FAU Lands $1.3M NSF Grant to Boost Dryland Soil Quality | |
Drylands, found across every continent, cover about 45% of the Earth's land surface and support 38% of the human population. These regions host distinct soil microbial communities, which play essential roles in enhancing soil stability, minimizing erosion, nitrogen fixation, and enriching soil organic matter. To enhance understanding of climate resistance of individual microbes and to improve microbial remediations to reduce soil degradation under climate change, Florida Atlantic University has received a $1.3 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Read more. | |
“The design of microbial assemblages for dryland restoration will test our novel hypothesis that integrating bacterial and fungal communities will confer greater resistance against heat and drought and restore function to degraded soils,” said Vanessa Moreira Camara Fernandes, Ph.D., principal investigator and an assistant professor of biological sciences. | | |
Nighttime Data Shows Inequities in Hurricane Michael Power Restoration | In 2018, Hurricane Michael wreaked havoc when it made landfall as a Category 5 storm – the strongest recorded to hit the Florida Panhandle. To unravel the complex effects of the hurricane, researchers from Florida Atlantic University and collaborators combined remote sensing data, official outage records, and census information to provide an in-depth view of the initial damage, the restoration process, and its impact on vulnerable populations. Results of the study, published in the journal Remote Sensing, reveal notable differences in power-restoration rates between urbanized and rural areas and between disadvantaged and more affluent communities. Read more. | |
“Our study emphasizes the importance of integrating socioeconomic factors into disaster preparedness and recovery-planning efforts, stressing the need for targeted interventions to mitigate disparities in recovery times following natural disasters,” said Diana Mitsova, Ph.D., senior author and chair and professor of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning. | | |
'Baby Talk:' How Children's Vocal and Cognitive Cues Sway Adults | |
A new study by Florida Atlantic University and collaborators reveals how evolution has shaped children to use different signals to elicit care from adults, highlighting how different cues influence judgements in early childhood. Results of the study, published in the journal Evolution and Human Behavior, found that adults are more attentive to children’s voices when assessing their happiness or helplessness. However, when evaluating a child’s intelligence or negative emotions, adults focus more on the content of what the child says rather than the tone of their voice. Read more. | |
“Our research shows that while facial expressions remain important, they are less effective in conveying certain types of information compared to vocal and cognitive signals,” said David Bjorklund, Ph.D., co-author, associate chair and professor, Department of Psychology. “Understanding these dynamics can improve our grasp of caregiver-child interactions and inform approaches to support both children and caregivers.” | | |
For Bigger Muscles Push Close to Failure, For Strength, Maybe Not | |
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University and collaborators analyzed how training close to failure or not impacts muscle growth and strength. The study primarily looked at how training close to failure affects muscle growth in the main muscles used in an exercise. Results of the study, published in the journal Sports Medicine, found that how close you train to failure doesn’t have a clear impact on strength gains. Read more. | |
“If you’re aiming for muscle growth, training closer to failure might be more effective. In other words, it doesn’t matter if you adjust training volume by changing sets or reps; the relationship between how close you train to failure and muscle growth remains the same,” said Michael C. Zourdos, Ph.D., senior author and professor and chair of the Department of Exercise Science and Health Promotion. | | |
FAU Ranks Among ‘Washington Monthly’ Top Public, Private Universities | |
Florida Atlantic University has been ranked No. 41 overall among the nation’s best public and private universities by Washington Monthly’s annual College Guide, moving up five spots from No. 46 in 2023.
Additionally, Florida Atlantic ranks No. 6 in the Southeast on the prestigious “America’s Best Bang for the Buck Colleges” list, recognized for providing non-wealthy students with marketable degrees at an affordable cost. This is an improvement from our No. 13 ranking in 2023. Read more.
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Distinguished Exercise Science and Health Promotion Faculty Member Named Career Recipient of NSCA Impact Award | |
The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) honored B. Sue Graves, Ed. D., FACSM, FISSN, with the organization’s 2024 Impact Award. The longtime director of the FAU Well Program and associate professor in the Schmidt College of Science’s Department of Exercise Science and Health Promotion received the award during the NSCA’s national conference and awards banquet held on July 12, in Baltimore, MD. The NSCA is considered the worldwide authority in the field of strength and conditioning – an area many of her students are focused on. Read more. | |
"The NSCA provides cutting-edge information regarding research, education, and practical experience,” stated Graves. “This focus enables our students to empower themselves, enhancing individuals of all ages with their performance.” | | |
New Director Search for the School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability | |
We are embarking on a search for a new director of the Florida Atlantic School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability to recruit a collaborative, dynamic, and nationally recognized leader in environmental science. The director will lead a vibrant, growing community of scholar-educators on the frontlines of solving some of the world’s most complex and societally relevant problems. Learn more. | |
How Science, Conservation, and Education Are Thriving at the Riverwoods Field Lab | |
Located in the Kissimmee River Basin, the Riverwoods Field Laboratory was established in 1995 to provide a physical base, as well as support for the extensive research and educational activities related to the restoration of the Kissimmee River – the mighty headwaters of the Everglades. Read more. | |
“My favorite part of my job is the outreach,” shared Riverwoods Manager Amber Moore. “We get all kinds of visitors here. We have water managers who regularly visit from Holland, college students, and local kids who participate in FAU’s Pine Jog camps. Every one of them takes the knowledge they learned here back to their homes.” | | |
FAU Science Co-PI on $1.3M Collaborative Conservation Project | |
The United States National Science Foundation and the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation have announced a $1.3 million collaborative grant to the College of Engineering and Computer Science at Florida Atlantic University, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, and Old Dominion University. The team’s project aims to cost-effectively identify and track wildlife using generative AI, with a focus on manatees. Sarah Milton, Ph.D., chair and professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, will serve as a project co-PI. Read more. | |
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Dr. Samantha Kuschke Jumpstarts Career in Academia and Sea Turtle Research Through New Postdoctoral Program
Samantha Kuschke, DVM, Ph.D., M.Ed., along with Tiffany Roberts Briggs, Ph.D., chair, associate professor, and director of the Coastal Studies Lab in the Department of Geosciences, will investigate the presence of a fungal organism (Fusarium sp.) in leatherback sea turtle nests and in the sand on local beaches. This fungal organism causes sea turtle egg fusariosis (STEF), which can lead to the death of sea turtle eggs. Read more.
