Editorial: Introducing the FIU Engineering Review

This editorial marks the launch of the FIU Engineering Review, the first engineering research journal at Florida International University. As an open-access, peer-reviewed platform sponsored by the Engineering Research Society, the journal aims to promote scholarly excellence and interdisciplinary dialogue across all areas of engineering. This inaugural message outlines the vision, scope, and purpose of the journal, and invites students, faculty, and professionals to contribute original work that advances the field and engages a broad academic and professional audience

Feeling the Heat: Capitalism and Global Warming

Global carbon dioxide emissions (the main cause of global warming) continue to rise, hitting a new high in 2024, partly because of a record demand for coal. Last year was also the hottest in recorded history. In fact, it was the first year that the global average temperature surpassed 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, the critical threshold established by the Paris Agreement. Unfortunately, the United States government continues to believe, despite evidence to the contrary, that market forces will encourage a speedy transition away from fossil fuels. We need nothing less than a system-wide transformation of our economy. Consideration of the World War II-era conversion experience in the United States helps to demonstrate both the feasibility of such a transformation and the importance of suppressing market forces to achieve it

Open Syllabus & AI: Empowering Librarians with Data-Driven Collection Development

This presentation focuses on Open Syllabus (OS) as an analytics tool built with advanced machine learning and available to all librarians. Currently, OS contains structured data from every syllabi for the entire FIU Uniform Core Curriculum (UCC). When that data is combined with an AI chatbot through thoughtful prompt engineering and analysis of library and state collections, librarians can assess for current FIU curricular need and make better purchase decisions. Furthermore, research of curriculum aligned texts that are peer reviewed across US universities can help grow resource utilization. Select data will be presented with insights on how librarians can use OS for their own professional practice and research, and build stronger liaison relationships with teaching and research faculty

Oral presentations (4)

Oral Presentations - Detailed List https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/amnet-conferncial-internacional/2025/oral-presentations

Tech Leap or Tech Lag: Latin America\u27s Quest to Keep up with Emerging Technologies

This paper analyzes how Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries adopt or develop emerging technologies (ET) such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), quantum computing, 5G networks, and cybersecurity. The region depends on imported technology and lacks internal development, which limits its ability to innovate and compete globally, thus preventing it from fully capitalizing on ETs economic opportunities. One of the key challenges identified is the significant disparity in ET investment compared to regions like North America, Europe, and Asia, where large-scale government and private sector initiatives drive technological innovation. Regional governments struggle to secure sufficient funding for research and development and lack clear regulatory frameworks that promote ET adoption and address ethical and security concerns.https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/jgi_research/1071/thumbnail.jp

Transforming “The Ox”

This reminiscence recounts my experience transforming Richard Taruskin’s six-volume The Oxford History of Western Music into a single-volume textbook. At Taruskin’s suggestion, I was approached in 2005 by Oxford University Press to see if I was interested in taking on the daunting task of drastically abridging, extensively reshaping, and judiciously augmenting his monumental history. I did so with practical considerations in mind: limitations on space, concrete pedagogical aims, and sharing his desire to tell a compelling story. I worked with editors of the accompanying anthologies and recordings to decide which compositions should receive particular attention and emphasis. In this article, I recount the process of writing the textbook, from Oxford’s initial commission through its appearance in 2012. I include email correspondence with Taruskin about the project and his reactions along the way