Tag: Halmos College of Arts and Sciences

Halmos Professor Publishes Book on Linear Algebra

“Problems in Linear Algebra and Matrix Theory” is a new book from Halmos Professor Fuzhen Zhang, Ph.D., published by the World Scientific Publishing Company.  Revised and expanded from an earlier version, this new edition contains fifty-five examples and many new problems, based on Zhang’s lecture notes of Advanced Linear Algebra classes here at NSU as well as short lectures at Shanghai University and Beijing Normal University.  Composed of basic, important, and elegant results in linear algebra and matrix theory, the text is intended for upper division undergraduate and beginning graduate students.

Zhang is a professor in NSU Department of Mathematics with interests in matrix analysis, linear and multilinear algebra, operator theory, and combinatorics.  He has been on editorial boards of several mathematical journals and has published more than 80 research papers and 3 books.  Additionally, he has served as Chair, co-Chair, or a member of the Scientific Organizing Committee of the serial International Conferences on Matrix analysis and Applications (ICMAA).  he received his Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of California-Santa Barbara in 1993.

Posted 02/13/22

Halmos Research Proposal Earns Coveted Grant

D. Abigail Renegar, Ph.D.

Our oceans are plagued by chemical contaminants that have relatively unknown effects on the health and resilience of coral reefs.  Filling in some of the knowledge gaps is D. Abigail Renegar, Ph.D., of the Halmos Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences.  Renegar investigates the impacts of coastal pollution, climate change, ocean acidification, and other anthropogenic stressors on corals.  Her newly proposed research will test the effects of UV light exposure on chemical contaminants as many are photo-reactive, have photo-enhanced toxicity, or create toxic photo-transformation products that impact organisms. By identifying the chemicals posing the greatest risk to reefs, the research will support targeted actions reducing contaminant levels and impact.

Renegar’s proposal was chosen by the 2021-22 Ocean Insight Grant Program as one of seven winners selected from hundreds of entries from around the world. Ocean Insight is a spectral technologies company that collaborates with researchers to discover, refine, and deliver new approaches to solving problems.  As a winner, Renegar will be honored at a virtual Ocean Insight Grant Program Awards event, with scheduling and other details to be announced.

Renegar runs the Coral Histology Laboratory, the Coral Restoration/Toxicology Laboratory, and the Land-based Coral Nursery at the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Center on NSU’s Oceanographic Campus.  Her research interests focus on scleractinian coral biology, conservation, and restoration with particular interest in the assessment of chronic nutrient exposure impacts of single hydrocarbon, crude oil, and dispersed oil effect thresholds of scleractinian corals.

Posted 02/13/22

Halmos Professor Integral to BASIL Undergraduate Research

There is a significant body of research demonstrating the importance of undergraduate research experiences in biochemistry education.  To address the need for opportunities, the BASIL CURE project was created and is used by many universities across the country.  The Biochemistry Authentic Scientific Inquiry Lab (BASIL) Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) is a flexible curriculum consisting of both computational and wet-lab modules.  BASIL CUREs are recognized for their potential to increase access to research in undergraduate STEM and are being integrated into the undergraduate curriculum.

An integral member of the project is the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences Associate Professor of Chemistry Arthur Sikora, Ph.D. Specializing in biochemistry, Sikora focuses on the structure and function of proteins.  In the past he developed and facilitated a workshop on the BASIL computational modules at the Biennial Conference for Chemical Education (BCCE).  Currently, Sikora designs and implements BASIL CURE assessment workshops.

Funding for this project comes from a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant under the Improving undergraduate STEM education directive. This five-year, $2 million collaborative project will explore barriers to CURE course adoption. The goal is to make STEM education more research focused and allow every student an opportunity to do research regardless of their ability to find or maintain independent study with a faculty member while increasing the diversity of the STEM workforce.

Posted 02/13/22

HCAS Student’s Photo Chosen by National Wildlife Federation

Picture of a white ibis standing on the branch of a pine tree. Photo taken by Lexi Smith and sold by the National Wildlife Federation.

