Tag: NSU Research

Counseling Professor is Associate Editor of New Journal

Assistant Professor W. Bradley McKibben, Ph.D.

When he is not teaching or running a research lab, College of Psychology Department of Counseling Assistant Professor W. Bradley McKibben, Ph.D., is also serving as the associate editor of a new journal.

In 2018, McKibben accepted a three-year appointment as associate editor of Teaching and Supervision in Counseling, the official journal of the Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, or SACES. The organization, whose mission is to support counselor educators and supervisors, includes 14 southern states, covering bordered to the north by Maryland, to the south by Florida, and to the west by Texas.

“It gives more of an outlet to research and researchers who are studying training of counselors,” McKibben said of the journal’s creation. “This offers another outlet for that.”

McKibben’s involvement arose from a conversation with his former mentor Kelly Wester, Ph.D., an Associate Professor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. McKibben expressed an interest in journal editing work, and several weeks later, Wester called him about the new journal, of which she is the editor. After McKibben was aboard, there was the task of setting up the journal and requesting articles for the first issue.

The journal received 60 submissions for its debut issue in February 2019, but only six made it into print. McKibben credits several ad hoc reviewers for helping read through the submissions and help get the journal launched. Some of the articles cover topics like “Exploring Latina Clinical Mental Health Counseling Students’ Perceptions of Teaching Practices” and  “Am I My Peers’ Keeper? Problems of Professional Competency in Doctoral Students.”

The journal will publish twice a year, with the second issue expected in October. McKibben said it might have more articles than the first issue, but fewer than 10.

For More Information: https://psychology.nova.edu/news-events/2019/cop-counsjournal.html

Halmos College Great White Shark Genome Research Heard Around the World

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Over the past several weeks, news about a major scientific step to understand the biology of this iconic apex predator and the entire genome of the white shark has now been decoded in detail. Sequence changes were found tied to DNA repair, DNA damage response and DNA damage tolerance, the exact opposite of which – genome instability – is well known to predispose humans to numerous cancers and age-related diseases.

Since this announcement, news outlets from around the world broadcasted this information. By the end of February 2019, over 351 outlets shared this story. From Asia to Europe, Africa to South America, NSU shark research covered the globe. NBC’s Today Show broadcasted live from Halmos College’s Oceanographic Campus.

shivji“Genome instability is a very important issue in many serious human diseases; now we find that nature has developed clever strategies to maintain the stability of genomes in these large-bodied, long-lived sharks,” said Mahmood Shivji, Ph.D., director of NSU’s Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Research Center and Guy Harvey Research Institute. “There’s still so much to be learned from these evolutionary marvels, including information that will potentially be useful to fight cancer and age-related diseases, and improve wound healing treatments in humans, as we uncover how these animals do it.”

For More Information: https://www.nova.edu/massmail/news/great-white-shark-genome-decoded.html

NSU Research Spotlight: NSU Researchers Uncover Genetic Marker, Predictor of Early Relapse in Pediatric ALL

Jean Latimer, Ph.D. and AutoNation Institute Team

Nova Southeastern University  researchers recently discovered that by testing the level of NER (nucleotide excision repair) gene expression, pediatric oncologists can determine the likelihood of early relapse (less than three years) in their acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients. This is a critical finding because NER gene expression levels can now help guide doctors in their rationale for appropriate treatment targeted to each patient’s disease.

ALL is the most common childhood cancer. Treatment has improved dramatically due to evolving methods of determining risk factors and genetic analysis. Five-year survival rates have increased substantially from 57% in 1975 – ’77 to 92% in 2006 – ’12. Yet, the current genotoxic chemotherapy regimens are still extremely debilitating.

