Research Opportunities on the social psychology of human-robot interactions

Dr. Jaime Banks in the College of Media and Communication is seeking 1-2 undergraduate research assistants to work on a research project on the topic of how people thinking and feel about interacting with social robots. This research is supported by the US Air Force Office of Scientific Research.

The primary responsibility in this position is helping with in-lab data collection, which will occur in the Center for Communication Research (MCOMM building). You must be able to take course credit for this position (e.g., independent study, internship, practicum). The right person for this job will be highly reliable, motivated to learn about the social-scientific research process, not afraid to work with technology, and interested in communication, psychology, and/or technology.

If you are interested in learning more about this position and would like to be considered, please email Dr. Banks (j.banks@ttu.edu) by August 16, 2019. In your email, be sure to explain your interest in the position and attach your CV/résumé.

Research Opportunities in Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering

My group is looking for motivated undergraduate students to fill research assistant positions on connected and automated vehicle modeling and applications in hurricane evacuation. The students will work within a dynamic and creative environment under the guidance of faculty from civil engineering and computer science. The positions offer great opportunities to gain hands-on experience on transportation systems modeling using open-source computing tools, and opportunities to publish and present research findings in national conferences.

At this stage, the research assistant will contribute to: (1) developing a new understanding of connected vehicle and human-driving vehicle interactions through data analysis; (2) applying advanced agent-based modeling techniques to simulate evacuation traffic flow at both link and network levels; and (3) developing and testing novel smart hurricane evacuation strategies, e.g. emergency message relay and cooperative vehicle platooning.

The ideal candidate should have training in one of the engineering disciplines, applied mathematics, statistics, or other closely related areas. Proficiency in programming is required, preferable in MATLAB, Python, and C++. The position will also require learning of agent-based modeling software, such as SUMO and NetLogo. The positions are hourly paid. Working hours are flexible.

Related links:
- HuRRI Institute, sponsor of the project: https://www.uh.edu/hurri/
- Connected vehicles basics (U.S. DOT): https://www.its.dot.gov/cv_basics/index.htm
- Self-driving car: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-driving_car

If you are interested in the position, please send me an email with your resume, a description of your research interests, your available time for this and next semester and summer, as well as any questions you have.

Contact:
Dr. Jia Li
jia.li@ttu.edu
806-834-8291
Department of Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering

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Research Opportunities in Human Physiology

We are looking for students interested in gaining research experience in human physiology. We have several studies in the Exercise and Thermal Integrative Physiology Laboratory in the Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management. Our lab focuses on environmental factors that affect body temperature regulation and health. If you are interested in learning more about human temperature regulation, experimental protocol development, subject recruitment, preparation of instrumentation and laboratory setup, data acquisition, analysis, and interpretation, as well as presentation and publication preparation please contact us for more information.

If interested in becoming a research scholar in the Exercise and Thermal Integrative Physiology Laboratory, you must have at least 1 year available to work in the lab. Minimum time commitment is 10 hr/week. Please see lab and scholar website for more information or contact Dr. Eric Rivas at ericrivas@ttu.edu

Lab website: https://www.depts.ttu.edu/ksm/research_lab/E.Rivas.php
Laboratory Experimental Setup: https://www.depts.ttu.edu/ksm/research_lab/E.Rivas.Lab.Exp.Setup.php
Research Scholar Website: https://www.depts.ttu.edu/ksm/research_lab/E.Rivas.Student.Research.Scholars.php

Undergraduate Research in Geosciences

The Karosol research group has several open positions for undergraduate research assistants. The Karosol group work on aerosol particles, the effect that aerosols have on climate, the environment, and our health. Our research combines field and laboratory work to investigate the interaction between human and climate; exploring the human effects on climate with an emphasis on cloud formation and precipitation processes, and vice versa, namely, how climate may affect our lives in the short and long terms.

Undergraduate students will be given the opportunity to take part in ongoing research projects. Some projects are computational and will require data analysis while others will include more hands-on and laboratory work. The student will learn good research practices, methods for data analysis, and will conduct experimental procedures.

We welcome highly motivated students, independent thinkers who are looking to work in a dynamic group. We welcome the opportunity to work with students who have a strong academic record, quantitative skills, unquenchable curiosity and creativity, prior research or writing experience is not mandatory. An advantage will be given for a student who is willing to commit for a full year (two semesters).

Contact:
Karin Ardon-Dryer, PhD
karin.ardon-dryer@ttu.edu
Assistant professor
TTU Department of Geosciences

Undergraduate research in Behavioral Sciences

Dr. Zhe Wang from Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) is seeking undergraduate students interested in conducting research in behavioral sciences. The current research project involves understanding how emotional and motivational factors affect individuals' learning and achievement outcomes. Undergraduate students will gain experience in various aspects of behavioral research, such as collecting physiology data, administering standardized achievement assessment, cleaning and analyzing data, conducting literature searches, and presenting research work.

Read more about Dr. Wang's work here:
https://sites.google.com/view/bsidlabttu/home
http://www.depts.ttu.edu/hs/hdfs/wang.php

Ideal candidates are sophomore - senior undergraduate students who can commit two or more semesters of research work and are willing to actively engage in research activities during summer months. At this point, these are unpaid positions. Undergraduate students may be able to take research credits for this research experience through HDFS.

