That �鶹��Ʒ S�s because every dollar ripples far beyond a single day. Every gift opens doors: for students to chase a dream, create unforgettable memories, boldly invent the future and be recognized for their hard work. And every donor does more than give �鶹��Ʒ S� they ignite potential, spark inspiration and elevate Knights for generations.

With UCF Day of Giving 2026 right around the corner �鶹��Ʒ S� Thursday, April 9 �鶹��Ʒ S� we �鶹��Ʒ S�re reflecting on the transformational effects and personal stories of triumph that emerged from last year �鶹��Ʒ S�s show of support, knowing that shortly, our collective contributions will set another wave of Black & Gold breakthroughs, successes and discoveries into motion.

Prioritizing Unique Opportunities

Area of Support: College of Engineering and Computer Science Dean �鶹��Ʒ S�s Excellence Fund
Amount Raised: $67,421
Impact: Learning experiences

Growing up in rural Ohio, Jordan Hires, an aerospace engineering major and Burnett Honors College Scholar, often gazed at the boundless night sky, inspired by the astronauts from her home state of Ohio. Moving 1,000 miles away for college was daunting, but manageable. With her sights set on becoming a chief engineer for deep space flights, UCF offered two key benefits: a renowned aerospace engineering program and proximity to NASA.

�鶹��Ʒ S�It �鶹��Ʒ S�s the best decision I �鶹��Ʒ S�ve made, �鶹��Ʒ S� she says.

Since becoming a Knight, she �鶹��Ʒ S�s done backstage tours at NASA, met with industry leaders from Mitsubishi, Siemens Energy and Lockheed Martin, and even talked to a former astronaut at an awards ceremony. This past summer, she worked alongside Professor Kareem Ahmed in the Propulsion and Energy Research Lab as a U.S. National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) fellow, testing a solution to remove heat from engines �鶹��Ʒ S� research that could make hypersonic aircraft safer and cheaper. It was her second research experience as an undergrad.

�鶹��Ʒ S�I don �鶹��Ʒ S�t know if it �鶹��Ʒ S�s every little girl �鶹��Ʒ S�s dream to work on classified projects with military and civilian applications, but it definitely was this little girl �鶹��Ʒ S�s dream, �鶹��Ʒ S� she says. �鶹��Ʒ S�Thanks to UCF, I �鶹��Ʒ S�ve had experiences that most students don �鶹��Ʒ S�t get until graduate school. �鶹��Ʒ S�

Many of those opportunities are made possible by the College of Engineering and Computer Science Dean �鶹��Ʒ S�s Excellence Fund, which supports hands-on learning, cutting-edge research equipment and innovative initiatives.

Supporting Lasting Memories

Area of Support: Marching Knights Scholarship Fund
Amount Raised: $14,067
Impact: Multiple scholarships for band members

For UCF Marching Knights President Zoie Taverna, two moments define her UCF experience: the rush of running onto the field for her first game and the bittersweet joy of singing the alma mater song alongside her best friend for their final game before graduation.

�鶹��Ʒ S�For three whole years, we stood next to each other in the stands, screaming, feeding off each other �鶹��Ʒ S�s energy, �鶹��Ʒ S� Taverna says. �鶹��Ʒ S�For her last game, we went all out. We couldn �鶹��Ʒ S�t even talk by the end of it. We cried while singing the alma mater. �鶹��Ʒ S�

Taverna is among the Marching Knights whose experiences at UCF are bolstered by the Branen Band Endowed Scholarship, which helps cover essentials like textbooks, meals and rent that her Bright Futures scholarship does not. As a mechanical engineering major, band leader and corresponding secretary for the national chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, she packs her days with coursework, practice and student engagement.

During the summers, she works full-time at a summer camp for kids, and she spends her weekends and evenings at Panera Bread to save up enough to cover the expenses to allow her to stay focused while in school.

�鶹��Ʒ S�Without scholarships, I wouldn �鶹��Ʒ S�t have the time to do extracurriculars, such as Marching Knights, where I get to represent UCF in Central Florida and around the world, �鶹��Ʒ S� she says. �鶹��Ʒ S�And I wouldn �鶹��Ʒ S�t get to spend every Saturday in the Bounce House with all of my friends, immersed in the band life we love. �鶹��Ʒ S�

Illuminating Pathways

Area of Support: College of Optics and Photonics (CREOL)
Amount Raised: $54,880
Impact: $4,880 Went Toward Supporting 19 scholarships for attendees

This summer, high school student Chloe Phung left the bright lights of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, to spend a week immersed in the study of light on ����� �鶹��Ʒ S�s campus. As part of the third Laser and Photonics Summer Camp hosted by CREOL, she joined more than 50 high school students from across Central Florida �鶹��Ʒ S� and around the world.

