New FSU Quantum Initiative certificate will prepare students and professionals for careers in the rapidly expanding quantum workforce

Florida State University is launching Florida’s first formal graduate-level credential in quantum information science and engineering, opening a new pathway for students and professionals to enter one of the world’s fastest-growing technology fields. The Graduate Certificate in Quantum Science & Technology is now accepting applications for Spring 2027 enrollment.

Administered by the FSU Quantum Initiative, the interdisciplinary certificate will give graduate students and working professionals rigorous training across quantum physics, materials science, chemistry, computer science and engineering. Drawing on courses from multiple departments and two colleges — the FSU College of Arts and Sciences and the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering — the program positions FSU to help build the emerging quantum workforce vital to the nation’s technological leadership and security.

“Quantum science is reshaping the future of computing, communication, materials and national security, and Florida State University is positioning itself at the forefront of that transformation,” said FSU Vice President for Research Stacey S. Patterson. “This new graduate certificate reflects the strength of our research enterprise and our commitment to preparing students for the high-demand careers that will drive the next generation of discovery and innovation.”

Students will complete required coursework in quantum information and computing, choose from a broad selection of electives and gain access to world-class research facilities, including the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory and the new Interdisciplinary Research & Commercialization Building. The building houses cleanroom and nanofabrication facilities as well as dilution refrigerators for low-temperature quantum experiments. The FSU Quantum Initiative also is developing partnerships with leading quantum technology companies and national centers to connect students directly with career opportunities in the rapidly growing quantum industry.

“Florida State University is an ideal place for students to pursue training in quantum science and technology because of the extraordinary breadth of expertise across our campus,” said Sam Huckaba, dean of the FSU College of Arts and Sciences. “Students in this program will learn from faculty working at the cutting edge of physics, chemistry, materials science, mathematics, computer science and related fields, while also benefiting from access to world-class research facilities. That combination of talent, infrastructure and opportunity will prepare them to make meaningful contributions in a rapidly evolving field.”

FSU has made bold investments in quantum science and engineering, including hiring ten new faculty. Many of these faculty will teach new courses that will serve both their departments and interdisciplinary programs.

“The most important challenges in emerging technologies cannot be solved within the boundaries of a single discipline,” said Suvranu De, dean of the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. “This certificate reflects the strength of the partnership between the College of Arts and Sciences and the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, bringing together complementary expertise to prepare students for a future where quantum information science and engineering is transforming computing, sensing, communications, and enabling new approaches to materials discovery. It is exactly the kind of interdisciplinary collaboration needed to tackle fundamental scientific challenges and develop the quantum technologies of tomorrow.”

FSU is extending its commitment to quantum education beyond the graduate level. The university already offers introductory quantum computing courses for undergraduate and high school students, and plans are underway to develop formal programs for both groups. Together, these efforts will create a comprehensive quantum education pipeline that introduces students to the field early and supports them through advanced training.

“Quantum information science is not just a frontier for research; it is becoming a foundation for the economy of the 21st century,” said Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Michael Shatruk, director of the FSU Quantum Initiative. “With this certificate program, we are giving students in Florida the tools to be part of that future. And by reaching students at the undergraduate and high school levels, we will be planting those seeds early.” 

The FSU QIST Graduate Certificate Program is accepting applications for the Spring 2027 cohort through Oct. 1, 2026. The program is open to current FSU graduate students in relevant STEM disciplines as well as external post-baccalaureate applicants, including industry professionals seeking foundational knowledge in quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum materials and related technologies. More information and the online application are available on the program website.

About the FSU Quantum Initiative

The FSU Quantum Initiative is a cross-departmental research and education hub spanning the departments of Physics, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, Materials Science & Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, and Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at Florida State University. FSU Quantum coordinates quantum science and engineering research, education, and industry partnerships across the university, with access to the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory and the Interdisciplinary Research & Commercialization Building.

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Florida State University has been awarded more than $19 million in grants through the Rural Health Transformation Program to launch six new projects and provide resources to improve the quality of life of individuals and communities throughout the state. 

The five-year, $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program, administered through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, was authorized by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law in July 2025. The program is designed to help states transform and update healthcare delivery by improving access, quality and outcomes, thereby strengthening rural communities.  

Florida received nearly $210 million this year and, through the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), awarded more than $180 million to fund proposals across the state.  

