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Biology Professor, Computer Science Students Create Teaching Game About Parasitic Wasps
A new desktop game is turning parasitic wasps into unlikely heroes. Released Sept. 9, on the digital platform Steam, The Crawling Dead introduces players to biology topics and the crucial role of this insect species in controlling pests and benefiting the environment. Led by UCF Professor of Biology Barbara Sharanowski and developed by computer science […]
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UCF Welcomes Outstanding First-Year Class, Launches New Engineering, Technology Degrees
The Class of 2029 arrived at UCF with record-breaking GPAs and test scores, eager to learn from world-class faculty and leverage the university’s strong industry partnerships as they prepare for their careers of choice. During the next four years, students will help develop new space technologies, seek out cures for diseases and learn how to […]
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How UCF’s National Center for Forensic Science Helps Solve Crimes
Tucked away in a quiet corner of Central Florida Research Park, a nondescript building might escape the notice of passersby. But for Jack Ballantyne and his team, it’s anything but ordinary. Inside, groundbreaking forensic science is unfolding — work that has national implications for solving crimes, advancing justice and training the next generation of forensic […]
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Biology Researchers Lead Technology-Driven Seagrass Restoration Projects in Florida
Seagrass meadows are rapidly vanishing across the world, threatening animal species that rely on this vital coastal ecosystem for survival. Two UCF biology graduate students are leading projects developing innovative solutions for conserving seagrass species in Florida, with support from Pegasus Professor of Biology Linda Walters and Assistant Professor of Biology and Genomics and Bioinformatics faculty […]
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Journalism Student Accelerates a Career in Sports Media with NASCAR
Allyson Castillo, a senior at UCF studying broadcast journalism in the Nicholson School of Communication and Media (NSCM), spent ten weeks this summer as an intern for NASCAR’s content team, where she’s working on influencer relations, trend analysis and digital storytelling that brings the energy of the race track to its audiences. Castillo was only […]
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UCF Researcher Helps Confirm Genetic Restoration Success for Florida Panthers
In 1995, scientists translocated eight Texas pumas into Florida in a genetic restoration effort to save the only viable puma population east of the Mississippi from extinction, the Florida panther. The move raised concerns about harmful mutations and genetic swamping — or loss of unique traits. However, a recent study co-authored by UCF Assistant Professor […]
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‘Shore Wars:’ New Research Aims to Resolve Coastal Conflict Between Oysters and Mangroves, Aiding Restoration Efforts
Oysters and mangroves are both essential to protecting and restoring Florida’s coastlines that they call home, including defending them against storms. As mangrove populations are increasing due to successful restoration efforts and favorable weather, however, their strong comeback may pose unintended consequences for oysters, according to new research from UCF graduate student Katherine Harris and […]
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Behind the Rescue: UCF Expert on the Mental Toll of Disaster Response
Natural disasters leave behind more than physical damage — they take an invisible toll on the first responders who rush in to help. Whether it’s a hurricane, a building collapse or large-scale flooding, these events can leave lasting psychological impacts. As the devastating flash floods that struck Central Texas on July 4, continue to impact […]
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High School Students Level Up Knowledge of Gaming Careers at UCF’s Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy
This past month, the Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy (FIEA) welcomed the KB Foundation and 28 young people in its Philadelphia-based mentorship programs for a tour of FIEA facilities, offering a glimpse into the degrees available and potential future careers in the gaming industry. Students also had an opportunity to visit UCF’s main campus, UCF Downtown, […]
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Research in 60 Seconds: How Seagrass Helps Coastal Ecosystems Thrive
Whether it’s solving the world’s biggest problems or investigating the potential of novel discoveries, researchers at UCF are on the edge of scientific breakthroughs that aim to make an impact. Through the Research in 60 Seconds series, student and faculty researchers condense their complex studies into bite-sized summaries so you can know how and why Knights […]
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UCF Dean and Vice Provost Maggy Tomova Takes New Role in Georgia
Maggy Tomova, UCF’s dean of the College of Sciences and vice provost for strategic initiatives, is joining Augusta University in Georgia as executive vice president for academic affairs and provost. Her last day at UCF is June 30. Tomova came to UCF in 2021 from the University of Iowa where she was an associate dean […]
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UCF Student Selected for Prestigious Internship at The New York Times
This summer UCF student Kendal Asbury will embark on an exciting journey as one of four interns at The New York Times through the prestigious Dow Jones News Fund (DJNF) summer internship program. For more than 60 years, the Dow Jones News Fund has placed top journalism students in internships at media outlets across the […]
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Interdisciplinary Collaboration Unlocks New Insights Into Quantum Physics
Konstantin Vodopyanov, a professor at the College of Sciences and CREOL, the College of Optics and Photonics, recently co-authored a study published in the journal Optica. This research examines electro-optic sampling (EOS), a technique that advances fields such as quantum physics, molecular spectroscopy and biomedical sensing. As a professor at the two colleges, Vodopyanov shows […]
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UCF RESTORES Unveils First-of-Its-Kind Resiliency Command Center to Support Florida’s First Responders
UCF RESTORES today unveiled its groundbreaking Resiliency Command Center — a first-of-its-kind mobile behavioral health facility designed to provide a safe environment for evidence-based behavioral health care to first responders at the scenes of crises, including natural disasters, mass casualty events and line-of-duty tragedies. Supported by the Florida Legislature, the Florida Division of State Fire […]
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Critical Florida Sea Turtle Sanctuary Renamed in Honor of Late UCF Biology Professor “Doc” Ehrhart
In the heart of the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge (ACNWR), a 34-acre stretch of conservation land, known as the Barrier Island Sanctuary, was renamed on April 26 in honor of the late biology professor Llewellyn “Doc” Ehrhart (1942–2022). This newly named sanctuary recognizes his groundbreaking research on sea turtle ecology and coastal conservation. Hosted […]
