Anthropology
Anthropology Department Contacts
Scott Branting
Graduate Director
Gio Scheraldi
Graduate Support Staff
Graduate Program Contact Email: anthrograduate@ucf.edu
Anthropology Graduate Degrees & Certificates
Recent Anthropology Graduate Theses and Dissertations
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Improving Osteological Sex Estimation Methods for the Skull: Combining Morphological Traits and Measurements Utilizing Decision Trees and Random Forest Modeling
by Morgan Ferrell on August 27, 2024
Osteological sex estimation is a key component of the biological profile in forensic anthropological casework. However, there are still limitations with current methodologies for the skull as well as inadequate […]
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Exploring Multi-isotopic Intra- and Inter-individual Skeletal Variation within Single Interred and Commingled Contexts in Geographically Distinct Populations
by Stephanie Fuehr on August 26, 2024
The focus of this research was to determine the intra- and inter-individual isotopic variation in individuals from the Meroitic cemetery 8-B-5.A (350 BC–350 AD) at Sai Island, Sudan and from individuals at Lamanai, Marco […]
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Exploring Malabar II Site Use and Social Interaction: Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis and Formal Clustering of the Ceramics at The Burns Site (8br85), Cape Canaveral, Florida
by Emily Tyler on August 26, 2024
This research addresses group interaction and site use of the Burns Site (8BR85). Burns is a Malabar II (900-1565 AD) period site located within the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) region. The site includes a mound with spoke-like […]
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Assessing Precolumbian Land-Use Changes in the Llanos de Mojos, Bolivia Through Diatom Analysis of Sediment Cores
by Kathryn Whelton on May 28, 2024
The Llanos de Mojos is a tropical savanna in the Bolivian Amazon with strong seasonality. Abundant earthworks and anthropogenically shaped landscapes suggest that precolumbian inhabitants had a much larger impact on the […]
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Reconstructing Seasonality at the Buns Mound Site, Cape Canaveral, Florida Using Oxygen (δ18O) Isotopes from Donax Variabilis
by Zachary Boal on May 28, 2024
This thesis analyzes Donax variabilis from the Burns Site (900 to 1600 CE), located on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station along the Atlantic Coast of Central Florida. Samples were taken along growth lines of 12 Donax […]
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Assessing the Manifestations of Marginalization in Early Bronze Age Western Anatolia: Nonspecific Stress Indicators at Karataş-Semayük
by Chelsea N. Rose on May 28, 2024
The Early Bronze Age in Western Anatolia represents a period of social transition, associated with hierarchical social stratification. Evidence for stratification at Karataş-Semayük (i.e., Karataş) (2700 to 2300 BCE) is […]
Biology
Biology Department Contacts
Laurence von Kalm
Graduate Director
Juana Pasco
Graduate Support Staff
Graduate Program Contact Email: juana.pasco@ucf.edu
Biology Graduate Degrees & Certificates
Recent Biology Graduate Theses and Dissertations
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Multi-Trait Convergent Evolution Correlated With Host Ecology Suggests Trait Syndromes in Parasitoid Wasps (Hymenoptera: Braconidae).
by Christina L. Watkins on January 7, 2026
Convergent evolution, the independent evolution of similar traits in different lineages under shared ecological pressures, provides information on patterns of adaptation and character evolution. In Braconidae (Hymenoptera), […]
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Evaluating Health and Immune Proxies Within and Across Sea Turtle Life Stages
by Tiffany M. Dawson on January 7, 2026
Understanding variations in health and immune function across life stages or physiological states is important for population monitoring and for understanding species’ responses to anthropogenic disturbances. Sea turtles […]
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Exploring the Genetic Structure and Evolutionary History of Marine Fish Populations across Micronesia
by Pavithiran Amirthalingam on January 7, 2026
Most marine species exist as metapopulations, composed of subpopulations inhabiting patchily distributed habitat. Connectivity among these subpopulations is primarily facilitated by larval dispersal via ocean currents. […]
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Better Models for Mosquito Control: Impacts on Nontarget Insects and Joint Species Distributions of Mosquitoes
by Jacob D. Hart on August 21, 2025
Since its inception, mosquito control has been vital for limiting the spread of vector-borne pathogens. Modern control efforts balance the protection of public health and the prevention of environmental harm. We addressed […]
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Genomic consequences of habitat fragmentation in the Florida Scrub-Jay: diversity, adaptation, and disease susceptibility
by Maryam Ghoojaei on August 21, 2025
Habitat fragmentation is a severe threat to biodiversity by reducing population size, gene flow, and adaptive potential, especially in habitat specialists like the Florida Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens). This […]
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Morphology, Evolution and Host-Driven Convergence in Ichneumonidae (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonoidea)
by Davide Dal Pos on August 21, 2025
Understanding the functional and evolutionary significance of morphology is fundamental to interpreting the tree of life. In recent years, emerging tools have enabled broad-scale analysis of discrete morphological data and […]
Chemistry
Chemistry Department Contacts
Andres Campiglia
Graduate Director – Chemistry
Candice Bridge
Graduate Director – Forensic Science M.S.
