Category: SharkBytes

Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine Dean Receives Women of Distinction Honor

 

Elaine M. Wallace, D.O., M.S., M.S., M.S., M.S., KPCOM dean, was selected as a March of Dimes Women of Distinction honoree in late June. Women of Distinction honors and celebrates female leaders in South Florida who are chosen by the community and selected by an esteemed committee of past recipients and distinguished women leaders. Since its inception, the event has honored more 230 women innovators, influencers, philanthropists, and entrepreneurs who have effected change in the community and beyond.

Education Alum Named President of North Carolina Wesleyan College

Evan Duff, Ed.D., graduate of NSU’s Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice has been named the eighth President of North Carolina Wesleyan College.

Since 2011, Dr. Duff has served in many senior leadership roles at N.C. Wesleyan including, Interim President, Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs and Vice President of Adult and Professional Studies. In these roles, Dr. Duff was responsible for leading the effort to approve new majors, co-writing the College’s first graduate application to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools- Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC) and creating seven new offsite instructional locations. He was also responsible for facilitating the development of partnerships with 20 two-year and four-year colleges, which led to articulation agreements or memorandums of understanding between those colleges and N.C. Wesleyan.

He earned his doctorate degree in education from the Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice in 2007.

Skin Microbiome Could be Used as Evidence

When mapped to the environments we interact with daily, the 36 million microbial cells per hour that humans emit just from our skin leave a trail of evidence that can be leveraged for forensic analysis. A group of researchers, including Halmos College faculty member Jose Lopez, Ph.D., affiliate NSU professor George Duncan, Ph.D., collaborated with microbial ecologist principal investigator Jack Gilbert, Ph.D. at the University of California, San Diego.  Funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Justice (NIJ), the research applied 16S  rRNA gene markers to characterize how distinctive human skin microbiomes really were, and determine if they could identify individuals.

Besides researching if the skin microbiome could identify an individual, another question was asked: How long would the microbiome “signal” last at a potential crime scene? The team has now published a new paper in the journal, Forensics Science International, describing the NIJ study. They found that the human microbiomes of volunteer participants contain rare microbial taxa that can be combined to create unique microbial profiles. Using mock burglary data, it was possible to detect the correct burglars’ microbiota as having contributed to the invaded space of the residents. Unfortunately, the predictions appeared very weak in comparison to accepted forensic standards and therefore the 16S tools cannot be used as “as a reliable trace evidence standard for criminal investigations” at this time.

Halmos Undergraduate and Faculty Present at the American Astronomical Society

This June, Halmos faculty member Stefan Kautsch, Ph.D. and marine biology major and physics minor Kyle Hansotia virtually presented at the 236th Meeting of the American Astronomical Society (AAS). Kyle and Dr. Kautsch presented the concept of mass distribution in space and how to instruct students on the concept. In addition to the presentation, Dr. Kautsch served as a judge for the conference’s

Chambliss Astronomy Achievement Student Awards. This award is for an achievement in astronomical research made by research students. The key factor in deciding the recipient will be that the work contributes to the advancement of the science of astronomy. The award consists of the Chambliss medal.

The AAS was established in 1899 and based in Washington, DC. The membership of about 7,700 consists of individuals whose research and educational interests lie within the broad spectrum of subjects now comprising the astronomical sciences. The society is the publisher of the Sky & Telescope magazine, as well as several scientific journals.

 

 

Education Alum Named Provost and Vice President of Instruction at the Community College of Baltimore County

Joaquin Martinez. Ph.D., graduate of NSU’s Fischer College of Education and School of Criminal Justice, has been named Provost and Vice President of Instruction at the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC). He will join CCCB on July 1, 2020.

Martinez has held a high-level leadership position at Miami Dade College (MDC). He currently serves as the district Vice Provost, with oversight for institutional effectiveness across all eight Miami Dade College (MDC) campuses. Prior to his current role, Martinez also held leadership positions at MDC for the past ten years, which include time as President of two MDC campuses, Wolfson and Hialeah, Associate Dean of Faculty and Academic Affairs, Associate Provost of Student Achievement; and Dean of Faculty and Student Services, Martinez was the founding Director of the School of Education at Albizu University, a comprehensive university offering doctoral, master’s and bachelor’s degrees that emphasized service to diverse communities, with campuses Puerto Rico and Miami.

