Tag: Halmos College of Arts and Sciences

Guest Lecture Series Highlights Rhetoric of Health, Wellness

Rachel Panton, Ph.D.

This fall, COMP 1500: College Writing hosted a guest lecture series highlighting the rhetoric of health and wellness. The series, facilitated by Assistant Professor of Writing, Rachel Panton, Ph.D., and the Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts  in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences featured a variety of speakers and topics, such as the importance of science writing and communication, the rhetoric of public health during the pandemic, the rhetoric of women’s childbirth advocacy, and the rhetoric of mental health and social media.

“This lecture series was inspired by a desire to broaden student awareness to the centrality of rhetoric and writing in the sciences and humanities and to think across boundaries,” Panton said. “I wanted students to have a greater understanding of the interdisciplinarity and intersectionality of the rhetoric of health and wellness. Most importantly, I wanted them to feel as though they are contributors to these conversations, as well as agents of change.”

Featured speakers included:

Paola Espitia: NSU Marine Biology alumna, media producer, ocean communicator and speaker with the multimedia production studio Ola’Pi Creative

Patrice Leopold, Ph.D.: Assistant Professor for NSU’s Department of Counseling in the College of Psychology

Christi Navarro, Ph.D.: Assistant Professor of Public Health, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine

Ravae Sinclair, former president DONA International: Doula Training and Doula Certification

Learn more about the Minor in Writing offered through the Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts here.

Posted 12/12/21

Undergraduate ‘Virus Hunters’ Present Research at Conference

From left: Nashrah Pierre-Louis, Maria Paula Farez Ochoa, Melissa Bell and Dr. Julie Torruellas Garcia

This fall, incoming freshman students had the opportunity to participate in real, hands-on research as part of the new Introduction to Biology Research I course, taught by Dr. Julie Torruellas Garcia, professor in the Department of Biological Sciences in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences.

A team of 12 undergraduate students have been working on a research project to hunt for new viruses that kill bacteria, known as bacteriophage or phage, to potentially be used as new therapies to treat antibiotic resistant bacterial infections.

The project started with collecting a soil sample in hopes of finding at least one that contained phage. Out of the 32 soil samples collected, phage were discovered in three! Their findings were presented at the Southeastern Branch of the American Society for Microbiology Fall 2021 Virtual Meeting.

Freshman biology major, Nashrah Pierre-Louis, freshman psychology major Melissa Bell, and junior biology major Maria Paula Farez Ochoa gave an oral presentation titled “Phage Hunters: The Discovery of Bacteriophage that infect Gordonia rubripertincta.” Next semester, the students will be continuing their research in the Introduction to Biology Research II course where they will analyze the DNA of the viruses discovered and possibly co-author a scientific paper in a peer-reviewed journal.

Posted 12/12/21

Humanities Gears Up for Crossroads Conference, March 26

The NSU Center for the Humanities announces its 4th Annual Crossroads Humanities Student Conference, which will be held at the NSU Davie campus on Saturday, March 26, 2022.  The theme of the conference is “Rebirth, Renewal, Reboot” exploring the nature of human resiliency and how the humanities provides paths to creativity and newness, rebuilding and finding light in darkness. Abstract proposals of 150 words or fewer should be submitted to humanities@nova.edu  no later than January 14th, 2022. Undergraduate and graduate students from all programs of study are invited to present and attend; registration for NSU students is free.  Contact Dr. Marlisa Santos, Director of the Center for the Humanities, at santosm@nova.edu with any questions.

Returning from trauma, tragedy, and loss is a difficult, but also an empowering enterprise.  Historically, humanity has needed to rise from the ashes of war, disease, genocide, and social and political unrest and violence.  Individuals cope on a daily basis with the effects of sexual assault, domestic abuse, and personal battles with death and despair.  In the resolving stages of a global pandemic and continuing struggles of LGBTQ and BIPOC communities, it seems appropriate to consider the nature of human resiliency and what tools we use to begin anew.  How do the humanities help us to process these losses and trauma, and to regenerate, to find new hope and growth?  In addition to solace and comfort, in what ways do the arts, literature, history, film, religion, and philosophy provide paths to creativity and newness, rebuilding and finding light in darkness?  How can the humanities help us design and build more socially and culturally responsible technologies to help communities redress trauma, division, and violence?

