Author: iharrell

Lab Finds Differences between Port and Reef Sediments

Port Everglades

Marine ports can be very busy places. From the vantage point of NSU’s Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Center (GHOC), one can easily observe and be part of the boat traffic going in and out of Port Everglades Inlet (PEI). This includes small and large recreational vehicles, Coast Guard patrols, sleek and modern looking yachts, huge tankers, and cargo vessels, loaded with oil or other commodities, and of course cruise ships ferrying passengers to good times in the Caribbean.

All this activity contributes to PEI being one of the busiest ports in the SE United States, which started almost a century ago in 1928.  The human activities also set the port physically apart from nearby natural habitats, which our laboratory has corroborated by profiling the marine sediments from both port and nearby coral reef sites. Molecular microbiology analyses provide some stark contrasts.   “Although most of the sites are within a few kilometers from each other, and are connected by daily tidal flows, the port and reef microbial communities showed distinct characteristics which were statistically significant.”, says Jose (Joe) Lopez, Ph.D., a professor with a laboratory at the GHOC and the Department of Biological Sciences in Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Center (HCAS).

The study was analyzed and co-written by Lopez and affiliate NSU faculty, Lauren Krausfeldt, Ph.D., and published in the open access online journal PeerJ.  With the help of dedicated NSU students, like Catherine Bilodeau and Hyo Lee, and project initiation by former FL Dept of Environmental Protection manager, Shelby Casali, molecular microbiological methods, now routine in the field, were applied to uncover the details of which microbes live in nearshore or port sediments.  The universal gene used to identify bacteria, is called 16S rRNA, which has been previously used to characterize other samples ranging widely from shark and human teeth, octopus skin, sponge and anglerfish tissue in the GHOC molecular microbiology laboratory run by Lopez.

In the Port Everglades study, NSU researchers found that some photosynthetic cyanobacterial group abundances decreased in the reef sediments in 2021, which could indicate changing irradiance reaching sensitive corals and other symbiotic hosts that depend on sunlight.

The new PeerJ study on marine sediments has potential ramifications on local coral reef health, because routine dredging and other human activities can stir up port sediments that ultimately disperse and settle on nearby coral reef habitats.  This data, along with previous microbial research in the Lopez laboratory describing water quality provides useful baselines that can be used by local environmental managers.

Posted 04/23/23

Students Selected for Institute for Future Scientists in O.T.

Lanoris Parker

Each year, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), and the American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF), selects 20 participants from a nationwide pool of promising entry-level occupational therapy students for the Institute for Future Scientists in Occupational Therapy.

During the first AOTA/AOTF institute, OT class of 2017 student Bryce Carsone Smith, represented the NSU Tampa Bay O.T.D. program. This year, two NSU of the selected twenty participants include entry-level O.T.D. students, Lanoris Parker­–Fort Lauderdale, and Deborah Kofsky–Tampa Bay.

First year O.T.D. student Lanoris Parker was a personal trainer prior to entering the O.T.D. program, and upon graduation with a Masters in Kinesiology, received a commission with the US Army Medical Specialty Corps as an Army Reserve Second Lieutenant. His interest is in learning about the interconnectedness of physical activity, brain science, and occupational therapy. Due to lack of resources and inadequate teaching and aware of health disparities, he is motivated to participate in occupational science and help elevate research to improve mental health and fight against the rise of mental disorders.

Deborah Kofsky

Deborah Kofsky, fourth year O.T.D. student, is completing her final clinical rotation and doctoral capstone experience for her OTD degree. Her academic performance is marked with grades on the top 5% of her cohort, and qualified her for scholarships, including repeat awards of the NSU Chancellor’s scholarship.  She completed the rigorous 6-sequence OTD research curriculum, capped with a podium and poster presentation and a manuscript for submission to a juried publication. In addition, she served a one-year internship with the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Rehabilitation and Disability Special Interest Section supporting initiatives for community-based activities.

