FAU Receives USDA $1 Million Grant for Microbiome Innovation Center | |
Florida Atlantic University, in collaboration with Florida International University, has received a four-year, $1 million grant from the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to establish South Florida’s first-of-its-kind FAU Microbiome Innovation Center. The center will help address complex challenges facing traditional agriculture and declining interest of the next generation in food, agriculture, and natural resources careers. Read more. | |
“Growing challenges of food safety, biosecurity, and agricultural productivity, or emergence of new pathogens such as citrus greening devastation, plant invasion, climate change, and depletion of soil fertility, all have a microbiome undertone that needs to be promptly addressed by training competent cross-disciplinary professionals,” said Nwadiuto Esiobu, Ph.D., project director, a professor of biological sciences, and director of the Esiobu Microbial Biotech Laboratory within FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. "In virtually every field of science, microbiomes are emerging as key priority themes." | | |
Camera Traps Uncover Mysterious Lesula Monkey's 'Business' | |
Just like Ring home security cameras capture both mundane and extraordinary events, strategically placed camera traps in the Congo Basin reveal the behavior of an elusive African monkey known as the "lesula." Kate M. Detwiler, Ph.D., senior author and an associate professor of biological sciences in FAU's Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, was part of the research team that discovered the lesula. Results of the group's study were published in the journal Animals. Read more. | |
“There is growing recognition of the importance of incorporating life history and behavioral data of threatened species into wildlife management practices,” said Detwiler. | | |
Florida State Senators, Representatives Tour FAU's Marine Science Lab | |
Last fall, numerous elected officials visited the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science Marine Science Lab at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center during sea turtle nesting season and were treated to a special tour to learn more about its research programs, the services it provides, as well as its powerful impact in the community and beyond. Read more.
Ryan Britton, executive director, FAU Government Relations:
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“Florida Atlantic University is so grateful to the Florida State Legislature for their steadfast support of our state universities and of FAU. It is always a wonderful opportunity to welcome our legislators on campus and to share the positive results and significant impacts that can be made in the local and statewide community as a result of their support and financial investments.” | | |
$125,000 Anonymous Gift Bolsters Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Teaching and Research | The Charles E. Schmidt College of Science has announced an anonymous gift of $125,000 to its Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Funds from the anonymous philanthropist will make a powerful impact on the program’s faculty, students, equipment, and facilities. Read more. | |
Chemistry Faculty's Rheumatoid Arthritis Study Published in 'Nature' | |
Gregg Fields, Ph.D., executive director of FAU’s Institute for Human Health and Disease Intervention (I-HEALTH) and a professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, and Roma Stawikowska, laboratory coordinator, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, are studying the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to examine if the autoantibodies that RA patients produce contribute to the initiation or progression of the disease. Read more. | |
South Florida's Designation as Climate Resilience Tech Hub Creates Opportunities for New Jobs | |
Autumn N. Bryan, a master’s student in the Department of Geosciences, also works as a research assistant for FAU’s Center for Environmental Studies and as a reporter for FAU's The Invading Sea. Her recent article covers the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration's announcement that named South Florida as one of 31 regional tech hubs across the country. The designation, which includes Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Palm Beach counties, unlocks access to tens of millions of dollars in potential government funding. Read more. Watch video. | |
FAU Mathematics Professor's Book Hits Amazon's Top 20 List | |
Over the summer, Dragan Radulović, Ph.D., Department of Mathematical Sciences professor, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, released his second book, “Why Does Math Work ... If It’s Not Real?” In the months following its publication, his book was quite successful and can often be found in the U.S. Amazon’s top 20 rankings of mathematics books. Read more. | |
Student Kayla O’Brien Makes an Impact with Microplastics Research | |
Kayla O’Brien, a graduate student in the Environmental Science program, is studying the patterns of microplastic pollution in the surrounding wetland and marine environments, so these critical ecosystems can be better protected. Her project aims to quantify the abundance and variation of microplastics in mangrove and beach sediments on southeast Florida barrier islands. Read more. | |
