UF College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

10/14/2026

Biology professor Liming Cai and postdoctoral researcher Rachel Cohen used a new tool called HGTScanner to discover that a parasitic plant had transferred genes to Amborella, a rare plant found in New Caledonia.

The finding gives researchers a new way to study how plants interact and how those relationships shape their evolution.

Read more: https://news.ufl.edu/2026/10/plant-horizontal-gene-transfer/

10/13/2026

Undergraduate research took the spotlight at UF Chemistry’s Research Showcase.

Students presented their projects, exchanged ideas and connected with members of the chemistry community.

Take a look at the students and research making an impact at UF Chemistry.

10/12/2026

The deep sea is one of Earth’s last great frontiers, and there’s more to exploring it than what we can learn from science alone.

UF’s Blue Humanities Speaker Series recently kicked off with a talk by Stacy Alaimo. Before the talk, Jaime Ahlberg, director of the Center for the Humanities and the Public Sphere, welcomed the audience for the first of three talks in the series.

Read more about the opening discussion and the series: https://news.clas.ufl.edu/blue-humanities-speaker-series-kicks-off-with-discussion-of-deep-sea/

10/08/2026

Homecoming has looked a little different over the years. 🐊

The Gator spirit remains the same.

Happy Homecoming Weekend, Gators! 💙🧡

10/07/2026

A big one for CLAS. 🐊

CLAS Distinguished Professor of Physics Peter Hirschfeld has been named a UF Foundation Preeminence Term Professor, one of UF’s highest honors for faculty research.

Hirschfeld’s research explores superconductivity and the physics behind these materials, work that continues to push our understanding of how the world works at the smallest scales.

The three-year professorship will help support his continued research and the students and collaborators who make that work possible.

Even better? Hirschfeld is the third consecutive CLAS faculty member to receive the honor.

Congratulations, Dr. Hirschfeld! 👏

🔗 Read more the recognition: https://news.clas.ufl.edu/hirschfeld-uf-foundation-term-professorship/

10/06/2026

How’s the semester treating you so far? 👀

We asked some Gators, and they had thoughts.

10/05/2026

Interested in linguistics at UF? 🗣️

The UF Department of Linguistics is hosting an open house on Oct. 28 for students interested in learning more about linguistics courses and opportunities in the department.

Want to attend? Register here: https://forms.gle/HA1Y7YT8JUZ2seW7A

Are you interested in linguistics courses at UF? You are welcome to join the October 28 open house. Contact Dr. Garner for additional information. Registration link: https://forms.gle/HA1Y7YT8JUZ2seW7A
University of Florida UF Department of Linguistics UF College of Liberal Arts and Sciences UF International Center - UFIC

09/30/2026

🤖 How does AI change the way we make decisions?

UF psychology researcher Brian Odegaard is digging into that question after receiving a three-year National Science Foundation grant to study how people make decisions with AI.

His research will look at what happens when AI and human judgment meet, including how confidence, bias and the way AI communicates can shape our choices.

Read more about the research 👇
https://news.clas.ufl.edu/psychology-researcher-receives-grant-to-study-the-effects-of-ai-on-human-decision-making/

09/30/2026

In a recent episode of Tell Me All About It, WUFT Media sits down with UF Professor of Classics Victoria Pagán, Ph.D., one of the foremost experts on classical Greek and Roman literature and culture.

Earlier this year, Pagán was also recognized as the 2024–25 UF Teacher/Scholar of the Year, one of UF’s oldest and most prestigious awards.

Listen to the full episode on WUFT’s website: https://www.wuft.org/podcast/tell-me-about-it/2026-09-14/dr-victoria-pagan

09/29/2026

Big congratulations to UF political science professor Dan Smith, this year’s recipient of the Craig L. Brians Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research and Mentorship! 🎉

Smith has spent years helping undergraduate students get hands-on research experience and find their footing as young scholars.

Through programs like the Election Lab, students have opportunities to build research skills, present their work at conferences and contribute to publications.

His mentorship also extends beyond the classroom, with students going on to research positions, graduate programs and careers in the field.

The award committee recognized Smith’s lasting impact on the students he mentors and his commitment to helping them succeed.

Congratulations, Dr. Smith!