Possible topics include, but not limited to:

  • Digital humanities
  • Trauma studies
  • Medical humanities
  • World mythology and folklore
  • Software studies
  • Religious ritual/belief
  • Environmental humanities/climate change
  • Social reform
  • Racial justice
  • Utopias/Dystopias
  • Memoir/autobiography/documentary
  • Renaissance and reform(ation)

Posted 12/01/21

‘Peace’ Musical Comes to Performance Theatre This Week

Join NSU’s ensembles and soloists for “Peace: A Musical Celebration,” a free concert celebrating the holidays hosted by NSU Music and the Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences.

Date: Friday, Dec. 3
Time: 7:30 p.m.

Location: Performance Theatre

For more information, contact Bill Adams at wadams@nova.edu

Learn more about upcoming events and performances here.

Posted 11/30/21

Halmos Faculty Speaks at Experiential Education Conference

Instructional Technology and Design Specialist Judith Slapak-Barski, Ed.D., center, speaks at the 50th Annual Conference for the National Society for Experiential Education.

In September 2021, Halmos College of Arts and Sciences Instructional Technology and Design Specialist Judith Slapak-Barski, Ed.D. was given the opportunity to speak at the 50th Annual Conference for the National Society for Experiential Education.  As an adjunct instructor and course developer who specializes in faculty development, Judith works to improve instructional methods and technologies that enhance student-centric learning and provide students with real world, hands on educational opportunities.  She also collaborates with the Experiential Education and Learning (ExEL) initiative, which helps to grow programs and support experiences for courses that provide students with the chance to gain diverse, meaningful experiences.

Titled “Zoom Behaviors and Expectations: The Non-Obvious,” Judith’s presentation discussed the move to online engagement with students around the onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic.  It was at first assumed students would know how to act appropriately during ZOOM meetings, but it quickly became obvious that set ground rules were needed. This led to the development and implementation of the “Zoom Etiquette and Expectations” course for students which included a content presentation, interactive simulations, and an assessment.  Successful completion awarded the student a badge to submit to their professors.

National Society for Experiential Education (NSEE) is a nonprofit membership association of educators, businesses, and community leaders. Founded in 1971, NSEE also serves as a national resource center for the development and improvement of experiential education programs nationwide.

Posted 11/28/21

Halmos Legal Studies Major Receives National Recognition

Sommer Sandler

Sommer Sandler, a senior Legal Studies major in the Department of Humanities and Politics (DHP) in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Center (HCAS), recently earned third place for the 2021 Frank McCown Outstanding Pre-Law Chapter President Award.  Sandler is president of the NSU undergraduate chapter of the national pre-law fraternity Phi Alpha Delta (PAD).

With 368 PAD chapters nationwide, this represents a truly remarkable achievement for Sandler and the NSU undergraduate chapter.  PAD provides students interested in the law or planning to go to law school with numerous opportunities for legal exposure through courthouse visits, LSAT practice sessions, and visits from admissions counselors from various law schools, including the Shepard Broad College of Law at NSU.  PAD is a vital part of DHP and the broader Pre-Law Program.

Sandler credits the support of the department and her fellow Phi Alpha Delta members for much of her success as PAD president and added “I am incredibly grateful and honored to receive this recognition and excited to see how our chapter and pre-law community continues to flourish.”

Vicki Toscano, Ph.D., DHP’s pre-law coordinator and the faculty advisor of PAD, noted that under Sandler’s leadership PAD has developed “programming that educates, prepares, and inspires pre-law students as they chart their course through college. Sommer’s hard work in building our chapter of PAD has ensured that PAD and our pre-law program continues to flourish for years to come.”

Posted 11/28/21

Halmos Biology Major and Faculty Co-Author COVID Article

Stephanie Autore

Stephanie Autore, biology major in the Department of Biological Sciences in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Center (HCAS), wrote an article titled “Impacts of COVID-19 on Global Healthcare Management and Research” in the Advanced Journal of Graduate Research. Santanu De, M.Sc., Ph.D., faculty in the Department of Biological Sciences was Autore’s mentor and co-authored the article.

De’s research interests include, STEM education, pedagogy, reproductive physiology, developmental biology, cell biology, and protein biology.

