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Professor Invited to Anatomy and Physiology Summit
March 14, 2026
iharrell
Dr. Santanu De
Dr. Santanu De, M.Sc., Ph.D., associate professor from the Department of Biological Sciences at the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences, was invited to the nationwide Anatomy and Physiology Educators’ Summit organized by McGraw Hill Higher Education in Tampa, Fla., on Feb. 5-7.
As part of a small cohort of about 20 full-time faculty members in the field nominated to convene from across the U.S., Dr. De represented NSU by actively participating in this in-person symposium themed as “The Synapse where Pedagogy, Innovative Learning Tools, and Student Success Converge.”
Academics
SharkBytes
Mako TV Interviews NSU Basketball Sensation Dallas Graziani
February 26, 2026
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Dallas Graziani
On this episode of Mako TV, they visit the 15th annual senior showcase art exhibition, spotlight record-breaking Nova Southeastern University men’s basketball player Dallas Graziani, and in honor of Black History Month they ask sharks about inspirational black historical figures. The team also covers the 22nd annual Community Fest and in their Donor Connect segment, Saara Juman sits down with Kenneth Tate, an entrepreneur and board of trustees member, to discuss his contributions to NSU.
SEE THE FULL SEGMENT.
SharkBytes
NSU Students Present Research at Florida’s Capitol
February 10, 2026
jprofett
Undergraduate students from across Florida gathered in the state’s capitol on Jan. 26-27, 2026, for the Florida Undergraduate Research Posters at the Capitol.
This is a biennial event that celebrates student innovation and highlights the impact of undergraduate research on
Florida’s future
. Hosted by the Florida Undergraduate Research Association (FURA), in partnership with Florida State University and Tallahassee State College, the event provided students with a unique opportunity to present their original research to state legislators, public officials, and university leaders inside the Florida State Capitol rotunda.
Nova Southeastern University was represented by three undergraduate researchers: Khushi Faldu, Aashvi Gowrisankar, and Anushka Malay. They were accompanied by NSU’s institutional representative, Julie Torruellas Garcia, PhD, who is the Director of Undergraduate Research for the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences.
Anushka Malay, mentored by Dr. Julie Torruellas Garcia from the Department of Biological Sciences, presented research on the discovery and isolation of a novel bacteriophage from soil collected near NSU’s campus, contributing to efforts to develop phage-based alternatives to antibiotics.
Khushi Faldu presenting her research at the Florida Capitol
Anushka Malay presenting her research at the Florida Capitol
Aashvi Gowrisankar presenting her research at the Florida Capitol
Khushi Faldu, mentored by Dr. Zorica Scuric from the Department of Biological Sciences, presented a comparative analysis of transcatheter versus surgical aortic valve replacement, highlighting faster endothelial recovery associated with minimally invasive procedures in aging populations.
Aashvi Gowrisankar, mentored by Dr. J. Matt Hoch from the Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences, presented research examining how invasive waterhyacinth alters aquatic community structure compared to native pennywort in Lake Okeechobee, providing insight into invasive species management in Florida ecosystems.
A highlight of the event for the NSU group was the opportunity for them to meet with Florida House Representative Hillary Cassel and her staff. During their meeting, students shared their research findings and discussed how undergraduate-led projects can address real-world challenges related to public health, environmental sustainability, and scientific innovation.
NSU undergraduate researchers met with Florida House Representative Hillary Cassel (left to right: Aashvi Gowrisankar, Rep. Hillary Cassel, Anushka Malay, Khushi Faldu and Dr. Julie Torruellas Garcia)
For information on how to participate in this event in the future, please contact Dr. Julie Torruellas Garcia, HCAS Director of Undergraduate Research:
jg1511@nova.edu
Picture 1 Caption: Anushka Malay presenting her research at the Florida Capitol. Picture 2 Caption: Khushi Faldu presenting her research at the Florida Capitol. Picture 3 Caption: Aashvi Gowrisankar presenting her research at the Florida Capitol. Picture 4 Caption: NSU undergraduate researchers met with Florida House Representative Hillary Cassel (left to right: Aashvi Gowrisankar, Rep. Hillary Cassel, Anushka Malay, Khushi Faldu and Dr. Julie Torruellas Garcia)
SharkBytes
NSU Graduate Prepares Students for the Future
February 10, 2026
jprofett
Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice graduate Stephanie DiTommaso is using her degree to ensure her students are ready for life after high school.
