The William R. Kenan Jr. Charitable Trust has awarded two faculty members in the FSU Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (Anne’s College) a $500,000 grant to train the next generation of professionals working with individuals with autism.

With the generous funding, Anne’s College will offer competitive scholarships to provide full financial support to teachers pursuing the Autism Spectrum Disorder Graduate Certificate. The grant will support 75 in-service teachers over the next three years.

Veronica Fleury, associate professor in special education at Anne’s College, says that access to the Autism Spectrum Disorder Graduate Certificate curriculum will greatly benefit teachers.

“It is currently estimated that 1 in 31 children are identified with autism,” Fleury said. “This means all teachers, regardless of grade level or educational setting, will have students with autism in their classes. Educators who complete this program will be better equipped to support the varied needs of their learners, specifically the growing autistic student population.”

The William R. Kenan Jr. Charitable Trust has a long history of awarding grants in education. Addie McConomy, clinical assistant professor and program leader for special education at Anne’s College, explains that this funding will serve the long-term goal of bolstering the teacher workforce.

“Any plan to strengthen the Florida teacher pipeline must involve concerted efforts to retain teachers who enter the field,” said McConomy. “A key factor in retention lies in professional preparation. Funding from the William R. Kenan Jr. Charitable Trust will allow us to provide teachers access to high-quality coursework in teacher education.”

McConomy and Fleury’s sustaining vision is that teachers who are prepared to teach will be prepared to stay. With the support of the William R. Kenan Jr. Charitable Trust, they are making actionable steps toward this shared goal.

To be considered for the funding opportunity, prospective students should complete an online application found on the Autism Spectrum Disorder Graduate Certificate website. All teachers are eligible to apply; however, priority will be given to those who hold a temporary license, as they may benefit most from professional learning opportunities.

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Florida State University, through FSU Health, has awarded $250,000 to the five inaugural recipients of its Clinical Catalyst Grant Program, an initiative that brings together FSU researchers and local clinical providers to address healthcare challenges through collaborative projects. 

“Clinical Catalyst creates an exciting opportunity for our research teams to join forces with local clinical providers and accelerate progress on some of the most urgent issues affecting patient care in our community,” said Vice President for Research Stacey S. Patterson.  

FSU launched Clinical Catalyst to give clinicians an opportunity to share ideas for addressing healthcare needs identified through their daily work. The program also supports the broader goals of FSU Health by bringing additional resources and opportunities to healthcare in the region. 

The 2025-2026 Clinical Catalyst awardees are: 

• Accessible and Engaging Non-Pharmacologic Management of Chronic Pain Combining Music Therapy and Brain Stimulation: Kevin Johnson from the FSU College of Medicine and his team are partnering with Dr. Gilbert Chandler from Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic to explore a promising, non-drug approach to chronic musculoskeletal pain by combining music therapy with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. 

• Building a New Care Pathway: ICAN-Guided Nutrition Support for Aging Adults in Clinical Settings: Julia Sheffler at the FSU College of Medicine and a multidisciplinary team of nutrition and exercise experts are collaborating with Dr. Cielo Rose from Capital Health Plan’s Nancy Van Vessem Center for Healthy Aging to build a structured nutrition and lifestyle program designed to better support older adults in clinical settings. 

• Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Efficacy of Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Stroke Aphasia: Sladjana Lukic from the FSU School of Communication Science and Disorders, in partnership with Dr. Narlin Beaty at Tallahassee Neurological Clinic, is exploring an innovative approach that could help stroke survivors regain language abilities by reactivating critical neural networks. 

• Redesigning Post-Mastectomy Bras: Investigating Design Innovations to Reduce Seroma and Hematoma Formation and Enhance Patient Satisfaction: Jessica Ridgway Clayton from the FSU Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship is working with Dr. Shlermine Everidge from TMH Physician Partners, to develop improved bras for mastectomy patients to support recovery, improve comfort and enhance patient satisfaction. 

• Increasing the Uptake of Advanced Care Directives in Hospital and Clinical Settings: Miles Taylor from the FSU Pepper Institute on Aging and Public Policy, in collaboration with Dr. R. Kelley Myers from the Tallahassee Memorial Family Medicine Residency Program, aims to make end-of-life planning easier and more accessible for patients and families while helping reduce unnecessary medical treatments and costs. 

“These projects reflect the strength of interdisciplinary collaboration at FSU and our shared commitment to delivering innovative ideas that can make a meaningful difference in clinical practice and patient outcomes,” Patterson said.  

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FSU Health brings together researchers, clinicians and local clinical partners under one umbrella to transform health and healthcare in Florida. To learn more about FSU Health, visit  fsuhealth.fsu.edu. 

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June marks Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, an opportunity to foster public understanding for the most proactive brain health habits. A Florida State University Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine professor is reframing the way we look at brain health, helping individuals form a whole-body approach to reduce dementia risk.

