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UCF Research Flies Aboard 1st Virgin Galactic Space Flight
By ROBERT WELLS Virgin Galactic launched its first rocket into space today carrying a crew of two along with NASA-supported research projects, including one from the University of Central Florida. “It’s always exciting when you have something about to go up on a rocket,” says Joshua Colwell, a UCF physics professor whose research was […]
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Graduating Venezuelan Transfer Student Inspired to Start Nonprofit
By NICOLE DUDENHOFFER Nearing the end of any collegiate journey is typically a joyous time for most students. After years of juggling classes, working on projects and studying for exams, the end goal — a degree and chance at a better future — is within sight. However in 2016, when clinical psychology major Jennifer Martinez de […]
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PoliSci Grad Makes Community Impact With Law Office
Amal Laassel,’04, is using her legal skills to help the Central Florida community and inspire young girls to explore the legal field. Laassel was born in Marrakesh, Morocco, and moved to the U.S. when she was 16 years as part of an international student exchange program. After graduating high school, Laassel majored in Political Science […]
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Archaeology Is Family Affair For Husband-Wife Team
Some couples meet on a blind date, or get together through matchmaker friends. Others connect in in the Guatemalan jungle while studying pre-Columbian ruins. “Yeah, our story is a little atypical,” laughs Brigitte Kovacevich, Ph.D., who teaches along with her husband, Michael Callaghan, Ph.D., in the Anthropology Department. The couple became friends as students at Vanderbilt […]
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Bolivian Mud Could Be Key To Unlocking Ancient Agriculture
A group of Anthropology researchers are counting on some dirty work to unlock the secrets of past civilizations. More specifically, they’re studying Amazonian mud, carefully extracted from a Bolivian swamp and transported back to a laboratory on UCF’s campus. Their goal is to date the pollen and other biological sediments layered in close to five […]
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Undergrads Land Top Prizes At SHORE Conference
Julia Carlin is finding the big picture in something only visible under a microscope. The Biology senior‘s research into the harmful effects of microplastics on Indian River Lagoon wildlife was the subject of an award-winning presentation given at the SHORE conference Nov. 30 in New Smyrna Beach. Specifically, Carlin’s first-place oral presentation detailed how birds […]
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Top European University Taps Physics Professor for Visit
A UCF Physics professor was honored this summer with a visiting professorship at one of the top universities in Europe. Alfons Schulte, Ph.D., spent two months at the Technical University of Munich as an August-Wilhelm Scheer visiting professor. The professorship is awarded to scientists with high international research reputations seeking to collaborate with TUM researchers. […]
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Student Lands 1st Place Conference Finish
A Physics graduate student won first prize recently for his poster at the American Physical Society Bridge Program and National Mentoring Community Conference. Brian Zamarripa’s project was entitled “Success is a puzzle: sorting out the pieces with metaphor analysis” and focused on characterizing success in Physics from the perspective of women. “This award means to […]
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Virtual Arboretum Visits Coming Soon
The vegetation is a familiar sight to Central Florida visitors: Sabal Palm, spiky Saw Palmettos, towering, Longleaf Pines and delicate, brightly colored flowers. But visitors to this version of the Florida lands bordering UCF’s campus will notice a couple things missing, including humidity and pesky bug bites. That’s because these 247 acres exist on […]
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Land Protection Gets Boost with New Partnership
A new partnership between Conservation Florida and both UCF’s Biology Department and UCF Coastal increases the bench strength of statewide land protection work. The partnership aims to produce research, guidance and a multidisciplinary voice to land and wildlife conservation to propel advancement in the greater Central Florida region. Conservation Florida brings 19 years of land […]
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Effects of Climate Change Will Be Harsh on Florida’s Industries
A new climate change report paints a dire picture of the world’s economic and natural future — and UCF Coastal experts agree with the findings. The second volume of the Fourth National Climate Assessment outlines the wide-ranging consequences if global warming continues unchecked, from outbreaks of infectious diseases and agricultural declines to months of wildfires. […]
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Strategic Communication Ph.D. Coming to NSCM
Effectively countering rumor, misinformation, and fear during times of crisis is the focus of a new doctorate program from the Nicholson School of Communication and Media. The strategic pcommunication Ph.D. will provide hands-on instruction in developing potentially life-saving messaging for events from food recalls to mass shootings and natural disasters. It will also focus on […]
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Aphasia Choir Fall Performance to be held Nov.30
The healing power of music will be on full display Friday when the Aphasia Choir performs 12 songs. Aphasia describes the difficulty some people have speaking after a traumatic brain injury like a car wreck or a stroke. The physical challenges are frustrating, but aphasia also can cost folks their jobs and friends, leaving them […]
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UCF Research Leads to Ban on Harmful Sunscreens
By Robert Wells The island Republic of Palau in the western Pacific Ocean is the first nation to ban environmentally harmful sunscreens, effective 2020, to protect one of the world’s most diverse marine ecosystems. Anyone selling banned sunscreens after the date will be hit with a $1,000 fine. The goal is to protect the islands’ […]
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COS Alums Among OBJ’s 40 Under 40
BY NICOLE DUDENHOEFER ’17 AND JENNA MARINA LEE Four College of Sciences alumni were among those honored at the Orlando Business Journal 40 Under 40 Awards, an annual celebration that recognizes successful professional who have created a big impact within their industry and in the local community. Honorees were selected from a group of nominees submitted […]
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COS Alumni Recognized For Career Achievements
