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Inside UNF — June 18, 2025

Faculty receive second patent for cancer-fighting compound

Drs. Bryan Knuckley, Corey Causey and Fatima Rehman standing outsideThree University of North Florida researchers recently received a second US patent for their cancer-fighting peptoid compound that can essentially “turn off” cancer. This new patent protects the compound based on its unique chemical structure, which mimics natural proteins in the body, but offers greater stability and a longer lifespan than traditional proteins. The first patent, which they received last year, covered the functional ability of the compound to kill cancer cells.
 
The UNF faculty team of Drs. Bryan Knuckley and Corey Causey from chemistry and biochemistry and Dr. Fatima Rehman from biology have now protected the intellectual property associated with this potential new drug.
 
This newly discovered compound is different from traditional treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation, because it does not harm normal cells, meaning that no major negative impact on growth and survival in normal cells has been identified at this point. This promising discovery could lead to significantly better patient quality of life and survival outcomes for difficult to treat cancers like breast, colon and lung.
 
 
Information provided by UNF Media Relations

UNF appoints two new deans

Mei Zhao headshotDr. Mei Zhao

The University of North Florida is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Mei Zhao as dean of the Brooks College of Health (BCH), following a highly impactful tenure as interim dean. A nationally recognized leader in health administration education and research, Zhao brings more than 30 years of academic excellence, strategic vision, and global engagement experience to the role. 
 
Since stepping in as interim, Zhao led BCH through a period of remarkable growth and momentum. Under her leadership, the college achieved a more than 10% increase in student enrollment, launched the innovative Doctor of Health Administration program and secured more than $4.7 million in private funding along with approximately $1.1 million from the state’s Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) initiative to support student success and academic innovation.
 
Learn more about Dean Zhao.
 

Jennifer Murray headshotJennifer Murray

The University of North Florida recently appointed Jennifer Murray as dean of the Thomas G. Carpenter Library. Murray, who became the Library's interim dean in October 2023, serves as the primary representative of the Florida Virtual Campus (FLVC) Members Council on Library Services and is the current chair of the Council of State University Libraries.
 
Prior to her interim role, she served as associate dean from 2020 to 2022, director of technical services and library systems from 2017 to 2020, and director of library systems in 2017. Before arriving at UNF, Murray held a variety of roles at the State University of New York at Buffalo Libraries, specializing in technologies that are essential to modern academic libraries.
 
Learn more about Dean Murray.

UNF celebrates record-breaking achievements in 2024-25

UNF letters outdoors art installationThe University of North Florida celebrated the newly named Silverfield College of Education and Human Services, announced a 100 percent experiential learning guarantee for incoming students, hit record student retention levels and continued groundbreaking research during the 2024-25 school year.
 
It was another year filled with innovation and excellence and record-breaking achievements, demonstrating UNF’s impact on the lives of its students, faculty and staff, alumni, business partners and the Northeast Florida community.

Here are some highlights from the year:

  • UNF’s first-year retention rate hits record levels, up more than five percentage points since 2022
  • UNF broke ground on the extension and updates to the Coggin College of Business
  • UNF hosted TEDxJacksonville’s “The Overlap”
  • UNF first in U.S. to enter international consortium on AI and logistics solutions
  • UNF landed for the sixth consecutive year on U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Colleges list
 
Information provided by UNF Media Relations

MedNexus partnership produces think tank

UNF MedNexus students talking at a round tableUniversity of North Florida MedNexus and Telescope Health proudly announce the launch of the MedNexus | Telescope Health Social Innovation Think Tank, an annual program which will connect teams of students with nonprofit healthcare organizations to tackle critical social and health challenges in Northeast Florida.  
 
"This collaboration with Telescope Health provides our students with transformative, hands-on learning experiences,” said UNF President Moez Limayem. “It exemplifies our commitment to community engagement and the development of future leaders who are equipped to make a meaningful difference in the community.” 
 
Guided by a team of interdisciplinary faculty and industry leaders, UNF Hicks Honors College students will work with four nonprofit organizations, immersing themselves in the organizational culture, exploring challenges and developing actionable strategies and solutions over the course of a semester. Telescope Health professionals will serve as advisors to the faculty who facilitate the program.
 
