Join the University of South Florida's Ask an Expert webinar series for interactive, one-hour virtual sessions featuring USF faculty and professionals. Explore exciting fields, discover real-world applications, and get answers to your questions directly from experts.
Whether you're curious about engineering, marine science, or other fields, Ask an Expert offers an opportunity to explore your interests and discover what's possible.
Ask an Expert Details
Presented By: USF Youth Experiences
Location: Live-Online
Audience: Middle and High School Students
Duration: Approxmiately 30 minutes per session
Format: Interactive Presentation and Q&A with USF Experts
| Webinar Topic | Date | Time | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marine Science |
Tuesday, November 17, 2026 |
6:30 PM - 7:00 pm |
Past Webinars and Recordings
Ask an Expert: Biomedical Engineering
During this webinar, Dr. Otten explores the exciting field of biomedical engineering and answers student questions about engineering, college, and career opportunities. This recorded webinar is perfect for high school students curious about engineering, medicine, and how the two fields come together to improve lives. No prior experience or knowledge is needed!
Ask an Expert: Archeaologist
Watch the recording of our Ask an Archaeologist webinar featuring Dr. Laura Harrison, an archaeologist, hosted by USF Youth Experiences. During this session, Dr. Harrison explores how archaeologists uncover and interpret the stories of the past, shares insights into the field of archaeology, and answers student questions about archaeological discoveries, college, and career opportunities. This recorded webinar is perfect for middle and high school students curious about history and archaeology.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can participate?
Ask an Expert webinars are designed for students in grades 6–12 who are interested in exploring academic fields, discovering potential career pathways, and learning directly from University of South Florida experts.
Can parents or guardians attend with their child?
Yes! Parents and guardians are welcome to join their child during the webinar. We encourage families to explore these topics and learn together.
How much does it cost?
All Ask an Expert webinars are completely free to attend. Registration is required to participate.
How long are the webinars?
Each webinar is approximately thirty minutes long.
Where do the webinars take place?
All webinars take place live-online. Registered participants will receive instructions for joining their session.
Can I ask questions during the webinar?
Yes. Sessions are designed to provide opportunities for participants to engage with the presenter and ask questions.
What if I cannot attend a live webinar?
Recordings of previous webinars will be available on this webpage, allowing students and families to explore past sessions at their convenience.
Speaker Spotlight
Dr Alex Otten
Dr. Alex Otten is a faculty member in the Department of Medical Engineering at the University of South Florida, where he combines his background in electrical engineering with biomedical research and education. His research focuses on developing technologies that use electrical pulses to support medical treatments, including cancer therapies. A USF alumnus and award-winning educator, Dr. Otten is passionate about introducing students to the exciting possibilities of biomedical engineering and inspiring the next generation of engineers.
Colbi Gemmell
Colbi Gemmell is FIO’s Associate Director of Educational Programming and is responsible for supporting educational excellence within the FIO Consortium by developing programs to provide access to FIO’s research vessels, technologies, and marine lab facilities that augment those available at SUS institutions. Colbi holds a Bachelor’s in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Arizona, a Master’s in Marine Science from the University of Texas, and is currently completing a Ph.D. in Science Education from the University of South Florida. She has 15+ years of experience in teaching, instruction and educational programming in higher education and informal education with various marine science and biological academic institutions. Most recently, Colbi served as the Teaching Laboratory Manager for USF’s Molecular Biosciences department and was heavily involved with course and curriculum development.
