Category: SharkBytes

NSU College of Dental Medicine Named an Apple Distinguished School

College of Dental Medicine Apple Designation

Nova Southeastern University’s College of Dental Medicine has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for 2025–2028, one of only four dental schools nationwide to receive this honor.

College of Dental Medicine Apple Designation

The designation highlights the college’s leadership in innovation and education, with a fully digital curriculum, immersive virtual and haptic simulation training, and creative teaching models that prepare students for success in today’s technology-driven healthcare environment. The integration of iPads enhances collaboration, expands access to resources, and transforms how students learn and engage.

“This recognition reflects our commitment to transforming dental education,” said Dr. Steven Kaltman, dean of the College of Dental Medicine. “We’re empowering students with the tools and experiences they need to excel and this is what excellence looks like.”

NSU Researcher Explores New Approaches to Alzheimer’s Disease

Sabbir

Dr. Mohammad Golam Sabbir, an assistant professor in Nova Southeastern University’s Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, is working to uncover new ways to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

With support from Miami-based biotech company Curallux, LLC, he is studying how brain cells lose the ability to communicate as the disease advances and exploring therapies that could protect memory and cognitive function. Alzheimer’s disease affects millions of Americans, gradually eroding memory, thinking, and independence.

Sabbir

Dr. Sabbir’s research focuses on a key brain receptor involved in memory, which is often lost early in the disease. His findings suggest that treatments aimed only at boosting brain chemicals may not be an effective therapeutic strategy for many patients, pointing to the need for new strategies that restore the brain’s natural signaling pathways. One promising approach Dr. Sabbir is investigating is photobiomodulation, a non-invasive therapy using low-level red or near-infrared light to stimulate biological processes in cells and tissues.

By combining this with strategies to restore critical brain receptors, his work aims to protect neurons, slow cognitive decline, and bring the field closer to more effective treatments for Alzheimer’s patients.

Explore Dr. Sabbir’s research publications here.

NSU Students Excel at 2025 ISSN Conference

Emma Sterne

Emma SterneThe Department of Health and Human Performance in the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine made a strong impression at the 2025 International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) Conference held in Delray Beach, Florida.

With mentorship from Drs. Corey Peacock, Monique Mokha, Anthony Ricci, Jose Antonio, Tobin Silver, and Lia Jiannine, the department contributed to ten accepted abstract presentations, each featuring NSU Florida students as first authors or co-authors. The accepted presentations highlighted a range of topics in sports science and nutrition, including biomechanics, body composition, eating behaviors, and weight cutting strategies in mixed martial arts.

Undergraduate student Emma Sterne earned first place in the undergraduate category for her research comparing the influence of lower-body biomechanics versus body composition on sprint performance in the 40-yard dash. Cassandra Evans, MS, RD, who serves as adjunct faculty in both the Department of Nutrition and the Department of Health and Human Performance, earned second place in the PhD-level category for her project examining sex-related differences in eating behaviors.

These achievements reflect the department’s strong culture of student-driven research supported by engaged and experienced faculty mentors. Students participated in many stages of the research process alongside faculty, gaining valuable experience and helping elevate the department’s national presence in health and human performance.

College of Psychology’s Project RISE Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Project RISE

Nova Southeastern University’s College of Psychology proudly announces that its grant-sponsored program, Project RISE, is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

Founded by Dr. David Reitman, Professor of Psychology at NSU’s College of Psychology, Director of the ADHD Assessment Consultation and Treatment (AACT) Program, and Project RISE Project Director, and in collaboration with Fischler College of Education’s Drs. Dana Mills, James Pann, and Marcelo Castro, this initiative has spent the last 20 years providing “Research, Inspiration, Support, and Evaluation” to after-school providers in Miami-Dade County.

Project RISE

Dr. Reitman began working with The Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade County in 2004 alongside several other organizations to develop and implement a system of quality improvement to support their funded K-5 after-school programs. Through discussions with local providers and national researchers in learning and childcare, Project RISE was born.

Now in its 20th year, Project RISE has trained more than 5000 youth development (YD) workers serving youth in grades K-12 to enhance the quality of after-school and summer programs. Project RISE creates and delivers online trainings and facilitates peer learning concerned with program management, literacy, and fitness. Instructional coaches provide YD workers with on-site guidance to support struggling readers, enhance fitness activities, and improve homework assistance practices.

More recent initiatives have focused on supporting social emotional learning and providing consultation and program evaluation assistance to the Trust’s staff and administrators. Project RISE has received over 10 million dollars of funding since its inception in 2005.

For more information on Project RISE, please visit here or call Dr. Diana Lores, Program Director at 954-262-5756.

Education Alumna Elected to NEA Executive Committee

mills

Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice alumna Tia Mills, Ed.D., has been elected to the executive committee of the National Education Association (NEA). Mills graduated from NSU with her Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership and Organizational Leadership back in 2014.