�鶹��Ʒ S�I had the chance to learn many things, to learn more about optics, lenses and lasers, �鶹��Ʒ S� Phung says.

In addition to learning opportunities, the camp shines a light on the photonics industry, where more than 10,000 jobs open each year in the U.S., despite only 80 to 100 students in the nation graduating with bachelor �鶹��Ʒ S�s degrees in photonics annually. A third of those graduates come from CREOL.

Paying it Forward

Area of Support: Dr. Michelle R. Dusseau Communication and Community Impact Endowed Scholarship Fund
Amount Raised: $1,780
Impact: $1,500 scholarship for one communication major, awarded annually

Beatrix Alerte transferred to UCF in Spring 2024 with a plan: build community on campus, explore a career in media, stay active in service and say yes to every opportunity.

The first three goals came naturally. She enrolled in classes, mentored two freshmen as part of the UCF chapter of Big Sister Little Sister mentoring program and served as a trip coordinator for the Alternative Spring Break Program. Alerte also gained work experience as a marketing ambassador for Project BEST, a Student Support Services project that supports first generation students, and as an intern with UCF Athletics.

Her final goal was made easier this summer when Alerte was named the inaugural recipient of the Dr. Michelle R. Dusseau Communication and Community Impact Endowed Scholarship, created this past year by longtime the College of Science‘s Nicholson School of Communication and Media faculty member Michelle Dusseau.

�鶹��Ʒ S�This scholarship has given me the freedom to say yes to career-building opportunities, many of which are unpaid, while worrying less about covering

personal living expenses, �鶹��Ʒ S� Alerte says. �鶹��Ʒ S�That support makes all the difference. �鶹��Ʒ S�

This UCF Day of Giving, we �鶹��Ʒ S�re launching Knights to new heights! Save the date to on Thursday, April 9, 2026. Check out the to maximize your impact. And get ready to join your Knight Nation family as we Bounce, Stomp, Splash and Cheer our way to more impact than ever before.

Researchers convening at UCF underscores the university �鶹��Ʒ S�s national role as America �鶹��Ʒ S�s Space University and its growing influence in hypersonic science, aerospace innovation, and defense research.

�鶹��Ʒ S�Bringing this national team to UCF is a tremendous step forward, �鶹��Ʒ S� says Trustee Chair Professor Kareem Ahmed, director of the UCF HyperSpace Research Center. �鶹��Ʒ S�This program will advance our understanding of the fundamental science behind hypersonic material interactions, driving breakthroughs in advanced materials, propulsion systems, and next-generation vehicle technologies. �鶹��Ʒ S�

The five-year MURI will develop new methods that combine laboratory experiments, operando testing, and atomistic simulations using advanced deep-generative algorithms. These techniques can disentangle multiple drivers of observed behavior, handle noisy measurements, and overcome nonlinear and chaotic relationships between what scientists can measure and what they need to infer. The goal: integrate diverse datasets and pinpoint which inputs matter most.

�鶹��Ʒ S�Known for boldly advancing critical hypersonic technologies, ����� �鶹��Ʒ S�s world-class faculty are well-positioned to join their colleagues at other leading research universities to strengthen our nation �鶹��Ʒ S�s capabilities in this area of significant national interest, �鶹��Ʒ S� says UCF Vice President for Research and Innovation Winston Schoenfeld. �鶹��Ʒ S�Fitting for the nation �鶹��Ʒ S�s top provider of graduates to the aerospace and defense industries, this partnership also will provide invaluable hands-on experiences for dozens of student researchers at the ���������貹���������Գٱ��, ensuring a highly trained workforce. �鶹��Ʒ S�

The initiative is expected to influence future U.S. Department of Defense hypersonic systems.

The initiative is expected to influence future U.S. Department of Defense hypersonic systems �鶹��Ʒ S� from vehicles and weapons to propulsion technologies �鶹��Ʒ S� by improving material models, enhancing reliability assessments, and providing a framework that can be replicated across other advanced materials programs.

