November 2020

Four Florida State University researchers have been named fellows by the American Association for the Advancement of Science in honor of their work advancing science or its applications. The four faculty members are Professor of Psychology Elaine Hull, Professor of Statistics Anuj Srivastava, Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor of Biological Science Walter Tschinkel and Professor of Biological Science Fanxiu Zhu.

Researchers examining subglacial waters both from Antarctica and Greenland found that these waters have higher concentrations of important, life-sustaining elements than previously thought, answering a big unknown for scientists seeking to understand the Earth’s geochemical processes. “The data from an Antarctic lake is particularly exciting,” said Florida State University postdoctoral fellow Jon Hawkings. “Most people tend to think of Antarctica as just ice, but we’ve known about these lakes underneath the glaciers in Antarctica for 40 years and over 400 of them have currently been identified. Some scientists refer to the subglacial environment in Antarctic as the world’s largest wetland. The challenge for scientists is it’s just extremely difficult to sample them.”

Opeyemi Kehinde is pursuing a master’s degree in oceanography in the Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science, part of the College of Arts and Sciences. Kehinde also conducts research at the Center for Ocean-Atmospheric Prediction Studies and is an international student from Nigeria, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in marine biology.

Florida State University’s rich history of supporting internationalization was recognized nationally this week in a new report by representatives from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Institute of International Education. FSU's study-abroad programs rank No. 9 in the nation in the Open Doors annual report released Nov. 16, which included a category documenting the number of students studying abroad.

The COVID-19 pandemic has added another hurdle to research projects, but Florida State University undergraduates have risen to the challenge. More than 40 undergraduate students will present original research or creative work Thursday at the 2020 President’s Showcase of Undergraduate Research Excellence. The annual showcase highlights research from IDEA Grant, Tech Fellow and iGEM award recipients completed under the mentorship of FSU faculty.

Whether it is ants forming a trail or individuals crossing the street, the exchange of information is key in making everyday decisions. But new Florida State University research shows that the group decision-making process may work best when members process information a bit differently.

More than 40 Florida State University undergraduate students will present their research virtually at the 2020 President's Showcase of Undergraduate Research Excellence on 5-8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 19. Twenty undergraduate researchers are from the College of Arts and Sciences. 

Florida State University Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadet Elsa Lovejoy is earning dual degrees in Russian language from the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics, part of the College of Arts and Sciences, and international affairs, from the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy. She is a senior, slated to graduate in May 2021.

A Florida State University researcher is uncovering archaeological clues from past civilizations of the Mississippi River Valley to help answer key questions about ongoing processes of migration and identity around the world.

FSU School of Information (iSchool) senior, Benjamen Johnson, is making history this upcoming Spring. Upon graduating, he will be the first FSU Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Cadet to commission directly into the United States Space Force (USSF), a department of the Air Force. As an Information Technology (IT) major, Benjamen regards his time here at FSU as influential in shaping both his character and career plans. He is set to be commissioned into the Space Force as a Space Operations Officer the day after he graduates in May 2021.