DiTommaso graduated from NSU with her Education Specialist degree and, with over 15 years of experience as a teacher, she launched her own education consulting company: “The Scholarly Edge.” The company partners with schools and focuses on college readiness, SAT Prep, helping students navigate the application process, and more.
Stephanie DiTommaso
“The Scholarly Edge” came about after DiTommaso noticed that — despite working hard to get into college — many students would struggle or drop out once they started, so she decided to focus on teaching students’ skills like critical reading, self-advocacy, and time management to keep them better prepared. DiTommaso said her Ed.S. degree proved useful in both helping her reach her goals and in identifying the direction she wanted to take her career.
DiTommaso’s own path to success was full of obstacles, but she was able to pull through and develop the skills she needed to thrive, something she hopes to teach her students. DiTommaso said she plans to continue growing “The Scholarly Edge” and partner with other organizations to help as many students as possible.
SharkBytes
Mako TV Kicks Off 2026 with New Episode
January 27, 2026
jprofett
Episode 30 of “Mako TV” covered the Coach Jim Crutchfield court dedication, a new art installation outside of the Alvin Sherman Library and more.
WATCH THE FULL EPISODE HERE.
SharkBytes
Optometry, Speech-Language Pathology Programs Host Interprofessional Event on Dyslexia, Oculomotor Functions
January 22, 2026
jprofett
On Jan. 20, 2026, the Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) Program within the KPCOM College at Nova Southeastern University hosted an Interprofessional Education (IPE) event at the Family Village Center, bringing together third-year optometry students and graduate students in Speech-Language Pathology.
The event focused on dyslexia, language disorders, and oculomotor dysfunction (OMD), highlighting how vision and language factors can impact reading. Optometry students presented from a vision perspective, educating SLP students on identifying signs of OMD and the importance of referral to a Binocular Vision Optometrist for vision rehabilitation.
SLP students shared evidence-based information emphasizing that dyslexia is a language-based reading disorder rooted in phonological processing, while acknowledging that visual impairments and dyslexia may coexist. Through this collaborative exchange, students explored overlapping signs such as slow reading, poor comprehension, letter reversals, attention strain, and difficulties maintaining place on a page. The session reinforced how interdisciplinary collaboration enhances accurate identification, referral, and intervention for children with reading difficulties.
This IPE experience reflects NSU’s commitment to collaborative, patient-centered education and preparing future clinicians to work effectively across disciplines.
###
CONTACT
Tamara Carter, Ed.D., CCC-SLP | Program Director MS-SLP/Assistant Professor, KPCOM
(954)-262-7723
Janet Leasher, OD, MPH, FAAO, FNAP | Professor, College of Optometry Office
(954) 262-1456
SharkBytes
NSU Professor Speaks on Hypertension at International Healthcare Panel
January 20, 2026
jprofett
Robert C. Speth, Ph.D., FAAAS, FAHA professor of pharmaceutical sciences in the Nova Southeastern University Barry and Judy Silverman College of Pharmacy was an invited speaker at the InterAmerican Society for Hypertension held in Guatemala City, Guatemala, on Jan. 16, 2025.
