A student’s research into the long-term clean-up of nuclear waste recently earned him national recognition from the American Chemical Society. Specifically, Jordan Stanberry, who enters the Chemistry doctorate program this fall, is exploring ways to contain the spread of a major pollutant in nuclear waste called Technetium-99. He is currently confirming a methodology to make […]
One group of students was hard at work studying for finals – but also put aside time to share knowledge with the community. Cristina Rinella, president of the Forensic Science Association at UCF, was studying for finals when she received an email from the UCF Chemistry Department asking for volunteers to attend the Boy Scout […]
University of Central Florida’s Uknighted Chemistry Graduate Student Association volunteered at an Orlando Science Center competition on March 11, 2017. The members of Uknighted Chemistry Graduate Student Association served as volunteer judges at the Science Challenge competition. Although the organization volunteers in the community often, this particular event was a first for the 3-year-old organization. […]
University of Central Florida scientists, including three Department of Chemistry faculty members, received a total of nearly $1.3 million in state funds Wednesday to research the Zika virus with the goal of understanding its effects on human health and developing a vaccine for the mosquito-borne illness. The funding was part of Gov. Rick Scott’s authorization of $25 […]
Chemistry graduate student Riley Gentry has been at UCF for five years – first for his bachelor’s degree and now for his doctorate. He is one of eight recipients of the Presidential Doctoral Fellowship award from the College of Graduate Studies. Gentry was nominated for the scholarship by his advisor Eda Koculi, Ph.D., assistant professor […]
Story by Zenaida Gonzalez Kotala, UCF Today Two scientists at the University of Central Florida Chemistry Department have discovered how to get a solid material to act like a liquid without actually turning it into liquid, potentially opening a new world of possibilities for the electronic, optics and computing industries. When chemistry graduate student Demetrius A. […]
This summer Cherie Yestrebsky, Ph.D., was named the chair of the UCF Chemistry Department. Dr. Yestrebsky has been serving as interim chair of the department since November of 2014, prior to her long-term appointment in June 2016. Before coming to UCF, Dr. Yestrebsky earned her doctorate in chemistry from the University of South Florida. She […]
UCF Chemistry alumnus, Robert DeVor, Ph.D., ’03, ’05, was honored as a 2016 College of Sciences Outstanding AlumKnight Award recipient in March at the College of Sciences Outstanding AlumKnights awards reception. Dr. DeVor was nominated for this award based on his outstanding career accomplishments and his enduring partnership with the UCF Chemistry Department. Dr. DeVor […]
Promotion is a mark of accomplishment and a gratifying recognition from one’s peers. Because of their hard work and dedication, the following College of Sciences faculty and staff members have been promoted or have earned tenure this year. Promotion to Professor Emeritus/Emerita Ida Cook, Ph.D. – Sociology Robert Dipboye, Ph.D. – Psychology Promotion […]
“CSI” and its television spin-off shows make forensic science seem like an exact study that will deliver a sure conviction or exoneration in court. In real life, there’s a lot of confusion about forensic evidence, and other than DNA it is rarely introduced into the courtroom. University of Central Florida forensic scientist Candice Bridge, Ph.D., […]
On Friday, April 8, more than one thousand students from the Central Florida area spilled on to UCF campus for STEM day. STEM day is a bi-annual outreach event for K-12 students interested in learning more about the study of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The day featured a wide variety of activities focused on STEM […]
From a nanoscientist to an undergraduate biology student, the College of Sciences had many recipients recognized at the annual Founders’ Day Honors Convocation on Wednesday, April 6, 2016. Founders’ Day is a time-honored tradition where UCF faculty members, staff and students who have made significant achievements and academic contributions are recognized. Awards were given to […]
5 College of Sciences’ students who exemplify well-rounded excellence through leadership, academic achievement, extracurricular activities, and service to the university and community, were recently selected to serve on the 2016-2017 President’s Leadership Council (PLC). Chosen by a committee of faculty, staff, and students, the President’s Leadership Council is comprised of ambassadors for the university in a […]
UCF scientists have been awarded a $477,000 grant to develop a method of combating a bacterium that attacks tomatoes and other crops. The grant is part of a $5.2 million investment in nanotechnology research at 11 universities announced by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The money from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of […]
On Monday, March 14, the founder and first director of the National Center for Forensic Science (NCFS), William McGee, Ph.D., passed away. The University of Central Florida chemistry professor created the undergraduate program for forensic science within the chemistry department in 1971, along with the NCFS in March of 1997. “…I have sat in my office for […]