“These are vulnerable and important coastal ecosystems,” shared O'Brien. “The distribution, abundance, and hazards that microplastics present to the environment are not fully understood, but it is widely recognized that this is much-needed data to support greater efforts to protect and enhance these extremely valuable systems.” | | |
Meet Frontiers in Science Panelist and WLRN Public Media Environmental Reporter Jenny Staletovich | |
Image courtesy of Jenny Staletovich. | |
Award-winning environmental reporter Jenny Staletovich has been a journalist working in Florida for nearly 20 years, and will be serving as a panelist at the January 25 Frontiers in Science discussion, "What's Happening to Water Quality in Florida." She’s reported on some of the region’s major environment stories, including the 2018 devastating red tide and blue-green algae blooms, impacts from climate change and Everglades restoration, the nation’s largest water restoration project. Read more about Jenny in a Q&A in The Invading Sea. | |
Science in Seconds: Why Song Birds Are Losing Color | Learn about how a bird's environment can influence its behavior with Rindy Anderson, Ph.D., associate professor of biological sciences, in the FAU Division of Research episode of "Science in Seconds." Watch here. | |
Visualizing Sea Level Rise in West Palm Beach | |
Immerse yourself in West Palm Beach’s Virtual Reality (VR) Experience. Meet residents who experienced VR to understand climate impacts and nature-based solutions, and see the impacts of storm surge and projected flooding due to sea level rise in public parks along the intracoastal waterway in the City of West Palm Beach (WPB). Visualizing Sea Level Rise in West Palm Beach is a project led by the City of WPB and FAU's Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions with partners at Virtual Planet Technologies, Nanda + Partners, and Paine Productions. Watch video. | |
What is Polar Amplification? | |
Polar amplification occurs when areas near the north and south poles warm up faster than other parts of the world. The melting ice can trigger feedback loops that amplify climate change effects. This video was developing by FAU's The Invading Sea. Watch video. | |
Frontiers in Science 2024 Public Lecture Series | |
This season of the 2024 Frontiers in Science Public Lecture Series includes panel discussions with experts in the sciences and Q&A sessions from the audience, all moderated by the Dean of the Schmidt College of Science, Valery E. Forbes, Ph.D. We hope these discussions expand your understanding of the world, inspire deeper learning, and ignite meaningful discussions. | |
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Panel Discussion Schedule
What’s Happening to Water Quality in Florida?
Thursday, January 25, 2024 | 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Live Oak Pavilion, Student Union, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton
How Can the Florida Wildlife Corridor Support Resilience?
Thursday, February 22, 2024 | 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Live Oak Pavilion, Student Union, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton
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Pre-Health Professions Week and Graduate and Professional School Fair | |
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Pre-Health Week: March 18-22, 2024
Pre-Health Graduate and Professional School Fair
March 21, 2024 | 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Sanson Patio, FAU Boca Raton Campus
Join us for the Pre-Health Professions Week and Graduate Fair! Admission representatives will be in attendance from health-related graduate schools and programs. Students will have the opportunity to meet admission representatives from medical schools, dental schools, pharmacy schools, veterinary schools, physician assistant programs, public health programs, a variety of graduate programs, and more. The event is free and open to all FAU students. Learn more.
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Call for Posters: Science Fest Undergraduate Student Research Competition | |
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Friday, April 12, 2024 | 12:00-2:00PM | FAU Breezeway, Boca Raton Campus
The Science Fest undergraduate student poster presentation competition includes the Dr. Eric Shaw Excellence in Science Undergraduate Research Awards: $1,000 for first place, $600 for second place, and $400 for third place, generously sponsored by Dr. Eric Shaw. Undergraduate students will have the opportunity to showcase their research projects and innovations relating to a specific discipline within the Schmidt College of Science. The research projects or innovations should have generated tangible and meaningful results and findings by the submission of the abstract. Learn more.
| Deadline to Apply to Compete: Monday, January 29, 2024 | |
Faculty Request for Pre-Proposals: Janke Foundation Innovations in Sustainability Science Research Fund 2024 | |
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Pre-proposals are due by midnight on Thursday, February 29, 2024.
