Aerial Surveys Reveal Ample Populations of Rays in Southeast Florida | |
Using aerial surveys, Florida Atlantic University researchers conducted a multi-year study that is the first to repeatedly sample areas where giant manta rays and whitespotted eagle rays are abundant from Miami north to the Jupiter Inlet. Both species are rapidly declining globally, but results, published in the journal Environmental Biology of Fishes, showed that one or both species were seen on nearly every flight (97.5 percent). Read more. | |
“Although some years had a greater number of animals observed, there was no difference in abundance across the study period for either species, which suggests that the populations of both species appear stable in Southeast Florida,” said Stephen Kajiura, Ph.D., senior author and a professor of biological sciences, FAU Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. | | |
To Boost a Preschooler's Language Skills, Consider Reminiscing | |
A study by Florida Atlantic University researchers on "parent talk" compared reminiscing, book sharing, and toy play as language learning settings. Findings show reminiscing is very good at eliciting high quality speech from parents, and in many ways, is just as good as book sharing. Results of the study were recently published in the Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology. Read more. | |
"Findings from our study should bolster arguments that have been made for reminiscing as a basis for culturally sensitive intervention to increase the quality of children's language experience,” said Erika Hoff, Ph.D., senior author and a professor, Department of Psychology, FAU Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. | | |
Watch Frontiers in Science: 'How Can the Florida Wildlife Corridor Support Resilience?' | |
Learn about the ~18 million acre Florida Wildlife Corridor (FLWC) in this February 22 Frontiers in Science panel discussion event. Completing a project of this scale requires additional studies to deepen our understanding of the FLWC’s effects beyond wildlife. What tradeoffs are involved in setting aside such a large swath of land, and how will we tell if it’s working? Watch here. | |
2024 Jumpstart Postdoctoral Program Awardees Announced | The Charles E. Schmidt College of Science has selected the awardees of the 2024 Jumpstart Postdoctoral Program. This is the second year of the initiative, which Dean Valery Forbes launched in 2022 to “jumpstart” multidisciplinary research collaborations between faculty and postdoctoral associates to solve some of today’s most complex societal challenges. Read more. | |
Grant Supports Strategic Planning for New School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability | |
The new Florida Atlantic University School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability (ECOS) was awarded $25,000 from the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County. The grant will provide resources for strategic planning exercises, and enable the school to amplify the quantity and quality of its course offerings, identify research emphases, and launch community engagement efforts. Read more. | |
Faculty Recognized at Second Annual Authors & Artists Event | Pictured left to right: Stephen Kajiura, Ph.D., professor of biological sciences; Jay Baldwin, Ph.D., professor of biological sciences and associate dean of faculty; Wolfgang Tichy, Ph.D., professor of physics; Donna Chamely-Wiik, Ph.D., associate dean, Undergraduate Research and Prestigious Fellowships, Undergraduate Studies, and associate scientist of chemistry and biochemistry; Vivian Merk, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry; Ashkaan Fahimipour, Ph.D., assistant professor of biological sciences. | |
The Office of the Provost and University Libraries hosted a celebration of the creative, distinguished and dedicated works of the Florida Atlantic University community at the second annual Authors & Artists event on February 12. Congratulations to the following Charles E. Schmidt College of Science faculty who were selected to be recognized at the event, and the many scholars in the college who were published this past year. Read more.
- Ashkaan Fahimipour, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Biological Sciences
- Vivian Merk, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Wolfgang Tichy, Ph.D., professor, Department of Physics
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First Soar-in-4 Medical School Pathway Program Participants Announced | |
The Charles E. Schmidt College of Science and the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine are pleased to announce the acceptance of the first two undergraduate students into the Soar-in-4 Medical School Pathway program – Charlotte Fieffe and Kaylia Cooper. Earlier this year, the colleges launched the new collaborative pathway program for outstanding Schmidt College of Science Soar-in-4 Scholars. Read more. | |
Student Spotlight: Alexandra Hoey Studies Stressors That Influence Tropical Seagrass in Florida Bay | |
Alexandra Hoey is an Aquatic Plant Ecology Lab team member, which is overseen by Professor Marguerite Koch-Rose, Ph.D. The group is studying stressors that impact the health and survival of seagrass meadows – extremely vital benthic ecosystems – in Florida Bay, an important estuary between the Everglades and the Florida Keys. Read more. | A Day in the Life of a Schmidt College of Science Double Major | Meet Jean Pierre, a second year student (but a junior in credits) who is double-majoring in biology and neuroscience and behavior, with minors in psychology and health administration. Watch Jean shoot hoops at the rec center with his Minority Association of Pre-Health Students VP, enjoy a sip-and-paint event hosted by the Jamaican Student Association, and shadow interventional cardiologists at the HCA Florida Aventura Hospital. Watch here. | |
Invest: Palm Beach Panel Features Dean Forbes | |
The February 7 Invest: Palm Beach brought together experts for the "Prioritizing Education: How Palm Beach County's Leaders Are Preparing Students for the Workforce of the Future" panel discussion. Dean of the Schmidt College of Science, Valery Forbes, Ph.D., shared insights as a higher education leader alongside fellow panelists Linda Tretheway, Head of School, Rosarian Academy; and Ralph Maurer, Head of School, Oxbridge Academy. Watch the panel discussion. | |
Pre-Health Professions Week and Graduate and Professional School Fair | |
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Pre-Health Professions 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 and Professional School 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, attend workshops, and more. The event is free and open to all FAU students. Learn more.
