Florida State University chemistry major Ethan Messier is making his mark through high-level research and campus leadership.

As a participant in the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP), Messier collaborated with Assistant Professor Taylor Higgins at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering to study parental leave policies, a project he later presented at the Undergraduate Research Symposium.

In addition to his research, Messier serves the university community as an Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) chemistry tutor, an Honors colloquium leader and a learning assistant for organic chemistry.

He supports his peers as a resident assistant at Landis Hall, where he helps students navigate campus resources and find their home at FSU.

Why did you choose Florida State University?

The first time I visited FSU as a freshman in high school, I instantly fell in love with the campus. I toured FSU for the first time on a frigid January morning, staring in awe at the Gothic-style brick buildings and the vastly verdant expanse of Landis Green, and I took about 135 photos at the Westcott Fountain.  

When the time came to apply to college, I was unsure of where I might end up. However, when the garnet and gold confetti finally cascaded across my computer screen, I celebrated with my family. My dad later said, “As soon as we first took you there, I knew this was where you would end up.” He was right; I never looked back. 

I was fortunate enough to earn the National Merit Finalist / Benacquisto Scholarship and be accepted into the University Honors Program, which has supported my journey here. 

What academic achievements have you accomplished at FSU?

My two most significant accomplishments are my research presentation at the 2025 Undergraduate Research Symposium and my involvement in multiple teaching roles across campus.  

Through UROP, I researched parental leave policies in university STEM programs across the United States and their impacts on the recruitment and retention of women faculty in the physical sciences.  

I had several meaningful interactions with faculty who shared their personal experiences as professors or graduate students in STEM fields while balancing family and their research. This experience culminated in presenting my findings at the Undergraduate Research Symposium, where I was able to share this important work with dozens of individuals, but most importantly my dad and grandma.  

My teaching roles are equally significant. My first on-campus job was as a chemistry tutor at ACE, where I supported students in General Chemistry I and II. Watching students gain confidence, experience “lightbulb moments” and develop a genuine zest for chemistry was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had. 

Later, as an Honors colloquium leader, I taught a weekly class to 15 first-year students, mentoring them as they transitioned to college life. 

Currently, I serve as a learning assistant for Organic Chemistry II with Instructor of Chemistry, Kevin Little, where I guide students in class and host weekly office hours. 

My experiences at Florida State have deepened my love for chemistry, teaching and mentorship, and have solidified my goal of incorporating education into my future career as a physician. 

How do you serve the FSU community?

My most significant leadership experience at FSU has been serving as a resident assistant in Landis Hall. I began by serving on Hall Council as the equity and inclusion representative, where I learned more about University Housing and got to know the RA team in my building. 

When I was hired as an RA, I was thrilled to be placed in Landis Hall, which has truly become my home away from home. 

As an RA, I help residents navigate the realities of adult life and encourage them to branch out and build community. I am now in my second year as an RA and third year living in Landis, and I have developed a deep and genuine love for the hall, my co-workers and my residents. This role has been one of the most formative parts of my time at FSU, allowing me to give back to the same community that welcomed me with arms wide open.

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Pre-law student Kelsie Fernandez studies both humanities and English literature to build her academic portfolio for law school applications.  

Her interdisciplinary education shines in her position as the citation and research editor for the Undergraduate Law Review at FSU, where she mentors other students on how to properly cite law.  

Fernandez also researched literature through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP). Her work explored the written power dynamics of 18th-century womanhood under a patriarchal system. She continued exploring this topic through an FSU IDEA Grant, which supported her ongoing work contributing to a literature podcast and an Honors in the Major thesis on Victorian literature.

Why did you choose FSU?

I chose to attend FSU because of the unique combination of academic rigor and commitment to student life. I wanted to go to law school, so I ensured that the university I attended had adequate opportunities for students pursuing graduate school. FSU was the complete package for me, and upon visiting and seeing the campus firsthand, I felt a sense of belonging.  

What academic achievements are you most proud of?

In my sophomore year, I did UROP, where I joined associate professor of Italian Irene Zanini-Cordi in her research. My topic was the application of social network theory to 18th-century literary salon culture.  

Our research matured into the creation of a podcast series dedicated to the topic. Over the course of summer 2024, my team and I researched, wrote scripts, edited, interviewed experts in the field and ultimately recorded our podcast series. We applied for the IDEA Grant in Spring 2024 and were awarded a grant to fund our research.  

I completed an Honors in the Major thesis titled “Lived Space and the Formation of Self in Jane Eyre,” which seeks to argue that the idea of the novel is more than a standard coming-of-age story. I argue that the novel is instead an example of a young woman negotiating her place in the world in a complex patriarchal Victorian society.  

