Ytori - Fall/Winter 2023

FALL//WI WINTER NTER 2023 FALL

THE MAGAZINE FOR THE UNIVERSITY of FLORIDA COLLEGE of LIBERAL ARTS and SCIENCES

is derived from unity. The range “ Softrength our collective vision is far greater when individual insights become one.”

— ANDREW CARNEGIE

Contents FALL/WINTER 2023

Ytori Magazine FALL/WINTER 2023 Ytori is published twice a year by the University of Florida College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

“Ytori” means “alligator” in the language of the Timucua, the native inhabitants of north-central and northeastern Florida.

STAFF DAVID E. RICHARDSON, Dean STEVE EVANS, Executive Director of Advancement MEREDITH PALMBERG, Senior Director of Strategic Engagement DOUGLAS RAY, Associate Director of Communications LAUREN BARNETT, Editor-in-Chief BRIAN SMITH, Writer EMMA BARRETT, Editorial Assistant ALI RADKE Proofreader KATHLEEN MARTIN, Art Director MICHEL THOMAS, Multimedia Specialist © 2024 by the University of Florida College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or duplicated without prior permission of the editor. University of Florida College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is an equal access/equal opportunity university.

HAVE A STORY IDEA OR WANT TO GET IN TOUCH? ADDRESS Ytori, University of Florida College of Liberal Arts and Sciences 2014 Turlington Hall PO Box 117300 Gainesville, FL 32611 EMAIL newsandpublications@clas.ufl.edu WEBSITE news.clas.ufl.edu

@UF.CLAS

@UF_CLAS

@UF_CLAS

ON THE COVER

At the Crossroads You’ll notice a vibrant tri-colored graphic on our front cover and woven throughout this issue. It highlights intersections of thought, celebrating the interdisciplinary spirit of our college and honoring those who work to break down silos and unite diverse perspectives.

Design by Kathleen Martin.

Merging lines graphic: ©jozefmicic/Adobe Stock.

| F E AT U R E S

14 A Light in the Dark

A transformative gift sparks a promising future for Jewish studies

18 Meteoric Rise

UF Astronomy propels discovery and soars to new heights

24 Hook, Line & Incisor

A biologist gains dental inspiration from the deep

| QUESTION

6 Research Roundup

A showcase of recent research efforts across the college

8 AI for All

Artificial intelligence reshapes humanities and social science research

10 Swamp Science

A closer look at the hidden forces that power Gator sports

34

| CONNECT

28 Food for Thought

A psychologist integrates behavior analysis with pediatric feeding disorders

32 Linguistic Tapestry

An exhibit innovates multilingual digital tools and diverse language communities

34 Law of the Land

A study abroad adventure to Wales empowers future legal minds

36 Trail Blazer

After a media executive finds success, he guides others on their own paths

38 Elevating Excellence

A spotlight on recent college awards and alumni achievements

| I N EVERY I SSUE

4 Dean’s Letter 40 Creative License

New book releases from CLAS faculty and alumni

44 Laurels

Celebrating outstanding achievements of students, staff, faculty, and alumni

10

46 Dean’s Circle

Recognizing the generosity of our giving society

48 Crossword Puzzle

Meeting Points

28

From the Dean When asked about our college's research and teaching missions, I often explain that our courses and scholarship cover the pursuit of knowledge about Nature, Society, and Humanity. These three terms roughly align with natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities, which are traditional “divisions” of a liberal education. These divisions and their departments have often been likened to grain silos, each containing different grains that should never comingle with the others.

I much prefer a different description, one that likens the structure of the college to nesting dolls. The outermost doll is Nature, which contains the cosmos, the Earth, the oceans, and life itself. Inside Nature, we find a Society doll, representing people connected by laws, cultures, traditions, conflict, and cooperation.

Inside Society, there is Humanity, wherein humans embody all that makes our species unique. Quite clearly, humans depend on societies, and societies depend on the laws of nature as expressed in our environment and place in the universe.

The heart of our college — and a liberal arts education — lies in the incredible power of interdisciplinarity, where seemingly disparate fields must combine knowledge and creativity to answer the most critical questions about our existence and future.

Inspired by this concept, this issue showcases new synergies that push the boundaries of knowledge. An evolutionary biologist studies the creatures of the deep to advance human dentistry (page 24).

A center for Jewish studies embraces the future, actively engaging in outreach and public engagement (page 14). UF Astronomy explores creative avenues to see the universe in a new light (page 18).

You’ll also meet a behavioral psychologist addressing pediatric feeding disorders (page 28), discover unseen physics governing UF athletics (page 10), and learn about an exciting partnership broadening pre-law students’ horizons (page 34).

On the front cover and throughout, the graphic design nods to the power of collaboration forces, where different colored elements combine to produce a striking and unexpected result. To help readers learn more, QR codes for expanded content are available, encouraging deeper engagement.

As in the nesting dolls imagined above, we are tightly connected to each other, society, and nature. This magazine is our connection to you — best wishes for a collaborative 2024.

Photo by Michel Thomas.

Sincerely,

David E. Richardson Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

4 | COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES

NEWS.CLAS.UFL.EDU

2-15-24 Mark your calendars, Gator Nation. On February 15, 2024, we call on our incredible community of UF alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends to prove that there are no limits to what we can achieve when Gators unite!

Over the past five years, Giving Day has ignited the Gator Nation’s spirit and passion for progress, driving growth and innovation to empower the next generation of Gators for a life of meaningful impact.

Our recent ranking as the nation’s No. 1 public university by The Wall Street Journal directly reflects the tangible impact of Giving Day. Your generosity fuels extraordinary work across the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, impacting research, teaching, and experiential learning — ultimately, ensuring our students thrive in their pursuits.

With many departments and initiatives to support, you have the flexibility to contribute to the areas that matter most to you. Make a gift of any amount. Wherever you choose to give, rest assured you’re playing a crucial role in shaping the future of our university.

HOW YOU CAN HELP SAVE THE DATE: FEBRUARY 15, 2024 SPREAD THE WORD AMONG FELLOW GATORS AMPLIFY THE IMPACT BY GIVING TO WHAT MATTERS MOST TO YOU SHARE YOUR GIVING STORY ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO CELEBRATE YOUR CONTRIBUTION

U N I V E R S I T Y of F L O R I D A

YOUR SUPPORT CHANGES STUDENTS’ LIVES. LEARN HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN LASTING IMPACT.

Show Your Support | #AllForTheGators YTORI FALL / WINTER 2023 | 5 CLAS.UFL.EDU/GIVING-DAY

QUESTION

RESEARCH

Roundup Compiled by Brian Smith

Discover more of the college’s exciting new research developments:

clas.ufl.edu/researchroundup

6 | COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES

It’s no surprise that our DNA is all around us, given our daily shedding of hair, skin cells, and sweat. However, until now, the amount and quality of this environmental DNA remained unclear. A recent study led by wildlife geneticist DAVID DUFFY has revealed that these signs of life can be found nearly everywhere, short of isolated islands and mountaintops. To the surprise of the UF researchers, this DNA was also intact enough to be sequenced, and accurately enough to allow for the precise identification of volunteers who allowed their lost DNA to be recovered.

Environmental DNA samples hold significant promise across diverse fields, including medicine, archeology, environmental science, and criminal forensics. Nevertheless, with the newfound accessibility, the discovery has triggered ethical concerns regarding the use of our personal information. “It raises issues around consent,” Duffy said. “Do you need to get consent to take those samples? Or institute some controls to remove human information?”

Story first reported by UF News.

WISDOM AT WORK

Abstract 3d polygonal wireframe DNA molecule. @ Viks_jin/Adobe Stock.

Faculty and researchers collaborate and innovate to gain a deeper understanding of our world. Here’s a snapshot of recent grants and publication highlights.

A TRAIL OF GENETIC SECRETS

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MONIKA ARDELT, a professor of sociology, has spent decades delving into the concept of wisdom, examining it in both individuals and groups.

Recently, she and graduate student BHAVNA SHARMA shared their research findings on organizational wisdom, focusing on its presence within business and industry.

Their most significant finding highlights that wisdom in business permeates from the upper echelons to the lower ranks, with supportive supervisors linked to cultivating widespread worker wisdom and job fulfillment. To illustrate this phenomenon, the researchers developed a three-dimensional

For years, the Samuel Proctor Oral History Program has preserved history by collecting and sharing stories passed down through families.

In the past, it has focused on areas of history such as veterans’ history, African American history, and the Latinx diaspora in the Americas.

Thanks to a recent grant from the National Park Service, the Samuel Proctor Oral History Program is working to significantly expand the scope of its African American history projects. They will spotlight stories about the Underground Railroad and the freedom fighters who created and sustained it. The project’s ultimate aim is to create educational materials for museums, classrooms, and documentaries, ensuring that these stories endure for generations.

“This is an incredible opportunity for University of Florida undergraduates, graduate students, and staff to learn the legacies of the most important grassroots democratic institution in American history.”

PAUL ORTIZ Director of the Samuel Proctor Oral History Program

WATCH THE INTERVIEWS CLAS.UFL.EDU/UNDERGROUND-RAILROAD

model, which demonstrates that organizational wisdom is linked to fulfilling our base psychological needs, such as autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

Ardelt hopes that these findings lead to more research in the future, and she is particularly interested in how businesses can benefit

from being organizationally wise.

While we have plenty of examples of businesses suffering from a lack of wisdom, could the opposite also hold true, with wise businesses thriving?

Story first reported by UF News.

A synthetic polymer. @SValeriia/Adobe Stock.

UNVEILING THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD

A RECYCLING REVOLUTION

As humankind’s reliance on plastics continues to grow, so does the demand for cost-effective and efficient recycling processes. Addressing this need is a key focus of the Department of Chemistry’s Butler Lab. This summer, a team of graduate students and faculty, led by George B. Butler Professor in Chemistry BRENT SUMERLIN, achieved a major breakthrough in polymer recycling.

Their breakthrough involved chemical recycling, where plastics are broken down into their basic molecules and then reconstructed into new materials. Sumerlin’s team introduced a new chemical recycling method, which not only allowed for the breakdown of plastics at lower temperatures, reducing energy consumption, but also resulted in the production of higher-quality plastics.

Thanks to the efforts of Sumerlin and his team, the future of recycling is ablaze with possibilities, promising a greener and more sustainable tomorrow.

YTORI FALL / WINTER 2023 | 7

By Douglas Ray

AI for All

QUESTION QUESTION 8 | COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES

New tools reshape and connect the humanities, social sciences Research in the humanities and social sciences has a long history of bridging academic disciplines. Psychologists find natural partners across the health professions, philosophers employ mathematics, and linguistics leads to anthropology. Now, the emergence of artificial intelligence offers a set of tools that is redefining interdisciplinary scholarship.

The broad reach of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Florida offers a fertile foundation for AI research.

“The way we are structured facilitates bringing together exciting people who then work together on exciting, innovative things,” said Distinguished Professor of Psychology ANDREAS KEIL. “With AI, all science is team science. All team science spans multiple disciplines.”

Keil’s research into attention and emotion uses AI in a variety of ways. Among them, generative AI models provide responses to emotionally challenging situations, allowing researchers to explore scenarios that would be ethically unacceptable to test on humans.

“And this is just the beginning. Our model of artificial intelligence — deep

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architecture, as we call it — can do threat responding and threat learning,” Keil said. “It does only a few things that humans do. It doesn’t have the ability to experience anxiety but does behave in very specific ways like human beings would.” Ultimately, this approach could lead to more effective therapies for those who have experienced trauma.

BADREDINE ARFI, professor of political science, also holds a PhD in theoretical physics. While the UF campus was closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, he developed AI tools to analyze large data sets for international studies. His work may help predict disruptions in democracies and goes beyond traditional analytical methods. Arfi is completing a book about those models.

“It allowed me to ask new questions.

That is especially important now that we have so much data,” Arfi said. “The traditional tools we use to analyze data are not sufficient. AI tools allow us to go beyond those limitations, to see patterns we could never see before.”