Dr. Martinez earned his bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Modern Languages from Middlebury College, in Vermont. He earned his Master’s degree in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and Administration and Supervision at NSU’s Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice and his Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership and Research Methodology at Florida Atlantic University. He is also a past fellow of the American Association of Community Colleges’ National Community College Hispanic Council program at California State University, Long Beach.

 

Alumni Spotlight: Brad Vamplew, PA-C (MMS, ‘19)

Brad Vamplew is a 2019 graduate of Nova Southeastern University’s Physician Assistants who traveled to New York City to help fight COVID-19.

Before going to work on the frontlines in NYC, Brad Vamplew was working in Urology Oncology in Royal Oak, Michigan.

As the coronavirus pandemic continued to become prevalent, particularly in high-case areas, Vamplew knew he needed to help. He quickly opted to relocate to the pandemic’s epicenter in New York City.

“As soon as I got the call to action, I deployed and jumped on a flight immediately to help those in need,” he said.

With the support of his wife and family, Vamplew became a part of the healthcare team at Gotham East New York in Brooklyn.

In regards to being in an environment with higher health risk, he explains that medical and healthcare workers are no strangers to the pressure and tension that arises in dire situations.

“Through every patient I test and evaluate, I feel that we as a country get closer to getting back to normal, together,” he said.

Vamplew shares his pride to be a frontline worker alongside talented health professionals and emphasizes the impact of NSU on his career and ability to help those in need.

“My experiences at Nova Southeastern University’s PA Program has been paramount in my growth and development as a healthcare provider,” said Vamplew.

He shares that the clinical skills and curriculum he learned as a student laid the foundation for practicing in the healthcare setting after graduation.

He also attributes his leadership abilities and interpersonal skills to the NSU faculty members, noting the impact of PA Clinical Director, Dr. Lucia Lopez.

“She has played a profound influence on me because she was my PA student Advisor,” said Vamplew.  “The relationships that I have built with Dr. Lopez and the entire NSU family is the reason I am becoming, not just a Shark Leader in my community, but at a national level.”

 

 

Generosity Shines In Uncertain Times: Santosh Jacob

NSU alumnus, staff member, and now – a President’s Associates Society Member – pledges continued support of the COVID-19 Student Support Fund.

Santosh Jacob (M.Acc. ’16) is the Transfer Evaluation Services Manager at Nova Southeastern University and is a graduate of the H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship.

When the NSU’s COVID 19 Student Support Fund launched in April 2020 to help students financially impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, Santosh pledged to give weekly contributions to this important initiative.

Jacob shares that he was inspired by “Dr. Hanbury’s commitment to raising the standards and getting NSU to national recognition.” The pride for his workplace and alma mater, he explains, has ignited Jacob’s unwavering commitment to give back.

“If I could do my part and help by giving a little bit, I’m up for it,” he said. “It is nice to step up to the plate when special situations arise, to be a part of that,” said Santosh referring to his pledge to the NSU COVID-19 Student Support fund.

Santosh has been among NSU’s most continuous annual giving supporters, donating for five consecutive years to at least six initiatives including the Alvin Sherman Library, the Veterans Resource Center, the Rumbaugh-Goodwin Cancer Research Discretionary Fund, NSU Cares, and most recently NSU’s COVID-19 Student Support fund.

Santosh’s gifts and commitments during the 2020 fiscal year have qualified him for membership into the NSU President’s Associates giving society.

“I have the benefit of working here, so I’m aware of all of the opportunities to participate and ways to give,” he said, following a general ask for other alumni to engage as well.

He continued explaining that his motivation to donate to NSU is to improve current students’ university experience, and to continue to inspire them “to stay, to graduate,” and pursue graduate degrees here as well.

Santosh graduated from NSU in 2016 with a Master of Accounting and is coming up on his eight year of service as a staff member at NSU.

CAHSS Alum Publishes Article in Dialogues in Social Justice: An Adult Education Journal


Tony Gaskew, Ph.D., graduate of the doctoral program in Conflict Analysis and Resolution in the Department of Conflict Resolution Studies (DCRS) in NSU’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS), has co-authored an article with Salathiel Thompson entitled, The United States of America vs. The United States of America: Dissecting Systems of Oppression and White Supremacy. It was published in Dialogues in Social Justice: An Adult Education Journal, University of North Carolina, Charlotte.