Aside from working diligently as a student in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences’ Environmental Science Program, Lexi Smith enjoys spending her time photographing the great outdoors.  Recently, one of her pictures was chosen to be part of a National Wildlife Federation collection supporting the planting of trees for wildlife.

The selected image depicts a white ibis standing on the branch of a pine tree and is part of the Trees for Wildlife™ boxed set.  For every set sold, the National Wildlife Federation has promised to partner with nonprofit organizations, schools, and local governments to plant native trees that rebuild areas which sustain wildlife.

The National Wildlife Federation is the largest conservation organization in America and works across the country to support wildlife and uphold conservation values.  Since 1936, the association has been working to increase fish and wildlife populations while helping them thrive in an ever-changing world.

Lexi Smith is part of the Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences BS of Environmental Science Class of 2022.  More of her photos can be found on Instagram @lexismith_photography

Posted 02/13/22

Halmos College Invites You to Au Café on March 24

The Department of Humanities and Politics (DHP) in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Center (HCAS) is delighted to host Au Café on Thursday, March 24, 2022. This coffee and conversation hour provides a relaxed environment for French students and speakers to practice their language skills. Speakers of all levels are welcome to Au Cafe!

Au Café will take place on campus on the patio of the Student Services Building  from 12:30pm-1:30pm.. For further information, please contact Yvette Fuentes, Ph.D., faculty in the Department of Humanities and Politics at yf60@nova.edu

Posted 02/11/22

Halmos College Invites You to El Cafecito on March 8

The Department of Humanities and Politics (DHP) in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Center (HCAS) is delighted to host El Cafecito on Tuesday, March 8. This coffee and conversation hour provides a relaxed environment for Spanish students and speakers to practice their language skills. Speakers of all levels are welcome to El Cafecito!

El Cafecito will take place on campus from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on the patio of the Student Services Building. For further information, please contact Yvette Fuentes, Ph.D., faculty in the Department of Humanities and Politics at yf60@nova.edu

Posted 02/11/22

Halmos College Joins in Illuminating Earth’s Biodiversity

Following the pioneering footsteps of biodiversity giants EO Wilson and Thomas Lovejoy, the Earth BioGenome Project (EBP) was launched to create a “network of networks” with sights on sequencing the genomes of a majority of the earth’s living organisms. The overall goal of the venture is to read the complete genomes of about 1.8 million species of macro-organisms on the planet, encompassing all of the known species of mammals, reptiles, fishes, insects, trees flowers, mushrooms, and single-celled protists. The plan requires a hierarchical approach and known classification, identifying organisms that include Phyla, Classes, Families to finally reach the known species of living organisms represented by samples that people can collect and archive. Agreement on uniform sequencing standards and other consortia, such as the quality of sequence data, is important before addition to the EBP list. All these points have now been expounded, compilated, and published in a new set of papers in the Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) this week.

Halmos College of Arts and Sciences Department of Biological Sciences faculty member Jose (Joe) Lopez, Ph.D., plunged into this large-scale genome endeavor in 2013, with his co-founding of the Global Invertebrate Genomics Alliance (GIGA). Partially inspired by the earlier Genome10K project started by NSU HCAS professor, Stephen J. O’Brien, Ph.D., the GIGA community of scientists focuses solely on aquatic animals without spines (“invertebrates”) and recently became a non-profit entity. Lopez represents GIGA in the EBP network and is a member of the working group and co-author on three of the new PNAS papers. Lopez is also helping contribute up to 50 invertebrate species samples, including soft corals from local Broward coral reefs, for genome sequencing through the related Aquatic Symbiosis Genome (ASG) project in conjunction with the Darwin Tree of Life (DToL) program at the Wellcome Sanger Institute in the UK.  Lopez works closely with Mark Blaxter, Ph.D. Program leader for the DToL program and lead author on the PNAS paper “Why sequence all eukaryotes?”

