FAU Joins the Nation's Most Elite Research Universities and Colleges | |
Florida Atlantic University has officially established itself among the most prestigious colleges and universities in the United States for its notable accomplishments in research. It now holds the esteemed designation of “R1: Very High Research Spending and Doctorate Production” by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, and shares this status with less than 5% of the nearly 4,000 universities in the U.S. Read more. | |
“The R1 designation is a highly coveted achievement in the collegiate world, symbolizing the pinnacle of research excellence,” said FAU President Stacy Volnick. “This designation is more than just a title; it serves as a powerful catalyst for transformation, opening doors to major donors and research grants that will elevate our institution’s capabilities and reach.” | | |
Beneath the Bog: FAU Gets $1.3M to Track Carbon, Gas Flux in Peatlands | |
Peatlands, a type of wetland found around the globe at all latitudes, are important ecosystems that store vast amounts of carbon. Researchers from the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, and collaborators, have received a $1.3 million grant from the Department of Defense’s Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program, for a project that aims to enhance predictions of carbon storage and gas emissions across peatlands from Alaska to the Everglades by using advanced geophysical methods. Read more. | |
Xavier Comas, Ph.D., main principal investigator and a professor, Department of Geosciences, states, “We will combine geophysical methods with direct soil and gas samples to explore the influence of factors such as soil physical properties, or gas composition and age, in regulating gas distribution and emissions. This understanding may help reduce uncertainty in overall gas flux estimates from peatlands in support of climate models.” | | |
Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees Select Adam Hasner to be Eighth President | The Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees voted unanimously to select Adam Hasner as the university’s eighth president on Feb. 10, and the State University System’s Board of Governors confirmed Hasner on Feb. 20. President Hasner will build on FAU’s legacy and growing national recognition, while working with faculty and staff to chart new strategies for FAU’s future. Read more. | |
“Florida Atlantic University is a shining example of what a modern university can achieve – academic excellence, cutting-edge research, student access and success, all while maintaining a strong connection to the communities it serves,” said Hasner. “I am honored to be chosen to lead this incredible institution and work alongside its talented students, top-tier faculty, and dedicated staff to drive FAU’s mission forward. Together, we will continue to innovate, inspire and make a lasting, positive impact in the lives of our students, our community and the state.” | | |
College Commuters: Students' Mental Health Tied to Vehicle Crashes | |
Results of a Florida Atlantic study, published in the Journal of Transport & Health, examined the link between commuter college students' mental health and crash risk, highlighting the added impact on their education, especially in transit-limited South Florida. Commuter students, often lower-income, older, or balancing family responsibilities, face greater disruption from vehicle crashes, impacting their education and development. Read more. | |
“Our data suggest correlation, not causation, that students with a depressed mental health status may be more likely to be in a crash,” said Louis A. Merlin, Ph.D., senior author and an associate professor in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning. “However, causality is feasible in both directions in this case. Being in a crash could depress mental health, and having poor mental health may also increase the likelihood of being in a crash while driving.” | | |
Beyond the Burn: Harvesting Dead Wood to Reduce Wildfires | |
Researchers from the Department of Geosciences are investigating how removing dead wood could reduce wildfire risks and enhance carbon storage in the Sierra Nevada. The study focused on the effects of physical harvesting – removing specific sizes of dead and downed branches and trees – on wildfire behavior and carbon emissions. Read more. | |
“In our increasingly warming world with frequent dangerous fire weather, more people and structures at risk in the wildland-urban interface, health risks from exposure to smoke, and need to enhance carbon sequestration to mitigate global warming, scientists need to examine effective alternative management actions,” said Scott H. Markwith, Ph.D., co-author and a professor in the Department of Geosciences. | | |
Clashing With Classmates: Off-putting Traits Spark Enemy Relationships | |
Making enemies isn't random, according to scientists in the Department of Psychology. A unique longitudinal study on students aged 9 to 14 in primary and middle schools reveals the behaviors that fuel mutual disliking in children. The results, published in the Journal of Youth and Adolescence, indicate that students who behave in unattractive ways at the beginning of the school year are at elevated risk of antagonizing others and becoming involved in enemy relationships by the end of the school year. Read more. | |
“Enemies or mutual antipathies occur when two people dislike each other. Ill will needs to be reciprocated. Both parties need to share the same feeling. Mutual antipathies are not very common; less than 5% of students in our study had enemies,” said Brett Laursen, Ph.D., senior author and a professor of psychology. | | |
Resilience: A Bold New Exhibit Empowers Floridians to Tackle Climate Challenges | |
Florida is at the frontlines of the climate crisis, with rising sea levels, frequent flooding and extreme weather threatening its vibrant communities. In response, the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) in Fort Lauderdale, in collaboration with Florida Atlantic University, has unveiled “Making Florida Resilient” — an interactive and empowering exhibit designed to inspire guests to become agents of change. Read more. | |
Inaugural Biotech Bridge Hackathon Announces Winners, Innovators for a Longer, Healthier Life | |
Congratulations to the winners of the first-ever Biotech Bridge Hackathon, hosted by the Center for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1. The two-day event attracted more than 85 interdisciplinary students from across Florida Atlantic to solve a real-world health problem: How do we extend health span and slow the effects of aging? Read more. | |
Schmidt College of Science to Host Annual Pre-Health Professions Week | |
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The Charles E. Schmidt College of Science is gearing up to host its 2025 Pre-Health Professions Week to provide students with opportunities to explore health-related graduate programs. The annual event begins on Monday, March 31 and runs through Friday, April 4. All events will be held on the Boca Raton campus and are free and open to all Florida Atlantic undergraduate and graduate students.
