Even Protected Florida Wetlands Can’t Escape Microplastic Pollution | | A new study by geosciences researchers found microplastics in 95% of sediment samples collected across Port St. Lucie’s Spruce Bluff Preserve, with tiny synthetic fibers concentrated along active water pathways like the St. Lucie River. The findings highlight that true wetland protection requires managing not just local land, but everything connected upstream and downstream. | | “Wetlands are often viewed as places that protect us by filtering what moves through the landscape, but they can also capture and redistribute pollutants,” said Erik N. Johanson, Ph.D., senior author and an associate professor in the Department of Geosciences within FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. “If we want to protect these ecosystems for the long term, we need to understand not only what is entering them, but how water moves that pollution through the system. | | |
FAU Awarded Federal Grant to Lead National Accreditation Innovation | | Florida Atlantic University has been awarded a $957,200 Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) Special Projects grant from the U.S. Department of Education to develop a national framework that will help colleges and universities navigate one of the most significant shifts in higher education accreditation in decades. | | “Accreditation touches every aspect of a university – from academic quality and student success to institutional effectiveness and continuous improvement,” said Evonne Rezler, Ph.D., senior associate dean for undergraduate studies within the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. “This project gives us an opportunity not only to strengthen Florida Atlantic’s own accreditation processes, but also to develop practical tools and strategies that can benefit higher education institutions nationwide.” | | | World Cup Glory: Alumna Dulce María Segalés Gill Helps Paraguay Make History | | Team Paraguay's head exercise physiologist, Dulce María Segalés Gill, M.S. '16, played a key role in helping the men's national football team achieve its historic performance this summer. The team reached the final eight and stunned the world by eliminating powerhouse Germany before bowing out to France 1-0 by a single penalty goal. Paraguay’s remarkable run was made even more extraordinary since the team’s last World Cup appearance was 16 years ago. Since 2018, Segalés Gill has held the position of the team’s head exercise physiologist, and she is considered a pioneer in the field of exercise physiology in Paraguay. | | “It was a dream come true to help my county’s team make history this summer,” stated Segalés Gill. “The exceptional training, knowledge and preparation I received at Florida Atlantic's Schmidt College of Science was highly comprehensive.” | | | Record 13 Schmidt College of Science Graduates Begin Medical School at Florida Atlantic | | Thirteen graduates from the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science have begun their medical education at Florida Atlantic’s Schmidt College of Medicine. The new MedOwls joined 80 members of the Class of 2030, who were inducted during the university’s White Coat Ceremony on Aug. 7. Their achievements reflect both individual perseverance and the strong support provided by the Office of Pre-Health Professions within the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. | | “Guiding and supporting such exceptional students on their paths to medical school has been a privilege, and their achievements are truly inspirational,” said Gina Jones, director of the college’s Office of Pre-Health Professions. | | | Physics Professor’s Project Among First Approved for New Roman Space Telescope | | Photo credit: NASA/John Kraus. NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Telescope on board a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, transiting the sun during the launch on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. | | Another new era of space exploration is officially underway! The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope was aboard the SpaceX Falcon Heavy, which successfully launched on Aug. 30 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Ata Sarajedini, Ph.D., professor, Department of Physics, Schmidt College of Science, will be making history as part of the first accepted cycle of research the state-of-the-art observatory will conduct. | | Watch: Unseen Heroes: Microbes, Mangroves, and Marine Restoration | | Vanessa Fernandes, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, is investigating the vital microbial communities living on South Florida’s mangroves and seagrasses. Her research explores how shifts in temperature, sea level, and salinity alter these plant-associated microbiomes and their roles in nutrient cycling and plant health. Ultimately, her team aims to isolate beneficial microbes to pioneer innovative tools for seagrass restoration and coastal ecosystem management. | | Miss Fort Lauderdale and FAU Student Paige Aldred Uses Her Crown as a Catalyst for Coastal Conservation | Biological Sciences master's student and 2026 Miss Fort Lauderdale Paige Aldred is proving that water quality advocacy requires both rigorous science and a compelling public voice. Completing her master's degree in biology, Aldred researches harmful algal blooms in the Indian River Lagoon while using her pageant platform and community initiative, Eco Girl, to bridge the gap between scientific research, policy, and public outreach. | | Meet FAU’s Distinguished First-Year Student of the Year Who’s Combining Coral Research and Campus Leadership | Domenico Guadalupe earned one of Florida Atlantic’s newest and most selective honors when he was named the 2026 Distinguished First-Year Undergraduate Student of the Year earlier this year. On Aug. 21, he was a featured speaker at the university’s Freshman Convocation ceremonies. Guadalupe is researching the iron biomineralization of Heliopora coerulea. His research hopes to lend new insights into the special mineral composition of this particularly resilient blue coral species and possibly discover new ways to combat coral bleaching. | | |
Path of the Panther: A Visual Journey to Preserve Wild Florida
Oct. 5, 2026: Hear from acclaimed National Geographic photographer Carlton Ward, Jr. as part of the inaugural WLW Visiting Fellows Lecture Series. Discover how his award-winning photography and conservation storytelling are helping protect wild Florida and the endangered panther. Free and open to the public.
| |
Save the Date: Annual Science Social and Shaw Excellence in Science Undergraduate Research Poster Competition
Oct. 22, 2026: Mark your calendars for the college's annual celebration of research, student innovation, and academic community. The Science Social connects students with opportunities and advising, while the Shaw Undergraduate Research Poster Competition showcases top student discoveries. The Science Social is open to all FAU students, faculty, and staff. No registration is required to attend.