The team includes leading experts in probabilistic inference (Assad Oberai, University of Southern California; Romit Maulik, Purdue University); hypersonic flight experiments and simulation (Kareem Ahmed, UCF; Savio Poovathingal, University of Kentucky; Onkar Sahni, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute); and micro-scale solid �鶹��Ʒ S�gas interface physics (Aiichiro Nakano, University of Southern California).

In addition, the program will train the next generation of researchers through hands-on work with four postdoctoral scholars, 10 graduate students and 10 undergraduate students in areas such as scientific machine learning, high-speed flows, computational physics, and materials science.

This MURI marks a major step forward in advancing the science behind hypersonic systems and will help pave the way for safer, more reliable, and more capable technologies for national defense.

Established in 2017, the annual awards recognize faculty whose achievements reflect the university �鶹��Ʒ S�s highest standards in advancing knowledge, inspiring others and elevating ����� �鶹��Ʒ S�s impact across disciplines and communities. �鶹��Ʒ S�

�鶹��Ʒ S�Thank you for the ideas you pursue, the people you inspire and the impact you create, �鶹��Ʒ S� said UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright at Wednesday �鶹��Ʒ S�s celebration at the Burnett House, home of ����� �鶹��Ʒ S�s president and first lady. �鶹��Ʒ S�You are advancing what is possible for our students, our state and our world �鶹��Ʒ S� and proving every day that ����� �鶹��Ʒ S�s brightest light comes from our people. �鶹��Ʒ S�

Honorees were selected based on nominations by deans, department chairs and directors from across UCF. The event gathered family members and friends, fellow faculty, former awardees and community leaders to celebrate their achievements.

Joining in recognizing the honorees were UCF Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs John Buckwalter, Vice President for Research and Innovation Winston Schoenfeld, and Interim Vice Provost for Faculty Excellence Joel Cramer.

Here are this year �鶹��Ʒ S�s luminaries.

Mohamed Abdel-Aty

Pegasus  Professor and Trustee Chair, Department of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Abdel-Aty is recognized globally as a leading light in transportation engineering and traffic safety, ranking as the world �鶹��Ʒ S�s most cited researcher in his field for the past five years.

Through innovations in technology, computing, artificial intelligence and sensing, he has contributed to preserving lives and preventing crashes for drivers and pedestrians alike. His pioneering technologies to better manage traffic have been deployed across Florida, the United States and the world, including in Sweden and the United Arab Emirates.

�鶹��Ʒ S�Dr. Abdel-Aty is a one-of-a-kind researcher whose individual and research group achievements are paralleled only by the state, national and global impacts he has made, �鶹��Ʒ S� said Kevin Mackie, the engineering department chair who nominated Abdel-Aty for his award.

Over three decades at UCF, Abel-Aty has secured more than $32 million for research and managed more than 90 related projects. This includes development by him and his team of CitySim, a drone-based database capturing driving behaviors at challenging highway sites that has led to new insights for preventing traffic mishaps. Among other accomplishments, Abdel-Aty also developed the nation �鶹��Ʒ S�s first master �鶹��Ʒ S�s degree in smart cities.

Kareem Ahmed

Trustee Chair and professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Ahmed is reshaping the future of air flight and space travel. A world expert in hypersonic and space propulsion, his pioneering work includes developing technology that makes a 15-minute flight from coast to coast a future possibility.

Ahmed heads the UCF Center of Excellence in Hypersonic and Space Propulsion, which develops technology and innovation aimed at enhancing national defense and fostering new frontiers in space exploration. Beyond advancing faster air and space travel, Ahmed and his team �鶹��Ʒ S�s research holds promise for enabling lighter, energy-efficient rockets that burn clean fuel and travel farther at a reduced cost.

The U.S. Department of Defense supports Ahmed �鶹��Ʒ S�s work through multiple research grants, which also offer opportunities for his students �鶹��Ʒ S� the next generation of innovators and explorers �鶹��Ʒ S� to prepare for space industry careers.

�鶹��Ʒ S�Throughout his career, Dr. Ahmed has demonstrated exceptional leadership in both research and education, �鶹��Ʒ S� said Hyoung Jin Cho, Ahmed �鶹��Ʒ S�s interim department chair, who nominated him for the award. �鶹��Ʒ S�His pioneering work on detonation-based propulsion and supersonic combustion has expanded our understanding of aerospace engineering and has been recognized by prestigious awards, media coverage, competitive funding and high-impact publications. �鶹��Ʒ S�

Tim Brown

Associate professor, School of Performing Arts, College of Arts and Humanities

Brown is an internationally renowned theater and music tour designer in demand for his artistry, creativity and ingenuity.

