Image: Statistics student Gyu Beom Kim is a recipient of a CURO Research Assistantship for Spring 2022. This award includes a one-semester stipend of $1000 to conduct faculty-mentored research. Under the guidance of Dr. Abhyuday Mandal and Dr. Suraj Sharma (Department of Textiles, Merchandising & Interiors), Gyu will analyze that aims at the consumer’s intention of using face masks with respect to comfort and safety with surveying the schoolteachers in Athens-Clarke County to find their preference for various face coverings. It’s important to take into consideration the effectiveness of different types of masks in preventing the spread of respiratory diseases, as well as preferences of people wearing masks with respect to different factors such as textile in order to successfully enforce masks for public health and safety. This research is supposed to be the background for the product development of masks and Gyu will conduct a survey that involves finding the most favorable solution to the wanted response variable and will also perform qualitative analysis from articles that have been written by lots of researchers to find their preference for various face coverings. Gyu will present his research at the Spring 2022 CURO Symposium to be held in April. Type of News/Audience: Departmental