Category: SharkBytes

Faculty Member Gives Presentations on Stress at Conferences

Sharon C. Siegel

Sharon C. Siegel

Sharon C. Siegel, DDS, MS, MBA, gave two presentations this fall, both of which focused on coping with stress.

She gave a presentation on Sept. 26 at the Emerald Coast Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) meeting in Destin, Fla. The title of her presentation was “Reducing Your Stress, Restoring Your Sleep and Managing Your Burnout: One Breath at a Time.”  The presentation was well-attended, and participant feedback was positive.

Siegel also presented at the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) Annual Session in Orlando on Oct. 26 with two ACLM colleagues. The title of her presentation was “Combatting Provider Stress: The Solution May be Right Under your Nose.”

The session was sold out. The ACLM is a specialty in the American Medical Association that uses the six pillars of healthy lifestyle to focus on addressing chronic illness in their practices. The six pillars are nutrition, exercise, sleep stress management, avoidance of risky substances, and social connection.

NSU Announces Provost’s Research and Scholarship Awards

It has been 14 years since we first launched the Provost’s Research and Scholarship Award. This program offers awards across two career stages and two disciplinary categories. This year, we are grateful for an added recognition provided by NSU Business Services, where each winner will receive a year’s membership to the NSU Faculty Club, valued at $300.

Arts, Business, Humanities, Law, and Social Sciences

weissman

Weissman

Assistant Professor Award goes to Jeremy Weissman, assistant professor in the Halmos College of Arts & Sciences.

Jeremy was honored for his significant contributions to research and scholarship, particularly in the ethics of technology and biomedical ethics. His work addresses timely and relevant issues, positioning him as a future leader in these fields. Notably, his book, “The Crowdsourced Panopticon: Conformity and Control on Social Media,” published in 2021, has garnered many positive reviews and has been featured on platforms like the Academy of Ideas.

Beyond his research, Jeremy has actively engaged with the NSU community, addressing the challenges posed by artificial intelligence in higher education. He has delivered talks, participated in podcasts, and contributed to initiatives aimed at inspiring students in their research endeavors. Through his efforts, he is not only advancing academic discourse but also fostering the development of responsible professionals for the future.

Neymotin

Neymotin

Professor Award goes to Florence Neymotin, professor in the H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship.

Florence was recognized for her outstanding contributions to research and scholarship, having been trained by a Nobel Prize winner who instilled in her a commitment to excellence. Throughout her academic career, she has published over fifty journal articles in top-tier journals, including Health Economics, Journal of Economic Psychology, and Obesity. Notably, her work on the economics of education was selected as an editor’s pick in Science and has received significant media attention.

In addition to her research, Florence is dedicated to mentoring junior colleagues and fostering collaboration across disciplines. She has developed courses in economics and related fields and has received excellent evaluations for her teaching. By linking research with education, she is shaping the next generation of scholars and leaders.

Banks

Banks

Professor Award goes to Jonathan Banks, associate professor in the College of Psychology.

Jonathan was recognized for his impactful research on attention control, exploring how factors like stress, mindfulness, and exercise influence cognitive functions. His work has significantly advanced the understanding of mind wandering as both a consequence of poor attention control and a contributor to cognitive impairments related to stress.

He has published 34 peer-reviewed articles, with notable contributions to high-impact journals such as Emotion and Journal of Experimental Psychology. Jonathan has also presented his findings at 42 national and international conferences, often including student co-authors.

His research has received external funding, including a recent NSF award with Dr. Jamie Tartar, aimed at examining the interplay between stress, mind wandering, and cognitive function. Through his innovative work, Jonathan is making vital contributions to cognitive psychology and enhancing our understanding of how mindfulness can mitigate stress-related cognitive challenges.

STEM and Health/Medicine

Cheema

Cheema

Assistant Professor Award goes to Aman Cheema, assistant professor in the Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Aman was recognized for her impactful research in complex multi symptom illnesses. She has secured significant funding, including three Department of Defense awards, and published in top-tier journals.

Notably, she led the first Phase II trial funded by the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, focusing on veterans. Her work has garnered 161 citations, highlighting her influence in the field. She is a Co-Chair of the NSU IRB and Director of the INIM office of Clinical Research.

