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FSU Discovery Days – a week of celebration of FSU research, creativity, and discovery enterprise! Discovery Days has something for everyone – from concerts to shark tank style pitch competitions - come experience some of what makes FSU so special!

Discovery Days 2024 will take place October 7-12

Monday, October 7, 2024

Learn How FSU Health Is Tackling Rare Childhood Diseases

There are currently 7,000 rare diseases that impact more than 350 million people globally and 30 million people nationwide. Florida State University’s Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases, part of the FSU Health initiative, is working to tackle some of these complicated diseases and change the lives of families worldwide. The day will kick off with a keynote address from Dr. Terence Flotte, dean of the T.H. Chan School of Medicine at the University of Massachusetts followed by a symposium on emerging trends in treatments and research in this field

Guest presentations include researchers at the National Institutes of Health, Harvard, Stanford, the University of Miami and University of Florida. Industry representatives will also look at the intersection of academia, health care and industry.

Time: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: College of Medicine Auditorium
1115 Call Street

Florida Research Development Alliance Annual Conference

Join research development professionals from around the state of Florida to share best practices and foster collaboration across the state’s research institutions.

Time: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Location: CAPS Seminar Room
2000 Levy Ave.

Deadline to register is September 25.

Registration Link

Partnering With Your Compliance Office to Ensure Research Success

What to do when you encounter unanticipated events in research. This session provides insight into unanticipated events in research and how respective compliance offices can be a resource when they occur. Lunch will be provided; rsvp by 10/1/24 for dietary restrictions.​

Get Event Pass

Time: Noon
Location: The Globe
110 S. Woodward Ave.

Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Bridging the Gap - A Public / Private Approach to Improve Medicine

What happens when you take the research might of a public, Research 1 university and pair it with private practice clinicians? As part of the FSU Health initiative, FSU researchers are partnering with health professionals throughout Northwest Florida to see how they can bring the best of academic research to the bedside. In this presentation, Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic CEO Mike Boblitz, Institute for Science and Sports Medicine Director Mike Ormsbee and others discuss how these relationships are positively impacting the quality of care in the region.

Time: 9 a.m.
Location: Broad Auditorium - Claude Pepper Center
636 West Call Street

Our Community, Our Health Virtual Town Hall event

Science, Technology and Health across the Lifespan: Join us for a virtual panel presentation and interactive discussion on how science and technology can impact community health and well-being for individuals of all ages. This presentation is part of the University of Florida-Florida State University Clinical and Translational Science Award Our Community, Our Health series, which brings together academic and community partners to share ideas about health and research priorities. This OCOH Town Hall will showcase STEM education for K-12 youth, technological resources to improve the health of underserved populations, an introduction to LabGenie, and AI-powered tool to help older patients better understand their medical test results, and community perspectives on the benefits and challenges of health technology.

Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Virtual.

Zoom Link

Why Engaging the Public Matters

The Graduate School and the Office of Graduate Fellowships and Awards will kick off the inaugural Graduate Student Op-Ed Competition on October 8 as part of FSU's Discovery Days with a panel discussion featuring FSU faculty and community experts on the topic “Why Engaging the Public Matters!” The panel discussion will take place in the Nancy H. Marcus Great Hall on the fourth floor of the Honors, Scholars, and Fellowship Building from noon to 1 p.m., followed by a reception.

Register here

Time:Noon
Location: Honors, Scholars, Fellows House -- Nancy H. Marcus Great Hall
127 Honors Way

Tour the new Interdisciplinary Research and Commercialization Building

The new Interdisciplinary Research and Commercialization Building is set to open in Spring 2025, but you can get a sneak peek at this spectacular new research space, located in Innovation Park. Tours last one hour and will be available at both 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Registration is required. Registration link coming soon!

Tour Times: 2, 2:30, 3 and 3:30
Location: Interdisciplinary Research and Commercialization Building
Site is across from the Florida Center for Advanced Aero Propulsion on Levy Ave.

Principal Investigator Reception: Celebrating Campus Researchers and Initiatives

Join faculty and administrators to celebrate FSU’s success and record year in research funding

Time: 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Location: Seminole Legacy Golf Club
2550 Pottsdamer St.
Invite Only

Kaleidoscope: Innovation in the Arts and Humanities

Join FSU’s arts and humanities faculty and students for an evening of interdisciplinary scholarship and exploration. Learn about the work of the new Native American and Indigenous Studies Center; philosophy, the supernatural, and film; and the relationship between law and classics through the writings of Antigone. The evening concludes with two musical performances including a rare performance of Petr Eben's Letters to Milena, a piano work inspired by the writings of Franz Kafka, and also a multi-media presentation with saxophone quartet.

Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Opperman Music Hall
114 N Copeland St.

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

IGNITE Tallahassee Open House

Join us for the open house of IGNITE Tallahassee, the region’s new business incubator located in the Innovation Park corridor. The lineup of morning events includes:

  • A keynote address from Louis Foreman, founder and Chief Executive of Enventys, an integrated product design and engineering firm
  • Panel on VC and Angel Funding
  • Tours of the facility

Time: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Location: 1729 West Paul Dirac Drive

Funding Your Vision: Strategies For Success

For Funding Your Vision: Strategies For Success, we'll discuss grant writing basics and tips for telling your story and conveying the impact of your research and creative activities. We'll also hear from a panel of FSU faculty across a variety of disciplines on their experiences with grant writing and speaking to different audiences (i.e., funding agencies). Importantly, we'll include perspectives from faculty at different career stages.

The intended audience for this panel presentation includes faculty researchers, postdoctoral trainees, and graduate students.