“FSU received the largest award among Florida’s higher education institutions and was the state’s second-largest recipient overall,” said FSU President Richard McCullough. “This remarkable investment reflects the strength of our partnerships, the expertise of our faculty, and the important work being done through FSU Health and the College of Medicine to address healthcare challenges in communities across our state. These projects will expand access to care, strengthen local healthcare resources, and help deliver better outcomes for rural Floridians.” 

The FSU College of Medicine was uniquely positioned to apply for these grants, as its community-based, collaborative structure is focused on developing partnerships with a special emphasis on providing care to medically underserved patients throughout Florida.  Additionally, the Institute on Digital Health and Innovation, part of the FSU College of Nursing and led by Professor Lisa Hightow-Weidman, had a long track record of working with patients in a variety of locations by pioneering digital health tools and systems that could help improve individual health outcomes. 

AHCA made collaboration a key requirement for the grant proposals, noting that partnerships should help expand reach, close gaps and make the most of shared resources. 

“Community partnerships are essential to building a healthier Florida,” said Dr. Alma Littles, dean of the FSU College of Medicine and president of the Florida Medical Association. “We know how important it is to bring healthcare directly into the communities that need it most. I saw that firsthand as a family physician in rural Gadsden County in Florida’s Panhandle, and in my work across the state, I continue to see gaps in care that we can help close. Rural Floridians deserve access to high-quality, compassionate care. Meaningful progress will take collaboration, innovation and a sustained commitment to the people we serve.”  

“FSU received the largest award among Florida’s higher education institutions and was the state’s second-largest recipient overall,” said FSU President Richard McCullough. “This remarkable investment reflects the strength of our partnerships, the expertise of our faculty, and the important work being done through FSU Health and the College of Medicine to address healthcare challenges in communities across our state.” 

FSU’s grant proposals focus on key rural health challenges, including food insecurity, behavioral health, preventive care, workforce development and telehealth. To guide planning and funding, AHCA identified Florida’s rural counties, as defined by state law, and grouped them into four regions: Northwest, Northeast, Southwest and Southeast. The FSU College of Medicine, in collaboration with the FSU College of Nursing and IDHI, developed proposals for the Northwest and Southwest regions, where it already has established programs and partnerships.  

The Northwest Region is a central hub for FSU Health, with a new FSU Health Hospital under construction in Panama City Beach and the FSU Health Research and Collaboration Building scheduled to open this fall on the Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare campus. In Southwest Florida, the college operates its Immokalee Health Education Site and sponsors residency and fellowship programs at several hospitals. 

The two projects in Northwest Florida receiving funds will tackle food insecurity, preventive care and at-home care. Four new projects to launch in Southwest Florida will focus on workforce development, behavioral health, telehealth, food insecurity, preventive care and at-home care.  

“These projects reflect exactly why FSU Health was created: to bring together research, clinical expertise and community partnerships to address some of the most pressing health challenges facing Floridians,” said FSU Vice President for Research Stacey S. Patterson. “By focusing on rural communities, we can help turn discovery and innovation into practical solutions that expand access, improve outcomes and strengthen the health of people across the state.” 

Heather Flynn, professor and chair of the FSU College of Medicine’s Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine, played a key role in shepherding the grant process along and assembling teams of researchers, healthcare providers and community organizations to develop solid plans that will have a direct impact on the health and lives of Floridians. No stranger to collaborative work, Flynn is also director of the FSU Center for Behavioral Health Integration.  

“One of the main things I learned through this process is that there are a lot of extremely dedicated, high-quality clinicians, staff and administrators in the rural areas that are doing everything they can to help the patients and families in their communities with a system that is not connected and one that needs a lot of improvement and innovation,” Flynn said. “You’ve got all of these different healthcare centers, sites, organizations — all doing the best they can with the resources they have — to provide access and quality care to patients and families — and they know they don’t have what they need to do that adequately. So, it’s very frustrating.  

“I learned people are very eager to partner,” Flynn added. “Of course, there are always business considerations that may pose some barriers to those partnerships, but what I learned is people are willing to look past that and work together to fill those gaps in rural areas.” 

Flynn said the work must move quickly: Sept. 30 is the federal deadline for demonstrating significant progress in launching the projects. 

“We could not make this happen without the support of the university as well as the faculty and staff who are working diligently to ensure we meet this deadline and begin to make a positive impact on the health of people across the state,” she said.  