Jean Latimer, Ph.D. in lab“Our research found a correlation between high NER expression levels and early relapse of ALL among relapsing patients,” said Jean Latimer, Ph.D., director of the NSU AutoNation Institute for Breast and Solid Tumor Cancer Research and associate professor and cancer research scientist, College of Pharmacy. “Being able to identify patients with the highest risk of early recurrence who are not detectable using present clinical measures and then treating them with a more targeted therapy is crucial to overcoming the cancer.”

This is critical, according to the research recently published in the peer-reviewed journal, BMC Medical Genomics, because while ALL is much more treatable than in the past, the survival rate after relapse is poor.

“By being able to accurately predict if a child’s cancer is likely to recur early or not, we may also spare many children who have low NER levels from the most toxic chemo regimens,” said Latimer.

The AutoNation research team also included Stephen Grant, Ph.D., project director and associate professor, Public Health, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine; Homood As Sobeai, Ph.D., assistant professor, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, and Omar Ibrahim, post-doctoral fellow.

Their complete findings can be found in an article titled, “Nucleotide excision repair is a predictor of early relapse in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia” in BMC Medical Genomics.  This work was supported by funding from AutoNation and the Children’s Leukemia Research Association.

Halmos Researchers Present at International Sea Turtle Symposium

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At the beginning of February, three researchers from Halmos College attended the 39th International Sea Turtle Symposium in Charleston, South Carolina. There Halmos researcher Derek Burkholder, Ph.D. with Ph.D. candidate Glenn Goodwin and M.S. student Lexie Peterson presented their research on sea turtles in Broward County.

NSU Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography manages the Broward County Sea Turtle Conservation Program in partnership with Broward County. The program provides for the conservation of endangered and threatened sea turtle species within Broward County.

For more information: https://cnso.nova.edu/seaturtles/index.html

NSU Research Spotlight: Rare Species Donated to Halmos College Fish Collection

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Nina Pruzinsky taking crested oarfish tissue samples

Over the past several weeks, two rare fish enhanced the Halmos College Fish Collection: a crested oarfish and a sharptail Mola. The crested oarfish Lophotus lacepede was caught on Jan 20, 2019 off South Carolina by the commercial fishing boat F/V Ellen Jean by Captain Greg O’Neill. Captain O’Neill worked with Halmos College faculty member David Kerstetter, Ph.D. when Kerstetter was in graduate school. With the help of a collaborating fish dealer in Fort Pierce, the oarfish arrived at the Oceanographic campus on January 23. The oarfish measure 135cm in length (over four feet).

David Kerstetter, Glenn Goodwin, and Abby Nease discussing plans for the sharptail mola dissection, with members of Amy Hirons’ “Oceanography” undergraduate course in the background.

David Kerstetter, Glenn Goodwin, and Abby Nease discussing plans for the sharptail mola dissection, with members of Amy Hirons’ “Oceanography”.

The sharptail mola Masturus lanceolatus washed up dead on Hollywood Beach on January 29 and was reported by Steve Salafrio of the City of Hollywood to Halmos Research Scientist Derek Burkholder, Ph.D., who arranged with Halmos Ph.D. candidate Glenn Goodwin to bring it to the Oceanographic campus.  It measured 165 cm in length (over five feet).

Both are extremely rare and poorly-known species, almost never seen in fresh condition and rarely even in museum collections. Halmos faculty member Chris Blanar, Ph.D. and Halmos College graduate and undergraduates examined the fresh specimens for parasites, finding several on each fish. The parasite findings are so unusual that this finding is being written into student manuscripts.

Once the preliminary research is completed, both fish will be added to the Halmos College teaching collection to be used in graduate and undergraduate marine biology courses.

NSU Researchers Uncover Genetic Marker, Predictor of Early Relapse in Pediatric ALL

AutoNation Institute Team

FORT LAUDERDALE/DAVIE, Fla. – Nova Southeastern University (NSU) researchers recently discovered that by testing the level of NER (nucleotide excision repair) gene expression, pediatric oncologists can determine the likelihood of early relapse (less than three years) in their acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients. This is a critical finding because NER gene expression levels can now help guide doctors in their rationale for appropriate treatment targeted to each patient’s disease.

