Fall 2017 - Where Discoveries Happen 1

1stEditionFALL 2017

The Department of Navy’s (DoN) Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions (HBCU/MI)program is designed to increase the participation of HBCU/MIs in the Navy’s research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) programs and activities.

UPCOMING EVENTSApril 7, 2018

5th Annual STEM Day

May 23, 2018FL Center for Cybersecurity Meeting

President Robinson giving remarks at Navy’s Opportunity Awareness Workshop (OAW)

Welcome to the College of Science and Technology’s (CST) inaugural newsletter. We are so excited to provide you with a glimpse of the many activities, fantastic students, engaging faculty, and supportive staff in our college. Founded July 1, 2012, CST is comprised of five departments (Biology, Chemistry, Computer and Information Sciences, Mathematics, Physics), offers 15 B.S. degrees, 6 M.S. degrees and the Ph.D. in Physics, and has approximately 1000 majors and 80 faculty.

The newsletter will be distributed biannually to provide insight into some of the activities, accomplishments, and partnerships that we have achieved. In this issue, you will learn about the College’s instrumental role in the University’s designation as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security, our 2016 – 2107 Research Excellence awardee, Dr. Caroline Odewumi, the DoN’s Opportunity Awareness Workshop we hosted, and the various student and faculty professional development workshops and seminars during the Fall semester. This newsletter also highlights some of the successes of our students ranging from award-winning presentations to internships.

We know that you will enjoy this sample of activities and accomplishments that CST has offered and achieved since Spring 2017. We are proud to say CST is

The College of Science and Technology (CST) hosted the Department of Navy’s (DoN) Opportunity Awareness Workshop (OAW) September 21 – 22, 2017. With the support of President Robinson, Academic Affairs, and Sponsored Research, the University facilitated a discussion on strengthening the research capacity at HBCUs and minority institutions with over 200 registrants.

Mr. Anthony Smith (Director, Department of the Navy’s HBCU/MI Program) and Dr. Cyntrica Eaton (Contractor Support, Department of the Navy’s HBCU/MI Program) crafted an all-star list of program participants that included program directors, faculty, staff, and support personnel. Along with President Robinson, Interim Provost Rodner Wright, Dr. Timothy Moore (VP, Sponsored Programs), Dr. Charles Weatherford (Associate Vice President, Sponsored Programs) and Dr. Maurice Edington (VP, Strategic Planning, Analysis, and Institutional Effectiveness), Mr. Craig Hughes (Deputy Director, Research Office of Naval Research) joined the University’s administrative team in attendance during the 2-day workshop demonstrating the commitment of Florida A&M University and ONR to the success of our faculty, students, and increasing our research capacity.

The attendees represented university presidents and other personnel from academia, industry, national laboratories, and research and development labs. They were treated to valuable information to promote partnerships and collaborations with HBCUs and minority institutions. Panel discussions and presentations included success stories, strategies for funded proposals, and internships and research experiences for faculty and staff.

Along with Dr. Sonya Stephens’ (Interim Dean, College of Science and Technology) coordination of and participation with the workshop, several College of Science and Technology faculty were in attendance. Dr. Komalavalli Thirunavukkuarasu (Assistant Professor, Department of Physics) was a featured presenter highlighting her research in Functional Materials under Extreme Conditions. Her research lab at the National High Magnetic Field Lab was the featured destination of the Florida A&M University research capacity tour that also included the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering.

CST Hosts Naval OpportunityAwareness Workshop

NEWSLETTER

Dean’s Message

#wherediscoverieshappen

Fall 2017 - Where Discoveries Happen2

STEM Student Seminar Series “Critical and Strategic Thinking”

CST Faculty Spotlight

2016 - 2017

Research Excellence

Five Florida A&M University (FAMU) faculty members were honored by their peers Friday, Aug. 11 during the University’s seventh Principal Investigator Appreciation & Researcher of the Year Awards Luncheon.

The luncheon recognizes outstanding faculty for achievements in research and scholarly activities, who have distinguished themselves among their peers both within and outside the campus community.

Honorees were selected after a rigorous nomination and peer review process overseen by a University-wide committee made up of diverse faculty. Each honoree received a plaque presented by then Interim President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., Interim Provost Rodner Wright, AIA, and Vice President for Research Timothy Moore, Ph.D.

The researchers also received institutional awards from the University’s Division of Research ranging from $2,000 - $5,000.

Dr. Odewumi is an associate professor in the Department of Biology in the FAMU College of Science and Technology. Her areas of research interest and expertise include molecular environmental toxicology, molecular biology, cancer research, gene expression, and gene regulation.

