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National Guard Captain Keeps Ph.D. Studies Going While Activated
By TAD SCHNAUFER Typically, the end of the semester finds doctorate students hunkered down in a library or local café wrapping up final papers. Things are different this year for Security Studies Ph.D. student Tad Schnaufer. Schnaufer serves as a captain in the Florida Army National Guard and has been activated for the response to […]
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Beans and Greens Recipe
The Arboretum Community Farm and Gardens grow many delicious produce varieties seasonally. In fall and spring, wonderful leafy greens are at their peak when the days are nice and cool. Escarole, Lacinato Kale, Swiss Chard and Rosemary are just a few of the varieties grown, and the following recipe showcases each of them in a […]
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Tea Recipes
Easing Elderberry Tea Ingredients 2 cups of water 2 TBSP. Elderberry (fresh or dried) 1/2 TSP. Turmeric (fresh or powder) 1/4 TSP. Cinnamon Honey to taste Directions Start by pouring water and elderberries into a saucepan. Next, add your turmeric and cinnamon. Bring this mixture to a boil and simmer for about 15 minutes. Elderberry […]
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Message From the Director
Director’s Message The UCF Arboretum celebrated the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22 by reflecting on how much has changed since the beginning of the semester when we first planned our Earth Week activities. As we adjust to the difficult changes brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, our primary concern is for […]
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Distinguished Math Alum Turns to Art in Retirement
There’s more art in science than one might think. Just ask Don Marks ’73, a mathematics instructor turned master wood turner. “I never would have expected myself to become an artist,” chuckled Marks. Prior to enrolling at UCF in 1969, at what was then known as Florida Technical University, Marks stumbled upon his first love […]
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Spirit of Gratitude Spurs New Award Program in Department of Chemistry
Professional recognition looks great on a resume, and reflects well on a department. It takes time, though, to put in an application, and that’s something in short supply for everyone — especially if you’re nominating someone other than yourself. Karin Chumbimuni-Torres, Ph.D., considered all these factors when she pitched her incentive plan to UCF Faculty […]
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Lifelong Friendship With Arboretum Founder Inspires Donation
A passion for plants is at the root of a recent donation made by Biology faculty member Rani Vajravelu, Ph.D. The donation is made out to the UCF Arboretum in aim of supporting students that are passionate about outdoor plant studies. “I would love the money to help alleviate financial stress on students looking to […]
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Growing Students, Growing Gardens
We embarked on an epic journey at the start of the Spring 2020 semester with great plans for our students to design and plant new gardens for the Arboretum Park and greater UCF campus through our Learning by Leading Program™. This is our second semester for the program at UCF and both the Arboretum Gardens […]
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Continuing Growth in a Difficult Time
Birds chirping, wind blowing through the trees, bees buzzing around—just a few beautiful things you can hear while at the Arboretum during this time when campus is closed. COVID-19 has greatly changed how our community is operating but some Arboretum staff and students are still working to keep the site beautiful and the gardens […]
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New Trail Maps Help Hikers Find Their Way
Visitors to the UCF natural lands will have an easier time finding their way through the campus’s extensive, 13.5-mile nature trail system thanks to our recently upgraded maps, kiosks and trail markers. The main trail kiosks are located near the Timothy Newman Nature Pavilion on Gemini Blvd., behind the softball stadium parking lot, and also […]
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TNT: How To Defuse Quarantine Conflict
By AMIE NEWINS, PH.D. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us are spending significantly more time at home, which means more time with those who live with us. In addition, most people are experiencing increased stress due to various issues, including financial concerns, worries about health, changes in work schedules and […]
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Six COS Students Recognized With 2020 Order of Pegasus
Six College of Sciences students were recently awarded the Order of the Pegasus, the highest student achievement at the University of Central Florida. Here are the 2020 winners. Samantha Berg “UCF’s remarkable faculty and programs developed me into the strong researcher and individual I am today. Upon entering The Burnett Honors College (BHC), I immediately […]
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Magnet Research Hits Breakthrough
Researchers pushing the limits of magnets as a means to create faster electronics published their proof of concept findings Friday in the journal Science. The University of Central Florida is the lead university in the multidisciplinary university research initiative (MURI) project, which is funded by a $7.5 million grant from the Department of Defense. The […]
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Psychology Community Says Farewell to Longtime Professor
The psychology community at UCF said goodbye last month to a professor who dedicated 31 years to teaching generations of students the intricacies of the mind. Ed Rinalducci, Ph.D., whose tenure from 1986-2017 included roles as associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, program director of the applied experimental/human factors doctorate program and […]
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Mental Health Series from UCF RESTORES Coming to Social Media
Expert advice to deal with the stressful disruptions caused by COVID-19 is coming soon to Facebook Live. The Q&A-style, roughly 10-minute videos will be co-hosted by faculty and staff of UCF RESTORES, a research center and treatment clinic based on campus that provides treatment for active duty military, first responders, survivors of sexual assault and […]
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Student Research: Understanding the Lionfish Invasion in Florida
