A new educational partnership between UCF and the U.S. Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC) is creating opportunities for research, student training and workforce development in one of the country 麻豆精品 S檚 most specialized scientific fields. The collaboration strengthens critical scientific capabilities, facilitates the sharing of resources and expertise, helps build the radiochemistry talent pipeline and positions UCF at the forefront of nuclear chemistry research that supports national security missions.

麻豆精品 S淭hrough collaborative research projects and summer internships, UCF students gain hands-on experience working alongside federal scientists and access to AFTAC 麻豆精品 S檚 facilities and instrumentation for research supporting national security missions, 麻豆精品 S� says Vasileios Anagnostopoulos, associate professor of chemistry in the UCF College of Sciences and principal investigator of the partnership.

Only a small number of universities nationwide have established this type of relationship with AFTAC, the Department of the Air Force responsible for monitoring nuclear treaty compliance and detecting nuclear events worldwide.

A Nationally Recognized Program

麻豆精品 S淭he fact that we were invited by AFTAC to be one of their official academic partners says a lot about the recognition of our program and the important role chemistry and radiochemistry play in the national security landscape.”

According to Anagnostopoulos 麻豆精品 S� director of UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 Nuclear Regulatory Commission Fellowship and UCF principal investigator for the multi-institutional NNSA-funded Consortium for Nuclear Forensics 麻豆精品 S� UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 growing reputation in radiochemistry and analytical chemistry helped distinguish the university as a strong academic partner.

The collaboration also reflects UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 broader role in supporting Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 rapidly growing aerospace, defense and national security ecosystem through research, workforce development and federal partnerships.

麻豆精品 S淥ur radiochemistry program is gaining national recognition through multiple research grants and collaborative proposals, 麻豆精品 S� Anagnostopoulos says. 麻豆精品 S淭he fact that we were invited by AFTAC to be one of their official academic partners says a lot about the recognition of our program and the important role chemistry and radiochemistry play in the national security landscape. 麻豆精品 S�

The partnership builds on UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 advanced research infrastructure, including radiochemistry laboratories, mass spectrometry capabilities and materials characterization resources. Together, these facilities enable researchers to analyze complex nuclear materials and conduct detailed characterization studies for national and international security applications.

麻豆精品 S淲e have cutting-edge facilities and instrumentation for sensitive and precise analysis, 麻豆精品 S� Anagnostopoulos says. 麻豆精品 S淭he combination of radiochemistry, advanced analytical capabilities and access to radioactive materials allows us to address complicated real-world problems and provide technical information that can support our federal partners 麻豆精品 S� missions. 麻豆精品 S�

Unique Opportunities for Students

For students, the partnership opens the door to hands-on experiences rarely available in a traditional academic setting.

Through internships and collaborative research projects, students will work alongside multidisciplinary teams of chemists, engineers and scientists while gaining exposure to federal laboratory environments and national security protocols.

Few universities nationwide offer students direct pathways into operational nuclear security environments, making the partnership a unique training opportunity for UCF students interested in chemistry, national security and federal science careers.

麻豆精品 S淏eyond the technical training, they gain exposure to mission-focused work, interdisciplinary collaboration and communication skills that are essential in federal and defense environments, 麻豆精品 S� Anagnostopoulos says.

Building the Future Workforce

The agreement also addresses a national need for trained experts in radiochemistry and nuclear chemistry, highly specialized disciplines offered at only a limited number of institutions nationwide, Anagnostopoulos says.

As federal agencies and national laboratories work to strengthen expertise in nuclear security, treaty monitoring and advanced nuclear technologies, partnerships like this help ensure a pipeline of future highly skilled scientists is ready to contribute.

麻豆精品 S淭his partnership helps prepare the next generation of scientists while keeping the country at the forefront of nuclear security and global safety, 麻豆精品 S� Anagnostopoulos says.

As the collaboration grows, it 麻豆精品 S檚 expected to expand opportunities for faculty, researchers, and students in other fields, such as big data analytics and cybersecurity, while further establishing UCF as a hub for radiochemistry, defense-related chemistry, and national security research.

On how the ocean changed him:

I 麻豆精品 S檝e never been as calm as I’ve been since returning to land. I 麻豆精品 S檓 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 麻豆精品 S檛 need to prove anything to anyone anymore.

World Ocean Day is June 8.

On UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 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 麻豆精品 S檚 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 麻豆精品 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 麻豆精品 S檛 succeed in the ultimate holistic goal that we had, I think our crossing in general was quite successful. What I didn 麻豆精品 S檛 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 麻豆精品 S檙e 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 麻豆精品 S檙e just experiencing this unbelievable power of nature. It was amazing.

On his new motto 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S淒on 麻豆精品 S檛 fight with the ocean 麻豆精品 S�:

Just don 麻豆精品 S檛 fight with the ocean because you can 麻豆精品 S檛 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 麻豆精品 S檛 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 麻豆精品 S檚 three more weeks. It 麻豆精品 S檚 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 麻豆精品 S檚 just something so overwhelming and unique, this feeling of, 麻豆精品 S業t 麻豆精品 S檚 over. It’s done 麻豆精品 S� 40 days of suffering basically has ended. 麻豆精品 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 麻豆精品 S檚 the exciting part. For us, completing the row was the goal, but it 麻豆精品 S檚 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 麻豆精品 S檓 thinking, we 麻豆精品 S檙e always focusing on the part or the actual mission. It 麻豆精品 S檚 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 麻豆精品 S檚 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 麻豆精品 S檓听starting as听an assistant听professor of industrial/organizational psychology at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey in August.

I realized that I don 麻豆精品 S檛 like this type of several-weeks-endurance events, it 麻豆精品 S檚 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 麻豆精品 S檚 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.

Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 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 麻豆精品 S檚 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 麻豆精品 S� the northward movement of tropical species and habitats 麻豆精品 S� is altering Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 coastal ecosystems.

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

To understand these changes, Pratt and her team study fish communities along Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 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. 麻豆精品 S�

麻豆精品 S淭he 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, 麻豆精品 S� Pratt says. 麻豆精品 S淲hile 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. 麻豆精品 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 麻豆精品 S檚position in the food web based on chemical signatures in its tissue.

麻豆精品 S淕ut content analysis shows us exactly what a fish recently ate, while stable isotopes give us a longer-term picture of its diet, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淭ogether, they allow us to answer questions we couldn 麻豆精品 S檛 with just one method alone. 麻豆精品 S�

Guiding Future Fisheries Management

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

麻豆精品 S淢any of the fish we rely on start in estuaries and coastal environments, 麻豆精品 S� Pratt says. 麻豆精品 S淭hey grow in protected areas like mangroves and salt marshes before moving offshore. If we don 麻豆精品 S檛 understand how those habitats are changing, we can 麻豆精品 S檛 effectively manage the fisheries that depend on them. 麻豆精品 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.

麻豆精品 S淚t 麻豆精品 S檚 been one of the most rewarding parts of my Ph.D., 麻豆精品 S� Pratt says. 麻豆精品 S淕etting people involved and helping them understand the importance of this work makes a big difference. 麻豆精品 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.

麻豆精品 S淭his fellowship not only supports my research but also allows me to connect with other scientists, stakeholders and the public, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淪haring our findings and contributing to science communication is a really meaningful part of the experience. 麻豆精品 S�

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

麻豆精品 S淐onservation requires research and education working together, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淚f we can understand what 麻豆精品 S檚 happening and communicate that effectively, we can make better decisions to protect these ecosystems for future generations. 麻豆精品 S�

Five years after UCF computer science students first helped the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) build a tech solution to enhance efficiency, Knights are still improving the platform 麻豆精品 S� and the impact keeps growing.

Reserve Mercury, a mobile and web application designed to replace slow, paper-based administrative processes used by Army Reserve units, is now being used by thousands of reservists nationwide. What started as Project Mercury 麻豆精品 S� a student-led effort to replace paper forms 麻豆精品 S� has evolved into a long-running collaboration between student developers in UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 Senior Seminar Course, the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and the USAR.

Originally launched in 2023, the app digitized the Army Reserve 麻豆精品 S檚 DA 1380 submission process 麻豆精品 S� a manual workflow that once required soldiers to print forms, physically route paperwork through chains of command and wait for approvals tied to compensation and service records.

Now, soldiers can digitally submit pay, absence and medical forms within the platform from any device. Leaders can then review and approve submissions instantly, helping reduce delays and ensure soldiers are paid on time.

But the momentum behind Project Mercury didn’t end at launch.

Each semester, new student teams continue building on the work of those before them 麻豆精品 S� refining features, fixing issues and expanding the platform based on direct user feedback from soldiers.

