The Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases (IPRD) at Florida State University has enrolled its first families in the Sunshine Genetics pilot program, which utilizes whole-genome sequencing to screen newborns for rare genetic conditions.

The screening checks for nearly 900 genetic conditions. Early identification of these conditions will empower families with knowledge about their newborn, reduce diagnostic delays and accelerate the path to treatment or specialized management.

Florida Rep. Adam Anderson (R-Palm Harbor), who championed the legislation which established both IPRD and the Sunshine Genetics Act, called it a milestone he will never forget.

“Two years ago, this was an idea we were fighting to make a reality,” Anderson said. “Today, Florida families have the opportunity to enroll their newborns in a program we once could only imagine. This remarkable progress is a testament to the doctors, researchers and industry leaders, as well as the hospitals and universities across Florida and around the country, who believed in this vision and worked to make it possible.”

Anderson will deliver a keynote address at the International Consortium of Newborn Sequencing (ICoNS), Oct. 7-8 at Harvard Medical School before an international collection of experts in the field. He will be joined there by IPRD and Sunshine Genetics leadership, in addition to leadership from many of its program partners.

Sunshine Genetics and its pilot program is administered by IPRD at FSU’s College of Medicine, with guidance from the multi-institutional Sunshine Genetics Steering Committee and support from industry leaders Baylor Genetics, GeneDx, Nest Genomics  and Amazon Web Services (AWS).

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Florida State University will establish a campus-scale quantum communication testing platform with $2.1 million in federal Community Project Funding through the National Institute of Standards and Technology, secured with support from U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster of Florida’s 11th Congressional District.

The testbed will link a central quantum communication hub in FSU’s Interdisciplinary Research and Commercialization Building (IRCB) with receiver nodes at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (MagLab). Researchers will study how quantum communication hardware and optical links perform under challenging conditions, including strong air turbulence, high magnetic fields and cryogenic thermal cycling.

Quantum communication uses quantum properties of light, including entanglement, to transmit and protect information in ways that are fundamentally different from conventional networks. A major challenge is moving quantum communication from carefully controlled laboratory demonstrations to reliable systems that can operate in real-world conditions.

“Florida State University leads the nation in quantum science and engineering,” said Rep. Webster. “I fought for this investment in Congress as it will help establish the first quantum communications testbed facility in the southeastern United States. These resources will help expand their important work and strengthen American innovation. Advancements in quantum technology are critical to our national security and will help ensure the United States remains a leader in these emerging technologies as we counter adversaries like China.”

The testbed will connect the hub to the nodes through campus fiber resources. It will generate and distribute entangled photons and monitor measures such as link reliability, allowing researchers to improve system performance. The system will also include reconfigurable optical links so researchers can deliberately expose components and communication channels to controlled environmental stresses.

“The next frontier is not simply demonstrating quantum communication in an ideal laboratory, but understanding how to make these systems reliable in the environments where they will ultimately operate,” said Suvranu De, dean of the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. “This investment gives us a platform to connect fundamental quantum science with engineering validation, workforce development and future partnerships with government, industry and other universities. It is an important step toward secure and resilient quantum networks that can operate in the real world.”

 FSU expands quantum research

The project continues FSU’s commitment to advancing research in quantum science and engineering. Since launching the FSU Quantum Initiative in 2023, the university has hired 10 new faculty members to reach a total of 45 faculty members researching quantum topics, developed Florida’s first graduate credential in quantum information science and engineering, hosted the inaugural Florida Quantum Conference and joined with other universities around the state to establish the Florida Alliance for Quantum Technology.

In July, the U.S. Department of Energy chose FSU to lead four major projects as part of the Genesis Mission, including a project to develop AI that acts as a real-time diagnostic system for quantum computers and another to improve scientists’ understanding of atomic nuclei and other quantum systems.

“This is an important research infrastructure investment that can support future quantum-networking activities and position FSU for larger-scale opportunities,” said Wei Guo, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, head of the MagLab’s cryogenics lab and co-director of the FSU Quantum Initiative. “Just as importantly, it will give students and researchers hands-on experience across the full quantum-networking stack, from photons and detectors to controls, data, networks and demanding operating environments.”

For more information about ongoing quantum research at Florida State, visit the FSU Quantum initiative website.

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The Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases and the Florida State University College of Medicine will recognize Rare Disease Day this week with a symposium and panel discussion, featuring experts in genomics and its clinical application.

“We are committed to fostering collaboration and innovation to improve the lives of those affected by rare diseases through groundbreaking research, education and strong partnerships,” said Pradeep Bhide, director of the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases, or IPRD. “This gathering provides a vital platform for advancing the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases.”

