CHARLES E. SCHMIDT COLLEGE OF SCIENCE | DECEMBER 2022 View as Webpage
Scientists Land $3 Million NSF Grant to Empower Coral Reef Monitoring
Photo credit: Michael Gil, Ph.D.
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University, the University of Colorado at Boulder, the University of New Mexico, and the University of California, Santa Cruz, have received a five-year, $3 million grant from the National Science Foundation for a project to empower community members already interested in coral reef health with the tools needed to document changes in these systems. Ashkaan K. Fahimipour, Ph.D., is co-principal investigator and an assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences in FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. Read more.
FAU Lands U.S. Department of Defense Grant for Powerful Imaging Tool
FAU received a $599,503 grant from the United States Department of Defense for a powerful high resolution imaging technique that can reveal nanoscale structures. The acquisition of the Transmission Electron Microscopy is a joint effort across six colleges and institutes at FAU including the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, the Schmidt College of MedicineHarbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, and the College of Education. Vivian Merk, Ph.D., serves as the principal investigator and is an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. Read more.
Study Explores Shark Nose Shape, Size and Link to Sensitivity of Smell
Photo credit: Aubrey Clark, corresponding author and a doctoral student in FAU’s Biomechanics Lab, and the FAU High School Owls Imaging Lab.
Sharks have reputations as “super smellers” that use olfaction to detect odors related to finding prey and mates, communicating with their own species and avoiding predators. Marianne E. Porter, Ph.D., is the senior author and an associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences. Results of the study were published in the Journal of Morphology. Read more.
Fall Issue of Florida Atlantic Magazine Released
The Fall 2022 issue of Florida Atlantic magazine is now available online as a flipbook and a downloadable PDF. Inside the publication, you'll find stories that showcase the university's groundbreaking research, student achievements, and stories about our accomplished alumni. Read more.
Alumna Named Sectional Chief of Surgery: Maria S. Altieri, M.S., M.D.
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science alumna Maria S. Altieri, M.S., M.D., was named Section Chief of Gastrointestinal Surgery at Pennsylvania Hospital, University of Pennsylvania. She leads a team of surgeons who are dedicated to treating illnesses in gastrointestinal surgery. In her new role, Altieri said that her goals are “to improve on the already existing excellence of the minimally invasive and bariatric program.” Read more.
Researchers Inducted into FAU Chapter of National Academy of Inventors
This year’s inductees include Warner A. Miller, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Physics within FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. In concert with Qubitekk and L3Harris, Miller is leading the nation’s efforts to deliver the first drone-based, mobile quantum network to seamlessly maneuver around buildings, inclement weather and terrain, and quickly adapt to changing environments such as warfare. Read more.
Schmidt College of Science and Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute Receive Grant to Study Neurodegeneration
Pictured: Maciej Stawikowski, Ph.D.
Thanks to a recent $435,000 grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, researchers from Florida Atlantic University’s Schmidt College of Science and FAU’s Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute hope to better understand how these intricate, subcellular cholesterol transport pathways work and how they contribute to neurodegeneration. The award recipients, Maciej Stawikowski, Ph.D., research associate professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Qi Zhang, Ph.D., research assistant professor, Biomedical Science, Schmidt College of Medicine and the Schmidt College of Science, are both members of FAU’s Brain Institute. Read more.
Schmidt College of Science Strategic Faculty Hiring Initiative
The Schmidt College of Science is undertaking a major strategic hiring initiative to recruit 16 new faculty members across the College’s eight academic departments that will build on our areas of strength in Environment, Health, and Computational and Data-Driven Science. Read more.
Student Spotlight: Medical Biology Major Vanessa Belizaire
Vanessa Belizaire is embarking on her second year in the Schmidt College of Science’s new medical biology degree program. Belizaire, who was also recently named a Florida Atlantic University Schmidt College of Science Soar-in-4 Scholar, chose the program because it offers a background in both research and medicine. Read more.
Frontiers in Science Public Lecture Series 2023
The 2023 season of the Frontiers in Science Public Lecture Series, hosted by the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, will kick-off in January. In the new year, lectures will be back in-person, with live talks along with question and answer sessions. Registration is required. We invite you to explore the sciences with us!
January 27