Robert Speth
The title of his presentation was “Cognitive Function and Hypertension.” In addition, Speth coauthored three poster presentations with his post-doctoral fellow, Natalia Motzko Noto, and his primary collaborator Lisa S. Robison from the College of Psychology, as well as with students Betsi Reinoso Corrada and Khushi Raval entitled “Anti-Hypertensive Medications Present Potential Benefits in Rescuing Cognitive-Behavioral Function in a Mouse Model of Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy (CAA),” “Is Alzheimer’s an Auto-Immune Disease?,” and “Can Anti-Tau Monoclonal Antibodies (mAbs) Prevent Alzheimer’s?.”
Speth also co-chaired the session “The Cardio-Renal Metabolic Syndrome and Hypertension.”
SharkBytes
Halmos Mathematics Professor Invited to Editorial Board
January 5, 2026
jprofett
In November 2025, Edmond W. H. Lee, D.Sc., Ph.D., professor of mathematics at the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences, accepted an invitation to join the editorial board of the
International Journal of Algebra and Computation
(IJAC), a peer-reviewed journal devoted to publishing original research in the combinatorial, algorithmic, and computational aspects of algebra.
Lee’s primary research interests lie in the theory of varieties of semigroups, and he is best known for his work on equational theories of small semigroups. In addition to IJAC, he also serves on the editorial boards of
Algebra Universalis
and
Semigroup Forum
— two leading specialist journals in his research area — and is the managing editor of the latter.
SharkBytes
HCBE Finance and Economics Professor Made Three Presentations to the Community
December 10, 2025
jprofett
Dr. Albert Williams, chair/professor of finance and economics at the H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship, has make three presentations to the community.
On Nov. 12, 2025, he was a guest on
Love TV in Belize
. He discussed the economic impacts of the tariffs in Belize, while also discussing the possible impacts AI has on jobs in Belize, especially on call centers that employ thousands in that country.
On Nov. 18, 2025, Williams was the keynote speaker at the Coral Springs Coconut Creek Regional Chamber of Commerce. There, he discussed the key points presented by the other speakers and then provided his economic forecast for 2026, emphasizing the need for individuals and businesses to have a financial cushion in times of economic uncertainty.
On Dec, 2, 2025, Williams provided a presentation for the Town of Davie organized by the Alvin Sherman Library. He discussed practical investments and emphasized the need for savings to invest to create financial wealth. They also discussed the importance of diversification and the power of compounding, including the different investment strategies based on age, with seniors having less risky investments.
He also emphasized the need for a holistic approach to investment. This includes investments in health (including proper nutrition), finance, relationships, and spirituality.
SharkBytes
Nova Singers Welcome Holiday Season with Concert Series
December 4, 2025
jprofett
The Nova Singers will welcome in the holiday season with a concert series called “Golden Jubilee Holiday.”
The program will include new arrangements of favorite holiday songs and standards such as “O Holy Night,” “Jingle Bells” and “Let It Snow,” plus a Hanukkah medley and a mash-up of familiar Christmas carols sung in unfamiliar ways.
The chorus, under the direction of Chuck Stanley, will be accompanied by pianist Anthony Ciotti and other instrumentalists.
The concert will be performed four times, in four different venues:
Friday, December 5, 8 p.m.
St. Matthew Catholic Church, 542 Blue Heron Drive, Hallandale Beach 33009.
Sunday, December 7, 4 p.m.
St. Paul Lutheran Church, 701 W Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton 33486
Tuesday, December 9, 7:30 p.m.
United Church of Christ, 2501 NE 30th Street, Ft Lauderdale 33306
Friday, December 12, 8 p.m.
St. Gregory Catholic Church, 200 N University Drive, Plantation 33324
Tickets are $20 when purchased in advance and $25 at the door. Children 12 years old and younger and students of any age with a valid school ID are admitted free. Advance tickets are available
here
The Nova Singers, founded in 1976, is Nova Southeastern University’s community chorus, whose members range from NSU undergraduate students to senior members of the local community. Auditions are held each year in September, January and March
Membership is open to adult singers of all ages. Get more information
here
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