 
Information provided by UNF Media Relations

Summer reading suggestions

Work in Progress by Kat MacKenzieWhile summer is upon us, it's the perfect time to indulge in stories that inspire, entertain and expose us to new adventures — whether you're lounging by the pool, traveling, or enjoying a quiet afternoon at home. To get you started on your reading journey, the staff at the Thomas G. Carpenter Library has compiled the following literary works for you to enjoy throughout the summer and beyond.

"Work in Progress" by Kat MacKenzie

ISBN: 978-0063379039
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: A rom-com about a woman's adventures on a literary bus tour across the UK.

"Southern by Design" by Grace Helena Walz

ASIN: B0D92W6D1K (Audiobook)
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: A second-chance love story set in the low country of South Carolina.

"The Last Train to Key West" by Chanel Cleeton

ASIN: B082FQN6CM (Audiobook)
Genre: Historical Fiction
Synopsis: Three women's experiences during the 1935 Florida Keys hurricane.

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt"Remarkably Bright Creatures" by Shelby Van Pelt

Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: A widow forms an unlikely friendship with a giant Pacific octopus at the local aquarium, uncovering truths about her son's disappearance 30 years ago.

"Daisy Jones and the Six" by Taylor Jenkins Reid

ISBN: 978-0593598429
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: The rapid rise and messy breakup of a 70s rock band, told in interview style.
Recommended by: Student Assistant Chloe Goulding

"The Bean Trees" by Barbara Kingsolver

Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: A story of friendships, a child named Turtle, orphans, young women travelers and immigration fears.

"Squeeze Me" by Carl Hiaasen

Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: A satirical tale involving murder, missing persons, Palm Beach elites, and hysterical political comparisons.

"World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments" by Aimee Nezhukumatathil

ISBN: 978-1571313652
Genre: Non-Fiction
Synopsis: A lyrical blend of nature writing and personal memoir.
Recommended by: Student Assistant Kiela Jefferson

"Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend: A Novel" by MJ Wasser

ISBN: 978-1464218033 (Available at JPL)
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: A social satire involving resorts, the sun exploding, and reflections on what truly matters in life.

UNF students create tech to detect brain injuries in sports

By Mattison Hansen
 
A team of University of North Florida mechanical engineering students is breaking new ground in sports safety with the development of an innovative, low-cost sensor designed to detect traumatic brain injuries.  
 
UNF students Bridget Dunn, Abby Kuba, Ethan Lowe and Gabriel PesekUnder the mentorship of Dr. Christopher Oshman, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, UNF undergraduate students Bridget Dunn, Abby Kuba, Ethan Lowe and graduate student Gabriel Pesek are developing a passive, fluidic inertial sensor that could change the way concussions are identified in athletes. Their research, conducted at the UNF Thermal Fluids Application Lab within the College of Computing, Engineering & Construction, is supported by the MedNexus Research Innovation Fund.  
 
Traumatic brain injuries are a major concern in sports, particularly for young athletes engaged in high-contact sports such as football, soccer and even horseback riding. These injuries often go undetected, increasing the risk of long-term neurological damage. While most professional and collegiate athletes have access to advanced concussion-detection systems, these technologies are often too expensive for high school and youth sports programs.  
 
“Current systems are great, but they are costly and out of reach for many sports programs,” Oshman explained. “Our goal is to provide a solution that’s affordable for every athlete at all levels, regardless of their resources.”   
 
Recognizing this cost gap, the student team was inspired to create a solution that would offer affordable, accessible and accurate concussion detection. The goal is to develop a device as simple as a bandage that can be worn by athletes to detect possible brain injuries.  
 
The fluidic inertial sensors developed by the UNF team are designed to detect sudden accelerations caused by head impacts, which may lead to concussions. Unlike traditional telemetric systems that require expensive electronics and external power sources, these sensors work passively, making them a low-cost, energy-efficient alternative. The sensors can be integrated into existing sports gear, such as helmets or headbands, and can alert coaches and medical staff when an athlete has experienced an impact that may require further evaluation.  
 