麻豆精品 S淎s technology continues to advance, it 麻豆精品 S檚 important that critical systems like those used by the Army Reserve evolve as well, 麻豆精品 S� says Shaun Gorllapati ’26, functional test and continuous improvement lead on the Fall 2025 麻豆精品 S揝pring 2026 Senior Design II team. 麻豆精品 S淧rojects like this help bridge that gap by introducing more efficient, scalable and modern solutions that improve overall operations. 麻豆精品 S�

Inheriting a Mission Already in Motion

Under the guidance of Associate Lecturers Matthew Gerber and Richard Leinecker in UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 College of Engineering and Computer Science, Project Mercury has become one of the university 麻豆精品 S檚 most ambitious long-term software projects since its inception in 2021.

Senior Design students work alongside Army Reserve subject matter experts led by Reserve Mercury Program Manager Lt. Col. Jonathan LacKamp while gaining experience in large-scale software engineering, testing and deployment management.

This year 麻豆精品 S檚 team included 15 students with expertise in data science, artificial intelligence and application and web-based development. Organized into three groups, they focused on backend development, bug fixes and maintenance, and new feature development.

At the start of the semester, the team inherited a nearly five-year-old codebase from previous students. Through documentation reviews, handoff meetings and collaboration with prior developers, they learned how to maintain and expand a living software system already serving military users nationwide.

New Features Focus on Speed, Security and Simplicity

For Spring 2026, 84 new users from the 6th Battalion, 52nd Aviation Regiment were onboarded and trained on the platform. Their feedback directly shaped several new improvements.

Among the latest updates was a Pay Type Limits feature that helps commanders monitor annual submission thresholds tied to DA 1380 compensation requests. Students also improved the app 麻豆精品 S檚 dental form process by adding required field validation, submission confirmation and better signature handling to help ensure medical documentation is completed accurately for deployment readiness.

Another major upgrade was a redesigned notification system.

麻豆精品 S淚 麻豆精品 S檓 especially proud of the notification system, which significantly improves how reservists stay informed and act within the application, 麻豆精品 S� Gorllapati says. 麻豆精品 S淧reviously, 麻豆精品 S� users had to rely on an activity log to view updates. Notifications were not actionable, lacked clear read and unread indicators, and did not guide users to the relevant part of the app. 麻豆精品 S�

Additional enhancements currently in development include multi-factor authentication for stronger security and a large-scale user interface redesign to modernize the platform and improve accessibility.

The response from reservists has reinforced the project 麻豆精品 S檚 impact.

麻豆精品 S淲e recently onboarded a unit that was struggling with an HR administrator shortage across multiple companies, 麻豆精品 S� says Maj. Jeffrey Garner, Reserve Mercury onboarding and implementation lead. 麻豆精品 S淎fter they started using Reserve Mercury, the feedback was immediate 麻豆精品 S� they called it a 麻豆精品 S榞ame changer 麻豆精品 S� and asked to onboard their additional units as soon as possible. 麻豆精品 S�

Developing Career-Ready Skills Through Mission-Driven Work

For students, the experience goes far beyond the classroom.

麻豆精品 S淲orking on a project with real-world, national-level impact while still a student has been a very meaningful experience, 麻豆精品 S� Gorllapati says. 麻豆精品 S淸It has] prepared me to handle real-world engineering challenges more effectively and has reinforced my goal of pursuing a career in software engineering, where I can contribute to large-scale, impactful systems. 麻豆精品 S�

Senior Design team members build experience in frontend and backend development, AWS services, deployment management, software testing, and release cycles while collaborating directly with military stakeholders in an environment that mirrors professional software engineering teams.

But for many, the most rewarding part is knowing their work directly supports service members.

麻豆精品 S淜nowing that the end users are real service members adds purpose to every feature we build, 麻豆精品 S� Gorllapati says. 麻豆精品 S淚t motivates us to learn new tools, improve our technical skills, and apply best practices to ensure the application is reliable, efficient, and easy to use. 麻豆精品 S�

That purpose continues driving Reserve Mercury forward 麻豆精品 S� one update, one deployment and one student at a time.

“What we’ve seen over the life of the project is the power of collaboration between reservists as both customers and subject matter experts, innovation sponsors like DIU and the incredible dedication of successive student teams,” LacKamp says. “The program is currently poised for wider adoption across USAR, but that wouldn’t be possible without the strong foundation built by our UCF partners.听 At Reserve Mercury, we believe that administrative efficiency is directly related to both operational readiness and the retention of qualified soldiers. UCF is helping make this belief a reality.”

Whether you are taking a full class schedule, interning or enjoying a much-needed breather, staying engaged on campus is key to making the most of your summer semester. UCF offers a wide selection of resources specifically to help you keep the momentum.