Describing his current work as a “proof of concept,” Arfi acknowledges the underutilization of these tools in social science. His mission is to persuade colleagues both in the United

States and around the world that leveraging AI tools for data analysis is not only worthwhile but essential.

He draws a parallel to the medical field, where AI tools enable physicians to identify cancers at their earliest stages, so treatments can be tailored specifically for the locations of those cells. “The same tools can be used to answer our questions in social sciences,” Arfi said.

“Are we able to make predictions when a certain society or certain regime may fail? Well, AI can allow you to do that,” he said. This offers the hope of addressing social ills before they become contagions that spread with devastating results.

CLAS units have hired more than 20 faculty members recently specifically because of their demonstrated AI skills. Many more do AI-focused research and instruction.

BARBARA ZSEMBIK, associate professor in the Department of Sociology and Criminology & Law,

has been working with Arfi to organize an informal working group of these “AI hires” and others across CLAS departments.

“So many disciplines are a little late to the game. How do you jumpstart it? That’s bringing people together to say we need to be on the front edge at this university in our disciplines implementing these tools.

What can we learn from each other?” she posed. They aim to find out through a series of interdisciplinary AI talks scheduled for the spring.

AI is also reshaping language instruction. Faculty in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese Studies incorporate ChatGPT into composition and translation courses. LUIS ÁLVAREZ-CASTRO, professor and department chair, sees great potential in AI to enhance the Spanish for the professions certificate.

He envisions combining virtual reality with AI to create immersive, dynamic instruction that focuses

more on experiential learning and less on skills assessment. Students may engage with virtual people and places in preparation for live encounters, such as professional interactions and study abroad programs.

A challenge for scholars in the humanities is the scarcity of large electronic data sets. Primary source materials, particularly in fields like women’s studies, history and religious studies, are often found on library shelves or stored in dusty boxes, not in digital formats. TRYSH TRAVIS, cognizant associate dean for humanities in CLAS, worries this could create a barrier for graduate students interested in using AI tools for their research.

“We need to be equipping our students today with AI skills. It would be unethical not to do so,” Travis said.

Talking differently ABOUT AI SID DOBRIN, chair of the University of Florida’s English department, has become one of the world’s most soughtafter academic experts on generative AI, with over 40 talks worldwide this past year, including a presentation to the Congressional Committee on Education and the Workforce. While on the move, he stays informed through podcasts, audiobooks, and extensive reading, keeping pace as AI moves at an exponential clip.

Dobrin focuses on enduring AI questions in education and society that persist beyond tech releases. Even so, when visiting other campuses, administrators seek his guidance on AI tool policies.

“At UF, we’re having a very different AI conversation,” Dobrin said. “We’re really thinking about what is coming next for AI, rather than simply asking how do I use these tools to do the same things we’ve always done.”

This goes beyond rethinking academic traditions such as student assessments; it may dissolve boundaries between academic disciplines.

“When it comes to AI, the humanities have been living in the shadow of STEM,” Dobrin said.

“Traditionally, we have siloed off these different approaches to knowledge, but AI shows us these things are not separable.” While noting ethics is a prominent aspect of current debates over AI, Dobrin said humanities scholars also explore nuanced aspects, such as the concept of the autonomous student subject. AI reveals that the student is not independent — all learning is network learning.

“I’m trying to demystify this technology and how it works,” Dobrin said. “Then we teach how to deploy it.”

People talk face to face. @ Login/Adobe Stock. Sid Dobrin photo by Michel Thomas.

YTORI FALL / WINTER 2023 | 9

NATU N E N SE

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Featuring

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insights from

JEFF DROR

SIYAO XU

Amid the electric fervor of University of Florida sporting events, beyond what meets the eye, a hidden world of movement unfolds. Physicists JEFF DROR and SIYAO XU bring this often-overlooked dimension to life, helping us see the science at play.

Their insights illuminate the principles of physics that intersect with the gamechanging action. “Although we cannot change the physical laws, we can creatively use them and find the beauty in physics and sports,” Xu said. Get ready to see Gator games in a whole new light!

10 | COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES

NEWS.CLAS.UFL.EDU

FOOTBALL The Swamp is awash in a sea of orange and blue, creating an electrifying atmosphere that permeates the air. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium buzzes with energy as the crowd’s cheers and cheerleaders’ chants echo through the stands, building anticipation as the Gators line up, ready for kickoff.

“There’s the whistle, and the game is on! s The Gator’s kicker send e the ball soaring down th the field, and it’s caught at 5-yard line.”

Projectile Motion: HOW IT WORKS In flight, the ball experiences gravity pulling it down and encounters air resistance — akin to the sensation of “wind” blowing in our face when we run, even in the absence of actual wind, according to Xu. The air resistance, or drag, slows the ball and causes loss of kinetic energy.

Xu offers an analogy to illustrate this phenomenon: “It’s like a boat streaming on a river that disturbs the water and creates turbulent wake behind the boat. When a ball flies and makes its way through the air, it also creates a turbulent wake behind it,” she said. “Although, we cannot see it directly.”

“The opposing quarterback is on the move, he’s at the 20, ! the 30, he’s got a seam He takes the snap, eyes downfield, and launches it! Wait, what’s this?

A brilliant move by the defensive player.

Intercepted!”

Stability & Collision: HOW IT WORKS As the football spins through the air, gravity causes its nose to follow a parabolic, or U-shaped, arch. The spin it possesses enhances stability, making it more resistant to external forces such as wind.

The defender alters the ball’s path when intercepting the ball, using his own momentum to secure possession. When changing directions, he applies force with his planted feet.

There is a collision where the kinetic energy of the moving ball is transferred to player’s hands.

“TOUCHDOWN GATORS!” Equilibrium: Players need to maintain balance and control over their HOW IT WORKS

center of mass to make agile moves, avoid tackles, and reach the end zone. Understanding their body’s mechanics and the principle of equilibrium is crucial.

YTORI FALL / WINTER 2023 | 11 American football player. @ master1305/Adobe Stock. Blue megaphone. @ Alexstar/Adobe Stock.

QUESTION

BASEBALL

The Condron Family Ballpark is the place to be. Beneath the stadium lights, the baseball field transforms into a vibrant spectacle as fans gather on the berm, armed with blankets and enthusiasm. The alluring aroma of classic ballpark fare complements the cheers and laughter that echo through the stands.

p, folks.

“And here’s the windu g up, his arm The pitcher brings his le g the ball. whips forward, releasin e batter takes There’s the pitch, and th ing toward a swing! The ball is head the wall, and it’s gone!”

!”

“THAT’S A HOME RUN

Spin: HOW IT WORKS The pitcher’s windup generates momentum, with the elevated front leg ensuring balance through opposing forces.

Stepping forward transfers energy through the body, and the arm’s motion during release produces velocity and spin.

As the arm speeds up, the ball exerts more force on the fingers. Pitchers counterbalance the force by pushing back with their fingers, causing the ball to roll up their fingertips, creating spin upon release.

“If a ball is thrown straight, but the pitcher is spinning it, a force is generated with the air surrounding it that is able to push the ball,” Dror said.

This determines whether the ball moves to the left or right in its path toward the strike zone.

Energy Transfer: HOW IT WORKS Batters want to make sure that they hit the baseball at a certain point on the bat so that the energy they are putting into the bat gets transferred over to the baseball. The point on the bat that allows for the most energy transferred is called the “sweet spot.”

GYMNASTICS

Excitement fills the air as gymnasts, in dazzling leotards, warm up and showcase extraordinary skills on the floor, beam, bars, and vault at the O’Connell Center.

They promise a night of high-flying flips, gravity-defying stunts, and a celebration of athleticism that only the UF gymnastics team can deliver.

“There goes our Gator gymnast, charging down the mat. She takes off with a powerful round-off, followed by a back handspring — and she’s in the air!”

12 | COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES

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Torque: HOW IT WORKS In gymnastics, body rotation involves twisting, rolling, and spinning.

Gymnasts initiate this rotation using torque, external rotational force generated through interactions with the floor, mat, bar, or balance beam. The force applied must be tangential to the rotating body to effectively induce and control the desired rotation.

“This is similar to the torque we apply when opening a door or a pickle jar,” Xu said.

BASKETBALL

The crowd roars in Exactech Arena, where rhythmic dribbling and squeaking sneakers add to the game-day symphony. The iconic “Rowdy Reptiles” student section injects an extra dose of energy, waving signs, chanting, and passionately supporting the Gators.

me “And there it is, the ga rs is underway! The Gato win the tip and they’re t. moving down the cour e The point guard has th s ball and passes it to hi backcourt teammate.” g, “He looks for an openin d takes a quick dribble, an pulls up for the threepointer — swish!”

E LEAD.” “THE GATORS TAKE TH

Force: HOW IT WORKS The force exerted on the ball influences its acceleration, seen when players pass by pushing it.

Players use their fingertips to impart spin on the ball, which enhances control and stability for dribbling and shooting, allowing them to adjust the ball’s trajectory by forcing the ball to deviate from a straight-line trajectory.

Potential & Kinetic Energy: HOW IT WORKS

When a basketball player shoots, the ball follows a U-shaped path toward the basket. To increase chance of scoring, the player should aim higher above the basket, raising the top of the curve for a greater shooting angle with more force and power.

“If you are throwing the ball, you have to do it at a certain angle to optimize your distance,” Dror said.

At its highest point, the ball has increased potential energy, determined by the force of gravity. As it descends, this stored energy turns into kinetic energy, bringing the ball downward and, ideally, into the hoop.

Mass Distribution: HOW IT WORKS

“And there it is — a stunning layout with a full twist.”

“THAT TUMBLE PASS HAD IT ALL.”

A gymnast, in midair, conserves rotational momentum. To influence rotation speed, a gymnast can adjust the distribution of her body’s mass in relation to the rotation axis. This can be achieved by extending or retracting the arms and legs.

By changing her pose in midair, particularly by repositioning the arms, a gymnast can initiate a twisting rotation without altering the overall rotational momentum of the body.

YTORI FALL / WINTER 2023 | 13 Baseball & basketball players. @ master1305/Adobe Stock. Gymnast. @ VIAR PRO studio/Adobe Stock.

FE ATURE

QUESTION

a light With a trademark twinkle in his eye, SAMUEL R. “BUD” SHORSTEIN peered out from his place at a podium before a bustling banquet room in the University of Florida’s Emerson Alumni Hall.

“Where better to teach the student body what the Jewish people have to offer?” he mused. Shorstein, a pillar within the local Jewish communities in both Jacksonville and Gainesville, hardly needed to ask the question. The resounding applause from the audience reaffirmed his unwavering belief.

For the past 50 years, UF’s Center for Jewish Studies has thrived as an epicenter for Jewish thought, history, and dialogue. Now attracting more Jewish students than any other university in the United States, UF has evolved into an organic home for this line of academic inquiry.

In an oration more akin to an intimate chat than a speech, Shorstein shared the story of his life and career. It’s a path that took him from a successful accounting firm to the statehouse beside former Gov. Bob Graham, then to Capitol Hill as Graham’s chief of staff in the United States Senate, before coming full circle back to accounting work in Jacksonville as a former partner of Shorstein and Shorstein, P.A. Throughout the twists and turns of Shorstein’s journey, one constant remained: a fierce love for his alma mater. “My brother Jack was the first to attend UF in 1947,” he fondly recalled. “Since then, there have been more Shorsteins enrolled than not.” On Sept. 7, his multi-

14 | COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES

in the dark

By Lauren Barnett

generational Gator family gathered with friends, colleagues, and members of the Jewish community to celebrate a momentous occasion.

In recognition of Shorstein’s unwavering support spanning five decades, UF has bestowed upon Shorstein the ultimate honor. On its golden anniversary, the center proudly dons a new name: the Bud Shorstein Center for Jewish Studies.

Anita Zucker, a member of the UF Board of Trustees, expressed gratitude to Shorstein for his transformative generosity. “You are the personification of the Jewish principle of tikkun olam, Hebrew for ‘repairing the world,’” she remarked.

“Your commitment and actions have truly made the world a better place.”

