FSU breaking ground on new research building
Florida State University officials will break ground Monday on the Interdisciplinary Research and Commercialization Building in Innovation Park.
FSU President John Thrasher, Interim Vice President for Research Laurel Fulkerson and Danfoss Turbocor President Ricardo Schneider are scheduled to make remarks prior to officials breaking ground.
The 116,000-square-foot building in Innovation Park is designed to facilitate interactions in common lab space, core facilities and strategically placed collaboration spaces.
It will consist of three floors of mostly open bay labs, sized for up to 30 research groups, 24 postdoctoral researchers, and 155 graduate and undergraduates.
It will house faculty from physics, chemistry and engineering among others, with a specific focus on materials science.
Funding for the $88 million center has come from the Florida Legislature and the FSU Research Foundation.
FSU College of Medicine forum to address vaccine hesitancy
The FSU College of Medicine’s Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine department launches its new series of Community Rounds on Aug. 4 with a virtual event – Behavioral & Social Aspects of Vaccine Hesitancy: Community Challenges & Successes.
The open event runs from noon to 1 p.m.
The panel of speakers includes: Tonya Hobby, Department of Health Taylor & Wakulla Counties; Dr. Meardith Pooler-Burgess, FSU Behavioral Sciences & Social Medicine; Shamarial Roberson, Florida Department of Health, and Rev. Roosevelt Rogers III, Community Advocate. This event is open to everyone.
To register, visit https://fsu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eJ6uXNJSNZY15n8
Florida A&M to collaborate in Novatis’ Health Equity Initiative
Florida A&M University is among more than 25 historically Black Colleges and Universities to benefit from a 10-year commitment from Swiss multinational pharmaceutical Novatis and the Novatis U.S. Foundation to co-create programs to address the root causes of disparities in health and education.
The initiative is a collaboration with Coursera, an open online course provider, the National Medical Association, Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Morehouse School of Medicine and 26 other HBCUs and medical schools to co-create programs that address the root causes of disparities in health outcomes and create greater diversity, equity and inclusion across the research and development ecosystem.
FAMU President Larry Robinson and other leaders from higher education, companies, and organizations have pledged to co-develop programs focused on building trust in the health care system with communities of color and making measurable progress towards health equity.
Part of the plan is for Novartis U.S. Foundation to invest about $13.7 million to establish three digitally enabled research centers at Morehouse School of Medicine, including a clinical trial center of excellence that could be a model for possible expansion to other HBCU medical schools, to increase diversity among clinical trial investigators and participants.
Novartis U.S. Foundation also plans to invest $20 million in scholarships to help prepare up to 1,200 African American students to become the next generation of leaders in health, science, technology and business in collaboration with Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
FAMU DRS receives full accreditation from Cognia agency
Florida A&M University’s Developmental Research School has been awarded full accreditation and received high marks on a report conducted by Cognia, a global accreditation agency that uses a holistic approach to define and identify areas for continuous improvement. The district’s accreditation will remain for five years.
Cognia’s engagement review team examined the district’s policies, programs, practices, learning conditions, and cultural context, to determine how each unit effectively collaborates to meet the needs of every student.
Patricia West, assistant superintendent for FAMU DRS, said the district prepared for the review by implementing an assessment team to identify areas for improvement and opportunities for growth, as well as the district’s successes.
Micheal Johnson is he FAMU DRS superintendent.
FAMU-FSU College of Engineering dean appointed to Energy panel
J. Murray Gibson, dean of the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, has been appointed to the Basic Energy Sciences Advisory Committee for the U.S. Department of Energy.
The committee provides independent advice and recommendations on scientific, technical and policy issues to the Basic Energy Sciences Program of the Department of Energy.
Gibson was appointed as a representative of the energy sciences community to provide advice in condensed matter and the area of materials physics. The committee includes representatives of universities, national laboratories and industries involved in energy-related scientific research.
Gibson also is a professor in mechanical engineering at the college.
Gibson, who was appointed dean in July 2016, is stepping down as dean in December but will continue to focus on research at the college.
FAMU-FSU College of Engineering professor honored for innovation
Maxim Dulebenets, an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, received the 2021 Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University junior faculty Teaching Innovation Award.
The award recognizes outstanding faculty members who explore and implement nontraditional teaching strategies, approaches, techniques or tools to produce measurable gains for student outcomes.
Dulebenets is a FAMU faculty member at the joint college, where he instructs engineering students from both FAMU and Florida State University.
FAMU journalism graduate named inaugural Henry Aaron Fellow
Florida A&M University 2020 graduate Sterling Bright is one of two inaugural Henry Aaron Fellows.
In February, the Atlanta Braves announced the creation of their new, year-long executive leadership program, in honor of Major League Baseball Hall of Famer, former home run king and Braves executive Henry “Hank” Aaron, who died on Jan. 22, 2021.
The fellowship is part of the team’s efforts to widen the talent pool of future diverse industry leaders. After the initial announcement the fellowship was expanded to include a second position thanks to Truist.
Bright, who earned a bachelor’s in journalism, was sports editor of the FAMUan student newspaper. He interned for MLB.com.
He will work work directly with Braves President and Chief Executive Officer Derek Schiller, to gain experience in all aspects of leading and operating the various lines of business within the organization.
TCC to honor student resilience with “We Rise” mural display
Tallahassee Community College is holding a dedication ceremony for its “We RISE” mural at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the Student Union breezeway on the main campus.
The mission of the mural is to help restore a sense of community for students following the many challenges faced during the pandemic, said Gerald Jones, Associate Vice President of Student Affairs.
The images were formulated by TCC students, who were able to participate in the artwork through the art therapy initiative.
Created by Street Art Tallahassee, the mural features images promoting inclusion, sustainability and Black Lives Matter. It also features hallmarks connected to TCC’s culture rooted in respect, integrity, success and engagement.
TCC Hispanic Alliance for Talented Students welcomes new cohort
The TCC Hispanic Alliance for Talented Students is a newly launched opportunity that promotes intercultural understanding and empowerment for Hispanic students.
This program launches a new cohort of Hispanic students for the Fall session during each summer term. Students from Leon, Gadsden, Wakulla or surrounding counties who plan to attend TCC as a freshman during the Fall term are eligible to join.
The students will matriculate through their first semester at TCC together as they are placed in similar courses, engage in career building and goal-setting enrichment sessions, and participate in many more empowering initiatives.
Participants must be of Hispanic descent, be a high school graduate from Leon, Gadsden, or Wakulla County, although students from throughout Florida are eligible.
Students that are accepted in the program receive up to 6-credit hours for free on the select choice of Fall 2021 courses and a textbook stipend.
The deadline to apply is Aug. 8. For more information, visit www.tcc.fl.edu/hats.
Contact senior writer Byron Dobson at bdobson@tallahassee.com or on Twitter @byrondobson.
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