Aman is also a dedicated mentor, guiding numerous students in research and contributing to the establishment of an interdisciplinary PhD program at KPCOM. Her collaborative efforts and leadership in the SHIELD TOXIC EXPOSURES conference further underscore her commitment to advancing research and supporting the next generation of scientists.

Kawai

Kawai

Professor Award goes to Toshihisa Kawai, professor in the College of Dental Medicine.

Toshi was recognized for his outstanding contributions to research, having published 143 original papers and secured over $20 million in extramural funding. He is internationally acclaimed for his innovative monoclonal antibody platform and has five issued patents.

Since joining Nova Southeastern University in 2016, Toshi has expanded his research to include microbiology and osteoimmunology, focusing on mucosal infectious diseases. His NIH R21 and R01 grants led to groundbreaking discoveries in autoimmune responses related to bone diseases, including periodontitis, TMJ disorder, and osteoarthritis, and he is currently developing a novel humanized mouse model to enhance preclinical drug testing.

Toshi’s expertise is recognized globally, with numerous invited lectures at prestigious institutions and conferences, and service on numerous NIH study sections. He actively mentors junior researchers and students, fostering a collaborative and supportive research environment. His commitment to advancing dental and biomedical research and training the next generation of scholars makes him a highly respected figure in his field.

Figueiredo

Figueiredo

Professor Award goes to Joana Figueiredo, associate professor in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences.

Joana was recognized for her pioneering research in coral reef restoration, a critical area of study with significant scientific, social, and economic implications. Since joining Nova Southeastern University in 2014, she has secured millions in external funding and currently serves as the Interim Executive Director of the National Coral Reef Institute.

With over 2,000 citations and an h-index of 24, Joana has published extensively in prestigious journals such as Nature Climate Change, Ecology, and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. She actively contributes to the academic community as a reviewer for multiple journals and topic editor for Coral Reefs.

Her expertise has led to invited presentations at renowned institutions, including the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, The Nature Conservancy, and the Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research in Germany. Joana also plays a vital role in mentoring students, having advised over 40 master’s students on their thesis projects and including them in numerous publications. Her leadership and commitment to coral reef research make her a valuable asset to the field and the university.

USchool Speech & Debate Team Wins Awards at Invitational

Debate Team

This past weekend, NSU University School’s Speech & Debate team competed at the Tradition Invitational, which featured more than 400 participants from 37 schools across five states.

The team placed second overall in the Speech & Debate sweepstakes. They also brought home two individual championships, two Tournament of Champions qualifiers, and several additional bids. The team also secured three fifth-place awards, three sixth-place awards, and several students reached the semifinals, quarterfinals, and octafinals.

FY2026 PRG and QOL Grant Cycles Now Open

NSUThe FY 2026 President’s Research Grant (PRG), formerly the Presidents Faculty Research Development Grant, and the Quality of Life (QOL) grant cycles are now open.

These internal grant programs provide up to $15,000 in support of a variety of research and scholarly activities. PRG and QOL are tremendous opportunities for faculty to build their research capacity that can be leveraged toward external funding pursuits.

This year the application process will be submitted through the new InfoReady platform (InfoReady). Applications are due no later than March 4, 2025, at 5 p.m.

For more information about how to apply and program guidelines, visit the InfoReady website here, log in with your NSU credentials, and scroll to the bottom of the homepage to select the FY26 PRG or QOL open funding opportunity. You can also visit the PRG program website here and the QOL website here.

Applicants are encouraged to attend one of the Zoom trainings that will be held on Jan. 7 and Jan. 9  from noon to 1 p.m. To register, please go to the following link InfoReady Training Registration.

For questions, please contact PRG@nova.edu or QOL@nova.edu.

NSU Faculty Honored for Receiving External Funding

At this year’s External Funding and Provost Awards recognition event, 177 NSU principal investigators and co-principal investigators from 14 colleges and seven units were recognized for their external funding achievements during FY 2024. Additionally, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Ronald Chenail announced six recipients of this year’s Provost’s Research and Scholarship Awards.

