Tag: Halmos College of Arts and Sciences

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 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 Ocean’ Serves Up Environmental Message at Boat Show

Boat show booth

Nova Southeastern University made an appearance for the first time at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, unveiling “NSU Ocean” – a hub for global ocean research, education, and workforce development related to the health and resiliency of the oceans.

NSU Ocean brings together universities, government agencies, foundations, industry partners, and other “blue economy” stakeholders to better navigate today’s challenges and secure a healthier ocean, healthier communities, and a healthier economy.

Watch the video.

Conservation Crews Work Around the Clock Saving Sea Turtles

Nesting dig

Morning crew member Mikayla Twiss excavates a sea turtle nest on Fort Lauderdale Beach.

More than 140,000 sea turtle hatchlings come to life each year in Broward County, beginning a journey for survival that has a major impact on the health and economic vitality of our coastal communities and ecosystems. This year’s nesting will end in October, marking another successful season of partnership between NSU and Broward County to protect sea turtle habitats, educate and involve the public, and contribute to the sustainability of our ocean resources.

Sierra Ciciarelli

Sierra Ciciarelli, outreach and assistant field manager of Broward County, explains to onlookers sea turtle nesting and the importance of being eco-friendly.

Sea turtle conservation efforts are critical to NSU’s support and leadership in the “blue economy,” which ties the health of our oceans to the health of our economy.

As a hub for research and education, NSU helps communities make the connection between the sustainable use of ocean resources, economic growth, and quality of life. In Florida alone, it is estimated that ocean-related activities and businesses generate billions of dollars in economic value and support thousands of jobs. Sea turtle conservation is one of several NSU focus areas aligning with the blue economy. Among others: coral restoration, shark research, and marine biodiversity.

Sierra Ciciarelli, outreach and assistant field manager of Broward County, has been working with NSU teams to monitor sea turtle nesting activity along 24 miles of beaches for five seasons. Ciciarelli says turtles are an essential component of ocean health and advises the public to avoid exposing the turtles to light, keep beaches clean, and above all, avoid nesting areas.

“When hatchlings disorient,” she says, “they can find their way into unsafe places such as pools, storm drains, and roads rather than the ocean.”

NSU’s work with sea turtles is just one of many collaborative research and conservation initiatives that help support the economic and social vitality of ocean-related communities. Other areas of research and education include sea-level rise, erosion, and water quality; coral reef science and conservation; and sustainable marine practices. To learn more, visit: https://www.nova.edu/ghoc/index.html.

NSU Coral Researchers’ Efforts Featured in Media Worldwide

Shane Wever

NSU researcher Shane Wever works with Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi researcher Keisha Bahr to transfer corals from NSU’s onshore coral nursery in Dania Beach.

NSU drew worldwide media attention in September for its leadership in coral research. when NSU scientists transferred about 300 corals to Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. (TAMU-CC) from its coral nursery in Dania Beach, Fla.

Coral

One of the transferred corals

This transfer, which will support coral research and restoration, was one of the largest out-of-state coral transfers by NSU’s Halmos College of Arts and Sciences.

The National Coral Reef Institute (NCRI) – housed at the NSU Oceanographic Center – is a vital national resource and collaborative research hub for coral reef science, education, management, and conservation. Coral reefs are a mainstay of the “blue economy,” which includes tourism, fisheries, biotechnology, and coastal protection.  Almost half a billion people live within 100 miles of a coral reef and many countries are highly dependent on coral reefs for their livelihoods.Research Associate Shane Wever was NSU’s point person on the coral transfer, coordinating with TAMU-CC researcher Keisha Bahr, the chair for Coral Reef and Ocean Health at the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at TAMU-CC on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.

The successful transfer attracted media from around the globe, with the story garnering millions of views. Here are a few of the stories that made the headlines:

Plan Ahead, Get a Jump on the 2024 Election

vote label

The 2020 election had the highest voter turnout of the 21st century. Will this year’s candidates achieve the same level of support when voters go to the polls on Nov. 5?  According to Charles Zelden, a professor of history and politics in NSU’s Halmos College of Arts and Sciences, people will do more than just pick a new president. They’ll shape the future of a nation.

“Harris and Trump offer more than mere policy differences, he said Zelden, who specializes in voting rights, election law, civil rights, and judicial politics. “They each represent distinct and contrasting conceptions of our nation, of its structure, functions, and place in the world. Our choices in this election will determine the future that we get not just for the next four years, but potentially for a generation.”

What can you do to participate in this year’s election? Zelden offers these suggestions.

  • Participate. The choices made in this election are important. Let your voice be included in the national dialogue over our future.
  • Pick your issues. Think about what’s important to you, perhaps it’s the economy or health care.
  • Talk to others. This is a collective choice we’re making.
  • Have faith in the democratic process of elections. Accept the outcome with as much grace as you can.

As the election approaches, it’s also important to plan ahead. Check your voter registration status. Consider options for early voting. Doublecheck your polling location because recent weather may have changed where you vote. Understand what forms of voter ID and other documents you may need.  Above all, take advantage of the right to vote.

Former Grad Student’s Study Published in Biology Journal

mangrove tree crab

Mangrove tree crab

Tamara Frank, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences at the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences, and her former graduate student, Ruchao Qian who is working on his Ph.D. at Florida International University, published Ruchao’s master’s thesis work in the Journal of Experimental Biology.

The work is titled, “Comparative study of spectral sensitivity, irradiance sensitivity, spatial resolution and temporal resolution in the visual systems of Ocypode quadrata and Aratus pisonii” (JEB 227: doi:10.1242/jeb.246813). Journal editors were so impressed with Ruchao’s picture of A. pisonii  (our local mangrove tree crab) that they are planning to use it in their 2025 calendar.

