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May 8, 2020

The Class of 2020 reflects on graduating during this unprecedented time and what FAU means to them.
Although Spring 2020 graduation week looks and feels different, it remains a momentous occasion for the 3,452 students who will earn their degree. Not being able to host commencement ceremonies as planned with the largest graduating class in FAU history is heartbreaking, but we are so proud of the resilience our Owls have shown. FAU is determined to give this class and their families the commencement experience, but for now we began virtual celebrations on May 6... Read More

The Harriet. L Wilkes Honors College hosted a virtual Medallion Ceremony for 56 students in the 2020 graduating class. Program speakers include Wilkes Honors College Interim Dean, Tim Steigenga, Ph.D., Christopher Strain, Ph.D., chair of Social Sciences and Humanities, Kenzie Waldkoetter, 2020 Class Speaker and Dr. Michael Metzner, Wilkes Honors College 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award Winner.


Professors Julie Earles, Ph.D., Kevin Lanning, Ph.D., and Laura Vernon, Ph.D., hosted a surprise virtual ceremony on May 5 for Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College graduates in psychology and neuroscience. The faculty gifted the students with mortarboards; students reminisced about their favorite college memories and shared their future plans...  Read More
Graduate Profiles

Christy LaFlamme actively participated in undergraduate research with FAU’s partners at Scripps Florida. Most recently, she worked in the neuroscience and behavior laboratory of Dr. Damon Page, investigating genes and molecular mechanisms underlying autism spectrum disorder. In 2019, Christy received the Phi Kappa Phi Scholar award, which recognizes academic excellence in all disciplines. She is the first person in her family to receive a college degree, but she’s not stopping there. Next, Christy will pursue a Ph.D. at the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

Abigail Chavez was active in campus and community activities while pursuing a double degree and conducting research at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience. In McLean Bolton, Ph.D.’s Lab she explored disorders of neural circuit function. She served as marketing director for Student Government; student leader for FAU Thrive, Koo Family Interfaith Community Engagement Intern, orientation and welcome leader, biology lab teaching assistant; and volunteered at MyClinic as a medical interpreter. After graduation, Abigail will spend a year as a Seton Teaching Fellow in the Bronx, New York, where she will work with underserved intercity children. After that, she plans to attend medical school.


Nineteen-year-old Alaina Tillman conducted groundbreaking research through the Max Planck Honors Program and the FAU Brain Institute, on the relationship between neuropsychiatric disorders, such as depression or anxiety, and immune system dysfunction. Alaina was president of FAU's chapter of the American Medical Student Association and a volunteer at Boca Raton Regional Hospital. She also holds a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo and is training to earn a private pilot's license. Alaina plans to continue working in the Blakely Lab at the FAU Brain Institute and then attend graduate school.
News

FAU students from across the university came through submitting nearly 100 ideas for how to address the ongoing pandemic in the COVID-19 Change Challenge. Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College Graduates Christy LaFlamme is part of Team, “Keep Moving,” recognized as a social science/education winner. Judges narrowed down the list to a few select proposals in two categories that had an opportunity to earn up to $2,000 to help implement those ideas and bring change to the community...  Read More
CRISPR Lab Virtual Symposium

Under the supervision of Bethany Stanhope, Ph.D. of the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science and Johanna Kowalko, Ph.D. of the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, undergraduate scientists presented their research from the CRISPR Technologies Lab via a virtual poster symposium. This course is among the first of many forthcoming Course-related Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) hosted at FAU Jupiter.

FAU Jupiter Scientists Bethany Stanhope Ph.D., Alex Keene Ph.D, and colleagues of the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science examined the impacts of sleep on the rate of injured neurons. The study entitled, "Sleep Regulates Glial Plasticity and Expression of the Engulfment Receptor Draper Following Neural Injury" was published in the March online issue of Current Biology…  Read More 
Spotlight

Palm Beach Illustrated featured Florida Atlantic University’s Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College 20 th Anniversary Benefactors Dinner held on February 20 at the Pelican Club in Jupiter in their Seen section of the May Issue. The college celebrated 20 years of groundbreaking programs with nearly 200 generous community friends. FAU’s Distinguished Teacher of the Year Jeffrey S. Morton, Ph.D., gave the keynote and FAU President John Kelly and Interim Dean Tim Steigenga provided university and college highlights, respectively. Beacon Pharmaceutical served as the title sponsor of FAU’s John D. MacArthur Campus 20 th Anniversary.

As the spring semester comes to an end, Olli Jupiter wants their members to know that while we face some challenges due to COVId-19, they are still holding a summer semester. Below is a list of OLLI Jupiter summer one-time lectures and courses:
Margery Marcus, Ph.D.
Psyched for the Psychological thriller, #SUM1

Kevin Wagner, Ph.D.
The Calm Before the Storm, #SUW1
Frank Cerabino
Why Florida is Florida: An Unconventional Look at Florida’s Human History, #SUF1

Benito Rakower, Ed.D.
Love and the Social Contract, #SCUF3

James Bruce, Ph.D.
Trump, Russia, and the 2016 Election: What Happened Then and What Does It Mean for this Year’s Election?”
#WPR1
$30/member; $35/non-member


Virtual Resources

Laura Vernon, Ph.D., professor of psychology at the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College and provost fellow of student mental health, and Jenny Bloom, Ph.D., professor of higher education leadership and provost fellow for leadership and professional development, host Donna Chamely-Wiik, associate scientist in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and assistant dean of Undergraduate Research. They discuss FAU’s Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry (OURI), ways students can get involved in research, even when sheltering in place during COVID-19, and tips for faculty mentors to be flexible and creative in involving students in new and ongoing research.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Florida Atlantic University has moved many of its public talks, presentations and seminars to a virtual platform. Visit the Let’s Talk Research page, to find opportunities to connect with faculty to learn about their research, scholarship and creative activity.
FAU's Brain Institute Ascend Program is offering bite-size video podcasts and digestible educational videos to pique kids curiosity for neuroscience.

Scripps Research scientists working at the leading edge of the COVID-19 pandemic share their latest discoveries.

Florida Atlantic University established the “FAU Cares Emergency Fund” for currently registered, degree-seeking students who are experiencing financial hardship Consider donating to the FAU emergency fund so students can continue their education.
Campus Resources