How do you serve the FSU community?

I currently serve as the citation and research editor for the Undergraduate Law Review at FSU. I educate new members about how to use The Bluebook, the primary format for legal research. This role has helped me grow and learn as an editor while also educating younger pre-law students about a skill crucial to legal research.  

I also served as an EngageTLH volunteer facilitator, where I guided a group of students to the FSU Food for Thought Pantry. We sorted and counted the donations, then cleaned up the pantry after volunteering. Throughout the process, I asked them reflection questions, encouraging them to think about the impact of volunteer work.

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As a Florida native, Ella Vizzini was searching for a university experience that could offer her the familiar feelings of home while simultaneously pushing her to grow in new directions — both of which she found at Florida State University. Her passion for health and fitness coupled with her love of science meant that FSU’s innovative exercise physiology program was another determining factor in her decision to attend.

Vizzini is both an Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) participant and a 2025 IDEA Grant recipient, dedicating a significant portion of her time at FSU to metabolic and vascular research. She has also served as the Director of Philanthropy for the Alpha Phi International Fraternity, raising more than $77,000 supporting the Tallahassee Memorial Hospital Heart and Vascular Center and the Alpha Phi Foundation.

With a family history of heart disease, Vizzini has used her personal experiences as a driving force in her commitment to community service. She is a member of the FSU Medical Response Unit, where she has gained real-world experience responding to emergency medical situations on campus. Taking advantage of the opportunities presented to her at Florida State University, Vizzini will be applying to medical school this summer.

Why did you choose to attend FSU?

I chose to attend Florida State University for its stellar academics, breathtaking campus and unwavering school spirit. As a Florida native, I knew I wanted to continue my education at a university that gave me the comforts of home while still providing new and enriching experiences, and FSU gave me just that. While browsing FSU’s catalog of prospective majors, I came across exercise physiology and was immediately intrigued. It combined my passion for health and fitness with my strong interest in the sciences. Seeing all this program had to offer, I knew it would be one of my primary motivating factors in gaining acceptance to FSU.

What academic achievements are you most proud of?

Through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP), I joined the Lab of Integrative Vascular and Metabolic Physiology under the mentorship of doctoral candidate Paul Baker. There I assisted in studying the effects of creatine monohydrate on vascular health in overweight and obese individuals. This experience was incredibly rewarding and deepened my passion for vascular and metabolic research. I had the opportunity to present our findings at both the FSU Undergraduate Research Symposium (URS) and the Florida Undergraduate Research Conference (FURC). This experience gave me the knowledge and confidence to apply for the 2025 IDEA Grant alongside my lab mate. We aimed to further explore the relationship between exercise interventions and metabolic health — specifically in women. With a shared interest in women’s health, we designed a study on the effects of exercise interventions on menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women. We conducted our research and presented our findings at the President’s Showcase of Undergraduate Research Excellence in October 2025.

How have you impacted your community?

I have a deep passion for giving back to the community in ways that are personally meaningful. With a  family history of heart disease, I’ve pursued opportunities that allow me to make a tangible impact on this cause. During my time in Alpha Phi, the funds I helped raise have gone on to support research advancements, purchase critical technology and fund programs that positively impact not only the Tallahassee community but others across the country. Through my involvement with Who We Play For, an organization that provides free or low-cost electrocardiogram screenings to help prevent Sudden Cardiac Arrest and raise awareness for heart health, I’ve been able to make a direct impact by providing affordable, potentially life-saving care to individuals in the community. As a researcher, the work we do in our lab contributes valuable scientific knowledge and informs interventions that can help individuals improve their overall health. Additionally, as a member of the FSU Medical Response Unit, I’ve had the opportunity to provide hands-on emergency medical care to those on campus.

All in all, my work at FSU and in the broader community is driven by my passion to help others and to positively impact their health and quality of life.

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Riley Galpin is a mathematics and computer science double major who was drawn to Florida State University for its renowned undergraduate research programs and work opportunities. 

While at FSU, Galpin participated in the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP), researching the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in academic writing. Galpin has presented research findings at the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics Open House, the Undergraduate Research Symposium and the 2025 Florida Artificial Intelligence Research Society (FLAIRS) Conference and intends to use his research to spread awareness about AI’s influence in academia and its ethical use.

Galpin also enjoys sharing his art with the FSU community, hoping to promote awareness about art’s ability to connect people from different backgrounds. His art has appeared on the cover of the Kudzu Review and in the Interlocking Art Gala. 

Why did you choose to attend Florida State University?