“It has been an honor to serve with a distinguished group of scientists dedicated to the genome sciences,” says Lopez.  “The EBP poses clearly ambitious and non-trivial goals. But we have to start somewhere, and often basic science has to be done before we move to more specialized applications. Because the genomes of the planet’s organisms are all different (leading to biodiversity) due to evolution, they can provide answers to speciation/extinction, conservation, better health and how organisms interact symbiotically. The genomes also hold the potential for discovery of treatments for human disease. The sequencing effort is already bringing diverse scientists from different institutions and countries together toward a common goal and should be supported widely. Obtaining funding, such as convincing NSF to support the mega projects, presents a steep hill to climb. But we do need to take up the challenge, or else other countries will leap-frog ahead of us.”

Posted 01/30/22

Theatre Alumna Lands Internship at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

 

B.A. in Theatre alumna Kaeleigh Sturgeon

B.A. in Theatre alumna Kaeleigh Sturgeon is taking her talents to the most magical place on Earth with her role working in attractions for Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. As an intern for the Disney College Program, Sturgeon works as an attractions hostess and cast member for Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Hollywood Studios’ newest attraction.

“The skills I built as a theatre major, including public speaking, memorization, creative problem solving and initiative, have greatly prepared me for my safety-critical and guest-facing role at Disney,” said Sturgeon, a recent graduate of the B.A. in Theatre program in the Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences. “Additionally, working as an ensemble in the many shows I had the privilege to be a part of in my time at NSU has helped me better work as a team with my fellow cast members.”

Sturgeon, who also minored in marketing, graphic design and strategic communication, started her internship with Walt Disney World this fall.

Learn more about the B.A. in Theatre program and its concentrations here.

Posted 01/30/22

Alpha, Alpha, Zeta Invites Applications for Membership

Alpha, Alpha Zeta, the NSU Chapter of Alpha Mu Gamma, National Collegiate Foreign Language Honor Society, housed in the Department of Humanities and Politics in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Center is inviting applications for membership. Alpha, Alpha, Zeta was established in 2019.

Alpha Mu Gamma was founded in 1931, and is the oldest and largest national collegiate foreign language honor society in the US. AMG is dedicated to promoting languages studies, cultural events, and community outreach. There are many scholarships offered through and provides opportunities for networking.

We invite all students to apply. You do not need to be a language major or minor to qualify. The requirements for full student membership include:

  • Two semesters of college completed
  • Two grades of “A” (i.e., A, A-) in two college level courses (each at least 3 semester units) of the same foreign language or American Sign Language (ASL). Please note that candidates, who are natives of a non-English speaking country, may offer two final course grades of “A” in college level English or English as a Second Language (ESL).
  • Overall GPA of 3.0 (B average)
  • One-time National dues of $30. One-time NSU chapter dues of $25.

Students who meet the requirements and wish to apply, should fill out the application found on the AMG webpage https://www.amgnational.org/membership.html and email with an unofficial copy of transcript to Dr. Yvette Fuentes (yf60@nova.edu), Faculty Advisor.

Once your application has been reviewed and approved, you will receive instructions on how to submit your $55 membership dues.

Deadline for application submission is Monday, March 7, 2022.

Posted 01/30/22

NSU Mathematics Hosts Differential Equations Expert, Feb. 10

Qin Sheng, Ph.D.

The Halmos College of Arts and Sciences Department of Mathematics will host guest speaker Qin Sheng, Ph.D., as part of their Mathematics Colloquium Series.  Sheng will be discussing the role of splitting methods for solving differential equations.  The review will cover the historical roots and derivation of modern splitting methods, its use in solving a semi-linear Kawarada partial differential equation, and the concept of global error.

Sheng is a professor at the Baylor University Department of Mathematics.  He has been interested in splitting and adaptive numerical methods for solving linear and nonlinear partial differential equations and is also known for the Sheng-Suzuki theorem in numerical analysis.  A prolific researcher, Sheng has published more than 110 refereed journal articles as well as six joint research monographs and has been an Editor-in-Chief of the SCI journal, International Journal of Computer Mathematics, published by Taylor and Francis.

“From Derivation to Error Analysis of Splitting Methods – A Contemporary Review”, will take place on Thursday, Feb. 10 from 12:30 – 1:20 p.m. on Zoom.  The entire NSU community, including students at all levels of mathematics, is invited and encouraged to attend.

Posted 01/30/22

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