THE HONOREES ARE:Daniel Solis, Ph.D., Emerging

Researcher of the Year

Subramanian Ramakrishnan, Ph.D., Research Excellence

Caroline Odewumi, Ph.D., Research Excellence

Seth Ablordeppey, Ph.D., Distinguished Researcher of the Year

Mandip Sachdeva, Distinguished Researcher of the Year

2017 IBM Hackathon Congratulations New, Promoted and Tenured

CST Faculty

Three students from the Department of Computer and Information Sciences (CIS) were invited to IBM’s first-time BlueHack for Historically Black Colleges and Universities in Atlanta, Georgia. The participating students were Tillyen Bell, Tabia Cannon and Rodney Wilson.

Teams were formed from 103 students representing 32 institutions. The students were assigned a project to complete in 48-hours using technologies such as artificial intelligence and voice recognition. The teams then presented their developments to the IBM judges who focused on the customer appeal of the projects. Rodney Wilson’s team placed 3rd overall.

In 2015, CST established a professional development seminar series for STEM students. Speakers are selected based on their ability to effectively communicate with lower-division students and increase student enthusiasm about pursuing STEM careers. On October 16, 2017, CST had the pleasure of hosting (along with Los Alamos National Laboratories) Derius D. Swinton. He is the author of the book SOAR Beyond Your Limitations. This book provides strategies, tips and exercises to help readers improve their lifestyle. Swinton’s presentation stressed that critical and strategic thinking skills are essential to a successful career in STEM.

New Faculty (2017 - 2018)Dawn Lewis, Ph.D. (Biology)Tanganyika Wilder, Ph.D. (Biology)Marijo Kent-First, Ph.D. (Biology)Augustine Nkembo, Ph.D. (Biology)Edwina Jacobs, M.S. (CIS)Jon deGoicoechea, M.S. (CIS)Erdell Maurice, M.S. (Mathematics)Sanuja Pitigalaarachchige, Ph.D. (Chemistry)

Promoted Faculty (2017 - 2018)Nelly Mateeva, Ph.D. (Chemistry) - ProfessorClement Allen, Ph.D. (CIS) - ProfessorBhanu Prasad, Ph.D. (CIS) - Professor*Paulette Reneau, Ph.D. (Biology) - Assoc. Professor*Bereket Mochona, Ph.D. (Chemistry) - Assoc. Professor

New Visiting Faculty (2017 - 2018)Martika Moss (Chemistry)*Tenured

Photos from DoN Opportunity Awareness Workshop

Caroline Odewumi Ph.D.

--As reported in FAMU Forward Aug 11, 2017

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The National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security have designated Florida A&M University (FAMU) as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education through 2022.

The designation was awarded in March after the University met rigorous requirements and successfully demonstrated its ability to serve the country’s need to defend cyberspace by preparing a skilled workforce via its academic offerings.

“Your ability to meet the increasing demands of the program criteria will serve the nation well in contributing to the protection of the National Information Infrastructure,” wrote Karen Leuschner, the national CAE program manager at NSA, in a letter acknowledging the University’s capacity to address the critical shortage of professionals with cyberdefense and other industry-related skills.

According to Leuschner, FAMU will receive its designation certificate in June 2017 at the National Cyber Security Summit in Huntsville, Alabama and joins a list of designees such as Purdue University, Johns Hopkins University, Princeton University and Dartmouth College.

“The designation places FAMU in the company of leading universities and attests to the foundation we have built to deliver quality cybersecurity education and experiences to students within our

program and across the University,” said project lead Deidre W. Evans, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Computer and Information Sciences, a component of the FAMU College of Science and Technology.

Evans underscored the unique role HBCUs like FAMU can play in defending America’s most vital national assets.

“The challenges and opportunities to defend the personal, governmental, military and informational infrastructure are undeniable,” Evans said. “The realization that cyberdefense is a human or social issue elevated the need to understand it not only from a technical perspective but also from the viewpoint of diverse human attitudes and behaviors. HBCUs like FAMU are in a position to offer unique perspectives to threats and viable solutions for cybersecurity in many domains.”

Looking to expand upon ongoing efforts, Interim Provost Wright recently announced that the College of Science and Technology is exploring the development of academic programs in cyber security.

“We are proud of the work of our faculty, staff, and students, which has led to the University being named a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education. This designation will continue to position the University as a national leader in cybersecurity,” said Wright. “We hope to build on this momentum and provide even more

training and experiential learning opportunities for our students.”

