Florida Institute of Technology

MELBOURNE, FLA.—Joshua Rokach, Florida Tech chemistry professor and director of the university’s Claude Pepper Institute, has been awarded a two-year research grant of $850,000 from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The grant, from the National Heart Lung Blood Institute, will allow Rokach to continue his studies on chronic inflammatory diseases and, especially on the design and synthesis of antagonists to the 5-oxo-ETE receptor. Full Article

MELBOURNE, FLA.—How likely are computer users to ignore security warnings and open the pop-up messages they encounter when browsing a Web site? How much cognitive energy and deliberation do they go through before they open one or decide not to?

On the Web, pop-ups are often safe sales and marketing tools. Full Article

MELBOURNE, FLA.—Florida Institute of Technology’s Astronomy and Astrophysics Public Lecture Series will present “Heliosheath: The final frontier of the solar system” on Sept. 25 at 8 p.m. The free lecture, in the F.W. Olin Engineering Complex auditorium, Room EC118, will be presented by Ming Zhang, Ph. Full Article

MELBOURNE, FLA. — Four Florida Institute of Technology students have received $2,000 scholarships from the Marine Technology Society (MTS). The students were selected based on their academic excellence and their experience with and interest in marine technology. Full Article

MELBOURNE, FLA. — After remembering family members in their will, James and Sara Ortega of Melbourne Beach left the balance of their estate, valued at approximately $2.5 million, to Florida Institute of Technology. Ortega, who died in October 2008, outlived his wife Sara by just one week. Full Article

MELBOURNE, FLA. — The July 2009 issue of BoatU.S. Magazine names Florida Institute of Technology in its story, “The Boat Lovers’ Guide to American Colleges.” The university is listed among “The 25 ‘Boatiest’ Schools in America,” in company with such institutions as the University of California, Old Dominion University, The U. Full Article

MELBOURNE, FLA. — Jonathan Shenker, associate professor of Biological Sciences and director of the Sportfish Research Institute at Florida Institute of Technology, has received $23,000 from the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust to continue his studies on the biology and ecology of juvenile tarpon in the Everglades. Full Article

MELBOURNE, FLA.—The Ruth Funk Center for Textile Arts at Florida Institute of Technology opens its doors to the public on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 10 a.m. Admission is free. The center is the only textile arts center in the state of Florida. Full Article

MELBOURNE, FLA.—Two Florida Institute of Technology students will participate this summer in the new NASA Student Ambassador Virtual Community: Michael Vergalla, a graduate student in mechanical and aerospace engineering, and Ryan Clegg, a senior with a double major in physics and space science. Full Article

MELBOURNE, FLA. — Florida Institute of Technology researchers are trying to solve one of the great mysteries in nature: how thunderstorms make lightning. Because, in principle, lightning is a big spark it should behave like other sparks — like the ones created when we touch a door knob on a dry day. Full Article