If you are interested in an undergraduate research assistant position, please email Dr. Wang at zhe.wang@ttu.edu with the following information:

• A brief description of your interest and past research experience (if any)
• A copy of unofficial transcript

Undergraduate research in Italian Studies, Italian Cinema, Italian Art, Italian Literature, Italian Culture, and World Cinema

Undergraduate research in Italian Studies, Italian Cinema (stardom and Fellini), Italian Art (art patronage, Modernist tradition, Italian artist Ezio Gribaudo), Italian Literature, Italian Culture, and World Cinema

Dr. Victoria Surliuga is seeking undergraduate students interested in doing research in Italian Studies and the fields listed above. Read more about Dr. Surliuga's work here:

http://www.victoriasurliuga.com

https://www.depts.ttu.edu/classic_modern/newsletter/issue8/FacultyFocus.php

CONTACT: Dr. Victoria Surliuga, Associate Professor of Italian, Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures 

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Undergraduate Research in the Behavioral Sciences

Dr. Ann Mastegeorge and graduate students from Human Development & Family Studies and the Burkhart Center for Autism Education & Research are looking for enthusiastic undergraduate research assistants to help with research related to development of early social behaviors and visual attention in young children using eye-tracking and other technology-assisted methods.

Ideal candidates are sophomore – junior undergraduate students who can commit to two or more semesters of research work.

Research assistants will gain experience with literature searches, behavioral coding, and research protocols.

If you are interested in a undergraduate research assistant position, please email Becca at rebecca.beights@ttu.edu with the following information:

• A brief description of your interest and experience with young children, child development, and research
• Completed coursework related to child development and research methods (e.g., HDFS, psychology, education, and/or statistics courses)
• Your availability during Spring 2017

Undergraduate Research in Fire & Insect Ecology

The Verble-Pearson Fire and Insect Ecology Lab is looking for undergraduate researchers who are interested in wildland fire, ants, thermal tolerance, and/or insect ecology. Depending upon their background, students can work as part of a large landscape-scale assessment of fire effects or design their own independent research studies. These are unpaid positions, but have the opportunity to earn internship and research credits through the Department of Natural Resources Management.

No previous coursework required-- all training will be conducted in the laboratory. Applications from all disciplines are invited, but most strongly encouraged from BIOL, NRM, PSS, LA, ANSC, CHEM, PHYS, MATH, AGCOM, and MCOM.

Previous undergraduate student researchers in the lab have presented their work at local, regional and national conferences. Check out the lab webpage for more information and to see previous researcher profiles (http://fireecologylab.blogspot.com).

CONTACT
Dr. Robin M. Verble-Pearson , Assistant Professor of Fire Ecology, Department of Natural Resources Management

TTU Study Abroad

There are so many incredible opportunities to study abroad, that Texas Tech has an entire department dedicated to supporting them! Housed under the Office of International Affairs, the Study Abroad team can help you identify, plan, and fund an transformative experience that temporarily takes you away from Raider Land! Be sure to ask about opportunities to connect service and internship experiences as you are designing your new study abroad opportunity.

Contact:
- studyabroad@ttu.edu
- studyabroad.ttu.edu

 

Media, Promotions, and Production Interns

Vernacular Music Center (www.vernacularmusiccenter.org) seeks media, promotions, and production interns in service of our "research, teaching, advocacy in the world's vernacular musics and dance." We produce concerts, classes, guest artists, study abroad opportunities, and very interesting and enjoyable cross-disciplinary projects. Especially receptive to interns with interest in public media, film & documentary production, graphic design, etc.
Very receptive to hearing from undergraduates with interesting and creative ideas for contributions. The position welcomes good ideas! We are also exceptionally skillful and active mentors, and can assist with letter-writing, job skills, etc.

Contact:
christopher.smith@ttu.edu
806-438-5067

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Undergraduate Practicum Opportunities with the Burkhart Center for Autism Education and Research Intensive Behavioral Intervention Clinic

Outpatient Services Clinic at the Burkhart Center is currently offering practicum opportunities for undergraduate students seeking experience working with young children with autism spectrum disorder in a clinical setting.
Outpatient services provide targeted supports to individuals with autism and their families through focused ABA services, social skills classes and contracted consultations.
Focused ABA services will address specific behavior concerns and goals through individual treatment, parent training, social opportunities and treatment transition planning.
Due to the intensive nature of training and service delivery, preference will be given to those students who can commit to the placement for a minimum of one year. Applicants should also consider that this position is physically demanding and will include jumping, running, and sustaining physical activity for long periods of time, being outdoors, assisting with restroom routines and sometimes managing challenging behavior. Experience or course work in behavior management is not required but considered an asset.
Practicum credit (EDSP 3000) may be offered for some opportunities.

Contact:
Allison Sheats M.Ed., BCBA, LBA
Clinical Supervisor allison.sheats@ttu.edu
806-834-3612

Burkhart Center for Autism Education and Research

Service Learning Courses at TTU

Raider Service Breaks