Tag: Farquhar Honors College

Honors Student Shares Research at Global Conference

On March 14-16, Farquhar Honors College freshman Colin Pulickathadam presented research on electrocardiograms at the annual Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society’s (HIMSS) global conference. His research, titled “Analysis of Errors in ECGs Data Captured by Patients Using At-Home Device Compared to Qualified Healthcare Professionals,” investigates the differences between using electrocardiograms (ECGs) at home versus at a clinic.

“It was a very rewarding experience as I was able to present research for the first time about a relatively novel and promising healthcare technology at such a high level as a first-year student at NSU,” said Pulickathadam, a biology and health informatics major. “I interacted [with] and presented [to] many individuals who are leading experts in their respective fields of healthcare technology and information systems.”

Along with presenting his research, he was able to network and attend professional workshops that taught him the essentials of mastering interviews, developing a personal brand, and being an effective leader.

“There was a lot this conference had to offer, and I was grateful for the opportunity to attend!” said Pulickathadam. “This would not have been possible without my fellow collaborator, KPCOM medical student Janavi Patel, as well as my faculty advisor, Dr. Michelle Ramim. I would also like to thank the staff at the DuxLink Health clinic, including Dr. Michael Shen and Rohit Vinod for their continued support. In addition, I would like to thank the Razor’s Edge Research Program students and program leadership for their encouragement of me and my project. Finally, I would like to thank Dr. Filker, Dr. Messer, and Dean Nevins for providing financial support for my traveling expenses and their support for me as a KPCOM undergraduate student and as an Honors student. My freshman year would not have been this much of a success without this team of incredible people supporting me.”

Posted 04/24/22

Interdisciplinary NSU Team Presents Research in Philadelphia

Group photo in front of the Love Statue in Center City Philadelphia. Bottom Row (left to right): Akshata Sastry, Alina Poothurail, Emily Schmitt Lavin, Luzcarime Saco Vertiz, Caroline Roy, Sanjana Vadlamudi, and Isadora Rocha De Abreu. Top Row (left to right): Varun Andrews, Ryan Luib, Espélancia Bell, Pujita Julakanti, Carol Manikkuttiyil, Rajin Persaud, Alexander Lavin.

A team of 23 NSU delegates representing the College of Psychology neuroscience major, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine public health major, Institute for Neuro-Immune Medicine, Halmos College of Arts and Sciences (HCAS) biology and chemistry majors, Farquhar Honors College and the Nova (K-12) Public Schools traveled together to present their research as part of the NSU Chapter of the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB).

They joined thousands of presenters including coauthors from Grandview University, Xavier University, Ursinus College, Rochester Institute of Technology, and University of Florida. The conference brought together five national scientific societies at the 2022 Experimental Biology conference held in Philadelphia, Pa. (April 2-5) https://www.experimentalbiology.org/. Research was presented at a variety of poster sessions and at a Spotlight Session on Teaching Strategies and Lessons Learned During COVID-19 chaired by HCAS Assistant Professor Arthur Sikora.

HCAS biology major Rachel Keating received the ASBMB Society Travel Award. Projects were funded by the National Science Foundation Improving Undergraduate STEM Education Initiative and the Sigma Xi Science, Math, and Engineering Education Grant. HCAS Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions, Megan Troy, presented the Master of Science in Biological Sciences Health Studies and Research Concentrations at graduate program fairs held by the ASBMB and the American Physiology Society (APS).

The projects presented by the team were the following:

