Seaweed Snare: Sargassum Stops Sea Turtle Hatchlings in Their Tracks | | Researchers from the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science set out to explore whether sargassum buildup makes it more physically demanding for three common turtle hatchlings in Florida—leatherbacks, loggerheads and green turtles—to crawl to the ocean and whether that added effort could affect their survival. Results of the study, published in the Journal of Coastal Research, found that sea turtle hatchlings take significantly longer to reach the ocean when sargassum is present, and that their progress was slowed mainly by the struggle to climb over seaweed piles. Read more. | | “The longer a hatchling stays on the beach, the more at risk it becomes—not just from predators like birds and crabs, but also from overheating and dehydration, especially after sunrise,” said Sarah Milton, Ph.D., senior author and chair and professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Schmidt College of Science. | | | Research Characterizes Remarkable Skills of Octopus Arms in the Wild | A new study by the Schmidt College of Science, in collaboration with researchers from the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, provides a comprehensive look into how wild octopuses use their arms in natural habitats. By analyzing arm movements across diverse environments, this is the first study to relate arm movements to whole animal behaviors in complex, real-world settings. Results of the study, published in Scientific Reports, found that each of the eight limbs can perform any type of movement, but clear patterns emerged. Read more. | | “Observing them in the wild, we saw octopuses use different combinations of arm actions—just one arm for tasks like grabbing food, and other times multiple arms working together for behaviors like crawling or launching a parachute attack—a hunting technique they use to catch prey,” said Chelsea O. Bennice, Ph.D., lead author and a research fellow at FAU’s Marine Laboratory, Schmidt College of Science. | | | FAU Joins Top 100 of U.S. News & World Report's 2026 List | | Florida Atlantic University moved up to No. 100 in the U.S. News & World Report list of "Top Public Schools" for 2026, rising from No. 103 in last year's ranking of the nation's best universities. Read more. | | FAU Joins VIP Consortium, Launches Inaugural Research Teams | | Florida Atlantic University is the first university in Florida to join the international Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) Consortium, a global network of more than 50 higher education institutions dedicated to research-driven, cross-disciplinary learning. This initiative is supported by a $2.2 million grant from the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE), awarded to FAU in late 2024 by the United States Department of Education. The Schmidt College of Science is part of two of the four VIP projects, including the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias/Falls project, and the Astroglia Roles in Central Nervous System Aging project. Read more. | | 2025 Atlantic Storm Season Updates with Hurricane Expert Yijie Zhu, Ph.D. | | To date, the tropics have remained relatively calm. Assistant Professor of Geosciences Yijie Zhu, Ph.D., explains why we are now entering the most active months of the hurricane season, and what forecasters from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are predicting for the coming months. Read more. | | “We are stepping into the most active months of the hurricane season in Florida,” said Yijie Zhu, Ph.D. “It is likely that La Niña conditions will develop for the remaining Atlantic hurricane season. This indicates favorable conditions, meaning reduced vertical wind shear—the change of wind direction and intensity with altitude—for hurricanes to form and intensify in the North Atlantic.” | | | Nat and Dorothy Hyman Science Lecture Series Presents NatGeo Explorer Gabby Salazar, Ph.D. | | |
Expedition Science: A Photographer’s Journey to the World's Wildest Places
Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025 | 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Live Oak Pavilion, Student Union, Boca Raton campus
Travel with award-winning photographer Gabby Salazar, Ph.D., as she shares breathtaking stories from a life dedicated to documenting science and the planet's most remarkable landscapes and wildlife, as part of the Schmidt College of Science Nat and Dorothy Science Lecture Series. As an environmental social scientist and National Geographic Explorer, Dr. Salazar has captured the critical work being done to protect our world—from the summit of a Guatemalan volcano to the sweeping savannas of Zimbabwe. Join her for an evening of inspiring visual storytelling and thrilling adventure, complete with adorable creatures, behind-the-scenes moments, and surprising discoveries from the frontlines of exploration.
