Undergraduate
Research

Emerge Scholars Fiat Lux

Make an Impact in Your Field with Faculty-Guided Research

At Florida Southern, you’re encouraged to make your own explorations and challenge conventions with hands-on research projects in your field. You'll be able to choose your own research topics and methodologies with the support and guidance of your professors. Over the years, students have made incredible contributions through their research, and we look forward to seeing you carry on the tradition.

Explore Academic Life Discover Engaged Learning

$60K

in annual funds to support student-faculty research

200+

students travel annually to professional meetings

100%

of freshmen biology students conduct antibiotic research

Explore Research Opportunities

Whether you’re interested in the medical field, science, business, law, education, or the humanities, FSC is a huge advocate for undergraduate research. Discover the ways our students channel their academic curiosity to make an impact in their fields.

Tiny Earth Network

Tiny Earth is a platform used to teach biology students to research and discover new antibiotic sources from soil samples in their own backyards. Finding new and effective antibiotics is one of the most pressing global health challenges of our century.

Learn More

Making a Difference

Students across a range of disciplines lead ground-breaking change and initiatives in fields like business, law, science, and professional development. Research projects put students right in the center of the action—working beside top officials in analysis centers, labs, courtrooms, classrooms, and corporate offices.

Creative Discoveries

The opportunities for research are endless. Whichever field you’re in, you’ll be able to identify and push the boundaries of your area of focus with research projects that combine artistic elements to make something unique to you. This can be through choreographed dance pieces, daring poetry, or art-informed writing therapy. Whatever peaks your passion, the stage is set for you to discover it.

Participate in Professional Conferences

Our academic practice of encouraging undergraduate research is just one way of incorporating experiential learning into your studies. Once your research is done, you have the additional opportunity to present your findings at conferences in your field — a unique way of gaining professional experience!

Gianna Appolonia

Alec Bigness

Charles Gotsch

Conference

Academy of Business Research Fall Conference

Project Description

The expansion of nontraditional equity investing platforms and peer-to-peer lending platforms has created a financial disruption the private sector’s financial services industry. As the practice and number of platforms continue to expand, so do the associated concerns and reservations about supply-side investor risk, fraud, and money laundering. Charles' research focuses on conceptualizing and scrutinizing online equity crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending utilizing data about investor perception of risk. His analysis will quantify investor risk perception about the different conceptual spaces within the business life cycle in addition to the ease of entry and convenience associated with the practices. Also, it explores the current regulatory environment and use the critical application of accounting principles for an examination of fraud and culpability concerns within online equity crowdfunding and peer-to peer (P2P) lending structures.

Research Questions:
1. Does the stage of business development lifecycle affect microinvestor perception of risk?
2. Does ease of access/convenience of nontraditional business investments decrease risk aversion?
3. Does regulatory oversight have a positive effect on nontraditional business microinvestor risk assessment?
4. Is there sufficient legal oversight of microinvestor activities?

As a testament to his success, one professor said, "Charles' work is unique and has leveraged interest from Linkedin Influencers on the topic of micro and peer to peer lending.

Anna Griessler

Southeast American College of Sports Medicine Regional Conference; American College of Sports Medicine National Conference

My research focused on the physical and athletic performance characteristics of Division II women soccer players, examining whether body composition and movement quality correlate with power output. Through data collection and analysis using techniques such as vertical jump testing and functional movement screening, I discovered that while returners showed higher vertical jump ability, there was no significant correlation between body fat or movement quality and performance. Presenting this research at regional and national conferences has been a rewarding experience, and I’m proud to be the first Exercise Science student from FSC to attend.

Kenzie Hurley

Ann Kast

James McKenna

Collaborate with Your Professors

Through their research, our Mocs are in the field collaborating with their professors and contributing to real-world challenges to make the world a better place.

Take The Next Step

Whether you want to learn more or are ready to apply, we’re here to help.

Request Info Apply Today Visit FSC

Undergraduate
Research

Make an Impact in Your Field with Faculty-Guided Research