The Walter and Lalita Janke Foundation Innovations in Sustainability Science Research Fund is requesting research project proposals with up to a $50,000 budget that will enhance existing energy technologies and support the early development of promising new energy concepts. Submissions are welcome from any discipline or combination of disciplines, including the sciences, engineering, the social sciences, business, and arts/humanities.
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Call for Students to Join Research Program: Microbiome Innovation for Plant, Soil, and Environmental Health | |
Undergraduate and graduate students are invited to join. The program is recruiting undergraduate students to engage in publishable problem-solving research on microbes of plants, soil, insects, and the environment using metagenomics, DNA sequencing, and other biotechniques. The program is recruiting master's thesis students to participate in innovative research focused on food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences (FANH), while working to develop a career with the USDA and partnering agencies. | |
Science Continuing Education Courses | |
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Certified Nursing Assistant Test Prep
February 3-10, 2024
The College of Science is offering a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Test Prep Course, intended for students to “challenge” the CNA exam. The instructors are nurses and approved through the Florida Board of Nursing to teach a variety of certification courses.
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Electrocardiogram (EKG-12 Leads) Technician
February 12-March 13, 2024
This comprehensive 30 hour EKG technician course prepares individuals to function as EKG and Monitor technicians in hospitals, clinics, doctor's offices and other health care facilities. No previous healthcare experience is required. After completing this course you will be able to analyze cardiac rhythms and 12 lead EKGs.
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Application Preparation for Pre-med Students (APPS)
March 4-8, 2024
APPS is 5-day intense application health professional program preparation course designed to help highly motivated students learn how to showcase their abilities, skills, and motivation throughout the application process to medical or dental school. Students receive hands-on individual support during the 5-day APPS program.
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Science Internship Course | |
Students interested in obtaining 1-3 academic credits for a science-based internship can schedule an appointment with Science Career Coach Kelly Nielsen to learn more at nielsenk@fau.edu. This course is offered by the Schmidt College of Science, in partnership with the Career Center. Learn more. | |
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Spring Course Begins January 11, 2024
- 90 teaching hours (30 sessions) and added on-demand content
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Students can sign up late – the CARS and Math sessions take place first, with the first science session taking place on 1/25/24, plus sessions are recorded and available on CANVAS
- Comprehensive reviews of all sections of the MCAT
- Taught by FAU Schmidt College of Science faculty and FAU Test Prep instructors
- 12 hours of CARS score improvement methods
- 5 full-length computer practice exams (including two official AAMC tests) and complete set of textbooks
- Scholarships available through the Student Government on Owl Central
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'10,000 Steps a Day a Myth' Article Featuring Exercise Department Chair Gains National Attention
The South Florida Sun Sentinel interviewed Michael Zourdos, Ph.D., department chair and professor, Department of Exercise Science and Health Promotion, about the myth that 10,000 steps a day is a universal goal. "Ten thousand is not a magic number," Zourdos said. "There are very few things in health and fitness that have a magic number." This article has been re-published in more than 50 national news outlets to date. Read more.
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Pumpkin Drop and Physics Carnival a Top Ranked Fall Tradition
Relive the excitement of the annual Pumpkin Drop and Physics Carnival! The State University System's Board of Governors recently ranked the event as the number one fall tradition among public Florida universities. Learn more about this annual tradition. Watch the recap.
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Friday, January 12-Monday, January 29
FAU at the South Florida Fair: Meet a Life-Sized Humpback Whale
Thursday, January 25, 2024
Frontiers in Science Panel: What’s Happening to Water Quality in Florida?
Thursday, February 1, 2024
FAU Career Fair
Thursday, February 1-Friday, February 2, 2024
Mindfest 2024
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
Breezeway Dialogues
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Partner With the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science as We Race Towards Excellence! | |
At the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, we have an unprecedented obligation and opportunity to provide our students and community with the highest caliber of research, scientific invention, and education in the country. | | | | |