Dr. Eric Green will deliver the keynote address following comments from FSU President Richard McCullough, College of Medicine Dean Dr. Alma Littles and Florida Rep. Adam Anderson. A physician-scientist, Green spent more than three decades with the National Human Genome Research Institute at the National Institutes of Health, serving as its director from 2009-2025. He recently joined Illumina as its chief medical officer, where he remains committed to advancing genomics to improve the human condition.

Sarah South, executive scientific director at Quest Diagnostics, will join Green, McCullough and Anderson for a roundtable discussion, which will be moderated by IPRD’s Associate Director for Precision Medicine, David Ledbetter. Poster presentations of ongoing IPRD-funded research and a reception will follow.

Observed annually on the last day in February, Rare Disease Day is a global movement raising awareness for the estimated 300 million people diagnosed with one of more than 6,000 identified rare diseases. Its goal is to ensure equitable access to diagnosis, treatment, health care and social support for those affected.

This marks the third Rare Disease Day event at the College of Medicine since Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the July 2023 State budget appropriation, championed by Anderson, establishing IPRD.

The event, which will be streamed live, will be held:

Friday, Feb. 28

10 A.M. – 12 P.M.

Durell Peaden Auditorium

FSU College of Medicine

John Thrasher Building

1115 W. Call St.

Tallahassee, Florida

###

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Florida State University will celebrate its achievements and showcase its programs during the annual FSU Day at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 21.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., visitors can explore exhibits from FSU’s colleges, academic departments and programs, with information tables and displays on the second and third floor rotundas of the Florida Capitol.

An outdoor pep rally will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the plaza between the historic and new Capitol buildings.

The program will feature remarks from FSU President Richard McCullough and special guests. Jeff Culhane returns as emcee for the fourth year, with performances by FSU’s pep band Seminole Sound and FSU cheerleaders bringing energy to the crowd.

Immediately following FSU Day at the Capitol, the celebration of FSU’s 175th anniversary continues from noon to 2 p.m. at FSU’s Legacy Walk, with cupcakes, special guests, exclusive swag, giveaways and a photo spot.

The FSU Office of Governmental Relations and the FSU Student Government Association will co-host Seminole Evening on Adams from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, on Adams Street between Jefferson Street and College Avenue. Student leaders will welcome attendees and recognize state legislators during the reception.

All events are free and open to the public. Fans are encouraged to wear garnet and gold apparel during the festivities.

Participate in FSU Day at the Capitol on social media!

Stay in touch and updated throughout the day:

For the latest FSU Day at the Capitol news on social media, follow FSU Governmental Affairs on Facebook and Instagram and @floridastate social media accounts (Facebook, X and Instagram) for the latest #FSUDay posts and shares from around the Capitol.

This is also a great chance to share your FSU spirit by posting images of yourself wearing garnet and gold. Please include #FSUDay and tag @floridastate.

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Florida State University Governmental Relations Manager Lina Rojas has been appointed by Florida Senate President Ben Albritton to the Florida Commission on the Status of Women, a statutory board established to study and recommend policy to the Legislature, Florida Cabinet, and Governor on issues affecting women across the state. Rojas will serve a four-year term.  

“This prestigious appointment is a testament to Lina’s long-standing commitment to public service and mentorship,” said Clay Ingram, chief legislative affairs officer at Florida State University. “Lina is deeply dedicated to creating pathways for students — especially young women — to gain meaningful experience and become engaged in their communities. We are proud to see her continue this work at the state level.” 

Rojas has served as FSU’s governmental relations manager since 2021 and plays a key role in advancing the university’s legislative priorities. Recognizing the need for experiential learning opportunities in government, Rojas also developed FSU’s Legislative Internship Program, now in its fourth year and serving 42 students in the current cohort. In addition to her work at FSU, Rojas is actively involved in mentoring young women through her service as advisory board chair and executive board advisor for FSU’s Kappa Kappa Gamma chapter, where she supports a chapter of almost 300 women. 

“Being appointed to the Florida Commission on the Status of Women is an incredible honor,” Rojas said. “The Commission is made up of women I deeply admire, and I am grateful to President Ben Albritton for the opportunity to represent the Senate and contribute to the important work the Commission does every day on behalf of women across Florida.” 

In her role at FSU, Rojas represents Florida State University in all issues related to the State of Florida, advocating for the university’s budget and policy priorities. Her recent accomplishments include working alongside FSU’s Behavioral Health Department and Provost’s Office to establish the Florida Behavioral Health Data Repository in statute, as well as codifying the FSU College of Law Election Law Center into law. She also continues to lead the FSU Legislative Internship Program. 

Prior to joining Florida State University, Rojas worked in the Florida Senate, first in the Senate Majority Office under then-Leader Kathleen Passidomo and later as a policy advisor in the Senate President’s Office under President Wilton Simpson, where she advised on education policy. Before that, Lina spent five years in the Governor’s Office, where she served in multiple roles, including as a budget and policy analyst overseeing the State University System of Florida. 