In addition to its National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education designation, FAMU is also home to a Center for Cyber Security, Center for International Law and Justice, and Center for Global Security and International Affairs. FAMU is also a founding member of the Florida IT Career Alliance, which was established to help recruit, retain and employ Florida’s next generation technology workforce.--As reported in FAMU Forward April 20, 2017

October 19 - 21, 2017, the Peach State LSAMP sponsored the STEM Innovators Conference 2017. Four Florida-Georgia Louis Stokes Alliance For Minority Participation (FGLSAMP)/CST scholars attended and presented at the conference. Sessions were held for both professional development and enhancement featuring concurrent oral and poster presentations from undergraduate student research. The exhibitor fair included numerous graduate schools, government agencies, corporations and businesses that were on-site to recruit students and expose them to opportunities in their respective programs.

NSA and Homeland Security Designate FAMU as a National Center of Academic Excellence in

Cyber Defense Education

The STEM Innovators Conference 2017 (Peach State LSAMP)

From left to right: Interim Dean Sonya A. F. Stephens, Ph.D., Sri Sridharan, Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer for the Florida Center for Cybersecurity (FC2), Associate Dean Deidre W. Evans, Ph.D. at award ceremony in Huntsville, AL accepting the designation certificate.

From left to right: KiAundra Kilpatrick, Amber Hannah, Karine David and Samuel Kouatcheu Amber Hannah, placed 2nd in the poster presentation in Life Science Cellular & Molecular Biology category.

Karine David, 4th year Biology major

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CST has been working hard to recruit community college & high school students to make FAMU and CST the place for them to earn their degrees.

Six Florida-Georgia Louis Stokes Alliance For Minority Participation (FGLSAMP)/CST scholars attended the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) in Phoenix, AZ from November 1 - 4, 2017. ABRCMS is one of the largest professional conferences for underrepresented students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Students attend this conference to present their research, explore graduate schools, and network. Research faculty

and program directors play an essential role in mentoring students and providing strategies for facilitating student success. During the four-day conference, over 1,800 students from over 350 colleges and universities participated in poster and oral presentations in twelve STEM disciplines. All undergraduate student presentations were judged and those receiving the highest scores in each scientific discipline were presented awards during the closing banquet.

Fall EventsAllstate Tom Joyner Family

Reunion EXPOTampa Classic

FAMU HomecomingFAMU Advisement Day

6th Annual Science FestivalRattler Preview Day

Orlando Classic

Fall 2017 College Recruitment Activities

CST Summer 2017 Intern Spotlight

Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) Nov 1 - 4, 2017 Phoenix, AZ

2017 Black Enterprise BE Smart Hackathon

The Black Enterprise 2017 BE Smart Hackathon, sponsored by Toyota and part of the TechConneXt Summit held in Silicon Valley, is a 24 to 36 hour hackathon in which 15 teams of four college students each work collaboratively to develop an app and compete for prizes. Three judges assess the students’ apps in light of their projected impact, innovation, and technical achievement, as well as the students’ ability to work as a team and on presentation skills.

Four CIS students represented FAMU at the BE Smart Hackathon.

Left to Right: Tanganyika Wilder, Ph.D., Samuel Kouatcheu (Awarded $300 for best poster presentation), April Gilbert, Amber Hannah, KiAundra Kilpatrick, Nnamezie Ononuju, Zakiya Hoyett Ph.D., not pictured (FGLSAMP)/CST senior Biology Brieana Hollis

(FGLSAMP)/CST senior Biology Samuel Kouatcheu (Awarded $300 for best poster presentation)

(FGLSAMP)/CST senior Biology major April Gilbert explains her research

Nnamezie Ononuju (FGLSAMP)/CST senior Biology major

Name: KiAundra Kilpatrick | Major: Biology | Classification: SeniorCompany/lab: University of Michigan Summer Undergraduate Research in Physiology Program in Ann Arbor, MichiganResearch Title / Job Title: Physiology/ Research AssistantPreceptor’s / Supervisor’s Name: Dr. Richard Mortensen, MD, PhDDuties on your internship? Culturing and maintaining cells;

attending seminars; developing a presentation; speaking in a public setting; fellowship with peersBest part of your summer internship experience. Learning new techniques, investigating something unknownWorst part of your summer internship experience. Having to pay for housing and travel before arriving to the internshipWhat advice would you give to a student interested in interning at your company/lab? Just show an interest. Be excited to learn, gawk at the opportunity to gain something and to make a contribution. They love it!Reason(s) for participating in this summer internship. I wanted to advance my career potential.How did your summer internship help you with your personal goals? I understand a lot of the concepts that I learned in class a lot better after the internship ended. I believe that I also enhanced my critical thinking skills.

Left to right: Rattler “Code Pride”/Florida A&M University Christopher Griffin, Sebrenia Coleman, Ashley Shorter, Jonathan Elize.

Left to right: CST academic advisors Nicole Flower and Angela Blount