ALL is the most common childhood cancer. Treatment has improved dramatically due to evolving methods of determining risk factors and genetic analysis. Five-year survival rates have increased substantially from 57% in 1975 – ’77 to 92% in 2006 – ’12. Yet, the current genotoxic chemotherapy regimens are still extremely debilitating.

“Our research found a correlation between high NER expression levels and early relapse of ALL among relapsing patients,” said Jean Latimer, Ph.D., director of the NSU AutoNation Institute for Breast and Solid Tumor Cancer Research and associate professor and cancer research scientist, College of Pharmacy. “Being able to identify patients with the highest risk of early recurrence who are not detectable using present clinical measures and then treating them with a more targeted therapy is crucial to overcoming the cancer.”

This is critical, according to the research recently published in the peer-reviewed journal, BMC Medical Genomics, because while ALL is much more treatable than in the past, the survival rate after relapse is poor.

“By being able to accurately predict if a child’s cancer is likely to recur early or not, we may also spare many children who have low NER levels from the most toxic chemo regimens,” said Latimer.

The AutoNation research team also included Stephen Grant, Ph.D., project director and associate professor, Public Health, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine; Homood As Sobeai, Ph.D., assistant professor, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, and Omar Ibrahim, post-doctoral fellow.

Their complete findings can be found in an article titled, “Nucleotide excision repair is a predictor of early relapse in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia” in BMC Medical Genomics.  This work was supported by funding from AutoNation and the Children’s Leukemia Research Association.

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About Nova Southeastern University (NSU): Ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s Top 200 National Research Universities and located in beautiful Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is a dynamic research institution dedicated to providing high-quality educational programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and first-professional degree levels. A private, not-for-profit institution, NSU has campuses in Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Miami, Miramar, Orlando, Palm Beach, and Tampa Bay, Florida, as well as San Juan, Puerto Rico, while maintaining a presence online globally. For more than 50 years, NSU has been awarding degrees in a wide range of fields, while fostering groundbreaking research and an impactful commitment to the community. Classified as a research university with “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, NSU is 1 of only 50 universities nationwide to also be awarded Carnegie’s Community Engagement Classification, and is also the largest private, not-for-profit institution in the United States that meets the U.S. Department of Education’s criteria as a Hispanic-serving Institution. Please visit www.nova.edu for more information about NSU.

The President’s Faculty Research and Development Grant Application are Due

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The President’s Faculty Research and Development Grant (PFRDG) applications are due on January 25, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. For access to the application portal and guidelines, please visit the PFRDG website at http://www.nova.edu/pfrdg. For questions and additional information, please email pfrdg@nova.edu. The two categories for PFRDG Awards are:

  • The Research Development Track – The Research Development Track continues to provide seed money up to $15,000. These projects are expected to lead to external funding. Eligibility open to all full-time faculty/research scientists, regardless of discipline.
  • The Research Scholar Track – Started in FY 2018, the Research Scholar Track is designed to encourage applicants in the areas of Humanities and Social Sciences (including Education, Business and Law). Applicants can apply for up to $3,000 towards publications in scholarly journals, book chapters, books, copyrights and trademarks.

The Quality of Life (QOL) applications are also due on January 25, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. with an electronic copy to npascucci@nova.edu. For more information and application guidelines, please visit nova.edu/qol; for questions, please contact Barbara Packer-Muti, packerb@nova.edu or Nick Pascucci, X25393, npascucci@nova.edu. The main categories for the Quality of Life Awards are:

  • Autism – Addresses issues related to children, youth and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and/or service provision to this population
  • Children and Families– Addresses issues related to the goals and priorities of the Children’s Services Council, in addition to other top priority issues affecting children families in Broward County
  • Criminal Justice – Addresses issues related to the Broward Sheriff’s Office identified needs and priorities. The Broward Sheriff’s office has identified the following areas of interest: Guns/Violence, Gangs, Hate Crimes, Police Stress
  • Elderly Services – Addresses issues related to the elderly population
  • Foster Care – Addresses issues related to Foster Care and ChildNet’s identified needs
  • Adult General – Addresses a wide range of issues impacting adults in Broward County and beyond

PFRDG & QOL applicant trainings will be held in the;

Alvin Sherman Library

  • October 25, 2018 (10:00 – 11:30 AM)
  • December 5, 2018 (1:00 – 2:30 PM)

HPD Assembly II room 202.