Shorstein’s most recent gift will empower the center to expand its programs, attract renowned scholars, and create new opportunities for students, faculty, and the wider community. “We will be able to undertake initiatives about which we could only dream before,” said NORMAN J.W. GODA, the Norman and Irma Braman Professor of Holocaust Studies and Director of the Shorstein Center. “So much of life is timing,” Goda said. “And the naming of our center comes at a most auspicious time.”

Over the past few years, a group of forward-thinking new faculty has practically transformed the center's offerings. These world-renowned scholars are filling in the gaps in our knowledge of Jewish tradition,

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history, culture, and faith. Now, as the world grapples to gain clarity amid recent events in Israel, the center faculty's expertise shines even brighter, fostering historical awareness and intercultural understanding.

“Our greatest resource is our people,” Goda said. “Our faculty combines first-rate classroom instruction with cutting-edge research on the Jewish experience, from books to articles to documentary films and podcasts.”

As the local community came together to celebrate the center's naming, UF President Emeritus Bernie Machen emphasized the vital role of the Shorstein Center for Jewish Studies, invoking one of the most crucial lessons of the Holocaust: “Never Forget.” It’s a universal lesson that urges each of us to preserve and learn from the history of great injustices.

“I hope we will never forget,” Machen shared. “I hope we will always remember and always study and investigate, the complexity, the contradictions, the full history of our shared humanity.”

In addition to his recent generous gift, Shorstein has previously supported the Center for Jewish Studies by establishing a professorship and sponsoring writing awards, showcasing his unwavering dedication to advancing the center and the university as a whole.

Shorstein’s nickname “Bud” is a truly fitting moniker. Shorstein Fellow and Assistant Professor RACHEL GORDAN describes him as a true partner in

As a vital hub for Jewish thought celebrates 50 years, a transformative gift illuminates the path for a promising future

every sense. Shorstein didn’t merely fund Gordan’s position in American Jewish Culture and Society; he became an ardent friend and supporter. When Gordan moved to Gainesville in 2017, Shorstein went beyond the role of a benefactor, warmly embracing her into the community. He acquainted her with UF sports, took her to local art and music events, and even introduced her to many of his UF fraternity friends.

“He’s someone who really takes his friendships seriously,” Gordan remarked. “It has made this position so much more meaningful to have this unexpected friendship and deep personal relationship, which is not something that I would’ve ever anticipated. I feel very lucky.”

As the center's faculty look ahead to the possibilities, they remain steadfast in their duty to teach and research the Jewish experience.

Both at UF and beyond, the center serves as the bridge connecting generations of Jewish traditions.

The Shorstein name will be prominent as the center continues to make Jewish perspectives more engaging and accessible.

“Bud sees us as an integral part of the cultural development and well-being of a large and vibrant Jewish community in Florida,” Goda said. “Knowing that a good friend sees us in this way reminds us every day of our mission and how very lucky we are to be the ones to fulfill it.”

YTORI FALL / WINTER 2023 | 15 Photo by Michel Thomas.

QUESTION

a unified Alig ning St rengths for a Common Mission

purpose

16 | COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES Photo by Michel Thomas.

Teaching Shorstein actively participates in the center's courses, embodying a commitment to continuous learning.

Acknowledging the universal values inherent in the Jewish experience, he emphasizes the continued impact of the center on both Jewish and non-Jewish students. Although particularly popular among Jewish students, the courses attract a diverse enrollment from across the campus. The faculty not only welcomes but celebrates this diversity, aiming to empower all students.

Courses at the center encompass a broad spectrum, from those exploring the diverse history of the Jewish people, such as “Remembering Jewish Baghdad,” to those integrating contemporary events, such as “The Israeli-Arab Conflict on Stage and Screen.” A notable addition this semester is the one-credit course, “What is Israel?” This course gives a wider swath of UF students a chance to gain a holistic understanding of the state of Israel. It aims to provide an unbiased examination of Israel’s complex history, countering misconceptions surrounding the current conflict and providing a more

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nuanced perspective on the events and dynamics at play in the region.

Additionally, the center now offers certificates in Israel Studies, European Jewish Studies, and Holocaust Studies, alongside major and minor programs.

The focus is on offering a comprehensive understanding of Jewish history and culture as well as subjects such as antisemitism and the Holocaust, while building connections to a wide array of disciplines. The faculty actively creates dynamic discussions that are positioned as safe havens for exploration, experimentation, and learning. Ultimately, students enjoy an engaging and interactive space where they can delve into the complexities of Jewish culture and its impact on the global stage.

Public Outreach Another fundamental aspect of the center's approach lies in its ability to engage with the broader community.

“We are the only program of our kind in the state,” said Goda. “And the only people offering academic programs in this space that feature new research on a variety of topics.” The faculty

often travel to schools, synagogues, and community centers throughout the state to educate the public.

Many of the center’s lectures, workshops, and seminars are streamed virtually to encourage those who are geographically dispersed to join in — and recorded, as well, so those unable to attend can watch and learn later. “It’s outreach that overcomes geography,” Goda said.

Off-campus, the center organizes an annual Jewish film festival. It’s hosted at downtown Gainesville’s historic Hippodrome Theatre, drawing in a more diverse section of the local community. “It’s one of the best film festivals in the nation,” Goda said.

“We get hold of films that don’t make it into the mainstream.” The festival goes beyond screenings: Discussion sessions with panelists follow each film, enhancing the experience for attendees by providing a chance to engage with experts and discuss the film’s subject matter in depth.

Research The center is a hub for cuttingedge research and new cultural production on the Jewish experience.

Faculty members actively engage in interdisciplinary study, spanning a breadth of disciplines. This blend of expertise invites collaboration and multi-directional inquiry in the research endeavors undertaken at the center.

Students at the center also benefit from substantial financial support. “Thanks to our scholarship endowments,” Goda said, "we have sent UF undergraduates working on honors projects to New York, Madrid, Paris, Berlin, and Jerusalem.” Research scholarships are available for masters and doctoral students, facilitating opportunities for archival research abroad and travel to present their research at international conferences.

The center relies on UF’s Isser and Rae Price Library of Judaica to support the research needs of faculty and students. With over 140,000 volumes, it’s the leading collection in the southeastern United States. The holdings catalog the Jewish experience in over 50 countries and 45 languages.

Over 20,000 of the library’s items have been cataloged digitally, enhancing accessibility to these resources. And now, thanks to a National Endowment

for the Humanities (NEH) Challenge Grant, the library is currently focused on collecting, preserving, and digitizing hidden and endangered resources from Florida, Latin America, and the Caribbean, further expanding its reach through collaborative partnerships.

Bud Shorstein Center for Jewish Studies faculty, from left to right: Yaniv Feller, Natalia Aleksiun, Armin Langer, Rebecca J.W. Jefferson, Dragan Kujundžić, Robert Kawashima, Rachel Gordan, Patricia Sohn, Iris Cohen, Gayle Zachmann, Yehoshua Ecker, Seth Bernstein, Norman J.W. Goda, Jason Wagner, Jack Kugelmass, and Roy Holler.

EXPLORE THE BUD SHORSTEIN CENTER FOR JEWISH STUDIES

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FE ATURE

C I R O E T E M h Smit n a i r

By B

As new tools offer unprecedented possibilities, UF Astronomy unravels the cosmos’ profound mysteries Exciting developments are on the horizon, not just for the University of Florida’s Department of Astronomy but for the entire field. The halls of the Bryant Space Center are abuzz with anticipation, as groundbreaking tools promise a cosmic revolution. Advances in observational techniques, increased computing power, and expanded international collaboration are ushering in a new age of astronomical research.

Crescent moon. @ manuelhuss/Adobe Stock.

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, the largest telescope ever dispatched into deep space, stands ready to unravel the cosmos’ profound mysteries. It began its interstellar odyssey on Christmas Day 2021 with the primary mission of capturing the “let there be light” moment, depicting the birth of stars and galaxies post-big bang.

Now, as the Webb telescope gazes back to the cosmic origin, its advanced observations are kickstarting efforts in UF Astronomy to deepen our understanding of the universe.

Faculty and students are eager to build on this momentum and contribute to the unfolding discoveries.

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COSMIC CREATIVITY Wednesday nights are an exciting time for students in “The Art and Science of Astrophotography” course. Once the sun sets, if the conditions are right, they make their way down to the bat houses to set up telescopes and take pictures of the night sky. The class is an opportunity for students passionate about photography to learn more about the universe, and for astronomy students to unleash their creativity.

Led by ELIZABETH LADA, chair and professor of astronomy, and NOAH RASHKIND, a UF Astronomy alum who recently returned to co-teach the class, it has quickly become one of the college’s most sought-after offerings since its launch in January 2023. As it enters its third iteration this semester, the class has amassed a waitlist exceeding 100 students, attracting a diverse mix of art students and aspiring astronomers.

Lada, with 27 years on the Astronomy faculty, focuses on star formation research when she’s not inspiring students to find art in the night sky. Observing the “breeding grounds” for stars — large clouds of gas suspended in space — she explores optimal conditions for their births and early phase development.

Having witnessed the department’s evolution firsthand, Lada, the department chair since 2018, oversees its growth and successes.

Managing projects and initiatives, securing funding, and developing connections with other institutions, she’s embracing the new opportunities spurred by recent advancements.

“We had been seeing steady growth for the last decade, but the past two years or so have been especially great for us,” Lada said. “New technologies, like the Webb telescope, are pushing

Above, left: Photo of a nebula taken by UF student Alex Johnson during Lada's Astrophotography class. Right: Sophie Clark looks through one of the advanced telescopes used by Astrophotography students. Photo by Michel Thomas.

our research forward, and our work has been getting a lot of media attention.”

Just as the Webb telescope has provided a transformative change in perspective, Lada’s new astrophotography class offers a different lens through which students can view and understand the cosmos.

Through the process of capturing and interpreting celestial scenes, her students gain an appreciation for the cosmos’ beauty, cultivating a profound sense of awe and curiosity. Ultimately, the experience encourages a broader and more interconnected view of our place in the vastness of the universe.

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DISCOVER

Join UF Astronomy for free, public stargazing sessions at the campus observatory. Visitors can use various telescopes to observe celestial objects, explore space-related videos, and watch demonstrations from experts.

FIND OUT ABOUT UPCOMING EVENTS: CLAS.UFL.EDU/ASTRO

Grady Robbins sets up a telescope for an Observing Night, an event where all students are invited to gaze into the night sky. Photo by Rishabh Tatiraju.

Background image on opposite page: The Horsehead Nebula. Captured by | COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES NEWS.CLAS.UFL.EDU UF20 student Cohen Andrews during Lada's Astrophotography class.

ALL SYSTEMS GO UF Astronomy isn’t just adjusting its teaching approaches to accommodate the surge in interest sparked by Webb's observations. They’re making waves in research, too. In recent months, the department has achieved notable success, leveraging new data to make major breakthroughs.

This past spring, assistant professor SARAH BALLARD and her doctoral student SHEILA SAGEAR were featured in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences for their research on “habitable zones,” areas around suns conducive to planets holding water and potentially supporting life. Their work addressed a critical challenge: The sun’s gravitational forces during a planet’s orbit can lead to sterilization due to extreme tides if the planet gets too close or drifts too far away.

To conduct their research, Ballard and Sagear gathered data from NASA’s Kepler Gaia telescopes, analyzing extensive planet samples. By observing the time planets took to cross their suns, they determined the size of their orbits. Their analysis revealed that one-third of the sampled planets were within habitable zones, making them promising subjects for future research on life beyond Earth.

Just a week later, Assistant Professor ZACK SLEPIAN and co-author JIAMIN HOU, a European Union Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow, challenged the fundamental symmetry of physics in their study published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Investigating the “handedness” in the distribution of galaxies, known as parity symmetry, the team explored evidence of the breaking of parity, a crucial factor for the existence of matter in the universe.

“I’ve always been interested in big questions about the universe,” said Slepian. “What is the beginning of the universe? What are the rules under which it evolves? Why is there something rather than nothing?”

Leveraging UF’s supercomputer, HiPerGator, Slepian and Hou automated a process of complex calculations applied to millions of galaxies, a feat that would be impossible to accomplish by hand.

