UWF graduate student monitors Gulf Waters for oil-related changes

Facing a collection of Gulf-water-filled beakers in a University of West Florida lab, biology graduate student Melissa Overton explains her role with the UWF oil spill research mission. “I am looking at the bacterial community, basic microbe ecology, in the coastal waters off the beaches of Pensacola and Navarre,” said Overton. “Bacteria are the key […]

Computer science alumnus works on NASA project

In 1969, walking on the moon was considered “one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” In 2013, it’s possible that this statement may be recapitulated as “one small step for a humanoid, two giant leaps for mankind.” University of West Florida alumnus John Carff, a research associate at the Florida Institute […]

UWF Small Business Development Center assisting businesses in oil spill’s aftermath

Standing in the Casino Beach parking lot next to Pensacola Beach, University of West Florida President Judy Bense noted the lack of people there taking advantage of the area’s strongest tourism draw – its beautiful beaches. “Why aren’t people here? The beach is fine,” said Bense, as she accompanied State University System Chancellor Frank Brogan […]

UWF professor’s microbe research could come into play in oil spill aftermath

Microbial research at the University of West Florida in the past two decades could be a vital resource in the aftermath of continuing BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. UWF crews have been collecting water and sand samples from specific locations in the area for the past two weeks in order to establish […]

UWF research associate readies lab for oil spill experiments

These days Fred Hileman, University of West Florida lecturer and analytical chemist, is busy conducting oil and water experiments at the university’s Center for Environmental Diagnostics and Bioremediation while he waits for real-life spill samples to come ashore in Pensacola. The April 20 BP oil spill off the coast of Louisiana in the Gulf of […]

UWF Environmental Studies instructor helps monitor Pensacola shoreline

Chasidy Hobbs, an environmental studies instructor at the University of West Florida since becoming a graduate teaching assistant in 2006, says she “loves having the opportunity to help students see the big picture and interconnectedness of our lives and the world around us.” As executive director of Emerald Coastkeeper of Pensacola, a non-profit member of […]

UWF faculty collect research samples in oil spill’s wake

University of West Florida faculty members from the university’s Center for Environmental Diagnostic and Bioremediation have begun local research into the potential impacts of the oil spill off the coast of Louisiana that began April 20. Dr. Richard Snyder, biology professor and director of the CEDB, said water from offshore as well as sand from […]

UWF partners with Ford to provide next generation education

This month, the University of West Florida, along with the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Northwest Florida Next Generation Learning Community, announced its partnership with the Ford Motor Company to serve as a Resource Hub Provider for Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies (Ford PAS). Ford PAS is an educational program sponsored by Ford Motor […]

Students till their student community garden with promise

While other students slept in or headed for the beach on a recent Friday morning, members of the University of West Florida Community Garden Club worked up a sweat installing an irrigation system for the newly planted Student Community Garden located just behind the soccer field on the main campus. With four raised cypress-sided beds […]

UWF assistant professor brings “Shakespeare lite” to campus

Don’t be surprised when you see William Shakespeare on the University of West Florida Main Campus this summer. Kevin Kern, UWF assistant professor of Theatre, has started the Pensacola Shakespeare Company. “People are responding to the idea of Pensacola Shakespeare Theatre being fun and fresh, not old and stodgy,” Kern said. “Plus, we’re not limited […]

UWF alum featured in New York Times for electronic invention

A self-described “serial entrepreneur,” UWF graduate Augi Lye has accomplished more than the average 31-one-year old. In early 2007, only one year after graduating from UWF with a degree in electrical engineering, Lye launched ToneRite, Inc. The company, which was recently featured in The New York Times, specializes in providing musicians with advanced play-in devices. […]

UWF art lecturers join forces with local artist to help people in Haiti

Though the devastation left by the Jan. 21 earthquake in Haiti lays hundreds of miles away from Pensacola, the emotional impact on Haiti’s people there is felt here in Pensacola where Hurricane Ivan left its own mark in September 2004. That is why two University of West Florida art lecturers and artists, Gina Cestaro and […]