UNF Graduate School

A partnership worth celebrating. 🎉

UNF Silverfield College of Education and Human Services and River City Science Academy came together to build something that doesn't happen often enough — a graduate certificate program designed around teachers, not just for them. Educators completed the program as a cohort, supporting one another while directly applying new literacy strategies in their classrooms.

The results show up in the small moments: a struggling reader finally making sense of words, a classroom library transformed into a tool for real motivation, a teacher moving from a good idea to purposeful action.

This is UNF showing up for our community — one classroom, one teacher, one student at a time.

What happens when a teacher, principal and district leader decides to turn a lifelong passion for mentorship into doctoral research?

For Jennifer Collins, it means building a mentorship program for new school administrators in Clay County, pursuing an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of North Florida — and making sure the next generation of school leaders has the support she was fortunate to have throughout her career.

"Throughout my career, I have had so many mentors who helped and supported me. It is my hope that I can do the same for aspiring and current leaders."

Read her story: https://www.unf.edu/newsroom/2026/06/Collins-mentor-pipeline-for-next-gen.html

UNF Silverfield College of Education and Human Services

Why do mitochondrial DNA mutations accumulate across generations, and what role do specific enzymes and pharmaceuticals play in that damage? Those are the questions driving Sophia Cochran's research, and at the 2026 Conference of Florida Graduate Schools, she had just three minutes to explain it to a room full of strangers.

In work conducted in collaboration with the NIH, Sophia found that Triumeq, a widely used antiviral, may increase mitochondrial DNA mutations that can be passed to future generations. She is also studying how defects in a key replicative enzyme, Helicase Twinkle, contribute to mitochondrial disorders. With 1 in 200 people carrying a mitochondrial DNA mutation and no cure currently available for mitochondrial disease, identifying what causes that damage matters enormously.

Sophia competed in the statewide Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition, distilling that complexity into a single slide and three minutes of spoken word. "I am thankful that I was selected to represent UNF," she said. "It reminded me that my hard work and dedication was noticed."

Her advice to other graduate students: "Say yes to every opportunity. See presentations not as a performance, but as a way to share the importance of your work."

Sophia is considering PhD and MD-PhD programs, with a long-term focus on the factors that contribute to mitochondrial disease development, treatment, and prevention.

Nearly 500 miles of Florida's coastline is at risk of being lost to erosion, and Amar Kosovac is using bacteria to fight back. His research focuses on optimizing the production of an enzyme that binds sand particles together, a nature-based approach to one of Florida's most pressing environmental challenges.

Amar presented his research at the 2026 Conference of Florida Graduate Schools, where engagement with researchers outside his field opened unexpected doors. "It was so cool to receive feedback from people who are non-microbiologists," he said. "They provide feedback that is outside the box, something we would never consider."

Amar graduated with his M.S. in Biology last month, and plans to pursue opportunities in teaching or academia, continuing to share his passion for science.

University of North Florida, UNF Alumni