SURF Mentoring

Potential projects/topics: Projects will focus on understanding movement behavior by examining how it is performed, measured, and interpreted across laboratory and real-world contexts. Potential projects include: (1) a laboratory-based study of movement performance and variability during repeated practice of a controlled motor task; (2) a structured review of how exercise adherence is defined and measured in exercise and health research; and (3) a mixed-methods study examining how individuals decide whether everyday activities count as being physically active. Collectively, these projects allow students to engage with movement behavior from complementary perspectives—laboratory-based performance, research measurement practices, and participant-level interpretation—while developing foundational skills in experimental design, data collection, and analysis.

Potential skills gained: Students will gain experience in (1) conducting basic research protocols with human participants; (2) collecting and managing behavioral, survey, and laboratory data; (3) synthesizing peer-reviewed research through structured literature review; (4) analyzing quantitative and qualitative data using appropriate methods; and (5) communicating research methods and findings through professional posters and written summaries.

Required qualifications: Students should have an interest in kinesiology-related research and strong interpersonal skills. Experience reading scientific papers is desired, but not required.

Direct mentor: Faculty/P.I.

Student Project Titles List

Relationship Between Physical Activity Behavior and Self-Perception Among Fifth Graders

Black Athletes at Rice Engaging with Stereotype Threat

Honors & Awards

Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor 2021