His scene designs are sought by celebrities that have included late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel and rapper and music producer J. Cole. Brown has designed environments in world-class venues, such as Madison Square Garden, and for the Festival Musica in Strasbourg, France. When the Los Angeles Philharmonic premiered an original opera, Place, it called on Brown to recreate his designs from the world premiere at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, another premier theatrical venue.

Locally, Brown brings his talents to the Orlando Shakes and Orlando Family Stage. At UCF, he teaches various theatre technology and design courses, sharing his professional insights and leading-edge industry practices to prepare students for successful careers.

�鶹��Ʒ S�Professor Brown is richly deserving of a Luminary Award. He is one of the school’s top achieving theater artists with an international reputation for excellence and the credits to back that up, �鶹��Ʒ S� said Michael Wainstein, director of the School of Performing Arts.

Yue �鶹��Ʒ S�Gurt �鶹��Ʒ S� Ge

Associate professor, School of Public Administration, College of Community Innovation and Education

Ge aims to make cities safer and more resilient to disasters, from hurricanes to disease outbreaks. He explores how governments, organizations and communities can collaborate more effectively on strategies and action plans to create for stronger and more adaptable places to live.

As faculty co-lead of ����� �鶹��Ʒ S�s Urban Resilience Initiative, he brought more than 50 scholars and community partners together to boost urban resilience. This work led to two major U.S. National Science Foundation-funded projects: a Smart and Connected Communities grant focused on artificial intelligence to improve risk communication, and a Civic Innovation Challenge grant for establishing educational and urban resilience hubs. Ge is among a few social scientists nationwide to lead both types of NSF projects.

His research is shaping public policy and practice, including through a mobile emergency training app being adopted by ����� �鶹��Ʒ S�s Office of Emergency Management and a city-supported resilience hub serving Orlando neighborhoods.

�鶹��Ʒ S�Dr. Ge is a nationally and internationally recognized scholar in the interdisciplinary fields of community resilience and smart cities, �鶹��Ʒ S� said Doug Goodman, director of the School of Public Administration. �鶹��Ʒ S�His work exemplifies UCF’s mission to unleash the potential of people and ideas to positively change the world. �鶹��Ʒ S�

Carmen Giurgescu

Chatlos Foundation Endowed Chair and associate dean for research, College of Nursing

Giurgescu excels as a world-renowned maternal researcher and game changer for elevating her college �鶹��Ʒ S�s excellence and national prominence.

As a women �鶹��Ʒ S�s health nurse practitioner, she works to give mothers and babies the best possible start by reducing preterm births and improving health outcomes. Her impactful research portfolio involves multi-millions in grants �鶹��Ʒ S� including from the National Institutes of Health �鶹��Ʒ S� as both a principal and co-investigator.

Giurgescu has spearheaded innovative research initiatives, developed training programs and provided critical support to steadily grow her college �鶹��Ʒ S�s research expenditures, placing it among the top 50 nursing schools nationwide.

�鶹��Ʒ S�Her research is not only advancing scientific understanding but also transforming clinical practice, �鶹��Ʒ S� former College of Nursing Dean Mary Lou Sole said in Giurgescu �鶹��Ʒ S�s award nomination. �鶹��Ʒ S�Across her college, Dr. Giurgescu has fostered a culture of discovery and collaboration. �鶹��Ʒ S�

Chiara Mazzucchelli

Associate professor and Dr. Neil Euliano Chair in Italian Studies, Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, College of Arts and Humanities

Mazzucchelli’s passion for scholarship and teaching fosters connections to other cultures that expand learning opportunities for students.

She directs ����� �鶹��Ʒ S�s Italian studies program and is internationally recognized for her scholarship in Italian American studies, particularly on Sicilian migration. Her leadership in strengthening ties between the United States and Italy, including with the Italian consulate in Miami, have led to various grants from Italy �鶹��Ʒ S�s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Such partnerships have enhanced course offerings and created new opportunities for students to engage with Italian language, culture and global perspectives.

Meanwhile, Mazzucchelli’s contributions have earned prestigious honors in Italy. Last year, she was named a Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy �鶹��Ʒ S� the nation �鶹��Ʒ S�s second-highest civilian honor and awarded by Italy �鶹��Ʒ S�s president to citizens who foster meaningful international relations. In 2023, she received the Euno Award from Kiwanis International in Enna, Italy, for her impact on education and the next generation of scholars.

