UROP Project
Social Behaviors in Suicide and Disordered Eating
suicide, eating disorders, mental health, disordered eating
Research Mentor: Nikhila Udupa, she/her
Department, College, Affiliation: Psychology, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: udupa@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: udupa@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: 2
Relevant Majors: Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience, Cell and Molecular Neuroscience, Clinical Professions, but open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 6, 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: Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience, Cell and Molecular Neuroscience, Clinical Professions, but open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 6, 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 research project will entail two studies examining social behaviors in suicide and disordered eating. The first study is assessing and validating two behavioral tasks for use in suicide research and involves in-person study visits with participants with and without suicidality. The second study is assessing social behaviors and tendencies among individuals with and without current and past eating disorders; this study entails Zoom study visits in which participants undergo a clinical interview and answer self-report questions.Research Tasks: Research Assistants can work on one or both studies, depending on personal preference and project needs. Both will provide opportunities for data collection and interacting with participants, as well as data cleaning, input, and quality checking. Research Assistants will also gain training in conducting suicide risk assessments and will have the opportunity to assess participants’ suicide risk. Finally, Research Assistants will participate in at least biweekly team meetings and journal clubs to discuss ongoing project needs and other research ideas.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required: organization, teamwork, communication
Recommended but not necessary (training will be provided): suicide risk assessment
Mentoring Philosophy
I aim to identify my mentees’ goals and provide individualized opportunities related to each of those goals. Consistent with this, I have encouraged my mentees to develop and pursue their own research ideas and have provided them with guidance at every step of that process. I aim for the mentor-mentee relationship to be mutually beneficial, allowing both parties to grow professionally and intellectually.Additional Information
Link to Publications
Understanding the interaction of Adaptor Protein Complexes with their Chaperones from a structural perspective.
Structural Biology, Recombinant Protein Purification, Biochemical Characterization, Hands-On Lab Training
Research Mentor: db23@fsu.edu Debasmita Banerjee, Ms
Department, College, Affiliation: Molecular Biopysics, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: db23@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Molecular Biopysics, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: db23@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: Biochemistry, Biological Science, Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Engineering
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 8 hours per week. , 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: Biochemistry, Biological Science, Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Engineering
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 8 hours per week. , 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
Every cell relies on molecular machinery system to transport proteins in and out of its surface which in turn is central to how cells communicate and stay healthy. Much of this transport happens through a process called Clathrin-mediated endocytosis, where a protein called Clathrin forms a cage-like coat that pinches off a piece of the cell membrane, carrying its cargo inside. However, Clathrin can't recognize that cargo on its own and needs the help of another complex called Adaptor Protein (AP)2. AP2 in turn needs to be assembled correctly to perform its job. This assembly is aided in a step by step process with the help of a set of helper proteins called assembly chaperones. Despite its physiological importance, the structural basis of this stepwise assembly process remains entirely undefined, and its disruption is clinically consequential with mutations in these assembly chaperones causing distinct human disease phenotypes, including punctate palmoplantar keratoderma (AAGAB) and cardiofacioneurodevelopmental syndrome (CCDC32).This project uses cryo-electron microscopy and protein biochemistry to understand this assembly process in the act. As a UROP candidate, you'd get real, hands-on experience in expressing and purifying proteins from bacterial cultures and running biochemistry experiments like size-exclusion chromatography to characterize how proteins fit together which are also all the standard techniques forming the very foundation of structural biology and biochemistry research, providing experience applicable to graduate study, medical training, or careers in biomedical research.
