CAS Chronicles

Stories

overhead shot of group of new ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏfaculty

Meet the new faculty helping power USF’s future

From AI-driven discovery to cutting-edge medical research, USF’s newest faculty are advancing bold ideas and preparing students for the future. Their arrival reflects the university’s continued momentum as a hub for world-changing innovation and academic excellence.

August 13, 2025Research

ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏfaculty and students partnered with community organizations to introduce Irish heritage to Tampa Bay youth. (Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Ricketts-Jones)

Inaugural ‘Gael Scoil USF’ event shares Irish traditions with the Tampa Bay community

This summer, the ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ introduced Tampa Bay youth to Irish heritage through its inaugural ‘Gael Scoil USF’ event, inviting grade schoolers to engage with Irish culture firsthand through baking, dancing, sports, storytelling, and other immersive experiences.

August 13, 2025Community Engagement

Geosciences Field Station in Mackay, Idaho with mountains behind (Photo courtesy of Paul Wetmore)

A decade in the making: ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏGeosciences Field Station celebrates grand opening with alumni reunion

After a decade of collaboration between ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏfaculty, staff, and alumni, the Geosciences Field Station in Mackay, Idaho officially opened this summer. The launch was marked by a reunion of more than 30 alumni, representing four decades of shared experience and support for Geosciences students and their capstone work.

August 11, 2025Alumni, Community Engagement

Aiden Jaskolka-Brown Boundless Bulls

Aiden Jaskolka-Brown

Like most future doctors, Aiden Jaskolka-Brown chose his career path out of a desire to save lives. But Jaskolka-Brown didn’t wait until he became a doctor to save lives. In 2023, he donated a segment of his left liver to a 5-month-old baby.

August 4, 2025Community Engagement

Boundless Bulls Trent Ferguson

Seeing beyond sight: A ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏblind student’s journey into broadcasting

As a mass communications major, with a concentration in broadcast program and production, Trent Ferguson has not allowed blindness to become an obstacle in pursuit of his dream of becoming a sports radio broadcaster.

August 4, 2025Community Engagement

Jim Strange and a staff member excavating at Sepphoris in Israel, the site where he spent the bulk of his career. (Photo courtesy of Joanna Strange)

Late ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏprofessor continues to impact students

Seven years after his passing, James Strange’s legacy continues through the donation of his archaeological collection for student use.

July 31, 2025Research

The archives within the herbarium include extensive research and texts, many of which have been authored by former ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏfaculty. (Photo by Corey Lepak)

Uncovering USF’s deep roots in botany

Established in 1958, the ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏHerbarium is one of the University's oldest and most distinctive research collections.

July 31, 2025Community Engagement, Research

ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ: A Preeminent Research University

Creative writing summer camp empowers high school students to bring their ideas to life

Thirty high school students visited USF’s Tampa campus this summer to explore various forms of creative writing — such as fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction — at the ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏCreative Writing Summer Camp.

July 30, 2025Alumni, Events

ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ: A Preeminent Research University

Award-winning professor uses artificial intelligence to track world’s deadliest animal

Thanks to a grant from the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏfaculty are developing a trap that uses artificial intelligence to identify the disease-carrying insects.

July 30, 2025Accomplishments, Featured, Research

Trees have an overwhelming biomass on Earth and play a significant role in nearly every ecosystem. (Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock)

What the trees are telling us: ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏprofessor uses data to identify threats to tree diversity

Brian Maitner, an assistant professor in the Department of Integrative Biology, is revolutionizing the way researchers examine and predict the impact of environmental shifts on plant diversity.

July 30, 2025Research

Alastre Arcusa’s true passion is educating both community members and students about the impact of genetic counseling. (Photo courtesy of Stefania Alastre Arcusa)

CAS alumna keeps community outreach at the forefront

For ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏalumna Stefania Alastre Arcusa, it’s her time in the College of Arts and Sciences that not only revealed a way to fulfill this passion but also gave her the tools to make a lasting impact.

July 30, 2025Alumni

Natalie Taylor (center), associate professor and director of the College of Arts and Sciences’ School of Information, is the recipient of the American Library Association’s Beta Phi Mu Award for her distinguished service to education for librarianship. (Photo courtesy of Natalie Taylor)

School of Information director transforms library education, earns national recognition

The American Library Association presented Natalie Taylor, an associate professor and director of the College of Arts and Sciences’ School of Information, with the Beta Phi Mu Award for her distinguished service to education for librarianship.

July 30, 2025Accomplishments

About CAS Chronicles

CAS Chronicles is the monthly newsletter for the ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ's College of Arts and Sciences, your source for the latest news, research, and events at CAS.