Florida Wildlife Corridor Eases Worst Impacts of Climate Change | |
A first-of-its-kind study shows how Florida can buffer itself against both climate change and population pressures by conserving the remaining 8 million acres of "opportunity areas" within the Florida Wildlife Corridor (FLWC). The new report is a joint project by Florida Atlantic University, Archbold Biological Station, Live Wildly Foundation and numerous collaborators. The report paints a holistic picture of how climate change and population growth will impact Florida’s communities and natural resources, and how the FLWC, if it were fully enacted, can continue to moderate those impacts. Read more. | |
“State leadership has demonstrated its understanding of the deep link between clean water, healthy lands and a strong economy by supporting the creation of the Florida Wildlife Corridor and ongoing efforts,” said Colin Polsky, Ph.D., lead author, founding director of the FAU School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability (ECOS) and a professor of geosciences in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. “Findings from our report show substantial climate resilience benefits from the Florida Wildlife Corridor." | | |
Remote Sensing Technique Captures Details of Hurricane Ian's Aftermath | |
Using remote sensing technology, Florida Atlantic University researchers have developed a novel technique that provides rapid, high-resolution assessments of detailed damage after a hurricane. Using aerial imagery data and LiDAR, they identified the hardest-hit areas of Southwest Florida’s Estero Island and estimated the extent of structural damage after Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida’s Lee County on Sept. 28, 2022. Read more. | |
“Employing this advanced technology of aerial imagery and airborne LiDAR enabled us to collect extensive data from Hurricane Ian’s aftermath and analyze large-scale datasets rather quickly,” said Tiffany Roberts Briggs, Ph.D., senior author, chair and an associate professor in the Department of Geosciences within FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. | | |
Second Annual Science Fest Showcases Innovative Research, Exhibitions | |
The Charles E. Schmidt College of Science recently hosted its second annual Science Fest throughout the Breezeway on the Boca Raton campus. The April 12 event brought over 1,000 elementary and middle school students, Florida Atlantic students, and community members together to experience fun, free science-related exhibitions, interactive games, and a student research competition. Read more. View photos. | |
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Science Fest Dr. Eric Shaw Excellence in Science Undergraduate Research Award winners:
$1,000 First Place Winner
Nicholas McInchak, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
“Developing Better Fluorescent Cholesterol Probe”
$600 Second Place Winner
Teagan Duenkel, Department of Geosciences
“Inlet-Adjacent Beach and Shoreline Variability at Decadal Scale”
$400 Third Place Winner
Adrianna Tran, Department of Biological Sciences
“Interleukin-1 Type 1 Receptor (IL-1R1) Is Implicated in Emergence and Severity of Progressive, Generalized Tonic/Clonic Epilepsy in a Transgenic Mouse Model”
Learn more about the 2024 winners.
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FAU Receives Record-breaking Number of Applications | |
Florida Atlantic University has received more than 46,000 first-year applications for fall – an all-time university record. The 27 percent increase compares to the final first-year pool of 36,700 in April 2023. Of the 46,933 applicants, 70 percent are in-state and 30 percent are from out-of-state. Read more. | |
Schmidt College of Science Celebrates 2024 Honors Convocation Awardees | |
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Florida Atlantic’s 55th annual Honors Convocation was hosted at the University Theatre on its Boca Raton campus. The ceremony recognized the University’s most outstanding students and faculty. Student honors include prestigious merit-based scholarships, among other academic awards. Additionally, faculty honors include researchers/scholars of the year, as well as teaching and advising awards. Read more.
The Schmidt College of Science is pleased that so many of its distinguished students and faculty were among this year's honorees:
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University Scholar: Gustavo Mundin
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Hersker, Shaw, Gosser Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi Scholarship Award: Eden Adera
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Undergraduate Researcher of the Year: Joseph Swaress
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Scholar of the Year: Brett Laursen, Ph.D.
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Online Faculty Award: Korey Sorge, Ph.D.
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Excellence and Innovation in Undergraduate Teaching: Tito Sempertegui, Ph.D., and Donna Marion, Ph.D.
