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Florida Declared a Global Biodiversity Hotspot
The North American Coastal Plain – the low-lying land stretching from Texas to Florida to New England – was recently named the 36th biodiversity hotspot in the world, highlighting the importance of this region, but signaling concerns over threats to the plant and animal life there. UCF Biology professor, Reed Noss, Ph.D., was the lead […]
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UCF Research Steals the Show
The spotlight was on UCF at the 2016 Indian River Lagoon Symposium (IRLS). On Feb. 11-12, the Indian River Lagoon and their sponsors held the Indian River Lagoon Symposium at the Johnson Education Center, FAU Harbor Branch, in Fort Pierce, Florida. This year’s theme was Indian River Lagoon: Linking Research with Management. The goals of this […]
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Remembering Dr. David Jones
Anthropology expert, musician, and mentor, David Jones, Ph.D., passed away on Jan. 31, 2016. The retired anthropology professor and founding faculty member of the anthropology department, dedicated over 30 years of excellent service to the students, the University and the community. A mentor to many students and faculty, Dr. Jones was known for his studies of Native American shamanism, […]
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Order of Pegasus Class of 2016
20 students have received the Order of Pegasus, UCF’s most prominent student award and six out of those 20 students representing the College of Sciences. The Order of Pegasus recognizes exemplary performance by undergraduate and graduate students in the areas of academic achievement, outstanding university involvement, leadership and community service. Because of the breadth of accomplishments required for this […]
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Faculty Cluster Pursues Coastal Sustainability
Coastal systems research will soon evolve beyond its typical limits by integrating an interdisciplinary focus in a new collective opportunity. To no surprise, coastal systems research is vital to the state of Florida, given that its well-being maintains the economy and environment. The University of Central Florida’s faculty has recognized these stresses and has taken […]
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UCF Speech Team Shines in Tournament
Story by UCF Nicholson School of Communication February 18, 2016 The two-day speech competition event dubbed “The Knight-Nole Swing,” hosted jointly this year by the speech teams of the University of Central Florida (UCF) and Florida State University, brought together contenders from nine schools and resulted in a “fantastic success” for UCF, according to Instructor […]
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UCF Meets the Conservation Challenge
On Feb. 9–12, a group of UCF faculty, staff, and graduate students from the Marine Turtle Research Group (MTRG) attended the 3rd Southeast Regional Sea Turtle Meeting, hosted by the Southeast Regional Sea Turtle Network in Mobile, Alabama. Two UCF faculty members and one research associate gave oral presentations, and one Ph.D. student presented a poster. The theme of this years meeting was […]
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The Kurdish Chair in Kurdistan
Güneş Murat Tezcür, the Jalal Talabani Endowed Chair of Kurdish Political Studies, traveled to Kurdistan Region of Iraq between February 6 and 13. During his trip, Dr. Tezcür met with the Presidents and administrators of the three largest public universities of Kurdistan, Salahaddin University-Erbil, the University of Duhok, and the University of Sulaimani, as well […]
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UCF Sociology Ranks with the Best
UCF’s online B.A Sociology degree is one of the best in the nation according to thebestschools.org, with a current ranking at No. 6. According to the website, the top 25 online Sociology degree programs in the nation were ranked based on quality of program, types and range of courses offered, and faculty strength, as well as school awards, rankings, […]
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Get Plugged in with Anthropology Professor Branting
On Jan. 28, Assistant professor of anthropology, Scott Branting, Ph.D., participated in a Future Tense discussion about how present and emerging technologies can be used to deliver cultural heritage from the past to the future. After the event, Increasing Human Potential asked Dr. Branting for a follow-up interview for their “Unmanned Unplugged” feature. Increasing Human […]
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Shedding Light on Sex Offenders
Department of Sociology chair and professor Elizabeth Mustaine, Ph. D., recently co-authored an article called “Criminal Justice Officials’ Views of Sex Offenders, Sex Offender Registration, Community Notification, and Residency Restrictions.” Her article was chosen by Jon Brandt, associate blogger of the Journal of Research and Treatment, as one of the standout articles from 2015 in the field of sexual abuse. “Criminal Justice […]
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Wright Editing Earns a Win
Sociology Pegasus Professor, James Wright, Ph.D., contributed his editing skills to Elsevier’s “International Encyclopedia of the Social and Behavioral Sciences”, helping them win the Award for Excellence in Reference Works at the 2016 PROSE Awards. Dr. Wright was the editor-in-chief of the “International Encyclopedia of the Social and Behavioral Sciences”, 2nd edition. Elsevier is an academic publishing company […]
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Biology Student Makes Waves with Research
Congratulations to UCF biology major, Lacie Anderson, for her accomplishment as the February recipient of the Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Award (DURA). Each month, one student is rewarded for their time and effort spent researching a subject of their choice. During their research, students work with a mentor that guides and helps them during the process. With their […]
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Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Joshua King
Growing up in a rural community in New England, Joshua King, Ph.D., entomologist and associate professor in the Department of Biology, began his exploration in the life sciences as many children do: outdoors. With a voracious curiosity, King developed a hobby of observing and collecting insects. Inspired by the support and encouragement of his high […]
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Rachel Carson’s Legacy for Florida
On Feb. 17, join Robert Musil, Ph.D., M.P.H., president and CEO of the Rachel Carson Council (RCC), as he shares Rachel Carson’s environmental legacy for Florida. Dr Musil will be speaking about how Rachel Carson and her work was and still is relevant to the state of Florida. The presentation will be followed by a workshop on environmentalism and book […]