  • Arthur Sikora, Bonnie Hall, Steven Mills, Rebecca Roberts, and Paul Craig. You gotta work, BASIL! Reimagining an established CURE to provide high-quality digital learning experiences that are intentionally equitable, inclusion and accessible for all students.
  • Emily Schmitt Lavin, Varun Andrews, Espélancia Bell, Kenneth Bui, Vincent Do, Neha Joshi, Alexander Lavin, Carol Manikkuttiyil, Shashank Nutalapati, Alina Poothurail, Caroline Roy, Sanjana Vadlamudi, Shawn McQuaid , Michele Parsons, Aarti Raja . The Nova Hydroculture Project: Bringing a community of science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) learners together to grow a unique garden.
  • Isadora Rocha De Abreu, Allison Barkdull, Travis Craddock. A computational analysis of colchicine structural analogs as potential microtubule destabilizing agents.
  • Rachel Keating , Luzcarime Saco Vertiz, Victor Manly, Akshata Sastry, Santanu De , Arthur Sikora. Quantification of Learning Gains in a Science CURE: Leveraging learning objectives to substantiate and validate the benefits of experiential education.
  • Emily Schmitt Lavin, Lyla Abbas, Aisha Abdool, Jordan Nichole Carreras, Jose Diaz, Seethal Doki, Rachel Harris, Heidi Hellenbrand, Pujita Julakanti, Brianna Lacasse, Sanjana Likki, Ryan Luib, Rathika Manikandan, Carol Manikkuttiyil, Saimi Reyes, Isadora Rocha De Abreu, Vibha Sankavaram, Tassnime Sebaei, Chino Villanueva, Arthur Sikora. Creating a learning model where students practice the scientific process through protein modeling.

NSU had additional research presented by groups from the College of Pharmacy (Abstract 532.8) and the Rumbaugh-Goodwin Institute for Cancer Research (Abstract 576.6) at the Conference.

Posted 04/24/22

Honors Students Present at American Chemical Society Meeting

Students and faculty at the American Chemical Society Annual Meeting.

On March 20-24, Farquhar Honors College students and faculty presented research at the American Chemical Society Annual Meeting in San Diego. The meeting allowed Honors students Isabel De Angelis, Valentina Guidi, Rebecca Mathew, and Samir Sakaria to showcase their chemistry research to peers and professionals in the field from across the world.

De Angelis presented her research titled “A protonation comparison between synthetic and natural porphyrins using UV-Vis Spectroscopy,” which she completed in collaboration with Maria Ballester, Ph.D., and Victor Castro, Ph.D., associate professors in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences (HCAS). Guidi presented her Honors thesis research titled “Investigating the specific phosphorylation sites of the human mineralocorticoid receptor using phospho-mapping,” which she completed under the guidance of her thesis adviser Beatrix Aukszi, Ph.D., associate professor in HCAS. Mathew and Sakari collaborated with Amelia Figueroa, an NSU student, and Dimitrios Giarikos, Ph.D., professor in HCAS, on their research titled “Effects of hard acid metal ion sizes and covalent indices on the biosorption capacities of Neochloris minuta and Neochloris alveolarisunder nitrogen deprivation.”

“I am very proud [of my students]!” said Giarikos, who accompanied students to the meeting alongside Aukszi. “It is not a small task to present at a big national American Chemical Society (ACS) conference. These students have spent a lot of time on these research projects so showcasing their work is a great opportunity for them and it shows the work they have put into it and the importance of their projects. It is always our goal to present the research and publish it as well.”

Posted 04/24/22

Honors Student Presents Research on Lung Chemistry

Valentina Guidi at the American Chemical Society Annual Meeting

On March 21, Farquhar Honors College student Valentina Guidi presented research at the American Chemical Society Annual Meeting. Her research, completed as part of her Honors thesis titled “Investigating the specific phosphorylation sites of the human mineralocorticoid receptor using phospho-mapping,” explores the occurrence and location of a chemical process that could help protect the lungs from the adverse effects of e-cigarette vapors.

“It feels incredibly rewarding to have my research recognized in this capacity,” said Guidi, a senior chemistry major. “We have been working on this project since August 2020, but have faced many challenges due to COVID restrictions. However, we managed to push through the hardships. Now it feels surreal to be finalizing the project and presenting my results in various ways.“

Guidi remarks that she has gained valuable experience through the research process including using chemical techniques, applying critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and being patient—all of which will be helpful when she pursues a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry. She will begin her Ph.D. program this fall at Vanderbilt University, where she plans to further pursue her research interests in the hope of becoming an organic synthetic chemist.

“I am grateful to the Honors College for providing me with the opportunity to complete my Honors thesis and preparing me for my future,” said Guidi. “I now understand the process of writing and defending a thesis. I believe this will give me confidence in writing my Ph.D. thesis.”

She completed the research with the help of her thesis adviser Beatrix Aukszi, Ph.D., associate professor in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences, who inspired her to pursue chemistry.