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The National Academy of Inventors, or NAI, has named five Florida State University faculty members as 2026 NAI Senior Members.

NAI Senior Members are active faculty, scientists and administrators with success in patents, licensing and commercialization and have produced technologies that have had significant impact on the welfare of society. There are more than 945 Senior Members holding over 11,000 U.S. patents.

This year’s class of NAI Senior Members is the largest to date, hailing from 82 NAI Member Institutions across the globe and collectively holding over 2,000 U.S. patents. FSU’s 2026 inductees are Pradeep Bhide, Ava Bienkiewicz, Christian Bleiholder, Yan-Yan Hu and Ulf Trociewitz. The university now counts 10 Senior Members among its faculty.

“This recognition from the National Academy of Inventors is a testament to the inventiveness and impact of these faculty members,” said Vice President for Research Stacey S. Patterson. “Their research is making positive change in the world, and I’m proud to celebrate their achievements.”

The 2026 class of Senior Members will be honored during the Senior Member Induction Ceremony at NAI’s 15th Annual Conference June 1-4 in Los Angeles.

Pradeep Bhide

Bhide is a professor in the College of Medicine and director of the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases. As the Jim and Betty Ann Rodgers Eminent Scholar Chair of Developmental Neuroscience, he directs interdisciplinary teams of physicians, scientists and genetic counselors who leverage gene therapy and precision medicine approaches to improve outcomes for children affected by rare diseases. His work has been supported by the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense and private foundations, and his comprehensive approach to developing innovative diagnostic and therapeutic technologies has earned national recognition.

In 2024, Bhide helped launch the Sunshine Genetics Pilot Program, which allows Florida families to opt in to no-cost whole genome sequencing for newborns to identify serious but treatable conditions before symptoms appear. As director of the Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases, Bhide remains committed to advancing translational research, expanding public outreach and training the next generation of healthcare professionals dedicated to combatting pediatric rare diseases.

Ava Bienkiewicz

Bienkiewicz is an associate professor in the College of Medicine, where she integrates research and teaching in the doctoral, M.D., and physician assistant programs in the Department of Biomedical Sciences. Her research focuses on protein structure, stability and biomolecular interactions in the context of human disease and therapeutic intervention.

Bienkiewicz’s work centers on intrinsically disordered proteins and their roles in neurodegenerative and vascular injury-related conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and traumatic brain injury. By investigating protein misfolding and structure-function relationships, her research seeks to uncover molecular mechanisms that drive neuronal degeneration and survival.

She leads collaborative research efforts that translate fundamental molecular discoveries into medically relevant applications. Her work contributes to the development of new therapeutic strategies aimed at improving outcomes for patients affected by neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular diseases.

Christian Bleiholder

Bleiholder is a professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, where he leads an interdisciplinary laboratory that integrates physical chemistry, analytical chemistry and biophysics to address longstanding challenges in protein structure analysis.

His research centers on advancing analytical chemistry methods, such as tandem‑trapped ion mobility spectrometry, or tandem‑TIMS, a powerful tool that reveals how proteins fold, assemble and change shape. His lab combines experimental and computational approaches to connect protein structure across multiple scales, opening new windows into complex systems such as monoclonal antibodies and protein assemblies linked to neurodegenerative disease and biotherapeutics.

Bleiholder has received multiple honors for his work, including a National Science Foundation CAREER Award, a Postdoctoral Research Award from the American Chemical Society, and a fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.

Yan-Yan Hu

Yan‑Yan Hu is a professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and a faculty affiliate of the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory. Her work sits at the crossroads of chemistry, materials science and the MagLab’s world‑class magnetic resonance capabilities.

Her research is focused on advancing solid‑state NMR and MRI techniques to reveal how energy and biomaterials function at the atomic level. Her discoveries have reshaped understanding of ion transport and structure in solid‑state batteries and other energy‑storage materials, with results published in leading journals such as Nature Materials, Science Advances and Angewandte Chemie.

Hu has earned major honors including a National Science Foundation CAREER Award and the Marion Milligan Mason Award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science. She has also served in editorial roles for journals such as Materials Today Chemistry, Journal of Magnetic Resonance, and Chemistry of Materials.

Ulf Trociewitz

Trociewitz is a research faculty member at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, where he serves as senior personnel and deputy in magnet technology within the Applied Superconductivity Center. His research focuses on the development of high-temperature superconducting magnets and materials designed for ultra-high magnetic fields and exceptional homogeneity, particularly for nuclear magnetic resonance applications.