Davalda Bellot
Graduate Support Staff
Graduate Program Contact Email: chemgrad@ucf.edu
Chemistry Graduate Degrees & Certificates
Recent Chemistry Graduate Theses and Dissertations
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Development of Novel Multi-nutrient Nanoparticle Systems for Crop Health management
by Jorge Pereira on February 25, 2025
By 2050, the global population is expected to reach 9.7 billion, prompting a projected surge in food demand ranging from 30 to 62 percent. To avert hunger and meet food demand, the United Nations established "Zero Hunger" as […]
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Exploring Mechanism of Chemical Reactions and Material Properties Using Computational Tools
by Ankai Wang on February 25, 2025
Computational chemistry has emerged as a transformative discipline within the chemical sciences. Fueled by advancements in theoretical frameworks and the exponential growth of computational power, it offers unparalleled […]
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Engineered Metallic Nanoparticles as Colorimetric Labels for Sensitive Lateral Flow Assay
by Zhiyuan Wei on November 18, 2024
The Lateral Flow Assay (LFA) represents one of the most classical in vitro detection platforms, wherein gold nanoparticles have emerged as the most extensively employed chromogenic agent. However, their utility has been […]
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Tailoring the Internal Architectures of Hollow Nanoparticles for Enhanced Plasmonic Properties
by Shikuan Shao on November 18, 2024
Plasmonic nanoparticles have garnered significant attention for their potential applications in various fields such as sensing, imaging, biomedicine, and catalysis owing to their unique ability to manipulate light at the […]
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Hierarchical Heterogeneous Catalysts for Hydrogenation Reactions
by Azina Rahmani on November 18, 2024
Noble metal catalysts are widely used for their remarkable activity and stability. However, their sustainability is challenged by their scarcity, both in terms of Earth-abundance and production sources. To ensure their […]
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Insights Into Nitric Oxide Reactivity With Iron-containing Enzymes
by Christopher P. Martin on August 27, 2024
Nitric oxide (NO) is a small, gaseous molecule that is toxic to life at high doses but serves a crucial role in biological processes at lower concentrations, including: cell signaling, immune response, and more recently, as […]
Mathematics
Mathematics Department Contacts
Carlos Borges
Graduate Director
Crystel Velez
Graduate Support Staff
Graduate Program Contact Email: crystel.velez@ucf.edu
Mathematics Graduate Degrees & Certificates
- Financial Mathematics Graduate Certificate
- Mathematical Science Graduate Certificate
- Mathematical Science MS
- Mathematics PhD
Recent Mathematics Graduate Theses and Dissertations
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Carleman Linearization for Nonlinear Systems and Their Explicit Error Bounds
by Panpan Chen on February 25, 2025
Carleman linearization has been widely employed in mathematical modeling and control theory and it could be used to investigate the stability of nonlinear systems, particularly in situations requiring higher-order accuracy. […]
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Exploring the Challenges of First Grade Students' Non-Exit from Mathematics Intervention: A Comparative Analysis of Mathematics Instruction and Best Practices During Intervention
by Lori Hart on August 27, 2024
This qualitative study aimed to examine the challenges surrounding the non-exit of first grade students from mathematics intervention programs, particularly focusing on Atlantic Elementary School within the Gulf County […]
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Spectral Approaches for Characterizing Heterogeneity in Infectious Disease Models
by Seoyun Choe on August 26, 2024
