Florida Southern Students Participate in the Faculty-Student Collaborative Research program
Research at Florida Southern extends beyond the classroom. Through the Faculty-Student
Collaborative Research program, students collaborate with faculty mentors on projects
that encourage exploration, advance knowledge and create opportunities for meaningful
discovery.
Dr. Lauren Griffiths with Joshua Smith:
"Impact of Land Use on Health of Small Wetlands in Central Florida."
Funded by Hansen Science Scholars Fund and the Office of the Provost.
Though often overlooked, Florida’s small wetlands play a vital role in improving water
quality, reducing flooding, and supporting wildlife.
Dr. Lauren Griffiths, Assistant Professor of Biology, is studying how surrounding
land use influences the health of wetlands across Central Florida. Working with student
researcher Joshua Hall, Griffiths evaluated nine wetlands using rapid ecological assessment
protocols, vegetation surveys and soil and water sampling.
“The goals of this study are to better understand how urbanization influences smaller
wetlands, to determine how these wetlands have changed since they were last assessed
by land managers and strengthen protection measures for small wetlands and ensure
their continued contribution to Florida’s hydrological and ecological systems,” Dr.
Griffiths said.
Fieldwork also included assistance from volunteers Wally Christman and Brendon Turner.
Together, the team documented current wetland conditions and gathered data that will
be compared with previous assessments, helping guide future conservation and land
management decisions.
Dr. Elizabeth Gennari with Keira McCarrick and Carla Spina:
“Identifying Provider Barriers in Mental Health Screening of Elder Adults in Primary
Care Practices”
Funded by the Office of the Provost
Depression frequently goes undetected among older adults, particularly in primary
care settings. Dr. Elizabeth Gennari, Assistant Professor of Psychology, hopes to
better understand why.
Working with student researchers Keira McCarrick and Carla Spina, Dr. Gennari is preparing
to survey primary care practitioners across Florida about how they screen patients
over the age of 65 for depression and suicidal ideation. While the study is awaiting
Institutional Review Board approval before data collection begins, the team expects
to gather responses throughout the fall semester.
“We are surveying primary medical practitioners across Florida on if and how they
screen their patients over the age of 65 for depression or suicidal ideation,” Dr.
Gennari said. “This is a population that is consistently looked over when related
to depression, and my goal is to see where the barriers may be occurring and where
intervention may be able to happen.”
By identifying gaps in current screening practices, the research could help strengthen
connections between primary care and mental health services, ultimately improving
care for older adults.