I chose Florida State University because of its focus on research and opportunities for undergraduate involvement. I was excited about the opportunities through programs like the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program and InternFSU. These programs have allowed me to develop research and leadership skills in real-world settings. I wanted to pursue research during and after my undergraduate degree, so FSU was the perfect choice.  

What academic achievement are you most proud of?

Through UROP, I investigated the effects AI has on human language and how it affects writing styles in academia with Tom Juzek, an assistant professor of computational linguistics in the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics. We found that the mainstream use of large language models in scientific abstracts may change the structure of how abstracts are written. Our research discusses AI’s effect on human language and how it affects writing styles in academia. 

I presented my research at the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics Open House, the Undergraduate Research Symposium and the 2025 Florida Artificial Intelligence Research Society (FLAIRS) Conference. I co-reviewed a paper in computational linguistics for Nature, the world’s leading multidisciplinary science journal. These experiences at FSU have shaped my future in academia, shown me the importance of teamwork and grown my passion for research. 

How have you connected with the FSU community?

I’ve worked to foster communication and connection between students by bringing art into FSU’s campus. My art was featured on the cover of Issue 71 of the Kudzu Review, FSU’s undergraduate literary magazine, and showcased at the 2024 and 2025 Interlocking Art Gala, where I received a College of Fine Arts scholarship. I aim to create pieces that highlight the importance of identity and community. I believe art is a catalyst for change and can bring people together. 

How do your academic achievements serve the FSU community?

My research has sparked conversations and new ideas about the effects of AI on language and its ethical use. This research on AI’s impact on scientific language has brought attention to how emerging technologies shape how we communicate in academic spaces.

My art has helped connect different fields and communities and encourages students to think about identity, resilience and how we relate to each other. By bringing art into academic spaces, I hope to make FSU’s campus more inclusive. 

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Three Florida State University students who met through an undergraduate research project traveled to Seoul, South Korea, this summer to attend a conference focused on how new technologies are shaping education.

Ella Owens, a business management student from Orlando; Olivia Leichter, a violin performance and risk management and insurance student from Sarasota; and Michael Cedeno, a graduate student studying product development from Ocala, attended the Digital Education for Digital Transformation: Shaping the Future of Learning and Innovation conference, hosted by the World Learning and Digital Communication Network Program, from June 15-17.

The opportunity came after the students collaborated on a research project through FSU’s Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) about entrepreneurship in Ukraine. They worked with their research mentor, Eric Liguori, Jim Moran professor and associate dean of the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, and presented their work at FSU’s annual Undergraduate Research Symposium in April.

“Ella, Olivia, and Michael spent all of the last academic year interviewing entrepreneurs in Ukraine as part of a research project in my lab, so when the opportunity for students to participate in this program came up, I knew instantly they would be perfect ambassadors to head to South Korea to represent FSU and the United States in this global forum,” Liguori said. “The Jim Moran College remains committed to curating opportunities for all FSU students, regardless of majors, who have interests in entrepreneurship.” 

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Serving time in prison for a crime he committed at 18, 52-year-old Florida State University student Eddie Fordham may not have imagined he’d one day walk free, enroll in college and present his scholarship on recidivism at an undergraduate research symposium.

Fordham was one of more than 700 student researchers to present at FSU’s 25th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium — the largest one yet — hosted by the Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement (CRE) at the Student Union Ballrooms on April 1. About 100 of those students transferred to FSU from other institutions.

“Our mission is to make research opportunities accessible to all undergraduate students who wish to be involved,” said Latika Young, director of the CRE. “We believe that every student, regardless of their background or major, should have the chance to engage in meaningful research that enhances their academic experience and prepares them for future success.”

Fordham’s research project, “Evaluating Teen Court Success,” examines the diversionary Teen Court program in North Carolina and its influence on juvenile defendant rehabilitation.

His interest in that topic was borne out of his personal life journey, a story that underscores the transformative power of education.

“For me, education meant more than textbooks and long hours of study,” said Fordham, now majoring in public policy. “Education meant redemption.”

Inspired by books such as “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl and “Long Walk to Freedom” by Nelson Mandela, Fordham earned a high school diploma and vocational certificates during his 31-year incarceration. He became a tutor and eventually ran entire education departments within the prison.

Through the “Inside Out Program” at Miami-Dade College, he attended classes with those inside and outside of the prison. Fordham graduated with an associate degree from Miami-Dade College, landing on the dean’s list with a 4.0 GPA.

He worked as the peer mentorship program coordinator for the Alabama Prison Arts and Education Project at Auburn University and is now pursuing a bachelor’s degree at FSU, supported by the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, a selective national award for high achieving transfer students seeking degrees at four-year colleges or universities.

