After years of research and development led by experts at UCF in collaboration with researchers from universities across the U.S. and in Europe, the Virtual Experience Research Accelerator (VERA) has reached two major milestones: powering its first full-scale study to address one of virtual reality �鶹��Ʒ S�s most persistent barriers to adoption and awarding its first use grant to enhance immersive learning and information across industries.

VERA, a platform funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation, is the first, large-scale system for extended reality human subjects research and designed to advance the speed, scale and scope of immersive research. The platform enables immersive researchers to design, deploy, and manage virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) studies with remote participants therefore significantly improving the quality of the science, while reducing costs, lowering logistical barriers and expanding participant reach.

�鶹��Ʒ S�No one has built anything like VERA before, �鶹��Ʒ S� says Pegasus Professor Gregory Welch, lead principal investigator on VERA. �鶹��Ʒ S�The team was really starting from scratch to create this national platform, integrating AI technologies and establishing policies and procedures that will produce methodologically rigorous behavioral data. �鶹��Ʒ S�

�鶹��Ʒ S�We �鶹��Ʒ S�re excited for VERA to now start to run in an open beta mode and reach these two firsts, �鶹��Ʒ S� Welch continues.

Accelerating Understanding of Cybersickness

For its first major large-scale study leveraging remote participants, VERA is helping researchers address one of the most persistent challenges in virtual reality: cybersickness.

Cybersickness occurs when symptoms such as nausea, dizziness and discomfort are caused by a mismatch between visual motion in a headset and the user �鶹��Ʒ S�s physical motion. Associate Professor of Computer Science Gerd Bruder, who is an affiliate researcher in the Institute of Simulation and Training, is leading the research study in collaboration with other UCF researchers and external partners.

�鶹��Ʒ S�Understanding who is susceptible to cybersickness is critical to improving VR accessibility, making VR more comfortable for all users and enabling broader adoption across research, education and industry, �鶹��Ʒ S� Bruder says.

Early data collection highlights the powerful capabilities of the VERA platform to accelerate VR research at an unprecedented scale.

In just 15 cumulative days, VERA had more than 250 participants complete the full study protocol. In comparison, the original in-lab study collected data from just 30 participants and in traditional VR research settings, studies with hundreds of participants often require several months to complete.

For the study, each participant experiences a controlled VR rollercoaster ride on their own headset and provides sickness ratings at periodic intervals, a pre- and post- exposure questionnaire, an in-VR visual acuity assessment, and continuous head-tracking data. Each session is completed in approximately 30 minutes at home.

�鶹��Ʒ S�The sectors where VERA can make an impact are expansive, from healthcare to workforce training to accessibility to learning. �鶹��Ʒ S�

Enrollment is ongoing with a target of 2,000 participants. Preliminary analyses already suggest meaningful individual differences in how quickly and severely participants experience cybersickness.

�鶹��Ʒ S�VERA was built to study problems like this with a combination of speed, scale and experimental complexity not previously possible, �鶹��Ʒ S� Welch says. �鶹��Ʒ S�The sectors where VERA can make an impact are expansive, from healthcare to workforce training to accessibility to learning. �鶹��Ʒ S�

Groundbreaking Immersive Learning Project

For the first project selected in its Use Grant program, VERA is supporting innovative research to study how different immersive technologies engage learners in different ways. The study will help inform how to leverage emerging technologies in education, cultural institutions, public engagement and more.

The grant was awarded to the San José State University School of Information Library Technology Integration Lab in Silicon Valley and New Media Learning, one of the largest providers of virtual reality programming in public libraries.

The project will support a collaborative virtual reality research environment integrated with VERA with participants from across the U.S. in public libraries, universities and other sites.

Researchers will collect behavioral and interaction data including attention patterns, object interaction, navigation pathways, movement, clicks, engagement metrics, and time-on-task, supplemented by surveys and participant feedback. The resulting research environment will serve a scalable prototype for future applications to make immersive learning experiences more accessible to communities worldwide.

A distinguishing feature of the project is the active involvement of San José State University undergraduate and graduate students from the School of Information who will work alongside faculty researchers and technology partners to gain hands-on experience.

�鶹��Ʒ S�Being selected as the first VERA Use Grant recipient is both an honor and an extraordinary opportunity, �鶹��Ʒ S� says Anthony S. Chow, professor in the San José State University School of Information and founder of the Library Technology Integration Lab. �鶹��Ʒ S�Through this collaboration, we hope to generate research that helps libraries, educators, museums and community organizations leverage virtual reality to address some of society �鶹��Ʒ S�s most important challenges while creating meaningful research opportunities for students. �鶹��Ʒ S�

�鶹��Ʒ S�We are excited to welcome San José State University and New Media Learning as the first recipients of a VERA Use Grant, �鶹��Ʒ S� Welch says. �鶹��Ʒ S�Their expertise in libraries, immersive learning, public engagement and emerging technologies makes them ideal partners for demonstrating how VERA can accelerate impactful XR research. We believe this collaboration will help establish new models for studying learning, engagement, and information behavior in immersive environments. �鶹��Ʒ S�

Berinstain, director of the Florida Space Institute at UCF,  has more than 30 years of experience spanning government, industry and academia. Throughout his career, he has led major space initiatives, advanced international collaborations and worked to expand opportunities across the rapidly evolving space sector.

Founded in 1963 to fuel the space race, UCF is America’s Space University. Berinstain’s appointment to lead the Florida Space Research Consortium underscores UCF’s leadership and expertise in this evolving field.

The consortium is a statewide partnership uniting Florida �鶹��Ʒ S�s major research universities �鶹��Ʒ S� Embry �鶹��Ʒ S�Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida A&M University, Florida Institute of Technology, Florida International University, Florida State University, UCF, the University of Florida and the University of South Florida �鶹��Ʒ S� with government, industry and investment partners.

