Tag: Halmos College of Arts and Sciences

Halmos Alumnae, Faculty, Students Publish Research on Virulence

Rebecca Quinn

In September 2021, Halmos College of Arts and Sciences master’s graduate Rebecca Quinn and a team of graduate and undergraduate students from the Department of Biological Sciences were published in the American Society for Microbiology Journal.  Under the guidance of Halmos Department of Biological Sciences faculty member Robert Smith, Ph.D., Rebecca Quinn led work on virulence factors of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Quinn graduated from the NSU Master’s in Biological Sciences program in the summer of 2020 and is now a vaccine R&D associate scientist with Pfizer.

Research involved using the Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14 bacterium, which is of increasing concern in clinical healthcare, to study environmental factors that affect virulence.  Pyoverdine, a virulence factor produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, is essential for infection in humans.  The study found that disturbing spatial arrangements in some P. aeruginosa strains can reduce the amount of pyoverdine produced, thus reducing their ability to infect people.  Results of this research could lead to new treatments and reduced infection rates.

The American Society for Microbiology is an organization of professional scientists that explores the complete spectrum of microbiology including bacteria, viruses, algae, protozoa, and fungi.   With over 30,000 members, including researchers, educators and health professionals, ASM is one of the largest life science societies in the world.

Posted 11/14/21

Mathematics Club Buzzing with Spooky Integration Bee

Contestants working on the bee.

The NSU Mathematics Club and the Department of Mathematics in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences hosted the first annual “Spooky Integration Bee” on Wednesday, October 27. This event combined the annual student Integration Bee Competition with a Halloween Costume Contest.

Radleigh Santos, Ph.D., dressed up as “Abelian Grape.”

The Integration Bee featured students using their calculus knowledge to answer integration questions by buzzing in with their answers in front of a lively audience. The champion of the Bee was freshman mathematics major Triet Do. Prizes were awarded to the top three winners of the bee.

The Costume Contest winner was Math Club Faculty Advisor Assistant Professor of Mathematics Radleigh Santos, Ph.D. who dressed up as an “Abelian Grape,” which is a pun rooted in Abstract Algebra. Contestants and audience members enjoyed the food, costumes, and competition.

This event was the first of many events during this year which will include Math Jeopardy, Colloquium Speakers, and Pi Day. For more information about the NSU Mathematics Club and its activities, please contact club president sophomore mathematics major Diana Dancea at dd1868@mynsu.nova.edu.

Posted 11/14/21

Researchers Published in Smithsonian Marine Station Newsletter

This fall, HCAS research scientists Brian Walker, Ph.D. and Karen Neely, Ph.D. had their work published in the Smithsonian Marine Station Newsletter. Titled “Using 3D Modeling to Understand Coral Disease,” it discusses how computer programming can aid in monitoring stony coral treatments.

Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) has spread throughout Florida’s Coral Reef causing extensive mortalities in more than 21 species of reef-building corals and resulting in the local extinction of some species. Not only has SCTLD caused great devastation along Florida’s Coral Reef, but it has recently been found in 17 other countries or territories throughout the Caribbean.

Walker and Neely have been collaborating with the Smithsonian’s The Coral Health and Marine Probiotics (CHAMP) lab. They have been working have been working to treat infected corals along the reef with beneficial bacteria, probiotics. One of the biggest hurdles of the project is to be able to compare tissue loss progression on each coral over time to better understand if the probiotic treatments are successful at slowing or stopping the disease. Numerous photographs are taken of each coral each time the researchers are able to visit them on the reef. Using a software program, Agisoft Metashape, the CHAMP lab compiles these photos into 3D models of each coral. By comparing the surface area of healthy tissue on each model over time, the CHAMP lab can compare effectiveness between treatments.

Posted 11/14/21

Ecology Journal Appoints HCAS Faculty to Editorial Board

J. Matthew Hoch, Ph.D.

In October 2021, HCAS environmental faculty member J. Matthew Hoch, Ph.D. was officially added to the editorial board of Oecologia. Hoch is a marine and wetland ecologist and evolutionary biologist. His current work concerns ecological effects of the restoration of the Everglades. In the past he has worked on sex allocation and reproductive dynamics of barnacles, including the functional morphology of their penises. Other projects have included soft-sediment community ecology in salt marshes, the effects of the restoration of Cadmium pollution in Foundry Cove and the dynamics of sex change in slipper snails.

Oecologia is a prestigious, upper-tier journal that publishes innovative research from across the entire field of ecology.  Distributed by Springer, this journal is one of the most highly cited journals in ecology.

Posted 11/14/21

Halmos Faculty Appointed to Sustainability/Resiliency Board

Mary Hope Schwoebel

Mary Hope Schwoebel, P.D., faculty in the Department of Conflict Analysis and Resolution (DCRS) in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Center (HCAS), was appointed to the Sustainability and Resiliency Advisory Board in Plantation by Councilmember Horland. This new board was established to advise the Plantation City Council on issues such as climate change.

Schwoebel’s teaching and research interests include peacebuilding and state building, peacebuilding and development, gender and conflict, culture and conflict, and facilitation.