Research Tasks: Assisting with bacterial protein expression and culture growth; protein purification via affinity chromatography and size-exclusion chromatography; preparing buffers and reagents; running and analyzing SDS-PAGE gels; organizing and maintaining lab notebooks/data records; and reviewing relevant literature on adaptor protein complexes and structural biology methods as background for ongoing experiments.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required:
Attention to detail and careful record-keeping
Reliability and consistent weekly availability
Willingness to complete lab safety training and learn new techniques
Recommended:
Coursework in biochemistry, molecular biology, or cell biology
Prior wet-lab experience (pipetting, solution preparation)
Basic familiarity with data organization tools (e.g., Excel)
Interest in structural biology or protein biochemistry
Mentoring Philosophy
My mentoring approach is grounded in the principle that a research assistant is a developing scientist whose training should be structured, individualized, and progressive, not incidental. From the outset, I assess each mentee's goals, prior experience, and preferred mode of learning to tailor my approach; for example, a student oriented toward medical school benefits from a different emphasis than one preparing for doctoral study.Training progresses from guided instruction to independent practice. I introduce technical skills through demonstration and supervised repetition, then increase each mentee's responsibility for planning, conducting, and interpreting experiments. This transition toward ownership helps mentees build durable competence and confidence. Through an inquiry-based approach, I enable mentees to reason independently through experimental design and troubleshooting.
In my experience, this approach clarifies concepts better than directly providing solutions. When troubleshooting a failed purification or interpreting a chromatography trace, I ask questions that help mentees identify sources of error, evaluate evidence, and propose next steps. I frame unexpected outcomes as informative data and foster an environment where honest reporting, questions, and mistakes are welcomed.
I view mentorship as collaborative and responsive, regularly seeking feedback on my instruction and adjusting accordingly. I am transparent about my non-linear path into structural biology, including two years in molecular genomics before graduate study, to model self-reflection. Recognizing that no single mentor meets every developmental need, I connect mentees with additional resources when a question extends beyond my expertise. The objective is technical competence, independent reasoning, and professional confidence built on mutual respect.
Additional Information
Project PublicationsAP1/AP2 Adaptor Complex Assembly Chaperone Project — Yin Laboratory
1. Wan C, Crisman L, Wang B, et al. AAGAB is an assembly chaperone regulating AP1 and AP2 clathrin adaptors. J Cell Sci. 2021;134(19):jcs258587. doi: https://doi.org/10.1242/jcs.258587
2. Gulbranson DR, Crisman L, Lee M, et al. AAGAB Controls AP2 Adaptor Assembly in Clathrin-Mediated Endocytosis. Dev Cell. 2019;50(4):436-446.e5. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.devcel.2019.06.013
3. Wu J, Wan C, Tian Y, et al. Bi-handed assembly chaperones regulate protein complex assembly through an intramolecular handover mechanism. Sci Adv. 2025;11(37):eadw9158. doi: https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adw9158
4. Wan C, Puscher H, Ouyang Y, et al. An AAGAB-to-CCDC32 handover mechanism controls the assembly of the AP2 adaptor complex. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2024;121(34):e2409341121. doi: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2409341121
5. Wan C, Wu J, Ouyang Y, et al. Regulation of AP1 adaptor assembly by the bi-handed chaperone MEA1. Nat Commun. 2026 Jan 20;17(1):1876. doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-68662-3
Link to Publications
https://biophysics.fsu.edu/person/qian-yinMothers of the Archive
Black Feminist Thought, Data Organization, Representation, Archives, Subjectivity in Research, Memory, Literature
Research Mentor: Ms. Jade Jemison, She/Her
Department, College, Affiliation: English, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: ij24@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: English, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: ij24@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
LMC, Creative Nonfiction, Preferred
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 6-8, 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
LMC, Creative Nonfiction, Preferred
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 6-8, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
- Day: Tuesday, September 1
Start Time: 1:00
End Time: 1:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/9270455369 - Day: Tuesday, September 1
Start Time: 3:00
End Time: 3:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/9270455369 - Day: Wednesday, September 2
Start Time: 12:30
End Time: 1:00
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/9270455369
Project Description
My dissertation project, The Mothers Who Raised Me, is a hybrid memoir-in-essays chronicling the women who have played pivotal roles in my life across childhood to adulthood. As for my scholarly research focus, I explore representations of mother/daughter relationships, how they are portrayed across media and texts, and how those representations impact the ways in which we raise our children.For this UROP project, Research Assistants will analyze a list of texts, provide critical analysis of relationships presented, and research critical and cultural commentary based on the texts. They will explore the rhetorics behind the ways women are represented through image, bodily autonomy, socioeconomics and classism, racism, and reproductive rights and health. Students will also contribute to active archival research, including opportunities to assist in site visits to local collections. Through this fieldwork, they will observe the 'ethnographic archivism' required to preserve Black women's histories, directly supporting the project’s goal of subverting traditional narratives in favor of lived experience.