“I am honored to lead the Florida Space Research Consortium at a time of tremendous opportunity for space research and innovation.” �鶹��Ʒ S� Alain Berinstain, Florida Space Institute director at UCF

“I am honored to lead the Florida Space Research Consortium at a time of tremendous opportunity for space research and innovation,” says Berinstain, who is a resident of Florida �鶹��Ʒ S�s Space Coast. “Florida is the world �鶹��Ʒ S�s busiest and best place to launch to space. I look forward to working with Florida universities, industry and government partners to accomplish together what no individual member of the consortium can achieve on their own and to advance Florida �鶹��Ʒ S�s leadership in space. �鶹��Ʒ S�

From 1997 to 2013, Berinstain worked at the Canadian Space Agency, including serving as director of planetary exploration and space astronomy. He has advised companies such as Virgin Galactic and served as chief strategy officer at Space Tango and at CSS Inc.

“Dr. Berinstain brings a unique combination of leadership experience, strategic vision and deep knowledge of the space sector,” says David Norton, vice president for research at the University of Florida and chair of the Florida Space Research Consortium board. “He has a proven ability to build partnerships and advance the collaborative mission of the Florida Space Research Consortium.”

“Dr. Berinstain brings a unique combination of leadership experience, strategic vision and deep knowledge of the space sector.” �鶹��Ʒ S� David Norton,  chair of the Florida Space Research Consortium board

Faculty and students at the member universities are advancing a wide range of space research that supports everything from exploration and discovery to practical technologies needed for future missions. Ongoing work across the consortium includes developing smarter spacecraft and satellites; improving propulsion, navigation and communications systems; designing new materials that can withstand the harsh conditions of space; and creating technologies to manufacture, build and operate in space and on the lunar surface.

�鶹��Ʒ S�Researchers are also focused on using space for the benefit of Earth, addressing human health issues including aging, cancer, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson �鶹��Ʒ S�s disease, �鶹��Ʒ S� Berinstain says. �鶹��Ʒ S�As Earthlings prepare to explore the moon, mars and beyond, understanding the human side of spaceflight is key. This includes studies of how people, plants and biological systems function in space; efforts to grow food in lunar and Martian conditions; and research in planetary science, astrophysics, space weather and Earth observation. As a team, we can take on bold, new challenges. �鶹��Ʒ S�

Together, these efforts reflect a shared commitment to advancing knowledge, supporting long �鶹��Ʒ S�duration space missions, strengthening the space economy and translating scientific breakthroughs into real �鶹��Ʒ S�world benefits, Norton says.

At the threshold of retirement on June 30, UCF �鶹��Ʒ S�s first Pegasus Professor (honored in 2000) and original architect of online learning would rather talk about his ultimate inspiration.

�鶹��Ʒ S�My greatest reward is that so many of my former students stay in touch with me, �鶹��Ʒ S� says Dziuban, an inaugural Online Learning Consortium (formerly Sloan Consortium) fellow.

�鶹��Ʒ S�My greatest reward is that so many of my former students stay in touch with me. �鶹��Ʒ S�

Those students often showed up for Dziuban �鶹��Ʒ S�s statistics and research design classes. Many of these students were daunted by the subjects only to find that the person teaching them listened intently, making himself, and the material, approachable.

This is Dziuban �鶹��Ʒ S�s style �鶹��Ʒ S� with students, colleagues, everyone. To effectively teach, he knows he must begin with the right questions. That curiosity-driven approach has guided UCF to be a leader in online education, including the UCF Online program which serves 9,000 students annually, for over 30 years �鶹��Ʒ S� earning recognition among the nation �鶹��Ʒ S�s best programs, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Here, UCF �鶹��Ʒ S�s longest serving faculty member is finally on the other side of the questions, sharing insightful reflection and parting wise words.

Humble Roots

�鶹��Ʒ S�I never set out to achieve any of this, �鶹��Ʒ S� he says, �鶹��Ʒ S�but the smallest incidences can make significant impacts. �鶹��Ʒ S�

Dziuban grew up near Utica, New York, where most boys graduated from high school and followed their fathers into the mills. Dziuban, avid about hunting and fishing, began to develop a routine that exists to this day: reading two books every week.

�鶹��Ʒ S�The truth is, I didn �鶹��Ʒ S�t want to work in a mill, �鶹��Ʒ S� he says. �鶹��Ʒ S�Reading led to college and college allowed me to reinvent myself. People had called me Charlie. I hated it. In college, I became Chuck. �鶹��Ʒ S�

Chuck earned degrees, moved, taught, and discovered a connection with statistics and research. At the University of Wisconsin, a mentor, Chester Harris, changed his life.

�鶹��Ʒ S�He was terrifyingly smart, �鶹��Ʒ S� Dziuban says, �鶹��Ʒ S�but he knew the importance of understanding students before expecting them to understand the subject. I still have a picture of Chester on my desk. It keeps me humble. �鶹��Ʒ S�

Humility was among the factors that drew Dziuban to a new university in Orlando, where parking lots were dirt and a cardboard box housed the university �鶹��Ʒ S�s entire computing output.

�鶹��Ʒ S�I saw FTU then, and UCF now, as a place where you had room to develop ideas. �鶹��Ʒ S�

�鶹��Ʒ S�I saw FTU then, and UCF now, as a place where you had room to develop ideas, �鶹��Ʒ S� he says. �鶹��Ʒ S�It was like a Silicon Valley startup. You weren �鶹��Ʒ S�t sure how it might go, but at least the vibe was positive. �鶹��Ʒ S�

He developed one of his first ideas following a three-hour statistics lecture.

�鶹��Ʒ S�My students should have been in an emergency room after that lecture, �鶹��Ʒ S� he says. �鶹��Ʒ S�I realized they �鶹��Ʒ S�d learn better by running data first and then coming back for an abbreviated lesson �鶹��Ʒ S� similar to what we call a �鶹��Ʒ S�flipped classroom. �鶹��Ʒ S� Students said, �鶹��Ʒ S�Oh, I get it now. �鶹��Ʒ S� �鶹��Ʒ S�

Pioneering Digital Learning

Dziuban was called upon to use his expertise in and research design to develop a plethora of ideas that would attract international attention to UCF.

One of those early ideas led to a seismic shift that thousands of UCF and UCF Online students are still benefitting from today.

While developing what would become the Research Initiative for Teaching Effectiveness, Dziuban mentioned to the university �鶹��Ʒ S�s fourth president, John C. Hitt, the concept of remote learning through the use of VHS tapes.