Posted 11/28/21

Halmos Doctoral Student Lectures at Naval Postgrad School

Kevin Peters, M.A., M.B.A.

Kevin Peters, M.A., M.B.A., doctoral student in the Department of Conflict Resolution Studies (DCRS), in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Center, gave a lecture at the Naval Postgraduate School in the Center for Homeland Defense and Security. Peters lectured in a Comparative Democracies class comparing how four other stable democracies (Botswana, Chile, Japan, and Norway) have confronted significant homeland security challenges (a public health event, an active shooter situation, and a natural disaster).  His lecture focused on getting senior homeland security practitioners (Command Staff and Senior Executive equivalents) to think about how to leverage a whole of government approach to confronting emerging homeland security threats.

Peters has an extensive background in intelligence and policy analysis with over 26 years working for the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security. Currently he is the Associate Director for Policy and Research in the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3) at the Department of Homeland Security headquarters. Among his previous positions, he served as the Chief of the National Threat Evaluation and Reporting Programs, and as Deputy Director in the Current and Emerging Threats Center.

Peters has an M.A. in Securities Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School, an M.B.A. from Pennsylvania State University, and a B.A. from the University of Maryland University College.

Posted 11/17/21

Halmos Professor Wins Provost Research/Scholarship Award

Alexander V. Soloviev, Ph.D.

Nova Southeastern University (NSU) Executive Vice President and Provost Ronald J. Chenail, Ph.D., recently presented Alexander Soloviev, Ph.D., professor in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences, with the 11th Annual Provost’s Research and Scholarship Award.

The purpose of the award is to recognize a faculty member who has demonstrated significant achievement in support of NSU’s mission to foster scholarship, intellectual inquiry, and academic excellence. Research and scholarship are two of NSU’s eight core values, and excellence in these areas enhances education, patient care, and public service, and develops superior scholarship.

‘We are proud of Dr. Soloviev for exemplifying NSU’s Core Values through his groundbreaking research on the physics of the near-surface layer of the ocean, air-sea and bio-physical interactions, uptake of CO2 by the ocean, and hurricane physics,” said Chenail.

Soloviev had a strong nomination submitted by his colleague Bernhard Reigl, Ph.D. The nomination describes Soloviev as a pioneer in studying the near-surface layer of the ocean microstructure and turbulence. These results are important for the ocean surveillance from space, the uptake of the anthropogenic CO2 by the oceans, and oil spill mitigation.

Soloviev oversees NSU’s Physical Oceanography Laboratory, and shares his knowledge, experience, and love of the ocean with students of all ages.  He has brought more than $11 million dollars in external grant funding to NSU. He has also developed a number of several model components for simulating environmental conditions and applying these models to problems that had no previous known solution.

Posted 11/14/21

Halmos Faculty Member Honored as Grammy Voting Member

Jessica Muñiz-Collado, M.F.A.

Jessica Muñiz-Collado, M.F.A., faculty in the Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Center, has been accepted as a Grammy voting member for the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (The Recording Academy). Muñiz-Collado joins the ranks of other voting members including Aerosmith, John Legend, Lil Nas X, Queen, BTS, and Beyonce. She indicated that she is humbled to receive this honorable recognition from such a prestigious music academy.

Muñiz-Collado is a published and commissioned composer. Her compositions have been reviewed by Percussive Arts Society: Percussive Notes Magazine and have been performed throughout the United States, Canada, Afghanistan and Argentina. Notable performers include members of the Diane Moser Big Band, legendary jazz tubist Howard Johnson, the Callithumpian Consort percussion trio, members of Bang On A Can and Asphalt Orchestra, the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra (Alberta), and the Spokane New Music Ensemble.

In addition, she has worked as a media composer for large-scale media projects, including several Fortune 500 companies and a Super Bowl commercial. Muñiz-Collado composed music for MundoFox’s television series Los Golden Boys (produced by Oscar De La Hoya and Mario Lopez), award-winning COPILOT Music, Killer Tracks Production Music, Odyssey Earth Films, award-winning N.N. Media Productions, Open Door Film Productions, award-winning INC24 iMagination productions, and award-winning director Luis Argueta.

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. Muñiz-Collado is the NSU’s faculty advisor for Grammy U, which is designed help the next generation of collegiate musicians get connected with music industry professionals.

Posted 11/17/21 

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