“Valentina stood out from many of my prior research students in her level of self-motivation and independence in carrying out all aspects of the project from reading and researching methods, to running the experiments and analyzing the results,” said Aukszi. “Presenting our results at the prestigious annual meeting of the American Chemical Society showed her that this is the community where she belongs. There was an excellent turnout of peers from the field showing interest in our project, and she truly shined while presenting the results and explaining all the details. I couldn’t be more proud of her!”

Posted 04/27/22

Honors Student Gets Global Engagement Scholarship

To the late Anthony J. DeNapoli, Ph.D., traveling was the best educational experience one could embark on, a sentiment he fervently passed down to his students, including Farquhar Honors College student Janaki Chandra. Deeply inspired by DeNapoli’s passion and kindness, it was a full-circle moment for Chandra when she was named a “DeNapoli Scholar” as one of the first recipients of the Anthony J. DeNapoli Global Engagement Scholarship. This scholarship was created by the Razor’s Edge Global Scholars Program to honor DeNapoli’s memory and fulfill his wish for his students to study abroad.

Janaki Chandra is a sophomore biology major with minors in pre-health, business, honors transdisciplinary studies, and global engagement. She is part of the Farquhar Honors College, NSU’s Dual Admission Dental Program, and the Razor’s Edge Global Scholars Program. She plans to go into dentistry and will begin working on her Honors thesis in the fall semester under the guidance of her thesis advisor Toshihisa Kawai, D.D.S., Ph.D., professor in the College of Dental Medicine. Her thesis will tentatively focus on surface pre-reacted glass-ionomer (S-PRG) filler, a material used in making dental products, and its effect on the generation of cells called osteoclasts that lead to bone resorption. She will be using the $1,000 scholarship award to study abroad in Costa Rica this summer, where she’ll be taking Medical Spanish and Health Psychology courses.

For Chandra, DeNapoli was one of the biggest advocates for traveling in her life. She first met DeNapoli before she was even an NSU student while visiting campus with her family during Shark Preview weekend. From her first encounter with him, Chandra was amazed at his kindness and attention, as he took the time to get to know her and her family amid a busy schedule. Upon joining NSU and the Razor’s Edge Global Program, Chandra was able to get to know DeNapoli better while taking a course with him during her freshman year.

“He was a mentor figure and somebody I looked up to,” said Chandra. “It’s an honor to even be somewhat attached to his name. He was just a wonderful human being and he really made an impact on me and my peers’ lives. He was somebody who showcased the importance of traveling. He was a huge traveler himself and always advocated for us to experience that for ourselves and that the best way to learn is not in a classroom setting but outside in various parts of the world. It’s because of him that I’m able to do all these things.”

Instilled with this love for traveling, Chandra went with other NSU students on a week-long dental trip to Guatemala over spring break, where they provided dental services to the local population. Whether it was learning about public health dentistry and assisting in her first tooth extraction or connecting with the local population, Chandra found the trip to be eye-opening. She’s most grateful for the people she met during the trip, cherishing the bonds she made with the host family they stayed with and the patients they treated.

“In terms of Costa Rica, I’m excited to have the same kind of experience I had in Guatemala,” said Chandra. “The one thing I’m most looking forward to is the connections I’ll make there. The hardest thing will also be leaving those connections, but [I] know that we’ll always have them. This is a unique experience that’s once in a lifetime, so I [also] hope to be challenged. I hope to be able to learn about the culture and community as well as medical terminology, how to treat patients, and also how to apply that [knowledge] there and in the US.”

For Chandra, traveling is an exciting learning opportunity that she hopes to continue to experience throughout her life. Her passion for traveling and learning is a testament to DeNapoli’s lasting legacy and the importance of the “DeNapoli Scholars” created in his honor that allows students like Chandra to fulfill their dreams.

Click here to learn more about and donate to the Anthony J. DeNapoli Global Engagement Scholarship.

Posted 04/10/22

Undergraduate Student Symposium Kicks Off April 6

Join us on Wednesday, April 6, and Thursday, April 7, for the annual Undergraduate Student Symposium (USS). Hosted by the Farquhar Honors College, the USS is dedicated to showcasing and celebrating the research and creativity of NSU undergraduate students. Projects from all disciplines in the form of poster presentations, oral presentations, and short films will be presented over the two-day symposium.