In the end, Research Assistants will have a better understanding of how rhetorics, representations of specific demographics, and media impact societal expectations of women. We will work together to create a database for these texts, tag them for their specific themes, and discuss our findings during biweekly meetings.
Research Tasks: Research Contributions:
Research and organize findings on critical and cultural criticism based on individual texts in a group database: shared digital workspace (e.g., Notion or Google Drive).
Analyze selected archives, articles, and media texts for maternal themes and patterns.
Identify and tag recurring themes or tropes related to motherhood and daughterhood within text.
Conduct archival fieldwork: potentially assist in site visits to regional archives, documenting findings and observing the intersection of physical preservation and narrative construction.
Professional Development:
Engage in biweekly reflexivity journaling and ethnographic note-taking.
Participate in informal discussions about identity, subjectivity, and representation.
Contribute to a final presentation for the UROP Spring Symposium.
Keep track of time via workspace (Time Squared)
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required:
Due to the thematic focus for my project, mentees should have personal experience navigating a mother-daughter or maternal relationship — whether through lived experience, caregiving roles, or as someone shaped by maternal figures. This may include complex, estranged, or non-traditional dynamics. This experience would better assist them in their analysis of themes, and how and when to recognize them in the work. It’ll also help with their reflexivity notes.
Critical media literacy and cultural analysis
Awareness of subjectivity and researcher positionality (capability to learn)
Recommended:
Reflexive writing and self-assessment capabilities
Qualitative data organization and tagging
Archival thinking and thematic categorization
Collaborative research and communication
Literature and media analysis
Interest in fieldwork and site-based research: Enthusiasm for exploring physical archives, conducting on-site documentation, and engaging with primary source collections.
Mentoring Philosophy
My mentoring style is grounded in care, connection, and critical reflection (on both sides). I aim to foster a safe, open, and supportive environment where students feel seen, respected, and encouraged to explore both their intellectual and personal growth.My approach is collaborative and student-centered. I meet mentees where they are, tailoring my involvement to their individual needs — whether that means hands-on support, structured guidance, or room for autonomy. In addition to our research expectations, our time together will include regular check-ins, conversations about future goals, and shared strategies for navigating difficult topics or relationships, especially those that intersect with our research themes. Research assistants may also schedule meetings with me outside of our regular meeting times to discuss graduate applications, academia, or other related topics.
I also believe that mentorship should be reciprocal and humanizing. I bring in my own lived experience and vulnerabilities where relevant, not to center myself, but to model growth, accountability, and the courage to ask hard questions. We will work together not only on skill-building and research development, but on how to build networks, receive feedback, manage emotional labor, and sustain curiosity in the face of challenges.
Ultimately, I want students to leave our work together with more confidence in their voice, a deeper understanding of their positionality, and tools they can carry into both academic and personal pursuits.
Additional Information
Hours spent watching media or reading and evaluating texts are included in mentoring hours.This work will create a scholarly foundation for the creative and critical writing portions of my dissertation. Through the nature of their research tasks, Research Assistants will be working closely with my personal reading list and assisting me with my secondary media list.
Link to Publications
The Civil War Movie and the Shaping of Historical Memory
Civil War, Motion Picture, Memory and History
Research Mentor: Prof. G. Kurt Piehler, Prof.