Julia Sheffler is the director of the Integrative Science for Healthy Aging research program in the FSU College of Medicine. Her research focuses on improving scientific understanding of risk and resiliency factors related to late-life health and cognitive functioning.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 55 million people live with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias worldwide. In the United States, approximately 7.4 million people aged 65 and older live with Alzheimer’s — an irreversible brain disorder that erodes memory and thinking skills.

Sheffler helps people build the knowledge, skills and confidence to make changes that are scientifically supported in combatting cognitive decline; while also paying attention to their own health, preferences, values and daily life to find an approach they can maintain over time.

“The best lifestyle change is often the one a person can realistically sustain,” Sheffler said of how individuals can best prevent cognitive decline through changes of their own. “For some people, improving diet may be the most impactful starting point. For others, it may be quitting tobacco, reducing alcohol use, increasing movement, improving sleep, or spending more time with friends and family. The reality is that even very healthy dietary patterns may not work the same way for everyone, in part because individuals differ in how their bodies metabolize and respond to nutrients.”

Sheffler’s research allows her to develop personalized strategies for individuals that integrate important factors such as nutrition, movement, mental health and social connection. By forming healthy habits that benefit the whole body, individuals are supporting their own brain health.

“The message I most want people to know is that brain health is not something we should only think about after memory problems begin,” Sheffler added. “Many of the same behaviors that support the heart, blood vessels, metabolism, mood, and sleep also support the brain. Even small, sustainable changes can be meaningful when they become part of a person’s everyday life.”

Media interested in understanding Julia Sheffler’s critical research and practical habits for promoting brain health may reach out to her via email at julia.sheffler@med.fsu.edu.

Julia Sheffler, assistant professor, Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine

Based on your research and understanding, how much does a person’s background dictate their lifetime risk for dementia?

A person’s background can play a meaningful role in dementia risk, but I would not say it “dictates” their future. Dementia risk is shaped by a combination of factors, including genetics, medical history, education, socioeconomic context, neighborhood resources, access to healthcare, stress exposure and lifestyle factors. Some of these begin very early in life and can accumulate over time. For example, opportunities for high-quality education, access to nutritious foods, safe places to be physically active and good preventive healthcare can all influence brain health across the lifespan.

At the same time, one of the most important messages is that dementia risk is not fixed. Even for individuals who may be at higher risk because of family history, vascular risk factors, or social and environmental barriers, there are still meaningful opportunities to support brain health. My work focuses on identifying realistic, accessible ways to help people make and sustain changes that may reduce risk, especially in communities where those resources have not always been easy to access.

You’ve done a lot of research on nutrition as it relates to Alzheimer’s and dementia. Would you consider nutrition the single-most important lifestyle change someone can make to help prevent cognitive decline in the future?

I would say nutrition is one of the most important lifestyle factors for brain health, but I would be cautious about calling it the single most important one for everyone. Brain health is influenced by many interconnected behaviors and health conditions, including diet, physical activity, sleep, stress, social connection, blood pressure, diabetes, heart health, and mental health. Nutrition is powerful because it touches many of those systems at once. What we eat can affect inflammation, vascular health, metabolism, gut health, and other biological pathways that are highly relevant to cognitive aging. We are not yet at the point where we can provide precise, individualized nutrition recommendations for brain health on a large scale.

Since establishing the Integrative Science for Healthy Aging Program, has there been an “a-ha” moment in your research? Something you’ve stumbled upon that you feel is most important for people to know when it comes to dementia and brain health?

One of the biggest “a-ha” moments for me has been appreciating just how closely brain health is connected to the rest of the body, especially metabolism. We often think about memory and thinking abilities as being separate from physical health, but the brain is an extremely energy-demanding organ. It depends on healthy blood vessels, stable metabolic function, and a steady supply of fuel to work well. When systems like blood sugar regulation, cardiovascular health, inflammation, or lipid metabolism are disrupted, those changes can also affect the brain over time.

That connection has shaped much of my work. I have become increasingly interested in how nutrition and other lifestyle behaviors may support brain health by influencing multiple systems at once, including vascular and metabolic health, inflammation, sleep, mood, and daily functioning. It has also made me think about dementia prevention as something that needs to be practical and whole-person focused. It is not enough to tell people that a certain diet or exercise routine may be good for the brain; we need to help them understand why these changes matter and support them in making changes they can actually sustain. The “best” intervention for one person may actually be very different for someone else. 

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Conference brings together researchers, clinicians, industry leaders and families to discuss advances in genomic screening and gene therapy

For families affected by rare diseases, unexplained developmental delays or medical symptoms often mark the beginning of a “diagnostic odyssey,” a frustrating search for answers and treatment options.

The longer the search continues, the greater the emotional toll on families. Without a diagnosis, effective treatment may be delayed. Millions of families worldwide face this challenge each year.

The Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Disease (Florida IPRD) at the Florida State University College of Medicine is working to shorten that journey.

Through a newborn whole-genome sequencing pilot program, family counseling, care management, rare disease research initiatives and professional training, FSU faculty and scientists are helping families better care for their loved ones with a rare disease.