"A Novel Approach to Determine Microbial Survival Strategies Against Antibiotics”

Kalai Mathee, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Professor of Human and Molecular Genetics, Florida International University

Location: FAU Boca Raton campus, room TBA
Time: 4:00 p.m.
February 3

“Nuclear Fusion to Combat Climate Change: Promise and Key Challenges”

Juergen Rapp, Ph.D.
Chief Scientist of MPEX (Materials Plasma Exposure Experiment) Machine at Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Location: FAU Boca Raton campus, room TBA
Time: 4:00 p.m.
February 10

“American Conspiracy Theories"

Joseph Uscinski, Ph.D.
Professor of Political Science, University of Miami

Location: FAU Boca Raton campus, room TBA
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Click here to view all of the speakers this upcoming season.
Watch 'The Webb Effect: A Revolution in Space Astronomy'
Did you miss the inaugural event to kick off the Nat and Dorothy Hyman Science Lecture Series on Nov. 17? Watch "The Webb Effect: A Revolution in Space Astronomy" with renowned Astronomer Lou Strolger, Ph.D., Space Telescope Science Institute. Learn more.
Annual Pumpkin Drop and Physics Carnival
Our Annual Pumpkin Drop and Physics Carnival returned this fall and we all had a smashing good time! Thanks to President John Kelly and Schmidt College of Science Dean Valery Forbes for dropping the first pumpkins, and to the Department of Physics for hosting such an exciting event. View more photos.
WPBF 25 News: Crowd Gathers for FAU's Annual Pumpkin Drop and Physics Carnival
WPBF 25 News featured the annual Pumpkin Drop and Physics Carnival that took place on Oct. 28. Charles E. Schmidt College of Science faculty launched pumpkins from the top of the College's four-story SE-43 building, all in the name of physics. Watch here.
MCAT Course Test Prep
Spring Course Begins January 12, 2023

  • 90 teaching hours (30 sessions) and added on-demand content
  • Comprehensive reviews of all sections of the MCAT
  • Taught by FAU Schmidt College of Science faculty and FAU Test Prep instructors
  • 12 hours of CARS score improvement methods
  • 5 full-length computer practice exams (including two official AAMC tests) and complete set of textbooks
Fall 2022 Pre-Health Workshop Series
September to December, 2022

The Pre-Health Professions Workshop series runs throughout the Fall 2022 semester with virtual and/or in-person sessions. Workshops are open to all campuses. Learn more.
Deadline Extended: Schmidt College of Science Excellence Awards
To recognize the achievements of our faculty and staff, the Schmidt College of Science will present these awards at an inaugural celebration in Spring 2023. The awards recognize research, teaching, advising, service, and dedication to the College’s mission and improving students’ experiences.

Deadline extended to submit nominations: January 10, 2023.
Jumpstart Postdoctoral Program 
The Jumpstart Postdoctoral Program aims to stimulate synergy between faculty and postdoctoral associates and encourage greater multidisciplinary collaboration. The program provides opportunities for postdocs and our faculty to engage in multidisciplinary research that addresses societally relevant problems. Faculty interested in starting a new collaboration and in supporting early career scientists, this is an ideal opportunity to do both.
Become a Cybersecurity Expert
Earn an advanced graduate degree or certificate in cybersecurity and elevate your career path. Our graduates in the Department of Mathematical Sciences acquire high-demand, specialized skills and are sought after by some of the biggest names in the technology industry, government, and academics. Learn more.
In the News
Soar-in-4 Scholars Lunch

The College's Soar-in-4 scholars joined advisors and college leadership for a lunch to connect with peers and discuss their academic journey and career aspirations. The College's advisors also discussed how the students are supported as part of the Soar-in-4 program.
Fall Sophomore Social

The College recently hosted its annual Fall Sophomore Social where students had the opportunity to meet with advisors, academic departments in the College, student organizations, faculty, the Pre-Health Professions team, and more. View photos.
Hurricane Preparedness: Evaluating Plans for Large Cities Across the U.S.

John Renne, Ph.D., Professor and Director of the FAU Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions, appeared on Fox Weather to discuss the results of his study that revealed most major U.S. cities do not have emergency plans in place in the event of a major disaster. Watch here.
Upcoming Events
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Submit your news for Science Connect to scicomm@fau.edu.