He holds six patents and has authored more than 80 peer-reviewed publications in international journals, reflecting his significant contributions to superconducting magnet innovation. His work supports the advancement of next-generation research instrumentation critical to scientific discovery in chemistry, biology and materials science.

He leads a $1.2 million, four-year research project funded by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences to develop ultra-high-field NMR magnets using multifilament high-temperature superconductors. Through his research, Trociewitz continues to push the technological boundaries of magnet design, strengthening the nation’s leadership in advanced scientific infrastructure.

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Dozens of Florida State University researchers met this week to figure out how they could collaborate on digital health innovations.

“Collaborative Collision: Digital Health,” organized by the Office of Research Development (ORD), connected experts with specialties in health care and technology. Researchers created detailed research profiles that highlighted skills and current projects to make it easier for attendees to navigate networking opportunities for future projects that cross academic disciplines.

“Digital Health is an area of research excellence at FSU, and our scientists are using these technologies to bring better health care options to the people in our communities who need it most,” said Nicole Viverito, ORD program director. “We have research teams leveraging digital health tools to address gaps in care across the entire lifespan, from young children to older adults.”

Collaborative Collision events connect faculty from various disciplines who share research interests. This event is another example of how FSU is supporting the future of health care through FSU Health, a bold initiative to build an ecosystem that will help improve health and health care in North Florida.

“These events have generated new partnerships, publications and successful research grants, and we’re confident this event will do the same in digital health,” said Vice President for Research Stacey S. Patterson. “The interdisciplinary discussions we’re seeing today are key to addressing the challenges in this field.”

The event kicked off with roundtable discussions on topics such as health IT and data solutions, mobile app and web solutions, children and youth, chronic disease management, health equity and personalized medicine.

Researchers and practitioners shared their insights, posed questions and brainstormed solutions for real-world applications. For example, one group of mobile health specialists was looking for app developers to bring their intervention to rural communities. Another group explored how digital tools might monitor youth health more effectively with help from collaborators skilled in data analysis.

The day culminated with the announcement of Collaborative Collision LaunchPad, an opportunity for newly formed interdisciplinary teams to develop proposals for research projects and compete for seed funding. LaunchPad will fund two awards for up to $25,000 each, which will support initial research, data gathering, or tool development — essential steps for any large-scale research initiative. Projects must align with any of the following key areas of digital health:

• Wearable devices, sensors, and ambulatory monitoring.
• Mobile health/electronic health interventions.
• Telehealth and telemedicine.
• Making meaning of big data from digital health tools.

Visit the FSU Research Development website for more information on Collaborative Collision: Digital Health event or to view details of the LaunchPad Request For Applications.

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Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has launched its Neutron Nexus pilot program with Florida A&M University (FAMU) and Florida State University (FSU) through the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. It is the first program of its kind nationwide.

The Nexus is aimed at broadening and diversifying the scientific user community with outreach to universities and colleges to increase collaboration and, ultimately, scientific advancement.

Although a recently planned two-day ORNL Days event at the college’s campus was cut short due to Hurricane Helene, the presentations and networking that did happen set the stage to carry out the joint vision of the initiative for ORNL’s Neutron Sciences Directorate and host institutions.

“It’s exciting to expand our reach to strengthen already existing relationships, as we have had with FSU and FAMU, and create new partnerships we hope will continue for many years,” said Jens Dilling, associate laboratory director for Neutron Sciences at ORNL. “This is all to the benefit of ORNL, our university collaborators and, most importantly, to the benefit of science. We are thrilled to bring the wonder of neutrons to a new generation of undergraduate and graduate students and help faculty grow their science and technology impact.”

The goals of the ORNL Neutron Nexus program are to foster professional and personal relationships, widen neutron science educational opportunities, organize in-person visits to ORNL for students and faculty, organize on-site presence for remote experiments, increase engagement for technical and scientific support, and set up physical space commitments between ORNL and a regional collection of colleges and universities, including Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), community colleges, and technical colleges.

A planned Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the joint college is part of the inaugural Neutron Nexus, as ORNL “brings neutrons” to northern Florida, enabling new users to leverage cutting-edge neutron scattering and imaging capabilities to transform their research.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory is a powerhouse in scientific research, and this partnership strengthens the joint college’s ability to lead in engineering innovation, said FSU President Richard McCullough.