While the results did not tell them whether the universe favored righthandedness or left-handedness, they strongly indicated a preference, likely coded into our galaxies early in the universe’s development. This study marked a substantial stride in research on parity symmetry, and the team hopes to gain more definitive answers regarding the universe’s preferred “hand” in the near future, by using the much larger dataset from Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), for which Slepian leads UF’s participation.

In the fall, a team of researchers, including Assistant Professor of Astronomy JAEHAN BAE, published findings in The Astrophysical Journal from their latest study, shedding light on how stars form and grow. To do this, they looked at distant multistellar systems, or groups of stars that form closer together, using an array of telescopes called the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA).

The team found that the star system they observed had developed three spiral arms, which carried gas around the system that growing stars, or protostars, could absorb. “With this research, I am hoping that we can observe other forming multiple stellar systems to see if this one is an oddball or it’s a norm,” Bae said.

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RISING STARS UF Astronomy boasts not only accomplished faculty but also a cadre of exceptional students who are thinking outside the box to explore new possibilities. Among them is GRADY ROBBINS, a senior majoring in astrophysics, who is actively engaged in protoplanetary disk research with Bae and serves as an officer in UF’s Astronomy and Astrophysics Society.

This past summer, Robbins took on an internship at the National Science Foundation’s NOIRLab. There, he played a crucial role as a primary developer in a recently launched NASAfunded project, Backyard Worlds: Cool Neighbors. It’s the first-ever targeted citizen science search for brown dwarfs. These balls of gas never become stars but offer valuable insights into exoplanet atmospheres and star formation. They’re really hard to spot, but Robbins and his collaborators use the power of AI and machine learning on telescope images to identify them, encouraging input from users to ensure accurate identification. Grady’s role demonstrates UF’s commitment to student involvement in research and volunteer opportunities.

“UF Astronomy faculty prioritize their students' success,” said Robbins.

“They are eager to explore new opportunities to engage students in departmental activities and prepare them for the future.”

Robbins also co-founded PULSAR (Promoting Undergraduate Learning and Studies in Astrophysical Research) with Lada, which he sees as a highlight of his career. The club is designed to be a direct line of communication between undergraduates and professors,

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empowering them to discuss research opportunities and giving students a chance to practice presentations and build their resumes.

Another all-star student is SOPHIE CLARK, a junior double major in astrophysics and physics. Like Robbins, Clark is heavily involved with undergraduate research, working with Elizabeth Lada to study star clusters. Her exemplary work with one cluster in particular, named NGC 1977 and located in the Orion region, earned her the Chambliss Astronomy Achievement Award. She was one of only two undergraduates to receive the prestigious honor at the American Astronomical Society meeting last summer.

“I was so honored to receive the award,” Clark said. “It was an amazing opportunity to share my results with other experts in the field.”

Outside of classes and research, Clark works as a teaching assistant for Lada’s astrophotography class.

She took the course when it was first offered and fell in love.

“Seeing the look of awe on students' faces when they realize how much you can observe from a small telescope in the middle of campus has been an incredibly rewarding experience,” Clark said.

WARP SPEED AHEAD As UF Astronomy continues its upward trajectory, the department has even more to look forward to in the coming days. Thanks to new partnerships with NASA, faculty and students are benefitting from expanded access to a wealth of new data from the Webb telescope.

“The Webb telescope is exciting because it offers views of the universe we couldn’t see with previous telescopes,” Lada explained. “Webb can capture infrared and heat signatures in addition to regular photos.”

Those infrared capabilities hold immense potential for many research endeavors in the department. Lada shares in the excitement of using Webb’s infrared capabilities to further her research. Examining heat signatures within gas clouds could make finding new stars much easier, and thermal readings throughout their early development promise valuable insights into growth and energy output.

“We recently found 140 new clusters of stars in the galaxy closest to us,” Lada said. “To study them further, we’ve submitted a proposal to follow them up with higher resolution images from Webb so that we can resolve the stellar members of the cluster and study them in more detail.”

Bae plans to use the images to study young stars, hoping to find young planets in the material surrounding them. ADAM GINSBURG can use the infrared technology to pierce through our galaxy's dusty spiral arms and see stars where they are forming. He leads projects searching for forming stars in the darkest, densest clouds in the center of our galaxy to determine the factors influencing stars’ sizes.

Professor CHARLES TELESCO, a key figure in building astronomical instruments, including CanariCam for the Gran Telescopio Canarias telescope, has been actively involved in Webb-related projects. CanariCam facilitated the first-ever time-sequence infrared spectral snapshots of a unique supernova in a nearby galaxy.

This success led to the formation of a large team conducting similar Webb spectra observations of more distant supernovae.

Telesco is also building a detection device that he hopes to use to find life on other worlds. The project is in the prototype stage, but current results with said prototype, called IMPS (Integrated Miniature Polarimeter and Spectrograph), have shown promising results.

As these advancements herald a new era of exploration and discovery, UF Astronomy is poised at the forefront of this transformative wave of knowledge, ready to unravel the mysteries of the universe. The horizon of astronomy is aglow with the promise of future discoveries that will shape our understanding of the cosmos for generations to come.

Star trails move across the night sky as the Earth rotates. Photo by Wyatt Cross.

Telescope photo by Michel Thomas.

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By Brian Smith

hook, line

& incisor

DISCOVER

FE ATURE

How three strange creatures from the deep could reshape human dentistry What could the ocean’s most bizarre creatures possibly have in common with humans?

Evolutionary biologist GARETH FRASER is on a quest to find out.

He leads research at the Fraser Lab, where his team investigates marine fish anatomy to uncover how their peculiarities could be leveraged for human benefits, particularly in the realm of dentistry.

“Humans only get two sets of teeth: one set that develops while we’re babies and the larger set that replaces it later in childhood — then that’s it,” Fraser explained. “Many fish, however, are able to regenerate their teeth throughout their lives, so the question is if there’s a way we could trigger that regeneration in humans.”

Fraser has always had a penchant for the unconventional in marine biology, focusing on studying the peculiar creatures that often escape widespread scientific and media attention. His latest research spotlights three extraordinary subjects — the hammerhead shark, the ghost shark, and the pufferfish — showcasing his fascination with the weird and bizarre.

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tooth

&

Hammerhead sharks, known for their distinctive heads and advanced olfactory and electrical sensing abilities, are evolving with gradually shrinking heads. Scientists have identified the bonnethead, a smaller species within the hammerhead family, as the latest evolutionary development in this line.

Just recently, Fraser and his team made a major breakthrough in their work with bonnethead embryos, pinpointing the stage where their heads transform into the iconic hammer shape. These unprecedented findings have captivated the wider scientific community, giving insight into the development of a wonder of nature. Fraser plans to use contemporary genetic methods to further unravel the mechanisms and gene networks governing the head shape formation, presenting a pivotal case study on species adaptation.

Beyond head shape and evolutionary history, Fraser finds hammerheads intriguing for their teeth, which are present both inside their mouths and on their skin. Most animals have teeth exclusively in their mouths and use them to chew their food, but sharks have teeth all over their bodies. They forgo scales like most fish for skin covered in tiny enamel and dentine-rich teeth. As sharp and

nail jagged as the teeth in their mouths, these denticles, known as “skin teeth,” create patterns on sharks’ skin. These patterns improve hydrodynamics and reduce drag while swimming.

The regenerative nature of these skin teeth sets them apart. Teeth in their mouths undergo constant regeneration, which involves pushing out even healthy ones when new teeth in the ‘conveyor-belt’ form.

This explains the common discovery of well-preserved shark teeth on beaches and the seafloor. Teeth on the skin, however, only regenerate when necessary, typically after serious injuries. This disparity in regeneration patterns is a key focus of Fraser’s shark investigation.

Fraser notes that mimicking sharks’ continuous oral tooth production for human genes could be risky.

The process of perpetually pushing out old teeth, regardless of wear and tear, could potentially lead to complications. Instead, he sees promise in exploring the selective and controlled regeneration of skin teeth for advancements in tooth regeneration research.

“Cells that constantly regenerate without limits can risk creating tumors,” Fraser said. “Regeneration only when needed is much more appealing and likely much safer.”

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Photos courtesy of the Fraser Lab.

DISCOVER

hostly grins Despite its misleading name, the ghost shark is neither a specter nor a shark but is actually a member of the order Chimaeriformes, colloquially known as chimaeras. They are closely related to sharks and rays, all falling under the same group of cartilaginous fishes, chondrichthyes. Inhabiting deep waters worldwide, these elusive creatures are difficult to study due to the harsh conditions of the ocean depths. Yet, as some of the oldest living fish, unlocking the secrets of their teeth could significantly impact tooth research across all vertebrates.

Fraser is no stranger to these fish, standing out as one of the few researchers to not only swim alongside them but also experience an encounter of a more aggressive nature. During the past summer, with the help of a National Science Foundation grant, researchers from the Fraser Lab and the Seattle Aquarium ventured to the San Juan Islands, in the Pacific Northwest.

This area is one of the few known spots where ghost sharks migrate to shallower waters to breed, meaning that in addition to using remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) to study these fish, Fraser got a rare opportunity to swim alongside them.

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While diving, he had a close encounter with one ghost shark that approached him, brandishing a spine in front of its dorsal fin in a threatening way.

“They are venomous, but no threat to us,” Fraser explained, “however, getting stabbed is not a pleasant experience, and could lead to an infection.”

Ghost shark teeth, with six tooth plates designed for grinding instead of tearing food, have earned the creatures nicknames such as “ratfish” or “rabbitfish” due to their rodentlike appearance.

These tooth plates continuously regenerate, similar to shark teeth.

Unlike most sharks, ghost sharks have few denticles on their relatively naked skin. Instead, they have teeth concentrated in a specific area of their forehead, forming a bizarre defense mechanism. Apart from its dorsal fin spike, the ghost shark boasts a fleshy, retractable clublike appendage on its forehead, akin to a unicorn horn. This appendage, with pointed teeth at the tip resembling oral shark teeth, serves as a defensive tool or copulatory aid.

This odd set of teeth holds potential for translating these developmental processes to human dentistry.

Opposite page: A small ghost shark showing off the tenaculum on its forehead. Photo courtesy of the Fraser Lab. Left: While most of Fraser's work with pufferfish is on embryos, the lab has a few developed specimens as well, like this one. Photo by Michel Thomas.

i te sized

Among the three key species in Fraser’s research, the pufferfish may seem less peculiar at first glance. It’s probably best known for its main defense mechanism of expanding its body up to three times its size, and the coverage of skin spines, to deter predators.

While most fish sport the typical dental ensemble of multiple rows, the pufferfish rebels with its own style. It possesses four teeth in total, two on top and two on the bottom jaw, located prominently at the front of its mouth. These teeth fuse together into a unusual bird-like beak, a rarity among vertebrates.

The pufferfish’s beaked dentition undergoes a remarkable developmental transformation, playing a crucial role in Fraser’s work. In their juvenile phase, these fish sport relatively normal-looking teeth, but studying them outside the lab is challenging due to their small size. The Fraser

Lab collects tiny embryos from Japan and here in Florida, barely the size of a grain of sand. Microscopes are required to study their teeth before they form into beaks.

The transformation occurs when their first set of teeth are replaced, leaving only four remaining teeth to regenerate and fuse, and further regeneration leads to the formation of their characteristic beak. This more selective regeneration may help avoid the previously mentioned risk of tumors associated with constant cell regeneration.

“If we were to apply these regeneration mechanisms to humans, we would want to be able to switch them on and off,” Fraser said. “If the genes in pufferfish can regulate and limit regeneration to just those four teeth, perhaps we could use that to target only specific teeth in humans.”

more fish in the sea

b

Fraser and his lab frequently acquire new species to study, continuing their observations to learn more about these wonderfully diverse sea creatures.

Their main goal is to unravel the mysteries behind these creatures’ diverse teeth and the genes that control them. “By understanding how these unusual masters of tooth regeneration make and reproduce their dentition, we might perhaps be able to transfer this knowledge to improve dental therapies and create next-generation teeth in humans,” Fraser said.