From conceptual design to prototyping and testing, the UNF students are leading every aspect of the project. They are not only applying their mechanical engineering expertise but also collaborating across disciplines to bring the technology to life.  
 
"Being part of this research has been an incredible opportunity to apply engineering in a real-world setting,” said Kuba. “Seeing our ideas take shape through design and testing is especially rewarding, knowing our work could make a real impact on athlete safety.”  
 
Their work is strengthened by collaborations with Dr. Lindsay Toth, associate professor clinical and applied movement; Dr. Juan Aceros, associate professor electrical engineering; and Dr. Grant Bevill, associate professor mechanical engineering; ensuring the technology is both effective and practical for real-world application.  
 
Currently in the testing phase, the team is fine-tuning their design and conducting trials to ensure reliability and effectiveness. Although the MedNexus Research Innovation Fund concludes this May, the students remain committed to pushing their innovation forward, with hopes of delivering a working prototype by the end of the year.

Inside News Roundup

Nominations now open for Alumni Recognition Awards

From trailblazers to community changemakers, Osprey alums are doing incredible things — and now’s your chance to shine a spotlight on someone who deserves it. Nominations are now open for the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award, the Young Alumni Achievement Award and the Alumni Service Award. Submit your nomination by July 25, 2025 to recognize outstanding Ospreys at the Alumni Recognition Dinner and Awards Ceremony during Homecoming 2025, Nov. 12–15, 2025.

Osprey Staff Association Elected Officials Announced

The results of the 2025 OSA Executive Board and Council Representative elections were recently announced. Please take time to congratulate the following newly elected officials: George Boston (President), Laura Kelp (Vice President), Catrina Ashley (Secretary), Emily Batt (Treasurer) and Ysabella Banta (Staff Advocate). Council representatives include Virginia Kemption, Sean Alexander, James Roarty, Becki Tankson-Artis, Casey Knowles, Jordan Taylor, Jess Overton, Courtney Chambers and Jean Lipsky. Visit the official OSA webpage for more information.

Project Management Professional Certificate badgeProject Management Professional Certification

Professional and Lifelong Learning will offer a live online PMP (Project Management Professional) Certification Preparation Course starting Tuesday, July 15. The course is designed to help participants prepare for the PMP certification exam. UNF faculty and staff are eligible for a 50% tuition discount. To receive the discount, call the Customer Care Team at (904) 620-4200 to register.

Summer Commencement

If you’re interested in volunteering for the Friday, Aug. 1, commencement ceremonies, you can sign up through Friday, July 4. Volunteer to be a commencement marshal by Wednesday, June 18. Order academic regalia from Herff Jones by Friday, June 20. RSVP for the processional and reserve your seat in the Arena by Friday, July 4. Visit the Commencement webpage for more information.

Campus Internet: Eduroam

UNF students, faculty and staff should now begin connecting their wireless devices to Eduroam instead of UNF-wireless. Eduroam is a secure, worldwide roaming access service developed for the international research and education community. By using Eduroam, the Osprey community can securely access wireless internet at participating locations globally using their UNF login credentials. To login, simply use your UNF email and password. Connect your devices today. For assistance, contact the Help Desk at helpdesk@unf.edu or (904) 620-4357.

Summer Dining

For those staying on campus this summer, be advised that some locations may have modified schedules, closures or limited menus. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, visit the UNF Dining Instagram or the UNF Dining website for regular updates, summer hours and any last minute changes throughout the term.

Prepare for Authentication Changes web bannerPrepare for Authentication Changes

SMS/Text authentication will no longer be supported effective Tuesday, Sept. 30. All UNF students, faculty and staff are encouraged to switch to Microsoft Authenticator now to avoid interrupted access to services. View instructions on how to set up authenticator. Contact helpdesk@unf.edu or (904) 620-4357 for assistance.

Remote Desktop Going Away

Microsoft is retiring the Remote Desktop app for Windows. It will be removed from the Microsoft Store after Tuesday, May 27. This change is not being made by UNF. If you use Remote Desktop to access a workstation or research device, switch to the new Windows App by downloading it from the Microsoft app store for continued access and improved features. If you need assistance, please contact your C-tech.