Professor Picked as Fellow for Hispanic Universities Association

Kevin Dvorak

Kevin Dvorak

DvorakNSU Professor Kevin Dvorak, Ph.D., has been selected by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities as one of its 45 fellows who will make up the sixth cohort of its Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo. Dvorak is the director of NSU’s Writing & Communication Center.

The program is designed to increase diverse representation in executive and senior-level positions in higher education. Fellows participate in an array of leadership development activities preparing them for leadership roles in the full spectrum of institutions of higher learning, with an emphasis on Hispanic-Serving Institutions and Emerging HSIs.

The one-year fellowship program includes webinars and three seminars, with the first seminar in October in conjunction with HACU’s 38th Annual Conference in Aurora, Colo. The second seminar will be held in Washington, D.C., in April 2025, at HACU’s National Capitol Forum. The third seminar will take place at a still to be determined international location.

The Leadership Academy faculty consists of current and former presidents, chancellors and senior administrators and brings over 100 years of combined experience in serving various sectors of higher education, including private/public universities, community colleges and faith-based institutions.

Researchers Spread Shark Love to Young Students

Derek Burkholder

NSU researcher Derek Burkholder teaches homeschooled students how to set the bait during a recent shark-tagging expedition.

On a muggy August morning at Nova Southeastern University’s Oceanographic Campus in Dania Beach, a group of children and their parents gathered at the docks, dodging biting flies.

Louis Aguirre

WPLG TV 10 anchor Louis Aguirre interviews one of the students on her shark-tagging experience.

For this homeschooled crew – part of Surf Skate Science, a program tailored for non-traditional schoolers – the ocean would be their classroom for the day. The subject? Sharks.

Many of the children expressed fear of these often-misunderstood animals. But after learning about them, as well as catching, tagging, and releasing them, their opinions changed to ones of compassion and conservation.

NSU researcher Derek Burkholder and his team from NSU’s Guy Harvey Research Institute and the Save Our Seas Shark Center headed the shark-tagging mission. WPLG 10 news anchor Louis Aguirre and his film crew also captured the experience for their news program “Don’t Trash Our Treasure.”

Watch the news show segment here.

NSU Humanities Students Tackle the Problem with Plastics

From left, David Kilroy (Chair, Department of Humanities and Politics), Jared DeRosa, Christophe Godbarge, J.C. Avila (C.O.O., Montachem International, Inc.), Aidan Kunju, Hailee Delgado, Amanda Furiasse (Assistant Professor of Humanities, Marlisa Santos, professor and director, Center for Applied Humanities) at the IN-SIGHT showcase event.

While younger generations may prioritize climate change and plastic waste reduction in their beliefs, they are less likely to recycle than older generations, according to findings in a research study done by Nova Southeastern University students.

A small group of students began a collaboration in 2022 with Montachem International, following the company’s sponsorship of a case competition for NSU’s INST 1500 Global Issues course. Students in that class were invited to do a research project on global plastic use and waste, and three winners were selected based on a faculty panel decision. The three winners were then invited to present to Chief Operating Officer J.C. Avila and his colleagues from Montachem.

Seven students have participated over the past two years in the IN-SIGHT program, an undergraduate think tank that works with businesses and community organizations.

“Montachem’s enthusiasm for that first iteration of the case competition then translated into their support for the think tank,” said Marlisa Santos, Ph.D., director for NSU’s Center for Applied Humanities.

Montachem has been serving the plastics industry since 1988, distributing a line of thermoplastic resins and related additives to plastics’ converters around the globe. Realizing the potential negative impact of plastic distribution, Montachem is exploring approaches to incentivize recycling efforts.

From left, IN-SIGHT fellows Christophe Godbarge, Aidan Kunju, Hailee Delgado Jared DeRosa

The students were 2022-23 IN-SIGHT Fellows Jared DeRosa, Hailee Delgado, Christophe Godbarge and Aidan Kunju and 2023-24 IN-SIGHT Fellows Jared DeRosa, Savannah Delano, Alexis Lass and Charlotte Opris. The groups have worked under the direction of NSU Assistant Professor Amanda Furiasse, in the Center for Applied Humanities.

As part of their project with Montachem, the students did research and produced an in-depth report on a topic that presents a problem and provides a solution.

“The IN-SIGHT fellowship vividly demonstrates the humanities’ unique capacity to embrace diverse perspectives and leverage the inherent creativity of the human spirit, paving the way for sustainable solutions that resonate beyond academia,” Furiasse said.

Among some of the findings of the group uncovered were:

  • Younger people may be more likely to be influenced by social media, which can amplify the appearance of sustainability but may not necessarily translate into practical action.
  • With plastic waste already a major problem worldwide, this trend among younger generations is concerning because it suggests future efforts to address the issue will be hindered by a lack of engagement and participation from those who will soon be responsible for managing waste.

Jared DeRosa and Aidan Kunju assist in a beach cleanup.

The students’ concluded not all plastic products can be recycled with present technologies. Recycling requires significant investment in infrastructure and technology, and while recycling may reduce plastic waste it may not necessarily reduce the environmental impact of plastic production and use because of greenhouse gases recycling produces.

After the students’ presentation, the Montachem asked them to expand on their research. While this is their first client, Santos is optimistic there will be others in the future.

“The IN-SIGHT program demonstrates not only how relevant the humanities are in addressing real-world problems,” she said, “but also how imperative it is to seek perspectives from these disciplines, as they provide critical vision in improving our communities.”

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