DIVE INTO ADVENTURE AT THE FRASER LAB:

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CONNECT

foodfor

thought

By Lauren Barnett

UF Psychology’s Vivian Ibañez brings cultural compassion to her work addressing pediatric feeding disorders

V

IVIAN IBAÑEZ understands the power of food. It’s a vital element for survival, but it’s more than mere sustenance.

It serves as a cultural anchor, shaping identity and fostering a sense of belonging. Immigrants, including Ibañez, often find food to be a stabilizing force, offering a powerful pathway back to their roots.

“Food is a big reminder of where we come from,” Ibañez said. “It’s one of our strongest links to home.”

Photo by Michel Thomas.

Despite the universal importance of food, the intricacies of eating are often overlooked.

Proper nourishment is not a given for everyone, especially for children with severe feeding challenges. These disorders, surprisingly common among children, can have profound impacts on physical and emotional development if not addressed.

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DECODING BEHAVIOR Ibañez, a research assistant professor in the Department of Psychology, specializes in navigating the complex challenges faced by families grappling with feeding disorders. As part of her role, she oversees a pediatric feeding disorders clinic at the Florida Autism Center, a division of BlueSprig, in collaboration with the UF Health Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment.

To tackle these challenges, Ibañez and her colleagues employ applied behavior analysis, a branch of natural science rooted in the belief that behavior is influenced by the environment, and modifying it is key to behavioral change.

Everything is backed by data. “That’s part of why I fell in love with this field — because it’s based on objective decisions,” Ibañez said. “I spend all day looking at the graphs and data points,” she said. Ibañez and her team develop assessments of each patient’s behaviors, linking that information to individualized treatment plans.

Ibañez stresses that while feeding disorders and eating disorders may sound similar, they’re quite distinct.

Eating disorders typically involve body image issues, whereas children with feeding disorders exhibit food refusal or selectivity for other reasons.

These families are not just dealing with picky eaters. Many of Ibañez’s patients are born prematurely, lacking the fully developed anatomy required for coordinated feeding processes. This early difficulty in eating can lead to aversions, setting the stage for future challenges these children will face.

During the critical period of weight gain, if feeding by mouth proves difficult, a gastronomy (G) tube

may be inserted. While life-saving, this intervention may not provide opportunities to practice eating by mouth, perpetuating a cycle of disinterest and difficulties with eating.

Ibañez likens feeding disorders to negative dining experiences that can dissuade us from revisiting a restaurant or ordering a particular dish again. “You’ve developed this association that the last time I ordered this, I didn’t feel good, so I’m not going to do that again,” she said. “A similar cycle develops for some kids.”

Feeding disorders also often manifest in children with developmental disabilities, such as autism, where restrictive and repetitive behaviors can impact diet. From a feeding standpoint, Ibañez explains, many of these children get stuck in patterns of only eating foods of a certain color or texture.

“I have had patients, some as old as eight years old, and all they eat is Goldfish,” she said. “Although these kids are eating, we know their nutritional status will be greatly impacted. So, you can understand how once a child has a feeding difficulty, it exacerbates other medical symptoms.”

A LIFE-CHANGING FEEDING PROGRAM Similar to most ailments, Ibañez acknowledges, there’s no one-sizefits-all treatment for feeding disorders.

The pediatric feeding disorders clinic offers a comprehensive, 12-week intensive program that involves daily therapies, incorporating feeding evaluations and personalized treatment during meals.

“We often describe our services as a last-stop shop,” Ibañez said. “Our program is for children who have had at least three months of therapy

with minimal to no progress in their oral feeding and are not gaining weight, maintaining hydration, or meeting their nutritional needs.”

Upon admission to the clinic, each child receives individualized goals. Typical examples include diversification of foods eaten, a shortening of the timeframe of meals, and a reduction in challenging behaviors. A team of therapists and students work with each patient to help them reach their goals.

“We give them back their eating skills, teaching them positive associations with food," she said.

Ibañez calls their intensive program a “life-changing experience for families.”

After successful completion of the program, the goal is to transition families to a follow-up service until the child is an age-typical eater.

The structure and approach at UF’s clinic is new to the state. “Before its establishment, most families had to go out of state for treatments,” she said, noting the burden caused by limited access to such services. “I worked with one family who had been forced to take out a second mortgage in hopes of decreasing their child’s dependence on a gastrostomy tube for daily nutrition.”

As Ibañez welcomes her own first child into the world, she’s excited about the ways it will help her relate more closely to her patients and their families. “People always say you don’t know until you have your own kid,” she said. “For so long, I’ve relied on my educational background, and I anticipate that going through my own experiences with feeding my son will give me even more of a perspective of what parents are going through. I hope that it’ll just make me an even better practitioner.”

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FROM HERITAGE TO HEALING Ibañez’s personal connection to food traces back to a childhood home filled with the aroma of traditional Guatemalan dishes. Since her family immigrated to the States when Ibañez was just two years old, it might’ve been easy for her to forget or feel disconnected from her Guatemalan heritage. But her parents made sure she identified with her culture through many avenues, including food.

“Food took on a special meaning to me early on,” she said. “Despite being far away from home, my mom cooked a lot of recipes that reminded us of our culture.”

This connection fueled Ibañez’s interest in pediatric feeding disorders during her training at the Kennedy Krieger Institute, affiliated with the Johns Hopkins Medical institutions in Baltimore, Maryland. The experience served as her introduction to developmental disabilities and applied behavior analysis. While working at the hospital and studying at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, she encountered children grappling with feeding difficulties for the first time.

“I found these challenges really interesting, especially given the

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importance of food across the lifespan and cultures,” she recalls.

“I was working with children who had really complex medical histories that made eating really painful.”

As she finished up her PhD at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 2017, UF Professor of Psychology TIMOTHY VOLLMER recruited Ibañez to join his team as a postdoctoral researcher. She was drawn by the opportunity to establish a new service from the ground up, alongside a practitioner she highly regarded.

“UF is known around the world for its behavior analysis program,” Ibañez said. “Vollmer recognized that we have this strong program, but not the specialty services to match.”

BUILDING DREAMS Discussions about establishing a center, and a specialized feeding clinic as one part of this center, began to take shape. “It seems like it all happened quickly, but really this is a dream that a lot of people had for many, many years,” Ibañez said.

A few weeks before COVID caused widespread shutdowns across the globe, UF Health cut the ribbon to its groundbreaking Center for

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Autism and Neurodevelopment, which formally established a private-public partnership between the Florida Autism Center and UF. The Center comprises several specialty clinics that house shortterm intensive therapy, including the pediatric feeding disorders clinic.

Today, Ibañez collaborates closely with Vollmer and another of his former students, KERRI PETERS. Peters, now a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and administrative director of the Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment, spearheads much of the coordination with professionals across the university to develop and refine the center’s services with a multidisciplinary approach.

“It’s very important for us to be able to communicate across college, across departments, and disciplines,” Peters said.

Looking ahead, the three practitioners are energized by the opportunities to expand integration with providers and collaborate with talent across UF. “It’s the obvious place to put together a very coordinated effort,” Vollmer said. The team anticipates further integration into

WATCH A VIDEO OF IBAÑEZ AND HER TEAM AT WORK

CLAS.UFL.EDU/FEEDING-CLINIC Photos by Michel Thomas.

the university healthcare system, aiming to provide an increasingly comprehensive service.

The team is also heavily focused on educating the next generation of leaders in pediatric healthcare. Each patient has a two-to-one staffing, which offers many UF undergraduate students the chance to gain hands-on clinical experience with Ibañez and her team.

“My biggest joy is teaching hands-on with the patients,” Ibañez said. “I enjoy bringing students in and showing them how the things they’re learning in textbooks look in real life.”

The clinic emphasizes “training the trainer,” empowering students to replicate the specialized services elsewhere. Since there are only a handful of training centers with this expertise in the United States, the ultimate goal is to advance future care, providing families with broader access to these resources nationally and globally.

CELEBRATING MILESTONES The clinic’s outcomes speak for themselves: 100% of the children treated in the clinic have met their individual goals. “All of these kids leave here eating at some level,

drinking at some level,” Ibañez said.

“I’m happy to say that our data show that we’ve been highly successful.”

The accompanying health benefits are also clear. As eating and nutrition improve, many of Ibañez’s patients gain weight, and their g-tubes are taken out. “You can see the changes in their features,” she said. “They look healthier, and a lot of the kids who struggle in other areas like speech or toileting are making related improvements while in our program.”

Many “firsts” happen in the clinic, but one holds the top rank in Ibañez’s mind. “It never gets old watching a parent be able to successfully feed their child for the first time,” she said. “For us to be able to give that experience back to parents is so special. We’re all about helping the families.”

Above, left: Vivian Ibañez and her team of postdoctoral associates and trainees discuss their recent sessions in the clinic.

Above, right: A typical set-up for a feeding session includes soft foods, drinks, and specialized tools for feeding.

100% of patients achieve their feeding goals

Goals are individualized. They range from diversification of diet to a reduction in time it takes to finish a meal.

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Linguistic tapestry

By Emma Barrett

A UF English professor and Fine Arts student spotlight overlooked multilingual and immigrant narratives through a fusion of research and community engagement

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LAURA GONZALES’ family moved to the United States during her childhood to pursue a better life. Her family chose to move to Florida because the weather was most like their home city in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Yet, one prominent aspect was not the same — the language. Facing challenges as a non-native English speaker, Gonzales later championed the intellectual efforts of language learners.

“They are doing so much mental work just to be understood and get through the day,” Gonzales said.

Inspired by her polyglot mother, Gonzales pursued language studies in higher education. Now a UF English professor, her research and teaching are grounded in community work, language diversity, and technology.

Recently, she co-created a museum exhibit challenging assumptions about the perceived lack of necessity for language access in rural communities like Gainesville. This was achieved by showcasing personal immigrant stories from residents of North Florida.

In collaboration with the Rural Women’s Health Project, the Gainesville Immigrant Neighbor Inclusion Initiative (GINI), and Fulbright Scholar and UF Fine Arts graduate student Valentina Sierra Niño, Gonzales and her collaborators address the underrepresentation of North Florida’s immigrant communities in a Matheson History Museum exhibit, “We Are Here: Stories from Multilingual Speakers in North Central Florida.” Through 80 interviews, they

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collaboratively created something for and with the North Central Florida community using their stories.

“It’s a project that started because we wanted to highlight something we think is overlooked, which is the linguistic diversity of our region,” Gonzales said.

Gonzales and Sierra Niño explored their languages, countries of origin, and experiences speaking their native language in North Central Florida.

Sierra Niño spearheaded the exhibit’s design with a striking collage series of ten pieces, representing ten countries, featuring birds and plants from interviewees’ hometowns to symbolize their immigration journey.

“We used collages as a common ground to create interpretations and explore stories even when we come from different cultures and speak different languages,” Sierra Niño said.

Surprising findings, like Mandarin Chinese being the most spoken language after English in North Central Florida, challenge stereotypes. Gonzales stresses immigrants’ integral role in the community, fueling conversations about marginalized populations’ experiences, strengths, and needs.

“The idea of being a collective and working better together is central to what the exhibit is trying to do,” Gonzales said.

The exhibit fostered connections among immigrant communities, bolstering trust and fellowship.

Gonzales saw people connecting with shared community stories,

recounting a Ghanaian family’s surprise at finding a collage about Ghana’s languages, history, and culture in a Gainesville museum exhibit.

“I find the most rewarding moments in this project are when people feel recognized, understood, and realize that someone considered them in discussions about immigration, a topic often overlooking their experiences,” Gonzales said.

She highlights an exhibit story of a Guatemalan family speaking Q’anjob’al, a Mayan Indigenous language. The parents are preserving their language and culture by teaching their children Q’anjob’al, while the children teach them English.

“I think it’s great to see how through the immigration journey, people find ways to learn and grow and expand while also remaining true to who they are,” Gonzales said. “I think that’s a good lesson for everybody.”

Gonzales’ award-winning book, Designing Multilingual Experiences in Technical Communication, extends her commitment to community engagement, addressing inclusive digital experiences for multilingual users through three community language-focused projects.

