FAU researchers have developed a new machine learning approach to quantify fire-induced thaw settlement across the entire Tanana Flats in Alaska, which encompasses more than 3 million acres. “Our study has shown that linking airborne repeat lidar with Landsat products is an encouraging tool for large-scale quantification of fire-induced thaw settlement,” said Caiyun Zhang, Ph.D., senior author and a professor in the Department of Geosciences within FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. Read more.

What gives one friend influence over another and why? FAU researchers tested the theory that children with few friends protect these friendships through conformity to stay in a friend's "good graces." Brett Laursen, Ph.D., senior author and professor of psychology in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, found that partners with fewer friends were influenced by children with more friends. In each case, the partner with fewer friends became more similar to the partner with more friends. Read more.

All are welcome to celebrate the sciences at Science Fest! Enjoy science-related exhibitions, a student poster competition, interactive games, activities, and networking opportunities to connect with each other. Learn more.

CALL FOR POSTERS: Undergraduate Student Research Competition

The Science Fest undergraduate student poster presentation competition includes a $1,000 award to the top poster presentation. Undergraduate students will have the opportunity to showcase their research projects and innovations relating to a specific discipline within the Schmidt College of Science. Learn more and apply to compete. Deadline to apply: March 13, 2023, 5 p.m.

Recent Integrative Biology Ph.D. graduate Alexis Sturm began her prestigious NOAA John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship in February. In 2019, she also received an M.S. in Biology from the College.

“Participating in the NOAA Knauss Fellowship has been a long-term dream of mine,” Sturm said. “My hometown of Silver Spring, MD, is where NOAA’s headquarters are based. I interned there when I was in high school - which is when I also first learned about the fellowship. I have always been interested in conducting applied science with the purpose of improving our management approaches and policies to better conserve our precious marine ecosystems.” Read more.

United States Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) visited Florida Atlantic University to tour FAU’s quantum physics laboratory in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. Warner A. Miller, Ph.D., a professor of physics who spearheads the laboratory, provided an overview and demonstration of the nation’s first drone-based, mobile quantum network housed at FAU. Read more.

Derek Aoki, graduate student in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science at FAU's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, recently co-authored a paper that used forensic analysis of shark bites on sea turtles in Florida and Alabama to infer the possible size and species of the predator. One of the most interesting finds, according to Aoki, is that great white sharks accounted for the most probable predator. Read more.

Congratulations to the 2023 Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Championship and Heat winners from the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science! The 3MT® competition challenges graduate students around the world to pitch their research in only 3 minutes to a live audience. Five 3MT Heats took place from February 20-22, and the Championship was on February 24. The College had a number of Heat winners across a range of scientific disciplines throughout the competition, which can be viewed here.

Hayley Knapp

"From Poop to Parent: Examining Paternity in Dynamic Atlantic Spotted Dolphin Populations in the Bahamas"

Amish Mishra

"So, you wanna build a protein?"

Learn more about the FAU 3MT Competition and view all the winners. Watch the recording of the 2023 FAU 3MT Championship.

Four exceptional FAU Charles E. Schmidt College of Science students have set their sights on attending medical school after graduation. To help them continue their scientific ambitions, seniors Lina Crisostomo, Tsaiace Edwards, Jorge Torres and Mikhail Isaac have each been awarded $1,000 to fully fund their FAU Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) preparatory course fees from the Douglas and Virginia Stewart Foundation. All four of these academically high-achieving students are part of the first cohort of the College’s prestigious Soar-in-4 Scholars Program. Read more.

FAU's Charles E. Schmidt College of Science is excited to bring health-related graduate programs and students together for the 2023 Pre-Health Professions Week. This year, the event will be back in-person on the Boca Raton campus. Events will begin on Monday, March 13, and run through Friday, March 17. All events are free and open to FAU students, alumni and the surrounding community.

The 2023 season of the Frontiers in Science Public Lecture Series, hosted by the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, is underway. Lectures are back in-person, with live talks along with question and answer sessions. Registration is required. We invite you to explore the sciences with us!

Click here to view all of the speakers this upcoming season.

Financial aid-based and merit-based scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students. Deadline to apply: March 3, 2023.

Sarajedini Family Scholarship (Financial-Aid Based)

Dean Perry College of Science Graduate Scholarship Fund (Merit Based Award - Spring Only)

The Schmidt College of Science held a Faculty Teaching Forum in January on academic integrity that provided a platform for faculty to exchange best practice ideas. The teaching forums also encouraged faculty to share teaching-related resources and join discussions on topics such as classroom management, curriculum innovation, student learning outcome assessment and academic integrity for all modes of teaching. Read more.

In February, the Schmidt College of Science announced Zhixiao Xie, Ph.D., as the next Associate Dean for Graduate Studies. Since 2015, Professor Xie has served as Chair of the Department of Geosciences and was previously the Associate Dean for Research and Partnership Initiatives, Chair of the College Graduate Programs Committee, member of the University Graduate Program Committee and University Graduate Council. He formally began his new role on February 18.

Congratulations to the winners of the inaugural Schmidt College of Science Excellence Awards! The awards recognize the outstanding research, teaching, advising, and service from our dedicated faculty and staff. The winners will also be nominated for university-wide awards on behalf of the College. View the winners.

Registration is now open for interested students to apply for a 12-week internship opportunity on-site at the Polo Reef Company in New York. The internship is available for Florida Atlantic University students in the Summer 2023 semester. A diving certificate is preferred for internship applicants. The intern should reside within driving distance of the Polo Reef Company for the duration of the internship. Learn more.

The Schmidt College of Science is offering a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Test Prep Course, 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 and regsiter.

This comprehensive 30 hour EKG-12 Leads Technician Course prepares individuals to function as EKG and Monitor Technicians in hospitals, clinics, doctor's offices and other health care facilities. No previous healthcare experience is required. After completing this course, one will be able to analyze cardiac rhythms and 12 lead EKGs. Learn more and register.

DNA Forensics and Assisted Reproductive Technology: Spring ’23: Mar. 28-Apr. 27 | Summer ‘23: Jul. 6-Aug. 8 | Fall ’23: Oct. 17-Nov. 16

The DNA Forensics certificate course is for professionals and non-professional students contemplating a career in biotech, forensic science, criminal justice and other allied life science programs. Learn more and register.

The ART certificate course is for professionals or current students seeking a career in human reproductive medicine, veterinary medicine, nursing, biomedical science and other allied life science programs. Learn more and register.

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.

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.

Submit your news for Science Connect to scicomm@fau.edu.