“We’re investing significantly in recruiting tenure-track and research faculty to build this materials science and engineering department,” McCullough said. “Their expertise will elevate our research, teaching, and ability to shape the future. It’s certainly an honor to be one of Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s core university partners and to be part of Oak Ridge Associated Universities.”

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Florida State University is reaching new heights in research excellence, thanks to the leadership of its accomplished women.

From the Vice President of Research to the Dean of the College of Medicine and the Chief Scientist at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (MagLab), women are at the forefront of groundbreaking science at FSU.

During a recent roundtable forum, five of FSU’s leading women in science gathered to discuss their career journeys, leadership styles and the challenges they’ve overcome to excel in their fields. The discussion, held in the Student Union Ballrooms, was part of FSU’s Discovery Days, a weeklong celebration of research, scholarship and creativity.

The event featured FSU First Lady Jai Vartikar, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory Chief Scientist Laura Greene, College of Nursing Associate Dean for Research Lisa Hightow-Weidman, Dean of the College of Medicine Dr. Alma Littles and Vice President for Research Stacey S. Patterson.

“I just love working with these women,” Patterson said. “They are truly an inspiration to me, and it’s so exciting to be able to share that with the whole FSU community.”

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Florida State University has selected Mary Sechrist as the university’s new research compliance director.

Sechrist comes to FSU from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she worked in the Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Development since June 2021. She also served as a research compliance specialist at the University of Mississippi.

“I am thrilled to welcome Mary Sechrist to FSU as our new research compliance director,” said Vice President for Research Stacey Patterson. “Her leadership and experience will help the university continue to improve its research program, which supports nearly $400 million of scholarship every year.”

The research compliance director provides coordination for the administration, support, monitoring and oversight of a range of research compliance functions, including data management, human subjects protection, environmental health and safety, foreign influence, and other areas. Sechrist, who started in October, will report directly to the Vice President for Research and work collaboratively with the faculty, staff, and chairs of regulatory committees and other university units responsible for research compliance.

“My goal is to support research through transparent compliance procedures for the university, so that researchers understand the latest information about these sensitive matters, specifically related to research misconduct, conflicts of interest and export control,” Sechrist said. “I will also provide guidance and clarity with these ever-changing regulatory requirements.”

A three-time alumna of the University of Mississippi Department of Psychology, Sechrist graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 2014, a master’s degree in 2017 and a doctorate in 2019.

“I’m excited to be a part of the Florida State family,” she said. “When I first arrived here, the campus felt very welcoming and supportive of researchers, faculty and staff. I’m really happy to be a part of this team and this family.”

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From inspiring speakers to commercialization seminars, the inaugural Florida State University Discovery Days had something for everyone.

The weeklong celebration showcased research, creativity and innovation from colleges and departments around campus. Here’s a look at some of what was featured:

SHARING HIS STORY: DR. Q
The week began with a visit from Dr. Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa, chair of the Department of Neurologic Surgery at Mayo Clinic’s campus in Florida and the director of Mayo Clinic’s Brain Tumor Stem Cell Research Laboratory, where he and his team work to find a cure for brain cancer.

Dr. Quiñones-Hinojosa — who goes by Dr. Q — shared the story of how he came to the U.S. as an undocumented immigrant and worked on farms until he received a scholarship to attend the University of California-Berkeley. From there, he went to Harvard Medical School before eventually joining Mayo Clinic.

At the end of his presentation, Dr. Q shared a portion of the Emmy Award-winning 2020 Netflix docuseries “The Surgeon’s Cut,” which chronicles that story.

“I think it is an amazing gift that I am given every single day, that my patients allow me to use my hands to be able to navigate their brains and to use my own brain to defeat their diseases,” Dr. Q said in the episode. “That, to me, is the beauty of what I do.”

FSU President Richard McCullough joined Dr. Q on stage for a Q&A session with students and faculty to conclude the symposium.

“I have failed more times than I have succeeded, but I have never failed to learn from my mistakes and try again,” Quiñones-Hinojosa told the audience.

INNOVATING FOR IMPACT
The FSU-headquartered National High Magnetic Field Laboratory hosted a Discovery Challenge, in which five faculty presented their research in front of three judges with venture capital experience. Presenters earned a combined $100,000 in funding for new projects that show commercial potential.