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Friday, April 12, 2024 | 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. | Breezeway, FAU Boca Raton Campus
All are invited to celebrate the sciences at this community event! Science Fest showcases the diversity of our scientific disciplines and the variety of contributions from our current faculty and students; drives inspiration for the next generation of scientific problem solvers; and fosters partnerships between the university, scientific organizations, and local communities to promote the science disciplines. Come enjoy science-related exhibitions, student poster competition, interactive games, scavenger hunt with prizes, activities, and networking opportunities.
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Solar Eclipse Community Viewing: Sidewalk Astronomy | |
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Monday, April 8, 2024 | 12:30-3:30 p.m. | North Lawn of the SE-43 Building, Boca Raton Campus
FAU’s Astronomical Observatory will host a public “sidewalk astronomy” viewing event of the April 8 solar eclipse. Experience the eclipse through telescopes and eclipse glasses to safely view the Sun and the Moon as they appear together in the sky, and enjoy some other fun activities offered by the Department of Physics, as well. The Moon will partially block the view of the Sun during the three-hour event. Learn more.
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Honors in Biology Research Pathway | |
- Receive recognition on your academic transcript
- Distinguish your application to graduate/professional programs
- Open doors of opportunity and provide talking points about your research projects and accomplishments at FAU
- Gain valuable research experience and create connections
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Upcoming application deadlines: Summer: April 14, Fall: July 28 | |
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. | |
Call for Applications: 2024 Summer Institute in Biostatistics and Data Science | |
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May 20-June 28, 2024
Calling all undergraduate students or recent graduates not currently in graduate programs! It’s time to discover how working with data can change your life through Florida’s Summer Institute in Biostatistics and Data Science Program (SIBDS), funded by the National Institutes of Health.
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The FAU Career Center is set to host several career fairs this spring. All Florida Atlantic students and alumni are welcome to come explore local and national opportunities. The fairs provide an outstanding opportunity to connect and network with dynamic employers and learn about potential full-time/part-time jobs, as well as internships in a variety of industries. Don't miss out! Register today in Handshake to reserve your spot.
March 14: Technology and Engineering Career Fair
March 27: Virtual Career Fair
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Science Continuing Education Courses | |
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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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Assisted Reproductive Technology Spring ’24: March 26-April 25
The ART certificate course is for professionals or current students seeking a career in human reproductive medicine, veterinary medicine, nursing, biomedical science, and other allied life science programs.
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DNA Forensics Spring ’24: March 26-April 25
The DNA Forensics certificate course is for professionals and non-professional students contemplating a career in biotech, forensic science, criminal justice, and other allied life science programs.
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Exploring Aquaculture Workshops | |
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Second Saturday of each month | Februray to May 2024 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Johnson Education Center
Are you interested in learning where your seafood comes from? Do you know how to choose healthy and sustainable options? Find out by joining FAU Harbor Branch researchers and industry partners as they share their expertise! From your favorite seafood dishes, to restoring coastal ecosystems, you'll learn how Florida aquaculture plays a key role in a sustainable future.
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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. | |
Virtual Seminar Series: Planning to Protect the Florida Wildlife Corridor | |
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April 4, April 10, April 23, May 1
The Florida Legislature has appropriated more than $1 billion to help protect the Florida Wildlife Corridor. Why is this corridor vital to Florida’s future and how can you help protect it? Join this free four-part online seminar presented by the University of Florida Center for Landscape Conservation Planning and 1000 Friends of Florida. Learn more.
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Become An Affiliate Member of FAU's School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability | |
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The FAU School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability (ECOS) invites all faculty, postdocs, and graduate students from Florida Atlantic 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 FAU.
- Get details about seed funding for interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary collaborations
- Learn about the latest grants
- Get notified about job openings for recent grads
- Participate in events, conferences, and other activities, both internal and external to FAU, related to the ECOS mission
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The Invading Sea: Preserving Everglades National Park: Peat Soils Key to Understanding Climate Change and Saving 'River of Grass'
At Everglades National Park, Florida Atlantic University scientist Xavier Comas, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Geosciences, is using scientific solutions to protect and preserve these fragile wetland areas for future generations. Comas is studying the peat soil that sits below the water in the Everglades that serve as a “carbon bank” that continually sequesters massive amounts of carbon. Read more.
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The Invading Sea: Florida Wildlife Corridor Benefits Imperiled Species and State’s Resilience, FAU Panelists Say
Participants in a Florida Atlantic University panel discussion on Feb. 22 emphasized how the nearly 18 million acres of connected land and waterways providing resilience to climate change is one of those benefits. Read more.
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The Invading Sea: Meet Frontiers in Science Panelist Representative Lindsay Cross
Lindsay Cross, State House Representative for Florida District 60, and Senior Environmental Scientist, joined the Frontiers in Science panel discussion on Feb. 22 about the Florida Wildlife Corridor. Since she was elected in 2022, Cross has sponsored multiple bills involving Florida’s water quality and other environmental concerns. Read more.
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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. | | | | |