With support from the state legislature, Florida IPRD is helping to expand access to genomic medicine and accelerate research into rare diseases to transform lives. The institute is partnering with the A.J. Anderson Foundation on its shared mission to improve pediatric rare disease healthcare.

Transforming personal tragedy into a movement to help Florida families

Rep. Adam Anderson (R-Palm Harbor) and his wife, Brianne, started the A.J. Anderson Foundation in 2018 after their son Andrew was diagnosed with Tay-Sachs disease, a rare genetic disorder that destroys nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Their own diagnostic odyssey followed as they sought care for their son. The experience prompted them to look for a way to support other families seeking rare disease treatment.

The foundation’s goals are to advocate for improved research and treatment to put an end to pediatric rare diseases and to increase access to genetic testing.

“The partnership between the A.J. Anderson Foundation and the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases demonstrates what can be accomplished when advocacy, science, medicine, industry and public policy come together to accelerate diagnosis, expand treatment opportunities, and improve outcomes for children with rare diseases,” said Pradeep Bhide, director of Florida IPRD. “Representative Anderson and Brianne Anderson have been extraordinary champions for children with rare diseases, and their leadership has helped create programs such as ours that are positioning Florida as a national leader in genomic medicine and early diagnosis.”

Rare Disease Conference: Bringing together research and industry leaders

On Wednesday, the A.J. Anderson Foundation and Florida IPRD cohosted a rare disease conference in Pinellas County, bringing together researchers, healthcare professionals, industry partners and families to learn about ongoing work and provide a look into the future of treatment.

Dr. David Bick, the principal clinician for the Newborn Genomes Programme at Genomics England, delivered the keynote address. Attendees also heard from two panels, one focused on genomic newborn screening and the other focused on advances in gene therapy. Panelists from GeneDx, Nest Genomics, Alexion Pharmaceuticals and Amazon Web Services shared their insight in the first session. Panelists from UMass Chan Medical School, Florida IPRD and the University of Florida spoke during the second session.

Together, the panels represented two major, complementary goals: Diagnosing children with rare disease at birth and offering them an opportunity for early intervention and rapid treatment.

“The promise that these gene and cell therapies offer is that if you can detect a condition at birth, before symptoms occur, you can prevent those symptoms from ever showing themselves, and that child can live a perfectly healthy life,” Anderson said.

The Sunshine Genetics Program

Genomics medicine in Florida received a major boost last year with the passage of the Sunshine Genetics Act. With the support of the state legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis, the act established the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases and provided additional funding for research and a genetic screening pilot program.

For the Floridians who now have the opportunity to screen their children for a rare disease and for the millions more people who can be helped through research breakthroughs, the work is urgent and crucial.

“Rare diseases test our healthcare systems, our scientific capabilities and our collective compassion. At the same time, they inspire determination, collaboration and hope,” said Dr. Alma Littles, dean of the FSU College of Medicine. “At Florida State University, we are proud to support the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases and the Sunshine Genetics initiative as part of our broader commitment to expanding precision medicine, expanding access to care, and bringing together clinicians, scientists, educators, policymakers, industry leaders and patient advocates around a shared mission.”

Visit the Florida IPRD website for more information about the institute. Visit the A.J. Anderson Foundation website to learn more about the organization’s mission.

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Florida State University’s College of Communication and Information, through its School of Communication Science and Disorders, will launch the FSU Health Mobile Speech and Hearing Clinic later this summer, expanding healthcare services that the university has provided to Floridians since the 1950s.

The mobile clinic will bring screenings, evaluations and therapy to underserved communities throughout North Florida and the Panhandle, while also providing hands-on clinical training for FSU students.

Led by Director Becky Greenhill, a speech-language pathologist and clinical instructor, the fully accessible clinic builds on the longstanding work of FSU’s Speech and Hearing Clinic, which serves children and adults with communication disorders, cognitive challenges and hearing conditions.

Greenhill discussed the growing need for speech and hearing services, the role the mobile clinic will play in rural communities and how the effort reflects Florida State’s broader healthcare mission through FSU Health.

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A team of researchers from Florida State University and the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory is looking to nature to find microbes that can be used to create new antibiotics to treat the growing threat of drug-resistant bacteria.

Infection from so-called “super bugs” is a leading cause of death globally. Drug resistant bacteria contribute to nearly five million deaths every year, according to the World Health Organization. As more pathogens develop resistance, that number is expected to jump nearly 70% in the next 25 years.

The team of FSU and MagLab researchers will screen soil microbes from around the world to hunt for sources of new antibacterial drugs. The Novo Nordisk Foundation is funding the project as part of an international drug discovery initiative.

“People have been searching for new antibiotics for many years, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to discover novel compounds. Our goal is to revolutionize the drug discovery pipeline,” said Xiangpeng Li, an assistant professor in the FSU Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. “If we don’t do anything, antibiotic resistance will be a huge problem for the human race.”

