, September 5th, 1:30 to 2:00 PM, https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MTk5MzcyZjUtNThkZS00M2JkLThiYjMtNjFlOTdjOGQzN2E1%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22a36450eb-db06-42a7-8d1b-026719f701e3%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22de0da904-31d8-4897-9341-135e029a2b14%22%7d

Thursday, September 5th, 2:00 to 2:30 PM, https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MDg1OTBlNjYtYjhmNi00NGE4LWFhYTItMWNhYzY2ZDA4Yjhh%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22a36450eb-db06-42a7-8d1b-026719f701e3%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22de0da904-31d8-4897-9341-135e029a2b14%22%7d

Project Description

The research objective for this project is the development of Focused Laser Differential Interferometry (FLDI) to be implemented in the Florida Center for Advanced AeroPropulsion (FCAAP) PolySonic Wind Tunnel (PSWT).

Research Tasks: The student will be responsible for assembling, aligning and calibrating the optical equipment necessary to implement local flow density gradient measurements in supersonic and hypersonic flow. The resulting data will be analyzed in the context of expected flow physics.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Skills will be developed along the duration of the program.
Computer programing language (MATLAB or Python) recommended

Mentoring Philosophy

My mentoring philosophy centers on several key principles:
1. Clear and Honest Communication: Our interactions will be founded on transparent and sincere communication. By understanding each student's background and future aspirations, I will tailor the mentoring experience to best support their individual needs and goals.
2. Fostering Curiosity and Independence: My goal is to ignite curiosity, nurture passion, and encourage independent thinking and action. I aim to create an environment where students feel inspired to explore and take initiative in their academic pursuits.
3. Setting Clear Expectations: Regularly setting clear and achievable objectives is crucial. By defining specific goals on a weekly basis, we will ensure that students remain focused and aligned with their broader academic and professional aspirations.
By integrating these principles, I strive to create a supportive and dynamic mentoring relationship that empowers students to reach their full potential.

Additional Information

Link to Publications

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=WKew3T4AAAAJ&hl=en

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AI bots, Hispanic Consumers, marketing communication.

Research Mentor: Dr. Chapa Sindy Chapa, She
Department, College, Affiliation: College of Communication, FSU, Communication and Information
Contact Email: schapa@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:

Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 6
Relevant Majors: Open to all major
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote
Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: Minimum 3,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: TBD

Project Description

To explore the role that cultural values play in the adoption of artificial Intelligence in the US in Latin America.
This study seeks to explore the role of cultural values in shaping the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in the United States and Latin America. It aims to uncover how cultural beliefs, norms, and attitudes influence the acceptance, implementation, and regulation of AI technologies in these regions.
The research will compare cultural influences in the US and Latin American countries by examining how factors such as individualism versus collectivism, high versus low power distance, and attitudes toward technology affect perceptions of AI.
The study will investigate How cultural values impact public perceptions and acceptance of AI technologies. Cultural barriers and enablers that affect the adoption of AI. Implications for developing culturally sensitive AI strategies and fostering international collaboration.

Research Tasks: Literature review, data collection, and interview.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: recommended SPSS knowledge.

Mentoring Philosophy

My philosophy aims to create a nurturing research environment that empowers mentees to grow intellectually and professionally while contributing meaningfully to their fields. A vital element of a mentorship philosophy is establishing a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment where mentees feel comfortable expressing their ideas, concerns, and questions. Encouragement and open communication are essential to foster creativity and innovation.

Additional Information

Dr. Chapa is the director of the Center for Hispanic Marketing Communication at FSU, located at UCC 4120.

Link to Publications

https://hmc.comm.fsu.edu/

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Black people, health, nature, arts-based research, qualitative research, creative writing, autoethnography

Research Mentor: Dr. Dr. Chris Omni, MPH, MLS, She, her
Department, College, Affiliation: Public Health, Social Sciences and Public Policy
Contact Email: comni@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): N/A N/A N/A
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: christal.omni@gmail.com
Faculty Collaborators: N/A Vince Omni, MFA
Faculty Collaborators Email: vomni@fsu.edu

Looking for Research Assistants: No
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: Most meetings will occur remotely; however, a minimum of two meetings per semester will be held in-person.
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes
Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 7,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 - 3:30pm - 4pm https://fsu.zoom.us/my/blackjoy
Wednesday, September 4, 2024 - 3:30pm - 4pm. https://fsu.zoom.us/my/blackjoy

Project Description

The “SoulClap: A Black Joy Journal” Research Project was developed to successfully launch this new, open access scholartistic (scholarly + artistic) journal and to document the process as part of the origin story.