�鶹��Ʒ S�He told me to innovate, �鶹��Ʒ S� Dziuban says, �鶹��Ʒ S�so we used computers instead of tapes. Eventually, we had the most sophisticated online learning model in the country, and the walls of classrooms came down. �鶹��Ʒ S�

This is why, the annual Chuck D. Dziuban Award for Excellence in Online Teaching, established in 2012, is bestowed to one UCF instructor who teaches an exemplary online or video course.

�鶹��Ʒ S�Like I said, I never planned any of this, �鶹��Ʒ S� he says.

Staying True to �鶹��Ʒ S�Doing the Right Thing �鶹��Ʒ S�

If you ever stepped near Dziuban �鶹��Ʒ S�s office, you �鶹��Ʒ S�d see a poster featuring a child with hotelier and philanthropist Harris Rosen �鶹��Ʒ S� namesake of UCF �鶹��Ʒ S�s Rosen College of Hospitality Management. Rosen used an adage that �鶹��Ʒ S�s echoed in Dziuban �鶹��Ʒ S�s mind since they began to break barriers to education in communities in need 31 years ago: �鶹��Ʒ S�Do the right thing. �鶹��Ʒ S�

With this as his guide, Dziuban helped The Rosen Foundation institute a program to ensure free preschool and resources through high school. College and trade school would also be free. Instead of directing the program, they empowered people in Orlando �鶹��Ʒ S�s Tangelo Park and Parramore communities to lead it.

They �鶹��Ʒ S�ve expanded that impact across Florida as well, and the results have been remarkable �鶹��Ʒ S� including a recent $50,000 donation from the Harris Rosen Foundation to Gainesville for All in honor of Dziuban �鶹��Ʒ S�s work transformative community initiatives.

�鶹��Ʒ S�The odds of earning a college education have gone from nine-to-one against to three-to-one in favor, �鶹��Ʒ S� Dziuban says. �鶹��Ʒ S�There �鶹��Ʒ S�s immense talent in every community. We can �鶹��Ʒ S�t let it go to waste. It �鶹��Ʒ S�s why we start young and celebrate every success. �鶹��Ʒ S�

At the end of this school year, he will be on stage for just such a celebration.

�鶹��Ʒ S�I �鶹��Ʒ S�ll have the honor of moving tassels from the right to the left on the graduation caps of pre-k students, �鶹��Ʒ S� Dziuban says.

The man with six decades of achievements in higher education will stand back and enjoy a moment the 4- and 5-year-old kids can tell others about.

�鶹��Ʒ S�I can �鶹��Ʒ S�t imagine anything more meaningful than that. �鶹��Ʒ S�

Industry professionals who want to sharpen their skills in this area can now enroll in the graduate certificate in systems verification, validation and test, offered through the UCF Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. The certificate teaches students to ensure that complex hardware and software systems are reliable, robust and accurate for the end user.

This certificate is the first of its kind in the state and was developed at the behest of industry partners like AMD, Intel and Lockheed Martin that have a strong demand for professionals who are skilled in testing and validation.

�鶹��Ʒ S�Our industry partners gave us feedback that it was hard to find students who are skilled in this area, �鶹��Ʒ S� says College of Engineering and Computer Science Associate Professor Mike Borowczak, the coordinator of the graduate certificate program. �鶹��Ʒ S�It �鶹��Ʒ S�s one of those cases where we listened to industry and now it �鶹��Ʒ S�s producing results. �鶹��Ʒ S�

Students who enroll in the program will take four core courses in topics related to Very-Large Scale Integration (VLSI) design, testing and verification. They will have the chance to use industry tools in every courses as well as real-world scenarios from industry partners that they must test, validate and resolve. There are no capstone, internship or portfolio requirements. The program is offered both in person and online, providing flexibility for working professionals.

�鶹��Ʒ S�The rough estimate is that for every one person working on one design, they need two to four other people who can verify that what �鶹��Ʒ S�s designed meets the specification and what �鶹��Ʒ S�s built meets the design. �鶹��Ʒ S�

Borowczak says that graduate programs in verification, validation and test are rare �鶹��Ʒ S� particularly with the breadth of verification coursework that UCF offers �鶹��Ʒ S� with only a handful of institutions nationwide offering comparable options. Because of the lack of academic programs nationwide, the skills earned from this certificate will put students in demand.

�鶹��Ʒ S�There �鶹��Ʒ S�s a huge emphasis on the development of complex systems, �鶹��Ʒ S� Borowczak says. �鶹��Ʒ S�The rough estimate is that for every one person working on one design, they need two to four other people who can verify that what �鶹��Ʒ S�s designed meets the specification and what �鶹��Ʒ S�s built meets the design. �鶹��Ʒ S�

Another benefit for students who gain skills in validation and testing is that the jobs they pursue won �鶹��Ʒ S�t be replaced by artificial intelligence (AI). While AI does enhance the validation process, the core problem of detecting mismatches between specification, design and implementation still require creative and independent arbiters.

�鶹��Ʒ S�When you entrust someone or something to verify, you have to trust that they know how to verify and that you can follow a logical, explainable argument, �鶹��Ʒ S� Borowczak says. �鶹��Ʒ S�Explainable AI is not there yet. We still need humans in the loop, because the hardest bugs are the ones AI still misses. �鶹��Ʒ S�

A new study published in Nature Climate Change co-authored by Associate Professor of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering Thomas Wahl shows that historically rare coastal water level extremes that were expected to occur on average only once in 100 years are now 12 times more likely to occur. This is the average across all coastal locations, in some regions what used to be a 1-in-100-year event is now expected annually.

�鶹��Ʒ S�If you live within FEMA �鶹��Ʒ S�s 100-year flood zone, you have a 100-sided die that you roll every year, �鶹��Ʒ S� says Wahl, a College of Engineering and Computer Science researcher and UCF Coastal faculty cluster initiative member. �鶹��Ʒ S�So you have 99 chances of being fine and one chance of being impacted by storm surge. Now, because of sea level rise, that die is losing sides and at some point there are so few sides left that it becomes a risk that not everybody may be willing to take going forward. �鶹��Ʒ S�

The catalyst for increased coastal water level extremes and associated flooding is sea level rise, which has increased globally by nearly eight inches over the past 126 years. Using various observational data sets and leveraging model simulations, Wahl and his research collaborators were able to distinguish the various factors that cause sea level rise. Although natural variability is still a large factor, anthropogenic forcing is now the primary cause.

