Study Uncovers Mechanics of 'Tail-Whipping' in Thresher Sharks | |
Like Indiana Jones, thresher sharks have mastered the art of the whip using their tails. New research from Florida Atlantic University in collaboration with Apex Predators Program, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), provides intricate details showing that anatomy of the vertebrae might support the mechanics of extreme body bending in thresher sharks, enabling these expert hunters to weaponize their tails. Results of the study were published in the journal Royal Society Open Science. Read more. | |
“We found that anatomy and microstructure significantly varied along the body and among developmental groups – embryonic, juvenile, and adult common thresher sharks,” said Jamie L. Knaub, first author and a doctoral graduate student in FAU’s Department of Biological Sciences within the Schmidt College of Science. “Based on our results, we believe that thresher shark vertebrae vary in anatomy, and the amount and arrangement of mineral, supporting the mechanical needs for tail-whipping.” | | |
FAU Receives $2.6 Million NSF CyberCorps Scholarship Grant | The College of Engineering and Computer Science of Florida Atlantic University, in collaboration with FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Science and College of Business, received a $2.6 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish a scholarship program in the burgeoning and critical field of cybersecurity. Read more. | |
Immigrant Bilingual Latina Mothers Have Dual-language Personalities | To gain a better understanding of second-generation immigrants in the U.S., specifically South Florida, Florida Atlantic University researchers explored how culture shapes language use with children. They compared “mom talk” during toy play with foreign-born Spanish monolingual Latina mothers, foreign-born Spanish-English bilingual Latina mothers, and U.S.-born English monolingual European American mothers and their U.S.-born, 2.5-year-old children. Read more. | |
“Our findings show that it really is the heritage culture that changes the behavior, and it’s not about being in Latin America or being in the U.S.,” said Erika Hoff, Ph.D., senior author and a professor, Department of Psychology, FAU Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. “It is the same mother and the same child, however, they are different depending on whether they ‘turn on’ the Spanish switch or whether they ‘turn on’ the English switch." | | |
Florida Atlantic, FAU Lab Schools Awarded Federal Funding to Establish New Energy Training Center | To address the need to train the future clean energy workforce, Florida Atlantic University and FAU Lab Schools, in collaboration with the University of Miami, Universidad Ana G. Méndez in Puerto Rico, and other local institutions, have received a three-year, $900,000 grant from the United States Department of Energy (DOE) as part of its Building Training and Assessment Centers (BTAC) initiative made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Read more. | |
“Its focus is to prepare the workforce of tomorrow for increased access to clean energy technology,” said Diana Mitsova, Ph.D., Schmidt College of Science, department chair of Urban and Regional Planning. “An exciting component of this project is the educational outreach to FAU High School students who will be provided with energy efficiency training opportunities.” | | |
Student Spotlight: Matt McCormick Studies Storm Impacts to Better Protect Florida's Coast | |
Second-year geosciences master’s degree student Matt McCormick is hoping that when his thesis research is completed, he will be able to help coastal communities better predict future storm-related impacts and promote improved resiliency along Florida’s coastline. Read more. | |
2023 Art of Science Photography and Videography Winners | |
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Pictured: Second place winner, Brain Cell Galaxy, by Peter Rodriquez, doctoral candidate, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science and Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute.
Congratulations to all of the Art of Science Contest winners in the college. The Schmidt College of Science has winners in a range of categories, including "In the Field," "Top Postdoc," "In the Lab," and a number of "Honorable Mentions" for our students, faculty, and staff. Learn more.
| Building a Bank of Cures for Cancer | Science in Seconds | Learn about the groundbreaking work of Gregg Fields, Ph.D., vice president of research for the Division of Research and professor of Chemistry in the Schmidt College of Science, whose research could change the face of medical science forever. In this exclusive episode, Fields takes us on a captivating journey into the heart of cutting-edge research. With his team of dedicated scientists, he is exploring the intricate pathways of cancer cells, unraveling their secrets, and developing tailored treatments to combat the disease. Watch here. | |
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. | |
Watch: Frontiers in Science: What's Happening to Water Quality in Florida? | |
Did you miss the January 25 Frontiers in Science panel discussion? Watch the recording to learn about the current state of water quality issues in Florida and the responses to them from the experts. Watch here. | |
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 AM-3:00 PM
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 AM-2:00 PM | 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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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. | |
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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.
February 21: Internship and Part-time Job Fair
March 14: Technology and Engineering Career Fair
March 27: Virtual Career Fair
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Science Continuing Education Courses | |
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Certified Nursing Assistant Test Prep
February 3-10, 2024
The Schmidt 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 health care 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. | |
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 New York Times': Fear the Tails, Not the Jaws, of These ‘Weirdo’ Sharks
When a thresher shark attacks, it doesn’t lunge in teeth-first. Instead, it approaches a school of fish, lowers its head, flexes its body and thwaps its whiplike tail over its head. The smack of the thresher’s tail stuns a few unlucky fish, which the shark then gobbles up. This piqued the interest of Marianne Porter, Ph.D., a biologist at Florida Atlantic University. Read more.
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The Invading Sea: Septic Tanks Among Water-quality Concerns in Florida — But Fix is Costly, FAU Panelists Say
Participants in a Florida Atlantic University panel discussion on January 25 emphasized the need for funding to improve water quality while also recognizing the state legislature’s current efforts. Read more.
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Ata Sarajedini, Ph.D., Named AAS Fellow
Congratulations to Ata Sarajedini, Ph.D., Professor of Physics and Bjorn Lamborn Endowed Chair in Astrophysics, was named a 2024 American Astronomical Society (AAS) Fellow. Read more.
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Breezeway Dialogues: Feb. 7
Mark your calendar for the upcoming Breezeway Dialogues, "Whose Knowledge Is of Most Worth?" Come grab a seat and participate in this community discussion. Learn 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. | | | | |