“Education instills a different set of values in a person,” Fordham said. “When people come out of prison, do we want them to come home in the same condition as when they went in, or do we want them to come out better?”

Since enrolling at FSU, Fordham has made the President’s List and joined the Omicron Delta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies.

When students transfer to FSU from other institutions and backgrounds, they bring with them the unique experiences they’ve gained along the way, making the university and its research ecosystem richer and more complex.

Jakyah Hayes came to FSU after graduating with honors from Tallahassee State College, where she participated in the Dr. Lei Wang STEM Program.

“I really excelled through the STEM program at TSC, which is where I found my love for research,” Hayes said.

After graduation, she participated in award-winning summer research funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation at the University of South Florida’s St. Petersburg campus about how transportation is disproportionately affected by natural disasters in different communities of Tampa Bay.

She jumped into the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) upon arriving at FSU, presenting at the symposium on her work to help create a website for FSU’s Anthropology Department and digitizing its collection of historic ceramics and other artifacts.

Diego Palacios, who transferred to FSU’s Tallahassee campus after receiving an associate degree from FSU’s Republic of Panama campus, presented the research he conducted through UROP that investigated the behavior of high-temperature superconducting tape, which is used in power grids, MRI machines, magnetic levitation trains and many other applications. The research project solidified for him his choice to pursue a degree in electrical engineering.

“I really like the hands-on experience, where I have to think to solve an actual problem,” said Palacios, an international student from Santiago, Panama. “I wanted to do something related to technology and engineering that would help make the world better.”

About one in every four students at FSU transfers from another place, including state and community colleges or other four-year institutions. Students can also transfer through the Seminole Pathways program, including the option to study abroad before coming to the Tallahassee campus, or enrolling in FSU Next, where students attend Tallahassee State College for one semester while attending an introductory course at FSU and then enrolling full time at FSU in the spring.

Pre-med exercise physiology student Brittany Mears enrolled at FSU after receiving an associate degree from Chipola College, near her hometown of Blountstown, Florida.

For her UROP project, she assisted in performing echocardiograms on a mouse model to better understand the role of genetic mutations in a heart disorder called dilated cardiomyopathy.

“I love where I’m from, and one day I hope to be able to give back to my community as a physician,” Mears said. “I came to FSU with the goal of going to medical school here and then going back home to take care of my community like they’ve taken care of me.”

The Undergraduate Research Symposium is one of the largest university-based symposia in the country and FSU’s only interdisciplinary, all-campus undergraduate research showcase. The symposium includes undergraduate students from all majors, representing various initiatives such as Honors in the Major and the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program.

“We want transfer students to engage in every opportunity available to them at FSU, including undergraduate research,” said Heather Bishop, assistant dean in Undergraduate Studies. “Our goal is to provide transfer students with the resources and support they need to make the most of their time at FSU, so they graduate ready for future success.”

For more information about the Undergraduate Research Symposium and Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement, visit cre.fsu.edu.

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Florida State University’s Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement (CRE) hosted a record-breaking spring symposium for undergraduate researchers Tuesday, April 1, in the Student Union Ballrooms.

More than 700 undergraduate students showcased their research projects at the largest Undergraduate Research Symposium (URS) in the event’s 25-year history. Student projects at the interdisciplinary showcase included more than 500 posters and creative presentations, attracting nearly 2,000 attendees.

“We are overwhelmingly grateful for the hard work of all the students, mentors, administrators and staff who made this year’s symposium the largest event yet,” said Latika Young, CRE director. “This growth is a testament to the ways in which FSU supports undergraduate research and helps students explore their creative and academic interests as soon as they arrive at the university and throughout their undergraduate careers.”

One of the largest university-based symposia in the country and FSU’s only all-campus undergraduate research showcase, the URS includes undergraduate students from all majors, representing various initiatives such as Honors in the Major theses and the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP).

Students presented on varied topics including parents’ roles in child reading achievement, risk factors in vascular dementia, the development of polymer-based materials that can withstand space exploration and a historical look at how Florida represented itself at two World’s Fairs.

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During her time at Florida State University, Emily Maglin, a psychology major who graduated in Spring 2024, participated in the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) and joined the Chelko Lab in the College of Medicine to study a rare inherited heart disease.

Additionally, her passion to support mental health led her to create a Mental Health Day proposal, which garnered support from both FSU and FAMU.

Maglin’s work extends to the state level, where she influenced legislation promoting mental health awareness.

What impacted your decision to attend FSU?