One of the largest events of the week is the Pre-Health Graduate and Professional School Fair, which will take place on Thursday, April 3, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., on the Sanson Life Sciences Patio. More than 45 graduate programs will be represented from numerous institutions, including medical, dental, pharmacy, physician assistant, physical therapy, occupational therapy, podiatry, chiropractic, veterinary medicine and optometry. Read more.
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Engaged Residents and Natural Solutions Make Coastal Communities More Resilient, FAU Experts Say | |
During a Feb. 19 panel discussion on “Future-Proofing Our Coasts” at Florida Atlantic University as part of the Frontiers in Science Public Lecture Series, experts outlined strategies for protecting shorelines, emphasizing resilience measures and community engagement. Read more. Watch here. | |
An Academic Advisor for 'Life' at Her Alma Mater: Latarsha Morgan '00, '14 | |
For over 17 years, Latarsha Morgan ’00, ’14, has served as an advisor for students in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. She specializes in advising freshman and sophomore pre-health track students with majors such as biology, neuroscience, psychology, chemistry, exercise science and health science. “I love advising. For me, my job is incredibly rewarding because, in my own way, I am impacting the future of health care,” shared Morgan. Read more. | |
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An Rx for Excellence: Alumnus Peter Foerster
Alumnus Peter Foerster ‘22, shares how Florida Atlantic helped prepare him for pharmacy school and how he intends to serve the community in his profession. The former FAU Tiny Earth Lab assistant is now in his second year of the Pharm.D. program at the University of Florida. Read more.
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Alumna Liz Dutra Combines Science and Community Action to Restore South Florida's Ecosystems
As the Conservation Program Manager for The Institute for Regional Conservation, two-time Schmidt College of Science alumna Liz Dutra ’11, ’15, enjoys communicating her scientific knowledge to the public to inspire a shared commitment to conservation. Read more.
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Nathan Crabbe Named 2025 Center for Community News Champion
Congratulations to Nathan Crabbe, editor, FAU's The Invading Sea, for being named one of 62 honorees who are helping to forge a sustainable future for local news through university-led reporting programs. The recognition was bestowed upon him by the Center for Community News at the University of Vermont. Read more.
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Video: What Is Climate Migration?
Climate migration is when changes in the climate lead people to change locations. While people have always migrated, climate change is causing problems that increasingly drive those decisions.
This video was developed by FAU's The Invading Sea. Watch video.
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Pre-Health Professions Week
The college's annual Pre-Health Professions Week and Graduate and Professional School Fair will run Monday, March 31 to Thursday, April 3, 2025. All events will be held on the Boca Raton campus and are free and open to all FAU students. Learn more.
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FAU Three Minute Thesis Competition
The Graduate College is hosting FAU's 9th annual Three Minute Thesis Competition (3MT®) live, in-person at the Boca Raton Campus Student Union. Over $15,000 in scholarship prizes are awarded annually to winners from both the preliminary rounds and the championship. Preliminary rounds: Monday, March 10 and Tuesday, March 11. Championship: Wednesday, March 12. Learn more.