Buried treasure: Potential medical marvels in the soil

Molecules made by microbes have long been used to treat bacterial infections. The first antibiotic, penicillin, was developed from mold nearly 100 years ago. Common antibiotics like streptomycin are produced by bacteria.

The researchers will test soil samples supplied by Rob Spencer, a biogeochemist and professor in the Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science. He studies the carbon cycle, and particularly the rapidly changing environments of the Arctic and tropics.

“It’s common to think about soils as just dirt, but they are essential for our nutrient, carbon and water cycles, and microbes in soils hold huge potential for discovery of new drugs,” Spencer said.

His samples from extreme environments like the polar regions hold particular promise because they have not been extensively examined.

“Those samples might contain very novel microbes,” Li said. “They have been frozen for maybe tens to hundreds of thousands of years. We are more likely to find new things.”

How it works

To find sources for potential new antibacterial drugs, the team has the ambitious goal of screening a billion microbes.

Li specializes in droplet microfluidics, manipulating tiny drops of fluid about the width of a human hair through troughs etched on a silicone disc to rapidly conduct chemical screening. His microfluidics system will quickly process tens of thousands of droplets at a time.

“Typically, when we search for new compounds from nature, it’s a rather arduous process working with individually isolated microbes, but with the speed of microfluidics and the analytical power of the Ion Cyclotron Resonance Facility, we can sample all of the microbes from a variety of environments all at once. It’s a very exciting collaboration,” said Edward Kalkreuter, an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

Inside the droplets, soil microbial cells will be combined with a common antibiotic-resistant bacterium called Klebsiella pneumoniae and a fluorescent color-coded tag to allow for rapid sorting.

Then the MagLab’s Ion Cyclotron Resonance Facility, or ICR, will identify bioactive molecules from the soil microbes.

“You might have a soil sample and it kills the Klebsiella, but you don’t know what those molecules are. So that’s where we come in,” said ICR Director Kicki Håkansson.

The lab’s powerful ICR mass spectrometers will analyze the droplets that show antimicrobial activity to determine which molecules are responsible for the antibacterial properties. The precision analysis will also be crucial for making sure the discovery is indeed new.

“We’re looking for signals that have not been discovered before. We don’t want to rediscover penicillin,” Li said. “To do that, we annotate the molecular composition of each signal and compare it against databases of known compounds.”

Taking on that data analysis challenge will be the team’s fifth member, Ryan Rodgers, a researcher at the ICR.

International collaboration

The researchers will also share data and ideas with 21 other research groups around the world as part of an international drug discovery consortium with additional funding provided by the Gates Foundation and the Wellcome Trust. This coordinated investment and collaborative effort will accelerate the search for new medications that are crucial to addressing this growing crisis.

“This new approach allows us to look very thoroughly at compounds that haven’t been looked at,” Håkansson said. “And if we find something, this could be transformative, which is what’s really exciting.”

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Bracketed by the musical works of Sir Edward Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance,” the 121-member Florida State University College of Medicine Class of 2026 marched into Ruby Diamond Concert Hall Saturday as students and marched out as doctors.

Joining them in the recessional line were seven newly minted Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences – Bridge to Clinical Medicine graduates, who in 10 days will begin their own march to becoming doctors as members of the M.D. Class of 2030.

Dr. Anthony Speights, senior associate dean for medical education and academic affairs, broke from the ceremonial as he donned a wireless microphone and delivered the commencement address facing the class.

“On to the life lesson of the day.  Your last, and hopefully best, lesson from me,” Speights said, his back to the audience and eyes locked on the students before him on stage.

Speights’ address ranged widely from playful to poignant; focused on his observations of how students had changed since he and his Generation X peers “believe we were just built different” than the students he addressed.

For illustration he referred to his generation as latchkey kids, the MTV generation that never used seatbelts and the first generation with cell phones; as residents who worked 100-hour weeks without time restrictions, slept in the hospital call room and, in many instances became physicians who were absent from home, grumpy, placed patients and career before everything, and burned out.

“Now that I’ve spent so much time over the years telling you how different your generation is than mine as if it’s a bad thing, let me tell you why your generation is different than mine, in all the ways I admire.

“You’ve learned to support each other in ways our generation never did.  You’ve come to understand the need for balance in work and life.

“You’ve heard me say many times, often in what sounded like a critical way, that your generation doesn’t want to work as hard as the ones before you. But in all honesty, after all these years I can let you in on a little secret. That wasn’t criticism. It was jealousy.”

Speights praised the class — and its generation — for how it has found ways to be efficient and work hard, but find time to “smell the roses, watch some Netflix and hang out.” How it had taught his generation of physicians the importance of mental self-care.

And he reminded the class of a message delivered to them by the late Dr. Daniel Van Derme on their first day as medical students.

”Dan said something like this: Each of us is filled with a reservoir of compassion and caring.  It’s like a river, flowing from you to your patients.  Guard against becoming jaded, because it will dam that river up, but also keep in mind that if your reservoir is constantly flowing, it has to be refilled or it will run dry.