Department, College, Affiliation: History, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: kpiehler@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators: Lt. Colonel Joel Barnes
Faculty Collaborators Email: Joel.Barnes@afacademy.af.edu
Department, College, Affiliation: History, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: kpiehler@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators: Lt. Colonel Joel Barnes
Faculty Collaborators Email: Joel.Barnes@afacademy.af.edu
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: History, but open open to all majors.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-8 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: History, but open open to all majors.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-8 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
This project led by Joel Barnes (Lt. Colonel, USAF) of the Department of History, U.S. Air Force Academy will examine the making and impact on popular culture of Hollywood motions pictures depicting the American Civil War. It will consider how historians shape Hollywood’s conceptions of the Civil War and in turn how they are influenced by celluloid depictions. G. Kurt Piehler of the History Department at FSU and former visiting professor at the U.S. Air Force Academy (2024-25) will be co-investigator for this project.Research Tasks: Drawing on the resources of the FSU libraries, research assistants will collect from printed and digital primary sources documents and images related to the Civil War motion pictures with an emphasis on material since 2000. They will also develop a comprehensive bibliography of primary and secondary sources related to the battle (including visual sources).
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Ability to write effectively and think critically about evidence are absolutely essential to this role. Experience working with archival sources is plus. A willingness to learn how to read and transcribe cursive documents is important. All majors are welcome, including history majors.
Mentoring Philosophy
The ideal research assistant is able to take broad direction and work independently. During the semester, research assistants will meet with Dr. Piehler in-person weekly and virtually with Lt,Col. Barnes bi-weekly. Both will offer guidance of how to conduct primary source research and oversee their research. These meeting will also offer assistants insights of how historians make sense of a range of primary sources to write history. As a mentor, Dr. Piehler envisions a research assistantship as laying the groundwork for future internship and graduate school and/or employment. Dr. Piehler’s past research assistants have gone on to secure internships at the Smithsonian Institution, the Grove Museum, and the Florida state government. As an active-duty air force officer, Barnes brings to his scholarship the insights gained from serving in a war zone and engaging in ground combat. He can offer guidance to career paths in the U.S. Air Force, especially related to intelligence.T
Additional Information
Link to Publications
The language of AI models
artificial intelligence, large language models, computational linguistics, language analysis
Research Mentor: Dr Thomas Stephan (Tommie) Juzek, he/him
Department, College, Affiliation: Scientific Computing, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: tjuzek@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Scientific Computing, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: tjuzek@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: 8, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 8, 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: 1:00
End Time: 2:00
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/92225862501 - Day: Wednesday, September 2
Start Time: 2:00
End Time: 3:00
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/99796273320 - Day: Thursday, September 3
Start Time: 5:00
End Time: 6:00
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/92186202500
Project Description
Language models have developed a distinct way of writing. For example, they overuse certain words ("delve"), have distinct stylistic choices, and they tend to hedge statements more often than humans do. This project is about the interaction between human language and model language, and how the two interact with each other. The models learn language based on, to a good extent, human data; and their output is now read and reused at a scale that influences how people write. Questions a student could take on include how much these habits vary between models, where in the building of a model they come from, and the exact nature of how human writing is shifting in response. Other, related projects in computational linguistics are possible upon agreement.Research Tasks: Students are encouraged to contribute to the entire research pipeline, from topic exploration, to building, data collection and analysis, and write up.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required: strong curiosity about language and language technology.
Mentoring Philosophy
Students (co-)own a research question, with all that comes with it. Exploring the question, building the data, writing the code, analysing, and writing up. We set SMART goals, and the team meets two to four times a month. Two of my previous UROP students co-authored peer-reviewed papers.Additional Information
When you reach out, please include a note about what excites you about language and language technology.Link to Publications
https://tjuzek.com/In the Footsteps of Bandits - An Alternative History of Spain
Spain, bandits, history
Research Mentor: bdodds@fsu.edu Benjamin Dodds,
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida State University, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: bdodds@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida State University, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: bdodds@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: This is open to all majors. Those majoring in Spanish, History and related fields might be particularly interested.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
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: 2
Relevant Majors: This is open to all majors. Those majoring in Spanish, History and related fields might be particularly interested.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
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/5738006031 - Day: Thursday, September 3
Start Time: 1:00
End Time: 1:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/5738006031
Project Description
This research project involves the use of stories about bandits to explore aspects of the history of Spain. For example, some of the indigenous peoples of the Iberian Peninsula who rebelled against Roman rule were described and celebrated as bandits. Likewise, some of those involved in the armed resistance against the authoritarian rule of General Franco were also labeled bandits. What do these and other bandits tell us about Spain and her history? What do they reveal about people's attitudes to government, their economic, social and cultural lives and so on?Research Tasks: Research assistants will investigate the history and myth of one or more bandits. This will involve the identification of relevant sources and the comparison of historical reality and myths associated with particular bandits. Research assistants will produce a short study of their individual bandit(s).
