Dean's update

FIU gets $6.375 million renewal from NSF for Everglades research

Florida International University (FIU) has secured a $6.375 million renewal from the National Science Foundation for the Florida Coastal Everglades Long Term Ecological Research (FCE LTER) program.

The six-year renewal is the fifth in the program’s history, which has been conducted in lock-step with the congressionally authorized Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan since that was first initiated 25 years ago. In addition to the long-term research that will continue, the program will expand its focus to integrate more community voices into the research, including the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, farmers, economists, business leaders and policymakers, according to John Kominoski, principal investigator of the FCE-LTER and researcher in the FIU Institute of Environment.

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FIU professor earns prestigious award for impact in clinical psychology

Psychology Professor Jonathan Comer has been named the 2025 recipient of the Florence Halpern Award for his contributions to the field of clinical psychology by the American Psychological Association’s Society of Clinical Psychology.  

This national award, one of the field’s highest honors, recognizes those whose work tackles urgent, real-world challenges while advancing the science and practice of mental health care. Comer has done both through his work uncovering the effects of terrorism and natural disasters on children’s well-being to pioneering technology-driven approaches that increase access to high-quality care for families.

His research has shown how major crises affect children’s mental health. That work has helped shape how professionals nationwide support young people in the wake of tragedy.

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