Faculty & Staff News
The Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine (NSUMD) will host its Annual Pride Health Fair on June 3 at the Pride Center at Equality Park in Fort Lauderdale.
Scan the QR code on the flyer to register for this free event and win great prizes. Interested exhibitors, please contact Dr. Arkene Levy (alevy1@nova.edu) for more information.
Posted 05/21/23
Amanda Furiasse, Ph.D.
Amanda Furiasse, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Humanities & Politics, presented “Looping Back to Nature: AI, Machine Learning, and the
Resurgence of Nature Religions” at the Implicit Religion Conference hosted by Bishop Grosseteste University, Lincoln, UK.
The presentation offered critical insight into the design and application of more culturally and ecologically responsible machine learning and artificial intelligence models. By examining the ways in which technology mimics natural systems, the presentation shed light on the potential pitfalls and ethical considerations that arise when developing AI systems and highlighted the need for a more ethically conscious and responsible approach to AI that contributes to a more harmonious and balanced relationship between technology and the natural world.
According to Furiasse, “Presenting at the conference afforded me the opportunity to share my research with scholars from around the globe and prepare my research for publication. Engaging in discussions and exchanging ideas with fellow researchers has enabled me to refine my research and develop a more nuanced perspective on the potential contributions of religion to the development of ecologically conscious AI models.”
Posted 06/04/23
Olivia Grønborg became the fourth Nova Southeastern women’s golfer, first since 2012, to win the Individual NCAA Division II National Championship. Grønborg won the title by four strokes and recorded a tournament best 16 birdies across three rounds.
From left, NSU College of Psychology student Kethaki Karunathilake; Aline Milfort, Psy.D.; Tiara Bland, Ed.D.; and NSU College of Psychology student Asia Flagg.
On April 27 and 28, 2023, NSU alums Tiara Bland, Ed.D., and Aline Milfort, Psy.D. organized the inaugural Black School Psych Summit in Atlanta, Georgia. Per the organizers, the summit’s aim was “to support, elevate, and advance the work of Black school psychologists”.
From left, NSU Alumnae Aline Milfort, Psy.D. and Tiara Bland, Ed.D., both NSU Distinguished Alumni recipients.
Both Bland and Milfort founded the Black School Psychologists Network (BSPN) and created the summit to have a safe space where practitioners could feel a sense of belonging and support while accessing resources that would help them in their profession. Milfort completed her doctorate degree in School Psychology in 2022 while Bland completed her specialist in School Psychology in 2017.
The summit welcomed more than 475 registered attendees and included a legends panel, featured sessions, breakout sessions, live podcasts, and interviews from a wide range of Black school psychologists. There was also an exhibit hall, poster sessions, panel discussions, and an awards ceremony celebrating Black excellence.
As part of the award ceremony, Bland and Milfort received NSU’s Distinguished Alumni Award for their pivotal efforts with BSPN and the summit.
NSU College of Psychology’s doctoral program in School Psychology is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association. Its School Psychology Specialist degree is Florida Department of Education approved and holds the designation of National Recognition by the National Association of School Psychologists.
Posted 05/21/23
NSU College of Dental Medicine started off the summer semester with a tremendous outreach to several communities and potential new collaborations.
In late April 2023, Mark Schweizer, Assistant Dean for Community Programs and Public Health visited the Dominican Republic to see the wonderful work being done by One Smile led by our own IDG, Christopher Garcia who has provided more than 17 missions through his organization.
They were also joined by IDG students, Nelson Carrillo, Rafael Castro, Pranayan Chakma, Jay Shah, Christopher Basily, Alexandra Izaguirre, Dayli Vidal, and Kenia Marmol, traveling to the remote area outside of Santa Domingo to treat children from underserved communities and provided food and medical screenings.
Schweizer also met with the Dean of Unibe Dental school to explore potential for educational and clinical programs.
The love continued when the Kiran Patel College of Health Care Sciences joined the College of Dental Medicine in Utuado, Puerto Rico in May 2023. Students from NSU Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Dental Medicine provided care to hundreds of patients at the Cassao Community Clinic.
Schweizer and Dr. Norberto Coerezza led students Jim Skaff, Mary Wick, Christopher Garcia (IDG), Shekhar Gill-Uppal, Austin Jackson, and William Thornton. The community was so gracious of the care we provided, and we plan on returning in October. The exchange and connection between the students and patients were just amazing.
Posted 05/21/23
In keeping with its mission to assist the wider community, NSU College of Psychology faculty and students traveled to Jordan during the 2023 spring break, where they provided psychological support services and donated items to refugee children and their families. This annual humanitarian trip was last completed in March 2019 prior to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.
