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This version of NSU News has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of NSU News, visit news.nova.edu.
This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.
Nova Southeastern University Celebrates Earth Day All Week Long
FORT LAUDERDALE-DAVIE, Fla. – April 22 marks a day of observance and celebration around the globe. Earth Day arose from in interest in drawing national support for environmental issues. First celebrated in 1970, Earth Day is now celebrated in more than 192 countries by millions of people of all ages and backgrounds who come together to participate in a myriad of activities that have included hauling garbage; cleaning up parks, neighborhoods and coral reefs; planting trees; and learning more about the importance of clean air, water, and environmental sustainability.
Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is celebrating Earth Day campus-wide with a host of events, from talks revealing Earth secrets to a community event with tree-planting, free food, and more!
Unless otherwise noted, the following events are open to the NSU community:
Wednesday, April 16
Earth Secrets Lecture: Part I | “Earth’s Microbes: Big Impact on a Small Scale”
Noon–1:15 p.m.
Mailman-Hollywood Building | Second Floor Auditorium
For more information, contact Song Gao, Ph.D., associate professor at NSU’s Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, at (954) 262-8388.
—“Microorganisms on Planet Earth: Then and Now”
Presented by Aarti Raja, Ph.D., assistant professor
Earth’s early organisms were prokaryotes, known as the Archaea. The microorganism environment has evolved over time as Earth has changed. The boom now is to learn about how the abundant microorganisms have shaped us, and to gain an understanding about the ones that inhabit us and what it means for them to be a part of us.
—“Environmental Disasters and Microbial Mayhem”
Presented by Joshua Loomis, Ph.D., assistant professor
Environmental disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and floods have played major roles in triggering the start of various epidemics throughout human history. Similarly, the encroachment and purposeful destruction of ecosystems by man have unleashed a number of dangerous pathogens on our population. This talk will provide an overview of these diseases and their causes.
—“The Microbes Within Us”
Presented by Emily Schmitt, Ph.D., associate professor and associate director of the college’s Division of Math, Science, and Technology
It’s becoming clear that at least nine out of every 10 cells in our own bodies aren’t even human! This talk will present generalized results from the Human Microbiome Project and discuss ongoing efforts to categorize, understand, and manipulate the life within our own.
Saturday, April 19
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
John U. Lloyd State Park | 6503 N Ocean Dr. Dania Beach, FL.
Students, faculty, and staff are invited to join NSU’s Oceanographic Center SGA at John U. Lloyd State Park, to clean up the beaches, Whiskey Creek, and the inter-coastal waterway. Paddle boards, single person kayaks, and tandem kayaks will also be available to the first 30 people, for use in the clean-up initiative. SGA will host a BBQ after the event as a way of thanking participants. For more information, contact Kate Correia at (954) 262-3624.
Tuesday , April 22
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Celebrate Earth Day with NSU’s Hudson Center of Entrepreneurship and Executive Education
Nova Southeastern University | Carl DeSantis Building Room #2097
In this one-day workshop you will be provided proven, easy to use, conservation and resource management procedures and strategies (sustainable practices) to make your business more competitive and to help increase profits. You will learn how to develop, implement, and monitor a Sustainability Plan for your business that will save money and provide environmental benefits. In addition, you will discover how to use your results from the implementation of your own Sustainability Plan in your sales, marketing, public relations, and community service campaigns. To register or for more information, visit – Sustainable Practices to Increase Profits and Competitiveness
Wednesday, April 23
“Beneath the Waves” Film Festival
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
NSU Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale| One East Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
The NSU Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale will host the internationally acclaimed “Beneath the Waves” Film Festival. The Festival will feature short films ranging in topics from coral reef restoration to humans’ relationship with the ocean to the creative force behind art in marine science.The Film Festival screening will take place in the Museum of Art’s Horvitz Auditorium and will be followed by a panel of expert marine scientists from NSU’s Oceanographic Center. For more information, contact Amanda Costaregni at (239) 370-8696.
Wednesday, April 23
“New Roots: Grand Opening for NSU’s Plant Lab Garden”
11 a.m.
Nova Southeastern University (Davie) | Parker Building Northwest Entrance
Join us as we celebrate the opening of NSU’s new Plant Lab Garden. Faculty member Venkatesh Shanbhag, Ph.D., associate professor, and students will discuss their current and upcoming plant research projects—important components to NSU’s ongoing green efforts! For more information, contact Song Gao, Ph.D., associate professor at the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, at (954) 262-8388.
Earth Secrets Lecture: Part II | “Oil Spills, Coral Reefs, and People on Earth”
Noon–1:15 p.m.
Nova Southeastern University (Davie) | Carl DeSantis Building |Knight Auditorium (Room 1124)
—“Truth and Consequences—Oil Spills”
Presented by Deanne Roopnarine, Ph.D., assistant professor and coordinator of biological sciences
The Deepwater Horizon drilling rig explosion in 2010 resulted in the largest accidental maritime oil spill in history, the truth of which was evident in oil slicks, soiled beaches, and fouled, frequently dead wildlife. Beyond these, are there long-term consequences of this event, and if so, what are they and what have we learned?
—“Adversary and Recovery—Coral Reefs”
Presented by Nicole Fogarty, Ph.D., assistant professor at NSU’s Oceanographic Center
Florida is home to the only coral reef in the continental United States. Despite the incredible biological and economic importance of coral reefs, numerous factors threaten their existence, including pollution, overfishing, invasive species, excessive predation, and disease. In light of global climate change, the question remains: can corals recover in a changing environment?
—“Overpopulation vs. Overconsumption—People on Earth”
Presented by Eileen Smith-Cavros, Ph.D., associate professor
In societal terms, population means “people.” When we examine the concept of our ecological footprint, we find that our surface-level analysis of the current population situation doesn’t present the whole picture. With a focus on “overpopulation,” are we minimizing the true environmental and societal problem of “overconsumption”?
Saturday, April 26
Earth Day Community Celebration
10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Nova Southeastern University (Davie) | Gold Circle Lake
This event will include a tree-planting ceremony (around noon), free ice cream, informational booths and faculty talks about Earth, live entertainment, music by NSU’s Radio X, and activities for children. Come out and celebrate our planet! For more information, contact Song Gao, Ph.D., associate professor at the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, at (954) 262-8388.
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About Nova Southeastern University: Situated on 314 beautiful acres in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is a dynamic fully accredited research institution dedicated to providing high-quality educational programs at all levels. NSU is a not-for-profit independent institution with 27,000 students. NSU awards associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, doctoral and first-professional degrees in a wide range of fields. NSU is classified as a research university with “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, and it is one of only 37 universities nationwide to also be awarded Carnegie’s Community Engagement Classification. For more information, please visit www.nova.edu. Celebrating 50 years of academic excellence!
Media Contact:
Felecia Henderson, Ed.D. | Office of Public Affairs
954-262-5315 (office) | 954-383-4695 (cell)
fhenders@nova.edu