Rooted in her user experience (UX) design research, the book delves into language diversity’s impact on global research, featuring case studies from the United States, Mexico, and Nepal. Gonzales offers frameworks and best practices for justicedriven, participatory research with multilingual communities, emphasizing current translation practices.

Acknowledging her research privilege, she teaches others to factor it in when developing tools and technologies. She also emphasizes

that technologies should enhance, not replace, human connections in multilingual contexts.

“We incorporate technologies into our lives to make things quicker and more efficient. Language doesn’t always work like that,” Gonzales said.

She stresses the importance of building trust and understanding the cultural context of a community when working in multilingual settings before jumping into language translation.

In her professional communication, digital writing, cultural rhetoric, and social media courses, Gonzales integrates community engagement.

Students contribute thoughts on the “We Are Here” exhibit, collaborate with the Rural Women’s Health Project, and publish immigrant stories.

“I stress to students, even if briefly in Gainesville for school, they’re here because the community makes it possible. Understanding the community and the university’s role is everyone’s responsibility,” Gonzales said.

Her consulting business, Language Access Florida, connects Indigenous language translators in Latin America with U.S. organizations needing translation work, mediating between agencies and Indigenous language advocates.

Continuing to raise awareness about Florida’s immigration issues remains Gonzales’ focus.

“In the humanities, we bring together multiple forms of communication to create messages that change the world,” Gonzales said. “That’s what I want to do with my whole life and inspire students to do.”

GO BEHIND THE SCENES TO EXPLORE THE ARTIST’S PROCESS CLAS.UFL.EDU/VALENTINA

Top: Laura Gonzales (left) and Valentina Sierra Niño (right) speak at the exhibit launch event. Photo by Cool Blue Photography with The Matheson Museum.

Bottom: Collages illuminate the multilingual journey, emphasizing language's profound impact on native speakers' lives. Stills captured from a demonstration video by Valentina Sierra Niño.

YTORI FALL / WINTER 2023 | 33

CONNECT

Law of the Land

By Lauren Barnett

A pre-law excursion to Wales offers more than global adventure When faced with heartbreak in graduate school, MATTHEW C. JONES did what many only dream of during those hard moments in life: He escaped to a different country.

Jones had previously studied abroad in London. While there, he visited Wales for merely a weekend, but it left a big impression on him.

Inspired, he applied to Cardiff University and was awarded a fullride scholarship to pursue a master’s degree in Welsh and Celtic studies.

The year abroad revitalized him.

“I fell in love with life again,” Jones said. Determined to make Wales

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a permanent part of his future, he spent the following years exploring ways to preserve the magic he had discovered there. Eventually, this commitment evolved into a desire to share the experience with others.

Jones got to work building connections across the Welsh government, higher education administration, private law, and entertainment sectors. He even gained fluency in the Welsh language.

Things really started to take off when he arrived at the University of Florida, where his role as an assistant instructional professor

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in the University Writing Program provided a platform to forge more robust transatlantic connections.

Recognizing the absence of a study abroad program tailored for pre-law students at UF, Jones seized the chance to create one. He proposed and spearheaded the development of a UF in Wales program, collaborating with his many friends across the pond to bring the program to life.

Launched in May 2023, the program offered 20 students the opportunity to engage in Welsh culture by focusing on legal aspects post-Brexit and postEU. Jones ensured that each student’s

YOUR WALES JOURNEY AWAITS CLAS.UFL.EDU/WALES

From left to right: The study abroad group enjoys Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, student Rori Becker appreciates an excursion to Trinity College in Dublin, the students explore Cardiff Castle, and the team indulges in an outing to Pettigrew Tea Rooms at Bute Park. Photos courtesy of Matthew Jones and Rori Becker.

experience was customized to their specific interests. “Every assignment was crafted for full immersion in the individual legal interests they aimed to cultivate,” he said.

Internship opportunities in relevant organizations allowed students to establish connections with influential figures in Welsh legal fields, leading to the formation of mentorships. Reflecting on the significance of these relationships, RORI BECKER, a double major in criminology and English, noted, “They have broadened my horizons on the possible academic routes I can take.”

Becker, inspired by her time in Wales, aspires to attend law school and pursue a career in criminal defense litigation. “One part of the legal profession that has always drawn my interest is the ability to directly impact people’s lives,” Becker said, “but from the majority of internships I’ve had in the United States, there’s very minimal impact you can have as an undergraduate student.” Not so in Wales, where she had the chance to work directly and independently with at-risk communities in Cardiff.

CAROLINE WILBER, who graduates with a dual degree in psychology and criminology this spring, has already received several offers from respected law schools. She attributes her pursuit of a career in family law to the transformative experiences she found abroad.

“My experiences in Wales strengthened my passion for service and advocacy,” she said, “and the internships I took part in gave me real-world experiences that will be helpful throughout law school and my future career.”

The six-week-long program concluded with an alumni reception, providing students with a chance to network and envision their paths ahead. “The event was a chance for them to look into the future,” Jones said. “They could see their own ambitions become real.”

Jones hopes this is just the beginning of a lasting friendship between UF and Wales. As his students graduate and pursue the next steps in their careers, he’s confident in the positive impact the trip had on each of them.

“Right before my eyes, they blossomed into the professionals they’ve been aspiring to become,” he said. “They came back transformed in the end, and it’s just the start of something extraordinary.”

YTORI FALL / WINTER 2023 | 35

CONNECT CONNECT

Trail Blazer

By Douglas Ray

Kevin Gentzel found his path — now he’s paving the way for others Armed with a bachelor’s degree in English literature from the University of Florida and perhaps more selfconfidence than his Panhandle upbringing might suggest, KEVIN GENTZEL arrived in New York City in January 1993 having landed a job, straight from graduation, in the circulation department of Scientific American.

He quickly figured out that his true interest lay more in sales and advertising.

Gentzel vividly recalls the moment of revelation when he overheard two salespeople discussing taking clients to a Yankees game. “I stopped them. ‘Wait a minute. You took people to the Yankees game for work?’,” Gentzel said with a grin. “Could you please explain what you do so I can understand that better, because that sounds like my calling.”

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to disruption, Gentzel is clearly aware that careers will change. The key, he believes, is being prepared to adapt to all this change.

Recalling that first winter in New York, Gentzel said he would literally sit in office doorways watching how the advertising salespeople worked.

“I would make them take me on sales calls. I would ask them to teach me the dynamics of that part of the business. Advertising, to me, brings brands into incredible support for incredible journalism, to reach important readers,” Gentzel said.

This fusion of Gentzel’s passions for reading, journalism, sales, communication, empathy, and persuasion served as the driving force that unified his path.

He carries this approach forward to this day, almost 30 years later.

“You’re hearing a story of someone who really carved their own path, and it was more of an act of will,” Gentzel said, eyes flashing beneath his stylish pompadour haircut.

He’s convinced there’s an opportunity to provide better guidance for students.

“There’s a way that we can build

bridges so people can find their path in a less jarring way, in a way where it can be more organic. Maybe they can move forward to support this sector without having to head out on their own.”

A broad liberal arts education has benefits that may not be obvious to those on more careerspecific educational paths.

“The art of sales, historically, might have a negative perception.

And yet in 2023, whether you’re a board member, a C-level executive, or somebody coming out of school trying to create a career path, the art and science behind sales — conveying an idea, getting buy-in, leading with an idea, whether that’s internally to a customer, or to a colleague — it’s a mission-critical skill set. It’s solving problems creatively,” he said.

Gentzel said he followed his intellectual passions and interests in CLAS, and through that, came to realize what motivated him.

“I think passion equals more success generally in this human journey. How can you tie your passion to purpose, to a business opportunity and a career?”

Photos by Jennifer Mullowney.

S

itting with his wife, Sandy, in their home north of New York City, Gentzel sketched his path from rookie ad rep to top revenue positions at prestigious publications, including Forbes, The Washington Post, Gannett/USA Today and, currently, Newsweek, where he oversees all commercial operations and revenue streams. Previously, as Yahoo’s head of North American advertising sales, his team achieved $4 billion in revenue.

Earlier, as chief revenue officer of The Washington Post, he led the launch of several digital platforms through the company’s acquisition by Jeff Bezos.

He credits his foundation of knowledge and inquiry gained at UF. “The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences provides a wide aperture of learning and experiences. That enables a person to have a dynamic sense of different experiences, and then calibrate. It can lead to focus through an internship and then into a career path,” he said.

Having shifted through more than half a dozen C-suite roles and witnessed the publishing industry’s transformation from dominance

A Shared Vision Looking back on an early date to a football game with husband Kevin, Sandy Gentzel recalls the rush of energy she felt when entering a buzzing Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. “In the Swamp, just hearing the kids come together cheering, it’s a place where these young people get to experience being part of a community, to their bones,” Sandy said.

“We believe that through our support — and certainly that of others — we can help students pursue their dreams of an internship, whether it might be in Chicago, New York, London, Tokyo or Gainesville,” Kevin said. “They shouldn’t have to turn that down because of the expense.”

So when the Gentzels first learned about the Beyond120 program, it resonated. “We both just really got excited about it,” Kevin said.

Their support extends beyond the financial. Kevin also serves as a member of the CLAS Dean’s Leadership Council and on the UF Foundation National Board, where he aims to impact UF students by advancing the UF Foundation’s efforts.

Since establishing an endowed scholarship in 2021, the pair has supported 10 students with Beyond120 scholarships, and the program plans to select four more recipients in spring 2024.

“It’s super important to speak with students, to listen to students, just to understand the world through YTORI FALL / WINTER 2023 | 37 their eyes. This all means a lot to us,” he said.

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EVENING OF

Excellence

Compiled by Lauren Barnett

Honoring outstanding achievements within the college community The Evening of Excellence is not just an event; it’s a celebration of the talent, commitment, and passion that define our college. It’s an acknowledgment of those who have consistently showcased excellence and dedication to enhancing their respective fields and the broader community.

Once a year, this prestigious ceremony brings together faculty, students, alumni, and supporters to celebrate the collective awards for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

The celebration, which started in 2017, has become a cherished tradition, providing a platform to showcase the remarkable endeavors unfolding within our classrooms and throughout our expansive college community.

College excellence awards are not just a recognition of success; they serve as a testament to the spirit of our college and the people who make it a thriving, vibrant community. Each award embodies the very essence of what makes our institution exceptional.

Thank you to our generous Dean’s Fund for Excellence donors whose support makes the CLAS Excellence Awards an annual tradition for the college.

With great pride, we present our 2023 Evening of Excellence awardees: Superior Staff Award KELLI GRANADE, Department of Linguistics

Student Excellence Award ASIA BARLOW, Sociology and Women’s Studies REINALDO CABRERA PÉREZ, Linguistics EMMA SALATI, Italian, Spanish, and Chemistry

Outstanding Alumnus DARIN COOK, Statistics BS '87

Volunteer of the Year AMY GALLOWAY, Political Science BA '81, JD '85

Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Graduate Student Award RACHEL HARTNETT, Department of English

Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Faculty Award ANITA MARSHALL, Department of Geological Sciences

Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee Award UF PHYSICS IDEA, Department of Physics

Faculty Achievement Award LYNN O’SICKEY, Academic Advising Center KELLIE ROBERTS, Dial Center for Written and Oral Communication Photos by Michel Thomas. Set of the classical orders. @ Marina Gorskaya/Adobe Stock.

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“The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is home to many fine minds, innovators, and entrepreneurs whose creativity, versatility, and adaptability make them shine in everything they do,” said DEAN DAVID RICHARDSON. “We are proud to recognize their success in our Evening of Excellence!”