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Alumna Spotlight: Sadelyn De Los Santos '15
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science alumna Sadelyn De Los Santos, B.S. ’15, MCMSc, PA-C, adored her time as an undergraduate at Florida Atlantic. Her incredible academic experience as a Biological Sciences student helped foster her love of learning and prepare for her future graduate studies and medical career. Read more.
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Meet 2024 OURI SURF Fellow Nicolas Salás
Junior Nicolás Salas, a Neuroscience and Behavior major, was selected by the Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry for its annual Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program. He aims to find a mechanism to facilitate the transport of chemical sensors through hydrophobic and hydrophilic solutions, along with faculty mentor, Renjie Wang, Ph.D., assistant professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry. If he discovers a method, it could facilitate drug administration and possibly reuptake or recycle drugs. Read more.
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Video: What is Gray-Green Infrastructure?
Gray-green infrastructure combines both natural and constructed systems, with the "gray" being concrete structures and the "green" being living things like corals, plants, and soil. This video was developed by FAU’s The Invading Sea. Watch video.
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Science Social and Student Research Competition | |
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Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024 | 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. | Sanson Life Sciences Patio, Boca Raton Campus
We are hosting our inaugural Science Social to build our community of future scientists and help our new undergraduate students engage with the college through learning about all the opportunities we offer. Students can learn about degree programs, research opportunities, meet with advisors, learn about joining student organizations, talk with offices from around the university such as the Career Center, speak with faculty members, connect with special units in the college such as the Office of Pre-Health Professions, and more.
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Dr. Eric Shaw Excellence in Science Undergraduate Research Poster Competition
Thursday, October 17, 2024 | Time TBA | Sanson Life Sciences Building, First Floor
The poster competition includes cash awards to the top poster presentations: $1,000 first prize; $600 second prize; $400 third prize. Schmidt College of Science undergraduate students will have the opportunity to showcase their research projects and innovations. These poster competition awards are generously sponsored by the Dr. Eric Shaw Excellence in Science Undergraduate Research Award to create a platform and opportunity for students in the Schmidt College of Science to participate in the communication of scientific research to their peer groups, faculty, and community members.
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Deadline to Apply to Compete: October 4, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. | |
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2024 Art of Science and Photography Contest
Calling all Florida Atlantic faculty, staff, students, and postdocs! The early bird deadline for the sixth annual Art of Science Photography and Video Contest is Friday, September 20. Learn more.
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Fall 2024 Pre-Health Workshop Series
August 28-November 6: The Schmidt College of Science has created a series of special workshops to assist students who are navigating their journeys toward health care professions. Learn more.
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Fall 2024 Electrocardiogram (EKG-12 Leads Technician Course)
Fall session runs from September 11-October 16. 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. Learn more.
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Certified Nursing Assistant Test Prep Course (CNA)
Session B runs from September 21-October 19. The course is 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. Learn more.
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MCAT Live Online Test Prep Course
August 27-December 10: The Live Online course offers instructor-created video lessons and problem sets contained in CANVAS, supported by live video-conference sessions, and includes six full-length computerized practice exams. Learn more.
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Annual Florida Atlantic Graduate College Open House
October 3: Attendees will have the opportunity to explore over 100 of FAU's nationally ranked graduate programs, interact with distinguished faculty and admissions representatives, learn about funding opportunities and services for graduate students, and more. Learn more.
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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.
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Become An Affiliate Member of FAU's School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability
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. Learn more.
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Your South Florida PBS: Can AI Truly Become Conscious?
Associate Professor Elan Barenholtz, Ph.D., was featured on Your South Florida PBS to discuss how the power of AI is being used to develop innovative ways to study the brain while also examining the long-term implications. Watch here.
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Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Public Viewing Night FAU Observatory
Thursday, September 19, 2024
FAU Giving Day
Friday, September 20, 2024
Art of Science submissions due
Saturday, September 21, 2024
Explore FAU Day
Friday, October 4, 2024
Public Viewing Night FAU Observatory
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Partner With the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science as We Race Toward Excellence! | |
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Florida Atlantic Giving Day 2024
Florida Atlantic University’s annual Giving Day emphasizes the importance of philanthropy and fosters a sense of community and engagement. A gift of any amount supports student scholarships, faculty research, and programs that impact the South Florida community and beyond.
On Sept. 19, 2024, over a period of 24 hours, Florida Atlantic alumni, students, faculty, staff, parents, and friends are encouraged to make charitable donations to a college or program of their choice, including the Schmidt College of Science.
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