CHARLES E. SCHMIDT COLLEGE OF SCIENCE | MARCH 2023 View as Webpage
FAU Researchers Map Wide Impacts of Fire-induced Permafrost Thaw in Alaska
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.
Copy-cat? Study Explores Conformity in Children With Few Friends
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.
2023 Science Fest and Call for Posters
Friday, April 14, 2023 | 10AM-2PM | FAU Breezeway, Boca Raton Campus

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.
Alumna Spotlight: Alexis Sturm, '22, '19
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.
U.S. Representative Tours First Drone-based Quantum Network at FAU
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.
Student Spotlight: Biting Into Research
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.
Three Minute Thesis Competition Winners From the Schmidt College of Science
Pictured left to right: William Kalies, Ph.D., Dean of the Graduate College; Ingrid Santillan Barragan, graduate student, College of Engineering and Computer Science; Hayley Knapp, graduate student, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science; and Eric H. Shaw, Ph.D.
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.

3MT Championship Winners from the Schmidt College of Science

Championship Winner* (sponsored by the Dr. Eric H. Shaw 3MT® Championship Award Endowment Fund)
Hayley Knapp
"From Poop to Parent: Examining Paternity in Dynamic Atlantic Spotted Dolphin Populations in the Bahamas"
*There was a tie for the 3MT Championship win with Ingrid Santillan Barragan from the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

First Runner-Up and People's Choice Award Winner
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 College of Science Seniors Awarded MCAT Course Funding
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.
RSVP: Pre-Health Professions Week
Monday, March 13 to Friday, March 17, 2023

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.
2023 Frontiers in Science Public Lecture Series
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!
March 31

“Ready and Resilient: A Plan for Broward County”

Jennifer Jurado, Ph.D.
Chief Resilience Officer, Broward County

Time: 4:00 p.m.
April 21

“To Trust or Distrust: How Social Decision-Making Changes Across Adulthood"

Nichole Lighthall, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Psychology, University of Central Florida

Time: 4:00 p.m.
Click here to view all of the speakers this upcoming season.
Apply for Spring 2023 Schmidt College of Science Scholarships
Financial aid-based and merit-based scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students. Deadline to apply: March 3, 2023.

Undergraduate Scholarship
Sarajedini Family Scholarship (Financial-Aid Based)

Graduate Scholarship
Dean Perry College of Science Graduate Scholarship Fund (Merit Based Award - Spring Only)
Schmidt College of Science Hosts, Joins Academic Integrity Forums
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.
Announcing New Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, Zhixiao Xie
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.
Schmidt College of Science Excellence Awards Winners
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.
SKYWARN Storm Spotter Training Session
Tuesday, March 14, 2023, from 1-3 p.m.

FAU's Department of Emergency Management and the National Weather Service Miami are hosting a virtual SKYWARN Storm Spotter training session. Attendees will learn: 
 
  • Basic severe weather safety
  • Basics of thunderstorm development
  • What and how to report information 
  • And more!
 
Don't miss out! Advance registration is required. Open to all FAU faculty, staff and students.
Polo Reef Science Internship
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.

  • Identify and take care of a variety of coral species, and rehabilitate species back to full health when needed
  • Dive in a 17,000-gallon tank
  • Evaluate and provide for the nutritional needs of fish species and coral in an aquarium environment (aquarium ecosystem)
  • And much more!
Continuing Education Courses
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Test Prep Course: March 11-18, 2023
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.

Electrocardiogram (EKG-12 Leads) Technician Course March 27- May 3, 2023
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.
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
WPTV: Faculty's Simulation Shows Impacts of Storm Surge After Major Hurricane

John Renne, Ph.D., a professor and director of the Center of Urban and Environmental Solutions in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, shared his team's virtual simulation with WPTV to demonstrate the significant sea level rise impacts of a Category 5 hurricane in West Palm Beach. Read more.
2023 Student Publication Ceremony: Writing Across the Curriculum

Entries are now being accepted for FAU's Writing Across the Curriculum contest. All undergraduate and graduate students can submit work that is scholarly/academic, professional or creative. Entries are due by April 1. View entry details.
13th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium

Submissions for the 2023 Office of Undergraduate Research Symposium are being accepted through March 1. The symposium will be held Friday, April 7, on the Boca Raton campus. Learn more.
GPSA's 14th Annual Graduate Research Day

The 14th Annual Graduate Research Day is scheduled for March 29. The symposium will be held on the Boca Raton campus, Student Union (UN-31), Live Oak Pavilion. The competition is open to active and enrolled degree-seeking graduate students from all academic disciplines. Learn more.
Authors and Artists FAU Libraries Event

In February, FAU Libraries and the Office of the Provost celebrated the creative and distinguished work of the FAU community. Learn more.
Art of Science Winners Gallery Celebration

Winners of the FAU Division of Research's Art of Science Contest were recognized at the opening night of the Schmidt Center Gallery. The Art of Science exhibition is on display through March 3 at the Dorothy F. Schmidt Performing Arts Center on the Boca Raton campus. Learn more.
Mindfest: FAU Center for the Future Mind

Join the inaugural Mindfest on March 16-17 on FAU's Boca Raton campus. March 16 topic: "Expanding Our Horizons on Consciousness and Computation." March 17 topic: "Global Intelligence, Machine Consciousness, and Virtual Worlds." Learn more.
Florida’s Summer Institute in Biostatistics and Data Science Program: May 22-June 30

Calling all undergraduate or early graduate students - it’s time to discover how data can change your life through Florida’s Summer Institute in Biostatistics and Data Science Program. Deadline to apply: April 3, 2023. Learn more.
Summer Institute in Computational Social Science

From June 19-30, 2023, the National Science Foundation and Wilkes Honors College will sponsor the Summer Institute in Computational Social Science, to be held at FAU's MacArthur campus in the seaside community of Jupiter. The purpose of the Summer Institute is to bring together students, postdoctoral researchers, and beginning faculty interested in computational social science. Learn more.
Upcoming Events
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