How are Research Projects Assigned?

NeuroNauts Research Projects

Each NeuroNauts faculty research mentor has a different area of research interest within neuroscience.  Students will be assigned a faculty mentor and will work on a research project within their mentor's area of research interest.  

We anticipate the following UWF faculty will participate in the program:

Dr. Rodney Guttmann (Department of Biology) - Identifying physical indicators inside the body that reveal what is happening in the brain to try to detect Alzheimer's Disease earlier.

Dr. Peter Cavnar (Department of Biology) - Examines how brain chemicals send internal messages and how the brain and immune system interact to shape both mental and physical health.

Dr. Shusen Pu (Department of Mathematics & Statistics) - Utilizing advanced computational methods such as numerical simulations and machine learning to analyze brain function.

Dr. Youngil Lee (Department of Movement Sciences & Health) - Using mice and brain cells to learn how exercise protects the brain against Parkinson’s disease at a microscopic level.

Dr. Vanessa Rainey (Department of Psychology) - Tracking brainwaves to see how neurodiverse people process sights, sounds, and physical touch. 

Dr. Daudet Ilunga Tshiswaka (Department of Public Health) - How our daily habits, social connections, and cultural backgrounds shape how well our brains function.

Dr. Trent Robinson (Department of Biology) - How crustaceans, such as crabs, navigate their surroundings, learn from experience, and show signs of self-awareness. 

Please note this list will likely change as faculty availability is confirmed.

How are Students Assigned to Research Projects?

As part of the application process, students can rank their preferences for the research projects of interest.  If you are selected, you’ll be paired with a UWF faculty mentor who will guide your research experience. We’ll use your selections to help inform mentor matches.

Selected students will also have a chance to meet potential mentors, learn more about their research and mentoring styles, and update their preferences before we make final assignments.

While we will do our best to match students with one of their top choices, we can’t guarantee placement in a specific project.