Feet First: AI Reveals How Infants Connect with Their World | |
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science researchers tested AI’s ability to detect changes in infant movement behavior, giving them a new way to understand when and how babies start to engage with the world. By conducting a baby-mobile experiment that used a colorful mobile gently tethered to an infant’s foot, scientists investigated how infants begin to act purposefully. Results of the study, published in Scientific Reports, underscore that AI is a valuable tool for understanding early infant development and interaction. Read more. | |
“This finding is significant because the AI systems were not told anything about the experiment or which part of the infant’s body was connected to the mobile. What this shows is that the feet – as end effectors – are the most affected by the interaction with the mobile,” said Scott Kelso, Ph.D., co-author and Glenwood and Martha Creech Eminent Scholar in Science at the Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences within FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. | | |
New Parasite Revealed Amid Decline of California's Channel Island Fox | Ale Aleuy, DVM, MPVM, Ph.D., senior author and an assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences within the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, was part of a collaborative effort that identified the parasite infecting San Miguel Island foxes, one of the world’s smallest species, using morphological and molecular methods, and necropsy records. Results of the study, published in the International Journal for Parasitology, identify the parasite as Pachysentis canicola, a common acanthocephalan in multiple carnivore species in mainland North America. Read more. | |
“We suspect that this parasite likely arrived on the island through infected arthropods such as insects inadvertently transported by humans,” said Aleuy. “This discovery raises concerns about the impact of human activity on isolated ecosystems and underscores the importance of monitoring parasitic infections in vulnerable wildlife populations.” | | |
Candidates Who Fight Climate Change Stand to Benefit in Election | A new survey conducted by the FAU Center for Environmental Studies (CES) reveals that most Floridians support political candidates who tackle climate change, and 52% are more likely to vote for those with climate action records. The results of the survey, which was conducted before hurricanes Helene and Milton, showed that 68% agreed that the state should do more to address climate impacts, while 67% agreed that the federal government should do more. Read more. | |
“Floridians are experiencing enough of the weather challenges predicted by climate change researchers that a majority of adults in the state now see value in some kind of collective action to fight climate change,” said Colin Polsky, Ph.D., associate vice president of Broward Campuses for FAU and a professor of geosciences within the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. | | |
2024 ECOS Publication Grant Supports Flood Risk, Social Vulnerability | |
Weibo Liu, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Geosciences, was named a recipient of the School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability’s (ECOS) 2024 Publication Grant. He received $2,000 to support his team's research on the interplay between social vulnerability and flood risk. Read more. | |
“This study underscores the necessity for targeted, region-specific strategies to mitigate flood risks and enhance resilience, particularly in areas where high flood risk and social vulnerability converge,” explained Bishal Dhungana, co-author and master's student in the Department of Geosciences, Schmidt College of Science. “These findings provide critical insights for policymakers and planners to address environmental justice and promote equitable flood risk management across diverse geographic settings." | | |
Female STEM Students Sweep Undergraduate Research Poster Competition | |
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Congratulations to this year's winners of the Dr. Eric Shaw Excellence in Science Undergraduate Research Poster Competition! All three of the prizewinners are outstanding young women in STEM fields, along with all three of their accomplished female faculty advisors in the Schmidt College of Science. Learn more about the competition.
$1,000 First Place Winner
Hannah King, Department of Geosciences
"Evaluating Tidal Impact on Beach Morphology"
Advisor: Tiffany Roberts Briggs, Ph.D.
$600 Second Place Winner
Noor E Jannat Neha, Department of Biological Sciences
"Size-dependent Differences in Turtle Carapace Sutures: Understanding Biomechanical and Evolutionary Adaptations"
Advisor: Jeanette Wyneken, Ph.D.
$400 Third Place Winner
Valeria Falvella, Department of Physics
"Uncovering Evidence of Outflows in Active Galactic Nuclei"
Advisor: Vicki Sarajedini, Ph.D.
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The poster competition was part of the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science's inaugural Science Social, which was held throughout the Sanson Life Sciences Patio on the Boca Raton campus. The Oct. 17 event brought hundreds of undergraduate Florida Atlantic students together to explore degree programs and research opportunities, meet with advisors and student organizations, speak with faculty members, and connect with special units in the college such as the Office of Pre-Health Professions. Learn more. | |
Science Undergraduate, New Alumna Achieve Distinguished 'Mastery' Rank on ASBMB Exam | Schmidt College of Science senior Gustavo Mundim and alumna Alexis Crowder ’24 were recognized by the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) for their “mastery” level achievements on the organization’s exam. Read more. | |
New Minor in Health Humanities Available in Spring 2025 | |
Florida Atlantic University’s new Health Humanities minor is an interdisciplinary program designed to help students better understand humanistic and social issues related to health and medicine across cultures, places, and times. Read more. | |
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New Faculty Spotlight: Simon Pieraut, Ph.D.