�鶹��Ʒ S�We leveraged tide gauge and satellite observations along with existing model outputs to distinguish between the part of sea level rise that could easily be natural variability �鶹��Ʒ S� the ups and downs we �鶹��Ʒ S�ve experienced for hundreds of thousands of years �鶹��Ʒ S� and the part that cannot be explained by natural variability, �鶹��Ʒ S� Wahl says. �鶹��Ʒ S�And we found that anthropogenic forcing alone leads to a four-fold increase in this likelihood of a one-in-a-100-year event to occur, and it �鶹��Ʒ S�s now the main driver of the increased likelihood of these extreme water levels to occur. �鶹��Ʒ S�

Recently, Wahl also contributed to a study published in Nature Geosciences that reveals that sinking ground levels and rising sea levels are occurring more rapidly than previously understood, often worsening flooding in coastal communities. These combined findings a need to reassess coastal infrastructure and flood-planning efforts as past flood frequency estimates may no longer represent modern-day conditions.

Wahl collaborated on this study with researchers from Tulane University, Harvard University and various academic and research institutions in both Germany and the Netherlands. Prior to joining UCF in 2017, Wahl was a Marie Sklodowska Curie Fellow of the European Union at the University of Southampton and a postdoctoral scholar at the University of South Florida. His research spans the areas of coastal flood risk, sea level rise and storm surges.

A bird bursting from the ocean or a mobula ray launching skyward makes the transition from water to air look effortless. For unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, it �鶹��Ʒ S�s one of the hardest maneuvers to replicate.

Now, UCF researchers are studying how wing shape and motion affect that split-second transition �鶹��Ʒ S� work that could help improve future amphibious UAVs.

Associate Professor of Aerospace Engineering Samik Bhattacharya and aerospace engineering master �鶹��Ʒ S�s student Dominic Polidoro �鶹��Ʒ S�25 are investigating the physical forces that interact as a wing exits the water and enters the air, a process known as egress. Supported by a grant from the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, known as DEVCOM Army Research Office, the nine-month project aims to develop mathematical models to improve the technology used in military amphibious vehicles.

“This technology can �鶹��Ʒ S� enable seamless air-water operations without the need for separate vehicles.”

The research could also expand the use of amphibious UAVs in civilian scenarios such as search-and-rescue missions in coastal areas, ocean monitoring and disaster response.

�鶹��Ʒ S�This technology can �鶹��Ʒ S� enable seamless air-water operations without the need for separate vehicles, �鶹��Ʒ S� Bhattacharya says. �鶹��Ʒ S�In 10 years, amphibious UAVs could perform reliable and stable dives and exits with better payload capacity and autonomous control in complex environments, far beyond today �鶹��Ʒ S�s unreliable transitions. �鶹��Ʒ S�

While researchers have extensively studied how drones enter water, far less is understood about how they exit it. Previous studies show that as a wing rises from the water, the lift generated by it will increase until it suddenly reverses direction before stabilizing. Why this occurs is not yet known, but the answer is crucial to understanding UAV performance.

�鶹��Ʒ S�In general, when a UAV egresses, it causes lift overshoot followed by a sharp drop, �鶹��Ʒ S� Bhattacharya says. �鶹��Ʒ S�Such rapid changes in lift forces can create instability, leading to loss of control. Understanding this transition will not only improve our knowledge of creatures in nature but also allow for drone designs that can use or mitigate the lift increase and decrease that occurs. �鶹��Ʒ S�

Inside the in , Bhattacharya and Polidoro use a water tank and 3D-printed wings to study how surface deformation, waves and vortex shedding interact during egress. They aim to better understand the physical forces that drive this transition.

�鶹��Ʒ S�It �鶹��Ʒ S�s difficult to disentangle the effects of surface deformation, waves and vortex shedding because they occur simultaneously on very short timescales and strongly influence each other, �鶹��Ʒ S� Bhattacharya says.

The duo presented earlier findings from their research at the 2026 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics SciTech Forum in January.

Faculty Background

Bhattacharya joined UCF in 2016. He earned his doctoral degree in aerospace engineering from The Ohio State University, his master �鶹��Ʒ S�s degree in aerospace engineering from Auburn University and his bachelor �鶹��Ʒ S�s degree in mechanical engineering from the National Institute of Technology Warangal, located in India.

On how the ocean changed him:

I �鶹��Ʒ S�ve never been as calm as I’ve been since returning to land. I �鶹��Ʒ S�m a kind of restless person in general, somewhat impulsive in certain contexts. I always feel the need to do something, another adventure in nature. I have this fire in me that just makes me adventurous. But I think the success of the crossing, including the three years of preparation, gave me a lot of confidence. And with confidence, I think came the calmness of knowing I didn �鶹��Ʒ S�t need to prove anything to anyone anymore.

World Ocean Day is June 8.

On UCF �鶹��Ʒ S�s influence in pursuing his dreams:

It was once a dream of mine to leave my home country and do research with NASA. Coming to UCF, I realized that dream. Maybe at one point I wouldn’t have been able to think rowing an ocean was possible, but achieving my dream at UCF gave me the courage to try.

On the role a common goal can have in a team �鶹��Ʒ S�s viability:

Our ultimate goal was to cross the ocean such that we would be willing and able to do it again in the next few years with the same team. This is the first time I am admitting out loud, I think we failed at that �鶹��Ʒ S� none of us wishes to row an ocean again, nor are we planning another adventure with the same team.

So, though I have to admit we didn �鶹��Ʒ S�t succeed in the ultimate holistic goal that we had, I think our crossing in general was quite successful. What I didn �鶹��Ʒ S�t understand going into this was how strongly a common goal can influence your ability to withstand stress, interpersonal stress or annoyances from other team members. Everyone in this team had to work properly for us to be able to complete the goal. So even though we had that interpersonal tension and occasional conflicts, because of the salience of the shared goal, we were able to work through it.