�鶹��Ʒ S�Her exceptional combination of research, academic leadership and international reputation make her eminently worthy of this recognition, �鶹��Ʒ S� said Geri Smith, chair of ����� �鶹��Ʒ S�s Department of Modern Languages and Literatures.

Keri Watson

Professor of art history and assistant director, School of Visual Arts and Design, College of Arts and Humanities

Watson’s scholarship and community engagement show how the humanities can lift lives and benefit society.

Watson has attracted over $1.7 million from national foundations in the past three years to power her research and the Florida Prison Education Project. She founded and directs the program to open college doors for incarcerated Floridians and change the course of their lives.

Watson �鶹��Ʒ S�s publications and curated exhibitions, such as Silent Protest: Perspectives on War and Disability and Illuminating the Darkness: Our Carceral Landscape, have sparked widespread dialogue on incarceration, disability and civic engagement.

�鶹��Ʒ S�Dr. Watson exemplifies what it means to be a luminary at UCF, �鶹��Ʒ S� said Rudy McDaniel, director of the School of Visual Arts and Design. �鶹��Ʒ S�Through her scholarship, teaching and public humanities leadership, she advances interdisciplinary research excellence and extends the university �鶹��Ʒ S�s reach far beyond campus. �鶹��Ʒ S�

For this year’s game, the Knights defeated North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, 68-7, at Acrisure Bounce House. UCF proudly welcomed distinguished leaders from seven major military commands, celebrating the enduring partnership between UCF and the U.S. Armed Forces. The event served as a powerful reminder of the collaborative spirit that drives innovation, readiness and national defense.

Among the honored guests were:

• Maj. Gen. James E. Smith, representing STARCOM (Space Training and Readiness Command), whose mission is to prepare the U.S. Space Force through cutting-edge education, training and testing.
• Brig. Gen. Christine A. Beeler, leading PEO STRI (Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation), focused on delivering advanced training and information operations capabilities.
• Col. Brian L. Chatman of Launch Delta 45, responsible for managing all space launch operations from the East Coast and ensuring assured access to space.
• Capt. Robert Betts, commanding NAWC TSD (Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division), the Navy �鶹��Ʒ S�s hub for training system development and inter-service coordination.
• Col. Anthony C. Graham, representing AFAMS (Air Force Agency for Modeling and Simulation), which enhances operational training through integrated simulation technologies.
• Col. Wynndee M. Young, leading PM TRASYS (Program Manager for Training Systems), dedicated to improving Marine Corps readiness through ground training systems.
• Ivan Martinez, director of STTC (Simulation and Training Technology Center), whose team pioneers simulation technologies to maximize soldier effectiveness.

Their presence at the game underscored the deep ties between UCF and the U.S. Department of Defense, especially in the areas of research, simulation and training. As a university located in the heart of Central Florida �鶹��Ʒ S�s modeling and simulation corridor, UCF is proud to collaborate with these commands to advance military readiness and innovation.

UCF is nationally recognized for its commitment to helping military and veteran students succeed from enrollment to employment. The university is a Military Friendly Schools honoree, a Military Order of the Purple Heart University, and a Collegiate Purple Star campus. It also ranks No. 8 nationally among U.S. News & World Report �鶹��Ʒ S�s Best Online Bachelor �鶹��Ʒ S�s Programs for Veterans.

From cutting-edge research that supports veterans �鶹��Ʒ S� health to academic programs tailored for active-duty personnel, ����� �鶹��Ʒ S�s deep-rooted ties to the military extend far beyond the stadium. These connections strengthen Florida �鶹��Ʒ S�s communities, empower students and uplift those who serve.

Here are some powerful ways UCF and the military are united year-round.

Fueling the Success of Military-Affiliated Students

UCF has a long history of welcoming and supporting military-affiliated students. More than 3,300, including computer science student Trevor Chandrapaul, are currently enrolled.

Chandrapaul began his studies at Valencia College before taking a five-year detour to serve in the U.S. Navy as a gas turbine systems technician working in the engine room. His time with the Navy shifted his academic interest from physical therapy to computer science and eventually led him to UCF.