“Find and do things that refill that reservoir of compassion and caring. Caring is integral. Patients don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.”

There is no shortage of physicians from the class who heeded that advice; many of whom were honored on the eve of commencement at the Class of 2026 Presentation of Awards ceremony.

Ben Linkus, who completed his final two years at the Pensacola Regional Campus near his hometown of Gulf Breeze, received the Mission Award. Linkus is headed to Newark, Delaware, for a general surgery residency; a departure from the family medicine route he initially envisioned for himself. His third-year rotation through the Marinna Rural Program at the 100-bed Jackson Hospital, changed his trajectory, thanks to the influence of doctors Vechai Arunakul and John Brunner.

“I fell in love with rural healthcare and what the general surgeon can do in those types of communities,” Linkus said. “[Arunakal and Brunner] were huge role models for me, being able to see how they impacted the community. Eventually, the plan is to come back to the Panhandle and be the rural general surgeon in a community along I-10.

Befitting of her strong faith, Katelyn Cornelius was selected to deliver the invocation Saturday.

“My faith has always been a big part of my life,” said Cornelius, who completed her clinical education at the Orlando Regional Campus, near her hometown of Winter Park. “Before I stated medical school, I got to work at a clinic for patients without insurance that’s faith-based in Orlando. I really saw how these people’s desire to serve was so driven by their faith. And I worked with a pediatrician who used to talk about how, you know, we’re called to be loving in anything that we do.

Cornelius carried that mindset throughout her time at the College of Medicine and others noticed. At Friday nights’ awards ceremony, the Alpha Omega Alpha and Gold Humanism Honor Society inductee was recognized as the Orlando Regional Campus Dean’s Award winner and one of eight American Medical Women’s Association’s Glasgow-Rubin Citation recipients for ranking in the top 10% of her class and demonstrating leadership, service and advocacy.

Dr. Alma Littles, dean of the College of Medicine, presented Cornelius the J. Ocie Harris Outstanding Student Award, which recognizes the student who has shown the best all-around promise of becoming a physician of the highest caliber.

“People ask me, ‘Why are you like this? Why are you so nice and kind and focused? Why do you know this information?” she explained. “For me, it is loving and caring, and that feels like my mission and my ministry to others; to learn this information well, to care for people well, to help them feel seen and heard and loved at the end of the day.”

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The model combines real-time and historical data to predict outbreaks and protect public health

Every summer, beach closures disrupt families, harm local businesses and raise public health alarms. Most of the time, the warning comes after it is already too late.

A new artificial intelligence framework developed at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering aims to change that by alerting water managers to E. coli contamination risk before anyone falls sick.

Researchers led by Assistant Professor Nasrin Alamdari developed an AI-powered predictive modeling framework that uses environmental and hydrometeorological data to provide early warnings of Escherichia coli (E. coli) contamination in recreational waterways, giving communities a window to act before health risks emerge.

Their model, which was published in Water Research, identified unsafe conditions with approximately 85% accuracy, demonstrating its potential to offer earlier warnings before levels reach unsafe thresholds.

“Beach closures often occur because we detect contamination after water conditions have already become unsafe,” said Alamdari, a researcher in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Resilient Infrastructure and Disaster Response (RIDER) Center. “Our goal is to move from a reactive approach to a predictive one, leveraging continuous environmental data, including rainfall, river flow, turbidity, temperature and upstream conditions, to estimate E. coli levels in near real time and up to a day in advance.”

How it works

Traditional water quality monitoring relies on manual sampling followed by laboratory analysis, a process that takes 18 to 24 hours to yield results. By the time a beach or river is closed, swimmers may have already been exposed to dangerous levels of contamination.

The framework developed by researchers uses current and historical environmental data to estimate contamination risk without waiting for lab results. Inputs include upstream hydrologic conditions, streamflow rates, rainfall totals, turbidity readings and water temperature. By combining these variables, the model can flag elevated E. coli risk with 24 hours advance warning.

A 2023 sewage spill that occurred after a malfunction at the Big Creek Water Reclamation Facility illustrates exactly the kind of scenario the model is built to address.

“The 2023 Big Creek sewage spill is an example of how a sudden treatment failure can rapidly contaminate downstream recreational waters,” said Ali Salou Moumouni, a graduate researcher on the project. “Our predictive models use current and past environmental and hydrometeorological data to estimate contamination risk before lab results arrive. By factoring in upstream hydrologic conditions, our model provides earlier warnings and more targeted monitoring, improving preparedness during sudden contamination events.”

Why it matters: Human health impacts and economic costs

E. coli contamination in recreational waterways can infect people swimming there, causing gastrointestinal distress, nausea or fatigue. Vulnerable populations, such as the very young or old, are at greater risk.

The consequences of delayed contamination alerts extend beyond public health. When closures happen unexpectedly, hotels, outfitters and water recreation businesses lose revenue with little warning. Municipalities absorb higher costs from emergency public notifications and increased health incident response.

