CHARLES E. SCHMIDT COLLEGE OF SCIENCE | FEBRUARY 2023 View as Webpage
Noise From Urban Environments Affects the Color of Songbirds' Beaks
Rindy C. Anderson, Ph.D., senior author, an associate professor of biological sciences and director of the Behavioral Ecology and Bioacoustics Lab at FAU’s Davie campus within the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, recently conducted a study on cognition, beak color and growth in the zebra finch. Her team's findings suggest that exposure to urban noise may affect the birds' structural traits, such as beak color, which influence social interactions and mate choice. Study co-authors are FAU’s Charlie Daria, a graduate student; and Morgan C. Slevin, a doctoral student, both in the Schmidt College of Science. Read more.
NIST Selects FAU Department of Mathematical Sciences Professor's Quantum-Resistant Algorithm
Public-key cryptography is used everywhere, from protecting personal and financial information to verifying digital signatures. A powerful quantum computer, on the other hand, can easily break almost all current public-key cryptosystems. Last summer, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) selected the first set of encryption tools designed to withstand hacking by a future quantum computer.

Researchers from FAU’s Schmidt College of Science Department of Mathematical Sciences are actively involved in the development of the NIST’s post-quantum cryptography standards, including Shi Bai, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences. Read more.
Effects of Resistance Training in Older Adults at the Cellular Level
FAU researchers in the Schmidt College of Science's Department of Exercise Science and Health Promotion conducted a study to explore the effects of resistance training in older adults, taking research one step further in helping to elucidate the benefits of exercise in this population. The results of their eight-week study were recently published in the journal Antioxidants. Read more.
2022 Art of Science Winners Will Be Celebrated at Gallery Opening Night Event
The Charles E. Schmidt College of Science has five winners in the 2022 Art of Science contest. Join FAU's Division of Research on Wednesday, Feb. 8, from 4 to 6 p.m., in the Schmidt Center Gallery to celebrate the winners of the 2022 Art of Science photography and video contest at the gallery opening night. Congratulations to first place winner Anton Oleinik, Ph.D., associate professor in the College of Science, for his "Triceratops Leg" photo (above). Click here to view all of the winners or to register for the opening night event.
Alumni Spotlight: Nate Shanok, '20, '17
Two-time Schmidt College of Science alumnus Nate Shanok most recently graduated from Florida Atlantic University in 2020, with a Ph.D. in experimental psychology and a focus in behavioral neuroscience. He also received an M.A. in psychology in 2017, from the College. Currently, Shanok works as the director of the Delray Center for Brain Science, and he also serves an adjunct professor in FAU’s Department of Psychology. Read more.
Dean's List Fall 2022
Congratulations to all of our outstanding students on the Fall 2022 Dean's List! Read more.
Save the Date: 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. Learn more.
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, kicks-off in January. Lectures will be back in-person, with live talks along with question and answer sessions. Registration is required. We invite you to explore the sciences with us!
February 3

“Nuclear Fusion to Combat Climate Change: Promise and Key Challenges”

Juergen Rapp, Ph.D.
Chief Scientist of MPEX (Materials Plasma Exposure Experiment) Machine at Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Time: 4:00 p.m.
February 10

“American Conspiracy Theories"

Joseph Uscinski, Ph.D.
Professor of Political Science, University of Miami

Time: 4:00 p.m.

February 17

“Mapping the Brain in Health, Aging and Disease"

Monica K. Hurdal, Ph.D.
Professor and Associate Chair of Mathematics, Florida State University

Time: 4:00 p.m.
Click here to view all of the speakers this upcoming season.
Patent Approved for Novel Intranasal Drug Delivery Platform
Congratulations to Predrag Cudic, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and the College's associate dean for research, who had a novel intranasal drug delivery platform approved by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The newly patented method promises to aid in the treatment of brain and central nervous system diseases. Read more.
FAU's Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Awarded ASBMB Accreditation
The Schmidt College of Science’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry recently received a provisional accreditation from the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB).

We are very pleased to receive this significant distinction from ASBMB,” said Andrew Terentis, Ph.D., professor and department chair of FAU’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. “It will increase our national recognition, along with internal and external funding opportunities, as well as attract high-caliber students.” Read more.
Social Media Spotlight: Save Our Seas Grant Supports Student Research
Instagram: @fishecohboi: Congratulations to our very own Ariadna Rojas Corzo for winning a @saveourseasfoundation small grant to continue her research on whitespotted eagle ray nursery habitats! We appreciate this support and look forward to working on this important and understudied species at its most vulnerable life stage.
Register to Compete: FAU Three Minute Thesis Competition
Feb. 20-24, 2023

FAU graduate students from all degree programs are invited to compete in the University's Annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Competition. This exciting competition challenges graduate students to present their research in only three minutes to a live audience. Over $30,000 in scholarship prizes are awarded to Preliminary Round and Championship winners. All degree-seeking FAU graduate students enrolled in a minimum of 1 credit hour in Spring 2023 are eligible to compete.
Registration Deadline: Friday, February 10, 2023
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!
Jumpstart Postdoctoral Program 
Application Deadline: Friday, February 3, 2023 

The Jumpstart Postdoctoral Program aims to stimulate synergy between faculty and postdoctoral associates and encourage greater multidisciplinary collaboration. The program provides opportunities for postdocs and our faculty to engage in multidisciplinary research that addresses societally relevant problems. Faculty interested in starting a new collaboration and in supporting early career scientists, this is an ideal opportunity to do both.
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
Faculty Featured in Florida Trend 

Gregg Fields, Ph.D., a professor in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, discusses the optimism of cancer treatment and therapy options for patients. Fields is an executive director of FAU’s Institute for Human Health and Disease Intervention, and co-director of Memorial Cancer Institute Florida Atlantic University Cancer Center of Excellence. Read more.
Breezeway Dialogues: Feb. 7

Mark your calendar for the upcoming Breezeway Dialogues, "What if Artificial Intelligence Becomes Conscious? Pros and Cons for Humanity in a World with 'Awake' Machines." Come grab a seat and participate in this great discussion. 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.
Upcoming Events
Friday, February 3

Tuesday, February 7

Wednesday, February 8

Friday, February 10

Wednesday, February 10
Friday, February 17

Monday, February 20

Thursday, March 16-Friday, March 17

Friday, March 31

Friday, April 21
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