The future scientists will participate during in-person sessions at the AOTA INSPIRE Annual Conference & Expo in Kansas City, Missouri, when they will be matched with leading occupational therapy scientists to address topics such as possibilities within OT science, considerations when evaluating potential doctoral programs, and career opportunities as a scientist. The facilitators and mentors of the will be composed of faculty and doctoral/post-doctoral students from established research programs around the nation.

Hopefully, both Deborah and Lanoris will achieve the purpose of the AOTA/AOTF Institute for Future Scientists, which include being part of a group of potential scientists, connecting with other potential entry-level scientists with mentors in the occupational therapy scientific community, and developing a peer scientific network.

Posted 04/23/23

Congresswoman Tours NSU Center for Collaborative Research

From left, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz; Jean Latimer, Ph.D., director of the AutoNation Institute for Breast Cancer Research and Care; Ken Dawson, NSU’s senior vice president for Research and Economic Development; and NSU Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Dr. Harry K. Moon.

Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz recently toured NSU’s Center for Collaborative Research. While on campus, she visited the AutoNation Institute for Breast Cancer Research and Care as well as the Institute for Neuro-Immune Medicine.

Posted 04/23/23

USchool Students Compete at State Science and Engineering Fair

After earning 1st place at the regional science and engineering fair, eighth graders Adam Ginsburg and Samuel Mays were invited to compete at the State Science and Engineering Fair of Florida where they once again earned top recognition for their projects. Join us in congratulating Adam for coming in 4th place and Samuel for winning honorable mention.

Adam and Samuel were among more than 900 aspiring engineers, scientists, and mathematicians from across Florida to have their projects evaluated at the state-level competition.

Way to represent USchool!

Learn more about NSU University School’s college preparatory program for students in Preschool – Grade 12 at www.uschool.nova.edu.

Posted 04/23/23

Here Are the Winners of the 2023 STUEYs

NSU’s Division of Student Affairs proudly introduces the winners of the 25th Annual Student Life Achievement Awards (most commonly referred to as the STUEYs). This annual celebration recognizes students, faculty, staff, corporate partners, and alumni who have contributed to building a greater sense of community and campus life.

Please join us to congratulate this year’s winners and they are:

  • Sean Stanton, Abraham S. Fischler College of Education & School of Criminal Justice: Student of the Year (Overall)
  • Lohitha Guntupalli, B.S., NSU Tampa Campus: Regional Campus Student of the Year
  • College of Optometrists in Vision Development, College of Optometry: Graduate Organization of the Year
  • Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, INC. The Gamma Alpha Delta Chapter, Division of Student Affairs: Undergraduate Organization of the Year
  • College of Psychology Student Government Association, College of Psychology: Student Government of the Year
  • 2021-2022 Men’s Basketball Team, Athletics: Athletic Team of the Year
  • Monica Puga, MSN, Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing: Alumni of the Year
  • Ester Costa, Halmos College of Arts and Sciences: Juan Pablo Correa Memorial Scholarship 2023
  • Toni Spadaro, Barry and Judy Silverman College of Pharmacy: Staff Person of the Year
  • Rodrigue Colas, Ed.D., Facilities Management: Administrator of the Year
  • Paula Brochu, Ph.D., College of Psychology: Co-Curricular Adviser of the Year
  • Van Horn Law Group (Chad Van Horn, ESQ.), Shepard Broad College of Law: Corporate Partner of the Year
  • Aarti Raja, Ph.D., Halmos College of Arts and Sciences: Professor of the Year
  • Linda S. Rouse, O.D., College of Optometry: Executive of the Year