This year’s symposium marks the return to in-person attendance after last year’s event was hosted completely online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The symposium will kick off with an opening ceremony featuring keynote speaker Kenneth Dawson-Scully, Ph.D., M.Sc, associate provost and vice president for Translational Research and Economic Development (TRED). The main events of the USS include the screening of the narrative, documentary, and avant-garde short films at the film festival reception and the showcasing of student research through poster and oral presentations. A closing ceremony will conclude the symposium with the awarding of prizes to outstanding projects in each category.

“The USS is a wonderful opportunity for students to present their academic work outside of the classroom,” said Weylin Sternglanz, Ph.D., associate professor in the College of Psychology. “The USS mimics many aspects of professional conferences, so this is a fun way for students to gain experience in presenting in a conference-type environment. Many students who present at the USS go on to present versions of that same work as posters or oral presentations at professional conferences within their primary discipline.”

Sternglanz, who is a co-organizer for the USS film festival alongside Marlisa Santos, Ph.D., professor in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences, notes that the film festival is one of his favorite parts of the USS. Those interested in attending the film festival should RSVP HERE by Friday, April 1.

“The Film Festival is a great opportunity for students who have taken film classes (as well as other students who pursue filmmaking as a hobby) to showcase their artistic work,” said Sternglanz. “We have seen a number of students create moving documentaries and hilarious short comedic fictional works, and some of these students even wound up submitting modified versions of their works to professional film festivals in Fort Lauderdale or Miami.”

The USS presents an exciting opportunity for students to develop professional skills beyond the classroom that will give them an edge in their future endeavors while also being recognized by their peers, professors, and other members of the NSU community. The symposium rewards the curiosity and creativity of students, encouraging them to further pursue their interests.

“I am most looking forward to gaining the experience of presenting my very first research project,” said Honors student Colin Pulickathadam, a freshman health informatics and biology major. “I hope to enhance my presentation skills, make new connections and expand my network, and have thorough conversations about [my] project with students and faculty.”

Pulickathadam will be presenting his research comparing the readability of at-home electrocardiograms (ECGs) in a clinic setting with a cardiologist present versus at home with only the patient and their care provider. Look out for his poster presentation during the symposium.

The 2022 USS schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, April 6

  • Opening Ceremony: 12-1 p.m. in the Cotilla Gallery in the Alvin Sherman Library (2nd floor)
  • Film Festival Reception: 5-7 p.m. (RSVP HERE by Friday, April 1 to attend)

Thursday, April 7

  • Poster Presentations: 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the Alvin Sherman Library
  • Oral Presentations: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Alvin Sherman Library
  • Closing Ceremony: 4-5 p.m. in the PVA Performance Theater

Click here for more information about the USS. 

Posted 03/31/22

Honors College Hosts Annual Murder Mystery Dinner

Filled with intrigue and plot twists at every turn, the Farquhar Honors College hosted its annual murder mystery dinner on Thursday, Feb. 10. In the same spirit as golden age detective novels, the murder mystery dinner allowed Honors students and faculty to put on their detective hats to unravel the elusive mystery set before them in an interactive, role-playing murder mystery plot.

The Honors Advocates, a select group of Honors students dedicated to supporting the college and its programs and events, planned and facilitated the event as performing cast members in full costume. Following the theme of high school sweethearts hosting a high school reunion at an Italian bistro, a full-course Italian dinner was served to attendees as they worked in groups to figure out the motive and identity of the murderer among them.

The night was filled with laughter as students and faculty alike were able to enjoy the resumption of such in-person events and engage with a mystery that was shocking to everyone, including the murderer herself. Prizes were awarded to those who successfully cracked the case.

“I enjoyed the entire event,” said Marie Wells, academic program coordinator in the Farquhar Honors College. “I enjoyed how the audience members cooperated with each other and interacted with the performance cast members to solve the murder mystery. [It was] engaging and hilarious!”