Heterogeneity, influenced by diverse factors such as age, gender, immunity, behavior, and spatial distribution, plays a critical role in the dynamics of infectious disease transmission. Discrete mathematical structures, […]
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Hyperbolic Geometry and Hierarchical Representation Learning
by William Grisaitis on August 26, 2024
This thesis explores the application of hyperbolic geometry to deep variational autoencoders (VAEs) for learning low-dimensional latent representations of data. Hyperbolic geometry has gained increasing attention in machine […]
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Low-rank Matrix Estimation
by Xing Fan on May 28, 2024
The first part of this dissertation focuses on matrix-covariate regression models. While they have been studied in many existing works, classical statistical and computational methods for the analysis of the regression […]
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A Limit Order Book Model for High Frequency Trading with Rough Volatility
by Yun S. Chen-Shue on May 28, 2024
We introduce a financial model for limit order book with two main features: First, the limit orders and market orders for the given asset both appear and interact with each other. Second, the high frequency trading (HFT, for […]
Nicholson School of Communication & Media (NSCM)
NSCM Contacts
Ann Miller, PhD
Graduate Coordinator – Strategic Communication PhD, Communication MA
Zachary Beckler
Graduate Coordinator – Film MFA
Sercan Sengun
Graduate Coordinator – Digital Media
Graduate Program Contact Email: nicholsongrad@ucf.edu
Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy (FIEA) Contacts
Richard Grula
Graduate Director
Kenneth Koloski
Graduate Support Staff
Graduate Program Contact Email: kenneth.koloski@ucf.edu
NSCM Graduate Degrees & Certificates
- Communication MA
- Corporate Communication Graduate Certificate
- Digital Media MA
- Feature Film Production MFA
- Interactive Entertainment MS
- Strategic Communication PhD
Recent NSCM Graduate Theses and Dissertations
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Competing Narratives and Converging Perspectives: Analyzing the Dynamics of the Pulse Memorial Crisis
by Amy E. Maciel on August 29, 2024
In the wake of the Pulse nightclub massacre, the effort to create a memorial devolved into a crisis and ultimate failure amidst a complex interplay of divergent claims. This study explored the evolving memorialization […]
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The Art And Business Of Documentary Filmmaking: Insights From “La Buena Cosecha” And Its Role In Highlighting Latino Contributions To The United States
by Melanie Cedeno-Lopez on August 26, 2024
La Buena Cosecha is a feature-length documentary that explores the remarkable contributions of Latino business owners in Orlando and the United States. The film delves into the journeys of two families of entrepreneurs from […]
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Holding an Empathic Lantern to Help Depressed Friends Find their Way out of the Darkness: An Examination of Intention to Offer Social Support Guided by the Reasoned Action Approach
by Laura Boutemen on June 18, 2024
Guided by the reasoned action approach, this two-fold research first used an online open-ended elicitation survey to identify beliefs held by undergraduate students (N = 397) pertaining to offering social support to […]
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Giving Voice to The Voiceless: Health Communication and Female Fieldworkers in Central Florida
by Sofia Salazar on May 28, 2024
This qualitative research project examined health experiences of female agricultural workers in central Florida. Specifically, this study identified the most common physical and mental health illnesses and issues reported by […]
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Student Perceptions of Campus Crime and Victim Services
by Tracy Gulliford on January 17, 2024
Few would argue that college campus crime is a serious problem across the United States. Debate arises, however, regarding why the problem is so pervasive and how best to address it. This dissertation addresses that gap by […]