“Delays expose the public to greater health risks and increase medical expenses from waterborne illness,” Alamdari said. “Local economies that depend on recreation and tourism suffer revenue losses when visitors cancel trips or avoid affected areas, while municipalities incur higher operational costs for water testing and emergency response. Repeated advisories can also erode public trust, leading to longer-term declines in visitation and further economic loss.”

Proactive alerts, by contrast, give businesses and government agencies advance notice, reduce unnecessary closures and help communities protect both public health and economic stability. By shifting from reactive to predictive monitoring, communities can better protect public health while reducing unnecessary closures and improving economic resilience.

Risk factors

The study also documents how land use changes intensify contamination. Between 2007 and 2023, urbanization in the study area increased impervious cover from 24% to 28%, altering runoff pathways, leading to more polluted runoff and higher and more variable E. coli levels in streams.

As precipitation patterns grow less predictable, even moderate rainfall events carry elevated contamination risk in urbanized watersheds. The model accounts for rainfall history, streamflow and watershed wetness indicators to improve prediction during those in-between conditions that traditional models often miss.

“Our findings show that every development decision influences water quality and public health, highlighting the need for green infrastructure,” said Imtiaz Syed Usama, a graduate researcher on the team.

Storms compound the problem. E. coli levels can spike within hours of heavy rainfall, but traditional lab testing is too slow to catch those surges before people enter the water.

“Our model flips the script: by combining rainfall, streamflow, turbidity and other hydrometeorological data, it helps predict E. coli risk in near real time and up to a day ahead, including during extreme weather,” said Nasr Azadani Mitra, a graduate researcher at RIDER. “Communities without routine lab testing can still issue early warnings and protect public health.”

This research was supported by grants from Florida State University.

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Florida State University students from the College of Communication and Information helped restore hearing for hundreds of patients during a service-learning trip to Guatemala last semester. 

Selena Snowden, teaching faculty III and director of Audiology Services in the School of Communication Science and Disorders, led a group to Sololá, Guatemala, where students performed more than 100 ear cleanings, fitted 276 hearing devices and saw more than 200 patients for appointments during four days of clinics. 

Known as the “Help Guatemala Hear” service trip, Snowden has led groups of students and professionals on similar service trips since 2015, pausing only during the pandemic. The program aims to provide the “gift of sound” to children, adults and indigenous people in the region.  

“I love to witness how the students grow each year clinically, personally, and in humility over the course of experience,” Snowden said.  

A record number of students participated in the trip: 14 undergraduate students and three graduate students from FSU, along with one undergraduate student studying communication sciences and disorders at Valdosta State University.  

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The Florida State University College of Nursing has launched its first micro-credential series that integrates artificial intelligence and nursing care.

The program, Nursing Essentials of Responsible AI, was developed in partnership with the Coalition for Health AI (CHAI) and provides nurses with a comprehensive framework for the ethical and effective use of artificial intelligence in clinical practice. As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes healthcare delivery, there is an urgent need to prepare the nursing workforce to engage with these technologies safely and effectively.

“As AI continues to transform the healthcare landscape, we are taking a proactive role in ensuring that the nursing workforce is prepared to lead this digital evolution,” said Jing Wang, dean of the FSU College of Nursing. “Nurses are at the heart of patient care, and as AI becomes an integral part of the healthcare team, they must have the tools to ensure its use is safe, ethical and human-centered. This micro-credential program further secures our commitment to advancing nursing innovation and creating top-tier nurses who are prepared for the future.”

The series includes seven micro-credentials that cover key elements of AI, from foundational principles and data privacy to practical applications of AI tools across various nursing workflows. Designed for flexibility, the courses are self-paced and tailored to meet the needs of working healthcare professionals.

The program was developed in strategic collaboration with CHAI, a leading nonprofit coalition dedicated to establishing consensus-driven best practices for health AI. This first-of-its-kind partnership reflects the academic institution’s leadership in program design, leveraging CHAI’s expertise to inform the development of AI-focused education specifically for nurses.

“CHAI’s mission is to advance the responsible use of health AI through consensus-driven guidelines,” said Dr. Brian Anderson, CEO of CHAI. “Partnering with the FSU College of Nursing is a natural extension of that work. By equipping nurses, the frontline of care delivery, with the skills to evaluate and use AI responsibly, we help ensure technology serves patients first. We are proud to support FSU in setting a new standard for nursing education.”

The Nursing Essentials of Responsible AI series is part of the FSU College of Nursing’s broader commitment to advancing innovation in nursing. In 2024, the college launched the nation’s first MSN in AI Applications in Healthcare and the Nursing and Artificial Intelligence Innovation Consortium.

To learn more about the micro-credential program or to begin taking courses, visit nursing.fsu.edu/responsibleai.

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ABOUT CHAI

CHAI was started by clinicians. The coalition’s mission is to build the broadest possible consensus across the health ecosystem to help ensure health AI is trusted, secure and safe. The CHAI membership is open and rapidly expanding. Today, we consist of more than 3,000 members, including health systems, patient advocacy groups, academia, and a wide range of industry start-ups and incumbents. CHAI is committed to convening and dialogue to achieve consensus. There are no limits to who can join and participate. Learn more about a CHAI membership on their website.

