Big Data Analytics Symposium 2026

Agenda

Emcee: Patrick Glass, Executive Director, Partnerships 

8:30 AM – 9:00 AM | Morning Networking Session 

Coffee and pastries will be provided. 

9:00 AM – 9:15 AM | Welcome Remarks 

• Welcoming Remarks: Dr. Winston Schoenfeld, Vice President of Research and Innovation 

• Event Overview: Dr. Florencio “Eloy” Hernandez, Director, School of Data, Mathematical, and Statistical Sciences 

9:15 AM – 9:45 AM | Keynote Address 

• Title: From Turbulence to Truth: Data Analytics and Aviation Safety

• Speaker: H. Giovanni Carnaroli, Aviation Safety Technical Advisor

9:45 AM – 10:15 AM | Google

10:15 AM – 10:25 AM | Coffee Break 

10:25 AM – 10:45 AM | UCF Faculty Spotlight 

10:25 AM – 10:35 AM 

• Speaker: Dr. Christian Kuemmerle, Assistant Professor, Statistics and Data Science 

10:35 AM – 10:45 AM 

• Speaker: Dr. Hsin-Hsiung “Bill” Huang, Associate Professor, Statistics and Data Science 

• Title: Reliable Early Warning: AI + Statistics for Large-Scale Time Series Monitoring 

10:45 AM – 11:00 AM | Industry Spotlight 

• Speaker: Kenny Chen, Associate Fellow and Technical Lead, Lockheed Martin 

• Big Data Applications and Challenges in the World of Lockheed Martin 

11:00 AM – 11:45 AM | Speed-Round Table Breakout Sessions 

Chat in small groups with company representatives about internships and career paths, meet UCF alumni in the field, and learn about graduate programs through 10-minute speed rounds. 

Participating Organizations: 

• FAA 

• ITS America 

• Robinhood 

• Mitsubishi Power 

• Command Post Technologies 

• UCF College of Business 

• UCF College of Engineering & Computer Science 

• UCF Advancement & Partnerships
   

11:45 AM – 12:15 PM | Lunch 

A complimentary lunch will be served to all registered attendees. 

12:15 PM – 12:30 PM | Remarks 

• Speaker: Kerstin Hamann, Senior Associate Dean, College of Sciences 

12:30 PM – 1:00 PM | Keynote Address 

• Speaker: Deep Patel, Robinhood 

• Title: Real-Time at Scale: How Modern Platforms Turn Data Streams into Decisions 

1:00 PM – 1:30 PM | UCF Alumni Panel Discussion 

Hear from UCF graduates working in data science and analytics as they share their career paths and advice for students entering the field. 

• Moderator: Maria Capursi, Affiliated Faculty, Program Director for the B.S. in Data Science 

• Panelist: Shengwei Xu, Research and Accountability Administrator, Seminole County Public Schools 

• Panelist: Scharmensey Fine – Market Research Analyst, Mitsubishi Power Americas 

• Panelist: Aaron Smith, Ph.D., UCF Adjunct Faculty &  

1:30 PM – 2:00 PM | The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority – GOAA 

• Speaker: Theadore (Ted) Kitchens, A.A.E., Chief Operating Officer – GOAA 

• Title: From Pushback to Progress: Beginning Our Journey Toward Predictive Operations 

2:00 PM – 2:15 PM | Coffee Break 

2:15 PM – 2:45 PM | Women in Data Science Panel Discussion 

Hear from industry experts and UCF alumni about their analytics focus and how data is shaping business and society. 

• Moderator: Chelsea Dalager, Director of Development | UCF College of Science 

• Panelist: April Beer, Data Analytics | MSDA-AI Student, UCF 

• Panelist: Jania Fernan, MS in Data Analytics | Early-Career Data & AI Professional 

• Panelist: Alicia Hawkins, Ph.D., Director, Analytics, Consumer Insights, Measurement & Analytics | Disney Experiences  

• Panelist: Janice White McLaughlin, Senior Statistical Modeling Analyst | AAA National 

2:45 PM – 3:00 PM | Mitsubishi Power Americas 

• Speaker: Matthew Brickner, RAM Engineering – Monitoring & Operations 

3:00 PM – 3:15 PM | Afternoon Keynote Address 

• Speaker: Laura Demeo Chace, President & CEO – ITS America 

• Title: Accelerating Innovation in Transportation: Digital Infrastructure is Essential Infrastructure 

3:15 PM – 3:45 PM | Fireside Chat with Jared W. Perdue, P.E. 

• Host: Laura Demeo Chace, President & CEO – ITS America 

• Jared W. Perdue, Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation 

3:45 PM – 4:00 PM | Closing Remarks 

• Speaker: Dr. Florencio “Eloy” Hernandez 

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Afternoon Employer Networking Reception 

Refreshments and light hors d’oeuvres will be served as we close the day with additional opportunities to network with industry partners, employers, and guests. 

5:00 PM | Event Concludes