FIU McNair Scholar graduates at 53, awarded NSF Graduate Research Fellowship

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Claire Scott-Bacon FIU
Few would challenge that Claire Scott-Bacon ’16 is an inspiration. Balancing immigration, marriage, divorce, and raising two boys, Scott-Bacon enrolled in college at 48. She defeated all odds and is on her way to becoming Dr. Scott-Bacon. Scott-Bacon took a chance and applied to the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program at FIU in 2015. Her leap […]

Scientists develop new tool to assess oil spills

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Scientists are getting an entirely new perspective of what happens to oil in a spill, thanks to a tool developed by FIU researchers. Little is known about the chemical make-up of oil and how it acts when it mixes with seawater or sunlight during a spill. But by combining techniques to create one powerful instrument, […]

To keep students interested in physics, have them interact

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FIU physics professor in active learning classroom
Social butterflies may be more likely to continue studying science, technology, engineering, and math and ultimately take up a STEM career, according to new research. The study, conducted by FIU post-doctoral researcher Justyna P. Zwolak and alumnus Remy Dou, was published recently in the journal Physical Review of Physics Educational Research and was listed in […]

Scientists study portion of Everglades closed to people for decades

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Shark in Joe Bay
After nearly 40 years of being closed off to the public, visitors to Everglades National Park can now explore Joe Bay. Joe Bay is one of the Everglades’ main sources of freshwater. Closing it was key in helping the American crocodile recover from extinction. But the long-untouched Joe Bay, along with nearby Snag Bay, is […]

FIU graduates do well by doing good

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FIU graduation
Social entrepreneurship runs deep with the class of 2017 While traveling in Asia, Ari Sernik volunteered at a Cambodian orphanage for HIV-positive children. After returning home he devised a way to continue to help: He organized a charity auction of the children’s art work. That experience led him to create Ten-Yad (“Give a Hand” in […]

Alumnae teachers honored as some of the best

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Devalyn Suarez
Miami-Dade County Public Schools named two FIU alumnae the runners-up of its Teacher of the Year and Rookie Teacher of the Year awards. The runner-up awards, given by United Teachers of Dade President Karla Hernandez-Mats, included recognition at a Jan. 26 dinner ceremony and a cash prize donated by Superintendent Alberto Carvalho. Laura Ortiz ’03, […]

Aerial drones reveal sharks in shallow water

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FIU Researcher Jeremy Kiszka
  Answers about shark populations could come from the skies, new research finds. Using drones, a team of researchers from FIU recently completed a survey of sharks and rays in a shallow coral lagoon along the island of Mo’orea in French Polynesia. The project could be a game-changer for scientists and conservation agencies that often […]

Florida scientists take aim at Zika with launch of new center

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Matthew DeGennaro
Four Florida universities are joining forces in the fight to stop Zika. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has awarded $10 million to a new center that brings together scientists from FIU, University of Florida, University of Miami, and University of South Florida. With Florida often being an entry point into the United States […]

Remembering FIU supporter Sanford L. Ziff

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Sanford L. Ziff
The university joins President Mark B. Rosenberg in remembering philanthropist, FIU supporter, and Foundation Board of Directors member Sanford L. Ziff, who passed away at 91 on Friday. President Rosenberg sent the following email to the university community on Jan. 9. Dear members of the university community, It is with a heavy heart and deep appreciation […]

Biologist rounds up lizards on the loose

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FIU biologist James Stroud and kids
Lizards are on the loose in South Florida, and FIU biologist James Stroud needs local middle-schoolers to help him keep track of the reptiles. Stroud is training middle school students to collect information on anole lizards, including species, size, and where they are found. To help the young ecologists, he has created a Field Identification […]