| | Science Takes Top Spot in Giving Day Challenge | Thanks to your incredible support, the Schmidt College of Science raised an inspiring $223,709—more than any other college at FAU! This funding supports students across the college. In total, the Florida Atlantic community helped achieve a new Giving Day record for the university of over $813,000. | | Congratulations to all of our outstanding students on the Summer 2025 Dean's List! Read more. | | New Faculty Spotlight: Kate Carroll, Ph.D. | | Esteemed Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Kate Carroll, Ph.D., is bringing significant momentum to Florida Atlantic’s growing profile in biomedical discovery. Currently, Carroll is developing chemical tools to study cysteine oxidation in proteins—a reversible switch that controls many cellular processes. By creating new probes and proteomic strategies, her lab maps how these switches shape protein function in health and disease, generating insights that are already informing new approaches to diagnostics and therapeutics targeting redox-sensitive proteins. Read more. | | Graduate Student Spotlight: Camila Saldias-Manieu | | Experimental psychology student and alumna Camila Saldias-Manieu, B.S. and B.A. ‘18, has proudly returned to her alma mater to pursue a Ph.D. in experimental psychology, with a concentration in developmental and behavioral neuroscience. Currently, she is involved in the Baby BEAR Study, which investigates factors that contribute to risk and resilience in early childhood development. The goal of Saldias-Manieu’s project aims to inform early prevention and intervention efforts by identifying markers of anxiety risk in infancy. Read more. | | Video: Bridging the Gap Between Water Management and Bird Conservation | | Environmental Science master's student Jennalie Lutes monitors aquatic prey availability throughout the wading bird breeding season to understand how changes in Lake Okeechobee's water levels affect crucial wading bird foraging habitats. Understanding how hydrology and wetland management affect these populations is vital, and her research will help inform future restoration decisions for these vital ecosystems. Watch video. | | |
Dr. Eric Shaw Excellence in Science Undergraduate Research Poster Competition
*Application deadline extended to Oct. 7 by 5:00 p.m.*
Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025 | 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. | SE-43 Science building first floor
The Science Social Undergraduate Research Poster Competition includes $2,000 in awards to the top poster presentations. Schmidt College of Science undergraduate students at all stages of research will have the opportunity to showcase their research projects and innovations. The competition offers an opportunity for students in the Schmidt College of Science to participate in the communication of scientific research to their peer groups, faculty and community members.
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Schmidt College of Science Fall Scholarships
Deadline to apply: Oct. 12
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Tech Fee Proposals
All FAU constituents, (i.e., students, student organizations, faculty, colleges, departments, partner campuses, administrative staff and departments, as well as the Office of Information Technology) may apply for revenues generated from the Technology Fee through the Proposal Review process which includes a comprehensive review by the Technology Fee Oversight Committee of each submission. The Technology Fee proposal submission application open on Sep. 29, and the deadline to apply is Oct. 27. Learn more.
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Fall 2025 Pre-Health Workshop Series
Aug. 27-Nov. 5. The Schmidt College of Science has created a series of special workshops to assist students who are navigating their journey toward health care professions. Learn more.
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Science Behind the Art
Did you know the winning photo of the 6th annual Art of Science contest is a picture of a weed? Jacob Francis, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, captured the image of a Mexican clover - a weed people may find in their backyards. This tiny purple plant contains brilliant shades of purple and green and form dazzling crystal structures, showing science can be mesmerizing. Watch video.
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2025 Art of Science Contest
Last call! The deadline to submit for the seventh annual Art of Science Photography and Video Contest is Friday, Oct. 10. Learn more.
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WLW-ECOS: Introduction to Oxidative Stress in Aquatic Organisms Hybrid Course
Mondays: Sept. 15-Oct. 13. Presented by WLW-ECOS Professor-in-Residence Gabriela Rodríguez-Fuentes, Ph.D. Discover the fascinating world of oxidative stress in aquatic life! For faculty, postdocs, graduate students, researchers and research staff. Learn more and register.
