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UCF Scholar’s Study Could Help Strengthen Disaster Preparedness and Response in U.S. Territories
Dr. Sara Belligoni, a Postdoctoral Scholar at the University of Central Florida (UCF), and UCF Alumna, may do more than advance her education and career. She may also help communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters such as tropical storms and hurricanes. Her recent study, “Held in the Grip: Political Status, Governing Institutions, […]
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From UCF to the Big Screen: Alum’s Award-winning Film Sparks Social Change
The streets of a small neighborhood nestled in the heart of Greater Miami echo with the sounds of Haitian Kreyòl. Vibrant buildings adorned in pastel blues, pinks and greens, alongside lively street art and bustling markets unmistakably mark the area is Little Haiti. Monica Sorelle ’12 lived nearby, as her mother had settled in Little […]
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DOD Scholarship Brings New Energy to Student’s Nuclear Research at UCF
Harnessing nuclear energy has always come with environmental concerns. A doctoral student at the University of Central Florida hopes to tackle that challenge, and a prestigious scholarship from the Department of Defense is going to help. Joseph Lee has been awarded the DOD’s SMART scholarship. The STEM scholarship will fund Lee’s research, which looks at the […]
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What Is a Solar Eclipse?
In the hours leading up to 3 p.m. on Monday, April 8, students, faculty and curious visitors from the Orlando community will head over to UCF’s iconic Reflecting Pond to marvel at the solar eclipse. “Scientifically, it’s a rare event,” says Physics Professor Yan Fernandez. “Philosophically, it’s a bonding opportunity.” This is why there will […]
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UCF’s 2024 Order of Pegasus, Other Distinguished Student Honors
UCF’s extraordinary students honored on Wednesday for Founders’ Day have unleashed their potential and excelled in colleges and disciplines across the university. Among the undergraduate and graduate students are groundbreaking national and global scholarship winners, researchers, athletes, teaching assistants, residence assistants and leaders in campus organizations such as Student Government, LEAD Scholars and the President’s […]
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UCF Celebrates, Honors Faculty with 2024 Founders’ Day Awards
More than 150 UCF faculty members will be highlighted for academic excellence and service Wednesday at the Founders’ Day Faculty Honors Celebration in the Student Union’s Pegasus Ballroom. The celebration runs from 3 to 5 p.m. and includes a reception after the formal program. Honored are recipients of the Pegasus Professor award, UCF’s highest faculty […]
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UCF Reach for the Stars 2024 Honorees Leading the Charge into the Future
The 2024 University of Central Florida Reach for the Stars honorees share a dedication to advancing knowledge and addressing real-world challenges within their respective fields. Each researcher demonstrates a commitment to innovation, whether it’s in clean energy, healthcare, performing arts or manufacturing. The Reach for the Stars awards highlight their contributions to academia and underscore […]
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UCF Alum, Postdoctoral Scholar Receives Better Scientific Software Fellowship
In observance of Women’s History Month, we reflect on the noteworthy contributions and achievements of women in all aspects of life. Among these inspiring individuals stands Olivia Newton ’13 ’17MS ’22PhD, a postdoctoral scholar in and manager at the Cognitive Sciences Lab within UCF’s School of Modeling, Simulation and Training. Recently honored as one of […]
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UCF Scientists Use James Webb Space Telescope to Uncover Clues About Neptune’s Evolution
A ring of icy rocks orbiting our sun just beyond Neptune may give us a glimpse of how Neptune — and other objects in the outskirts of our solar system — were formed. Mors-Somnus, a binary duo comprised of a pair of icy asteroids bound by gravity, was recently concluded to have originated within the […]
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UCF Student Receives National Acclaim for Project Protecting Leatherback Sea Turtles
University of Central Florida doctoral student Callie Veelenturf always knew she wanted to have a positive impact on the natural world. As a child, she idolized environmentalist Jane Goodall and aspired to become a conservationist like her. The two even share a birthday, creating a special connection and fueling Veelenturf’s longstanding desire to make an […]
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UCF Biology Researcher Receives 2023 Theodore Roosevelt Genius Prize
