CAS Chronicles

Stories

Noyce Master Teaching Fellows

Elevating Educators: ÎÞÂëרÇø celebrates next generation of STEM teacher leaders

Leadership from ÎÞÂëרÇø, the Coalition for Science Literacy and HCPS welcomed the recipients of the 2025 Noyce Master Teaching Fellowship and celebrated the accomplishments of the 2024 cohort, who earned their master of education in curriculum and instruction from ÎÞÂëרÇø this summer and completed a professional development series in mechatronic principles.

August 21, 2025Accomplishments, Alumni, Community Engagement, Events, Research

Cuban sandwiches being prepared in a Tampa restaurant in the 1960s [Photo courtesy of Florida Memory Program]

The Cuban sandwich story: How ÎÞÂëרÇø played a surprising role in its rise to fame

The ÎÞÂëרÇø has played a major role in shaping the Cuban sandwich's legacy — from researching its history and refining Cuban bread baking methods to inspiring the creation of National Cuban Sandwich Day, now celebrated worldwide every August 23.

August 20, 2025Community Engagement

overhead shot of group of new ÎÞÂëרÇø faculty

Meet the new faculty helping power ÎÞÂëרÇøâ€™s future

From AI-driven discovery to cutting-edge medical research, ÎÞÂëרÇøâ€™s newest faculty are advancing bold ideas and preparing students for the future. Their arrival reflects the university’s continued momentum as a hub for world-changing innovation and academic excellence.

August 13, 2025Research

ÎÞÂëרÇø faculty and students partnered with community organizations to introduce Irish heritage to Tampa Bay youth. (Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Ricketts-Jones)

Inaugural ‘Gael Scoil ÎÞÂëרÇøâ€™ event shares Irish traditions with the Tampa Bay community

This summer, the ÎÞÂëרÇø introduced Tampa Bay youth to Irish heritage through its inaugural ‘Gael Scoil ÎÞÂëרÇøâ€™ event, inviting grade schoolers to engage with Irish culture firsthand through baking, dancing, sports, storytelling, and other immersive experiences.

August 13, 2025Community Engagement

Geosciences Field Station in Mackay, Idaho with mountains behind (Photo courtesy of Paul Wetmore)

A decade in the making: ÎÞÂëרÇø Geosciences Field Station celebrates grand opening with alumni reunion

After a decade of collaboration between ÎÞÂëרÇø faculty, staff, and alumni, the Geosciences Field Station in Mackay, Idaho officially opened this summer. The launch was marked by a reunion of more than 30 alumni, representing four decades of shared experience and support for Geosciences students and their capstone work.

August 11, 2025Alumni, Community Engagement

Aiden Jaskolka-Brown Boundless Bulls

Aiden Jaskolka-Brown

Like most future doctors, Aiden Jaskolka-Brown chose his career path out of a desire to save lives. But Jaskolka-Brown didn’t wait until he became a doctor to save lives. In 2023, he donated a segment of his left liver to a 5-month-old baby.

August 4, 2025Community Engagement

Boundless Bulls Trent Ferguson

Seeing beyond sight: A ÎÞÂëרÇø blind student’s journey into broadcasting

As a mass communications major, with a concentration in broadcast program and production, Trent Ferguson has not allowed blindness to become an obstacle in pursuit of his dream of becoming a sports radio broadcaster.

August 4, 2025Community Engagement

Jim Strange and a staff member excavating at Sepphoris in Israel, the site where he spent the bulk of his career. (Photo courtesy of Joanna Strange)

Late ÎÞÂëרÇø professor continues to impact students

Seven years after his passing, James Strange’s legacy continues through the donation of his archaeological collection for student use.

July 31, 2025Research

The archives within the herbarium include extensive research and texts, many of which have been authored by former ÎÞÂëרÇø faculty. (Photo by Corey Lepak)

Uncovering ÎÞÂëרÇøâ€™s deep roots in botany

Established in 1958, the ÎÞÂëרÇø Herbarium is one of the University's oldest and most distinctive research collections.

July 31, 2025Community Engagement, Research

ÎÞÂëרÇø: A Preeminent Research University

Creative writing summer camp empowers high school students to bring their ideas to life

Thirty high school students visited ÎÞÂëרÇøâ€™s Tampa campus this summer to explore various forms of creative writing — such as fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction — at the ÎÞÂëרÇø Creative Writing Summer Camp.

July 30, 2025Alumni, Events

ÎÞÂëרÇø: A Preeminent Research University

Award-winning professor uses artificial intelligence to track world’s deadliest animal

Thanks to a grant from the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, ÎÞÂëרÇø faculty are developing a trap that uses artificial intelligence to identify the disease-carrying insects.

July 30, 2025Accomplishments, Featured, Research

Trees have an overwhelming biomass on Earth and play a significant role in nearly every ecosystem. (Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock)

What the trees are telling us: ÎÞÂëרÇø professor uses data to identify threats to tree diversity

Brian Maitner, an assistant professor in the Department of Integrative Biology, is revolutionizing the way researchers examine and predict the impact of environmental shifts on plant diversity.

July 30, 2025Research

About CAS Chronicles

CAS Chronicles is the monthly newsletter for the ÎÞÂëרÇø's College of Arts and Sciences, your source for the latest news, research, and events at CAS.