Presidential Excellence Awards

The Presidential Excellence Awards Committee is accepting nominations for the spring awards. Nominate a colleague or department for one of the following: Presidential Excellence Award, Presidential Quality Customer Service Award or Presidential Spot Award. Recipients will be recognized at the annual Presidential Recognition Awards Ceremony during the 2026 Professional Development Forum. The nomination deadline is Sunday, June 15; view instructions and the application via the webpage.

UNF student taking a photo with Ozzie the MascotMove-In Volunteers Needed

The Department of Housing and Residence life invites the campus community to help students and their families on move-in day. Volunteers will greet new Ospreys and support them as they move into the residence halls. Sign up to volunteer for Summer B Move-In on Friday, June 20; LLC Move-In on Wednesday, Aug. 13; or FTIC Move-In on Friday, Aug. 15. Volunteers will receive T-shirts and refreshments. For more information, contact Amy Lorenz at amy.lorenz@unf.edu or (904) 620-4663.

Summer Visitor Validation Code Request Reminder

Visitor validation codes for summer term guest parking are available. Departments must request these codes for guests parking on campus. Guests may enter the codes at a Pay-by-Plate kiosk or Flowbird app. To get a validation code, select the Employee tab in myWings, click on the Forms tab and then select Visitor Parking Validation form in the Parking section. Visit the Visitor Parking website for additional information.

Updated Travel Webpage

There are several new updates on the Travel webpage. Please take a minute to review all the new changes, including an updated travel procedures manual, a new Travel Quick Guide and an updated allowable airline class. For more information, contact Leanne Thomas at leanne.thomas@unf.edu or (904) 620-1093.

Faculty and Staff News

Osprey Fountain on UNF campus

Brooks College of Health

Dr. Sericea Stallings-Smith, associate professor of public health, along with collaborators from the University of Tennessee and University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, presented a research project, “Association of Cancer Information Seeking and Literacy Level with Preventable Cancer Risk Factors,” at the Society for Epidemiologic Research conference in Boston, Massachusetts, June 2025.

College of Arts and Sciences

Biology

Dr. Marie Mooney, assistant professor, received the UNF MedNexus Research Innovation Fund grant to support her research on brain health and aging.  

College of Computing, Engineering and Construction

Computing

Dr. Swapnoneel Roy, associate professor, along with Richard Lentz, instructor, Jim Littleton, associate instructor, Scott Claflin, graduate student, Eric Koff, Andrew Jackson High School, hosted a GenCyber Summer Camp at UNF’s School of Computing. Funded by a grant from the National Security Agency (NSA) under its GenCyber program, high school students were introduced to a variety of foundational topics in cybersecurity and engaged in hands-on labs and interactive exercises throughout the week. In addition, leadership from the School of Computing were featured as guest presenters.

Engineering

Dr. Florentino De La Cruz, assistant professor of civil engineering, and his undergraduate student research team, Ela Reagan and Alex Hays, received a first-place award for their poster presentation during the 2025 Kappe Lecture event hosted at the University of Miami in March, and graduate student Meshach Ando received second place in the graduate category.

Dr. Chady Ghnatios, assistant professor, was selected to deliver a keynote speech at the 2025 International Conference on Composite Materials on May 27 in Baltimore. Keynote speakers are selected from among the top researchers worldwide.

Hicks Honors College

Dr. Sydney E. Brammer, assistant professor of mass communication, will teach a new First-Year Experience colloquium course for Hicks Honors freshmen this fall in conjunction with MOCA Jacksonville’s Mobile project. The “Strategy & Innovation: Making a Magic School Bus” is designed to facilitate hands-on community art education and push the limits of creative skill, language, planning, audience analysis and more.

Silverfield College of Education and Human Services

Dr. Yuting Sun, assistant professor, published a co-authored article "Componential Modeling of Argumentative Essay Writing from Multiple Online Sources: A Bayesian Network Approach" in Frontiers in Psychology.  
 