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Yvette Kanouff Awarded Honorary Doctorate Degree
The College of Sciences Spring 2025 commencement ceremony featured a special guest speaker, alumna Yvette Kanouff, who received one of the highest honors bestowed by UCF, an honorary doctoral degree. Kanouff earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics from UCF and has remained engaged with UCF in the subsequent years, currently serving on […]
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UCF Awards Promotion and Tenure to 115 Faculty
UCF faculty members across the university marked a major achievement in earning promotions and tenure for the 2024-25 cycle. The 115 approved faculty — 76 for promotion and 39 for tenure — underwent a comprehensive performance evaluation by peers, college and university leaders that took nearly one academic year. The president and provost make final […]
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UCF Research Team Discovers Breakthrough for 3D Carbon Printing
The research teams of Laurene Tetard, professor of physics at UCF, and Richard Blair, researcher professor at UCF’s Florida Space Institute, have discovered how to produce strong micro and nanofibers of carbon at room temperature, which can be implemented in a unique 3D printing process they have developed. The team’s research, published in Nature Communications, […]
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UCF Named as One of Four National Finalists in Competitive Coca-Cola Refreshing Films Program
For the first time, the UCF film students in the Nicholson School of Communication and Media in the College of Sciences have been selected as finalists in the Coca-Cola Refreshing Films program. Cinemark Fan Favorite voting launches today and the public can vote for their favorite of the four entries through April 30. (Note: Every […]
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It Takes a Swarm: Help Rebuild a Bear-ravaged Beehive
Across the 800 or so acres of UCF’s natural lands, the bees are not only buzzing in the trees, but also in four official beehives and a half-hive “nucleus” managed by the UCF Arboretum and Sustainability Initiatives. There used to be more beehives on the east side of the arboretum’s natural lands. Those areas comprise […]
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Astrophysics Observatory SPHEREx Launches on its Way to Study the Origins of the Universe
NASA’s newest astrophysics observatory, SPHEREx, recently launched on its way to study the origins of our universe, the history of galaxies and to search for evidence of life in our galaxy. The infrared space telescope will spend about two years orbiting Earth from 404 miles overhead, collecting data on more than 450 million galaxies. The […]
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High-tech Talent: UCF’s Video Game Design Programs Rank Among World’s Best for 2025
When the makers of the world’s top video games look for talented students, they turn to UCF. UCF’s Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy (FIEA), the university’s graduate video gaming program, has produced more than 200 graduates who worked on several of the most popular games sold in 2024 — including No. 1 seller Activision’s Call of […]
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UCF Announces 2025’s 30 Under 30 Alumni Award Recipients
UCF Alumni is proud to unveil the extraordinary honorees of the 2025 Class of 30 Under 30. These visionary alumni, driven by unwavering dedication and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence, are not just shaping the future — they are redefining it. Their impact extends beyond personal success, igniting inspiration and facilitating change in every sphere […]
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UCF Researchers Receive $600K Grant to Develop Intelligent Assistive Robotics
For people with upper extremity disabilities — such as a stroke, multiple sclerosis or other conditions — assistive robotics can help restore their independence in performing everyday tasks like eating, grooming and grasping objects. But much like old dogs, these devices have a hard time learning new tricks. “They need a lot of demos to […]
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Los Angeles Wildfires Show Firefighting and Public Communication Challenges
The top of the year has been a challenge for Southern California, and a reminder for the nation of the devasting impacts of fires. As of Jan. 27, the Los Angeles wildfires have killed at least 28 people, forced over 200,000 to evacuate, and destroyed or damaged 16,255 structures. The wildfires have led to discussion […]
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UCF Researchers Advance Knowledge About Juvenile Sea Turtle’s Early Life Stage, Informing Conservation Efforts
Biology researchers from the College of Sciences’ UCF Marine Turtle Research Group studied the dispersal movements of four juvenile sea turtle species, revealing that they may be active swimmers, rather than passive drifters, during their early life stage known as the “lost years.” These findings challenge existing hypotheses and provide important data for assessing risks […]
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Excellence in Digital Learning Recognized: UCF’s Online Programs Rank Top 10 in Nation Once Again
For decades, UCF has been at the forefront of online education by integrating advanced technology and strategies at both the undergraduate and graduate level to provide high-quality, flexible learning pathways that meet students’ needs where they are. From engineering, healthcare and criminal justice to nursing, hospitality, leadership and management, and education, UCF has grown its […]
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NASA Selects Firefly Aerospace to Deliver UCF’s Lunar-VISE Payload to the Moon
NASA has selected Firefly Aerospace as the lander and rover provider to deliver UCF’s Lunar Vulkan Imaging and Spectroscopy Explorer (Lunar-VISE) payload to the Moon’s Gruithuisen Domes to investigate how these mysterious silica-rich volcanic features formed. Over a 10-Earth-day period, the multi-instrument payload built by BAE Systems and Arizona State University (ASU) will gather data […]
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UCF Admitted to Prestigious Research Consortium to Advance Critical Engineering, Defense Innovations
UCF recently joined the consortium of universities comprising the Systems Engineering Research Center (SERC), one of 15 U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) designated University Affiliated Research Centers (UARC) in the country. UCF’s membership in the UARC allows researchers and DoD project sponsors to better directly connect with one another and collaborate on meaningful research through […]
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UCF Biology Researchers Win Awards From NOAA to Support Critical Coastal Work
Biology researchers in the College of Sciences and UCF Coastal have received two awards from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) totaling more than $2.3 million. A new $1.1 million award to UCF from NOAA Sea Grant as part of the Marine Debris Challenge Competition will fund joint research between UCF’s CEELAB and Aquatic […]