Fall 2024 Student Welcome Week
In 1999, Florida Atlantic’s brand-new Honors College opened its doors to the first class of 77 incoming freshmen. Twenty-five years later, the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College’s newest class of freshmen and transfer students brought the enrollment to more than 670 undergraduates. Students began moving in on Aug. 13, and new students and their parents were welcomed to the college during a special orientation on Aug. 14. Classes for the fall semester began Aug. 19.
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Tackling Dopamine-linked Brain Disorders
Dopamine, a powerful brain chemical and neurotransmitter, is a key regulator of many important functions such as attention, experiencing pleasure and coordinating movement. Many brain disorders are associated with alterations in dopamine signaling, including substance abuse disorder, autism and bipolar disorder. Identifying the underlying causes of dopamine-signaling disruption can have major implications on understanding these disorders. With the help of a tiny worm and a powerful platform generated via the Million Mutation Project, researchers from the Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute have helped identify new factors in how dopamine works in the brain.
Read more.
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New Technology for Neuroscience Research
FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute recently added new research technology. The GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiler (DSP) is a novel digital technology (proprietary of NanoString, a Bruker company) that is based on multiplexed measurement of protein and/or nucleic acids. The GeoMx DSP samples all protein or RNA analytes on a single slide in a unique manner allowing for spatial and cellular resolution on a microscopic level. Often the analyses of protein and RNA occur in a manner that cannot take into account the complexities of spatial resolution nor the impact that heterogenous cell populations have on the levels of expression. The GeoMX DSP provides a unique platform to take both of these aspects of an experiment into account and allows for increased experimental complexity and enhances impact and specificity of the data acquisition. The GeoMX DSP is currently being run to assess the impact of inflammation in distinct brain regions, as well as mutations related to autism spectrum disorder. The technology is part of the Advanced Cell Imaging Core at FAU and is also open to external use.
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Summer Research Symposium
In July, the Jupiter Office of Academic Affairs hosted the annual Summer Research Symposium. Each year, undergraduate students have the opportunity to work in research labs throughout the John D. MacArthur Campus, including the Jupiter Life Science Initiative, the Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience and UF Scripps. They then present their research projects during the annual poster symposium. This year saw one of the highest attended symposiums to date. Students are supported during the 10-week program through fellowships including the Nambu Memorial Research Experiences for Undergraduate Scholars, Magar Summer Fellows, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College Morton Research Fellows and - new this year - the Zeiss BrAInsight Builders Internship.
*Photos courtesy of Zeiss and Bethany Stanhope, Ph.D.
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Academy for Community Inclusion
Florida Atlantic’s Academy for Community Inclusion welcomed 11 new students for the Fall 2024 semester. The mission of ACI is to increase overall independence in employment, self-determination and community experiences for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The program, which is held in-person between the Jupiter and Boca Raton campuses, is part of the College of Education's Department of Special Education. Students earn certificates in supported employment, supported community access and supported community living. These certificates are built on courses that lead to employment, independent living and mastery of self-advocacy skills.
Learn more.
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Janke Innovations in Sustainability Science Research Fund 2024 Awardee
In December 2015, Florida Atlantic's Center for Environmental Studies received a $1 million gift from Dr. Walter and Lalita Janke to establish the Walter and Lalita Janke Innovations in Sustainability Science Research Fund. Over the past nine years, this fund has awarded $352,000 to Florida Atlantic faculty research that advances knowledge and applications relevant for improving environmental sustainability.
The 2024 Janke Award has been granted to Khaled Sobhan, Ph.D., a professor in the College of Engineering and Computer Science's Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering, for his research titled "Alternative Foundation System for Large Wind Turbine Generators with Lower Economical and Environmental Cost: A Proof-of-Concept Study for Sustainable Design and Construction.” This project potentially supports enhancement of existing energy technologies for a clean and renewable energy source while promoting concepts of environmental sustainability.
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Florida Atlantic President Stacy Volnick, Ph.D. and Randy Blakely, Ph.D., executive director of the Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, were recognized in Palm Beach Illustrated's annual Palm Beach 100 list. The list highlights Palm Beach County residents whose work in business, philanthropy and community contribute significantly to elevating the county's status and quality of life.
Read more.
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Art of Science Contest
It's time to capture brilliance for the 6th annual Art of Science Contest - open to all faculty, staff, students and postdocs to submit photos and videos of their research, scholarship and creative activity. Submissions will be displayed in the Ritter Art Gallery in Spring 2025. The early bird submission deadline is Sept. 20.
Learn more.
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Florida Atlantic Wave Competition
The Florida Atlantic Wave Competition encourages undergraduate and graduate students to develop innovative ideas addressing societal problems. The winner will receive a $2,000 award. Applications are open through Oct. 16.
Apply.
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Graduate College Open House
The Florida Atlantic Graduate College will host its annual Open House on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Boca Raton Campus, Student Union. This event will feature all the graduate program representatives from all academic colleges and departments. There will also be a special information presentation for FAU High School students and their families. All attendees will have the opportunity to:
- Explore 100+ nationally ranked master's, specialist, and doctoral programs with flexible options for evening, weekend and online courses
- Interact with distinguished faculty and admissions representatives
- Learn about fellowships, assistantships and financial aid
- Learn about graduate student services and support
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Jupiter Service Carnival
Tuesday, Sept. 3, 1 to 3 p.m.
Dining Hall Lawn, Jupiter Campus
Neuroscience Seminar Series
Tuesday, Sept. 3, 4 to 5 p.m.
GS-2, Room 117, Boca Raton Campus
CMBB Seminar Series
Wednesday, Sept. 9, 3:30 to 4:40 p.m.
Research Facility, Room 119
Jupiter Campus
Neuroscience Seminar Series
Thursday, Sept. 10, 4 to 5 p.m.
Jupiter Campus
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The Florida Atlantic Career Fair
Thursday, Sept. 12, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Boca Raton Campus
Lunch and Lead
Wednesday, Sept. 18, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
The Burrow, Jupiter Campus
Jupiter Faculty and Staff Mixer
Wednesday, Sept. 25, 4 to 6 p.m.
SR149, Jupiter Campus
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Starry Nights Author Series featuring Jennifer Egan
Wednesday, Oct. 30
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Masterminds
The new issue of Masterminds is here. Read all the latest news from
FAU Stiles-Nicholson
Brain Institute.
Read more.
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Campus Virtual Tour
Explore key Jupiter campus locations and learn about life as a Wilkes Honors College student without leaving your home.
The virtual tour takes visitors through the John D. MacArthur Campus, world-class research facilities and the Jupiter community with nearby beaches.
Tour now.
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Research Rising
FAU's Division of Research’s 2023 Annual Momentum Report underscores the university's meteoric growth in research over the last five years, driven by faculty expertise, best-in-class facilities and innovative collaborations with premier partners.
Read more.
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