Dr. Sean Davis, assistant professor and Samuel McBride (MSBA 2025) attended the North American Society for Sport Management to present our work: Dr. Kristi Sweeney, associate professor and Dr. Davis working with two master’s students, Lila Sarsen and Samuel McBride, investigating the student experience and employer perceptions of integrating Digital Badges into UNF’s Sport Management Curriculum. In addition, Dr. Davis and Dr. Han Soo Kim, assistant professor, presented work on researching sport consumers’ use of Instagram and effects on well-being and usage behaviors.  
 
Dr. Terrie Galanti, associate professor, was interviewed by Jo Napalitano (The74) for an article on AI and its use in mathematics education published on June 3.

Free Things to Do

All Hands on Deck: 15 Years of Collection at Small Craft Advisory Press

Exhibition on view now through Aug. 29, MOCA Jacksonville
Experience an exhibition of artist books created in the past fifteen years by Small Craft Advisory Press (SCAP) at Florida State University. Founded by Professor of Art Denise Bookwalter, SCAP brings together artists, writers, designers and scholars to work collaboratively on projects that challenge the conventions of what books are and do. Each book has an entirely unique form reflecting methods ranging from historical hand-sewn bindings to laser-cut wood blocks and 3D printing. Learn more about this exhibition curated by UNF's Sheila Goloborotko, professor of printmaking.

Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Spectral Subjects, 2024Project Atrium: Rafael Lozano-Hemmer

Exhibit on view now through Sept. 14, MOCA Jacksonville
Spectral Subjects is an interactive, thermal observatory showing a constantly updating map of the room's temperature on three colossal wall-projections. Learn more about this interactive exhibition. Image: Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Spectral Subjects (rendering for MOCA Jacksonville), 2024.

The Armory South: The 1924 Jacksonville Woman’s Club Exhibition Rediscovered

Exhibition on view now through Nov. 23, MOCA Jacksonville
This exhibition reassembles core works from a forgotten but seminal Modernist exhibition mounted in March 1924 by the Woman’s Club of Jacksonville and the newly founded Jacksonville Fine Arts Society (now MOCA). Planned to mark the beginning of the museum’s second century in 2025, The Armory South tells several related stories of essential importance to the history of women in Modern art, the introduction of Modernism to the American South, and the ideas and relationships shaping American art in the mid-1920s. Learn more about this fascinating exhibition. © Henry Fitch Taylor, Still Life, 1917. Oil on canvas, 36 x 54 1/4 in. (91.4 x 137.8 cm). Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, VA Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 71.2244.

Herbal Tea Tour Workshop

Friday, June 20, 9 - 10 a.m., Ogier Gardens
Attend a tea party and learn about how to grow, harvest, dry and make your own fresh herbal teas. Learn more about this educational workshop.

Idiopathic: Selections from the Mary Ann and Shepard Bryan Jr. Collection exhibitionIdiopathic: Selections from the Mary Ann and Shepard Bryan Jr. Collection - Exhibition Opening

Friday, June 20, 5 p.m., UNF Gallery of Art
Join the campus community for the opening of this much anticipated exhibition. It features art objects that expressively represent the human subject as frail and muted, asking the viewer what could be wrong and what we can do to change. Learn more about the opening of this art exhibition.

Silverfield College of Education and Human Services Doctoral Defense

Tuesday, June 24, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Tom and Betty Petway Hall, Room 3201
Brian Verkamp, educational leadership doctoral student, will defend his dissertation, "Understanding Shifts in Student Satisfaction between Peak and Post Pandemic. Learn more about this doctoral defense.

Intro to Organic Gardening Workshop

Friday, June 27, 9 - 10 a.m., Ogier Gardens
Learn the basics to starting your own garden with the Ogier Gardens Coordinator, Kevin Anderson. Learn more about this gardening workshop.

Two women looking at a museum exhibitionFree Museum Nights @ MOCA

Wednesday, July 2, 5 - 9 p.m., MOCA Jacksonville
Museum Nights @ MOCA features free admission thanks to the generous support of Florida Blue! Enjoy extended hours, the MOCA Bar and free activities. Learn more about this recurring free event happening the first and third Wednesday of each month.