Academic Support

Shorter summer sessions are fast paced and demanding, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Support services are available in person and virtually to keep your GPA on track.

• Private Coaching: The Student Academic Resource Center continues to provide for over 30 subjects. Visit the SARC office in Trevor Colbourn Hall Room 117 or the Engineering II atrium for assistance.
• Math Tutoring: Located in the Mathematical Science Building, the Math Success Center offers for students enrolled in undergraduate math courses, providing a focused environment to master challenging concepts.
• Writing Center: From complex research papers and resume polishes to creative writing hobbies, the University Writing Center offers specialized to help you make tangible progress on all kinds of written projects.
• Study Spaces: Use the university 麻豆精品 S檚 to book a private study room in advance at the John C. Hitt and UCF Downtown libraries to ensure you have a safe, quiet place to study during finals.

Wellness Resources

Taking care of yourself is just as important during finals week as it is during a semester off. Fewer students on campus during the summer semester allows you more access to these wellness perks.

• Mental Health: Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides students with around-the-clock at no extra cost. Students also have free access to the anonymous peer-to-peer support community and teletherapy sessions throughout the entire summer.
• Physical Wellness: 听 remains open throughout the summer, offering appointments for illness and injury, preventive care, immunizations, laboratory services and more. The gym remains open with full summer hours to help you maintain your fitness routine. For a brain break and an extra dose of sunshine, head over to the for free kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding.
• Meeting Basic Needs: If your budget gets tight between semesters, you don’t have to worry. The Knights Helping Knights Pantry remains stocked and open during the summer to , toiletries and clothing to any Knight in need.

Professional Development

Summer is the perfect time to refine your professional brand. Career Services offers a series of Workshop Wednesdays and drop-in sessions to help you prepare for your next interview, internship or first day on the job.

• Career Readiness: Get quick, expert feedback on your resume, LinkedIn profile, practice interview or Handshake account with Critiques & Career Express. in-person or virtually throughout July 31.
• Workshop Wednesdays: throughout June and July to sharpen specific skills, including how to utilize AI in the job search, career exploration and the do 麻豆精品 S檚 and don 麻豆精品 S檛s of networking online.
• Free Headshots: Stop by the Headshot Booth located in the Student Government office of the Student Union for . The booth is open and free for all students and produces professional, high-quality headshots same day.

Summer Events Around Campus

Stay engaged with these social and cultural opportunities that span the entire term.

• Socialize with Grad Students: Head to the Graduate Student Center in Trevor Colbourn Hall, Room 213 on the first Wednesday of each summer month for First Wednesday Cafe. Hosted by Graduate Student Life, it 麻豆精品 S檚 a , meet fellow students, and grab free bagels and coffee.
• Interactive Play Festival: Pegasus PlayLab is a festival hosted every summer by the UCF School of Performing Arts and is dedicated to helping develop the work of emerging playwrights across the country. for the workshop showings of Offshoot (May 29 麻豆精品 S� 30), Eight-Hand Jig (June 5 麻豆精品 S� 6), Between Shadows and Lightness (June 12 麻豆精品 S� 13), and the developmental production of Raccoon Play(June 11 麻豆精品 S� 14).
• Art Exhibition: Take a quiet culture break at the UCF Art Gallery (located in the Visual Arts Building) to experience The Carlos Malamud Prize. Running all summer long, with Rollins Museum of Art features striking works from six emerging Florida artists competing for a $10,000 prize.
• Therapy Dogs: If you need a serious mood boost, head over to CAPS to spend some time with certified therapy dogs during the It 麻豆精品 S檚 a proven, relaxing way to take a mid-semester breather and destress between your Summer A and Summer B classes.

Transportation and Parking

Summer is the best time to find a “prime” parking spot, but shuttles are still a reliable way to get around.

• Summer Shuttle Schedules: UCF shuttles operate on a modified summer schedule. Be sure to check the UCF Mobile app or the website for the most current route times, as frequency may differ from the fall/spring semesters.

Whether you are catching a sunset by the Reflecting Pond or grinding through a summer lab, remember that the UCF community is here to support you. Take advantage of the shorter lines and the specialized attention available this term and keep charging on!

All were among 109 College of Medicine graduates who became Physician Knights on May 15 and promised to become what their dean calls one of 麻豆精品 S渢he Good Doctors 麻豆精品 S� a UCF tradition. 麻豆精品 S�

This year 麻豆精品 S檚 M.D. program commencement was the medical school 麻豆精品 S檚 14th and the last for Vice President for Health Affairs and founding Dean Deborah German, who announced earlier this year she will transition from the role she has held for 20 years.