�鶹��Ʒ S�Coming from the military, [I wanted to] continue to serve after [my] service, �鶹��Ʒ S� he says. �鶹��Ʒ S�[UCF] is surrounded by so many defense companies, and I felt like it was a good place for me to continue my studies. �鶹��Ʒ S�

Through the Office of Military and Veteran Student Success, �鶹��Ʒ S�he quickly found community among other veterans. Since 2011, the resource center has offered support and a sense of community to students, faculty and staff veterans on campus. Here, students receive academic and career advising focused on the needs of veterans, as well as guidance on the use and benefits of the GI Bill.

Chandrapaul, like many other military and veteran students, credits the center with making the transition from military life into a university setting smoother.

�鶹��Ʒ S�I saw how many military veterans actually attended [UCF], �鶹��Ʒ S� he says. �鶹��Ʒ S�I reached out to someone at the [Office of Military and Veteran Student Success] and they took the time to talk to me and offer reassurance. �鶹��Ʒ S�

The UCF campus is also home to Army and Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs that combined have about 170 students preparing to become commissioned officers in the U.S. Armed Forces.

This fall, UCF is also supporting service members through a new academic partnership, called Service to Service, which helps veterans and their families pursue graduate degrees in public service fields �鶹��Ʒ S� allowing them to leverage their military experience in rewarding new roles. The university is one of 12 universities nationwide �鶹��Ʒ S� and the only school in Florida and the southeast �鶹��Ʒ S� that is participating in the pilot program, which is a collaboration with nonprofits The Volcker Alliance and We the Veterans.

Top Talent Pipeline to the Defense Industry

The university has repeatedly been recognized by Aviation Week Network as the nation �鶹��Ʒ S�s top talent pipeline for students to work in the aerospace and defense industry, meaning a UCF education prepares students well for future success in those industries.

Students learn from world-class faculty who bring exceptional industry and academic experience into the classroom, and ����� �鶹��Ʒ S�s location in Orlando provides many nearby internship and career opportunities.

Among the opportunities UCF students often secure is the Department of Defense �鶹��Ʒ S�s SMART Scholarship program, which provides STEM students with financial support, a summer internship, an experienced mentor and guaranteed employment with the DOD after graduation.

�鶹��Ʒ S�I was drawn to the program �鶹��Ʒ S�s integration of academic advancement with real-world application, especially within the DOD �鶹��Ʒ S�s infrastructure and research divisions, �鶹��Ʒ S� says Carlos Arteaga, a master �鶹��Ʒ S�s in civil engineering student and one of three Knights who received the scholarship this summer. �鶹��Ʒ S�The opportunity to contribute to national security while deepening my expertise in structural and geotechnical engineering made it an ideal fit. �鶹��Ʒ S�

In July, Lockheed Martin and UCF expanded a partnership that has been in place for more than 40 years, greatly impacting the State of Florida �鶹��Ʒ S�s economic prosperity, fueling innovation and strengthening student success.

As part of that agreement, Lockheed Martin will expand investments in the highly successful �鶹��Ʒ S�College Work Experience Program, which since 1981 has provided unrivaled work experiences for more than 10,000 students in engineering, business and many other disciplines �鶹��Ʒ S� and led to many of those students earning full-time employment with Lockheed Martin.

UCF, Air Force Partner on Hypersonic Technology

World-renowned faculty member Kareem Ahmed and his research team are partnering with the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research to advance the technology that fuels hypersonic travel �鶹��Ʒ S� at speeds up to 13,000 miles per hour �鶹��Ʒ S� to �鶹��Ʒ S�help enhance national defense �鶹��Ʒ S�and �鶹��Ʒ S�open up new frontiers in space exploration.

Ahmed, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering in the �鶹��Ʒ S�College of Engineering and Computer Science, has received multiple U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) grants to develop hypersonic technology.

Hypersonic propulsion allows for air travel at speeds of Mach 6 to 17, meaning six to 17 times the speed of sound, or more than 4,600 mph to 13,000 mph.

Advanced hypersonic propulsion systems are a national priority and are essential to maintaining U.S. national defense as global technological advancements continue to evolve.

UCF, Military Advance Modeling and Simulation Technology Together

UCF continues to develop connections with the U.S. military that ensure they benefit from the most advanced technologies and training. These partnerships also strengthen Florida �鶹��Ʒ S�s high-tech economy, as Orlando is a national hub of the modeling and simulation industry attracting nearly $7 billion in annual contracts.