Biology major Katherine Viehl conducts research focused on the lionfish, one of the state’s most invasive species. Though this species is native to the South Pacific and Indian oceans it has been spreading through the Atlantic Coast since 1985. Their predatorial habits cause damage to the biodiversity destroying native fish and plants of the estuaries […]
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Statistics Research Reveals Human Behavior
Studying human behavior isn’t the exclusive domain of psychology. When Alexander V. Mantzaris, Ph.D, joined the Department of Statistics and Data Science in 2016, his unique research on network science and social media behavior proved just that. Mantzaris brought a background studying the behavior of voters in the international song contest Eurovision. The show encompasses […]
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Math Major Lands Exclusive Scholarship
A double major in computer science and mathematics recently landed one of the most prestigious undergraduate scholarships in the U.S. Only five endorsements per university are allowed for the Goldwater Scholarship, and Gary Hoppenworth was one of those recipients. He’s joined by Ashley Santana, who is majoring in biomedical sciences and biotechnology. Hoppenworth plans to […]
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UCF, FAU and Coast Guard Team up to get Endangered Sea Turtles Home
Florida Atlantic University and the University of Central Florida teamed up with the U.S. Coast Guard to take some endangered sea turtles into the ocean where they belong. With the COVID-19 pandemic closing or severely limiting everything from beaches to lab activities at universities, researchers got creative to make sure three six-month old green turtles […]
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College of Sciences Celebrates Founder’s Day Awardees
By ALLISON HURTADO ’12, SIMONE ROUSSEAU & ROBERT WELLS Three College of Sciences faculty were recognized Wednesday with the University of Central Florida’s highest awards. Physics Professor Joseph Harrington, Ph.D., was one of four new Pegasus Professors. Luca Argenti, Ph.D., and Jacquelyn “Jackie” Chini, Ph.D., were selected for the Reach for the Stars award, […]
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Five Reasons To Call Your Mom, According to Science
By KAREN MOTTARELLA By nature, humans are social beings. Social distancing does not mean you should suddenly become a hermit and detach from others. A call or digital chat can really help someone else, like your mom or your grandparents. Social contact will make this stressful time easier on them. Below are five reasons why […]
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UCF Lands $7.5 Million in Grants from Federal Agency
The University of Central Florida is the only university in Florida to be awarded federal 2020 Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative grants – and it snagged three of them. The Department of Defense announced the recipients of the 26 awards. For UCF, that means more than $7.5 million over the next five years. Two professors will […]
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New Project Aims To Address Global Crises
The UCF Office of Global Perspectives & International Initiatives (GPII) is pleased to announce the launch of a new project, “Addressing Global Crisis” (AGC). The AGC Project will examine not only how the world responds to the current coronavirus pandemic, but how governments, individually and collectively, deal with natural disasters, ecological challenges and climate […]
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New Grad Credits Einstein For Physics Passion
By NIKITTA CAMPBELL Kevin Fernando can thank Albert Einstein for leading him to UCF. Fernando is graduating this spring with double degrees in math and physics after finding inspiration from a textbook in 11th grade. “One of the first chapters was on physics and there was a picture of the German theoretical physicist, Albert Einstein. […]
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UCF’s Nicholson School Launches New Website to Promote Open Government
An experiment in promoting open government was launched last week by UCF’s Nicholson School of Communication and Media – and if the project meets with good results in Winter Park, it could be expanded to other Central Florida cities. A new grant-funded website – WinterParkSunshine.org – was set up by the school’s journalism program to […]
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Forensic Scientists Harness Pollen Power to Fight Crime
Pollen gets a bad rap this time of year for its allergy-induced itchy eyes and sniffles. But researchers at the National Center for Forensic Science are harnessing its crime-fighting power. That fine, grainy powder staining your windshield yellow holds a wealth of genetic information about its plant origin. Mapping out a precise DNA picture falls […]
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Psychologist Makes Her Mark Bringing Together Families
Kimberly Renk, Ph.D., is rebuilding families by taking psychology off the couch and into disadvantaged Orlando communities. Renk is a child psychologist by training, and she shares her more than 20 years of experience in both the classroom and the local judicial system. Her work at UCF includes leading the Understanding Young Children and Families […]
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Making A Difference: Protecting the Aquatic Ecosystem
By ZENAIDA GONZALEZ KOTALA Kelly Kibler spends a good deal of time in the classroom and her lab at UCF, but it’s not unusual to see her with her feet in the mud of local waterways or driving a boat. For the assistant professor in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, those days […]
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Tropical Shirt Tradition Brightens Mood For Stressed Students
Peter Sinelli’s wardrobe choices can bring students running to his classroom. That’s particularly the case when he’s spotted crossing campus wearing one of the many loud, vibrant tropical shirts that fill his closet. Savvy students know the blinding colors signal it’s pop quiz day. “They’ve caught on,” Sinelli said with a laugh. “The tradition is […]
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UCF Arboretum Attends Orlando Wetlands Festival To Bring Awareness To Florida’s Environment
By CORYNNE LOVEWELL Members of the UCF Arboretum tabled at the Orlando Wetlands Festival on Saturday afternoon to bring awareness to the community about the impacted wetlands on campus and discuss their mission for years to come. The Orlando Wetlands Festival was open to everyone including local families in order to help them become environmentally […]