FSU offered the most well-rounded experience possible. Not only does Florida State boast a world-renowned psychology program that would best suit my major and academic interests, but Florida State also has a wonderfully diverse student life and countless opportunities for involvement. During my senior year of high school, I was able to visit a friend in her junior year at Florida State. Before I applied, she gave me a tour of the campus, major student hubs, student amenities and more.

After this visit, I fell in love with Florida State and applied. The COVID-19 pandemic struck in the last half of my senior year, so I could not go on any college tours with my family. Had I not seen the livelihood and diversity of FSU, I may not have attended. Also, I am a recipient of the Bright Futures Scholarship. Without this scholarship, I would not have been able to attend Florida State University, much less any university.

How have FSU’s programs supported your academic development?

I had the privilege of participating in UROP during the 2021-2022 academic year. UROP requires students to contribute to ongoing university research, selecting one project across many disciplines. While in the program, I had the honor of joining the Chelko Lab in the College of Medicine. The Chelko Lab, led by Dr. Stephen Chelko, specializes in the understanding and treatment of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. In this lab, I helped prepare samples of DNA, run polymerase chain reactions, perform echocardiograms and echo ultrasound exams on experimental mice and other laboratory tasks.

At the end of the 2021-2022 academic year, I had to compile Dr. Chelko’s research into a poster to be presented at the 2022 Undergraduate Research Symposium (URS). At URS, I presented the work I had been contributing to over the year to my colleagues and to members of Dr. Chelko’s lab. After I participated in the UROP program, I remained an undergraduate member of the Chelko Lab, contributing to his research for the past three years.

How have you developed your passion for mental health?

I have had the opportunity to join several extracurricular activities, most notably within the Student Government Association. In the 2022 spring semester, I represented the College of Arts and Sciences on Student Senate. I decided to use my new position to promote my longstanding passion for mental health. Throughout my term, I dedicated my efforts toward developing a logistical outline for a Mental Health Day to be implemented into the university’s academic calendar. This project, which spanned over six months, required intensive collaboration with university administrators, faculty and student leaders. After refining the outline and solidifying support from various entities, I presented the proposal to the student senate via Resolution 26.

After unanimous approval from Student Senate, I was able to bring the initiative back to Florida State’s administration to continue efforts toward implementation. The work I was able to accomplish in this role was life-changing and my most significant leadership position during my time at Florida State. Student Senate introduced me to a variety of student organizations. I served as the assistant director of the Mental Health Council and used this leadership role to de-stigmatize, promote awareness of and encouraged mental health. These two leadership roles allowed me to act on my passion for mental health while developing a professional passion for activism and the law.

Can you describe your impact on the Tallahassee community and beyond?

The work that I have done as both a student senator and as assistant director of the Mental Health Council positively contributed to Florida State, Tallahassee and essentially the state of Florida. I took the Mental Health Day initiative to the state level. I took the proposal to a state senator, who transformed my idea into a sweeping resolution, entitled Sunshine Day, which encouraged all universities in Florida to adopt a similar measure on their campuses in the name of mental health and recognition.

Though implementation rests on the administrators and student leaders at each university, the initiative has the potential to positively impact thousands of students across the state and improve overall student mental health in Florida.

As assistant director of the Mental Health Council, I have organized and planned several events to benefit student mental health and increase resource awareness. Most recently, I was able to host local vendors on FSU’s campus to alleviate student stress and provide an outlet away from academic and personal stressors.

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Dedicated. Tireless. Caring. Supportive.

These are some of the words undergraduate students at Florida State University used to describe their research mentors — faculty, postdoctoral researchers and graduate students who worked side-by-side with them on projects throughout a semester or more — ahead of an annual signature FSU event showcasing undergraduate research.

The 24th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium featured nearly 700 undergraduates showcasing their research and creative projects on a variety of topics Wednesday, April 3, at the Student Union Ballrooms.

“We are so proud of this incredible yearly event and couldn’t do it without the commitment of the hundreds of research mentors who generously share their skills, talent and time so our students can have the life-changing experience of participating in the groundbreaking research and innovation that happens at FSU,” said Latika Young, director of the Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement.

The symposium featured research from the arts and humanities to hard sciences and business. This year’s subjects included everything from anticancer drugs to wildfire spread, marketing around the “Barbie” movie and oyster restoration in the Florida Gulf Coast.

During the Nourishing Creativity Hour, students showcased their creative projects, such as explorations into using AI to learn a musical instrument and analyzing religious choral music.

In its 10th year, the Undergraduate Research Mentor Awards honored mentors who involve students in their work and play a central role in guiding undergraduates through the complexities of research at a large R1 university.

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Nearly 600 Florida State University undergraduate researchers showcased their original research and creative works at the 23rd annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, one of the largest university-based symposia in the country.
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