FGCU College of Arts and Sciences

Stevenson Destrat majored in Biochemistry at Florida Gulf Coast University with a strong focus on scientific research and academic excellence. He graduated last weekend.

His work as a Research Assistant centered on ecological and parasitological analysis of the invasive Tropical House Gecko (Hemidactylus maboua), where he applied microscopy techniques to investigate host-parasite dynamics and contribute to ongoing research in Southwest Florida.

Stevenson has dedicated over 70 hours to laboratory research, gaining hands-on experience in dissection, data collection, and scientific documentation. His academic engagement extends beyond the lab, as he has supported student success as a Learning Assistant in Human Anatomy & Physiology, reinforcing foundational scientific concepts through mentorship and instruction.

Recognized for his commitment to scholarship, leadership, and service, Stevenson is a member of Order of Omega and a recipient of the Award for Excellence in Peer Mentorship. He is passionate about leveraging scientific inquiry and collaborative learning to address real-world challenges and contribute meaningfully to the scientific community.

Kevin Roblejo graduated with a degree in Biology from Florida Gulf Coast University. He focused on conservation, ecological research, and environmental stewardship. His work includes tracking gopher tortoises through radio telemetry and contributing to sea turtle conservation efforts at Cayo Costa State Park, where his data supported long-term monitoring and helped achieve a record hatch rate. As a Level II Gardener at Naples Botanical Garden, he applies plant science and sustainability principles while educating the public on conservation. Kevin is passionate about using science to create lasting environmental impact both in Southwest Florida and beyond.

Boaz is a senior who graduated with a degree in both forensic studies and criminal justice. He has paired this with a minor in Computer Information Systems.

Last spring he used this combination to study the types of criminal behavior on the dark web. This project was then presented at Eagle X. He is proud to represent CAS on the hall of fame.

Noah Drebing graduated with a degree in Biology.

During his time at FGCU, Noah served as Treasurer and Philanthropy & Scholarship chair of Alpha Tau Omega. In these roles, he managed a $70,000 budget, introduced the organization’s first family weekend, contributed to over $60,000 raised for philanthropy during his time in the fraternity, and improved the chapter GPA by 0.3 points while strengthening accountability and engagement among members.

He also served as Treasurer of the Pre-Dental Society, where he introduced hands-on learning opportunities, including a suture workshop led by a periodontist, helping students gain early clinical exposure. In addition, Noah was involved in service initiatives such as Special Smiles, where he worked directly with the special needs community to provide screenings and support.

Academically, Noah worked as a WISER research assistant for Dr. Watanabe, studying how lightning-produced electric fields influence dental pulp nerve cell excitability, with plans to publish his research. He also served as an instructional assistant for Physics I, mentoring students and supporting them through challenging coursework.

Noah contributed to Hurricane Ian relief efforts by supporting both his own neighborhood and surrounding communities, working alongside others to deliver resources and assist residents in need during a period of uncertainty in the Fort Myers Beach area.

He achieved all of this while working as an Assistant to the Regional Manager at Terpening Construction and, for a period of time, gaining clinical experience as a dental assistant.

Following graduation, Noah plans to attend dental school and pursue a career in dentistry.

Christina Colin is a dual majoring in forensic studies and criminal justice and graduated last weekend.

During her time at FGCU, she has been actively involved across campus in a variety of leadership and service roles. Christina currently serves as President of the Programming Board, is an active member and Vice President of Recruitment for Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc., and serves as Communications for the Student Farmworker Alliance.

Throughout her college journey, she has also served as a TRIO Student Support Services Peer Coach and a SPARK Orientation Mentor. In addition, she is a member of Order of Omega. Christina is currently gaining professional experience through internships with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office and FGCU Emergency Management.

Congratulations to the College of Arts & Sciences recipients of the 2026 FGCU Hall of Fame!

Congratulations to all College of Arts & Sciences graduates! See you at commencement today. 💙💚

Dr. Michael Fauerbach, CAS professor of Physics, shared the following about these incredible images.

A Tale of Two Telescopes: M20 Ground vs. Space

Last week, NASA released a stunning close-up of M20 (the Trifid Nebula) to mark Hubble’s 36th anniversary. Last night, I decided to see how that same celestial wonder looks from the ground, using the 0.6m SARA telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO) in Chile.

While Hubble’s version uses "false color" to reveal intricate scientific details, my goal was to capture the natural color palette of the nebula:

The Pink: Ionized hydrogen gas (H-alpha) glowing under the radiation of newborn stars.
The Blue: A reflection nebula where starlight is scattered by interstellar dust—the same physics that makes our sky blue.
The Dark Lanes: Thick clouds of dust that divide the nebula into its iconic three lobes (hence "Trifid").

The Technical Breakdown:
This was a combined effort of broadband RGB (10x45sec) and narrowband H-alpha (10x120sec) to bring out the structural "pop" without losing the delicate blue reflection components.

Captured remotely from the dark skies of Chile, proving that even as space telescopes push the boundaries of the deep universe, ground-based observatories like SARA still provide a breathtaking—and "true"—view of the universe.

Swipe to see the close-up crop and the comparison to Hubble's view!

Congratulations to the College of Arts & Science Students of the Year! 💙💚

--Ana Ortega was awarded the Graduate Student of the Year
--Solange Gonzalez was awarded the Undergraduate Student of the Year

The FGCU Scholar Series April speaker is Dr. Starlette Sinclair, Assistant Professor, Psychology.

Please join us at the Data Visualization Wall area on the first floor of the library on Wednesday, April 22 at 11:30am for lunch with her talk “Metacognition & Aging: Why Knowing What You DON'T Know Is Just as Important as Knowing What You DO Know," beginning at 11:45am.

The event will conclude by 12:45pm, just in time for 1:00pm class.