Celebrating the world’s fastest-growing Gator businesses in 2023 Gator100 spotlights the most rapidly growing businesses owned or led by UF alumni. Nearly a quarter of the 2023 ranked businesses are owned or led by CLAS alumni, underscoring their substantial influence on the global business stage. #4: AceApplications, LLC - Laine Powell (English '97) #10: Spark Inc. - Richard Davis (English '93) #16: Palm Beach Autographs - Jim Dodson (Economics '00) & Steve Dodson (Economics '03) #19: Everest Ice and Water Systems - Jordan Flores (Psychology '06) #22: Admiral - Nathan Hagen (Economics '12) #27: Hypolita Co. - Morgan Lampp (Political Science '08) #32: Novi AMS - Pete Zimek (Political Science ’01, Master of Science in Management, '02) #35: Specialty Smiles PLLC - Melissa Alfonso Sedeño (Political Science '09, DMD '13, MS '16) #36: Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux - Scott Taylor (English '86) #41: Zinnia Wealth Management LLC - Charisse Rivers (Criminal Justice '04) #61: Endless Summer Realty - Brad Layland (Interpersonal Communications '94) #70: Revival Chiropractic - Christina Cuellar (Psychology '11) #75: Heitner Legal - Darren Heitner (Political Science '07, JD '10) #76: Bernal-Mora and Nickolaou, PA - Ophelia Bernal-Mora Nickolaou (Anthropology '00) & Andrew Nickolaou (Criminal Justice '07) #77: Push Button Creative Audio - Jon Ruhff (Psychology '02) #80: Absolute Numbers, Inc. - Carolyn Jones (Anthropology '94) #81: New Medicine Foundation - Edward Pearson (Microbiology & Cell Science '93) #87: REAL Building Consultants - Taylor Ralph (Criminal Justice '05, Master of International Business '06) #90: Kikoda | Cutting Edge Software - Chris Korta (History '89) #95: The FOCUS Group - Brad Layland - (Interpersonal Communication '94) #96: Origin Construction LLC - John Wood (Economics, '98) #97: Florida Legal Title - Ashlie Luckey (Criminal Justice '07, JD '10) Top, right: Dean Richardson (left) and Associate Dean Bianca Evans-Donaldson (right) celebrate with awardee Anita Marshall.

Bottom, right: Faculty members Maddy Cox (left) and Alyssa Zucker (right) show their support for student honoree Asia Barlow.

#98: PHOS Creative - Brandon West (Classical Studies '09) YTORI FALL / WINTER 2023 | 39

Creative LICENSE

By Brian Smith

NEW BOOK RELEASES FROM F A C U LT Y AND ALUMNI

THE PARADOX OF VIOLENCE IN VENEZUELA: REVOLUTION, CRIME, AND POLICING DURING CHAVISMO

Edited by David Smilde, Verónica Zubillaga, and Rebecca Hanson | University of Pittsburgh Press

“These chapters reveal a need to reorient how we think about violence and its relationship to poverty, inequality, and the state.”

— REBECCA HANSON

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Seven years ago, UF sociologist REBECCA HANSON, along with a team of co-writers and co-editors, set out to produce the first English-language book on the relationship between poverty, crime, and governance in Venezuela. Although the Venezuelan government had made great strides to reduce poverty and inequality nationwide, at the time, it was also grappling with a surge in violence that positioned the nation as one of the world’s most violent countries. This inverse relationship upended prevailing sociological theories, and Hanson and her co-editors sought to contend with this stark contradiction.

In their resulting volume, Hanson and her team focus on four pivotal factors that contributed to the surge in violence under Hugo Chávez’s administration.

Increased oil revenue, revolutionary governance, a resurgence in military policing, and a failure to address concentrated disadvantage all resulted in a cycle of violence that began under Chávez and still plagues the country today.

The authors are hopeful their empirical analysis will guide public discourse and policy formulation, shifting the issue of citizen security into a realistic discussion of how security and safety can be established. They urge stakeholders to recognize that violence is a structural rather than an individual-level issue. The book contends that sustainable solutions lie in policies that foster trust, knowledge, accountability, and social cohesion at multiple levels.

“We see the book contributing to long-standing debates in the social sciences beyond Latin America,” Hanson said. “These chapters reveal a need to reorient how we think about violence and its relationship to poverty, inequality, and the state.”

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1 | NATURE AND CREATION: BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVES ON LIFE HERE ON PLANET EARTH

2 | INDIGENOUS AND AFRICAN DIASPORA RELIGIONS IN THE AMERICAS

By Richard H. Hiers Wipf and Stock Publishers

Edited by Benjamin Hebblethwaite and Silke Jansen University of Nebraska Press

Professor Emeritus RICHARD HIERS offers an insightful academic reflection on humankind’s role in the world and our connection with God and creation. He also explores our relationship with nature and Earth’s creatures, featuring discussions on environmental ethics and the lessons we can glean from the Old and New Testaments for improving our relationship with nature. A significant focus of the book is Hiers’ exploration of the aspects of our relationship with the environment. He argues that the damage we’ve caused to the Earth is being repaid in kind, explaining that extreme weather and climate disasters have come about because of our destructive tendencies.

Co-edited by BENJAMIN HEBBLETHWAITE, an associate professor in Haitian and Francophone Studies, this volume explores the spread of African religions through the Americas and the Caribbean.

Through interdisciplinary research, it breaks new ground by examining these traditions as typologically and historically related. The book narrates the history of these religions and their practitioners while sharing details about their rituals and customs. It also explains their spread through the slave trade and colonialism, highlighting how contemporary practitioners preserve these traditions as a vital heritage.

3 | AI AND WRITING

By Sidney I. Dobrin Broadview Press Artificial intelligence platforms such as ChatGPT are sparking discussions on college campuses, raising questions about the potential positive and negative impacts on writing and creativity. SID DOBRIN, professor and chair of the English department, embraces AI and its applications in writing. He aims to impart to readers the methods and ethical considerations behind AI in writing, charting the future path of these tools.

Specifically crafted as a pedagogical resource, Dobrin tailors the discussion for future writing classes, with relevance to any course in which students are required to produce texts.

Its versatility extends across various academic levels, ranging from introductory courses to more advanced studies in technical writing.

4 | A TALE OF TWO GRANADAS: CUSTOM, COMMUNITY, AND CITIZENSHIP IN THE SPANISH EMPIRE, 1568 - 1668

By Max Deardorff Cambridge University Press In his authorial debut, Assistant Professor of History MAX DEARDORFF examines the political upheaval of 1570s Granada, a Spanish colony in modern-day Colombia. The era saw mestizos, offspring of Indigenous mothers and Spanish fathers, fighting for acceptance in Spanish society and the right to hold positions of power in colonial government. These events marked the integration of Indigenous and mixed-heritage individuals into Spanish society. Deardorff’s book ties Colombia's regional conflicts to broader struggles over local citizenship in the Spanish Empire.

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Creative L I C E N S E

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5 | A NEW HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN SOUTH Edited by W. Fitzhugh Brundage; Laura F. Edwards and Jon Sensbach, associate editors The University of North Carolina Press JON SENSBACH, professor and chair of the Department of History, serves as associate editor of this collection of essays and stories from a group of distinguished historians and scholars. While many books have been written about the topic, this book aims to present the most exhaustive, yet still accessible, history of the American South. The collection delves into every aspect of Southern history, tracing its influence on contemporary Southern culture. It fearlessly addresses critical topics such as slavery, the African diaspora, Indigenous experiences, gender and wealth disparities, segregation, and race relations.

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6 | A PLACE IN THE WORLD: FINDING THE MEANING OF HOME

By Frances Mayes The Crown Publishing Group This New York Times bestseller, written by English alum FRANCES MAYES, serves as an outlet for her passion for the concept of home. As an avid traveler, Mayes is constantly seeking a sense of home in the places she visits, and this collection of personal stories explores what home means, detailing the impacts her various residences have had on her. By weaving narratives about the places she’s visited, Mayes draws a detailed map of her journeys, showcasing how each home, temporary or not, becomes a thread influencing the trajectory toward the next, woven into the overarching theme of the book — the universal quest for a sense of home, wherever one’s travels may take them.

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7 | DISCOVERING SNAKES IN WILD PLACES: STORIES OF PASSION, ADVENTURE & SCIENCE

By Harvey B. Lillywhite ECO Publishing Professor Emeritus HARVEY B. LILLYWHITE shares captivating tales from his global travels in pursuit of snakes, blending scientific discovery with adventures in wild places.

Field biologists will find fascination in his encounters with exotic species, while others can explore his early escapades as a youth in southern California, and his worldwide travels as a scientist. Lillywhite’s primary goal is to evoke wonder and excitement about snakes, inspiring readers to embark on similar adventures and to develop an interest in science through wildlife interactions.

He also aims to preserve the memory of the places in the book that no longer exist and encourage the discovery of other wild venues.

8 | THE TACITUS ENCYCLOPEDIA Edited by Victoria Emma Pagán Wiley-Blackwell Thanks to Professor of Classics VICTORIA PAGÁN, we now have our first exhaustive encyclopedia on the writings of the lesser-known Roman author Tacitus. This encyclopedia is the perfect companion piece for those wanting to read the works of Tacitus, detailing every identifiable character and historical event, and explaining the culture of the time. Tacitus was not only a writer but also a historian, and often included the events of his day in his work. He lived and wrote during the zenith of the Roman Empire and is thus an important primary source. “Tacitus can refer to historical events from Homer to Hadrian and covers locations from Britain to North Africa and India,” Pagán explained.

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Explore the New Publications

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9 | CHASING WE-NESS: CULTIVATING EMPATHY AND LEADERSHIP IN A POLARIZED WORLD

10 | REVELATION AT THE FOOD BANK

By William Marsiglio University of Toronto Press

MERRILL JOAN GERBER, a UF alum and recipient of the Alumna of Outstanding Achievement Medal, provides an intimate portrayal of pivotal moments in her life and marriage in this collection of essays. From joyous recollections of marital bliss to memories of loss and familial trauma, the narratives capture a spectrum of personal experiences. Additionally, the collection delves into Gerber’s reflections on her time at UF. Through her lens, readers gain insights into the significant changes that have shaped the university over the past few decades. She also reminisces on her time spent with ANDREW LYTLE, a legendary writer and professor who played a pivotal role in founding UF’s Creative Writing Program.

Professor of Sociology WILLIAM MARSIGLIO examines the concept of group belonging, dubbed “we-ness,” and offers advice on how to better ourselves by incorporating we-ness into our lives.

The book’s main goal is to promote empathetic awareness and reduce social divisions through individual self-betterment. Marsiglio examines the impact of modern technologies, such as AI and social media, on our state of we-ness, while also exploring the ways that community, sports and leisure, and civic organizations benefit our state of collective belonging. The overarching goal is to encourage a mindset that emphasizes unity and shared experiences in the face of societal fragmentation.

By Merrill Joan Gerber Sagging Meniscus Press

11 | THE JEWISH IMPERIAL IMAGINATION: LEO BAECK AND GERMAN-JEWISH THOUGHT

clas.ufl.edu/ creativelicense

By Yaniv Feller Cambridge University Press YANIV FELLER, assistant professor in the Religion Department and the Bud Shorstein Center, explores the intellectual legacy of Leo Baeck, a leading Jewish figure of the 20th century and the official leader of German Jewry during the Holocaust. Feller focuses on how Jewish thought interacted with ideas of German imperialism from the late 19th century to the post-Holocaust world. Through the concept of the ‘Jewish imperial imagination,’ Feller provides new perspectives on German-Jewish history, offering a pioneering examination of Baeck’s religious thought within a political framework. Ultimately, he illuminates the philosopher’s significance and the imperial context of the era.

YTORI YTORI SPRING FALL/ /SUMMER WINTER 2023 | 43

LAURELS Assistant Professor of Counseling Psychology ROBERTO ABREU received the William R. Jones Outstanding Mentor Award from the Florida Education Fund’s McKnight Doctoral Fellowship Program.

History professor JACK DAVIS, creative writing professor DAVID LEAVITT, and psychology professor ANDREAS KEIL were recognized as UF Distinguished Professors.

THOMAS BIANCHI, the Jon L. and Beverly A. Thompson Endowed Chair of Geological Sciences, was recognized as the 2023 Edward P. Bass Distinguished Visiting Environmental Scholar at Yale University’s Institute of Biospheric Studies.

HANI DOSS, professor of statistics, was selected as co-editor of the Journal of the Royal Statistical Society: Series B.

MADELEINE COY, an assistant professor in the Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies, was named associate editor of the Women’s Studies International Forum.

