Tag: College of Psychology

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.

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.

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.

NSU Neuroscientist Named International Brain Research Organization Rising Star

Dr. Martinez-Lozada

Dr. Zila Martinez-Lozada, a new faculty member in Nova Southeastern University’s Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, has been named a Rising Star by the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO).

This is a prestigious honor awarded to only 19 early-career neuroscientists around the world. Dr. Martinez-Lozada is the only recipient from the U.S., underscoring NSU’s contribution to advancing neuroscience on a global stage. The IBRO Rising Stars Award recognizes and supports promising neuroscientists at the start of their careers by providing resources that advance their research, expand their technical capabilities, and elevate their global visibility in the field.

Dr. Martinez-Lozada

Dr. Martinez-Lozada

For Dr. Martinez-Lozada, the award will fund a new line of research that explores the molecular mechanisms guiding the migration of astrocyte precursor cells. Astrocytes are the most abundant yet historically overlooked cells in the central nervous system. Long viewed primarily as support cells, astrocytes play critical roles in maintaining the blood-brain barrier, regulating neurotransmitters, supporting synapse function, and influencing cognition and memory.

Their involvement in nearly all neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions makes them an essential yet understudied frontier in neuroscience. With the support of the IBRO award, Dr. Martinez-Lozada hopes to shed new light on these vital cells and their role in brain development and disease. Learn more about the IBRO Rising Stars Award and see the full list of recipients here.

Adjunct Professor and Broward Judge Wins Community Award

Judge Ginger Lerner Wren

Broward Judge Ginger Lerner-Wren, an adjunct faculty member in the College of Psychology, was honored with the prestigious Community Champion of Mental Health Award by the United Way at the 10th Annual South Florida Behavioral Health Conference.

The award celebrates Lerner-Wren’s decades of groundbreaking mental health advocacy. Since 1997, when she became the inaugural judge of Broward County’s Mental Health Court, one of the first such courts in the country, Lerner-Wren championed a pioneering judicial model focused on treatment and rehabilitation rather than punishment for individuals with mental illness charged with misdemeanors.

Judge Ginger Lerner Wren

Credit: Broward County Courthouse

Her impact has extended far beyond the local level. In 2002, President George W. Bush appointed her to the President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health, where she chaired the Criminal Justice Subcommittee and helped shape national mental health policy.

Over the years, Lerner-Wren has received numerous honors, including awards from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the Hague Institute for Innovation of Law, and the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. Accepting her latest honor, Lerner-Wren credited the “courageous community” behind Broward’s Misdemeanor Mental Health Court, calling it a symbol of hope, dignity, and compassion for people living with mental illness and co-occurring disorders.

Currently, Lerner-Wren serves as a county court judge in Florida’s 17th Judicial Circuit, the state’s second largest, while also lecturing nationally and internationally on topics like mental health courts, therapeutic jurisprudence, and legal innovation. In 2018, she published A Court of Refuge: Stories from the Bench of America’s First Mental Health Court, telling how the court developed from her criminal division’s lunch-hour efforts without federal funding. The book holds a near-perfect 4.9-star rating on Amazon and has drawn praise from figures like SNL alum Darrell Hammond, who likened Lerner-Wren’s contributions to mental health reform to the Wright brothers’ transformative role in aviation. Her recent award brings much-needed positive attention to a judicial circuit recently under public scrutiny for judicial misconduct.

Past the Gridiron, NFL Star Finds his Calling at NSU

Julius Thomas

Julius Thomas

In 2011, when future NSU alum Julius Thomas left Portland State University for the National Football League, he was on top of the world. The 6’5,” 250-pounder was the fourth-round pick in the draft as a tight end for the Denver Broncos.

Thomas played for one of most potent offenses in the league, led by Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning. He competed against players he idolized and picked on his John Madden videogame teams. He also started his journey to become one of the best tight ends in the sport.

“Football was a surreal experience for me, because overall it was such a long shot,” he said. “I came out of college playing basketball, saying, ‘I think I can play in the NFL.’ It was crazy that I pulled it off.”

But as Thomas would soon find out, there would be struggles beneath all the stardom and glitz. There was something missing, he said, but he couldn’t put his finger on it.

As Thomas now reflects on his past, he says he found what was missing at Nova Southeastern University.

