Schmidt College of Science Faculty, Students Recognized with Top Awards at Annual Honors Convocation

Florida Atlantic’s 56^th annual Honors Convocation recognizes the University’s most outstanding students and faculty. The Schmidt College of Science had a number of individuals receive Florida Atlantic’s top honors. 

Faculty Awards 

• Gary W. Perry, Ph.D., acting director of the Center for Complex Systems and professor of neuroscience 
  Degree of Difference Award, FAU National Alumni Association 

• Jeanette Wyneken, Ph.D., director of the Marine Science Lab and professor of biology 
  Researcher of the Year, Professor Level 

Student Awards 

• Hannah Espstein, FAU High School student pursuing research in the Schmidt College of Science 
  Undergraduate Researcher of the Year 

• Abhishikta Srigiriraju, pursuing B.S. in Medical Biology, Soar in Four Scholar 
  University Club Merit Scholar 

• Brandon Trenta, Senior, pursuing B.S. in Exercise Science, Soar in Four Scholar 
  University Scholar Award 

Florida Atlantic University’s National Alumni Association has selected Gary W. Perry, Ph.D., acting director of the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science’s Center for Complex Systems and professor of neuroscience, for the University’s 2025 Degree of Difference Award. This prestigious award is presented annually to one of the eight Distinguished Teacher of the Year nominees in recognition of exceptional impact on and contributions to students. 

The Degree of Difference Award is a prestigious honor by the University and a reflection of Perry’s dedication to teaching and scholarship.  

“I am deeply appreciative and grateful to FAU’s National Alumni Association for this recognition, as well as to the students who nominated me for the Distinguished Teacher of the Year award. It is, without question, the capstone of my 35-year career here at FAU and I am humbled by it,” expressed Perry. “After serving in leadership roles in the Schmidt College of Science and Academic Affairs, in one administrative capacity or another, I have been very happy to return to teaching and research with our students. The students in this College are the next generation of scientists, and we have the privilege as faculty members to prepare them for the challenges of tomorrow.” 

Perry has dedicated his professional life to Florida Atlantic, and he has played an important role in helping transform it into one of the nation’s fastest improving universities. A tenured professor of neuroscience since 1989, Perry has taught extensively in the graduate and undergraduate programs in the Schmidt College of Science, and he has been involved in the development of several interdisciplinary graduate programs. 

Over the years, Perry has held numerous leadership roles, including: provost and vice president for academic affairs (2014-18); interim provost and chief academic officer (2013-14); dean, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science (2006-13); interim dean for graduate studies (2005-06); senior associate dean for research and graduate studies (1999-2005); acting associate dean and chair for the biomedical science program (1998-99); and acting director, Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences (1997-98).

In addition, Perry has made significant contributions to help establish South Florida as a Life Science hub in the United States, which included his work on cooperative agreements between Florida Atlantic and the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, as well as  The Scripps Research Institute - Scripps Florida, the Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, and the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute.

Perry, along with the College’s other awardees, were recognized during the 56^th annual Honors Convocation on April 9, at the University Theater in the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, Boca Raton campus.