The event was held on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at the Alan B. Levan | NSU Broward Center of Innovation in the Alvin Sherman Library. It was hosted by Chenail; Kenneth Dawson-Scully, NSU senior vice president for research and economic development; and Gary S. Margules, NSU’s vice president for research.

The External Funding and Provost Awards recognition is an annual event that honors the achievements of NSU faculty and staff who secured external grant funding in the previous fiscal year. Fiscal Year 2024 saw remarkable success in external funding, with total active awards reaching about $167 million, of which $71 million supported research initiatives and about 53 percent of the total being funded directly through federal government funds.

For three fiscal years in a row, the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine have had the two highest percentages of the total active external funding. These impressive achievements are celebrated, thanks to the outstanding contributions of our faculty members who helped achieve this milestone and served to inspire continued efforts in pursuing external funding opportunities.

College of Business and Entrepreneurship Climbs Rankings

NSU

Nova Southeastern University’s H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship is climbing the ranks of top entrepreneurship programs in the country, according to the latest release from The Princeton Review and its publishing partner, Entrepreneur magazine.

Now in its 19th year, The Princeton Review annually names the top 50 undergraduate and the top 50 graduate schools for entrepreneurship studies. NSU’s college climbed two spots to No. 42 on the “Top 50 Graduate Entrepreneurship Programs of 2025” national list, and 1 spot to No. 8 in the South Region.

Based on a summer 2024 survey of nearly 300 schools with entrepreneurial offerings, The Review’s rankings weighed more than 40 data points about school programs, faculties, students, and alumni. The rankings are posted at www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings/top-entrepreneurand www.entrepreneur.com/topcolleges. Entrepreneur also published the rankings in its December issue available on newsstands now.

“For students considering a career as an entrepreneur, we strongly recommend NSU’s H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship as well as the other exceptional schools that made our lists for 2025,” said Rob Franek, The Princeton Review’s editor in chief. “Their faculties are outstanding. Their programs have robust experiential components. Their students receive mentoring and networking support that will serve them well into their careers.”

NSU Researcher Weighs in on Great Barrier Reef

Shane Wever

Shane Wever

Nova Southeastern University’s Halmos College of Arts and Sciences is now contributing to coral reef restoration management on the Great Barrier Reef.

NSU researcher Shane Wever, with the Coral Reef Restoration Assessment and Monitoring Laboratory, was contacted last year by the University of Queensland in Australia about his thesis work on ship-grounding rehabilitation. Through his correspondence, Wever was able to contribute to multiple sections of the “Practical Guide to Restoration and Rehabilitation of Rubble on Coral Reefs.”

His work will be published on the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program (RRAP) website. RRAP is a global leader in coral reef restoration and adaptation research and solution deployment.

“I’m happy to say I’m listed as a contributing author and proud to add Nova Southeastern University’s name to this international collaboration,” Wever said.

NSU Honors Service and Sacrifice on Veterans Day

F-16s

F-16s perform a flyover prior to the start of NSU’s Veterans Day Celebration on Monday, Nov. 11.

On Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, Nova Southeastern University held its Veterans Day Celebration at the U.S. Military Service Plaza at Forman Field outside the William and Norma Horvitz Administration Building on NSU’s Fort Lauderdale/Davie campus.

Under sunny conditions accented by a flyover by four F-16 fighter jets, NSU’s Senior Director of Military Affairs Matthew Chenworth introduced the event following the national anthem sung by NSU student Sydney Sturza. NSU President George L. Hanbury II welcomed event attendees, which included top college officials, faculty, staff, and students.

The guest speakers at the event were Colonel John W. Erickson Jr. of the U.S. Air Force and John L. Estrada, the 15th sergeant major of the Marine Corps. Colonel Erickson is an attorney behavioral scientist, and investigator with a Master of Science in Forensic Psychology and Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice from NSU. Estrada dedicated 34 years to the Marine Corps, rising to the highest enlisted rank.

