Across Florida State University, faculty, staff and students are taking part in exciting research and creative work. The third annual FSU Discovery Days, held Oct. 18-25, was an opportunity to celebrate those endeavors and to highlight the ways that research is having an impact.
The weeklong showcase introduced a new center that will use food and nutrition as the solution to human health, highlighted resources for entrepreneurs and researchers looking to partner with each other, featured research presentations from students and more.
“Research at Florida State University is making a difference in Florida and beyond,” said FSU Vice President for Research Stacey S. Patterson. “Discovery Days is an opportunity to connect, learn and celebrate the research and creative enterprise across our campus.”
More than 2,500 people attended Discovery Days. Here’s a look at some featured events:
BUILDING THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE IN FLORIDA
Discovery Days started with a focus on health. “FSU Health Expo: Bridging Community, Health and Research,” held Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Wakulla County Community Center, brought together FSU researchers and community organizations for an event to support public health and wellness.
More than 50 organizations, including the Wakulla Senior Center, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic, the Alzheimer’s Project and more, attended to offer resources and information. Visitors participated in free health screenings, attended presentations from FSU researchers whose work translates into better health outcomes, and connected with resources in their community.
The week continued with more health-focused events. Clinical Catalyst invited regional healthcare providers to present challenges from their practices, sparking collaborative research opportunities with FSU faculty.
A new FSU research center, the Institute for Connecting Nutrition and Health, or ICON-Health, introduced its leading researchers and invited faculty from around the university to consider how they could partner on research into the far-reaching issues affected by nutrition.
“Through research and education, we are hoping to reduce the burden of chronic disease on people and lower their economic impact,” said Regan Bailey, a professor of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine and director of ICON-Health. “There’s a commitment from FSU leadership to bring nutrition to the forefront. That is what is going to catalyze all these different relationships and collaborations across campus. That’s our goal at ICON-Health, to connect disparate researchers with common goals, so we can leverage opportunities and research dollars to make the most impact.”
LAUNCHPAD FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Along with presenting FSU’s projects and partnerships in healthcare, the week was an opportunity to show how the university is working with businesses to expand the impact of research.
The IGNITE Tallahassee Grand Opening unveiled a business incubator designed to serve as a launchpad for entrepreneurship, research and technology development.
The facility, located in Innovation Park, is a headquarters to help high-tech ventures develop from research into successful real-world companies. It provides tenants with specialized lab space, advanced equipment and business development expertise to accelerate growth, support innovation and boost the local economy.
At the grand opening, university leaders, elected officials, entrepreneurs and community members met to learn more about the region’s growing innovation ecosystem.
The growth of IGNITE highlights the increasing momentum for tech entrepreneurship in North Florida, a development made possible through support from universities, investors and civic leaders.
“We all have a role to play, and we’re at this dynamic time where it’s all coming together, and the future is really bright for Tallahassee and Leon County moving forward,” said Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey. “It’s about building community, and we all have a role to play in that community.”
Following the IGNITE open house, Discovery Challenge brought high energy to the Augustus B. Turnbull III Conference Center, where five FSU-affiliated startups pitched their business ideas for a share of $85,000 in funding. Judges from DeepWork Capital, K3 Investments, and Mobius Care evaluated pitches.
The five presentations featured a range of topics: preventing premature births and resulting complications; developing smart sensors with wide applications for infrastructure and lifestyle; a solution to help chronic wounds heal more effectively; screening for radioactive materials in food and in other applications; and smart controls, analytics and other tools for the energy industry.
Joshua Degraff with Feel With Me Tech won first place and crowd favorite for his company’s development of smart sensors that can provide data-driven insights in various fields, including infrastructure and healthcare.
Rick Meeker of Nhu Energy won second place for his company Nhu Energy’s development of digital operating technology for resilient clean energy and storage to address aging power grids, rising costs of electricity and power outages.
“These companies are going to impact the world and the people in it,” Patterson said. “With our third annual Discovery Days, everyone at FSU is starting to see the promise of discovery, innovation and creativity that’s coming out of this type of work, how it impacts people, how it impacts Floridians — which is what being an R1 institution is really all about.”
SUPPORTING RESEARCH AND STUDENT SUCCESS
Research opportunities at FSU span the academic career, from named professors to undergraduates starting college. Discovery Days featured work from across that range.
The President’s Showcase of Undergraduate Research highlighted work completed thanks to IDEA Grants, which provide summer funding from the Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement for undergraduate research and creative projects. Another event, the Graduate Research Showcase, featured four graduate students sharing their work.
The FSU Quantum Initiative hosted a symposium to highlight student research and to introduce interested undergraduate students to the field. Faculty leading the initiative are developing a graduate certificate in Quantum Information Science and Technology, which will be the first program offering certified quantum education in Florida. They are also creating an undergraduate quantum science lab and providing a short course for high school students to introduce them to quantum computing.
Discovery Days concluded with Saturday Morning Physics + Art, a family-friendly fusion of rocket science and creative expression for K–12 students and a fitting finale to a week that celebrated the power of discovery to transform lives.
To see the full list of this year’s events, visit discoverydays.fsu.edu.
Scheduled dates for the fourth annual Discovery Days will be announced in February 2026.
For more coverage of Discovery Days events, view the list below:
- Discovery Days 2025: FSU Health Expo brings information and resources to community
- FSU launches first Clinical Catalyst to unite providers and researchers to solve problems
- Florida State University’s Institute for Connecting Nutrition and Health poised to lead nutrition research
- FSU’s IGNITE Tallahassee Grand Opening celebrates innovation and entrepreneurship in North Florida
- Discovery Days: Five FSU-affiliated startups with innovative, impactful ideas compete for $85,000 at third annual FSU Discovery Challenge
- Collaborative Collision: FSU researchers focus on improving the lives of children and youth
- FSU Discovery Days: Students present summer research, creative projects at President’s Showcase of Undergraduate Research
- Arts-Humanities-Health Symposium IV showcases interdisciplinary innovation at FSU
- Florida State University doctoral students spotlighted at inaugural Graduate Research Showcase
- FSU students explore career paths in STEM at Discovery Days panel
- Discovery Days 2025: FSU Quantum Initiative celebrates Year of Quantum and research opportunities for students