Assistant Professor of Religion and Jewish Studies YANIV FELLER and Shorstein Professor of American Jewish Culture and Society RACHEL GORDAN received the 2023 Jordan Schnitzer First Book Publication Award issued by the Association for Jewish Studies.

Assistant Professor of English LAURA GONZALES (see page 32) has received the Conference on College Composition and Communication’s Best Book Award.

Roberto Abreu

Thomas Bianchi

Madeleine Coy

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Hani Doss

Anita Marshall

Ellen E. Martin

Senior lecturer AGNES LESLIE won a university-level Superior Accomplishment Award in honor of her contributions to community service.

Scientist JODIE JOHNSON won the AI Yergey Mass Spectrometry Scientist Award from the American Society for Mass Spectrometry.

Assistant Instructional Professor ANITA MARSHALL received the National Association of Geoscience Teachers 2023 NAGT Excellence in Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Award.

Distinguished Professor Emeritus BRIAN A. IWATA (1948-2023) received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Florida Association of Applied Behavior Analysis.

Associate Professor of Chemistry SANDRA LOESGEN won the American Society of Pharmacognosy Matt Suffness Young Investigator Award.

Chair of Geological Sciences and Professor of Geology ELLEN E. MARTIN was elected as an American Geophysical Union Fellow.

HALI JAKEMAN FLORES (Astronomy '10, Electrical and Electronics Engineering '13) served as Product Development Lead for an on-orbit calibration system for NASA’s Roman Space Telescope.

RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF STUDENTS, STAFF, FACULTY AND ALUMNI OF THE COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES

Associate Chair and Professor of Geography JOANN MOSSA received the Research Honors Award from the Southeastern Division of the Association of American Geographers.

Professor of English MALINI SCHUELLER was named as a finalist for the 40th National Book Awards in the Philippines for her work “Campaigns of Knowledge: U.S. Pedagogies of Colonialism and Occupation in the Philippines and Japan.”

Assistant Professor of Chemistry ALBERTO PEREZ won the 2023 OpenEye Cadence Molecular Sciences Outstanding Junior Faculty Award, managed by the American Chemical Society’s Division of Computers in Chemistry.

HAROLD POLO (Mathematics and Computer Science, '23) received a UC Presidential Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of California, Irvine.

Professor of Linguistics ERIC POTSDAM was elected a Fellow of the Linguistic Society of America.

Alumna DIANELDA PULIDO, '23, recently accepted a position as a White House Staff Assistant.

Assistant Professor in the Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies HINA SHAIKH was selected as one of 15 faculty members nationwide for the National Humanities Center Responsible Artificial Intelligence Curriculum Design Project.

Distinguished Professor DAVID TANNER was awarded the 2024 Panofsky Prize of the American Physical Society.

MELANIE VEIGE, an instructional professor of chemistry, received the 2023 UF Center for Teaching Excellence Affordable Access Award.

Professor and Associate Chair of Psychology TIMOTHY VOLLMER was honored with the ABA International Don Hake Translational Research Award by the American Psychological Association.

Professor Emeritus RICHARD A. YOST has been awarded the 2023 ABRF Award for Outstanding Contributions to Biomolecular Technologies.

Rachel Gordan

Jack Davis

Timothy Vollmer

Malini Schueller

David Leavitt

Professor of Anthropology NEILL WALLIS, received the Doctoral Dissertation Advisor/Mentoring Award for his work with graduate students.

Assistant Professor of Geology AMY WILLIAMS was appointed to the National Academies of Science Committee on Astrobiology and Planetary Science.

JOHN WINTER (Zoology and Psychology, '16) has been chosen as the inaugural resident of the Illinois Zoological and Wildlife Health Management Residency, marking a significant milestone as the nation’s first wildlife residency program.

Eric Potsdam

Agnes Leslie

CLAS.UFL.EDU/HONORS

LOUIS REINSTEIN (Religious Studies '96) was elected to Plantation (Florida) City Council, Group 5.

EXPLORE AWARDS SHOWCASE

Lecturer of Online Spanish CRYSTAL MARULL was named the 2023 University of Florida Online Educator of the Year. She will be UF’s nominee for the newly created State University System President’s Award for online teaching.

YTORI FALL / WINTER 2023 | 45

UNIVERSITY of FLORIDA COLLEGE of LIBERAL ARTS and SCIENCES

So much of what is accomplished in our college,

and beyond the walls of campus, would not be possible without the generosity of alumni and friends who stand behind our mission.

”

­— Dean David E. Richardson

The Dean’s Circle recognizes

the extraordinary generosity of alumni, friends, faculty and staff who make annual gifts of $500 or more to the Dean’s Fund for Excellence. As a member of the Dean’s Circle, your investment will help the college meet the educational needs of our students, take advantage of extraordinary opportunities, and meet new challenges in teaching, research and service.

Through the Dean’s Circle, alumni and friends have provided:

• Funding for promising undergraduate and graduate students.

• Faculty seed grants for pursuing new research interests and other academic endeavors.

• Scholarships and awards to students for travel abroad experiences.

46 | COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES

NEWS.CLAS.UFL.EDU

• New computer hardware and software for research and teaching.

TENURED | $50,000+ Robert & Laurel Kincart Howard & Brenda Sheridan DIRECTOR | $10,000 - $24,999 William & Melodie Douglas Thomas & Cheryl Elligett Robert Fowler The Freedom Forum Ann Regan Kwok-Lan & Yin-Po Tschang David & Bernadette Williams Lawrence Winner ADVISOR | $5,000 - $9,999 Charles & Allison Edwards James & Marie Harper ASSOCIATE | $2,500 - $4,999 David & Randi Blum Margaret & Michael French Joshua & Nancy Gillon Richard & Nancy Leslie Honglin Liu & Feng Tian Stacey & George Watt Reverdy Wright FELLOW | $1,000 - $2,499 Glenda Anthony Andrew & Cheryl Barenberg Ami & Michael Baron James & Vikki Black Bob Bowser Frank Bracco Virginia Baum Melody Bridgman Kohl Karen & Michael Brisch Susan Cook & Drew Fine Sigrid & Brian Corcoran Dan & Susan Fabrick David & Danuta Falstad Andrea Farley Margaret & Michael Fields Eric Frisch Daniel & Angela Hackman Anne & Lawrence Hall Tara Hamer Gill & Robert Gill James & Maureen Hennessy Grant & Lori Heslep Brianna & Stephen Hicks Thomas & Linda Holmes Hsuan Huang David & Catherine Kasriel Jeanine Keating Mary Koslovsky Charles & Leslie Layton Thomas Lewis

Grant & Ann Morehead David Neel David Pharies & Mary Ginway Michael & Sheila Rokeach Amy & Jeffrey Rubin Joan Dial Ruffier Gregory & Alison Schneider David & Masako Semaya Sandra & Paul Tillotson Vinny Trapanese Marjorie Turnbull SCHOLAR | $500 - $999 George Avery Patrick & Kristine Bates Seth Bloom Donald & Sue Buzzell Joseph Cannella Patricia Carey Guy Cecil & Edward McNulty Stanley Crews Bazil Duncan Maria Edridge Adolph & Eleonora Eisner Harvey Goldstein Jerome Guilford Eric & Alison Handler James Heckman Johnny Humphrey Alexis Jesup & Jason Buckley Martha & Werner Koester Martin Leach Margaret Lezcano & Frederick Hartker Alexandria & Andrew Marder Hugh & Maricela Mazzei Darrell & Megan Murray Stephanie Muth Minh Nguyen Dean & Ashley Notabartolo Stewart & Suzy Perlman Norman & Margaret Portillo Robert & Camille Price Michael Rutenberg & Bethany Hieber Nicholas & Tracee Sama John & Joan Sargent Harold Saxton Jean Schaake Kay Sedberry & Frank Ruggiero Colin & Lisa Sheppard Terry & Dorothy Smiljanich Nancy Smith & John Ossiff Ed Steinman & Wondie Russell Edward & Nancy Stockhausen Cynthia & Stephen Taylor Angela Thomas Paul Walker & Lisa Kimmey-Walker Yongzhi & Yan Yang

EMERITUS Anonymous Robert & Leah Adams Charles & Judy Black Charles Byrd Christy Wilson Delk Thomas & Cheryl Elligett Mitchell & Bridget Gordon James Hoover James & Elizabeth Kalamaras Ashish Karve Thomas & Sheryl Moore Michael & Margo Rosenthal Valerie Stephens Patricia Sullivan Robert & Arleene Westman Jewel White Alexander Wish

The Dean’s Circle and the Dean’s Fund for Excellence To join the Dean’s Circle, please visit clas.ufl.edu/deanscircle or contact STEVE EVANS

Executive Director of Advancement

352-273-3704 | sevans3@ufl.edu

YTORI FALL / WINTER 2023 | 47

meeting points

By Brian Smith

ACROSS 1 Footwear for divers 4 The sound a kitten makes 7 Ending of a scholarly URL 8 Might be used by firefighters 9 To be covered in water 10 Elitist 11 Auditory organ 12 Audio disc (abbr.)

13 Home to Ganges River 14 Sci-fi visitor from Spielberg film (abbr.)

15 Mineral deposit for smelting (plural) 18 The opposite of a base 20 Longest river in Africa 21 Deep-sea chimera fish (page 26) 23 Immediately 24 A very long period of time 25 Apple’s operating system DOWN 1 Dwindling in number 2 Thought or notion

3 A focus of Vivian Ibañez’s research (page 28) 4 Small fruit that shares a name with the second most-spoken language in North Central Florida (plural, page 32) 5 Prefix for planet that orbits star outside our solar system (page 22) 6 Successor to the Hubble Space Telescope (page 18) 10 Descendant of a notable family 14 Sound reflection 16 The band behind hits like “Mr. Blue Sky” (abbr.)

17 How clothes are crafted

18 Determines how old you are 19 A popular Nintendo handheld console released in 2004 (abbr.)

22 An electronics company well-known for their calculators (abbr.)

Play on any device! Solve the digital puzzle and find the answers here: CLAS.UFL.EDU/PUZZLE

48 | COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES

NEWS.CLAS.UFL.EDU

CHARTING NEW HORIZONS In the realm of higher education, we know that a student’s journey extends far beyond classrooms and textbooks. TAYLOR STOKES, Beyond120’s trailblazing new director, not only recognizes this truth but propels it into action.

In her role, Stokes aims to inspire students to design lives enriched with meaning, purpose, and lasting impact. Her vision for Beyond120 centers on robust excursions, expanded mentorship opportunities, and a seamless connection between classroom learning and real-world skills — building transformative experiences that go beyond the ordinary.

“A career isn’t linear; it gains and builds on experiences,” she said.

“It’s about preparing for life, not just a job.”

This philosophy underpins Beyond120’s approach to shaping wellrounded individuals capable of leaving lasting impacts across sectors. Departing from traditional practices that prepare students for known industries, the college’s experiential learning program focuses on endowing them with the adaptability to navigate the swiftly shifting world.

Before taking the helm at Beyond120, Stokes left a mark on students at universities, both domestically and abroad. With expertise spanning leadership in athletics, service learning, international travel, and student success, Stokes plans to operate Beyond120 on a holistic framework that aligns with her diverse skillset.

Stokes’ emphasis on collaboration isn’t just a hopeful plan but a guiding principle. She envisions Beyond120 as a collegial ecosystem where all participants, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, community, and industry, work collectively to build upon each other’s strengths. Meaningful student preparation, according to Stokes, requires a collective effort involving all stakeholders.

“We go further if we go together,” she said. “There’s nothing more meaningful than creating spaces that make a student’s transformation take place.”

“I want to broaden our students’ understanding of what’s possible.”

U N I V E R S I T Y of F L O R I D A

INVEST IN THE FUTURE BY SUPPORTING OUR STUDENTS AND RESEARCHERS TODAY. Celebrate Beyond120’s recent successes as we embrace its future.

Photo by Michel Thomas.

CLAS.UFL.EDU/B120

NONPROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID GAINESVILLE, FL PERMIT NO. 94

University of Florida PO Box 110009 Gainesville FL 32611

FALL/WINTER 2023