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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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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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Spring 2017 Study Abroad Fair
Study abroad Spring 2017 applications are now available. Join UCF Abroad at their Spring Study Abroad Fair Thursday, January 21, from 10 AM – 2 PM in front of the Student Union. Come and learn about the multiple programs offered in many disciplines in countries around the world. Political Science students have the opportunity to study for a semester […]
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UCF Zoologist Stars in Smithsonian Documentary
ORLANDO, Nov. 4, 2015 — UCF zoologist William Crampton, Ph.D., braves the Amazon River to uncover the secrets of electric fish as part of a new documentary airing on the Smithsonian Channel on Nov. 9 and 22. Dr. Crampton is a world expert on electric eels and knifefish and has spent years studying the creatures […]
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Sunscreen’s Hidden Hazards
Lathering up with sunscreen may prevent sunburn and protect against cancer, but it is also killing coral reefs around the world. That’s the conclusion of a team of international scientists, which includes UCF associate professor of biological sciences and diving enthusiast John Fauth, Ph.D. The researchers found that oxybenzone, a common UV-filtering compound, is in […]
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Record Year for UCF Marine Turtle Research Group
Green sea turtles have had their highs and their lows. Before being commercially harvested for hundreds of years, green sea turtles used to be a typical sight in the Atlantic, but now they are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in multiple locations across the globe. Even with being one of the first species to have federal regulations protecting them, green […]
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New Associate Dean and Director of Interdisciplinary Graduate Education
UCF biology professor John Weishampel, Ph.D., will soon be putting his experience with over 100 graduate committees to good use as he assumes his new position as Associate Dean and Director of Interdisciplinary Graduate Education this fall. “I’m excited at the opportunity to make a difference across the broad arena of graduate studies at UCF,” […]
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2015 UCF College Showcase
The UCF College of Sciences will once again participate in the UCF College Showcase during UCF Family Weekend. Family Weekend, taking place September 18-20, is a UCF annual tradition bringing together families and students to create memories that will last a lifetime. Events taking place throughout the weekend include campus tours, The Understudy play at the UCF […]
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COS “Superman of Environmental Conservation” Returns
An esteemed professor is returning to the ranks in the biology department. C. Ross Hinkle, Ph.D., who after serving as the Vice Provost and Dean for the College of Graduate Studies, has decided to return to the College of Sciences as a senior faculty member in biology. Hinkle joined UCF in 2007 as chair of the biology […]
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Workshop to Teach About Dangers of Invasive Lionfish
Responding to a venomous lionfish invasion in Florida’s coastal waters, UCF will co-host a community workshop Thursday, June 18, about the species that’s threatening native fish and how to get rid of them. The Invasive Lionfish Collecting and Handling Workshop will be held 6-8 p.m. in the UCF Biology Field Research Center, Bldg. 92 on […]
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UCF Undergraduate Researchers Go International
More than 30 UCF student researchers will participate in research programs around the world this summer. The students will receive stipends, lodging and often travel funding as compensation for their work in the research programs. “Being an undergraduate researcher has opened doors for me that I did not even know existed,” said Samantha Mensah, a […]
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COS Faculty Promotion and Tenure
Promotion is a mark of accomplishment and a gratifying recognition from one’s peers. Because of their hard work and dedication, the following staff members have been promoted at UCF. Promotion to Professor Tosha Dupras, Anthropology Pedro Quintana-Ascencio, Biology Enrique del Barco, Physics Viatcheslav Kokoouline, Physics Michael Mousseau, Political Science Promotion to Associate Professor and/or […]
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COS Faculty Awarded for Excellence
Throughout the year, faculty members work incredibly hard to bring quality education to UCF. To reward their hard work, the university offers the incentive award programs. The intent of the award programs is to recognize and promote faculty excellence and productivity that respond to and support the mission of UCF. The UCF Teaching Incentive Program rewards […]
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UCF Researchers Uncover Mistaken Identity of Crown Conch
Four undergraduate students were recently awarded first place for their poster presentation at the Southeastern Estuarine Research Society meeting. Stemming from a group research project in Dr. Linda Walters‘ Advanced Marine Biology class last spring, Courtney Buck, Casey Craig, Chelsea Landeau and Jordan Filipponi worked together to research the impact crown conch make on oyster populations […]
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Bugging Out: Entomology Club Educates Young Students
The Entomological Society of Central Florida (ESCF) at UCF recently visited 4th and 5th grade classes at Evans Elementary School for the first time. Their aim as an organization is to provide a fun, hands-on environment to encourage scientific learning for all ages. Through their outreach program, they visit local libraries and scientific organizations geared […]
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UCF Hosts Academically Competitive Summer Institute
Dedicated to providing science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) related summer opportunities for middle and high school students, UCF will be offering the Summer Institute beginning in June. The Summer Institute offers tracks in Biology and Computer Science, as well as a Programming Competition institute. Each track offers a mix of activities designed to maximize learning […]