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UCF Pendulum Swings Back Into Action
The College of Sciences is proud to announce that for the first time in more than 20 years, the pendulum in the Mathematical Science building is swinging back and forth again. The Foucault Pendulum, named after a French Physicist, was part of the original building and has been on campus since October 1970. Back then […]
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UCF Recognized as ‘Center of Excellence’
UCF researcher Swadeshmukul Santra, Ph.D., associate professor with the NanoScience Technology Center and the chemistry department at UCF, has been awarded a $1.9 million grant to develop a method for protecting the troubled citrus industry from the disease HLB, also known as citrus greening, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson announced Tuesday. In awarding the funding, the U.S. Department of […]
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Political Science Alumna Builds Trust through UCF Degree
Courtney Barnard, ’14, says her master’s degree in political science from UCF builds connections and trust in life after graduation. The alumna was actively involved at UCF and continues to make a positive impact in the Orlando community. As Director of Government Affairs for the Florida Apartment Association, Barnard is the head policy advisor […]
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New COS Associate Dean
The College of Sciences is pleased to announce that Florian Jentsch, Ph.D., has accepted the offer to become Associate Dean, the position that he has been holding on an interim basis. He will be responsible for overseeing research, facilities, and faculty development. Dr. Jentsch is a Professor of Psychology with a joint appointment in the Department […]
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Satellites Show Florida Beaches Becoming Darker, and That’s Good for Sea Turtles
Newly published research that started as a high school science project confirms that the density of sea turtle nests on Florida beaches is reduced where artificial lights along the coast deter nesting females. But the data also show that the network of sea turtle-friendly lighting ordinances along Florida’s coast seems to be working. “It’s a […]
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NSC Announces New Director
Story by UCF Nicholson School of Communication. January 28, 2016 Robert S. Littlefield, Ph.D. has accepted the offer of UCF College of Sciences’ Dean Michael Johnson to become Director of the Nicholson School of Communication (NSC) beginning in August. Dr. Littlefield is currently Professor of Communication at North Dakota State University, (NDSU) where he has also served as […]
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Faculty Spotlight: Lisa Malone
If you’ve watched a space shuttle launch in the past 30 years, you’ve probably heard the voice of Lisa Malone, the former director of Public Affairs for NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC), counting down the seconds until liftoff. Now you can expect to hear – and see – Malone at the Nicholson School of Communication […]
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Business, Engineering and Sciences Alumni Networking Knight
Nearly 70 UCF alumni gathered in downtown Orlando on Thursday, Jan. 21. for an evening of professional networking. The alumni chapter board of volunteers from the College of Business Administration, College of Engineering and Computer Science, and College of Sciences jointly hosted the event held at GrayRobinson. Guests enjoyed drinks and appetizers while mingling with […]
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Presenting Sea Turtles in Peru
CENTRAL FLORIDA FUTURE – Isabelle D’Antonio, Contributing Writer In February 2016, hundreds of sea turtle enthusiasts and researchers from around the world will gather in Lima, Peru, for the 36th annual International Sea Turtle Symposium to present their research and discuss conservation efforts. This year, junior Abigail Hudak, UCF biology major, will be one of […]
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Nicholson Alumni Shine at 2015 Suncoast Emmys
Story by UCF Nicholson School of Communication January 8, 2016 It was a simple statement on the Facebook page of Tiffany Anthony, ’07, but it said so much: She could now officially call herself an Emmy Award-winning producer. Anthony was one of the winners at the 2015 Suncoast Chapter ceremony of the National Academy of Television Arts […]
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Research Sheds New Light on BP Oil Spill
Scientists have been studying the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on the Gulf of Mexico for years, but research by UCF professors – and a $1.5 million grant that funds their work – could shed new light on undetected pollution lurking beneath the seafloor. The catastrophic blowout of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig […]
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COS Grad Student to Study at Vatican Observatory
A University of Central Florida graduate student is one of only 25 people worldwide selected to attend a prestigious summer school in astrophysics at the Vatican Observatory. Leos Pohl, a second-year doctoral student in UCF’s Planetary Sciences Group, will join two dozen other students at the observatory’s headquarters in Castel Gandolfo, a resort community just […]
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Religion and Politics Led to Social Conflict, Then and Now
Humans haven’t learned much in more than 2,000 years when it comes to religion and politics. Religion has led to social tension and conflict, not just in today’s society, but dating back to 700 B.C., according to a new study published today in Current Anthropology . Sarah Barber, Ph.D., associate professor of anthropology at UCF, and Arthur […]
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COS Celebrates 27 New Ph.D. Graduates
On Friday, Dec. 18, 12 new Ph.D. students graduated from the College of Sciences. A special graduation reception was held to congratulate the graduates on Thursday, Dec. 17. The event was held in the afternoon in the Physical Sciences building. Family members of the graduates, faculty advisors and members of the Dean’s office staff were in attendance. […]
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COS Graduates Over 1,000 Students
More than 5,000 UCF students will become alumKnights during the fall commencement ceremonies this weekend. The university will award an estimated 5,168 degrees during the three ceremonies. That includes 4,405 bachelor’s degrees, 657 master’s degrees, four education specialist degrees, 12 educational doctoral degrees, 81 Ph.D.’s and nine Doctor of Nursing degrees. The College of Sciences alone will […]