On the breathtaking force of mother nature:

The ocean is so vast and so powerful. You �鶹��Ʒ S�re nothing. We felt that the most when we had a school of whales approaching us from the stern. We saw them breaching, and then one whale swam under our boat, and we saw that it was longer than our boat, like 30 feet at least. It could have just pushed our boat over and do whatever it wanted with us. We had no power whatsoever.

And I really enjoyed the storms. During the last week we had such a strong wind coming from behind, with rain falling literally horizontally. It hurts when it hits you. The rain comes on so strong. And then the wind was so strong that it just pushed our boat. We usually did like 3 knots on our own, but the speed at that moment was 7 knots without rowing. We raised our oars and they became sails basically. We felt how the wind pushed through our oars. You �鶹��Ʒ S�re just experiencing this unbelievable power of nature. It was amazing.

On his new motto �鶹��Ʒ S� �鶹��Ʒ S�Don �鶹��Ʒ S�t fight with the ocean �鶹��Ʒ S�:

Just don �鶹��Ʒ S�t fight with the ocean because you can �鶹��Ʒ S�t win. There is no point. Just let things be, let them go. I think this was one of the things that I really took back with me from the experience. I can apply this anywhere. Like at the workplace, if we have colleagues who are difficult to deal with, you can’t change them. You can �鶹��Ʒ S�t fight with the ocean. You can only change your own reactions and thoughts.

On halfway home still being a far way to go:

After we crossed the halfway point, it became more difficult. You would expect that maybe it gets easier because, oh, half is done, only half more to go, but only half more is still 20 days. It �鶹��Ʒ S�s three more weeks. It �鶹��Ʒ S�s still a lot of time to be thinking about, What do you want do when you finish? What do you want to eat? What are you going to do when you get back home? I think we as a team mentally got to the finish too fast. We really had to take a step back and remind ourselves to take it two hours at a time.

On the feeling of seeing land for the first time after 39 days:

We arrived at sunrise. When the light appeared and we saw those cliffs, it �鶹��Ʒ S�s just something so overwhelming and unique, this feeling of, �鶹��Ʒ S�It �鶹��Ʒ S�s over. It’s done �鶹��Ʒ S� 40 days of suffering basically has ended. �鶹��Ʒ S� As we entered the harbor, we saw our family and friends were up there on the cliff, waving the flags and then the finish flare going off. It was the high point, definitely.

On how the experience gave insight into his research on teams in extreme, isolated and confined environments:

I think one of the main takeaways that I got from this project was really that preparation is everything. Everyone externally was focusing on the mission, the row, because of course that �鶹��Ʒ S�s the exciting part. For us, completing the row was the goal, but it �鶹��Ʒ S�s the smallest piece of the whole project. The three years of preparation and those difficulties that we had, this was much more important.

So now for my research, I �鶹��Ʒ S�m thinking, we �鶹��Ʒ S�re always focusing on the part or the actual mission. It �鶹��Ʒ S�s not necessarily irrelevant, but the mission is the outcome. The input that we should study is before the mission, the preparations. So that informs my future research quite a bit.

On what �鶹��Ʒ S�s next:

I graduate in the summer. Days before we started the race, I accepted a job offer, which was a relief. I was prepared to take job interviews on the boat. I �鶹��Ʒ S�m starting as an assistant professor of industrial/organizational psychology at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey in August.

I realized that I don �鶹��Ʒ S�t like this type of several-weeks-endurance events, it �鶹��Ʒ S�s too monotonous, too dull. I was thinking that my next big thing would be skiing across Greenland, which is more than a month as well. But now, no, thank you. There �鶹��Ʒ S�s not enough variability, or excitement, for me. I love mountaineering, summiting a mountain in a few days. I just bought new mountain boots, so I think this will be my next thing.

Name: Christopher Emrich
�ʴDz����پ��Dz�(��):��Boardman Endowed Professor of Environmental Science and Public Administration and founding member of UCF �鶹��Ʒ S�s National Center for Integrated Coastal Research

Why are you interested in this research?
A main reason stems from my childhood in Florida �鶹��Ʒ S� constantly being exposed to a variety of hazards and seeing how communities were impacted in different ways. Being able to study geography at a state university, the  University of South Florida, and then completing my Ph.D. at the University of South Carolina under the tutelage of leading experts in the field really helped solidify that I wanted to become an expert in both the hazards themselves and what we can do to prepare for, mitigate, respond to, and rebound from them.

My time with FEMA supporting long-term recovery in Florida pushed me further to understand what is keeping people from recovering as quickly as some might expect. Tying all of these strings together really helped me pinpoint that one of the problems is that people are thirsty for knowledge. Learning how to turn data into information in order to extract meaningful knowledge has positioned me into a place that has meaning and impact for those attempting to make real-time decisions about hazards and disasters �鶹��Ʒ S� from before the storm through the recovery period.

Who inspires you to conduct your research?
Seeing the suffering that takes place following disaster �鶹��Ʒ S� suffering that could be avoided if society (people, governments and organizations) took the right steps to prepare for disasters �鶹��Ʒ S� is what really drives what I do. I think that we can make simple changes to the way we do business that could lead to really impactful positive outcomes for disaster survivors.

How does UCF empower you to do your research?
UCF has given me space and opportunity to explore the different aspects of hazard threat identification and vulnerability assessment.  Partnering with experts at DIST, and partners at FDOH, and the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council (among others)  we have been able to create open access websites like hazardaware.org, vulnerabilitymap.org, hazardrisk.org, and the Florida Public Health Risk Assessment tool (flphrat.com).  Each of these share the common goal of translating data into knowledge to support better emergency management decision making and preparedness planning.

What major grants and honors have you earned to support your research?
Since arriving at UCF, I have been awarded $10.8 million across 34 different extramurally supported grants and contracts. This includes grants of over $300K from funders including the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine �鶹��Ʒ S�s Gulf Research Program, the State of Florida, The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Along the way, I have been awarded UCF �鶹��Ʒ S�s Research Incentive Award twice (2021 and 2026) and UCF �鶹��Ʒ S�s Luminary Award.