Led by faculty Oraib Toukhly, Psy.D., Stephen Campbell, Ph.D., and Gene Cash, Ph.D., ABPP, and accompanied students from the College’s Humanitarian Global Outreach (HGO) student organization, the group visited various refugee sites in Jordan. The sites included camps such as Al-Hussein, Al-Baqaa, and Hittin as well as the Our Lady of the Mountain Church.
Posted 05/21/23
Congratulations to our USchool student- athletes who signed their commitments to play collegiate sports. We wish you the best of luck as you continue to pursue your academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level! #GoSharks
U make US proud, Sharks.
Posted 05/21/23
Under the leadership of Vanessa Blanco, director of NSU’s Puerto Rico Campus, along with an amazing team of faculty and students from NSU College of Dental Medicine Davie and Clearwater, and NSU Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy from the Tampa Bay Regional Campus, underserved communities in Puerto Rico received much needed health care service.
May 1-6, 2023, NSU’s team shared its energy, talent, and compassion with the municipalities of Utuado, Cabo Rojo, and Yauco and the communities of Ponce Playa, Ponce Tibes, Ponce Tives, Ponce La Lula, and Ponce Jaime Drew. This year was special as we provided care to 368 patients and received recognition from the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico and the mayor of Cabo Rojo.
Our first collaboration occurred in 2018 during the inauguration of the COSSAO Clinic. COVID kept us away for a few years, but this year we were represented by a total of 32 faculty students, and the NSU Puerto Rico Campus Director. Also, we had tremendous collaboration from 60 organizations including the Puerto Rico Department of Health, six community leaders and 29 resident volunteers. This October we will expand this Puerto Rico outreach by including other disciplines from the Health Professions Division.
This amazing trip can be summed up by the words of Dr. Mark Schweizer, Assistant Dean of Community Programs and Public Health at the College of Dental Medicine: “As educators and health professionals our goal and the goal of NSU is to provide experiences and memories that will not only change the lives of the patients, but the lives of our future health professionals.”
The entire team thanks Vanessa Blanco for not only her incredible organizational skills, but her heart.
Like they say “FINS UP!”
Posted 05/21/23
Santanu De, Ph.D.
Santanu De, Ph.D., faculty in the Department of Biological Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences and Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Center (HCAS), co-authored an article with colleagues from the College of Nursing, based on an interdisciplinary collaboration with faculty and students from the College of Nursing. The article entitled, “Immersive Learning and Participatory Engagement Connecting in the Online Classroom through Virtual Reality.” It was published in the International Journal of Distance Technologies (IJDET).
The project involved designing a structured Virtual Classroom and showing its effectiveness in contributing significantly to learning and engagement among undergraduate and graduate students of healthcare sciences, especially during unprecedented challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cavanaugh, G., Condry, H. M., Afable, C. F., Morris, M., De, S., Madison, H. E., Marshall, J., Victor, C. P., & Weiner, M. (2023). Immersive Learning and Participatory Engagement: Connecting in the Online Classroom Through Virtual Reality. International Journal of Distance Education Technologies (IJDET), 21(1), 1-19. http://doi.org/10.4018/IJDET.317364
Posted 05/21/23
Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice alum Brittany Nearhoof has been named as a finalist for Georgia Teacher of the Year.
Nearhoof, who graduated from NSU in 2011 with a Master’s Degree in Integrated Technology and Teaching and Learning, currently works as an art teacher at McAllister Elementary School in Bryan County, Georgia.
Brittany Nearhoof
Having served as a teacher for 14 years, she said to be recognized at the state level left her feeling both honored and humbled.
“When I met all of my fellow finalists … when I saw everybody in person, my goodness, they’re incredible teachers. And I am sincerely humbled and honored to be among the group.”
Earlier in her career, Nearhoof had been named Teacher of the Year before within a previous school she worked at.
“I thought, ‘Wow, that was just an incredible honor.’ Like, how nice to get this award. And then this time around, when I got it for my school, I thought, ‘Wow, my peers see something in me,’” she said. “When I found out I received it for the state, that has been a surreal experience.”
Nearhoof said part of what made the experience so honoring is that many of her peers and colleagues also in the arts aren’t used to their subject being recognized. She recalled how a veteran art teacher close to retirement told her how proud she is to see visual arts in the spotlight.
Nearhoof said her ultimate goal is to continue being a great educator and learn as much as she can.
“I plan to just continue in the classroom and to continue to grow in my craft,” she said. “And advocate for the arts in schools.”
The official teacher of the year will be named at a gala on June 10.
Good luck Brittany! We are rooting for you!
Posted 05/21/23