UCF Biology Professor Joshua King has won the 2023 Theodore Roosevelt Genius Prize and $100,000 for an innovation he created to control a ubiquitous pest — fire ants. His invention is a non-toxic method to manage fire ants and eliminates the need for harmful pesticides, which helps keep the environment and other ground-nesting animals safe. […]
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UCF’s FIEA Ranks as World’s No. 1 Graduate Game Design Program for 4th Time in 5 Years
When the nation’s leading gaming companies seek out the best talent in the world, they come to the University of Central Florida. Exceptional faculty with strong academic and industry backgrounds prepare students for success with rigorous courses and real-world experiences that mirror what they experience in industry.The Princeton Review and PC Gamer recognize that UCF’s programs are […]
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UCF Director of Clinical Psychology Chosen for Prestigious Position
Jeffrey Bedwell, Ph.D. has a lifelong passion for helping people overcome mental illness. As a professor at UCF’s Department of Psychology, and as director of the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program, his work allows him to train future clinical psychologists to make a difference in the lives of others. Now, he’s taking on a new role […]
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UCF Researcher Creates World’s First Energy-saving Paint – Inspired by Butterflies
University of Central Florida researcher Debashis Chanda, a professor in UCF’s NanoScience Technology Center, has drawn inspiration from butterflies to create the first environmentally friendly, large-scale and multicolor alternative to pigment-based colorants, which can contribute to energy-saving efforts and help reduce global warming. The development was published today in Science Advances as a featured article. […]
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UCF Recognizes 15 Top Faculty at 2023 Luminary Awards
Fifteen faculty members were celebrated for their leadership and the impact they are making in communities, the nation and in the world during UCF’s annual Luminary Awards held Tuesday at Leu Gardens in Orlando. The Luminary Awards — established in 2017 — are designed to recognize some of UCF’s brightest stars who shine a positive […]
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UCF Joins $25M National Consortium on Nuclear Forensics
UCF is one of 16 universities in the U.S. that have formed a consortium on nuclear forensics. The association is supported by a $25 million cooperative agreement with the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). The goal of the consortium is to engage in research that supports the NNSA’s nuclear security and nonproliferation […]
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UCF Researchers Help Find Evidence of Geothermal Activity within Icy Dwarf Planets
University of Central Florida Florida Space Institute researchers are part of a team of scientists who have found evidence of geothermal activity within icy dwarf planets in our solar system. Using the James Webb Space Telescope, the team — led by the Southwest Research Institute and Lowell Observatory — observed geologically young methane deposits on […]
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UCF Researcher Develops Nanotechnologies for Sustainable Agriculture, Optimized Drug Delivery
Prolific University of Central Florida inventor Swadeshmukul Santra is developing new technologies that hold promise not only for sustainable agriculture, but also for improved medicine. Santra, a professor associated with UCF’s NanoTechnology Science Center, Department of Chemistry and Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, has 34 UCF inventions under his belt and leads the university’s Materials […]
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53 Faculty Scholars Honored at 4th Biennial Faculty Authors’ Celebration
The University of Central Florida recognized some of its top faculty for their contributions to scholarly excellence and creativity during the fourth biennial Faculty Authors’ Celebration held Thursday at the Live Oak Ballroom on campus. The event, which is sponsored by the Office of Research and Faculty Excellence, drew more than 40 guests, including Vice […]
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Pegasus Student Awardee Propelled by Love for Discovery and Adventure
Department of Physics Ph.D. student Eric Switzer earned the esteemed Order of the Pegasus award last year for his outstanding academic achievements. Keep reading to learn more about his Knight journey and the advice he has for Physics undergraduate students. Why did you choose to study Physics at UCF? What first caught my eye on […]
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GeoBus UCF Builds Momentum for New Adventures in 2024