As part of the ceremony, there was a presentation of Veterans Recognition Awards. The recipients were as follows:

  • Veteran Student: Pablo Fernandez, U.S. Navy
  • Veteran Staff: Carlos Guiovani Caceros, U.S. Marine Corps
  • Veteran Faculty: Kelley Davis, Ph.D., U.S. Air Force
  • Veteran Alumni: Andrew Devon Stephenson, U.S. Army
  • Army ROTC Cadet: Cadet Jada Parris, U.S. Army ROTC

Professor Presents Research at 2 International Conferences

Adithya Chandregowda, Ph.D.,

Adithya Chandregowda, Ph.D., fields questions after his presentation.

Adithya Chandregowda, Ph.D., associate professor from the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at NSU’s Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences, presented a research poster at the British Aphasiology Society (BAS) International Conference, 2024, held in England in September. His presentation was titled “Addressing agitation in individuals with acute onset Wernicke’s aphasia.”

His presentation synopsis: Individuals with Wernicke’s aphasia, which is often caused by a stroke, have severe difficulty understanding others’ speech and monitoring their own speech. This results in substantial communication breakdowns with others (e.g., family, healthcare professionals) which in turn could trigger agitation in these patients.

Agitation in new onset Wernicke’s aphasia could be misdiagnosed and mismanaged as a psychiatric condition in acute hospitals. Chandregowda’s research has generated suggestions for health care professionals to prevent or minimize agitation in this context. Even though he presented his research poster virtually, it was well received, with a conference attendee expressing that the poster was logical, useful, and aesthetically appealing.

Chandregowda also gave an oral presentation at the 34th Alzheimer Europe Conference, Geneva, Switzerland in October. ​His presentation was titled “End-of-life interaction between individuals with dementia and their loved ones: Incorporation of nonverbal communication and nondeclarative memories.”  His presentation synopsis: There is a lack of literature on how to interact with individuals in advanced stages of Alzheimer type dementia when their declarative (explicit) memory and verbal communication could be severely impaired. With specific clinical suggestions, Chandregowda advocated for considering nonverbal communication and nondeclarative (implicit) memories to facilitate interaction in this context. His presentation generated substantial interest, with questions from multiple attendees during the post presentation Q & A and beyond.

“Attending events like this have immensely helped me with my professional growth and given me opportunities to represent my department (speech-language pathology), the college, and university internationally. I am also thankful that I can bring in these experiences to my classroom teaching to provide global perspectives to my students.”

Performance Team Celebrates Stanley Cup Victory

Pictured: Tobin Silver, Ph.D.; NSU students Liam Loging, Bella Vargas-Blanchard, Alexis Arena, and Joseph Petruzzelli; NSU alumni Peter Byers; and Florida Panthers staffers Tim Wittenauer and Mike Joyce

Pictured: Tobin Silver, Ph.D.; NSU students Liam Loging, Bella Vargas-Blanchard, Alexis Arena, and Joseph Petruzzelli; NSU alumni Peter Byers; and Florida Panthers staffers Tim Wittenauer and Mike Joyce

The Department of Health and Human Performance at Nova Southeastern University’s Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences had the honor of assisting the Florida Panthers Hockey Club with their preseason evaluations during the Stanley Cup-winning season.

Led by professors Tobin Silver, Ph.D., and Corey Peacock, Ph.D., the team—comprising undergraduate students of Exercise and Sport Science and graduate students of Sports Science—conducted detailed power, strength, fitness, body composition, and movement assessments. This invaluable experience gave students and alumni the opportunity to work in a high-performance setting alongside professional athletes. As a token of appreciation for their contributions, Tim Wittenauer, Director of Sports Performance & Rehabilitation, and Mike Joyce, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, invited the department team to spend time with the Stanley Cup, offering a momentous opportunity to celebrate the season’s success.

Peter Byers, M.S., an NSU alumni, reflected on the experience.

“This opportunity was truly invaluable,” Byers said. “Being able to perform hands-on assessments with professional athletes gave me insights and experience that I couldn’t have gained anywhere else. It was a defining moment in my development as a sports scientist.”

“Spending time with the Stanley Cup is a memory these students will carry with them for a long time,” said Tobin Silver, Ph.D. “This experience is not only about celebrating a victory but also about recognizing the hard work and dedication they put into working with elite athletes at the highest level.”

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