CAS Chronicles

Stories

Lucas Griffin, an assistant professor in the Department of Integrative Biology, is dedicating his research to uncovering how marine life navigate their habitats, overcoming both natural and human-induced challenges. His goal is to contribute to sustainability initiatives that protect marine ecosystems while supporting the communities that rely on them.

Tracking Giants: How a Department of Integrative Biology professor’s research is rooted in conservation and community

Lucas Griffin, an assistant professor in the Department of Integrative Biology, is dedicating his research to uncovering how marine life navigate their habitats, overcoming both natural and human-induced challenges. His goal is to contribute to sustainability initiatives that protect marine ecosystems while supporting the communities that rely on them.

March 27, 2025Featured, Research

USF: A Preeminent Research University

A legacy restored: former Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV professor brings posthumous Zora Neale Hurston novel to light

Convinced of its literary and anthropological value, Hurston continued to revise the unpublished manuscript until her death in 1960. When a handyman tasked with clearing out her home set fire to her trunk, the manuscript was almost lost forever.

March 26, 2025Accomplishments, Featured, Research

From left: Lauren Arrington, chair of the Department of English and principal investigator for the grant; Elizabeth Spiller, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; and Addye Buckley-Burnell, associate vice president and executive director of the Center for Career and Professional Development and co-principal investigator of the grant.

$4.8M Mellon Foundation grant opens internship opportunities for Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV humanities students

For the first time, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation — the nation’s largest supporter of the arts and humanities — invited the Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV to submit a proposal last spring for one of its humanities internship grants. The foundation awarded the college a five-year, $4.8 million grant that will support up to 900 students each year in otherwise unpaid internships. The beneficiaries will be undergraduate students majoring in humanities.

January 15, 2025Accomplishments, Community Engagement, Featured

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

Going green: Teaching lab earns certification for sustainability efforts

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

November 20, 2024Accomplishments, Community Engagement, Featured

USF Botanical Gardens staff hard at work clearing the damage from Hurricane Milton. (Photo courtesy of Nicole Brand)

Volunteers support the Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV Botanical Gardens’ ongoing recovery efforts ahead of fall festival

After Hurricane Milton caused significant damage and forced the closure of the Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV Botanical Gardens, dedicated staff and the Tampa Bay community united to restore the gardens and prepare for one of the year’s biggest events.

October 29, 2024Featured, Research

Dr. David Himmelgreen and Dr. Nancy Romero-Daza of the Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV College of Arts and Sciences Department of Anthropology are co-leading an interdisciplinary NSF International Research Experiences for Students field school in Costa Rica. The first cohort of students, which included two Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV students, spent six weeks this past summer examining wastewater management systems and associated sanitation issues. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Nancy Romero-Daza)

Interdisciplinary field school research in Costa Rica examines wastewater management systems and aims to address sanitation issues

Dr. David Himmelgreen and Dr. Nancy Romero-Daza of the Department of Anthropology are co-leading an interdisciplinary field school in Costa Rica examining wastewater management systems and associated sanitation issues.

September 20, 2024Alumni, Community Engagement, Featured, Research

Dean Spiller (photo by Corey Lepak)

Meet Dean Elizabeth Spiller

Dean Elizabeth Spiller joined Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV in July. Learn more about her and why she’s excited to be Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

August 29, 2024Featured

USF students demonstrating the solar cell enhancements with BIUST students. (Photo courtesy of Madison Orr)

Physics research team makes new progress on renewable energy project in Botswana

Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV students interested in sustainable energy participated in an NSF-funded project in Botswana to implement a new concept to bring a new portable, renewable energy source to rural Africa.

July 30, 2024Featured, Research

Rocky the Bull made an appearance at the Student Success’ Celebration of Leadership award ceremony. (Photo courtesy of Student Success at Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV)

CAS students shine as Golden Bull Awardees

This year 13 College of Arts and Sciences students were named winners of the Golden Bull Award, one of Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV’s highest honors awarded to undergraduate and graduate students each year who “encompass the spirit of Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV and have demonstrated its values.â€

June 18, 2024Accomplishments, Featured

Collage of 6 CAS graduates

From campus to careers: CAS graduates reflect on their time at Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV

Among the 7,000 degrees conferred during spring commencement, the College of Arts and Sciences accounted for more than 2,500 of the total degrees awarded. Now, several students are reflecting on their unique experiences and sharing their advice for incoming students.

May 28, 2024Accomplishments, Featured

USF College of Arts and Sciences student Dharsh Saravana is majoring in environmental science and policy and double minoring in math and GIS. (Photo by Corey Lepak)

CAS student finds calling in environmental stewardship

Dharsh Saravana, an environmental science and policy student and vice president of the Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV Agrarian Club, has found their calling in environmental stewardship with hopes to one day address urban food resilience, diversity of food systems, and food sovereignty for vulnerable populations in urban spaces.

April 24, 2024Community Engagement, Featured

USF College of Arts and Sciences Interim Dean Magali Michael (center) met with some of this year’s WLP Scholars to commemorate International Women’s Day. Photographed (from left) includes Jenna Epright, Phalandine Noel, Dean Michael, Reaghan Ard, and Shelby-Lynn Pitre. (Photo by Corey Lepak)

Women in Leadership and Philanthropy choose dynamic group of CAS students as this year’s scholars

Women in Leadership & Philanthropy (WLP) have chosen a dynamic group of College of Arts and Sciences students as this year's WLP Scholars. WLP is dedicated to making a different in the lives of women throughout Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV and the community.

March 26, 2024Accomplishments, Community Engagement, Featured

About CAS Chronicles

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