Farquhar Biology Major Earns NSF Scholarship; Faculty to Participate in Science Communications Fellows Program | NSU News Center

For the second consecutive year, an undergraduate student from NSU's Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences has been named a National Science Foundation (NSF) Green Chemistry Student Scholar, selected from a competitive pool of top applicants spanning the country. Biology major and chemistry minor Arti Patel attended the 17th Annual Green Chemistry & Green Engineering Conference in North Bethesda, Maryland, Jun. 18-20.

Attending the conference served as a great learning and networking opportunity for Patel. She met with faculty and field leaders from around the world and attended talks and presentations covering a broad range of green-chemistry concepts, such as how eliminating polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from pigments, inks, and dyes could help reduce environmental hazards.

"The biggest learning outcome for me was becoming more familiar with green chemistry," said Patel. "For example, there were presentations about how to include green chemistry principles in organic-chemistry materials and labs for pre-med students. This was extremely valuable, as my goal is to attend medical school.

"The experience also taught me to become more aware of environmental issues in my community and to come up with solutions that are environmentally friendly."

Looking Ahead

Over the next few semesters, Patel aims to continue research on topics related to green chemistry and environmental toxicity. Working under the guidance of faculty adviser Song Gao, Ph.D., associate professor at the college, Patel will measure composition and quantities of contaminants in regional waters and atmospheric aerosols, and assess their impact on climate and health through instrumental analysis and lab/field studies.

In addition, Gao is selected to participate in the Miami Science Museum Science Communications Fellows program, which is partly supported by the NSF. Gao's contribution will aim to promote the understanding of environmental sustainability through activities held at the museum in downtown Miami in 2014. This community outreach will showcase research completed by students and faculty at the college and the university.

Tags: Arti Patel, Green Chemistry Student Scholar, National Science Foundation

Source: Nova

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Lecture to examine America's Heated Debate on Climate Change | NSU News Center

Why are debates on climate change much more heated in America than in other countries? That's up for discussion during the next Climate-Sustainability Lecture Series talk, hosted by the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences Division of Math, Science, and Technology.

"An Assessment of Climate Change Politics: Discourse and Division"

Climate-Sustainability Lecture Series | Peter Jacques, Ph.D. (University of Central Florida)

Friday, Sept. 20
Noon-1:00 p.m.
Mailman-Hollywood Building | Second Floor Auditorium

About the Talk

This talk will discuss the phenomena in the U.S. of denying the human impact on climate change, calling upon social-science research to better understand this conspicuous and growing debate. The said flash point in U.S. politics is important because it informs domestic and international discussions about mitigating greenhouse gases and adapting to growing climate threats.

Thus far, U.S. policy debate has stalled over whether climate change is real, which has effectively halted discussions over what and how to form sensible strategies to protect U.S. domestic interests, international vulnerabilities, and growing threats to the non-human world. If we understand the dynamics of this debate, we may be able to learn more about how to make progress in social action.

About the Speaker

Peter Jacques is an associate professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. His academic research interests include sustainability, global environmental politics, ocean policy, and American Indian environmental politics.

This talk is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Song Gao, Ph.D., associate professor at the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, at (954) 262-8388.

Tags: Climate-Sustainability Lecture Series, Division of Math Science and Technology, Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, Peter Jacques Ph.D., Song Gao Ph.D.

Source: Nova

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