Looking back on 2023, GeoBus UCF accomplished a lot—both in Florida and internationally. We spoke with Associate Professor of Geographic Information Systems in the Department of Sociology and 2024 National Geographic Explorer Timothy Hawthorne, Ph.D. about these exciting accomplishments. Top Three GeoBus Highlights in 2023 2024 Goals for GeoBus When asked about goals for this […]
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Psychology’s Role in AI Presented by Professor Mindy Shoss at American Psychological Association Webinar
Department of Psychology Professor Mindy Shoss, Ph.D. presented at a recent American Psychological Association webinar on AI titled: “Artificial Intelligence: The Role of Psychology and How to Navigate Change.” She was also cited in an APA press release on AI and ethics. Over 1,500 people registered for the webinar on this timely topic. We spoke […]
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Faculty from Department of Mathematics Included in Top Two Percent of Researchers in the World Group
In a recent article published by a Stanford research group, six faculty from the Department of Mathematics were included in their list of the top two percent of researchers in the world. Variables including the number of papers authored, total citations and the impact of published research were considered. Department of Mathematics Chair Professor Xin […]
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2024 American Chemical Society Leadership Institute Award Goes to UCF Chemistry Junior
A deserving Chemistry student earned the 2024 American Chemical Society (ACS) Leadership Institute Award, allowing her to attend this year’s conference in Atlanta, Georgia. The recipient, Yael Faroud, is a junior majoring in Chemistry with a minor in Health Science. She serves as the Secretary for the UCF ACS student chapter. Professor Stephen Kuebler has […]
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Four College of Sciences Doctoral Students Selected for Graduate Dean’s Dissertation Completion Fellowship
College of Sciences graduate students contribute important scholarship and research that is crucial to the future of their various disciplines, from the natural sciences to communication studies. This year, four outstanding COS doctoral students, representing three disciplines, were selected for the prestigious Graduate Dean’s Dissertation Completion Fellowship. “The Dissertation Completion Fellowship provides a unique opportunity […]
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UCF Physics Researchers to Participate in Action-Packed MegaCon2024 in Orlando
MegaCon2024 will be hosted at the Orange County Convention Center on Feb. 1-4. This jam-packed event will feature celebrities and festivities in celebration of all-things comics, science fiction, horror, anime, gaming and cosplay. Some celebrity appearances include Tom Hiddelston, Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christensen and Michael J. Fox. Joining the convention’s celebrity lineup will be a […]
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Doing Your Own Online Fact-checking May Not Be as Effective in Detecting Fake News, NYU and UCF Study Reveals
New findings from a study published in Nature and led by UCF’s School of Politics, Security and International Affairs Assistant Professor Kevin Aslett shed light on the ways that conducting your own online research can be misleading. Aslett worked with a team of fellow researchers from New York University and Stanford University over a span […]
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NSCM Alumna Makes Her Distinctive Mark on Hollywood
Nicholson School of Communication and Media alumna Kendra Hathaway ‘13 is busy making her mark on the entertainment industry in Southern California. Her career so far has exemplified the importance of persistence and dedication even when challenges arise. After graduating with a degree in Radio-Television Production, Hathaway moved to Los Angeles and worked as a […]
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Data Fuels Conservation Work for Biology Assistant Professor
Most folks recognize the image of scientists tagging birds and animals to study wildlife patterns and habits. What’s less familiar is what happens with that data after they’re released back into the wild, and how researchers use that information to steer conservation work. That’s the expertise of Assistant Professor Christen Fleming, Ph.D., a new faculty […]
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What Can You Do with a Ph.D. in Big Data Analytics?
Have you ever wondered what you can do with a Ph.D. in Big Data Analytics? We spoke with Big Data Analytics Ph.D. student Hayden Hampton and Professor and Chair of the Department of Statistics and Data Science Shunpu Zhang to find out. What careers can students pursue with a Ph.D. in Big Data Analytics? […]