����� �鶹��Ʒ S�s Institute for Simulation and Training is the academic leader of the industry. The institute �鶹��Ʒ S�s partners include the Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation, Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, Air Force Agency for Modeling and Simulation and the Marine Corps Program Manager for Training Systems, among others that are also part of the Team Orlando community.

IST modeling and simulation research in strategic areas such as digital twin, AI, human performance, quantum, and spatial computing has accelerated practical innovations in multiple U.S. Army projects and developed multiple tools that are currently in the hands of personnel in every branch of service. In one of the most recent projects, IST’s researchers partnered with the Army to develop a human digital twin prototype that can be a mission team member supporting the commander in the next generation of combat vehicles.

Regaining Lives Through UCF RESTORES

UCF RESTORES provides clinical treatment services to first responders, front-line medical personnel, military veterans, active-duty military personnel and survivors of mass violence and natural disasters �鶹��Ʒ S� helping them overcome trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and lead fulfilling careers and family lives. The program �鶹��Ʒ S�s innovative therapy includes elements of virtual reality, with treatment success rates far exceeding the national average.

UCF RESTORES has treated more than 1,900 veterans, active-duty military personnel and first responders.

Clinicians don �鶹��Ʒ S�t just treat PTSD �鶹��Ʒ S� they challenge it head on through a model called Trauma Management Therapy, which involves helping patients confront traumatic memories in a safe, structured environment. They do this through customized, immersive virtual reality technology that helps clinicians recreate elements of patients �鶹��Ʒ S� unique traumatic experiences.

One-on-one sessions are delivered alongside group therapy �鶹��Ʒ S� which addresses challenges with anger, sleep, guilt, depression and social isolation �鶹��Ʒ S� to drive long-term recovery.

Kareem Ahmed, a world expert in hypersonic and space propulsion, is a professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and a faculty member of ����� �鶹��Ʒ S�s Center for Advanced Turbomachinery and Energy Research.

His groundbreaking work includes developing technology that makes a 15-minute flight from coast to coast a future possibility.

Ahmed joins  of UCF faculty members to receive the five-year trustee chair appointments, which were created in 2003 to help retain and attract exceptional faculty. The designation carries an annual stipend for honorees to advance their scholarship, part of which can be used as a salary supplement.

, who are evaluated by a trustee chair review committee and affirmed by ����� �鶹��Ʒ S�s president and provost.

“Accomplished and innovative faculty �鶹��Ʒ S� including those honored as trustee chairs �鶹��Ʒ S� are the cornerstone of ����� �鶹��Ʒ S�s academic excellence and essential to achieving our vision as Florida �鶹��Ʒ S�s Premier Engineering and Technology University,” UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright says. “Dr. Ahmed’s bold work is inventing the future of the aerospace and defense industries, inspiring future innovators and generating impact that will be felt for generations.”

Ahmed heads the UCF Center of Excellence in Hypersonic and Space Propulsion, which opened last fall to develop technology and innovation aimed at enhancing national defense and fostering new frontiers in space exploration. Beyond advancing faster air and space travel, Ahmed and his team �鶹��Ʒ S�s research holds promise for enabling lighter, energy-efficient rockets that burn clean fuel and travel farther at a reduced cost.

The U.S. Department of Defense supports Ahmed �鶹��Ʒ S�s work through multiple research grants, which also offer opportunities for students to prepare for careers in the space industry. Ahmed �鶹��Ʒ S�s strong record of mentoring and advising encompasses 145 doctoral, master �鶹��Ʒ S�s and honors undergraduate thesis students who have either graduated or are currently pursuing their degree.

Before joining UCF in 2014, Ahmed was an assistant professor at Old Dominion University �鶹��Ʒ S�s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and served as a faculty member at Florida State University. He spent three years as a senior aero/thermo engineer at aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney, focusing on military engines and working on advanced engine programs and technologies. Widely published in his field, Ahmed is a fellow of The Combustion Institute, a Department of the Navy Distinguished Faculty Fellow, an American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics associate fellow and a U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory and Office of Naval Research faculty fellow.

Ahmed earned his doctoral and master �鶹��Ʒ S�s degrees in mechanical engineering from the University at Buffalo and his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the New York State College at Alfred University.

Founded in 1963 with the mission to provide talent for Central Florida and the growing U.S. space program, the university �鶹��Ʒ S�s extensive involvement in space research and education not only drives innovations in space technology but also prepares the next generation of leaders in the field.