On Thursday, Feb. 18, 2016, Romain Gaume, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Optics and Phototonics at UCF, gave a lecture on the science and art of glass that was presented in person to UCF chemistry students and simultaneously Skype-cast to over 40 of their peers at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida. The following Saturday students […]
On Saturday, April 2, 2016, the American Chemical Society (ACS) Central Florida Student chapters at UCF, Rollins, Stetson, and FIT hosted the first annual American Chemical Society Florida Chemistry Conclave (ACSFCC) at the UCF Orlando main campus. The Conclave was a free, one-day, professional-development workshop. Students from across the state gathered in Orlando for a day filled with research, networking, […]
On March 11, Michael Sigman, Ph.D., Candice Bridge, Ph.D., and Erika Remley, M.S., presented at the Conference on the Modern Interpretation of Forensic Evidence at Florida A&M University, College of Law in downtown Orlando. The conference, a Continued Legal Education (CLE) training event, was aimed towards criminal law practitioners to help them understand advanced scientific practices that will […]
Since March of 1981, Americans everywhere have helped pay tribute to women whose commitment to humanity and to our planet have proved to be invaluable for society. Each year during March – Women’s History Month, the UCF Center for Success of Women Faculty honors and shares the stories of 31 outstanding UCF women that have been […]
UCF researcher Swadeshmukul Santra, Ph.D., associate professor with the NanoScience Technology Center and the chemistry department at UCF, has been awarded a $1.9 million grant to develop a method for protecting the troubled citrus industry from the disease HLB, also known as citrus greening, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson announced Tuesday. In awarding the funding, the U.S. Department of […]
Study abroad Spring 2017 applications are now available. Join UCF Abroad at their Spring Study Abroad Fair Thursday, January 21, from 10 AM – 2 PM in front of the Student Union. Come and learn about the multiple programs offered in many disciplines in countries around the world. Political Science students have the opportunity to study for a semester […]
Can you solve a murder mystery? On November 19th, the UCF Forensic Science Association (FSA) teamed up with Matanzas High School to help students and hosted their very first “Murder Mystery at Matanzas”. “Murder Mystery at Mantanzas” was designed as an interactive first look at the disciplines within the forensic science field, with an emphasis on crime […]
Under a sunset stroked sky in front of the University of Central Florida’s main administration building, university leaders celebrated the common traits of tenacity, collaborative spirit, and commitment to excellence that UCF’s top grant earning researchers share. Twenty-nine researchers earned $1 million or more earning a bid into UCF’s Millionaires Club, which hosted the celebration […]
On September 22nd, the Renaissance Orlando hotel hosted the 2015 National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemist & Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) conference. This annual conference gathers hundreds of underrepresented chemists and chemical engineers each year, who participate in events such as career fairs, professional training workshops, technical sessions and more. This year’s conference theme was […]
On October 30th, the UCF community is invited to join Heather A. Clark, Ph.D., from Northeastern University, as she presents “Building an Imaging Toolbox: Nanosensors for Biological Discovery”. The Chemistry Department Seminar Program presents Dr. Clark as she introduces the new developments in fluorescent nanosensor technology and how it will improve the measurements of ion […]
Dr. Jason Legassie, ’01, graduated from UCF with a dual major in chemistry and biology and a minor in math. In April of 2014, he was hired as the research and development formulation manager at Sancilio & Co, located in Riviera Beach, Florida, where he manages a team of nine scientists and technicians. Sancilio is a […]
Erin Saitta, ’06, ’10, studied both chemistry and education, preparing her for her career as a faculty developer at UCF. Dr. Saitta graduated in 2006 with her bachelor’s degree in science education and with a minor in chemistry. Four years later she graduated from UCF with her doctorate of philosophy in chemistry in 2010. Dr. […]
During her time at UCF, Lauren Austin, ’09, worked as an undergraduate research assistant. She published two papers and worked on the creation of a one-step homogenous immunoassay for cancer biomarker detection. Austin looks back at her undergraduate research experience at UCF and describes it as invaluable to her career and current success. Austin graduated […]
Robert Easton, ’77, looks back at his experience at UCF knowing that his time as a chemistry student gave him the fundamentals in building a scientific mind. After graduating UCF with his bachelor’s in chemistry, Dr. Easton attended optometry school at University of Houston College of Optometry and now has a successful career in optometry. […]