Power Grids to Epidemics: Small Patterns Trigger Systemic Failures | Complex systems – from ecosystems and power grids to supply chains and social networks – can sometimes collapse or surge unexpectedly after minor disturbances. Understanding why this happens is a major challenge because these systems are made up of countless interacting parts. Results of a study from the Schmidt College of Science and international collaborators, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that tiny clusters of interacting units can indeed act as amplifiers of disturbance. Read more. | | “We hope future research, perhaps inspired by this work, will deepen our understanding of which system properties arise from parts of a network and which emerge from the network as a whole,” said Ashkaan K. Fahimipour, Ph.D., co-author, an assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, and a member of the Center for Complex Systems within FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. “If we can figure out when small interaction patterns are responsible for big responses, we can focus attention on the most critical parts of complex systems and better anticipate how they might react to change.” | | | Marine Plastic Pollution Alters Octopus Predator-Prey Encounters | | Plastics release thousands of chemicals into the ocean – including oleamide, an industrial lubricant, which is also naturally produced by many organisms. By mimicking natural signals, plastic-derived oleamide may quietly alter how marine life senses food and interacts with one another. Florida Atlantic University researchers studied these effects on a common South Florida octopus (Octopus vulgaris) and four widespread prey: hermit crabs, free-living crabs, snails and clams. The study, published in the Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, found that oleamide quickly altered both predator and prey behavior. Read more. | | “Many species rely on chemical information to detect food, assess predation risk, and balance the tradeoffs between foraging and staying safe,” said Michael W. McCoy, Ph.D., senior author, associate director, FAU School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability, and professor of quantitative ecology, Department of Biological Sciences, FAU Charles E. Schmidt College of Science and FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. “What’s striking about this study is that when oleamide entered the system, that chemical communication appeared to break down. Crustacean prey reduced their predator-avoidance behaviors, even as the octopus became more exploratory and increased their interactions – especially grasps.” | | | Tiny Worm Offers Clues to Combat Chemotherapy Neurotoxicity | | Chemotherapy can lead to long-term side effects such as Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy, which impairs nerve function in up to 85% of patients. Docetaxel, a highly effective chemotherapeutic, is particularly associated with severe neurotoxic effects. In a study published in PLOS One, Schmidt College of Science researchers and collaborators used the tiny roundworm C. elegans to model docetaxel-induced neurological damage. Read more. | | “This study shows that a tiny organism can reveal great insight about a widespread clinical problem,” said Ken Dawson-Scully, Ph.D., senior author, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at FAU, and a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, Schmidt College of Science. “By using C. elegans, we were able to directly model the neurological side effects of chemotherapy and rapidly test compounds that improve recovery after neurotoxic injury. This approach not only helps us understand how drugs like docetaxel disrupt nerve function, but also provides a powerful, efficient platform for identifying therapies that could one day reduce the debilitating neurological burden experienced by cancer patients.” | | | The Catalyst for Change: FAU Unlocks New Design for Faster, Cleaner Carbon Dioxide Conversion | | Assistant Professor Zhu-Lin Xie, Ph.D., and his team in the Schmidt College of Science are exploring how the molecular structure of catalysts impacts the reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2), a key step in combating climate change. Their recent study, published in ACS Catalysis, investigates how a specific molecular feature — a pendant pyridine acting as a proton acceptor — can enhance the efficiency of cobalt-based catalysts for selective CO2 reduction. Read more. | |
Over 100 Microscopes Donated to Broward County Parks and Recreation by Department of Biological Sciences | | In February, 104 refurbished compound microscopes and 18 dissecting microscopes from the Schmidt College of Science’s Department of Biological Sciences were donated to Broward County Parks and Recreation. The surplused microscopes from the college’s Boca Raton and Davie campuses hope to inspire STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) learning in neighborhood parks across the area. Read more. | | Schmidt College of Science to Host Annual Pre-Health Professions Week | | The Charles E. Schmidt College of Science is getting ready to host its 2026 Pre-Health Professions Week to provide students with opportunities to explore health-related graduate programs. The annual event begins on Monday, March 23 and runs through Thursday, March 26. All events will be held on the Boca Raton campus and are free and open to all Florida Atlantic undergraduate and graduate students. Read more. | | Winners of Second CMBB Biotech Bridge Hackathon Announced | Congratulations to the winners of the second annual Biotech Bridge Hackathon, hosted by the Schmidt College of Science's Center for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology from Jan. 30 to Feb. 1. The three-day event, themed “Beat the Clock: Follow your Mind, Heart and Gut,” attracted 60 students from across disciplines to create innovative solutions to extend the human health span. Read more. | | Watch: Frontiers in Science: Saving Our Seas | Florida's coral reefs are invaluable natural treasures facing unprecedented threats from disease, environmental challenges, and pollution. Join our panelists as they take you to the front lines of this crisis, sharing groundbreaking research on coral resilience, disease resistance, and innovative restoration techniques that are essential to securing the future of our oceans. Watch here. | | FAU ECOS Receives Grant Funding from Palm Beach International Boat Show Gives Back for Third Consecutive Year | | For the third year running, Florida Atlantic’s School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability (ECOS) received a $10,000 grant from the Palm Beach International Boat Show (PBIBS) Gives Back program. The award was presented to academic program directors Michelle Petersen, Ph.D., and Marianne Porter, Ph.D., on Jan. 21. These funds support competitive graduate student awards for environmental research and community outreach. Read more. | |
The Charles E. Schmidt College of Science is proud to release the Fall 2025 Dean's List.