麻豆精品 S淕raduates, today you become alumni of an innovative medical school committed to improving health for all, 麻豆精品 S� she said. 麻豆精品 S淭hrough your time here, you learned, you grew, and you cared for patients with courage, dedication, and grace. I couldn 麻豆精品 S檛 be prouder of the work you have done. 麻豆精品 S�

With this year 麻豆精品 S檚 commencement, UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 young medical school, which opened in 2009, has prepared 1,421 physicians to care for Floridians and the nation at large.

Inspired by Her Research Mentor

Moots is the third M.D./Ph.D. graduate in UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 history. She enrolled at the university in 2013 to pursue her bachelor 麻豆精品 S檚 degree in biomedical sciences and began her combined doctoral degree in 2018. Now she will go to Lakeland Regional Hospital for internal medicine training 麻豆精品 S� her first choice for residency because of the hospital 麻豆精品 S檚 focus on innovation, research and clinical trials.

麻豆精品 S淚 麻豆精品 S檝e spent almost half my life at UCF, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淕raduating is incredibly exciting, but it feels strange to close such a long and meaningful chapter. 麻豆精品 S�

She said her medical training at UCF was most shaped by her research mentor, Otto Phanstiel, a College of Medicine cancer researcher. 麻豆精品 S淗e exemplifies the qualities I aspire to carry into medicine through the way he communicates, collaborates, and approaches every interaction with humility, curiosity, and a drive for excellence, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淗is influence has shaped how I hope to approach research, teamwork, and patient care throughout my career. 麻豆精品 S�

麻豆精品 S淢ost Monumental Moment of My Life 麻豆精品 S�

Shaylor will do his . He hopes to become a hand surgeon. Medical school military officers are promoted when they receive their M.D. degree, and UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 tradition is to honor that promotion at commencement. After receiving their diplomas, military officers are pinned with their new rank by a faculty member of their choosing.

Shaylor was inspired to enter military service by Jose Borrero, a U.S. Air Force flight surgeon during Vietnam before becoming a founding faculty member at the College of Medicine. Now retired, Borrero continues to serve as a mentor to UCF medical students. He returned to commencement May 15, pinned Shaylor and proudly saluted the young military physician. Shaylor describes the pinning as 麻豆精品 S渢he most monumental moment of my life. 麻豆精品 S�

Connecting with Others

Castellano and Threatt met playing volleyball during their first year of medical school, then started a band with other M.D. students. They went through the fear of 麻豆精品 S渃ouples matching 麻豆精品 S� into residency 麻豆精品 S� unsure if they would be selected to train at the same hospital or even city.

Today they 麻豆精品 S檙e simultaneously planning their move to Johns Hopkins in Baltimore and their wedding. He 麻豆精品 S檒l practice anesthesiology because it combines his love of chemistry and connecting with people.

麻豆精品 S淭here 麻豆精品 S檚 a small window that you have to talk to patients before surgery, but it is one of their most vulnerable moments in which you really have an ability to make this individual feel comfortable, 麻豆精品 S� he says. 麻豆精品 S淭hat is a very special relationship to me. 麻豆精品 S�

She 麻豆精品 S檚 training to be a pediatrician.

麻豆精品 S淢y biggest dream and aspiration is to be an advocate for children and for families, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淚 think that through Johns Hopkins there will be a lot of opportunities to do so and go into communities to be helping and educating children. 麻豆精品 S�

The same curiosity that once led Jeonghyun Song to shape clay with his hands now drives him to engineer materials at an atomic level, combining chemistry and creativity.

He began his college journey in the arts, drawn to pottery. But as he worked with ceramics, his attention shifted beneath the surface 麻豆精品 S� to the chemistry of the materials and the possibilities within them. That shift in perspective pushed him from the art studio into the lab 麻豆精品 S� and now to a national fellowship.

A materials science and engineering major, Song will join the University of Notre Dame this summer as a recipient of its Nanoscience and Technology Undergraduate Research Fellowship, hosted from May 18 through July 24.

“I chose to attend UCF because of the opportunities it offers 麻豆精品 S� especially in research 麻豆精品 S� along with its strong engineering program.”

The opportunity marks a turning point in his journey from an arts major to an engineering major, which he began when he transferred to UCF in Fall 2025.