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: The ability to read Spanish is useful for this project but is not required.
Mentoring Philosophy
As a mentor, I believe in empowering the mentee to conduct their own research. This means working with them on developing the skills and knowledge needed to research but also letting them identify relevant material and research questions. My aim is less to direct mentees' research and more to facilitate their own development as researchers in their own right. I aim to be available to help when challenges arise and always to provide a sounding board for discussion, but also to let mentees get on with their research, taking charge of it themselves. The great advantage of collaborative research is that different members of the team bring different things to the project, so I aim to help mentees identify and develop their own strengths.Additional Information
Link to Publications
Here is an article published at an earlier stage of this project: https://fsu-flvc.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01FALSC_FSU/1pc67ru/cdi_informaworld_taylorfrancis_310_1080_14753820_2017_1335502Hate Crime Research and Policy Institute: Undergraduate Research
Hate crime; Bias crime; Violence; Criminology
Research Mentor: Dr. Brendan Lantz, He/Him/Him
Department, College, Affiliation: Criminology and Criminal Justice, Criminology and Criminal Justice
Contact Email: blantz@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators: Dr. Marin R. Wenger She/Her
Faculty Collaborators Email: mwenger@fsu.edu
Department, College, Affiliation: Criminology and Criminal Justice, Criminology and Criminal Justice
Contact Email: blantz@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators: Dr. Marin R. Wenger She/Her
Faculty Collaborators Email: mwenger@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: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable
Number of Research Assistants: 6
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable
Project Description
The Hate Crime Research and Policy Institute (HCRPI) conducts interdisciplinary research focused on hate crime, bias-motivated violence, and related issues. This opportunity will allow undergraduate researchers to contribute to one or more ongoing HCRPI projects based on their interests, skills, and experience. Students may assist with activities such as reviewing and synthesizing research literature, collecting and organizing data, coding and analyzing information, and supporting the dissemination of research findings. Specific responsibilities will be developed with each student to provide meaningful research experience while contributing to the Institute’s broader research mission.Research Tasks: Research tasks will vary depending on student interests and the needs of ongoing HCRPI projects. Potential tasks may include conducting literature reviews; collecting, cleaning, organizing, and coding data; assisting with data analysis; assisting with survey or other data collection efforts; and contributing to the preparation and dissemination of research findings. Students may also have opportunities to participate in research team meetings and other aspects of the research process as appropriate.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Recommended, not required: experience working with Excel or other data management software; experience conducting literature reviews or working with data; interest in hate crime, bias-motivated violence, or related policy issues.