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Polymath Medical Salon
An exclusive evening event for rigorous medical professionals, researchers, and students across STEM and philosophy to learn about cutting-edge experiments that will transform how humans define, treat, and augment their physiology and cognition in the age of AI and new computational paradigms. Tuesday, March 11 from 4:30-8:30 p.m. in the Gruber AI Sandbox, Wimberly Library. Learn more.
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10th Annual Student Publication Ceremony
The Student Publication Ceremony will showcase different kinds of written work that FAU undergraduate and graduate students published in summer 2024, fall 2024 and spring 2025. The recognition ceremony will be held on the 5th floor of S.E. Wimberly Library at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 19. Deadline to apply: Wednesday, March 12. Learn more.
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Mindfest 2025
Hosted by FAU's Center for the Future Mind, this conference brings together thought leaders who study the future of intelligence, especially artificial intelligence, philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience, to discuss the interaction between mind and machine, the nature of intelligence and conscious experience. Wednesday, March 12 and Thursday, March 13. Learn more.
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Continuing Education Courses in the Department of Biological Sciences
The Department of Biological Sciences is offering two continuing education courses that are available to students, members of the community, and out of state enrollees: Assisted Reproductive Technology and DNA Forensics. Tuesday, March 18 to Thursday, April 17. Learn more.
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Careers in Psychology Fair
In conjunction with the university's Career Center, the Schmidt College of Science will host a Careers in Psychology event on Thursday, March 20, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the Sanson Life Sciences Patio. Join us for an exciting opportunity to network with employers. This event will bring a variety of organizations to campus to share information about their programs, internships, and job opportunities. Learn more.
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Careers in Environmental Sciences Fair
In conjunction with the university's Career Center, the Schmidt College of Science will host a Careers in Environmental Science event on Thursday, March 27, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the Sanson Life Sciences Patio. This event will bring a variety of organizations to campus to share information about their programs, internships, and job opportunities with students. 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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HBOI Ocean Lecture Series
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute has released the schedule for its spring 2025 free community lecture series. The series takes place every Wednesday through the end of March. Learn more.
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Faculty Travel Fund Applications
The deadline for College of Science faculty to submit applications for summer and fall 2025 conferences is Friday, April 4. Learn more.
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WLW-ECOS Travel Grant
Grants of up to $2,000 per person will be awarded to help offset expenses associated with travel to present research at scientific conferences or to attend workshops for specialized training. Applications must be from ECOS-affiliated faculty or member of their lab (postdoc or graduate/undergraduate student). Upcoming deadline: Thursday, May 1. Learn more.
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MCAT Test Prep Course
FAU Test Preparation, in alliance with the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, developed FAU's MCAT Course to prepare students for the successful completion of the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). The Live Online course offers instructor-created video lessons and problem sets contained within the learning management system CANVAS, supported by live video-conference sessions, and includes 6 full length computerized practice exams. Summer course starts May 29. Learn more.
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Join Florida Atlantic's School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability (ECOS)
Florida Atlantic's School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability (ECOS) invites all FAU faculty, postdocs, and graduate students 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 the university. Learn more.
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The Surprising Importance of This Adorable Sea Turtle Dance
Jeanette Wyneken, Ph.D., director of the Marine Science Lab and professor of biological sciences, was featured in several national publications, including AP News, Smithsonian Magazine, Scientific American and Earth.com, about the "superpowers" baby loggerhead turtles use to identify specific magnetic signatures which help them return to the same foraging grounds and nesting sites.
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Monday, March 10-Tuesday, March 11, 2025
FAU Three Minute Thesis Competition Preliminary Rounds
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Polymath Medical Salon
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Art of Science Interactive Gallery Opening Night
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
FAU Three Minute Thesis Competition Championship Round
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Student Publication Ceremony
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Wednesday, March 12-Thursday, March 13, 2025
Mindfest 2025
Thursday, March 20, 2025
Careers in Psychology Fair
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Careers in Environmental Science Fair
Monday, March 31-Thursday, April 3, 2025
Pre-Health Professions Week and Graduate and Professional School Fair
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Partner With the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science as We Race Toward Excellence! | |
Pictured: "Where is it," FAU Art of Science Faculty in the Lab winner, Maciej Stawikowski, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Learn more. | |
At the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, we have an unprecedented obligation and opportunity to provide our students and community with the highest caliber of research, scientific invention, and education in the country. | | | | |