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The Study of Crisis Narratives Over Time: Mayfield, KY in the Aftermath of the 2021 Tornadoes
by Rebecca Freihaut on January 17, 2024
This study was a year-long longitudinal qualitative research project using the case study of Mayfield, KY after the catastrophic tornado event that impacted their community on December 10, 2021. Oral histories were collected […]
Physics
Physics Department Contacts
William Kaden
Graduate Director – Physics
Yan Fernandez
Graduate Director – Planetary & Space Sciences
Esperanza Soto
Graduate Support Staff
Graduate Program Contact Email: soto@ucf.edu
Physics Graduate Degrees & Certificates
Recent Physics Graduate Theses and Dissertations
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An Ultrafast, Mid-Wave Infrared Source for Driving High-Order Harmonics Beyond the Water Window
by Zachary A. Marra on August 27, 2024
This dissertation details the development of the world’s first cryogenically cooled Fe:ZnSe-based chirped pulse amplifier, a mid-wave infrared source for strong-field physics experimentation. The long upper-state lifetime […]
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Examining how pejorative stereotypes about Black women shape their experiences in physics Ph.D. programs
by Camille A. Coffie on August 26, 2024
This research study is part of a larger study that examines the experiences of Black women in physics graduate programs to identify priorities for departmental change initiatives to remove structures that keep out and/or […]
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High-order Harmonic Generation in Bulk and Thin Film Solids
by Troie Journigan on August 26, 2024
High-order harmonic generation (HHG), a non-perturbative nonlinear light-matter interaction resulting in coherent emission of high-frequency light, has demonstrated promise as an optical probe of carrier dynamics, structural […]
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First Principles Studies of Nano-Scale Phenomena At Surfaces: From Characteristics of Single Atom Catalysts to Molecular Structure Formation
by Dave I. Austin on August 22, 2024
The dissertation explores the electronic structures induced by the adsorption of atoms and molecules on surfaces. It focuses on the physical and chemical properties of dispersed metal atom sites on oxide surfaces and the […]
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Progress Towards Attosecond Science with a Turn-Key Industrial-Grade Ytterbium Laser
by Thi Tran Chau Truong on June 18, 2024
Advancements in laser technology over the last decades have allowed compression of laser light pulses to few-femtosecond durations. To obtain even shorter pulses, a new mechanism was required. The discovery of high-order […]
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Solid State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Probing of Structures of the Rous Sarcoma Virus Capsid, Amyloid Beta, and Reflectin Proteins
by Tyrone Thames on June 18, 2024
Solid State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (ssNMR) spectroscopy can be a powerful tool for investigating the atomic-level structures and dynamics of biological macromolecules, including proteins. In this dissertation, I present […]
Psychology
Psychology Department Contacts
Industrial & Organizational Ph.D.
Graduate Program Contact Email: danielle.draper@ucf.edu
Industrial & Organizational Psychology M.S.
Michael Chetta
Graduate Director
Dani Draper
Graduate Support Staff
Graduate Program Contact Email: danielle.draper@ucf.edu
Clinical Psychology Ph.D.
Jeffrey Bedwell
Graduate Director
Amy Newins
Associate Director
Dakota Fisher
Graduate Support Staff
Graduate Program Contact Email: dakota.fisher@ucf.edu
Human Factors & Cognitive Psychology
Mustapha Mouloua
Graduate Director
Joseph Schmidt
Associate Director
Elizabeth Tummons
Graduate Support Staff
Graduate Program Contact Email: elizabeth.tummons@ucf.edu
Clinical Psychology M.A.