麻豆精品 S淚 chose to attend UCF because of the opportunities it offers 麻豆精品 S� especially in research 麻豆精品 S� along with its strong engineering program, 麻豆精品 S� Song says. 麻豆精品 S淭he MSE (Materials Science and Engineering) Program is relatively new and rapidly growing, which gives students more chances to get involved and grow. 麻豆精品 S�

He didn 麻豆精品 S檛 waste time getting started.

As a new Knight and burgeoning materials researcher, Song set his sights on working with Assistant Professor Kausik Mukhopadhyay, whose research bridges materials, chemistry, biology and engineering to develop solutions for surfaces, coatings, electrochemistry and more.

Now in Mukhopadhyay 麻豆精品 S檚 , Song studies clay-based anodes for lithium-ion batteries.

麻豆精品 S淎s a student who comes from a ceramics background, Dr. Mukhopadhyay 麻豆精品 S檚 research was the most interesting to me, 麻豆精品 S� Song says. 麻豆精品 S淏ased on his work in chemistry and materials science, I knew his lab would be a place where I could grow and actively engage in research. 麻豆精品 S�

The lab quickly became more than a workspace 麻豆精品 S� it became a launchpad, which Song says he 麻豆精品 S檚 grateful for.

麻豆精品 S淚 would like to thank Dr. Mukhopadhyay and the people in our group for their support, 麻豆精品 S� he says. 麻豆精品 S淚f it wasn 麻豆精品 S檛 for them, I would have had a hard time blending into the UCF community. 麻豆精品 S�

His perspective as a researcher is evolving, too.

“I find it more interesting to study how common … materials can be engineered to achieve similar or even more useful properties.”

Once drawn to examining rare and expensive materials for their unique characteristics, Song is now focused on factors in materials costs and environmental impact.

麻豆精品 S淲hile studying rare materials is interesting due to their distinct properties, I find it more interesting to study how common and inexpensive materials can be engineered to achieve similar or even more useful properties, 麻豆精品 S� he says.

That mindset will guide his work at Notre Dame.

His project, 麻豆精品 S淧rototyping High-speed Synthesis of Gold Microplates, 麻豆精品 S� tackles a key challenge in nanotechnology: efficiently producing ultrathin gold coatings. These coatings are useful in technology like biosensors and electronics, but current synthesis methods are slow, and controlling their size, shape and placement is challenging.

Song will help explore faster synthesis methods using a reaction chamber to study the process through three activation approaches: light, temperature and merging chemical streams.

As he prepares to spend the summer in Indiana, Song acknowledges some anxiety 麻豆精品 S� the kind that comes with stepping into something bigger 麻豆精品 S� as he looks ahead to what could be a pivotal moment in his journey as a researcher.

麻豆精品 S淚 would like to meet new people, learn from them and also expand my vision for research, 麻豆精品 S� Song says. 麻豆精品 S淚 think this summer will be the most important for me in terms of deciding my future. 麻豆精品 S�

UCF School of Visual Arts and Design students earned all four scholarships awarded at Creative South, a testament to the university 麻豆精品 S檚 growing reputation as a hub for emerging creative talent.

麻豆精品 S淲e 麻豆精品 S檝e built such a strong community that when one person succeeds, we all do, 麻豆精品 S� says Vanessa Mor谩n, a senior graphic design student and treasurer of UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 Graphic Design Student Association. 麻豆精品 S淭hat’s something Associate Professor Victor Davila 麻豆精品 S�97 麻豆精品 S�07MFA has always instilled in us. 麻豆精品 S�

For Brianna Rodriguez, a junior graphic design student who received a $1,000 grant, the scholarship is validation for where she 麻豆精品 S檚 heading.

麻豆精品 S淚t felt like a message that my work has potential, and that I need to start seeing it that way, 麻豆精品 S� she says.

Building Industry Connections

The students 麻豆精品 S� takeaways from Creative South went well beyond scholarship awards. Known for its welcoming environment, the conference gave students direct access to industry professionals, hands-on feedback, and real-world insight.

The access stood out to AJ Sibul, a senior graphic design student, who says Creative South made the industry feel more human.

麻豆精品 S淭here 麻豆精品 S檚 no separation between attendees and speakers, 麻豆精品 S� Sibul says. 麻豆精品 S淭hey emphasize people first, titles second. 麻豆精品 S�

From portfolio reviews to keynote presentations to late-night networking events, students built meaningful connections with working creatives, leading to mentorship, internships, and future job opportunities.