Congratulations to our high-achieving undergraduates! Read more.
| | Faculty Spotlight: Ashley Artese, Ph.D., Advances Cancer Survivorship Research | Exercise Science and Health Promotion (ESHP) Assistant Professor Ashley Artese, Ph.D., is exploring how a combined aerobic exercise and non-invasive brain stimulation program could improve cognitive function in breast cancer survivors. Read more. | Urban Planning Graduate Student Places First at 2026 Future of Florida Summit | Nick Meyl, a Master of Urban and Regional Planning student, placed first at the 2026 Future of Florida (FOF) Summit, along with his teammate Anna Fortenberry, a University of Florida student, for their project, “Safe Housing Incentives & Expedited Land Development Act (SHIELD).” Hosted by the University of Florida in Gainesville from Jan. 30 to Feb. 1, FOF invited 70 students from universities and colleges across the state to work in teams to develop a policy solution that addressed growth and development in the Sunshine State. Read more. | | Watch: Seeing Through the Problem: How Zebrafish Unlock Nerve Healing | | Laura Fontenas, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, uses the unique regenerative powers and transparency of zebrafish to study how glial cells repair the nervous system. Watch how her advanced live imaging is unlocking new frontiers in nerve healing and neuroscience. Watch video. | | |
Free Field Trips to Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (WLW-ECOS)
FAU’s School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability (ECOS) is excited to invite full-time (12 credits), degree-seeking freshman and sophomores from the Schmidt College of Science to an exclusive, FREE field trip to Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (HBOI). Upcoming trips: Saturday, March 21 and Saturday, March 28. Round trip bus transportation, lunch, tram tour and pontoon boat trip included. Learn more and register.
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Apply for the WLW-ECOS Undergraduate Research Fellowship
The Spring 2026 WLW-ECOS Research Fellowship Program offers College of Science undergraduates the opportunity to gain hands-on research experience by working directly with ECOS-affiliated faculty on solution-driven environmental research projects. Fellows receive paid research positions ($22/hour) while building valuable skills, exploring environmental science careers and contributing to projects that make a real impact. Learn more.
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NASA Artemis II Launch Watch Party
Current Launch window: 4/1-4/6, 4/30
7:00-11:00 p.m. (tentative)
Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton campus
For the first time since Apollo, we are heading back to the lunar frontier. Witness history with us at Florida Atlantic. More details to be announced.
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Pre-Health Professions Week
Registration is now open for the annual Pre-Health Professions Week and Graduate and Professional School Fair, on Monday, March 23 to Friday, March 27, 2026. This free event is open to Florida Atlantic undergraduate and graduate students to talk personally with admission representatives from various health-related graduate and professional programs. Learn more.
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Writing Across the Curriculum
The annual Student Publication Ceremony showcases the different kinds of writing that FAU undergraduate and graduate students had published during Summer 2025, Fall 2025 and Spring 2026. The recognition event will be on Wednesday, March 25, at noon, on the 5th floor of the S.E. Wimberly Library (doors open at 11:30 a.m.). Deadline to submit is Wednesday, March 18. Learn more.
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HBOI Ocean Lecture Series
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute has released the schedule for its Spring 2026 free community lecture series. The series runs every Wednesday through the end of March. Learn more.
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Spring 2026 Electrocardiogram (EKG-12 Leads) Technician Course
This comprehensive 30-hour EKG technician course prepares individuals to function as EKG and Monitor technicians in hospitals, clinics, doctor's offices and other health care facilities. No previous health care experience is required. After completing this course, you will be able to analyze cardiac rhythms and 12 lead EKGs. The spring session runs Monday, February 2-Wednesday, March 14, 2026. Learn more.
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Smart Cities and IoT Certificate
The Charles E. Schmidt College of Science’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning, in partnership with the College of Engineering and Computer Science, offers the Smart Cities and Internet of Things (Sc-IoT) Certificate for undergraduate students. Learn more.
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Assisted Reproductive Technology Spring ’26
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. The course runs Tuesday, March 24-Thursday, April 23. Learn more.
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DNA Forensics Spring ’26
This 5-week certificate course in DNA Forensics is intended for current professionals and non-professional students contemplating a career in biotech, forensic science, criminal justice and other allied life science programs. The course runs Tuesday, March 24-Thursday, April 23. Learn more.
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ECOS Internship Opportunities
The Florida Atlantic School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability (ECOS) paid internships provide student stipends while they complete degree-related career experiences at local, well-established nonprofit environment-linked organizations. Students are paid through FAU’s WLW-ECOS Student Success Fund. 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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WPBF 25 Interviews College of Science Senior Dodlee Mosilme
Senior Dodlee Mosilme shared how he was able to pursue his dreams of studying biology as a Kelly/Strul Scholar at Florida Atlantic University. Read more.
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Friday, March 6, 2026
Public Viewing Night FAU Observatory
Saturday, March 7-Friday, March 13, 2026
Spring Break
Friday, March 17, 2026
Public Viewing Night FAU Observatory
Monday, Mar. 23-Friday, Mar. 27, 2026
Pre-Health Professions Week and Graduate and Professional School Fair
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Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Student Publication Ceremony
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
7th Annual Art of Science Gallery–Opening Night
April 4-6, or April 30 (Current launch window)
NASA Artemis II Launch FAU Watch Party (more details TBA)
| | Partner With the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science as We Race Toward Excellence! | | Rosette Nebula: 2025 FAU Art of Science Faculty in the Field winner, Rob Gross, Ph.D., instructor, Department of Physics in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. This image of the Rosette Nebula consists of 1,260 frames and required 10.5 hours of processing. Located 5,200 light-years away and spanning 130 light-years in diameter, its iconic red glow is produced by vast clouds of ionized hydrogen gas. | | 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. | | | | |