Why is this research important?
American political philosopher John Rawl �鶹��Ʒ S�s once said, �鶹��Ʒ S�The natural distribution is neither just nor unjust; nor is it unjust that persons are born into society at some particular position. �鶹��Ʒ S�

I think it is a responsibility of each person, each organization, each governmental entity   �鶹��Ʒ S� and society as a whole �鶹��Ʒ S�  to support those who need the most help among us. If we do not, how can we ever hope to move our society into a better position? My research supports making decisions that help those in most need, including those most at risk and with the least resources, to be better positioned for the next disaster.

Florida �鶹��Ʒ S�s coastlines are changing, and so are the fish that depend on them.

As rising temperatures push tropical species northward and mangrove habitats expand into areas historically dominated by salt marshes, scientists are racing to understand how these shifts could affect marine food webs and long-term ecosystem stability.

Meredith Pratt, a UCF integrative and conservation biology doctoral student, is helping answer those questions. Her research on sustainable fisheries management along Florida �鶹��Ʒ S�s east coast earned her the prestigious Florida Sea Grant/Guy Harvey Fellowship. The highly competitive award supports graduate students conducting research that informs marine conservation and fisheries management while cultivating future leaders in marine science.

Tracking a Changing Ecosystem

Pratt studies how tropicalization �鶹��Ʒ S� the northward movement of tropical species and habitats �鶹��Ʒ S� is altering Florida �鶹��Ʒ S�s coastal ecosystems.

“As temperatures rise, mangroves, traditionally found in warmer, tropical regions, are expanding northward into areas historically dominated by salt marshes, �鶹��Ʒ S� she says. �鶹��Ʒ S�This shift is influencing the species that live there. �鶹��Ʒ S�

To understand these changes, Pratt and her team study fish communities along Florida �鶹��Ʒ S�s east coast. One fellowship-supported project focuses on predator-prey dynamics among popular sport fish, including common snook, red drum and spotted sea trout.

“The most interesting result so far is that the same fish species are eating different things, … and that raises important questions about how continued mangrove expansion could impact the ecosystem in the long term. �鶹��Ʒ S�

�鶹��Ʒ S�The most interesting result so far is that the same fish species are eating different things depending on whether they inhabit traditional salt marshes or increasingly dominant mangrove environments, �鶹��Ʒ S� Pratt says. �鶹��Ʒ S�While most species primarily feed on shrimp, common snook tend to consume more fish, and that raises important questions about how continued mangrove expansion could impact the ecosystem in the long term. �鶹��Ʒ S�

These findings were supported through lab gut analysis of fish samples collected in the field using seine nets to determine stomach contents. Because digestion can make some prey difficult to identify, Pratt also used stable isotope analysis, which provides insight into a fish �鶹��Ʒ S�sposition in the food web based on chemical signatures in its tissue.

�鶹��Ʒ S�Gut content analysis shows us exactly what a fish recently ate, while stable isotopes give us a longer-term picture of its diet, �鶹��Ʒ S� she says. �鶹��Ʒ S�Together, they allow us to answer questions we couldn �鶹��Ʒ S�t with just one method alone. �鶹��Ʒ S�

Guiding Future Fisheries Management

The research is both environmentally and economically important to Florida. As one of the world �鶹��Ʒ S�s premier fishing destinations, the state depends on healthy coastal ecosystems and fish populations to support its recreational and commercial fisheries.

�鶹��Ʒ S�Many of the fish we rely on start in estuaries and coastal environments, �鶹��Ʒ S� Pratt says. �鶹��Ʒ S�They grow in protected areas like mangroves and salt marshes before moving offshore. If we don �鶹��Ʒ S�t understand how those habitats are changing, we can �鶹��Ʒ S�t effectively manage the fisheries that depend on them. �鶹��Ʒ S�

Connecting Science and Community

Pratt is also expanding the impact of her research beyond the lab. Through her National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellowship, she launched the Guana Tolomato Matanzas (GTM) Fisheries Monitoring Program at the GTM National Estuarine Research Reserve.

“Getting people involved and helping them understand the importance of this work makes a big difference.”

The volunteer-driven initiative trains community members to collect fisheries data at designated sites, including species identification, abundance and size measurements. With nearly 20 volunteers participating, the program provides valuable long-term data while increasing public involvement in scientific research.

�鶹��Ʒ S�It �鶹��Ʒ S�s been one of the most rewarding parts of my Ph.D., �鶹��Ʒ S� Pratt says. �鶹��Ʒ S�Getting people involved and helping them understand the importance of this work makes a big difference. �鶹��Ʒ S�

A Full Circle Moment

For Pratt, earning the Florida Sea Grant/Guy Harvey Fellowship was a full-circle moment. As an undergraduate, she completed many of her classes and research experiences at the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Center at Nova Southeastern University. Now, funding from Florida Sea Grant and the Guy Harvey Foundation is helping advance her research while providing professional development opportunities in science communication.

�鶹��Ʒ S�This fellowship not only supports my research but also allows me to connect with other scientists, stakeholders and the public, �鶹��Ʒ S� she says. �鶹��Ʒ S�Sharing our findings and contributing to science communication is a really meaningful part of the experience. �鶹��Ʒ S�

Looking ahead, Pratt hopes her work will support more informed decision-making around fisheries management and conservation.

�鶹��Ʒ S�Conservation requires research and education working together, �鶹��Ʒ S� she says. �鶹��Ʒ S�If we can understand what �鶹��Ʒ S�s happening and communicate that effectively, we can make better decisions to protect these ecosystems for future generations. �鶹��Ʒ S�

This year �鶹��Ʒ S�s tournament will be the first FIFA World Cup to be hosted by three nations �鶹��Ʒ S� United States, Canada and Mexico �鶹��Ʒ S� and the first to include an expanded field of 48 teams from across the globe. Eleven U.S. cities will host 78 matches June 11 �鶹��Ʒ S� July 19, including the championship match in New York and third place playoff in Miami.

This historic event coincides with the United States �鶹��Ʒ S� 250th anniversary and marks the first time since 1994 the country has hosted the men �鶹��Ʒ S�s World Cup.

Here �鶹��Ʒ S�s a look at some of the Knights bringing this event to life.