Healthy Osprey Plant Swap Workshop

Wednesday, July 9, 9 - 11 a.m., Ogier Gardens
Bring a fresh cutting of your favorite plant to swap. Ogier Gardens will provide rooting hormone, extra pots, potting soil and instruction for you to take home your new plant. Learn more details about this plant swap event.

Dateline

UNF balloons for dateline

Milestones

Congratulations to the following employees with a milestone anniversary in June 2025:

40 Years

Jeffery Ross, Stores Receivable Supervisor, Physical Facilities

25 Years

Tamra Conner, Office Manager, Department of Art, Art History and Design
Wendy Rahman, Systems Analyst, Physical Facilities

20 Years

Dana McCoy, Program Assistant, Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work

15 Years

Leanne Thomas, Assistant Controller, Controller

10 Years

Laurel Cline, Landscape Grounds Supervisor, Physical Facilities
Emily Gabriel, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical and Applied Movement Science
Rozy Parlette, CIRT Director, UNF Online
Jennifer Perkins, Director of Assessment, Institutional Research and Performance

5 Years

Erica Anga, Director, UNF Online
Ysabella Banta, PC Maintenance Tech II, Technology Operations and Support (ITS)
Natalie Gray, Senior Instructional Designer, CIRT, Online Course Development
Caleb Harrison, Visiting Instructor Electrical Engineering, School of Engineering
Eva Matthews, Coordinator Research Program Services, Public Opinion Research Lab
Trinity Zamrzla, Systems Engineer II, Office of Shared Technology Infrastructure and Services (ITS)

Welcome

The following employees were either hired by UNF or were promoted from OPS positions recently:
Jayla Adams, Assistant Coach, Basketball Operations Director, Women's Basketball, Athletics
Keith Bradshaw, Admissions Recruiter, Office of Admissions
Julia Brunozzi, Admissions Recruiter, Admissions
Madison Dickert, Academic Advisor, Student and Academic Success
Adriana Fulco, Admissions Recruiter, Office of Admissions
Arrington Grant, Administrative Support Specialist, Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
Alanna Greene, Academic Advisor, Coggin College of Business, Advising
Courtney Henderson, Event Planning Coordinator, Student Union, Operations
Cooper Hicks, Coordinator Residence Life, Housing and Residence Life
Tarashona Irvin, Senior Custodial Worker, Physical Facilities
Contessa Michalkiewicz, Administrative Secretary, School of Computing
Kourtni Walsingham, Academic Advisor, Coggin College of Business, Advising
Shaheed Wiley, Custodial Worker, Physical Facilities
Rubin Williams, Custodial Worker, Physical Facilities
Stacey Ungashick Lobdell, Associate Head Coach, Women's Basketball, Athletics

Great Job

The following employees were recently promoted:
David Lelis, Programmer/Data Analyst, Office of Institutional Research
Desiree McDonald, Senior Buyer, Procurement Services, Strategic Sourcing
Celeste Ricks, Accounts Payable Receivable Associate, Institute of Police Technology and Management Administration
Troy Walden, Program Assistant, MOCA Jacksonville

Swoop Summary

UNF track and field student-athlete Smilla Kolbe holding a trophy

Kolbe Earns First Team All-American Honors At 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships

North Florida senior Smilla Kolbe cemented one of the most decorated seasons in program history when she became the program's first-ever Outdoor First Team All-American with a sixth-place finish in the women's 800m at the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field. Learn more about Kolbe's amazing accomplishment and more.

Siassi Signs with Sporting Club Jacksonville

Soccer standout Zara Siassi inked her first professional contract as a defender for the newly-founded Sporting Club Jacksonville, as announced by the organization in early June. Learn more about Siassi signing with a professional club.

North Florida Athletics Wins Back-to-Back ASUN Presidents' Academic Cups

North Florida Athletics was awarded the Atlantic Sun Conference's Presidents' Academic Cup in back-to-back years and for the second time in program history, as announced during the league's annual accomplishments and honors ceremony. Learn more about the athletic accomplishments of UNF's student-athletes.