Graduate Program Contact Email: eun.park@ucf.edu
Psychology Graduate Degrees & Certificates
- Clinical Psychology MA
- Clinical Psychology PhD
- Human Factors and Cognitive Psychology PhD
- Industrial and Organizational Psychology MS
- Industrial and Organizational Psychology PhD
Recent Psychology Graduate Theses and Dissertations
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Interaction of Sexual Orientation, Racial, and Gender Discrimination on Mental Health Outcomes
by Rebekah Kanefsky on February 25, 2025
Experiencing discrimination is associated with greater risk of developing mental health symptoms. Important theories on the mental well-being of people who identify with underrepresented groups suggest that poorer outcomes […]
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Three Good Things to improve dementia caregiver outcomes: Feasibility
by Nicole V. McClure on February 25, 2025
The current study investigated the feasibility of utilizing a positive psychology strategy, Three Good Things, for dementia caregivers who at times may be limited in their ability to access resources due to caregiving role […]
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Examining Secondary Trauma, Vicarious Trauma, and Posttraumatic Growth Among Caregivers of Children with Chronic Medical Illnesses
by James Rujimora on November 18, 2024
The current study examined the presence of and relationships between secondary trauma, vicarious trauma, and posttraumatic growth in caregivers of children with chronic illnesses (N = 148). Findings from scored sums of […]
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Capacity Building Partnerships Between University Counseling Programs and Urban Elementary Schools
by Alexandra Frank on November 18, 2024
After the COVID-19 pandemic, the kids are not alright. More than ever, public schools in the United States are facing the tension of responding to students' academic gaps and rising mental health needs. Schools serving […]
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Predicting Personality from LinkedIn Profiles Using Natural Language Processing
by Saba Tavoosi on August 29, 2024
LinkedIn profiles are increasingly serving as supplements to or substitutes for traditional resumes. Beyond the explicit information in LinkedIn profiles, research indicates that recruiters and hiring managers can infer […]
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Social Cognition, Anhedonia, and Support in Relation to Depression Severity in Individuals with Breast Cancer
by Samantha D. Simpson on August 29, 2024
Breast cancer is associated with significant disruption in social support, social cognition, and depression. This study seeks to explore social and emotional factors using the integrative model for social reward processing. […]
School of Politics, Security, & International Affairs (SPSIA)
SPSIA Department Contacts
Jacopo Baggio
Graduate Director – Security Studies Ph.D.; Network Analysis Certificate
Kelsey Larsen
Graduate Director – Political Science M.A.; Intelligence Certificate
John Hanley
Graduate Director – Survey Research Certificate
Graduate Program Contact Email: graduatepolisci@ucf.edu
SPSIA Degrees & Certificates
- Intelligence and National Security Graduate Certificate
- Network Analysis and Applications Graduate Certificate
- Political Science MA
- Security Studies PhD
- Survey Research Graduate Certificate
Recent SPSIA Graduate Theses and Dissertations
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Girl Child Marriage and Governing Party Ideology: Evidence From India
by Divya Kapoor on February 25, 2025
Although India has made significant advances in reducing girl-child marriage compared to other countries in South Asia, one in three of the world’s child brides still lives in the country. The literature on girl child […]
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Assessing the Connection Between Social Media and Ideological Polarization
by Joshua Stiekman on August 27, 2024
Does the usage of social media make individuals more polarized? Previous studies have shown that political use of the internet does make individuals more likely to politically participate, but little academic work has looked […]
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The Varieties of Civilian Praetorianism & the Politics of Post-Coup Regime Development
by Salah Ben Hammou on August 26, 2024
What shapes a state’s political order after a successful military coup? While the bulk of academic and public perspectives center on the power and preferences of the soldiers physically seizing power, this dissertation […]
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The Militancy Cycle: Exploring Violent Extremism Through The Italian Red Brigades
by Erika Ricci on August 26, 2024
This dissertation investigates the pathways leading to violent extremism, participation in violence, and judicial responses to terrorism. By comparing individuals who joined extremist groups with those who shared similar […]
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Drones, Peacekeeping, and Civilian Protection in Armed Conflict
by Michael Yekple on June 18, 2024
Under what conditions are drones effective in protecting civilians in armed conflict? And what shapes support for their use for civilian protection in armed conflict? Drones have been adopted into international peacekeeping […]
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Sectarianism and Elite Strategies in Fueling Conflict: Evidence from Iraq under Saddam Hussein and Nouri Al Maliki
by Mohammed Al Awwad on May 28, 2024
What contributes to sectarian conflict? Some existing literature essentializes sectarian identities and blames ancient hatred between different groups as the cause of conflict, this thesis argues that sectarian conflict […]
Sociology