Student of the Year by Academic Unit

  • Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice: Sean Stanton
  • College of Computing and Engineering: Major Gray
  • College of Dental Medicine: Jim Skaff
  • College of Optometry: Janelle Gardner, B.S.
  • Barry and Judy Silverman College of Pharmacy: Abigail Sundberg
  • College of Psychology: Catalina Uribe, M.S.
  • Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine: Lexi Frankel
  • Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine: Lauren Taylor, B.S.
  • Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences: Sarah Repasky
  • Farquhar Honors College: Alexandra Lugo
  • Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship: Daelan Mangiafico, B.S.
  • Halmos College of Arts and Sciences: Olivia Singleton
  • Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing: Kelly Campbell, MSN
  • Shepard Broad College of Law: Summer Book
  • NSU University School: Sunny Suaya

Dental Medicine Faculty Member Receives Advocate Award

Aryia Amini, D.M.D.

Aryia Amini, D.M.D., from NSU’s College of Dental Medicine was the recipient of the 2023 American Student Dental Association (ASDA) “Advocate Award.”

ASDA is a national student-run organization that protects and advances the rights, interests, and welfare of dental students. The organization strives to inform students about the issues impacting their profession and provides opportunities to advocate for their rights as future dentists.

Today, ASDA has more than 23,000 student members, located in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

The “Advocate award” recognizes faculty/school administrators who have shown a commitment to dental students and organized dentistry.

Amini currently serves as:

  • NSU College of Dental Medicine Belonging, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (BEDI), Director
  • NSU BEDI University Advisory Council, Executive Committee Member
  • NSU College of Dental Medicine, Predoctoral Clinical Lead
  • NSU College of Dental Medicine Humanism and Diversity Committee , Chair
  • NSU College of Dental Medicine Humanism and Diversity eNewsletter, Editor
  • NSU College of Dental Medicine BEDI Newsroom, Editor
  • NSU College of Dental medicine Introduction to Dental Profession, Course Director
  • NSU College of Dental Medicine Practice Management, Course Director

Posted 04/23/23

USchool Students Earn Top Awards in Chinese Competition

Congratulations to the following Middle and Upper School students who earned top awards in their respective categories at the 17th Annual Florida Statewide Chinese Competition!

In addition to the awards listed below, seventh grader Lal Y. placed first in the Middle School Advanced Level Creative Project category and seventh grader Nazar A. placed second. Our Middle School team also placed second in the jeopardy competition.

Middle School Advanced Level Individual Listening, Speaking and Reading Competition:

  • Nazar A.: Superior in speaking, Superior in reading and Superior in listening
  • Lal Y.: Superior in speaking, Outstanding in reading, and Excellent in listening
  • Alexey K.: Excellent in speaking, Excellent in reading, Excellent in listening

Middle School Intro Level Individual Listening, Speaking and Reading Competition:

  • Xavier M.: Superior in speaking, Outstanding in reading and Outstanding in listening
  • Sebastian M.: Outstanding in speaking, Outstanding in reading, Outstanding in listening
  • Brandon C.: Superior in speaking, Excellent in reading and Outstanding in listening
  • Liam M.: Superior in speaking, Good in reading and Excellent in listening
  • Zack W.: Superior in speaking, Excellent in reading and Good in listening
  • Jake S.: Outstanding in speaking, Excellent in reading and Excellent in listening

Upper School Level 2 Individual Listening, Speaking and Reading Competition:

  • Savva S.: Superior in speaking, Outstanding in reading, Outstanding in listening
  • Martina L.: Superior in speaking, Superior in reading, Superior in listening
  • Victoria R.: Superior in speaking, Outstanding in reading, Superior in listening
  • Andrew L.: Outstanding in speaking, Excellent in reading, Outstanding in listening
  • Jeffrey Z.: Superior in speaking, Superior in reading, Superior in listening
  • Dean R.: Outstanding in speaking, Superior in reading, Superior in listening

Upper School Level 3 Individual Listening, Speaking and Reading Competition:

  • Chase R.: Outstanding in speaking, Excellent in reading, Superior in listening
  • Maddie G.: Superior in speaking, Outstanding in reading, Outstanding in listening

Learn more about NSU University School’s college preparatory program for students in Preschool – Grade 12 at www.uschool.nova.edu.