“I had this really challenging experience with sports,” Thomas recalls. “I had coaches say to me, ‘You know Julius, I don’t think you love the game enough.’ I liked the game, but I didn’t love it.”

Thomas began soul searching, asking himself what he was supposed to do, and who he was.

“I recognized I was very emotionally cold. I started to notice that I was suffering internally – mentally and emotionally. And then I noticed that it wasn’t just me, that people around me were also suffering,” he said. “Then I thought, ‘Somebody should help these people, and maybe I am that person.’”

In 2017, Thomas found himself on the field at the Miami Dolphins practice facility on NSU’s campus. (It has since been relocated to space adjacent to Hard Rock Stadium.)

“Every day that I would drive to practice I would pass the Nova campus,” he said. “One day a curious thought came to mind: ‘I wonder if NSU has a psychology program.’”

Thomas reached out to the Dolphins’ director of player engagement with his inquiry, and he was connected to Dean Karen Grosby with the College of Psychology. It was a connection that would change Thomas’ life.

“Dean Grosby is amazing and has been so instrumental in my life,” he said. “I’m eternally grateful for her.”

Dean Grosby and Professor Robert Seifer gave Thomas a tour of the college.

“Julius has always had a natural curiosity and appetite for knowledge,” Grosby said. “He was open to learning and new ideas, demonstrated a deep respect and compassion for those with whom he met or worked, and communicated easily with people from all backgrounds. No doubt he will do great things as a psychologist.”

Thomas says he was intrigued by the tour, adding that Dr. Seifer asked, “Are you sure you’re really ready to retire from football? If you’ve got nothing to do, you can come sit in on my doctoral classes some time.”

Thomas took Professor Seifer up on his offer. One day when Thomas was sitting in on a class, the professor asked him if he had ever been interested in getting a doctorate.

“My first answer was ‘No, I never thought about it,’” Thomas said.

Before he knew it, Thomas found himself in the classroom, working on his doctorate degree. But it wouldn’t be easy.

“So here I am stepping into a doctoral program saying to myself ‘Do I belong here? Can I do this? Can I keep up? Can I learn this?’” he said. “As a kid from Stockton, Calif., who graduated high school with a 2.7 GPA, there was a high opportunity for failure. I also felt out of place at first – in age, with different lives, and different problems than other students. I had to put in so much time at home on weekends to catch up.”

During his studies, Thomas had the opportunity to work with Dr. Jaime Tartar, the head of the Department for Neuroscience. She helped Thomas learn about behavioral neuroscience and introduced him to scientific research. Thomas learned about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, a form of therapy that helps people increase their psychological flexibility by developing a more mindful relationship with their thoughts and feelings, and by committing to actions that align with their values.

“From the very first moment I met Julius,” Tartar said, “it was clear that he possessed an intense passion for learning and an authentic curiosity about the human mind and body. It was clear that he wasn’t just looking for a degree; he was seeking the knowledge and skills to make a meaningful impact in the world.”

While in school, Thomas developed his own company, Optimal Performance, which uses science to leverage the gap between performance and wellbeing and helps others maximize on both. Thomas says it allows him to get in front of people and work with them before things cave in emotionally and mentally.

“I feel like over the years I’ve been able to build myself from the inside out,” he said. “I try to help others create the same resilience.”

Thomas says his education at NSU has been life changing. He has worked with patients from age 10 to 70. He has received about 4,000 hours in clinical training. And he has spent thousands of hours in the classroom reading books and taking exams.

“This training is helping me be as prepared as I can possibly be to help people regardless of what they’re experiencing,” he said. “And it’s been fun to do that and learn how to teach and how to effectively provide beneficial information.”

In June, Thomas will have begun yet another career – this one in academia. He plans to take what he has learned at NSU on the road to continue his business.

“When you pursue your calling, there are a lot of things you might have to give up – such as status, fame, and money,” he said. “But there comes a time where you must decide if you want to fall into the trappings of the world or if you want to do what you’re aligned to do. I really wanted to chase a journey of service. I wanted to help people. But I didn’t know how. And that’s how I found Nova.”

Students Unlock Secrets of the Brain Through Escape Room

Often innovations in education involve thinking outside the box. Just ask Associate Professor and Researcher James Munoz with the NSU College of Psychology.