The Florida Commission on the Status of Women is a nonpartisan board, statutorily created in 1991. The Commission’s mandate is to study and report findings to the Governor, Cabinet, and Legislature on issues affecting women. These findings are presented in the form of an annual report that is distributed in the first quarter of each year. For more information, visit fcsw.net.  

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Florida State University will celebrate its achievements and showcase its various programs during the annual FSU Day at the Capitol.

The event will showcase many of the university’s colleges and academic departments, which will have displays and information tables set up on the second and third floors of the Capitol from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 19.

An outdoor pep rally will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the plaza between the historic and new Capitol buildings. The event will feature FSU President Richard McCullough and special guests. Jeff Culhane will be emceeing for the third year in a row while performances by FSU’s pep band Seminole Sound and FSU cheerleaders will energize the crowd.

The FSU Office of Governmental Relations and the FSU Student Government Association will co-host Seminole Evening on Adams from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 18, on Adams Street between Jefferson Street and College Avenue. Members of the FSU Student Government Association will recognize legislators at the reception.

All events are free and open to the public.  Fans are encouraged to wear garnet and gold apparel during the festivities.

Participate in FSU Day at the Capitol on social media!

Stay in touch and updated throughout the day: 

For the latest FSU Day at the Capitol news on social media, follow FSU Governmental Affairs on Facebook and Instagram and @floridastate social media accounts (FSU Facebook, Twitter and FSU Instagram) for the latest #FSUDay posts and shares from around the Capitol. 

This is also a great chance to share your FSU spirit by posting images of yourself wearing garnet and gold! Please include #FSUDay and tag @floridastate! 

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Florida State University’s Office of Governmental Relations’ Legislative Internship Program, now in its third year, serves as a cornerstone of student engagement with the Florida political process.

Established in 2022 with the support of FSU President Richard McCullough, this program offers both undergraduate and graduate students a unique opportunity to gain first hand experience in the state’s legislative environment by immersing students in the legislative process during the committee weeks starting in January and continuing through the 60-day Legislative Session.

“We are deeply grateful to President McCullough, Provost Clark, our Board of Trustees and the entire university community for their unwavering commitment of time, resources and support in making this internship program a reality,” said Clay Ingram, FSU’s chief legislative affairs officer. “Thanks to their dedication, we’ve been able to not only launch the program but also grow and adapt it to meet the growing demand and interest from our students. We are thrilled for Class III to experience the legislative process firsthand and are confident that the sky is the limit for these bright, driven students.”

Class III consists of 39 FSU students, including 13 who are part of the Applied Politics & Policy Learning Experience (APPLE) program in the Department of Political Science which includes federal and local internships, providing a broader range of experiences.

“The FSU Legislative Internship Program has been a great experience for me, allowing me to meet peers with a shared passion for public service and dive right into the state-level legislative process,” said Christopher Lynch, a student in the 2025 Legislative Internship Class. “I would emphasize for applicants considering the program the great opportunities and network of connections available to them if they have what it takes to excel in the program.”

Before students can begin their internship, they are required to participate in mandatory training sessions designed to prepare them for their roles as legislative interns. These additional learning opportunities enhance participants’ understanding of the legislative process and foster personal and professional growth.

“Through the three-day pre-internship training, we are committed to setting our students up for success,” said Lina Rojas, legislative manager for FSU Governmental Relations. “Our hope is that the knowledge they gain will empower students with the strong foundation they need to excel as legislative interns. This preparation not only enhances their professional readiness but also inspires personal growth, ensuring they are fully equipped to make impactful contributions during their service.”

Throughout their internships, students work in various offices throughout Tallahassee including the State Senate, State House of Representatives, state agencies and the Executive Office of the Governor. Additionally, some interns are placed in lobbying firms and private government relations offices, offering them a comprehensive and multifaceted view of the legislative process.

Interns engage in a wide range of activities such as conducting research, writing bill summaries, attending committee hearings and communicating with legislators, state agency liaisons, lobbyists, constituents and the general public. While administrative duties and constituent services are part of the experience, the primary focus is on understanding how the State’s legislative policy and budget are interconnected.

“Our hope is that these students will earn the trust of their offices, enabling them to engage in budget and policy matters. This will spark their interest, provide valuable experience and make them more competitive in the workforce if they choose careers in public service and politics.”

— Lina Rojas, legislative manager for FSU Governmental Relations

“Our hope is that these students will earn the trust of their offices, enabling them to engage in budget and policy matters,” Rojas said. “This will spark their interest, provide valuable experience and make them more competitive in the workforce if they choose careers in public service and politics.”

The FSU Legislative Internship Program continues to equip students with valuable skills and knowledge that will enhance their future career prospects.