ABOUT THE FSU COLLEGE OF NURSING

The Florida State University College of Nursing is Boldly Rising in education, research and practice, pioneering digital health and artificial intelligence in new care models, increasing enrollment to address the critical nursing shortage and attracting more than $100 million in new federal funding for innovative healthcare research.

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The Florida State University College of Nursing celebrated its fourth-annual Nole Nurse Shining Stars Gala on Saturday, April 11, held at the Dunlap Champions Club in Doak Campbell Stadium, honoring the achievements of alumni, faculty, students and community partners while recognizing the college’s continued impact in health care. 

“The Shining Stars Gala is a powerful reflection of the strength and legacy of our Nole Nurse community,” said Jing Wang, dean of the FSU College of Nursing. “Each year, we are proud to recognize individuals who exemplify excellence in nursing and who continue to move our mission forward. Their work inspires the next generation of nurses to lead with compassion and purpose.” 

The Nole Nurse Shining Stars Gala highlighted achievements across nursing education, practice, leadership, research and philanthropy, reinforcing the college’s commitment to advancing health care and improving lives. 

The event also celebrated five years of significant momentum for the FSU College of Nursing, marked by significant growth, innovation and national recognition. In the 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings, the Doctor of Nursing Practice program climbed seven spots to No. 21 overall and No. 12 among public institutions, while continuing to rank No. 1 among all public and private institutions in Florida. 

This progress reflects a broader trajectory of advancement across the college. Over the past year, the College of Nursing secured a historic $10 million gift to expand health care education and innovation in Northwest Florida and has made significant investments in its continued growth, including unveiling a new 5,000-square-foot simulation training lab, launching the nation’s first Master of Science in Nursing program focused on artificial intelligence applications in health care and achieving a 62% increase in faculty over the past five years, among more. 

Awards presented during the evening included the Distinguished Graduate Award, recognizing alumni for their outstanding contributions to the nursing profession; the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Nursing, honoring individuals and organizations whose leadership and partnership advance the college; and the Dean’s 3T Award, celebrating those who give generously of their time, talent and treasure to support the future of nursing education. 

Distinguished Graduate Awards: 

Sara Barber, a triple alumna of the FSU College of Nursing recognized for more than two decades of dedicated practice and service. A longtime pediatric nurse practitioner in Tallahassee, Barber has also served as an FSU instructor and contributed to the field through published research and textbooks. Her commitment to the community extends beyond clinical care through mentoring students as a clinical preceptor and volunteering with the Tallahassee Memorial Animal Therapy Program. 

Angie McDonald, recognized for a 35-year career dedicated to excellence in bedside critical care nursing. Known for combining advanced clinical expertise with compassionate patient advocacy, McDonald has made a lasting impact both at the bedside and as a mentor to fellow nurses. Her leadership and commitment to her patients, colleagues and alma mater reflect the enduring influence of frontline nursing care. 

Peter Preziosi, recognized for a distinguished career marked by global leadership and innovation in health care. A Florida State University alumnus, Preziosi has held senior roles with the World Health Organization in Geneva and currently serves as president and CEO of TruMerit, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting foreign-educated health care professionals. His work advancing health workforce mobility and driving innovation reflects a lasting impact on health systems worldwide. 

Toni Sanchez, a double alumna of FSU, was recognized for a distinguished career defined by leadership, service and excellence in nursing. A retired U.S. Air Force colonel, Sanchez led a team of 33 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, overseeing more than 200 air evacuation missions for 3,100 wounded service members. She now serves as specialty nurse manager at the VA Tallahassee Outpatient Clinic, where she has played a key role in restoring critical specialty services for local veterans. 

Martin Schiavenato, a triple alumnus of Florida State University, was recognized for his contributions as a nurse-scientist, educator and innovator. A former NICU nurse at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, he has become an international leader in nursing research, particularly in neonatal pain, and was named a finalist for the 2024 Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award. Schiavenato continues to mentor the next generation of nurses through his work in academia, digital education and emerging areas such as artificial intelligence in nursing education. 

Kyrie Thomas, an alumna of FSU, was recognized for a career defined by transformational leadership and service in health care. With more than 15 years of experience, she has served as chief nursing officer at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, providing strategic leadership for more than 2,300 nursing professionals. Throughout her career, Thomas has led major clinical initiatives, including the development of advanced oncology and neuroscience programs, while fostering a culture of mentorship, collaboration and excellence. 

Jeann Michael Edodoleon, recognized for his commitment to excellence in critical care nursing and his inspiring professional growth. Beginning his career as a volunteer at Baptist Health, he advanced to become a registered nurse in the medical-surgical intensive care unit, where he is known for his strong clinical judgment and calm leadership in high-acuity settings. Edodoleon is also a dedicated mentor to new nurses and a compassionate patient advocate, exemplifying the integrity and commitment of the nursing profession. 