Gaskew is professor of Criminal Justice and Director, Criminal Justice Program at University of Pittsburg Bradford. He spent over 20 years in law enforcement. In 2016, he was one of ten US educators invited to the White House to participate in a Roundtable on Criminal Justice Reform.

Gaskew has published extensively in the areas of criminal justice, and policing. His book, Rethinking Prison Reentry: Transforming Humiliation into Humility, focuses on the role of the criminal justice system in providing adequate post-secondary prison education opportunities for incarcerated black males and the impact of historical racism on black males and on the criminal justice system.

Gaskew was a recipient of the 2014 NSU Distinguished Alumni Award.  His honors include the Fulbright-Hays Fellow for a research project in Egypt and the Academic Fellow in Terrorist Studies in Israel by The Foundation for Defense of Democracies.  He was named a University of Pittsburgh Faculty Diversity Fellow and Teacher of the Year by The National Society of Leadership and Success. He is the founding director of the nationally recognized UPB Prison Education Program. Gaskew received the Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies (DHS) Beacon of Dignity Award at Columbia University in 2015 for his outstanding dedication to equality and human rights. He is the book series editor of Critical Perspectives on Race, Crime, and Justice.

To access Gaskew’s article, please see https://journals.uncc.edu/dsj/article/view/890

 

 

CAHSS Faculty Selected as Judge for 2020 Hit Like a Girl +Beats by Girlz International Contest

 

Jessica Muñiz-Collado, M.F.A.,

Jessica Muñiz-Collado, M.F.A., faculty in the Department of Performing and Visual Arts (DPVA) in NSU’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS), was selected to be a Music Technology/Beat-making judge for the 2020 Hit Like a Girl + Beats by Girlz International Contest. The HLAG +BBG was created to spotlight female beat makers/producers from all around the world and encourage females to engage in music technology. The contest is sponsored and endorsed by renowned music companies including Ableton, ROLI, Native Instruments, Melodics, Novation and Presonus.

Muñiz-Collado has performed and recorded with numerous musicians and artists including Grammy-nominated saxophonist Steve Elson, jazz vibraphonist Arthur Lipner, Cookie “Conga” Lopez, Anders Astrand, Jean Geoffroy, Ney Rosauro, and trumpet all-star John Walsh. She has also performed throughout North and South America, toured with the FROST Percussion Sextet in Japan, and was a guest lecturer and performer at the international music conference LeRock & L’Amour held at the Universite Paul-Valery in Montpellier, France.

At NSU, she taught courses in composition, music production, and percussion. In addition, she directed the Mako Band, NSU Pep Band, and managed NSU Mako Records.

Education Alum Named “Junior College Adjunct Educator of the Year”

Anthony Price, Ed.D., graduate of NSU’s Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice (FCE&SCJ), was named the Junior College Adjunct Educator of the Year for the Lake Country Region, by the President of Georgia Military College. He was recognized for outstanding achievement, exceptional performance, and innovative contributions to the teaching profession at Georgia Military College during the academic year 2019-2020.

Price is a retired educator who served more than 35 years in K-12 education.  He has had unique and varied experiences in his career, spanning time in New York, Virginia and Georgia.   While Principal at Hilsman Middle School in Clarke County, Georgia, the school received the Governor’s Silver Award. Only 1 of 22 schools at that time received the prestigious award, which recognized students who met or exceeded standards in all four content areas in a school that was considered high poverty with high minority enrollment. He also started a Career Center, which was the first JROTC program for middle school students in conjunction with the high school and led the school’s first authorization for the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program. Under his tenure, Cedar Shoals High School, a high poverty school in Athens, Georgia, was named by the Washington Post High School Challenge Index as being among the top 8% in the nation out of 22,000 high schools. Additionally, the school was also selected for the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Program in conjunction with Piedmont College. The Georgia Department of Education named the school an “AP Honor School” because of the access and performance of an underserved population. He also created and initiated the first ninth grade academy at the high school and developed an extensive summer companion program for rising ninth grade students to ease the transitional difficulties of leaving middle school and entering the ninth grade.  Finally, Price’s leadership led to the school’s authorization to become an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program for ninth and tenth graders.

He earned his Doctor of Education in 2006. Price also serves as an adjunct faculty member in the educational leadership program at FCE&SCJ. He is married to FCE&SCJ’s 2017 Distinguished Alumni Award Winner, Noris Price.

 

 

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