  • November 13, 2018 (10:00 – 11:30 AM)

For information and registration, please visit https://www.nova.edu/webforms/osp/apr.

NSU Research Spotlight: NSU Joins with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. to Help Restore Coral Reefs

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For more than five decades, scientists at Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU) Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography have dedicated themselves to researching and better understanding coral reefs around the world. Similarly, Norwegian Cruise NCLH Corporate Vertical2Line Holdings, a leading global cruise company which operates the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands, is committed to protecting and conserving the world’s oceans. It was only a matter of time until these two organizations joined forces.

The result: a program where NSU research scientists will create coral reef nurseries and help with restoration efforts in the Bahamas at Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian’s private island.

“This is a great opportunity on many levels,” said Richard Dodge, Ph.D., the dean of NSU’s Halmos College and a leader in coral reef research. “This broadens the area in which our scientists can conduct their research, and it benefits Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings as we will be able to help restore the ecological richness of coral reefs around Great Stirrup Cay.”

Dodge said that coral reefs are the most diverse and productive ecosystems on Earth – a good analogy is that they are the rainforests of the sea. Healthy corals build the intricate and beautiful reef structures we’ve all seen and that support a wide diversity of life and provide huge economic services. Unfortunately, coral reefs worldwide are under siege and are struggling.

You can read the full press release Here.

NSU Research Spotlight: Halmos College Galapagos Hammerhead Shark Research Featured in National Geographic

National Geographic Hammerhead

This October, the iconic magazine National Geographic published an article on Galapagos scalloped hammerhead sharks. These globally endangered sharks, with their wide-eyed appearance are some of the most iconic species found around these small Ecuadoran islands. One of the many questions about this species is where do they go to give birth? Halmos College professor and director of the NSU Save Our Seas Shark Research Center Mahmood Shivji, Ph.D. worked with the National Geographic explorer team to track these sharks.

“That tracking data shows at least three of the sharks leaving for the mainland,” says Shivji. The researchers say they knew the sharks are migrating to the mainland, but  additional analysis  is needed  to determine if they’re doing so specifically to give birth.

“That’s where the DNA comes in”, says Shivji. For next steps, the team will conduct  maternity tests between adult female sharks in the Galapagos and hammerhead pups found in nurseries around the Galapagos and coastal mainland regions. Sharks help keep marine prey species in check, thus creating a more balanced ecosystem. Studies often cited by conservation groups also show how much they can benefit coastal economies. From activities like tourism and diving, a shark in Palau may be worth more than $1 million throughout its lifetime; sharks in the Bahamas generated $114 million in 2014; and sharks generated $221 million for Florida’s economy in 2016.

For more information: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2018/10/new-find-could-save-galapagos-hammerhead-sharks/

Check out this Great Online Resource: The Qualitative Report

10676181_838149152915084_5682553461659301395_nNSU is home to one of the oldest and most prestigious open-access, online journals – The Qualitative Report, the first English language e-journal in the world to publish qualitative, action, collaborative, mixed-method, arts-based, and critical research from a transdisciplinary perspective. The journal’s quality can be seen by its inclusion in significant indices such as Elsevier’s Scopus (first quartile for cultural studies) and Thomson Reuters’ Emerging Sources Citation Index and its value with over 800 articles downloaded each day.

Click here to read the The Qualitative Report.

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