Izzy Angel �鶹��Ʒ S�23

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Role:���ѱ�徱�����DZ������پ��DzԲ������Ի�����������������
FIFA location: Atlanta

I will be supporting media logistics, guiding photographers and press to designated areas, and facilitating press conferences and interviews. One of the biggest ways UCF prepared me for this opportunity was through its emphasis on networking, collaboration and real-world experience. That mindset opened doors to internships, jobs and experiences that helped me gain confidence in putting myself out there and connecting with people.

It �鶹��Ʒ S�s been really fulfilling to meet people with completely different backgrounds and life experiences who are all coming together over a shared passion. Being part of something on such a global scale and feeling that sense of community has been incredibly special.

Brendon Boseja �鶹��Ʒ S�25

Bachelor �鶹��Ʒ S�s in integrated business

Role: Senior coordinator, Client Group Management Accreditation
FIFA site: Miami

At UCF, I learned to network and make many connections in the industry and to continue these relationships. This has especially helped me throughout FIFA, especially since my main job is to communicate with every stadium involved in the tournament. Working for a sports organization as big as FIFA has been a dream of mine, and to be involved with an event like the World Cup is surreal to think about.

Taylor Culver �鶹��Ʒ S�23 �鶹��Ʒ S�26MSBM �鶹��Ʒ S�26MBA

Bachelor �鶹��Ʒ S�s in kinesiology
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Master �鶹��Ʒ S�s in business administration

Role: Event executive, FIFA Fan Festival
FIFA site: Houston

�鶹��Ʒ S�Because of the connections, mentorship and opportunities I gained through UCF, these experiences expanded my confidence and showed me that I truly belong in this industry. �鶹��Ʒ S�

My role is to help create and execute large-scale fan experiences that bring the energy of the World Cup to life outside of the stadium. Being able to contribute to an event of this magnitude is both humbling and motivating, and I know it will be one of the most impactful experiences of my career. UCF prepared me for this opportunity by putting me in real-world sports environments early and constantly challenging me to grow as a leader. Through the program and my experience as a recruiting assistant for UCF Athletics with the football team, I learned how to operate in fast-paced environments where organization, communication and adaptability are critical. Because of the connections, mentorship and opportunities I gained through UCF, these experiences expanded my confidence and showed me that I truly belong in this industry.

Daniel Garzon �鶹��Ʒ S�23 �鶹��Ʒ S�24MSBM �鶹��Ʒ S�24MBA

�����������ǰ� �鶹��Ʒ S�s������������𳾱�Գٲ����������ܳ����پ��Dz�
�Ѳ����ٱ�� �鶹��Ʒ S�s������������ǰ��������ܲ����Ա�����������Բ����𳾱�Գ�
Master �鶹��Ʒ S�s in business administration

Role: Workforce integration senior coordinator, Tournament Operation Center Services
FIFA site: Miami

I started my journey at FIFA as an intern with the volunteer management team shortly after graduating from the DeVos Sport Business Management program in 2024. As a recruitment coordinator, I spearheaded communications and recruitment strategy while sourcing and scheduling thousands of candidates. Now in my new role, I will be in the heartbeat of the headquarters of the tournament, fulfilling operational needs for all departments while manipulating data to make informed decisions for all the venues during the World Cup.

Risako Karasawa �鶹��Ʒ S�21

Bachelor �鶹��Ʒ S�s in entertainment management
Graduate student majoring in sport business management

Role: VIP Tour Coordinator/Translator
FIFA site: Dallas

I serve as the primary point of contact for a VIP delegation from Japan. My responsibilities include coordinating transportation and logistics, providing interpretation and translation support, and ensuring a seamless experience throughout the visit. Combining my passions for sports, entertainment and hospitality, this opportunity feels like the perfect intersection of everything I love. Through both the Rosen College of Hospitality Management and the DeVos Sport Business Management Program, I have gained practical experience through hands-on opportunities working with professionals across the industries in event planning, guest experience, sponsorship and stakeholder management that prepared me for this incredibly exciting opportunity.

William Mendez �鶹��Ʒ S�26MSBM �鶹��Ʒ S�26MBA

�Ѳ����ٱ�� �鶹��Ʒ S�s������������ǰ��������ܲ����Ա�����������Բ����𳾱�Գ�
Master �鶹��Ʒ S�s in business administration

Role: Team protocol liaison officer
FIFA site: Miami

I will provide operational support as a main point of contact for the teams �鶹��Ʒ S� protocol representatives, managing VIP/VVIP seating, ticket distribution and logistics. I �鶹��Ʒ S�m truly excited to be part of an event of this magnitude because FIFA �鶹��Ʒ S�26 goes beyond sports by bringing people together across cultures from all over the world. �鶹��Ʒ S�The DeVos Sport Business Management program at UCF has played a major role in preparing me for this moment, giving me the hands-on experience and confidence I need to contribute to an event of this scale.

Colin O �鶹��Ʒ S�Toole �鶹��Ʒ S�26MSBM �鶹��Ʒ S�26MBA

�Ѳ����ٱ�� �鶹��Ʒ S�s������������ǰ��������ܲ����Ա�����������Բ����𳾱�Գ�
Master �鶹��Ʒ S�s in business administration

Role: Accreditation center coordinator
FIFA site: Boston

I grew up watching the World Cup and always dreamed of being part of the most watched sporting event in the world. My experience in the soccer industry through both professional and volunteer roles gave me a strong foundation, and the DeVos program broadened my perspective. It exposed me to the business side of the industry, while simultaneously connecting me with incredible mentors and peers, ultimately giving me the confidence and network to land this opportunity with FIFA.

Connor Pank �鶹��Ʒ S�17

Bachelor �鶹��Ʒ S�s in management

Role:���ձ𲹳�����������������������Գܱ����Ǵڴھ������
FIFA site: Tampa, Florida

The sport business management minor at UCF offered plenty of opportunities to gain practical experience in the industry. My junior year, I was fortunate enough to land a season-long internship at Orlando City Soccer Club in the game day operations department, which then turned into a full-time position with seven amazing seasons of constant growth and experiences that I am forever grateful �鶹��Ʒ S�for.

Being involved in a FIFA World Cup has been a personal goal of mine since my early days with Orlando City SC, when we hosted a U.S. Soccer vs. Panama World Cup Qualifier ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Every team participating in the World Cup chooses a designated home base, which includes the team hotel, training site and other operational support facilities as needed. My role is centered around acting as FIFA �鶹��Ʒ S�s primary operational lead on-site for Cabo Verde �鶹��Ʒ S�s home base in Tampa to ensure a seamless, world-class experience.