“Being an FSU legislative intern was the single best decision I made in my college career,” said Mackenzie Dolan, a student in the Inaugural Class in 2023. “Through the connections and experiences gained in the program, I was able to not only decide that I wanted to pursue a legislative career but also led me to getting hired after the program.”

Interested students are encouraged to apply and take advantage of this unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the world of public policy and politics.

To view Class III of the FSU Legislative Internship Program, visit 2025 Legislative Internship Class. To learn more about the Legislative Internship Program and how to apply, visit govrel.fsu.edu.

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Rep. Adam Anderson (R-Palm Harbor) will be joined by Florida State University President Richard McCullough and members of the FSU Board of Trustees on Friday to announce the filing of HB 907, a pivotal bill that will codify the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases (IPRD). The legislation also establishes the Sunshine Genetics Pilot Program within the institute, which will be a three-year initiative offering optional additional screening for Florida’s newborns.

This announcement, to be held at the FSU College of Medicine on Rare Disease Day, highlights FSU’s commitment to pediatric rare disease research, treatment and awareness. Rep. Anderson’s leadership was instrumental in creating IPRD — a tribute to his son, Andrew, who passed away from Tay-Sachs Disease in 2019.

Also speaking at the news conference will be Oralea Marquardt, past president of the National Tay-Sachs & Allied Diseases Association (NTSAD). Marquardt became part of the NTSAD community in 2007 after her son, William, was diagnosed with GM1 gangliosidosis, a disease with similar pathology and symptoms to Tay-Sachs disease.

Provost Jim Clark, Vice President for Research Stacey S. Patterson, College of Medicine Dean Dr. Alma Littles and IPRD Director Pradeep Bhide will also be joining Anderson, Marquardt and McCullough at the news conference.

Following the news briefing, a symposium will showcase rare disease research from across FSU departments. The event will include a keynote address from Dr. David H. Ledbetter, the inaugural Associate Director for Precision Medicine at IPRD. By leveraging the expertise of multidisciplinary teams, the institute is driving innovation in medical research and strengthening efforts to combat pediatric rare diseases.

Media representatives are encouraged to attend the event to help shine a light on rare childhood diseases:

FRIDAY, FEB. 28 

NEWS CONFERENCE: 9 A.M.

SYMPOSIUM TO FOLLOW 

FSU COLLEGE OF MEDICINE 

1115 W. CALL ST. 

TALLAHASSEE, FL 

Follow this link for the full news conference and symposium program.

Parking is available in the Spirit Way Garage on the corner of Stadium Drive and Spirit Way. Media members who are covering the symposium should RSVP to Bill Wellock by 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27.

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Florida State University students are ready to gain meaningful experience at the Capitol while representing the Garnet and Gold through the new FSU Legislative Internship Program when the 2023 Florida Legislative session kicks off this week.

Located just minutes from the Capitol, FSU has for many years facilitated opportunities for students to engage in the legislative process. However, realizing there wasn’t a formal process for students to take part in the political process, the Governmental Relations Team, comprised of Clay Ingram, Lina Rojas and Lynna Sands, worked diligently to establish a structured legislative internship program that will equip students with a solid foundation to learn from the legislative process.

“Our students now will have even more hands-on opportunities to learn how politics and policy are intertwined in the legislative process by working with legislators and policymakers in the Governor’s Office, the House or Senate, state agencies and other legislative offices,” said President Richard McCullough. “This is a tremendous opportunity for students that could launch a career in politics or public service and open doors they may have never imagined.”

The inaugural class of 29 interns includes 18 students who applied directly to the program and 11 students who applied as part of the new Applied Politics and Policy Learning Experience program — or APPLE — launched by faculty members in the Department of Political Science, Brad Kile and Amanda Driscoll.

The Governmental Relations Office and the Political Science Department worked together to secure internship placements and conduct training workshops to ensure these students are prepared for their roles as legislative interns.

After a competitive application process during the fall semester, interns were chosen from a pool of over 100 applicants. They each attended a multi-day boot camp where they received training on the basics of Florida government, the rules of the House and Senate, important dates and deadlines in the legislative process, decorum and proper attire, and heard from several speakers involved in the lawmaking process. The boot camp culminated with the pinning of their FSU nametags by Sen. Corey Simon.

“The Legislative Internship Program is critical to bench-building at the Capitol, and it’s helpful to our friends at the Capitol,” said Ingram, FSU’s chief legislative affairs officer. “It can be a catalyst that sparks a career in government for some of these students.”

Kai Garel, a senior from Lake Worth, Florida, who is studying political science and criminology, is excited for the opportunity to work in the heart of the state’s government.

“I came to Florida State for one main reason — I wanted to be in the middle of where state legislation occurs,” Garel said. “I’m excited to be a part of the inaugural class of the new FSU Legislative Internship Program.”

For more information, visit govrel.fsu.edu/internship-program.

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