CAS Chronicles

2024 Stories

Natalie Scenters-Zapico

English professor featured in 'Best American Poetry'

Natalie Scenters-Zapico, an award-winning poet and assistant professor in the Department of English, is gaining global recognition. Scenters-Zapico, who shapes the local literary community as director of the Michael Kuperman Memorial Poetry Library, has a poem in the prestigious “Best American Poetry” anthology, cementing her work as essential reading at USF and for audiences across the country.

November 22, 2024Accomplishments

Olivia Cosentino, an assistant professor in the Department of Humanities and Cultural Studies, received the Early Career Award 2024 for her outstanding scholarship on Mexican cinema.

Latin American Film Studies scholar wins prestigious early career award

The Latin American Studies Association awarded Olivia Cosentino, an assistant professor of film and new media studies in the Department of Humanities and Cultural Studies, the Early Career Award 2024 for her outstanding scholarship on Mexican cinema.

November 21, 2024Accomplishments, Research

Gabi Merlo

‘Once you’re in it, you’re in it for life.’ Aspiring surgeon receives wraparound support from Women in Leadership & Philanthropy program

The Women in Leadership & Philanthropy program has invested thousands of dedicated mentoring hours and more than $3 million in grants, scholarships and programmatic funding to more than 700 scholars like Merlo, who received $1,000 to support her studies this year.

November 21, 2024Accomplishments, Alumni, Community Engagement

Dr. Christian Wells at the University Area CDC’s Award Ceremony with his newly received Advocate Award. Photo courtesy of Christian Wells.

Anthropology professor honored for transformative work in University Area Community

Dr. Christian Wells from the Department of Anthropology has recently earned the University Area Community Development Corporation (UACDC) Advocate Award for the eight years of impactful community work he and his students have conducted.

November 21, 2024Accomplishments

Dougherty (left) and Kaila Witkowski, an assistant professor at Florida Atlantic University, at the black sand beach with Maui Strong sweatshirts that they purchased from Brown Kross Hui (BKH), a grassroots organization. The funds from these shirts go directly to support BKH's efforts to get displaced families’ furnishings in the homes they have been able to obtain. (Photo courtesy of Ratna B. Dougherty)

Fellowship allows School of Public Affairs’ Ratna Dougherty to share Maui wildfire research at national public policy and management conference

The Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management has awarded Ratna B. Dougherty, an assistant professor in the School of Public Affairs, with a competitive national fellowship allowing her to highlight her work with socially vulnerable populations affected by wildfires in Maui.

November 21, 2024Accomplishments, Community Engagement, Research

The CAS winners of the Outstanding Thesis and Dissertation Award and the Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award (left to right): Janine DeBiasi, Noah Schulz, Alexandria Choate, Patrice Buzzanell and Travis Bell.

CAS sweeps Outstanding Graduate Faculty Mentor and Outstanding Thesis & Dissertation awards

The College of Arts and Sciences is home not only to this year’s Outstanding Faculty Mentor and an honorable mention, but to three out of the four Outstanding Thesis and Dissertation Award recipients as well.

November 20, 2024Accomplishments, Research

Dr. Loni Hagen receiving her Fulbright Award in Kyoto, Japan. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Loni Hagen)

Dr. Loni Hagen’s Fulbright Award will foster research and international, academic relationships

Loni Hagen, an associate professor in the School of Information, received the Fulbright Study/Research Award, a grant that allows her to develop new research projects and collaborative opportunities between the University of Tsukuba and the University of South Florida.

November 20, 2024Accomplishments

Hurricane Milton campus cleanup.

USF College of Arts and Sciences awards emergency funding to students impacted by hurricanes Helene and Milton

After Hurricanes Helene and Milton brought devastating rainfall, winds and a surge of water to the Tampa Bay area, leadership in the USF College of Arts and Sciences decided to use the Student Success Fund to support students in the college impacted by the storms.

November 20, 2024Community Engagement

Kyle McIntyre (right) receiving the Meritorious Civilian Service Medal from then acting Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, Mr. John Fedrigo (left), while serving as Fedrigo’s Chief of Staff (2022). (Photo courtesy of Kyle McIntyre)

Veteran Kyle McIntyre reflects on a career in public service with roots at USF

USF College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) alumnus, and recipient of the 2024 USF Outstanding Young Alumni Award, Kyle McIntyre attributes his time as a CAS student to setting the foundation for his career in public service.

November 20, 2024Alumni

Student worker Abigail Pal refills pipette tip boxes by hand instead of buying replacement racks, greatly reducing the lab’s plastic waste. (Photo courtesy of Victoria Ramiez)

Going green: Teaching lab earns certification for sustainability efforts

The USF Sarasota Manatee teaching lab has earned My Green Lab Certification, joining a growing community of laboratories certified for implementing more sustainable practices to dramatically reduce environmental impact.

November 20, 2024Accomplishments, Community Engagement, Featured

A view into the La Corona lava tube system in Lanzarote, Spain, where there is massive accumulations of gypsum and other sulfates.

How volcanic cave research is advancing the search for life on Mars

An international research team led by University of South Florida professor Bogdan P. Onac has uncovered preserved biosignatures in Spain’s lava tubes, providing insights into Earth’s ancient environments that could guide the search for past microbial life on Mars.

November 18, 2024Research

Davide Tanasi holds an Egyptian Bes mug

USF professor confirms Egyptians drank hallucinogenic cocktails in ancient rituals

Through advanced chemical analyses on an Egyptian vase at the Tampa Museum of Art, Davide Tanasi confirmed the vase last held a cocktail of psychedelic drugs, likely for a magical ritual.

November 14, 2024Research

About CAS Chronicles

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