Week of March 1, 2022

From the President

I was delighted to participate in the Synapse Summit on Feb. 17 to discuss the state of innovation at USF, in the region, and throughout Florida with fellow presidents Dr. Kent Fuchs of the University of Florida, and Dr. Alexander Cartwright of the University of Central Florida. It was a wonderful opportunity to showcase the state-of-the-art research and innovation at USF, highlight our impact on the community and beyond, and field questions on an array of important topics. You can watch the full panel discussion here. Kudos for a successful event led by USF alum and Synapse CEO Ryan Kornfeld, our latest Boundless Bull.

Updates

• Women's History Month began this week with a theme of "Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope." It is a tribute to the ceaseless work of caregivers and frontline workers during the ongoing pandemic and a recognition of the thousands of ways that women of all cultures have provided both healing and hope throughout history. Examples abound of women health care professionals, scholars and alumnae making substantial contributions and a significant impact at USF. And I encourage you to read our story of how women are playing leading roles on all three of our campuses.

• It was my pleasure to address the annual Black Faculty and Staff Association breakfast on Feb. 18, welcoming new Black faculty and staff to USF. The BFSA's mission is a vital one – fostering a work environment of respect and cooperation on our three campuses and offering support through networking, events and workshops. This event allows us to celebrate diversity at USF, and it also serves as a reminder that equity, belonging and justice must also be valued as key elements of our inclusive community.

• Student Health Services plays such a key role in caring for our students, and I was pleased to stop by and express my gratitude to Executive and Medical Director Dr. Joe Puccio and the entire SHS staff for their tireless dedication – especially in their response to COVID, keeping our students and the university community safe.

• I want to be sure everyone in our Bulls family knows that the schedule for next football season is out, so you can start circling dates right now to attend USF home games at Raymond James Stadium. The season opener is set for Sept. 3 against Brigham Young University, with Homecoming on Oct. 15 against Tulane. Take a look here and Go Bulls!

Inside USF: The Podcast

AUDIO PREVIEW: The growth of USF research

Next month’s ribbon-cutting for the new, state-of-the-art building in the USF Research Park is yet another sign of the growth of USF’s research enterprise. Sylvia Wilson Thomas, interim vice president for research and innovation, discusses the significance of the new facility, the efforts of faculty to address local and global challenges, and her longstanding advocacy for bringing more diversity to the STEM fields. You can listen to the full podcast here.

Around One USF

USF offers first look at new creative space with Contemporary Art Museum expansion into St. Petersburg

The University of South Florida is increasing opportunities for students and the general public to engage with the arts. With the build-out of 3,100 square feet of space currently underway, USF’s College of The Arts is expanding its museum into St. Petersburg. The new gallery, named Generator: USF Contemporary Art Museum, will be an incubator of new ideas and artistic experimentation with time-based art installations.

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DNA from ancient skeletons shine light on how early humans lived and interacted

DNA from a 4,500-year-old skeleton discovered by USF professors has contributed to a new continent-wide analysis of human remains buried in African archaeological sites, revealing a fascinating story of how early humans lived, traveled and even found their significant others.

An interdisciplinary team of 44 researchers, including USF St. Petersburg campus Anthropology Professors Kathy and John Arthur, released findings of their far-reaching analysis in a paper published in Nature.

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The power of breaking a sweat: New cardio machines create energy at USF

New cardio equipment in the USF Campus Recreation Center allows users to convert their workout into electricity. USF is the first college or university in Florida to have 12 SportsArt ECO-POWR treadmills, ellipticals and indoor cycles. Each one-hour workout can power a desktop computer for at least two hours. Users can keep track of their progress through a digital leaderboard that displays real-time data on how much electricity students generate on the equipment.

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Additional University News Sources

USF in the News

Fox 13 aired and wrote a story about the U.S. military seeking help preventing cyber attacks, and have tapped the best minds at local universities, including USF.

Florida Trend wrote about three USF biomedical engineering students who have developed a ventilator that can serve multiple patients.

The Tampa Bay Times showcased a years-long asthma study by a USF researcher that could point a way forward in closing the disease's historic racial gaps.

More USF In the News

Did you Know?

The USF Health College of Nursing is the first in the State University System to offer an RFNA (Registered Nurse First Assistant) program. In partnership with Port Tampa Bay, USF has also created a first-of-its-kind, on-site, nurse-managed clinical outreach that will provide direct care for the thousands of seafarers whose global maritime routes bring them to Port Tampa Bay each year.