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Graduate College Open House
On Oct. 8, explore over 100 graduate programs across all academic colleges at the annual Graduate College Open House. Interact with faculty and admissions representatives, and learn about financial aid, services and support for graduate students at Florida Atlantic. Learn more.
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2025 Pre-Health Professions Entrepreneurship Summit
Oct. 13-16. Save the dates for this year's Pre-Health Professions Entrepreneurship Summit, which will focus on emergency medicine, on the university's Boca Raton campus. Learn more.
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DNA Forensics and Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Certificate Courses
Fall sessions run Oct. 21-Nov. 20. 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. 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.
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Science Social and Shaw Research Competition
Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025 | 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. | SE-43 Science building first floor, Boca Raton Campus
We are hosting our annual Science Social to build our community of future scientists and help our new undergraduate students engage with the college through learning about all the opportunities we offer. Students can learn about degree programs, research opportunities, meet with advisors, learn about joining student organizations, talk with offices from around the university such as the Career Center, speak with faculty members, connect with special units in the college such as the Office of Pre-Health Professions, and more. Learn more.
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Pumpkin Drop and Physics Carnival
Friday, October 24, 2025 | Science and Engineering Building (SE-43) South and West Lawns, Boca Raton campus | 10:00 a.m.: Pumpkin Drop and 10:30 a.m.: Physics Carnival
Come watch physics faculty drop real pumpkins off the roof of the SE-43 building to demonstrate common physics principles such as constant acceleration of gravity, terminal velocity, and Newton's laws. Special guest "The Pumpkin Master" will explain the theories behind these principles. Then join the physics carnival games, face painting, hands-on science demonstrations, game booths, and more. 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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FAU 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 is comprehensive, affordable and open to anyone. Learn more.
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Florida Atlantic Wave Competition
Now open to all students! This undergraduate and graduate applied research and entrepreneurial competition challenges students to submit and develop innovative ideas that target societal problems. Application deadline: Oct. 6. Learn more.
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Call for Content! The Invading Sea
Are you interested in writing about your research, concerning environmental issues or other topics related to Florida’s environment and climate change? The Invading Sea welcomes contributions from Florida Atlantic faculty, staff and students. Please email Editor Nathan Crabbe at ncrabbe@fau.edu for details on how to contribute.
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Turn Curiosity into Impact: Join Vertically Integrated Projects at Florida Atlantic
The Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) Program is recruiting undergraduate and graduate students to join the inaugural four VIP Teams starting Spring 2026. Students from all disciplines and experience levels are encouraged to consider joining a team. VIP offers hands-on authentic research experiences where students develop cutting-edge AI and data science skills. The VIP Program is also offering a free, 8-week, zero-credit course this fall for degree-seeking undergraduate students who are interested in the VIP model and learning more about AI and data science. No prior experience is needed. 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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Smithsonian Magazine Features Sargassum Study by Schmidt College of Science Researchers
Smithsonian Magazine highlights new research from Schmidt College of Science professor Sarah Milton, Ph.D., showing how large mats of sargassum are increasingly washing ashore, creating another obstacle for loggerhead, leatherback and green sea turtles. Read more.
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Now-Friday, Oct. 10, 2025
FAU Art of Science at Manatee Lagoon
Friday, Oct. 3, 2025
Public Viewing Night FAU Observatory
Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025
Graduate College Open House
Friday, Oct. 10, 2025
Art of Science Contest Deadline
Monday, Oct. 13-Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025
Pre-Health Professions Entrepreneurship Summit
| | | Partner With the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science as We Race Toward Excellence! | | Assistant Professor of Biology Laura Fontenas, Ph.D., and student researchers study developmental neurobiology. Dr. Fontenas investigates how the protective coating around nerves change and adapt in living zebrafish. Her lab's goal is to learn what goes wrong in nerve diseases and advance discovery of ways to repair nerves or spinal cord injuries. | | 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. | | | | |