Mission
The mission of SoulClap is to shift the dominant mainstream narrative about African diaspora people away from trauma by exploring the creative, communal, academic, and healing power of Black Joy. A shift that is crucial for the emotional, social, physical, and spiritual well-being of Black people

Focus and Scope
SoulClap is an annual, open-access publication, made possible by a grant from Florida State Open Publishing, that features scholarship, creative writing, and interviews that seek to disrupt the common deficit narrative often associated with the Black experience. The inaugural issue will be designed around the theme of Black Joy and nature. Future topics of interest include:
Black Joy and music
Black Joy and faith/spirituality
Black Joy and kinship
Black Joy and literature
Black Joy and hair

The project will focus on four key deliverables:

1) Conduct literature reviews on nature's influence on emotional, physical, social, intellectual, and spiritual well-being.
2) Provide editorial support for SoulClap.
3) Develop social media content that advances the conversation of Black Joy.
4) Support Dr. Omni and her collaborators with data collection and analysis.

Research Tasks: literature reviews, data collection, data analysis, IRB training, field work, editorial support.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: The research mentees selected for SoulClap must be flexible, open, optimistic, and dedicated.

Flexible: Some weeks you will be responsible to co-lead the meetings because I will be presenting at conferences around the globe.

Open: Be receptive to various styles of communication and learning.

Optimistic: Believe that the topic of Black Joy can provide a much needed counter-narrative to the typical lens that is generally applied to research regarding Black people.

Dedicated: Meeting deadlines will be essential. Each week, you will be required to meet your deliverables even if that assignment is to "go outside and simply let BEing be enough!"

Mentoring Philosophy

I am a vessel.
From my body, I have delivered life and I breathe life.

As your mentor, my goals are to:

1. Share the wisdom of my Ancestors and my own life experiences to pour into your life academically, professionally, and personally.
2. To center your emotional well-being by creating and holding spaces for healing and self-restoration.
3. To center your intellectual well-being by understanding your goals and talents in order to build upon them.
4. To center your physical well-being by building in active time to pause the demands of your day to simply be present with self.

Additional Information

Research mentees will be expected to attend and complete IRB (Institutional Review Board) training. This will expedite the process when it comes to research and publications in the near future.

Link to Publications

www.blacktivatejoy.create.fsu.edu; www.kujimahealth.com; https://youtu.be/PScP5BcKsxU

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Research Mentor: ,
Department, College, Affiliation: ,
Contact Email:
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): N/A N/A N/A
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: N/A
Faculty Collaborators: N/A N/A
Faculty Collaborators Email: N/A

Looking for Research Assistants:
Number of Research Assistants:
Relevant Majors:
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes
Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: ,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Not participating in the Roundtable

Project Description

Research Tasks:

Skills that research assistant(s) may need:

Mentoring Philosophy

Additional Information

Link to Publications

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First Generation in College Students (FGCSs); study abroad; transformative learning theory

Research Mentor: None needed (just my first name fine) Latika Young, She/hers
Department, College, Affiliation: Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement, Undergraduate Studies
Contact Email: latika.young@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:

Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required:
Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-7,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Friday, Sept. 6 from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Please try to come right at the beginning and have your camera on. I look forward to speaking with you more soon!
Zoom link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/98872957300

Project Description

The purpose of this qualitative narrative inquiry is to better understand the experiences of first generation in college students (FGCSs) who have received the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. This study will help explain how the FGCS participants themselves understand their experiences with the Gilman Scholarship and the role they feel the program played in their post-graduation lives. Underrepresentation within education abroad for FCGSs remains a federal and higher education institutional concern, especially since the literature suggests these students experience amplified benefit from engaging internationally. The Gilman Scholarship, then, provides a crucial tool for addressing this underrepresentation, since 50% of the Gilman Scholarship awardees identify as first generation in college students (Gilman Scholarship, n.d.). Currently, there is limited investigation of the outcomes of the Gilman Scholarship program (Stedman, 2017; Valuy & Shao, 2021) and minimal scholarship that explores the specific experiences of FGCSs within the Gilman Scholarship program as disaggregated from other underrepresented students (Garner, 2018; Thompson-Jones, 2012). It is not known how FGCSs understand their experiences with the Gilman Scholarship, particularly in terms of how they perceive the impacts of their participation in the program on their longer-term personal, social, academic, and professional trajectories. As a narrative inquiry, this project will utilize focus group, creative reflection/data elicitation (i.e. "Cabinet of Curiosities" and narrative timeline), and individual interviews for data collection.