Posted 11/14/21

Halmos invites You to Au Café on Monday, November 15

The Department of Humanities and Politics in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Center (HCAS) is delighted to host Au Café on Monday, November 15, 2021. 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 be offered virtually on November 15 from noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom. Please see the flyer for Zoom information. For further information, please contact Yvette Fuentes, Ph.D., faculty in the Department of Humanities and Politics at yf60@nova.edu

Posted 11/11/21

Halmos Invites You to El Cafecito on November 17

The Department of Humanities and Politics in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Center (HCAS) is delighted to host El Cafecito on Wednesday, November 17, 2021. 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 be offered on campus from noon to 1 p.m. on the patio of the Student Services Building. Masks and social distancing are required.  For further information, please contact Yvette Fuentes, Ph.D., faculty in the Department of Humanities and Politics at yf60@nova.edu

Posted 11/11/21

Halmos Alumnus Accepted Into NYU Theatre Writing Program

Nico Raimont

B.A. in Theatre alumnus Nico Raimont is one of 30 students recently accepted into the Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program in the NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Raimont, who graduated from the Halmos College’s Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts in 2021, will join composers, lyricists and book writers for the intimate and unique program that is the only one of its kind in the world emphasizing craft, the art of collaboration, rewriting, storytelling, and developing an original voice.

“He is a developing musical theatre composer bringing his experiences growing up in SoFlo to the Musical Theatre genre,” said Bill Adams, professor and program director for Music and Theatre in the Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts. “In New York, he will rub elbows with all kinds of artists and expand his voice in the birthplace of the American musical.”

During his time as a Theatre major, Music minor and Razor’s Edge Shark Talent Scholar, Raimont appeared in NSU Theatre productions such as “Little Shop of Horrors,” “DNA,” and “She Kills Monsters,” and he participated in “The Mayfly: A 24-Hour Theatre Project” as an actor, director and writer. He also co-hosted the Shark Talent Showcase twice.  These experiences helped prepare him for this next chapter, he said.

“The Theatre students are hungry for something new,” Raimont said. “Whether it be the Mayfly or fanfiction-turned-stage play, the Theatre department is a hub for people who aren’t afraid to be creative in new and imaginative ways. I found myself connecting to students and faculty who shared my point of view and wanted to explore theatre the same way I do.”

As a Theatre major, Raimont produced original works such as “Shadow Infenety: Volumes 1 & 2” and “Como Correr: A Hip-Pop Musical.” Since graduating, he has continued to create original music and content for stage and the screen, he said.

“The Theatre program at NSU helped me by giving me tons of opportunities to put myself out there, not only as a writer but as an actor and director as well,” he said.

Learn more about the B.A. in Theatre program.

Learn more about the B.A. in Music program.

Posted 10/31/21

Grad Assistant Coordinators Present at Conference

Adara Cox and ‘Aolani Robinson, current and former Graduate Assistant Coordinators at the NSU Writing and Communication Center (WCC), presented at the 3rd Annual NSU Crossroads Humanities Student Conference on April 9, 2021. Cox and Robinson are current and former graduate students in the Composition, Rhetoric and Digital Media (CRDM) master’s program in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences (HCAS).

Cox’s presentation, “Teaching Agency, Advocacy, and Authentic Voice: A Thematic Course Using the Netflix Series Dear White People,” provided a foundation for educators committed to advocacy to have brave conversations regarding social justice in their classrooms. Robinson’s presentation, “Seen Through the Screen: Creating Queer Community Through Twine” analyzed sexuality in Twine games.

“The 3rd Annual Crossroads Humanities conference allowed me to network with others who have similar research interests as well as share resources,” Cox said. “I had an amazing experience presenting my work, and I learned so much about what others are researching in their fields!”

Learn more about the Crossroads Humanities Conference.

Learn more about the NSU Writing & Communication Center.

Posted 10/31/21

Undergrad Consultants Receive Distinguished Delegation Awards

Genesis Alvarez, above, and Janay Joseph, below.

Genesis Alvarez and Janay Joseph, NSU Writing and Communication Center (WCC) undergraduate consultants, competed in the Southern Regional Model United Nations (SRMUN) competition, hosted virtually March 26-29, 2021. Both won Distinguished Delegation awards at SRMUN 2021. Alvarez is a History and International Studies major in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences (HCAS) and Farquhar Honors College, and Joseph is a History and International Studies major in HCAS.

NSU’s Model United Nations team, sponsored by HCAS, participated in the conference under the Nova International Relations Association (NIRA). Alvarez and Joseph were delegates for the nation of Columbia and served on three committees: the General Assembly Plenary, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND). Topics discussed during the conference included mental health, illicit drug use by at-risk youth, and disaster response measures.

Joseph and Alvarez, among other team members Luke Dombroski, Jacqueline Chavez, and Angelica (Alu) Lopez Uscamaita, represented NSU as an entire delegation for the Republic of Colombia at SRMUN. The NIRA team was awarded Distinguished Delegation awards for SRMUN 2021 and scored 95/100 for their position papers submitted to the conference. Additionally, their team received a Distinguished Delegation award in the WHO committee for admirable participation and praiseworthy cooperation.

Both Alvarez and Joseph credit the WCC for building essential writing and communication skills that helped their participation in the conference.

“Working at the WCC has sharpened both my writing and conversation skills,” Joseph said. “Not only was I able to communicate my ideas effectively during the formal session, but I was able to contribute policy language for each of the working papers.”

Alvarez had a similar experience, saying that her writing skills “are essential to developing the comprehensive and well-written resolutions we draft during the committee sessions.”

Learn more about the NSU Model United Nations Team.

Learn more about the NSU Writing & Communication Center.

Posted 10/31/21

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