Simon Pieraut, Ph.D., joined the Schmidt College of Science as an assistant professor in Department of Psychology, as well as the neuroscience team in Jupiter at the Florida Atlantic Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute. Learn more about Pieraut’s research that focuses on molecular and cellular neuroscience, with a focus on circuit plasticity. Read More.
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Student Spotlight: Vanessa Belizaire
Senior Medical Biology major Vanessa Belizaire is poised to graduate from Florida Atlantic in December 2024. While her undergraduate days will soon come to a close, she’s eager to continue her educational journey and hopes to enroll in a dual M.D./Ph.D. degree program. Read More.
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Video: What is a Storm Surge?
A storm surge happens when water is forced toward the coast by a combination of powerful winds and low pressure from a hurricane. The result can be coastal flooding, threatening lives and property. Storm surges can reach several feet when they happen during high tide, but even smaller levels can be enough to cause damage.
This video was developed by FAU’s The Invading Sea. Watch video.
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WLRN's 'Bright Lit Place' Live at FAU Rescheduled for Nov. 19
The WLRN Bright Lit Place Live at FAU event is rescheduled to Nov. 19! Join award-winning WLRN environment reporter Jenny Staletovich for a discussion about the restoration of the Everglades, including the science, politics and planning that have gone into restoration efforts over the last 30 years. This event is free to the community, register to reserve your spot now! Learn more.
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WLW Environment and Student Success Scholarship
Two scholarships are currently available for undergraduate students:
WLW-ECOS Student Success Scholarship
Fall 2024 deadline to apply: Oct. 31, 2024
WLW-ECOS Semester by the Sea Scholarship Spring 2025 deadline to apply: Nov. 15, 2024 Learn more.
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College of Science Scholarships Deadline Extended to Oct. 31
For undergraduate and graduate students. Both financial-aid based and merit based. Learn more.
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Fall 2024 Pre-Health Workshop Series
August 28-November 6: The Schmidt College of Science has created a series of special workshops to assist students who are navigating their journeys toward health care professions. Learn more.
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FAU Career Center: Psychology Internship Applications Open
Deadline to apply: November 5. The FAU Career Center is excited to offer an internship opportunity designed for psychology students as a Career Consultant to perform a peer-to-peer career coaching program for all students. Learn more.
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Call for Nominations: Schmidt College of Science Excellence Awards
To recognize the achievements of faculty and staff, the Schmidt College of Science is currently accepting nominations through Monday, November 11. Learn more.
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Honors in Biological Science Research Pathway
Deadline: December 1, 2024. Students conduct independent, supervised research, write a grant proposal, and present a poster or seminar at a research conference/symposium to describe the results of the honors research done during at least two semesters of DIR BSC 4910. Learn more.
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MCAT Live Online Test Prep Course
August 27-December 10: The Live Online course offers instructor-created video lessons and problem sets contained in CANVAS, supported by live video-conference sessions, and includes six full-length computerized practice exams. Learn more.
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2025 Jumpstart Postdoctoral Program
This program not only offers the opportunity to spark new collaborations, but also provides a platform to support early career scientists. The application deadline is Friday, January 3, 2025. Learn more.
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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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New Center for Complex Systems Director Search
The college is seeking an experienced and visionary leader to serve as the Director of the Center for Complex Systems, a leading research center within the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science dedicated to advancing the understanding of complex systems. Learn more.
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Join Florida Atlantic's School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability (ECOS) | |
Florida Atlantic's School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability (ECOS) invites all FAU faculty, postdocs, and graduate students to become affiliate members of the school. Engage in transformational interdisciplinary research, teaching, and community engagement initiatives that bring forth the collective environmental capabilities of the university. Learn more. | |
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New ECOS Director Search
The Schmidt College of Science is searching for a new director of the Florida Atlantic School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability (ECOS) who is a proven collaborative, dynamic, and nationally recognized leader in environmental science. Learn more.
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Applications Open for the WLW ECOS Professor in Residence
The Professor in Residence will play a pivotal role in driving innovative environmental research, inspiring students, and collaborating with faculty to tackle today’s most pressing environmental challenges, as offered through the School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability (ECOS). Learn more.
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AP News Features Professor Michael Zourdos: What 'Training to Failure' Means and How to Incorporate It Into Your Workout
AP News featured research from the Department of Exercise Science and Health Promotion's Chair and Professor, Michael Zourdos, Ph.D., regarding a study that analyzed how training close to failure or not impacts muscle growth and strength. Read more.
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Partner With the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science as We Race Toward Excellence! | |
Pictured: The Lifespan Cognition Lab of Assistant Professor Kevin Darby, Ph.D. | |
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. | | | | |