Research Tasks: Literature review for first part; learning how to use Zotero citation management; IRB approval process; help with conducting and transcribing focus group(s), creative reflection elicitation, and individual interviews; data analysis and coding as time allows.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: No specific skills are required! An interest in qualitative research/narrative inquiry would be valuable as well as an interest in study abroad, high impact practices/transformative learning, and/or the experiences of first generation in college students.

Mentoring Philosophy

The goal of this project is to include UROP students deeply in the process of a narrative inquiry, providing access to and understanding of the various components of the research design, IRB approval, data collection, analysis, and dissemination processes, as time allows. My goal as a mentor is to provide a safe environment based on mutual respect in which mentor and mentees feel comfortable bringing their whole selves, in which constructive feedback and support is provided at all stages, and in which mentees can share their goals and plans, both within and beyond their research interests and the UROP project itself. I look forward to the unique perspectives, experiences, and knowledge the UROP students will contribute to this project, forging a stronger research product with these contributions in the end. Finally, I look forward to moments of levity and laughter, as I believe the research process and our collaboration should also be fun.

Additional Information

Link to Publications

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art, digital fabrication, studio, visual art

Research Mentor: Prof. Meredith Lynn, she hers
Department, College, Affiliation: Art, Fine Arts
Contact Email: mllynn@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:

Looking for Research Assistants: No
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Art, Art History, Theatre, Interior Architecture and Design
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required:
Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Not participating in the Roundtable

Project Description

I am interested in mentoring a UROP student in studio art research and practices. In particular, the mentee will help fabricate several artworks that will be exhibited at museums in the spring semester. Students will help with digital fabrication techniques, such as laser cutting, and also analog methods. Students will gain experience and skills in the design, development, and construction of sculpture and installation-based artwork. Together we will also design and build crates for artworks, generate object lists for exhibitions, and address other logistical concerns. This is an ideal project for a student who is interested in sculpture, construction, and also artwork exhibition. I will mentor the student in communicating with curators, planning to exhibit artwork, and other professional concerns. While experience and interest in art making is important, I will train the student on specific tools, equipment, and software.

Research Tasks: Assisting with artwork fabrication, file organization

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required: basic studio art skills, including using tools such as a drill, hammer, and saw.
Recommended: basic knowledge of Adobe Suite.

Mentoring Philosophy

As a mentor, I believe that it is my primary role to help a mentee identify their skills and opportunities for growth so that we can, together, establish their personal goals and develop and execute plans for their achievement. For a mentee to be successful, they must be genuinely interested and engaged with the projects we are working on, and there must be shared accountability and ownership. I will always be mindful to confirm that the mentee has the skills and confidence to complete the work that we are doing together, while understanding that failure is often part of any creative process, and we learn from our mistakes as well as our successes. I commit to creating a shared workload that is challenging, rigorous, responsive to the mentee’s interests and skills, exciting, and, as often as possible, fun.

Additional Information

Link to Publications

www.meredithlauralynn.com

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muscle biology, sarcomere, cardiomyopathies, molecular genetics, proteomics

Research Mentor: Paula Nieto,
Department, College, Affiliation: Biomedical Sciences, Medicine
Contact Email: pfn21@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:

Looking for Research Assistants: No
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: biology
chemistry
physics
engineering
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required:
Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 10,
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Not participating in the Roundtable

Project Description

This study aims to investigate the role of troponin C in dilated cardiomyopathy using a new knock-in mouse model and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). Additionally, the study will assess the therapeutic potential of a novel drug targeting the sarcomere to modulate contractility.

Research Tasks: data collection
data analysis
cell culture
mice handling

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: highly motivated
well organized
responsible
reliable
curious minded

Mentoring Philosophy

My mentoring philosophy centers on fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented environment that empowers students to achieve their personal and professional goals. I approach mentoring by first identifying each student’s unique aspirations and understanding their current capabilities. This involves engaging in open dialogues to set clear objectives and align them with their individual talents. I believe that trust and respect are essential for effective mentorship, I want my students to feel secure enough to take risks and make mistakes, and I encourage them to view challenges as opportunities for growth rather than setbacks.
I also emphasize the importance of students taking ownership of their work. This includes promoting accountability and supporting them in taking proactive steps toward their goals. I also leverage my own experiences to provide context and insights. I aim to inspire curiosity and promote learning through asking questions and exploring new ideas. Ultimately, my mentoring philosophy balances belief in their potential with actionable guidance and support. By evaluating their understanding and talents, challenging them appropriately, and celebrating their progress, I strive to nurture their growth and prepare them for future success. Their success is my success!

Additional Information

Link to Publications

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