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Spotlight: Eden Adera Named Phi Kappa Phi Scholarship Winner | Congratulations to Eden Adera, a junior medical biology major in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, who was named the Florida Atlantic University 2024 Hersker, Shaw, Gosser Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi Scholarship winner. On April 17, Adera was presented with the award during the University’s annual Honors Convocation. Read more. | |
“Receiving the Phi Kappa Phi Scholarship is a tremendous honor, representing not only financial support, but it is also a recognition of my potential by the University,” stated Adera. | | |
Schmidt College of Science Excellence Award Winners Honored | |
The 2024 Schmidt College of Science Excellence Awards winners were celebrated with a ceremony and reception on April 24. The awards recognize the research, teaching, advising, service and dedication to the college’s mission and improving students’ experiences. View the winners. View photos. | |
National Academy of Inventors Welcomes Predrag Cudic, Ph.D. | |
Predrag Cudic, Ph.D., associate dean for research and professor in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, was one of four researchers who were recently inducted into the National Academy of Inventors chapter at FAU. By employing innovative methodologies, his research aims to treat multidrug-resistant bacterial infections, contributing significantly to the global efforts in combating antibiotic resistance. Read more. | |
Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Competition Winners From Schmidt College of Science | |
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Congratulations to the 2024 Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Championship and Heat winners from the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science! Five 3MT® Heats took place from March 18-20, and the Championship was held on March 21. The college had a number of Heat winners across a range of scientific disciplines throughout the competition, which can be viewed here.
Kalya Ahlness, the championship winner and recipient of the $2,500 Dr. Eric H. Shaw 3MT® Championship Award, also represented FAU recently at the Conference of Florida Graduate Schools at the University of West Florida, where she competed in the statewide 3MT® competition and was selected as the People’s Choice Winner.
3MT® Championship Winners from the Schmidt College of Science
Championship Winner (sponsored by the Dr. Eric H. Shaw 3MT® Championship Award Endowment Fund)
Kayla Ahlness
"Why You Buggin' Out: Does Seasonality Drive Insectivory in a Mixed-Species Group of African Monkeys?"
Second Runner-Up and People's Choice Award Winner
Jordan Thompson
"Why Memes are Serious Business: The Relationship Between Political Polarization and Meme Effectiveness"
Learn more about the FAU 3MT® Competition and view all the winners. Watch the recording of the 2024 FAU 3MT Championship. Read more.
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FAU Honors 2024 Hall of Fame Inductees and Distinguished Alumni | |
Outstanding alumna Carly Yoost, B.S. ’09, was the recipient of the 2024 Schmidt College of Science Distinguished Alumni Award. Yoost was honored at the Florida Atlantic University Alumni and Community Engagement’s annual Hall of Fame & Distinguished Alumni Award Ceremony and Reception on April 25. The event brought together alumni to celebrate the accomplishments of their outstanding peers, with alumni from nine of FAU’s colleges honored for their career accomplishments. Read more. | |
2024 Solar Eclipse Event Draws Large Crowd on FAU's Boca Raton Campus | |
More than1,000 members of the greater community and the university gathered to watch a rare partial solar eclipse on Florida Atlantic’s Boca Raton campus on April 8, hosted by the Schmidt College of Science’s Department of Physics and FAU Observatory. College faculty, staff, and students handed out special eclipse glasses and had several telescopes set up for viewers to watch as the Moon passed between the Sun and Earth throughout the afternoon. Read more. View photos. | |
“So many people expressed their appreciation for the chance to see the eclipse,” shared Eric Vandernoot, astronomy and physics lab coordinator and manager, FAU Astronomical Observatory. “These events are about coming together to share in the joy of a unique experience of our natural world, as well as to get guests to engage in some science, too!” | | |
Department of Mathematics and Statistics Longstanding Host of Major International Math Conferences | |
The Department of Mathematics and Statistics has a long history of hosting three major international math conferences every year. Held every spring semester, the conferences aim to connect the global math community through a range of disciplines, from the growing field of artificial intelligence to combinatorics, graph theory, and computing. Read more. | |
'Everglades Stories' Features FAU's Amber Moore From Riverwoods Field Lab | |
The Everglades Foundation’s video series, “Everglades Stories from Across the Watershed,” documents experiences of people across the Everglades ecosystem including Amber Moore, manager of FAU’s Riverwoods Field Lab. The project aims to showcase the profound ways in which people connect with the Everglades while shedding light on the impact of environmental degradation and the importance of restoration projects on their day-to-day lives. Read more. Watch video. | |
Science in Seconds: Featuring Marine Biologist Marianne Porter, Ph.D. | @fauresearch: In the latest episode of #ScienceInSeconds, we explore how a small fish can create a big problem. Dr. Marianne Porter unveils groundbreaking research on the venomous red lionfish, shedding light on her efforts to restore balance to the circle of life. Watch here. 🌊🐠 | |
Faculty Spotlight: Jacob Francis, Ph.D. | |
Without pollinators, some of your favorite foods may not exist. In fact, the world's food supply and our health, would be in jeopardy. Jacob Francis, Ph.D., a new assistant professor in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, studies the microbe community in plant’s nectar, called the microbiome, which also plays a role in pollination and the spread of plant diseases. Read more. | |
White Holes: A Free Public Lecture and Book Signing by Carlo Rovelli, Ph.D. | |
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Thursday, May 9, 2024 | 7:00-9:00 p.m. | Friedberg Auditorium, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, FAU Boca Raton Campus
Come hear New York Times bestselling author and theoretical physicist, Carlo Rovelli, Ph.D., as he guides us in exploring the exotic nature of black holes, their fate, and the science behind it. Join us for an evening of learning and discovery. Following the lecture, Rovelli will sign copies of his book, “White Holes: Inside the Horizon,” available on-site for purchase.