Associate Professor Prashant Singh from the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences took the top prize of $50,000 for a project aimed at improving food safety, followed by FAMU-FSU College of Engineering Assistant Professor Rebekah Sweat, who received second prize of $25,000 as well as the crowd favorite award of $10,000.

“There is so much potential here: the pitches, the faculty, the way that they were talking about their science in a new way, thinking about how they are going to market that and let those technologies change the world,” Vice President for Research Stacey Patterson said. “We gave away $100,000 in prizes to help move those technologies to market. This is the first step for these faculty to really start thinking about what their technologies can mean in the world, and this prize money gives them seed funding to help them think about it more and more time and resources to be able to do that.”

The university also co-hosted the Innovation Ecosystem Workshop with UIDP, an organization dedicated to addressing issues affecting academic-corporate collaboration.

FSU researchers and professionals from business, government, economic development and health care met to discuss common challenges and goals and how they can work together.

“Florida State University serves as the innovation anchor for Northwest Florida, and with other significant R&D resources, such as the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory and Florida A&M University, a leading HBCU, this region has much to offer to private sector partners and other organizations interested in generating impact from their investments,” said Anthony Boccanfuso, president and CEO of UIDP.

FSU Health is a recent example. Florida State University is partnering with Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) to build an academic health center on the TMH campus while also developing partnerships with other health systems such as Mayo Clinic, HCA and others across the region.

“We have so many resources in this community to develop research and to be innovative,” said Dr. Dean Watson, Chief Integration Officer at TMH.

DISCOVERY IN THE ARTS
Discovery took center stage at “Innovation and the Arts: Scholarship-Performance-Creativity,” a night of performances from faculty in music, English, mathematics and art departments.

“FSU is a hub for innovative research that makes an essential contribution to society while being a constant inspiration for our campus community,” said College of Music Professor Iain Quinn. “As a member of the faculty I am aware of the tremendous research of colleagues that defines the excellence of current scholarship for our students and the larger academy.”

Arts and science intersected with “Physics + Art: Waves,” the first event of this year’s Saturday Morning Physics program. Attendees learned about the physics of all types of waves, from the ocean to the radio. More Saturday Morning Physics events are scheduled through Nov. 11, with topics including particle physics, quantum mechanics, the James Webb Space Telescope and more.

EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT FOR STUDENTS AND FACULTY
Along with celebrating ongoing research, Discovery Days was also an opportunity to prepare for future innovations. FSU hosted several seminars to help faculty and students, with topics that included an introduction to the National Science Foundation’s guidelines for Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer, 3D printing technologies, and research from the Institute of Sports Sciences and Medicine being used by FSU student-athletes.

The Office of the President and the Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement hosted the President’s Showcase of Undergraduate Research Excellence, which featured research and creative projects from departments across FSU.

“One of the greatest things about undergraduate research that I love so much is that it gives you an opportunity to be with people — grad students, postdocs or even your professor — who can provide you with help and advice and guide you and cheer you on,” McCullough said. “It’s really been an important part of who I am, and I’m so proud that we have undergraduate research as a vital part of what we do here at Florida State University.”

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Florida State University celebrated graduates from around the world at the International Student Graduation Reception on Wednesday, April 12.

Hosted by the Center for Global Engagement, the event honored all international students completing their degree and exchange programs in either the Spring, Summer or Fall 2023 semester.

Vice President for Research Stacey Patterson delivered a congratulatory address highlighting the important role of international students and the achievements that are possible through international collaboration. She also recognized international students for their research and the valuable contributions they make to FSU.

“I am always awed by the commitment our international students make to come study or work at an institution that is so far from the people, customs and language that they grew up with,” she said.

Patterson went on to explain how nervous she was when she moved six hours away from home to go to college.

“For many of you, your decision to come to FSU meant you were traveling a far longer distance,” Patterson said. “And yet you flourished and made lasting contributions to the university.”

Of the 1,750 international students currently enrolled at FSU’s main campus, 245 will graduate this spring.

Jorge Galeano-Cabral is an international doctoral student from Paraguay graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering from the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering this fall. While at FSU, Galeano-Cabral served as president of the Hispanic Graduate Student Association (HiGSA) and as the International Graduate Student Advocate within the Congress of Graduate Students. He also worked at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory as a research assistant where he had the chance to explore different research areas.