Sociology Department Contacts
Amy Donley
Graduate Director
Jana Mostafa
Graduate Support Staff
Graduate Program Contact Email: socadmissions@ucf.edu
Sociology Degrees & Certificates
Recent Sociology Graduate Theses and Dissertations
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A Social Portal to Online Higher Education: How Students with Disabilities Experience Online Courses
by Marisa Lucca on August 26, 2024
Although people with disabilities have made significant strides toward educational equity, they continue to face struggles in college that perpetuate their dismal college outcomes. Current research focuses on struggles […]
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Fatal Overdoses and Harm Reduction in Hotels and Motels in Central Florida
by Alexandria R. McClarty on August 26, 2024
This exploratory research assesses the relationship between unintentional fatal overdoses and hospitality environments, with a special focus on the Central Florida region, due to its high annual tourism rates. Multiple […]
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Using Geographic Information Systems To Examine Unmet Healthcare Needs Among Transgender and Non-Binary Young Adults in Florida
by Nino Franklin on August 26, 2024
This study explored healthcare utilization among the Transgender and Gender Non-Binary (TGNB) population of Florida using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to visualize and analyze the spatial distribution of unmet […]
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Exploring Hypervigilance Among Trans+ People Navigating Cisgendered Healthcare
by Emma M. Tukdarian on May 28, 2024
This thesis uses the limited research on LGBTQ+ specific hypervigilance and queer battle fatigue to explore the prevalence of hypervigilance and fatigue in trans+ medical experiences, even when emotions aren't centered in […]
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The Black Hair Experience: Exploring the Workplace Experience for Black Women with Natural Hair and Hairstyles
by Shameika D. Daye on May 28, 2024
Despite the guidance provided by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's manual, which encourages workplaces to create policies that respect racial hair texture differences, hair-based discrimination still exists in […]
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An Intersectional Examination of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Educational Outcomes in Children in The U.S.
by Josalie C. Condon on May 28, 2024
Background: Research has found that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have been shown to lead to a myriad of issues including struggling in school. The more ACEs a child experiences, the worse their outcome tends to be, […]
Statistics & Data Science
Statistics & Data Science Department Contacts
Edgard Maboudou
Graduate Director
Crystel Velez
Graduate Support Staff
Graduate Program Contact Email: crystel.velez@ucf.edu
Statistics & Data Science Degrees & Certificates
- Big Data Analytics PhD
- Data Modeling Graduate Certificate
- SAS Data Mining Graduate Certificate
- Statistics and Data Science MS
Recent Statistics & Data Science Graduate Theses and Dissertations
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Advancing Medical Diagnostics: A Comprehensive Study of Fundus Image Analysis Techniques
by Rui Yang on February 25, 2025
Medical imaging and related technologies have been widely used in the medical field. As a key to auxiliary diagnosis and treatment, medical image processing and analysis technology has important clinical and research value. […]
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Enhancing Student Graduation Rates by Mitigating Failure, Dropout, and Withdrawal in Introduction to Statistical Courses Using Statistical and Machine Learning
by Shahabeddin Abbaspour Tazehkand on August 26, 2024
The elevated rates of failure, dropout, and withdrawal (FDW) in introductory statistics courses pose a significant barrier to students' timely graduation from college. Identifying actionable strategies to support instructors […]
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Entropic Dynamics in Societal Systems: Integrating Social Physics, Computational Modeling, and Statistics for Understanding Social Change
by Sahar A. Awaji on August 26, 2024
This dissertation delves into using entropy, a fundamental concept in thermodynamics and information theory, for analyzing social dynamics. Entropy relies on a probability distribution over states, which is crucial for […]
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Film Adaptation of Novels Through GenAI
by Joshua M. Head on August 26, 2024
When a production company commits to creating a film based on a novel, it is essential that their team is equipped to manage the extensive responsibilities required to authentically translate the book to the big screen. This […]
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Homogeneity Test on Error Rates from Ordinal Scores and Application to Forensic Science
by Ngoc Ty Nguyen on June 18, 2024
The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve is used to measure the classification accuracy of tests that yield ordinal or continuous scores. Ordinal scores are common in medical imaging studies and, more recently, in […]
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Enhancing NFL Game Insights: Leveraging XGBoost For Advanced Football Data Analytics To Quantify Multifaceted Aspects Of Gameplay
by Christopher P. Schoborg on May 28, 2024
XGBoost, renowned for its efficacy in various statistical domains, offers enhanced precision and efficiency. Its versatility extends to both regression and categorization tasks, rendering it a valuable asset in predictive […]
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