Ten College of Sciences alumni were recognized Thursday for their career achievements at the 2018-19 Distinguished Alumni Awards. “Tonight’s awardees were selected based on their professional achievement, exceptional community service and reflection of the college’s mission to expand knowledge in the sciences, mathematical sciences, and communications,” COS Dean Michael Johnson, Ph.D., told the audience gathered […]
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PoliSci Grads Among 7 UCF Alums Elected to Office
BY: RACHEL STAMFORD and JENNA MARINA LEE Seven UCF alumni who were running for the Florida Legislature won their districts in Tuesday’s election. Although they don’t necessarily agree on political issues, pursued different careers and attended UCF at different times, they clearly share a passion for politics. Rep. Amber Mariano Amber Mariano ’17, a Republican, was […]
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K-12 Students Get Hands-On Civics Lesson With Mock Election
More than 245,000 K-12 students got a hands-on lesson in civic duty this year through a partnership between UCF’s Lou Frey Institute and Kids Voting USA. The students were spread out across 28 school districts that hosted mock elections this year using a ballot that reflected all the statewide races. The ballot was editable […]
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UCF Class Spotlight: Political Psychology
BY JENNA MARINA LEE Class Name POS 4206 – Political Psychology Description The psychological analysis of political behavior, with emphasis on the individual rather than the political system; includes political attitudes and communication, leadership and personality influences on politics. When is it offered? Occasionally. How many students are in a class? Capacity of 50 Prerequisites None […]
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Biology Initiative Eases Transfer Experience
A pilot program in the biology department is championing new ways to create a smooth transition for transfer students coming to UCF. The centerpiece of the program is Transfer Advisory Peers, or TAPS, who pair up with incoming transfer students and offer guidance on everything from study spots to the best coffee on campus. “Having […]
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UCF Physics Alum Highlights the Importance of Workplace Accessibility
By: Nicole Dudenhoefer For many college graduates, finding a job within their field can seem just as daunting as earning a degree. But that task can be even more difficult for people with disabilities, considering last year’s unemployment rate for the group (9.2 percent) was more than twice the rate of those with no disabilities (4.2 […]
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IBM Partnership Boosts GeoBus
A first-of-its-kind mobile science laboratory recently received a big boost in funding thanks to a new community partner in IBM. The GeoBus is a 42-foot bus filled with technology like mini-drones, an augmented reality sandbox and virtual reality goggles that bring the world of mapping and geospatial technologies to life for K-12 students. Geospatial […]
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Political Candidates Reflect on UCF Experiences
Three political science alumna — including Florida’s youngest representative — are looking forward to seeing their names on ballots next week. Anna Eskamani, ’12 ’15 MNM, MPA, is currently senior director for Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida, and the Democratic candidate for Florida House District 47. Also running is Carol Lawrence, ’71, an […]
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Multi-Agency Approach Key To Curbing Human Trafficking
Greater Orlando’s multi-agency approach to stopping human trafficking is the topic of a paper authored by members of UCF’s Department of Sociology. Florida currently ranks third in the U.S. for human trafficking, a form of modern-day slavery. The more common reasons for trafficking are for sex — similar to prostitution — and for working long […]
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Students Build International Bridges Through Filmmaking
Sponsorships from the India Center at UCF opened up the opportunity for eight students to travel to India this summer and grow their filmmaking chops. Six undergraduate and two graduate film students joined film professor and Fulbright Scholar Phil Peters in Kolkata on an innovative research project conducted by The India Documentary Lab. The […]
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Celebrity Political Endorsements Have Their Pros and Cons
Pop musician Taylor Swift made headlines this week when she broke her longstanding silence on political issues and urged her Instagram followers to register to vote. Her plea — along with her endorsement of two candidates in upcoming Tennessee races for U.S. Senate and House—coincided with more than 166,000 new voter registrations between Sunday […]
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Reflecting on Hurricane Maria One Year Later
By: Dr. Fernando Rivera Associate Professor of Sociology Director, Puerto Rico Research Hub I clearly remember speaking on the phone with my father the day before Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico. I felt reassured knowing he had all of the essentials to withstand the impact of the storm, and I was confident we would speak […]
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New UCF, Moroccan University Partnership to Develop Exchange Programs
The international partnership will promote faculty exchanges, joint classes, research and other activities. By Gene Kruckemyer UCF and Al Akhawayn University in Morocco signed a memorandum of understanding Thursday creating an international partnership to promote faculty exchanges, joint classes, research and other activities. The agreement was signed by UCF President Dale Whittaker and AUI […]
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MyPoliticalScience Day Kicks off Second Event for Political Science Students
The Political Science department hosted its second myPoliticalScience Day in the Student Union on September 28. The event informed students about academic, extra-curricular, and career opportunities for students enrolled in Political Science and International & Global Studies, which are both housed in the Political Science department. The Political Science department held its first MyPoliticalScience Day […]
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UCF Selling Experimental Martian Dirt — $20 a Kilogram, Plus Shipping
The University of Central Florida is selling Martian dirt, $20 a kilogram plus shipping. This is not fake news. A team of UCF astrophysicists has developed a scientifically based, standardized method for creating Martian and asteroid soil known as simulants. The team published its findings this month in the journal Icarus. “The simulant is useful […]