The Shaw Poster Competition is open to Schmidt College of Science undergraduate students and FAU High students. Deadline to Apply to Compete is Oct. 7, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Compete for cash awards: $1,000 for First Place, $600 for Second Place, $400 for Third Place. Students at all stages of research are encouraged to participate, even those early in their study.
| |
Coming Soon! WLW Seed4Solutions Grant Program
We are excited to share the upcoming launch of the WLW Seed4Solutions Grant Program, a new $5 million initiative funded by Wayne and Lucretia Weiner to support practical, near-term environmental solutions across South Florida through a collaboration between FAU, NSU, and government agency partners. Please keep an eye out for formal program announcements, events, and paid research opportunities for students. Faculty are encouraged to check their inbox for more details and RSVP information regarding an exclusive program kickoff event on Sept. 16.
| |
Ocean Exchange: 2026 Collegiate Call for Solutions
Undergraduate and graduate innovators can compete for $10,000 awards that advance our understanding of the ocean and help minimize our impact on these resources. Deadline for entries is Sept. 16. Learn more.
| |
8th Annual Art of Science Contest
Are you ready to put your research in a global spotlight? The 8th annual Art of Science photography and video contest is now open to faculty, staff, students and postdocs. Deadline: Friday, Oct. 9. Learn more.
| |
Save the Date for FAU Giving Day
Sept. 17, 2026: Over 24 hours, alumni, students, faculty, staff, parents, and friends will unite to make a lasting impact by supporting the colleges and programs closest to their hearts. Every gift—no matter the size—helps fuel student scholarships, pioneering faculty research, hands-on internships, and transformative community programs across South Florida and beyond. Stay tuned for details on how to get involved and show your Owl pride! Learn more.
| |
Fall MCAT Test Prep Course
FAU Test Preparation, in alliance with the 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 six full-length computerized practice exams. Learn more.
| |
GRE Test Prep Course
These affordable, comprehensive courses are taught by expert instructors and open to anyone looking to improve their test-taking skills and prepare for graduate school and include: 11 teaching sessions plus on-demand content; reviews of the verbal and quantitative reasoning and analytical writing assessment sections, updated for the latest test changes; test-taking strategies, methods, and techniques; and full-length computer practice tests. Online/hybrid courses begin Sept. 8, 2026. Learn more.
| |
Call for Entries! FAU Three Minute Thesis Competition
The Graduate College is set to host Florida Atlantic's 10th annual Three Minute Thesis Competition (3MT®) from Oct. 26-28, 2026, live and in-person on the Boca Raton campus. Over $15,000 in scholarship prizes are awarded annually to winners from both the preliminary rounds and the championship. Deadline to submit is Oct. 5. Learn more.
| |
Annual Florida Atlantic Graduate College Open House
Oct. 8, 2026: Attendees will have the opportunity to explore over 100 of FAU's nationally ranked graduate programs, interact with distinguished faculty and admissions representatives, learn about funding opportunities and services for graduate students, and more. Learn more.
| |
Florida Atlantic Entrepreneur Boot Camp Featuring Blue & Ocean Economy Track
Wednesdays: September 2-30, 2026: Have an innovative idea in marine technology, coastal sustainability, ocean health, or the broader blue economy? Prepare to make waves! This year’s hands-on Entrepreneur Boot Camp places a special spotlight on preparing founders for the Blue & Ocean Economy Track at the Florida Atlantic Business Pitch Competition. Free for students.
| |
Walk to End Alzheimer's at FAU Jupiter
The Walk to End Alzheimer's Palm Beach is coming to the John D. MacArthur Campus on Oct. 31. As a leader in neuroscience and neurodegenerative disease research, Florida Atlantic is dedicated to the fight to combat this debilitating disease. Be a part of the solution as well (and earn a Team FAU t-shirt). Join or donate to Team FAU today! Support Team FAU.
| |
WLW-ECOS Undergraduate Research Fellowships
The WLW-ECOS Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program offers Schmidt 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.
| | |
WLW-ECOS Paid 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.
| |
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 members of the school. Engage in solution-based interdisciplinary research, teaching and community engagement initiatives that bring forth the collective environmental capabilities of the university. Learn more.
| | Photo credit: Denise Hruby | |
'Miami Herald' Reporter Joins Florida Atlantic Researchers in Alaska
A reporter from the Miami Herald shadowed two Schmidt College of Science researchers, Ph.D. student Jonathan Carcache and his advisor, Biological Sciences Assistant Professor Jacob Francis, Ph.D., who spent part of their summer at the Toolik Field Station in northern Alaska. The pair traveled to the Arctic to better understand the relationship between parasitic plants and their hosts in one of the harshest environments on earth. Read more.
| | | |
'Discover Wildlife' Featured University's Shark Cam Footage of Unexpected Encounter
Discover Wildlife interviewed Professor Stephen Kajiura, Ph.D., about his team's unprecedented footage of a nurse shark's camera tag that captured a great white shark swimming off the coast of Boynton Beach. Read more.
| | |
Friday, Sept. 4, 2026
Public Viewing Night FAU Observatory
Monday, Sept. 7, 2026
Labor Day (university closed, no classes)
Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026
Public Viewing Night FAU Observatory
Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026
FAU Giving Day
Monday, Oct. 5, 2026
"Path of the Panther" with Carlton Ward, Jr.
| | | Partner With the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science as We Race Toward Excellence! | | Night owls flocked to the FAU Observatory in the Schmidt College of Science for a public viewing to witness the deep partial lunar eclipse on Aug. 27. Photo credit: Jay Paredes, Schmidt College of Science. | | 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. | | | | |