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Soar-in-4 Medical School Pathway Program | |
The Schmidt College of Science and Schmidt College of Medicine collaboratively offer a pathway program to medical school for outstanding Schmidt College of Science Soar-in-4 Scholars. Students admitted into this highly selective program are offered conditional admission to the Schmidt College of Medicine provided they maintain the required program standards. Each student will work closely with the program's faculty and staff to develop an individual education plan and to ensure a smooth transition if accepted. | |
Program Application Deadline: August 15, 2024 | |
Electrocardiogram (EKG-12 Leads) Technician Course | |
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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.
Summer 2024 Dates: May 6-11
The class meets in-person on the Boca Raton campus Monday through Wednesday and Friday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
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Archbold Biological Station Research Internships in Plant Ecology | |
Archbold is seeking motivated plant ecologists for an internship position in the Plant Ecology Program of Dr. Aaron David at Archbold Biological Station, located in south-central Florida. The 8-month internships are ideal preparation for graduate research in ecology. | |
DNALabs Corp at FAU Research Park Internship Opportunities | |
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Criteria:
- Undergraduate or graduate student in the Schmidt College of Science
- Freshmen, sophomore, junior, or senior class standing or graduate students
- Hourly expectations per week range from 6-20 hours
- An interest in genetics and a basic understanding of the potential impact of genetic variants would be an asset
- Rolling admissions
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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, while working to develop a career with the USDA and partnering agencies. | |
Exploring Aquaculture Workshops | |
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Second Saturday of each month | February 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. | |
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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Sun Sentinel: Florida in 50 Years: Study Says Land Conservation Can Buffer Destructive Force of Climate Change
According to a new report by scientists from the Schmidt College of Science and collaborators, the wildlife corridor — if completed — will not only allow wildlife to survive in the coming decades, it will make climate change less destructive to humans. Read more. Photo: courtesy of Carlton Ward Jr. / CarltonWard.com.
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How Student Friendships Can Influence Classroom Behavior
Brett Laursen, Ph.D., a professor of psychology, was featured in an international magazine about his study on what it means to be popular, and how it influences young people’s behavior and learning. Read more.
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Solar Eclipse Viewing at FAU Shared Widely Across South Florida Media
The 2024 eclipse viewing at Florida Atlantic garnered broad media coverage. Several local newspapers were on-site for the event, and shared their photos of guests enjoying the rare site on the Boca Raton campus. Among the outlets that ran coverage, included The Palm Beach Post, South Florida Sun Sentinel, and the Boca Raton Tribune. Photo: courtesy of The Palm Beach Post.
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'Transcend Tomorrow' Campaign Reaches $500 Million Milestone
Florida Atlantic has raised more than $500 million in its comprehensive fundraising campaign –Transcend Tomorrow: The Campaign for Florida Atlantic University – as a result of the generosity of more than 58,000 donors. Surpassing this milestone places the university at more than 80 percent toward its $600 million goal. Read more.
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Partner With the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science as We Race Toward Excellence! | |
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Photo of the recent solar eclipse from the peak viewing time in Boca Raton at Florida Atlantic University by the Schmidt College of Science’s Jay Paredes.
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.
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