“FSU has not only trained me to become an excellent researcher but has also given me the necessary tools and connections to do so,” he said. “One of the things I love about FSU is that there is a place and community for even the most diverse students.”

Galeano-Cabral recently earned the Global Citizenship Award, which honors outstanding students who have actively engaged in intercultural initiatives on campus or abroad and have exemplified leadership qualities in promoting and supporting a global community among FSU students.

“My advice to new incoming international students is to find your community and research some of the international activities and student organizations across campus,” he said.

Last fall, 144 international students graduated, and 94 international students graduated in Summer 2022. International students come to FSU from around the world, but the most-represented countries currently are China (347 students), India (322 students), Panama (120 students), South Korea (199 students) and Nigeria (67 students).

For more information about international students at FSU, visit cge.fsu.edu/international-students.

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At the atomic and subatomic scales of matter, classical laws of nature lose control and quantum mechanics take over. Discoveries of new quantum phenomena and materials, such as quantum entanglement and topological systems, promise to deliver groundbreaking technologies. New extremely efficient quantum computers and communications and cryptography technologies are among a few of the future applications that could revolutionize the world.

Florida State University will dedicate more than $20 million to quantum science and engineering over the next three years, funding that will support hiring at least eight new faculty members, equipment and dedicated space in the university’s Interdisciplinary Research and Commercialization Building, and seed money for a new program focused on this emerging field. FSU President Richard McCullough announced the investments at the first day of the university’s Quantum Science and Engineering Symposium last week.

“It’s clear from the research being presented here that FSU is uniquely positioned to be a leader in what is now being heralded as the second quantum revolution,” McCullough said. “We have the drive and the desire to expand our existing efforts so that we can be on the forefront of research in this area of critical national and global importance.”

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Research to improve 3D printing algorithms, develop better materials for measuring radiation and test the effectiveness of steroid treatments all received funding from a Florida State University program that supports faculty interested in transforming their academic work into commercial ventures.

FSU’s Office of the Vice President for Research awarded faculty members more than $132,000 through the Fall 2022 GAP Commercialization Investment Program.

“FSU faculty are producing exciting research results, and this program helps them expand the reach of their work by supporting their efforts to move from the lab to the market,” said Vice President for Research Stacey Patterson. “This funding is a tool to help them bridge that gap.”

Funded proposals were: 

A simple test for evaluating the effectiveness of steroid treatments: Millions of patients use steroids for a variety of medical issues, including treatment of skin tumors known as keloids, which are benign but can affect quality of life. Only about 34% of patients who receive steroids for keloids show improvement. About half don’t respond to treatment, and some patients even show worsening symptoms. Akash Gunjan, an associate professor in the College of Medicine, developed a test that uses cheek swabs to determine how likely patients are to improve from steroid treatment. Previous GAP funding helped Gunjan complete preliminary rounds of this project, and the latest funding will allow him to advance this work. 

New materials for measuring radiation doses: In nuclear facilities and hospital radiology rooms, workers wear radiation dosimeters to measure how much radiation they are absorbing. Cancer treatments also use dosimeters to make sure patients are receiving a proper dose. But existing materials used for some dosimeters require rare Earth materials and high-temperature processing to deliver a product that is rigid rather than flexible. Biwu Ma, a professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, is developing a dosimeter that can be created at room temperature and uses low-cost materials without lead or rare Earth materials. His invention is also flexible, making it useful for applications in which a rigid material isn’t suitable, and it allows for real-time readings of radiation doses.

Career-readiness modules for university students: Employers want workers who have the skills needed to contribute to their teams. To that end, Florida State University’s Career Center has developed the “ProfessioNole Ready” program to develop skills such as communication, critical thinking, professionalism and others that are crucial to career success. Kyle Roark, senior assistant director of Career Advising, Counseling and Instruction at the center, will use GAP funding to lead the development of a version of ProfessioNole Ready that is customizable for other universities.

Improved 3D printing algorithms: 3D printing allows manufacturers to quickly develop prototypes or even to build functional parts. Using a 3D printer requires balancing conflicting needs: Printing too fast leads to defects inside the finished part but printing too slowly means productivity may be too low to meet demands. Hui Wang, an associate professor of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, is developing software that will help 3D printers lay down their materials in a uniform manner, which decreases internal defects. His algorithms helped printers reach the same quality as slower methods 30% faster during testing.

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