Having served as an educator both in elementary schools and as an adjunct professor, Mills has two decades of experience. Now, she is using that experience to sit on the executive board of the largest labor union in the country.

mills

She is only the second person from Louisiana to hold the position in about 30 years. The position is for a term of three years, and is one of nine committee members, including the president, vice president, secretary, and six executive committee members.

“It’s truly an honor to be able to serve in a capacity like this,” Mills said. “Nearly 7000 delegates got to elect me, and I am excited to represent the 3 million members of the association.”

As a part of the executive committee, Mills will work to carry out the mission and goals of the president as set by the association. Mills was elected to the role on July 4th at the NEA’s Representative Assembly in Portland, Oregon and said that she plans to work hard in the role.

Criminal Justice Students Join Community Police Academy

plantation police academy

A group of students from the Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice is getting the special opportunity to take part in a police training program.

The group of five students signed up for the Plantation Police Department’s Community Police Academy. The academy lasts eight weeks and features a series of informative presentations on a variety of topics that will teach these students about the roles, responsibilities, and functions of the Plantation Police Department. Among the activities include riding along with a patrol officer, participating in police-related scenarios, and getting instruction in weapons safety.

plantation police academy

Upon completion, the attendees will also get a certificate, apparel, and accessories. Dr. Grace Telesco, associate professor and Director of the School of Criminal Justice, feels the academy is a great way to bolster police and community relations. “Civilians come in with a notion of the police and what the police do, how the police should behave and how the police should interact with them. When they get immersed in the training that officers go through … they get to see the other side and it’s been very enlightening and very helpful to educate the community about what the police do.”

Telesco speaks from experience. She ran a similar program during her time with the New York Police Department, and she mentioned how it’s beneficial for police to also engage with members of the community. Telesco hopes to continue the collaboration with Plantation police and have other students join in the future.

This group of attendees is set to graduate from the academy on September 30th.

NSU Professor Advocates for a Professional Reform

Adithya Chandregowda

Dr. Adithya Chandregowda, associate professor from the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at NSU’s Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, recently published a letter-to-the-editor advocating for a revision of the professional title “speech language pathologist” due to four key reasons.

Adithya Chandregowda

Within a short span of time, the article has received substantial attention as evidenced by about 5,000 downloads worldwide.

The letter can be freely accessed here.

New Book Explores Autism Through a Developmental Lens

Dr. Michael Voltaire, associate professor in the College of Psychology at Nova Southeastern University, has authored a new book titled Developmental Trajectories, Diagnosis, and Interventions for Autism.

With autism diagnoses on the rise — now estimated by the CDC to affect 1 in 34 children in the U.S., compared to 1 in 150 in 2000 — this timely book addresses some of the most pressing questions surrounding the condition, including its causes, diagnosis, and treatment. What sets this book apart from the hundreds of others on the topic is its unique application of a developmental psychopathology framework.

Dr. Voltaire examines autism across physical, cognitive, and psychosocial domains, comparing typical and atypical developmental patterns to help clinicians and caregivers recognize early warning signs and understand the broader impact of autism across the lifespan. Structured in four comprehensive parts, the book delves into the history and evolution of autism, the science behind its causes, advancements in diagnostic tools, and a wide range of intervention options.

This accessible and research-informed resource is ideal for parents, clinicians, educators, and researchers seeking deeper insight into the complexities of autism. Learn more here.

Fischler Alum Meets Student Housing Need at Florida College

Michael Hageloh

Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice alum Michael Hageloh, Ed.D., is giving his strategic research project a real-world application.

Hageloh graduated from NSU with his MBA in 1992 and his Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership in 2023. During his doctoral studies, Hageloh took on the Strategic Research Project (SRP) and examined the relationship between housing developers and different sized higher education institutions and identified an opportunity for developers to create housing for smaller and mid-sized institutions.

Michael Hageloh

Michael Hageloh

Now, just two years after graduating with his Ed.D., Hageloh’s research is in the process of being implemented with a national developer. The specifics of the initiative have not yet been released and are still under development. Hageloh was motivated by the housing situation at his own employer, Indian River State College (IRSC), where he is the Executive Vice President for Strategic Initiatives.

During his project, Hageloh had an assessment completed that revealed a need for an additional 1,700 beds at IRSC. Now, he is using his SRP as a roadmap to help meet the need. While Hageloh is pleased that his project is seeing real world use, he said his job is not done and he will continue to work to solve the problem of student housing. Hageloh also made sure to thank faculty member, Gina Peyton, Ed.D. for her guidance, which was instrumental in shaping both the strategic and scholarly foundation of the project.

Congratulations, Dr. Hageloh. Fins up to you!

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