“The murder mystery event was a lot of fun and allowed me to engage with Honors students, and the Honors faculty as a bonus, like never before!” said freshman chemistry major Pranav Madadi. “My favorite part of the event was the final envelope and figuring out who did it and all the details. Also, winning 1st place made the event even better! I have been able to connect with more Honors students and feel like I am part of a community where I can be more engaged on campus and be a better shark.”

Posted 03/25/22

Learn About the Pitfalls of Big Data Misuse, April 14

Have you ever wondered how the misuse of big data has corrupted the credit lending process? Join us for the third installment of our Open Classroom series, titled “Financial Literacy and Credit: Pitfalls From the Misuse of Big Data,” on Thursday, April 14 at 5:00 p.m. in the Cotilla Gallery of the Alvin Sherman Library. Featuring host Andrea Nevins, Ph.D., M.F.A., and guest speaker Jason Gershman, Ph.D., this event will provide an open conversation on how the abuses and misuses of big data lead to unfair credit scoring and explore potential solutions to this pervasive problem. Click here (lib.nova.edu/openclass) to register for the event.

Credit scores were designed to increase fairness in credit lending but the recent rise in big data usage has led to abuses and misuses. Our guest speaker will discuss the basic mathematics and statistics that go into the FICO scores and how credit card companies and banks score potential clients in the lending process. He will demonstrate some abuses and misuses of this data and introduce some potential solutions that will begin to fix a flawed and broken process to prevent the development of a “weapon of math destruction.”

The Open Classroom is a collaboration between the Farquhar Honors College and the Alvin Sherman Library to bring disciplinary perspectives on contemporary issues through open conversations with experts in the field. The Open Classroom aims to bridge the gap between academic research and the general public and provide unique insights rarely seen in the media in an accessible way.

Posted 03/11/22

Impact of Social Media on Perceptions of Disability, March 15

Are you interested in learning about how social media affects disability? Join us for the second installment of our Open Classroom series, titled “TikTok Tourette’s: Social Media & Patient Narratives,” on Tuesday, March 15, at 5 p.m. in the Cotilla Gallery of the Alvin Sherman Library. Featuring host Andrea Nevins, Ph.D., M.F.A., and guest speaker Aileen Farrar, Ph.D., this event will provide an open conversation on how social media narratives are changing experiences, expressions, and perceptions of disability. Click here (lib.nova.edu/openclass) to register for the event.

Since the onset of the pandemic, healthcare professionals have reported a significant rise in the number of teenage girls with symptoms resembling Tourette’s, drawing support and criticism towards the social media platform, those seeking to bring awareness to disabilities, and the response of healthcare professionals to this unique and new phenomenon. The Open Classroom will allow you to explore this intersection between social media and disability as we continue to navigate unprecedented issues arising from the age of social media.

The Open Classroom is a collaboration between the Farquhar Honors College and the Alvin Sherman Library to bring disciplinary perspectives on contemporary issues through open conversations with experts in the field. The Open Classroom aims to bridge the gap between academic research and the general public and provide unique insights rarely seen in the media in an accessible way.

Posted 03/07/22

Honors College Hosts Valentine’s Fundraiser

Love was in the air at the Valentine’s Fundraiser hosted by the Farquhar Honors College on Monday, February 14. Hosted to raise money to support the Honors Student Scholarship Fund, the event welcomed everyone to take a break from stressful midterm preparations to enjoy Valentine’s Day festivities.

Students and faculty trickled in and out throughout the day to enjoy delicious baked goods, take advantage of dazzling photo opportunities, make their own crafty Valentine’s Day cards for their loved ones, and enter a raffle to win a gift basket filled with Honors merchandise. Each booth required a carnival-style ticket obtained by donating to the college.

“I think it’s a good idea to have events like this, it brings Honors students together and creates a community that allows you to get to know other students and faculty,” said freshman Aishwarya Muppoor, a behavioral neuroscience major.

“It’s a great way to get involved outside of classes,” said sophomore Nikhila Paleati, a behavioral neuroscience major. “I joined the college when Covid first started, so events like this are a great way to meet people in person.”

The money raised from the fundraiser will go towards supporting Honors College students in their scholarly endeavors.

To donate to the Farquhar Honors College text NSUHONORS to 41444.

Posted 02/27/22

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