When he’s not conducting research, Munoz is teaching Neuroanatomy and Research Methods in Neuroscience on the NSU Davie Campus. During a recent “light bulb” moment, Munoz thought of a captivating way to ingrain neuroscience concepts in the brains of his students: creating an escape room.

“Developing the individual challenges was a labor of love and pain,” Munoz said. “I based each challenge on a learning objective. First, I thought about an objective. For instance, the action potential, cranial nerve innervation, control of eye movements, etc. Then the real challenge began with trying to think of ways to turn those concepts into physical puzzles. In some instances, it meant walking around looking at arts and crafts for hours until something clicked.”

Munoz says that once the first puzzle came together, the others started to fall into place more quickly.

“Developing an escape room changes how one thinks.”

Munoz made the escape room a supporting event outside of class time. The rules were simple:

  • There would 13 teams of four, picked on a first-come, first-serve basis.
  • Students majoring in neuroscience, exercise science, biology, and psychology would be invited to participate.
  • There would be six challenges.
  • Each team would have 30 minutes to decipher the clues and escape.
  • Each member of the first-place team (escape artists with the best time) would receive a $100 gift card provided by the Office of Student Success.
  • Each member of the second-place team would receive $25 gift cards provided by the College of Psychology.
  • The College of Psychology also would provide gift bags and snacks for all participants, as well as purchase all the supplies.

“Registration filled up within 20 minutes,” Munoz said.

Each challenge was focused on a learning objective for the Introduction to Neuroscience and Neuroanatomy courses. Each challenge that a team solved revealed a lock combination to one of several locks on a Plexiglas box with the mold of a brain inside. The objective: unlock the box, release the brain, and thus, escape.

Munoz staged the escape room in one of the conference rooms. The students met challenges with a combination of fun and frantic as they scurried about the room relying on teamwork to crack the winning codes.

“I’ve only participated in two escape rooms, but I enjoyed how we kept talking about it after and appreciated how it challenged us,” he said. “I thought if we could create a similar experience for our students, they might appreciate using their knowledge in a fun, challenging way – similar to how the best movies are the ones that make you think and prompt discussion.”

When the smoke cleared from the competition, one conclusion was evident: The students loved the escape room, and so did fellow faculty. It’s safe to say the experiment has opened new doors.

“I’m currently collaborating with two other faculty for our next escape room,” Munoz said.

Munoz, who has been at NSU for 14 years, has a Ph.D. in neuroscience with an emphasis in gene therapy. His research examines factors that regulate the proliferation, migration, and differentiation of neural stem cells. The transplantation of certain types of neural stem cells has the potential of curing several neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and spinal cord injuries.

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.

NSU Receives Approval by Top University Accrediting Body

Dr. Belle Wheelan, President of SACSCOC with NSU President and CEO George L. Hanbury II

Nova Southeastern University received notification from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) that our Fifth-Year Interim Report has been successfully accepted with no additional reporting requested.

SACSCOC is the body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states. It serves as the common denominator of shared values and practices primarily among the diverse institutions in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Latin America and certain other international sites approved by the SACSCOC Board of Trustees that award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral degrees.

The Commission also accepts applications for membership from domestic institutions in the other 39 states, as well as international institutions of higher education around the world.

Congratulations to all for this recognition of NSU as a preeminent university of quality and distinction!

Posted 12/05/23

FY2025 PRG and QOL Grant Cycles Now Open

The FY 2025 President’s Research Grant (PRG), formerly the Presidents Faculty Research Development Grant (PFRDG), and Quality of Life (QOL) grant cycles are now open! This year the application process will take place on Cayuse Sponsored Projects, NSU’s new grant management system. Applications are due via Cayuse no later than January 22, 2024, 5:00 p.m.. More information, as well as application instructions, can be found on the PRG and QOL websites, linked below. Through these programs, eligible faculty may apply for internal grants of up to $15,000 in support of a variety of research and scholarly activities. PRG and QOL are tremendous opportunities to obtain support for research and scholarship at NSU, and to build faculty research capacity that can be leveraged toward external funding pursuits.

For more information about how to apply and program guidelines, visit the PRG program website here and the QOL website here. For questions, please contact PRG@nova.edu or QOL@nova.edu.

Posted 12/10/23

1 2 3 … 8