UCF emerging media alumnus Josh Alonso 麻豆精品 S�25 understands that firsthand. Alonso first attended Creative South as a student, where he earned a scholarship from Heyo, a design and development agency, which included a yearlong mentorship with a professional from the company.

That experience led to his current full-time role, demonstrating how connections made at Creative South can translate directly into opportunities.

麻豆精品 S淭hat mentorship really grew into a friendship, which led to a job offer later down the road, 麻豆精品 S� Alonso says. 麻豆精品 S淭hey helped me understand the importance of being someone people wanted to work with, rather than just having the best-looking portfolio. 麻豆精品 S�

麻豆精品 S淢y career essentially got its 麻豆精品 S榡umpstart 麻豆精品 S� from the people I met at Creative South. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Josh Alonso 麻豆精品 S�25

Alonso 麻豆精品 S檚 journey reflects what many UCF students are beginning to experience: real pathways into creative careers.

麻豆精品 S淢y career essentially got its 麻豆精品 S榡umpstart 麻豆精品 S� from the people I met at Creative South, 麻豆精品 S� he says.

As UCF continues to invest in the next generation of creatives, experiences like Creative South equip students with the connections and confidence needed to succeed in the industry after graduation.

Fueled by engineering ingenuity and months of testing, a team of UCF mechanical engineering students raced its human-powered vehicle past competitors from across the country to claim a national championship.

What began as a Spring 2026 Senior Design project ended with the e-HPVC Senior Design team earning three first-place trophies at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) e-Human Powered Vehicle (e-HPVC) Challenge.

Hosted on UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 main campus, the annual competition challenges university teams to design, fabricate and race human-powered vehicles, testing everything from vehicle design and safety to endurance and speed.

UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 team took first place in both the endurance and drag race events, second place in design and first place overall, earning four trophies and $2,500 in prize money.

麻豆精品 S淏ecoming national champions while representing UCF feels surreal, says Estefano Cicci, a mechanical engineering major and member of the e-HPVC team. 麻豆精品 S淚 hope these trophies remind future students that the goals that feel out of reach are exactly the ones worth chasing, and that a small, dedicated team from UCF can prove itself on a national stage. 麻豆精品 S�

Building a Better Ride

In previous years, UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 e-HPVC teams have placed well in the competition with recumbent tricycles, but each new group strives to improve upon the last. Eric Cruz-Hernandez, a mechanical engineering student and member of this year 麻豆精品 S檚 team, says the group closely studied past designs to determine what worked and what needed improvement.

This year 麻豆精品 S檚 vehicle featured a mid-drive motor with electronic shifting to improve speed and battery endurance. The team also redesigned the frame to make it lighter and more accessible for riders of varying heights.

Engineering Excellence Across the Board

The e-HPVC team wasn 麻豆精品 S檛 the only group of Knights to win their competition.

A second UCF team placed second in the ASME Innovative Additive Manufacturing 3D Challenge, which asks students to re-engineer an existing product or create a new design. Teams were judged on ingenuity, engineering design principles and their use of additive manufacturing.

A third UCF team also showcased a fully functioning robot in the Student Design Competition, but didn 麻豆精品 S檛 place.

The Teamwork Behind the Trophies

For Bryce Ballard, a mechanical engineering student and external outreach chair for ASME at UCF, hosting the 2026 EFx event on campus was just as meaningful as competing in it. It not only gave students the chance to represent the university, but also to create a welcoming and supportive environment for teams traveling from across the country.

麻豆精品 S淥ne of the most impactful parts of hosting was being able to support other teams when they encountered issues with their trikes, 麻豆精品 S� Ballard says. 麻豆精品 S淲hether it was lending tools, helping troubleshoot problems or offering guidance, those interactions stood out the most. It reinforced that the competition is not only about performance, but also about collaboration, sportsmanship and building connections within the engineering community. 麻豆精品 S�

Johnston, who was born without arms, joined UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 program in Fall 2024 and is now graduating this May. IES, housed by the in the College of Community Innovation and Education, is a state-recognized, two-year certified transition program that immerses students with disabilities into campus life while helping them develop the independence necessary for long-term employment.

Johnston says she learned about IES online and became interested when she researched the program.