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Biology Professor Earns Top Honors
From creating storybooks that teach preschoolers about the dangers of aquarium dumping to engaging more than 47,000 volunteers on oyster-reef restoration and living-shoreline projects since 2007, UCF biology professor Linda Walters has found ways to make science exciting and relevant to people of all ages. That’s why earlier this month the Society for Integrative and […]
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Climate Change Threatens 30 Years of Conservation
A new University of Central Florida study is sounding the alarm about climate change and its potential impact on more than 30 years of conservation efforts to keep sea turtles around for the next generation. Climate change is causing sea-level rise, and how coastal communities react to that rise could have dire consequences for sea […]
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UCF Biologist and Oysters Help Restore Indian River Lagoon
The tiny, mushy mollusks usually slurped up at local bars and restaurants may be the eco-friendly heroes that end up saving Brevard County’s Indian River Lagoon. Knee-deep in murky water for several hours last week, community volunteers, Brevard County Natural Resources employees, Brevard Zoo employees and University of Central Florida students worked alongside UCF biologist […]
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Science Café to feature Dr. Kate Mansfield
This Thursday, Oct. 30, Dr. Kate Mansfield will be featured in the second Science Café talk. Mansfield, from the UCF Biology Department, is speaking about her research on sea turtles in her talk titled “FOUND: The Sea Turtle “Lost Years”. By attaching satellite tracking devices to loggerhead turtles off of Florida’s coast, she and her team […]
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Science Café Features Discovery
Science Café is designed to bring together UCF scientists with the community in a fun and casual environment. Held in the Physical Sciences Building, the series highlights the exciting research currently being conducted in the College of Sciences. Each month features a scientist from a different department in the college. On September 18, the first […]
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COS Undergraduate Researchers Excel
Every month, university wide, one student is honored with the Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Award for their time spent researching a subject of their choice. So far this year, five students from the College of Sciences have been recognized and honored for their hard work. During their research, students work with a mentor that guides them […]
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New Organism Discovered by UCF Student
While many students spent their summer break enjoying the beach, University of Central Florida junior Grace Avecilla helped discover a new organism while interning at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Getting a chance to culture single-celled protists, a diverse set of microorganism, was the highlight of the internship, made possible […]
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RAMP Up Your Research
The UCF Arboretum is partnering with the UCF Research and Mentoring Program (RAMP) to provide a paid ecological research opportunity in Fall 2014. The RAMP program offers students an opportunity to participate in research projects guided by faculty and to benefit from faculty mentoring. Students will also participate in a variety of workshops that were […]
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Swimming With Sharks, Turtles and Eels
Thirteen University of Central Florida biology students swam among nurse sharks, sea turtles, eels and lionfish this month as part of a hands-on summer abroad course. The students spent a week studying more than 60 species in the depths of the Glovers Atoll, about 35 kilometers off the coast of Belize. The atoll is considered […]
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Romantic Strolls with Sea Turtles
The College of Sciences wants to take COS faculty and potential donors on a long, moonlit walk on the beach. To learn about sea turtles of course! This summer, the College of Sciences has organized a series of Turtle Walks to promote the college’s excellent sea turtle research program and cultivate interest in the program. […]
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New Department Chairs for Biology, Anthropology and Sociology Announced
As three esteemed faculty members chose to leave their positions as department chairs, Dean Michael Johnson had to choose which professors would be their successors. The College of Sciences is pleased to announce and congratulate the new department chairs who willingly stepped up to help their departments such an important way. Dr. Graham Worthy, Department […]
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Outgoing Chairs Honored For Contributions to the College of Sciences
Drs. Arlen Chase, Jana Jasinski and Laurence VonKalm were recently honored by the College of Sciences for their hard work as the anthropology, sociology, and biology chairs, respectively. A small celebration featuring a Pegasus cake and fellow associates, including Dean Johnson, was held in the College of Sciences building. Dr. Chase, former Anthropology Chair, has […]
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Oyster Reef and Living Shoreline Stabilization Volunteer Opportunities Summer 2014
UCF and the Brevard Zoo have partnered to create volunteer opportunities for students who wish to participate in oyster reef restoration and shoreline stabilization projects with the Canaveral National Seashore (CANA) and Fort Mose National Park (FM). Volunteering is open to all students, regardless of their major. Biology students are encouraged to participate. Volunteers needed […]
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Science Olympiad Heads for the Black AND Gold
Saturday and Sunday, May 16 and 17, UCF will welcome over 10,000 middle and high school students, their families, coaches, and teachers from all over the United States and Japan for the 30th annual Science Olympiad. This is second time in three years that UCF has hosted the Science Olympiad, the largest STEM (science, technology, […]