Posted 04/23/23

Doctor of Occupational Therapy Student Receives Scholarship

Arianna Sewell

Congratulations to Tampa Bay Regional campus third-year Doctor of Occupational Therapy student Arianna Sewell, by the American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF) to receive the Florence M. Stattel Endowed Scholarship.

AOTF is a charitable, scientific, and educational non-profit organization whose purpose is to advance the science of occupational therapy to support people’s full participation in meaningful life activities.

The foundation is governed by a board of trustees and awards grants for scientific research and scholarships. It also publishes a scientific Occupational Therapy Journal of Research (OTJR), Occupation, Participation and Health,[1] indexed by the National Library of Medicine and others. It sponsors the honor society Pi Theta Epsilon. It is based in Rockville, Maryland.

Arianna submitted an essay in which describes her qualifications to receive this award. Her academic performance at NSU qualifies her to receive Florence M. Stattel Endowed Scholarship, and in completing at least one year of occupational therapy specific coursework.

Arianna has a B.A. in psychology and worked as a research assistant in the HeartLAB of the University of South Florida.  As a current O.T.D. student, Arianna has earned an internship with the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), planning activities and events relative to the goals of the Developmental Disabilities Special Interest Section.

Posted 04/23/23

Kappa Delta Phi Chapter Recognized for Community Service

The Omega Theta Chapter at NSU’s Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice was recently awarded two awards from the national chapter for their efforts in Literacy Alive! Programming and Community Service Programming.

The awards acknowledge an extensive project that benefitted the people of Haiti, who are still recovering from a devastating earthquake in 2021.

Nearly two years after the earthquake, thousands of residents remain displaced and left without a home. Recognizing a need, the Omega Theta Chapter mobilized and organized a drive to collect books and other needed supplies to help ensure the students in the country can continue to learn.

“We all collaborated on this, and we were able to have a donation center at the Kendall campus and our donation center here,” said Chapter Counselor Sandra Trotman, Ed.D.

The group collected thousands of books, hygiene items, bookbags, blankets, and more.

“We gave them over $75,000 US dollars in gifts. We catered to pregnant mothers who had to come to the hospital with preeclampsia or eclampsia. So we provided gift bags, bags of love’ to these victims (babies, children, and their mothers) of the earthquake”.

The group did not complete the task alone, and they relied on the help of the local and NSU community.

“It took coordination, but it paid off because they received all these items. This highlights how the power of education can change children’s lives, one book at a time. Having children learn to read is an investment that lasts a lifetime,” said Chapter Co-Counselor María Grethel Méndez, Ed.D.

The group is no stranger to accolades for their philanthropic efforts – they have won dozens of awards over the years for various projects, including 12 literacy awards.

Posted 04/23/23

Students Receive American Association of University Women Research Award

From left: Christi Navarro, Ph.D.; Niral Praveen; Karen Jurado; and Shreya Madhudi

This year 11 student USS research posters were nominated for the NSU-AAUW Research Award. This recognition is awarded to the student research presentation that best supports our mission of promoting gender equity for women and girls through education, advocacy, and research.

The 2023 award goes to Karen Jurado-Lopez, Shreya Madhudi, and Niral Paveen. Their faculty sponsor was Christi Navarro, Ph.D.

Their work is titled Postpartum Depression: The Effects of Misdiagnosis on Maternal and Infant Health.  

Our judges had a difficult task to select just one, when all the posters nominated were outstanding. Special thanks to our judges: Tais Barreto, Sarah Divine, Julie Garcia, Sarena Hicks, Laura Macias, Katelynn Sell, Rita Shea, and Randi Sims. For more information about NSU’s Branch of AAUW visit https://nsu-fl.aauw.net/

Posted 04/23/23

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