麻豆精品 S淚 feel more outgoing since I started the program. I was homeschooled and used to hang out with only three or four friends, so I was really shy when I first came here. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Nina Johnston, IES student

麻豆精品 S淭wo months after I graduated high school, my mom saw the application for IES on Facebook and asked if I wanted to apply, 麻豆精品 S� Johnston says. 麻豆精品 S淚 wanted a college experience, but I didn 麻豆精品 S檛 want to go to college for four or six years. Two years sounded perfect, so I thought it would be a good idea. After looking into the program, I thought, 麻豆精品 S楾his looks really fun. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S�

Program Director says Johnston made a strong first impression even before she arrived at UCF.

麻豆精品 S淎s part of her application, Nina sent a video of herself cleaning, doing her daily routine and even horseback riding, 麻豆精品 S� Best says. 麻豆精品 S淲e were amazed when we watched that video. When she came here, we saw firsthand how independent and determined she is. 麻豆精品 S�

Johnston started IES in August 2024, and it wasn 麻豆精品 S檛 long before she jumped right into various campus activities. While pursuing a major in hospitality, she joined Knights Exemplar and Best Buddies, two clubs that provide social and academic support to students with intellectual disabilities. In fact, she 麻豆精品 S檚 now a Buddy director with Best Buddies.

Her growing involvement even led to a part-time job at the information desk in the UCF Student Union. She says these experiences have greatly improved her confidence and social skills.

麻豆精品 S淏ut having all these classes and opportunities made me realize, 麻豆精品 S極K, I can do this. I can talk to people. 麻豆精品 S� IES helped me come out of my shell. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Nina Johnston, IES student

麻豆精品 S淚 feel more outgoing since I started the program, 麻豆精品 S� Johnston says. 麻豆精品 S淚 was homeschooled and used to hang out with only three or four friends, so I was really shy when I first came here. But having all these classes and opportunities made me realize, 麻豆精品 S極K, I can do this. I can talk to people. 麻豆精品 S� IES helped me come out of my shell. 麻豆精品 S�

Best says she has blossomed into an inspiring and beloved member of the IES community.

麻豆精品 S淣ina is a true leader, 麻豆精品 S� Best says. 麻豆精品 S淢any students in the program go to her for advice even before they come to us. They look up to her because she thrives in her academics while holding down a job. She 麻豆精品 S檚 always looking to pick up extra hours, and she never falls behind on her assignments while she 麻豆精品 S檚 working. She is a committed and hardworking student. 麻豆精品 S�

In her newfound social circle, Johnston made a connection that developed into something deeper over time. Soon after starting in the program, she met fellow student Zackary Bruns. Their friendship grew into a relationship, and they are now engaged to be married in November 2026.

As she plans for her wedding, Johnston has also been working to prepare other logistical aspects of her future. One of these is a major personal and practical achievement: her driver 麻豆精品 S檚 license, which she earned after practicing with IES 麻豆精品 S檚 AI-powered driving simulation.

麻豆精品 S淭he driving simulation at IES gave me a good idea of how traffic happens in real time, 麻豆精品 S� Johnston says. 麻豆精品 S淎nd it worked perfectly: I got my license on the first try. 麻豆精品 S�

Students with disabilities often lack adequate opportunities to practice driving, so many never earn their licenses 麻豆精品 S� something TJEEI Program Director says can be a barrier to employment.

麻豆精品 S淥ur driving simulator helps students get more comfortable behind the wheel, and Nina is a great example of that. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Christine Parsons, TJEEI Program Director

麻豆精品 S淚f students can 麻豆精品 S檛 drive and don 麻豆精品 S檛 have a car, they can 麻豆精品 S檛 get to work without public transportation, 麻豆精品 S� Parsons says. 麻豆精品 S淭hat can be a huge issue, especially here in Central Florida. Our driving simulator helps students get more comfortable behind the wheel, and Nina is a great example of that. 麻豆精品 S�

Equipped with her license, Johnston and Bruns are now focusing on two main goals: securing full-time employment and finding an apartment. They have decided to move to Ocala, Florida, where they plan to be close to Johnston 麻豆精品 S檚 parents as they begin the next stage of their lives.

Looking ahead, Johnston says she is excited for her next chapter and grateful for all her experiences at UCF.

麻豆精品 S淲hen I was in my first semester of IES, it felt like it took forever, 麻豆精品 S� Johnston says. 麻豆精品 S淏ut now that I 麻豆精品 S檓 here, it 麻豆精品 S檚 like, 麻豆精品 S榃here did the time go? 麻豆精品 S� I 麻豆精品 S檓 sad to leave the program, but I 麻豆精品 S檓 happy I did it because I 麻豆精品 S檝e met so many wonderful people. 麻豆精品 S