Time: 9 a.m.
Location: Psychology Building A, Room 211

Empowering Successful Aging with AI and Data

Join the FSU Institute for Successful Longevity for a discussion about how AI and data can be harnessed to help us as we age. Panelists include Institute Interim Director Zhe He, FSU Professor of Sociology Dawn Carr and special guest George Demiris from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Demiris’ work focuses on the use of data and technology to support older adults and their caregivers and explore innovative solutions to promote independent aging and patient and family engagement.

Time: 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Location: Tallahassee Senior Center
1400 N. Monroe St.

Discovery Challenge: FSU Entrepreneurs Compete for Cash to Jumpstart Companies

FSU startup companies pitch their big ideas for cash prizes in a shark tank-style competition. Audience members will get in on the action to pick the company they think can go the distance with a People’s Choice award. Networking Reception to follow formal program.

Get Event Pass

Time: 3 - 5 p.m.
Location: Augustus B. Turnbull Conference Center
555 W. Pensacola St.

Ask a Scientist

Ever wanted to know where colors come from? How stars form? How solar cells work? Here’s your chance to get answers to those questions and more during “Ask A Scientist Gaming,” where we combine mediocre video gameplay and professional science. Join Associate Professor Ken Hanson (chemistry) and Professor David Collins (physics) as they bring this hit Twitch streaming series to you live from the Challenger Center’s Imax Theater

Time: 6 - 8 p.m.
Location: Imax, Challenger Center
200 S. Duval Street

Thursday, October 10, 2024

IGNITE FSU

Meet FSU’s new commercialization team and learn about our support for commercializing your idea and opportunities to explore turning research into business ventures. Event will include a light breakfast.

Time: 9 a.m.
Location: CAPS Seminar Room
2000 Levy Ave

Journal Editing and the Peer Review Process

Are you interested in learning more about how academic journals work, understanding what peer-reviewers look for, and discovering how to peer-review papers yourself? These valuable skills are useful for publishing and applying for graduate funding opportunities! Dr. Deana Rohlinger, Professor of Sociology at FSU and Editor in Chief of Social Science Computer Review, will facilitate this in-person workshop on the ins and outs of academic journals. Register Here

Time:11a.m.
Location: Honors, Scholars, Fellows House -- Nancy H. Marcus Great Hall
127 Honors Way

Milton S. Carothers Faculty Lecture - The Beauty of Neutron Stars

Join Robert O. Lawton Professor of Physics Jorge Piekarewicz as he explores the beauty of neutron stars and how the study of them will help unravel greater truths about our universe. RSVPs are required for the provided lunch.

RSVP Here

Time: 12 p.m.
Location: Strozier Library, Bradley Reading Room
116 Honors Way

Meet the Team at the Office of Research

Meet the Office of Research staff at its open house. Enjoy a snack and chat with the staff members from Sponsored Research, Research Development, Human Subject Protection, Laboratory Animal Resources and more!

Time: 3 - 5:00 p.m.
Location: Student Services Building
847 Traditions Way, 3rd Floor

Boldly Rising and Leading Innovation

Join us at the FSU College of Nursing for an engaging open house to showcase how the college is uniquely positioned to lead the future of health care innovation. As a pioneer in digital health innovation, the College of Nursing brings a deep understanding of the human experience to the development and application of cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality and simulation. During this event, you'll explore how the College of Nursing is at the forefront of integrating these innovations into practice, transforming patient outcomes and enhancing the quality of care. Discover how our faculty leverage their expertise to shape technologies that are not only groundbreaking but also compassionate and patient-centered.

Time: 3 - 5:00 p.m.
Location: Duxbury Hall
98 Varsity Way

President’s Showcase of Undergraduate Research Excellence

The President's Showcase of Undergraduate Research Excellence is the culmination of the Summer Research Award experience. FSU students share their original research and creative projects through poster and oral presentations.

Time: 5 p.m.
Location: FSU Student Union
75 N. Woodward Ave.

Friday, October 11, 2024

Celebrating Women in Science and Leadership: Inspiring the Next Generation

Join us for an empowering event dedicated to celebrating the remarkable achievements of FSU women in scientific leadership. Featured speakers include First Lady Jai Vartikar, Vice President for Research Stacey Patterson, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory Director Kathleen Amm and more. Event includes breakfast.

Event is free, but registration is required. Registration coming soon.

Time: 9 a.m.
Location: FSU Student Union Ballrooms
75 N. Woodward Ave.

Arts-Humanities-Health Symposium III

How can the arts and humanities improve our health and wellbeing?
FSU faculty from medicine and nursing unite with artists, creators and researchers from the arts and humanities to explore how poetry, art, music and interior design contribute to better health outcomes, working environments and lifestyle.

Time: 12 p.m.
Location: Claude Pepper Center
636 W. Call Street

Postdoctoral Affairs Invited Lecture: Food intake is only the outcome of behavior: How it happens matters.

Join the FSU Office of Postdoctoral Affairs for its inaugural Discovery Days invited lecture. This year’s guest is Carolina Cawthon, who previously won the university’s 5-minute research competition, and who studies taste-guided behavior as well as the regulation of food choices and nutrient intake.

The lecture will be followed by a panel on the day in the life of a postdoc.

Time: 2 p.m.
Location: TBD

Saturday, October 12, 2024

Saturday Morning Physics + Art

Spin, Spin, Spin!
Explore the world of wheels, gyroscopes, and other spinning objects and the secrets behind how they move with Physics and Art Education faculty.

Time: 9:30 - 11 a.m.
Location: Richards Building
1055 Atomic Way