Science Connect // A Stellar FAU Gala, Meet Donna Marion, Student Spotlight, Award Recipients, In the News, and more!

CHARLES E. SCHMIDT COLLEGE OF SCIENCE | MAY 2019 View as Webpage

FAU Celebrates 'Stellar' 2019 President's Gala

Photo: Jeffrey Thol Photography. Pictured from left: Associate Professor, Elan Barenholtz, Ph.D.; Rubin Gruber; Cynthia Gruber; and Assistant Professor, Will Hahn, Ph.D.

The FAU Gala was out of this world! The event highlighted the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science and showcased talented students and celebrated the sciences. Through a year-long initiative and the Gala, FAU raised more than $7 million in support of student scholarships! Read more.

Donna Marion, Psychology Instructor and Researcher

Donna Marion, Ph.D., is a dynamic instructor and active researcher in the Department of Psychology, who uses experiential learning in both online and traditional classrooms. Watch here.

Ask a Scientist

Science Dean and professor, Ata Sarajedini, Ph.D., interviews Bill Louda, Ph.D., a Research Professor who studies water quality. Louda discusses the impacts of red tide and harmful algal blooms in Florida. Listen here.

Student Spotlight: Catherine Lo

Catherine Lo is the first student at FAU to receive a Master of Science in Marine Science and Oceanography in this newly established degree program. As one of the first students in the program created by Harbor Branch and the College of Science, she proactively sought out opportunities to help support and supplement her research, including applying for scholarships, and attending and presenting at scientific conferences.

After graduating, Catherine will join Inwater Research Group, based in Fort Pierce, Florida, as an Endangered Species Observer for a local dredging project.

National Academy of Sciences Names Alex Keene Kavli Fellow

Alex Keene, Ph.D., a leading neuroscientist at Florida Atlantic University, has been named a Kavli Fellow by The National Academy of Sciences. Alex is an Associate Professor of Biological Sciences in FAU's Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. Keene researches the neural mechanisms of sleep loss in Mexican cavefish; and he and his team are investigating the neural circuitry regulating taste memory in fruit flies.

"I am honored to have been selected as a Kavli Fellow by The National Academy of Sciences, and I am excited to be in the company of outstanding young scientists who are making important contributions in their fields," said Keene. Read more.

Alex Keene, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biological Sciences

50th Annual Honors Convocation

Donna Chamely-Wiik, Ph.D., presents undergraduate researcher, Stephen Hoover, with his award.

Florida Atlantic University President John Kelly and Provost Bret Danilowicz hosted the University’s 50th annual Honors Convocation on Wednesday, April 17. Congratulations to the award recipients from the College of Science, who are listed below. Read more.

Julie Yassa

University Scholar

Stephen Hoover

Undergraduate Researcher of the Year

Alex Keene, Ph.D.

University Researcher of the Year

Joshua Voss, Ph.D.

University Researcher of the Year

Nancy Jones, Ph.D.

Scholar of the Year

In the News

Graduate Research Day

Congratulations to the 2019 Graduate Research Day Winners and the many student competitors from the College of Science! Seven of the 11 Graduate Research Day winners are from the College of Science. Master’s and doctoral students across the University presented their research to faculty and peer judges, and the community on April 5. View photos.

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Congratulations to the 2019 Undergraduate Research Symposium poster presentation winners and oral presentation winners! On April 8, students engaged in undergraduate research and scholarly activity presented their findings through a poster/visual arts presentation, or an oral/performing arts presentation. View photos.

Autism Study Published

Researchers find that children with autism are just as 'in-tune' with their mother's feelings as children without autism. Lead author, Ph.D. student Nathaniel Shanok, worked alongside co-author Nancy Aaron Jones, Ph.D., an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology. The study was published in the journal Child Psychiatry & Human Development. Read more.