Mentoring Philosophy
I have a flexible and student-centered mentoring philosophy, focused on creating a supportive and collaborative environment in which students can ask questions, learn through experience, and gradually take greater ownership of their work. My goal is for students to understand the broader research process, develop confidence and independence, and identify opportunities for continued academic and professional growth.Additional Information
Link to Publications
https://criminology.fsu.edu/research/center-for-criminology-public-policy-research/hate-crime-research-policy-institute; https://news.fsu.edu/news/education-society/2025/09/30/fsus-hate-crime-research-and-policy-institute-receives-national-award-for-leadeAnalyzing AI Use in Popular Culture
artificial intelligence, culture, qualitative content analysis, media studies, social construction
Research Mentor: Dr. Britney Cotton,
Department, College, Affiliation: Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, Social Sciences and Public Policy
Contact Email: bcotton@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, Social Sciences and Public Policy
Contact Email: bcotton@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 but may be particularly suitable for ISS, Sociology, Anthropology, or Media & Communication Studies majors.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10 hrs per week, 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 but may be particularly suitable for ISS, Sociology, Anthropology, or Media & Communication Studies majors.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10 hrs per week, 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/96040400515 - Day: Thursday, September 3
Start Time: 1:00
End Time: 1:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/94088547052 - Day: Friday, September 4
Start Time: 1:00
End Time: 1:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/97690722348
Project Description
This project examines the role of AI-generated content, particularly images, within popular culture. It seeks to analyze the prevalence, characteristics, and potential societal impacts of increasing exposure to AI-generated media. As these technologies become more integrated into everyday life, understanding how they shape perception, representation, and cultural norms is increasingly important.The research will involve collecting and analyzing data from a range of media sources, alongside qualitative content analysis to identify recurring patterns and themes. These findings will be interpreted through relevant social theory to better understand the broader cultural and societal implications of AI-generated content.
Because the project is in its early stages, students will play an active role in shaping its direction. They will contribute to the development of research questions, help define the study’s focus, and participate in collaborative analysis. This structure provides an opportunity for undergraduate students to engage meaningfully in the research process from its inception, fostering critical thinking, intellectual ownership, and collaborative skills.
Research Tasks: Students will help develop the research design for this project and assist with literature reviews, data collection, and analysis.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: No experience required, but interest in the topic is preferred. Advanced critical thinking and writing skills would be a valuable asset throughout this project, but the mentor is willing to help develop necessary research skills.
Mentoring Philosophy
I view mentorship as a cyclical and collaborative process in which both mentor and mentee learn from one another. Undergraduate researchers bring valuable perspectives and insights, and I aim to foster an environment in which they feel confident sharing their ideas while also developing the ability to receive and apply constructive feedback.Because this project is in its early stages, I am especially interested in allowing students’ individual interests to help shape the direction of the research. Together, we will build a collaborative project that reflects the shared goals and motivations of both mentor and mentees, encouraging a sense of ownership and intellectual investment.
Open and consistent communication is central to this process. I encourage students to ask questions, express their perspectives, and seek guidance throughout the mentorship. We will meet regularly over the course of the semester to discuss progress, exchange ideas, and reflect on our work, fostering a supportive and engaging environment.
Ultimately, my goal is to create a mentorship experience in which both my students and I grow intellectually and professionally, learning from one another through a shared commitment to inquiry and discovery.
Additional Information
If you were unable to attend the Roundtable Sessions, but are interested in viewing the recording, please feel free to send me an email: bcotton@fsu.eduLink to Publications
Resilient Underground Subway Infrastructure Maintenance Planning
transportation, subway/metro systems, infrastructure resilience, public transportation, infrastructure maintenance
Research Mentor: Dr. Ziyue (Jelly) Li, he/his/him
Department, College, Affiliation: Civil and Environmental Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: zl23n@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Civil and Environmental Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: zl23n@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 6
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: Fully Remote
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Number of Research Assistants: 6
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: Fully Remote
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
- Day: Friday, September 4
Start Time: 12:00
End Time: 12:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu-my.sharepoint.com/:v:/g/personal/zl23n_fsu_edu/IQBgGY-UFaGrS7fWLa6nY099AZdlkfC0J6LIdNNKWojeYIc - Day: Friday, September 4
Start Time: 12:30
End Time: 1:00
Zoom Link: https://fsu-my.sharepoint.com/:v:/g/personal/zl23n_fsu_edu/IQBgGY-UFaGrS7fWLa6nY099AZdlkfC0J6LIdNNKWojeYIc
Project Description
You will participate in the Transforming Urban Underground Infrastructure (TUUI) Collaborative Activity Group, titled “Resilient Underground Subway Infrastructure Maintenance Planning.” This project aims to improve our understanding of how aging underground subway infrastructure can be monitored, maintained, and managed to improve system resilience and reduce service disruptions, congestion, and economic losses. These challenges are becoming increasingly important as subway systems age and face growing risks from climate-related hazards such as flooding.The project focuses on key underground subway assets, including tunnels, rail tracks, power systems, and signal systems. Potential research topics include infrastructure degradation and condition assessment, state-of-the-art infrastructure health monitoring technologies, vulnerability to natural hazards, data availability and integration, and maintenance planning practices used by transit agencies in different regions. Students may also explore how infrastructure conditions and maintenance decisions affect subway service quality, reliability, and ridership.