Leslie Webber, recognized for a 25-year career dedicated to pediatric nursing and clinical leadership. At Wolfson Children’s Hospital, she advanced from a pediatric ICU staff nurse to nurse director of Children’s Emergency Services, leading key programs including pediatric cardiovascular care, ECMO and trauma services. Known for her integrity and commitment to excellence, Webber has earned honors such as the DAISY Nurse Leader Award, the Great 100 Nurses of Northeast Florida and the FSU Alumni Association’s Grads Made Good award. 

Dean’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Nursing: 

The Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation was recognized for its longstanding support of the Florida State University College of Nursing. Through its investment, the foundation has helped generations of Nole Nurses complete their degrees and enter the workforce, creating a lasting impact on nursing education and the health care community. Since 1993, the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation has provided over $3 million in scholarship support to FSU Nursing students.  

Dean’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Nursing: 

Mark Hillis, a graduate of the FSU College of Business, was honored for his role in establishing a lasting partnership between the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation and the College of Nursing. During his 33-year career at SunTrust Bank, Hillis connected the foundation to the college, creating opportunities that have supported nursing students for generations. A dedicated supporter of Florida State University, Hillis’ commitment to service and philanthropy has helped strengthen the future of the College of Nursing and its students. 

Dean’s Award for Outstanding Service: 

Pam Turner, recognized for a pioneering career and longstanding service to the nursing profession and the FSU College of Nursing. She broke barriers in 1977 as the first female firefighter and paramedic for the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department and went on to lead in pediatric nursing and advance health care quality and safety. Turner has also served as adjunct faculty at both Florida State University and the University of Florida. A former chair of the College of Nursing Advancement Council, Turner has played a key role in guiding the college through periods of growth and transition. Her leadership and philanthropy, including her early commitment to an endowed professorship, reflect a lasting dedication to advancing the mission of the college. 

Dean’s 3T Award: 

Laura Levine, recognized for her exceptional contributions of time, talent and treasure to the FSU College of Nursing. Through the establishment of the Laura and Alan Levine Endowed Professorship in Innovation Applications in Nursing, Levine has made a lasting investment in the college’s future, supporting faculty leaders who will advance nursing education and innovation for years to come. Levine’s career has spanned hospital and public health settings, including leadership roles as a nursing director and contributions to national public health initiatives. She continues to serve as a bedside nurse and mentor in the ICU. A dedicated member of the Nole Nurse Advancement Council, Levine’s philanthropy and leadership reflect a deep commitment to strengthening the college and inspiring future generations of nurses. 

The 2026 Nole Nurse Shining Stars Gala was made possible through the generous support of presenting sponsor, BayCare, garnet sponsors Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare and Mayo Clinic in Florida, and dessert reception sponsor Big Bend Hospice. 

For more information on award nominations and upcoming events, visit nursing.fsu.edu. 

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Florida State University and the City of Tallahassee on Friday completed the legal transfer of city-owned hospital assets, marking a historic milestone for FSU Health, the university’s academic health system.  

The action allows Florida State and Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare to continue their work toward establishing an academic health center in Florida’s capital city. 

The transfer follows approvals by the Tallahassee City Commission on March 11, the Florida State University Board of Trustees and the Florida Board of Governors. 

“This milestone reflects years of partnership and a shared vision for the future of health care in our region,” said FSU President Richard McCullough. “This is a major step forward for FSU Health and for expanding clinical care, research and medical education in North Florida.” 

Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey added: “Tallahassee is known across the nation for its high quality of life, and with the future of FSU Health now solidified, our community is poised to play a leading role in advancing medicine while elevating the care available to our residents and the broader region. We have successfully strengthened the heartbeat of our city by uniting research, education and patient care.” 

Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare will continue its long‑standing role of operating the hospital and remains responsible for patient care, employees and daily operations.  

This partnership will expand medical education, strengthen clinical care, and grow research in Tallahassee and across North Florida. Together, the organizations are building an integrated academic health system designed to better serve patients while advancing discovery and training the next generation of health care professionals. 

“This is an exciting day for TMH, FSU and our community. This brings us one step closer to our vision of an academic health model — one that will strengthen our ability to recruit physicians, expand specialty services, and continue delivering exceptional care close to home,” said Mark O’Bryant, CEO of Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare. 

Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare becomes the clinical anchor of FSU Health and builds on years of collaboration between the two institutions, including construction of the FSU Health Research Center on the TMH campus, which is expected to open later this year. 

Leaders have emphasized that TMH’s longstanding mission remains unchanged, including its commitment to serve all patients. Deed restrictions approved by the city require the continuation of charity care and ensure the property remains a hospital. 

“FSU Health places our community at the forefront of innovation, expanding access to high quality healthcare, creating jobs and improving lives across every corner of our community and North Florida,” City Manager Reese Goad said. I’m proud that we have charted a course toward ensuring a healthier, more resilient future for Tallahassee.” 

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