Annie Quaile �鶹��Ʒ S�06

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Role: Venue manager, FIFA Fan Festival
FIFA site: Atlanta

I act as the bridge between FIFA, Atlanta and the commercial and operational partners delivering the Fan Festival experience. My role focuses on coordinating event logistics, operations, guest experience, VIP and talent management, and partner integration while ensuring FIFA brand standards are upheld throughout the event.

One of the biggest takeaways from my experience at UCF was learning how to balance creativity, leadership and problem-solving under pressure, which is essentially the foundation of live event and operational management. The FIFA World Cup is one of the few truly global experiences that brings together people from every background, culture and country around a shared passion. All of the planning, coordination and operational work happens behind the scenes for months, so finally seeing people from around the world gathering together, celebrating and creating memories is incredibly rewarding.

Andres Sifontes �鶹��Ʒ S�24

Bachelor �鶹��Ʒ S�s in communication

Role: Coordinator, Accreditation Documentation and Training Operations
FIFA site: Houston

I joined the FIFA team in September 2024, supporting preparations for both Club World Cup 2025 and FIFA World Cup 2026. In my role now, I oversee Accreditation Center operations in Houston, assist volunteers, and ensure that key stakeholders �鶹��Ʒ S� including partners like Coca-Cola, Adidas and Visa �鶹��Ʒ S� receive proper credentials. UCF �鶹��Ʒ S�s communication program, and especially my Communication Research Methods���ʰ��Ǵڱ�����ǰ� , equipped me with the tools I continue to apply every day in my role at FIFA by teaching me how to communicate effectively, carry myself professionally, and think strategically.

Since graduating, my goal has been to contribute to the growth of soccer in the United States. This passion has always been part of who I am, and UCF helped me build the foundation to pursue it professionally. After graduation, I worked with Inter Miami CF, and now with FIFA, I �鶹��Ʒ S�ve been fortunate to play a role in supporting the continued development of the sport. I truly believe we are about to witness unprecedented growth for the game in this country. I hope that at the end of my career, I can look back and say I contributed to that growth �鶹��Ʒ S� and that it all started at UCF.

Dennis Sprenkle �鶹��Ʒ S�01

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Role: Director of workforce and human resources
FIFA site:���Ѿ�������

My team oversees the employee journey from recruitment to offboarding across the three host countries (Canada, Mexico and the U.S.) and 16 host cities. We are responsible for everything from workforce planning, training, visa management, benefits, payroll, employee uniforms and just about every other aspect of human resources.

I have always had a keen interest in global political and business affairs, which is why I studied political science with an emphasis on international relations at UCF. Working for a governing body like FIFA in many respects is akin to working for the United Nations. �鶹��Ʒ S� In order to be a successful leader in a global organization like FIFA, it is critical to have an open mind to effectively collaborate, plan and execute the largest sporting event in human history. My education and experience at UCF as a leader in Student Government certainly laid the foundation and has helped prepare me for this opportunity.

Ryan Taheri �鶹��Ʒ S�24

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Role:���´ǰ���ڴǰ��������DZ������پ��DzԲ��������Բ������
FIFA site: Dallas

I grew up watching the World Cup with my family. Now, I occasionally stop for a second and realize how special it all is to be working behind the scenes on the operational side of the tournament. A big part of what I do in my role is coordinate with different functional areas like transportation, catering, accommodations, uniforms and venue operations to ensure the workforce is supported and operations run smoothly.

�鶹��Ʒ S�UCF pushed me into leadership opportunities early and taught me how to work in fast-paced environments with a lot of moving parts. �鶹��Ʒ S�

A lot of the role comes down to staying organized, communicating clearly and solving problems quickly. UCF pushed me into leadership opportunities early and taught me how to work in fast-paced environments with a lot of moving parts. Looking back now, I don �鶹��Ʒ S�t think I realized at the time how much of my experience at UCF directly prepared me for working on something as large and complex as a �鶹��Ʒ S�FIFA �鶹��Ʒ S�26.

Alejandro Tarazona �鶹��Ʒ S�22

Bachelor �鶹��Ʒ S�s in integrated business

Role:���Ѳ��Բ������,���հ������Ծ��Բ��������ٱ����ձ�Գܱ����հ����Բ���ǰ���
FIFA site: Miami

I �鶹��Ʒ S�oversee transportation operations and �鶹��Ʒ S�logistics �鶹��Ʒ S�at all 75 training sites across U.S., Canada and Mexico �鶹��Ʒ S� including shuttles, loading zones, team busses and their fleets, and parking lots for media, volunteers and guests. I grew up in Lake Nona and had an opportunity to play collegiate soccer at a Division II school in Florida, but financially, it just didn �鶹��Ʒ S�t make sense for my family and me. Instead I enrolled at Valencia College and earned my degree through the .

UCF gave me the technical skills I needed for my managerial position now, like creating financial analysis for labor rates across 16 stadiums that �鶹��Ʒ S�we �鶹��Ʒ S�ll �鶹��Ʒ S�be using in U.S., Canada and Mexico. As a former soccer player and as someone �鶹��Ʒ S�who is �鶹��Ʒ S�obsessed with the sport, working for one of the biggest and best sports organization in the world has been a lifelong goal. �鶹��Ʒ S�This experience has taught me to consider redefining what �鶹��Ʒ S�s possible and keep setting goals.

Tomas Upegui �鶹��Ʒ S�22

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Role:������������DZ������پ��DzԲ������Բ��������
FIFA site: Miami

Growing up playing soccer, being involved with FIFA in any capacity is something I never imagined would become reality, especially this early in my career. I am supporting transportation and depot operations across all 16 host cities, contributing to transportation operations involving VIPs and trophy movements. Studying business taught me how to work efficiently in fast-paced environments and quickly adapt while balancing multiple responsibilities at once, which directly translates to my role.

One of the most exciting parts of this experience has been realizing the true scale of the FIFA World Cup and seeing firsthand how much coordination happens behind the scenes to make an event of this magnitude successful.