You are encouraged to explore a research topic related to this broader theme based on your interests. Possible activities include conducting surveys or interviews with transit agencies or transportation professionals in New York City, Atlanta, or other domestic and international cities; collecting and analyzing publicly available data on subway infrastructure and service performance; conducting statistical or other data analyses; and reviewing and synthesizing the relevant academic and industry literature. The specific research question and methods can be developed based on the student's interests and background.
Students interested in subway systems in the UK and Japan are particularly encouraged to apply. These countries provide valuable and contrasting cases for studying underground subway infrastructure, maintenance, and resilience, and the project will draw on international cases and research collaborations involving these systems.
More information about the project can be found here: https://tuui.civil.gmu.edu/resilient_underground/
Research Tasks: Flexible, depending on the student's interests and background. Potential research tasks include literature review, data collection, data analysis, surveys and interviews, and other research activities related to resilient subway infrastructure and maintenance planning.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: No specific skills are required. Good communication, writing, and critical thinking skills are desirable.
Mentoring Philosophy
I believe self-motivation and genuine interest are the best drivers of learning. I provide students with research direction, resources, and guidance while encouraging them to take ownership of their work. Students are expected to develop their research skills through active exploration, with flexibility to pursue topics that interest them and progress at a pace that suits their background and goals. I encourage students to ask questions, take initiative, and learn from both successes and mistakes.Additional Information
Roundtable recording: https://fsu-my.sharepoint.com/:v:/g/personal/zl23n_fsu_edu/IQBgGY-UFaGrS7fWLa6nY099AZdlkfC0J6LIdNNKWojeYIcYou may find information about my previous UROP mentees and their research projects here, including their research posters:
https://liziyue17.github.io/mentorship/
Link to Publications
https://tuui.civil.gmu.edu/resilient_underground/Monitoring Apalachicola Bay Oyster Reproduction
oysters, FWC, temperature, salinity, microscopy
Research Mentor: Dr. Lauren Rice, She/Her
Department, College, Affiliation: Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: lnrice@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: lnrice@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: Biology, Environmental Science
Project Location: 3618 Coastal Highway 98 St. Teresa, FL 32358-2702
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Biology, Environmental Science
Project Location: 3618 Coastal Highway 98 St. Teresa, FL 32358-2702
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
- Day: Thursday, September 3
Start Time: 1:00
End Time: 1:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/97992472841 - Day: Friday, September 4
Start Time: 1:00
End Time: 1:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/94250836966
Project Description
Wild oysters native to the Floridian coastline are known to reproduce throughout most of the year, although the reasons allowing populations to sustain this trend have never been looked at quantitatively. In Apalachicola Bay, the collapse of the oyster populations have led to continued and targeted efforts at restoration including the placement of material to try and rebuild the reefs. However, oysters are recovering in various rates across the bay, with some regions rebounding more strongly than others. My project seeks to monitor the health and reproductive investment of oysters from various bars within Apalachicola Bay, and determine the potential factors in the environment that might be impacting recovery (temperature, salinity, food availability, parasites, etc.). Additionally, I am trying to look at historical data collected by FWC to determine if patterns in oyster health have changed over time.Research Tasks: I am looking to have a UROP student who is willing to help with:
- viewing and imaging microscope slides
- collection of data by analyzing images
- data analysis and visualization
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: - Knowledge of Microsoft Excel (recommended)
- Organized notetaking (required)
- Microscopy (recommended; optional dependent on student availability/schedule)