With more than 40 active NASA projects totaling more than $67 million in funding, UCF continues to push the frontiers of space research, and its contributions promise to help shape the future of humanity’s presence in the cosmos.

����� �鶹��Ʒ S�s cutting-edge areas of space expertise include:

Space Medicine

����� �鶹��Ʒ S�s College of Medicine is pioneering new frontiers in aerospace medicine, positioning itself as a leader in space health research and education. Spearheaded by initiatives to create an interdisciplinary curriculum, UCF is integrating expertise from engineering, medicine and nursing to address the unique health challenges of space exploration.

The college is building on existing research in space health, including innovative studies on the effects of microgravity on bone health, which could lead to improved protection for astronauts. Collaborations across disciplines, such as testing therapeutics for radiation protection and developing antimicrobial solutions for space station environments, highlight ����� �鶹��Ʒ S�s commitment to advancing astronaut health and shaping the future of space medicine.

Space Propulsion and Power

UCF is advancing space propulsion with groundbreaking research that could make space travel more efficient and viable for future missions. Researchers are developing innovative hypersonic propulsion systems, such as rotating detonation rocket engines, which harness high-speed detonations to increase propulsion efficiency and reduce fuel consumption �鶹��Ʒ S� an advancement that could significantly lower costs and emissions associated with space travel, creating new commercial opportunities in the industry. UCF is taking its hypersonics research even further with its recently launched Center of Excellence in Hypersonic and Space Propulsion �鶹��Ʒ S� the HyperSpace Center.

Additionally, UCF teams are exploring novel power systems for spacecraft venturing far from the sun, where solar energy becomes impractical. With funding from NASA, researchers are creating storable chemical heat sources capable of providing essential heat and power in extreme environments, from the icy surfaces of distant moons to the intense heat of Venus.

Space Technology and Engineering

UCF is forging the future of space technology with innovations that push the boundaries of lunar and deep space exploration. Through advancements in lunar resource utilization, UCF has developed methods to efficiently extract ice from lunar soil so that it can be transformed into vital resources like water and rocket fuel, while new techniques for processing lunar soil drastically reduce construction costs for infrastructure such as landing pads.

UCF researchers are also pioneering 3D-printed bricks made from lunar regolith that withstand extreme space conditions, setting the foundation for resilient off-world habitats. Lunar regolith is the loose dust, rocks and materials that cover the moon �鶹��Ʒ S�s surface.

����� �鶹��Ʒ S�s Exolith Lab, part of the , continues to lead in space hardware testing, advancing resource extraction and lunar construction technologies. Meanwhile, FSI’s CubeSat program is opening new doors in space exploration with compact, affordable satellites that give students and researchers access to microgravity and beyond.

Space Commercialization

UCF’s new space commercialization program �鶹��Ʒ S� led by , College of Business professor of practice and associate provost for space commercialization and strategy �鶹��Ʒ S� positions the university as a leader in space-related business education.

Autry will guide the college �鶹��Ʒ S�s efforts to deliver Executive and MBA programs in space commercialization, driving curriculum development and establishing space-focused programs that equip students to lead in the growing commercial space industry.

In addition to the space commercialization program, Autry will be working with external stakeholders, including NASA, the U.S. Space Force and commercial firms like Blue Origin, SpaceX and Virgin Galactic, to develop opportunities to advance mutual interests in space.

This includes working with Kennedy Space Center to lead a State University System partnership with the state of Florida to develop the necessary talent to maintain and expand Florida �鶹��Ʒ S�s leadership in space exploration and commercialization.

Autry will also be leading ����� �鶹��Ʒ S�s effort to develop and execute a roadmap for the university �鶹��Ʒ S�s SpaceU brand through targeted investments in talent and facilities.

Space Domain Awareness

UCF is advancing space domain awareness research to protect critical assets in orbit by developing sophisticated algorithms for tracking and predicting the movement of objects such as satellites and asteroids, so they don �鶹��Ʒ S�t collide with spacecraft. Under the guidance of aerospace engineering expert Tarek Elgohary, UCF researchers are creating a computational framework to rapidly and accurately track space objects in real time. This initiative is backed by the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research Dynamic Data and Information Process Program.

UCF is also addressing the growing issue of orbital debris through a NASA-funded study that includes researchers from ����� �鶹��Ʒ S�s FSI and . This project seeks to increase public awareness and support for managing space debris, a hazard to satellites and potential space tourism ventures.

Workforce Development

UCF is propelling students toward dynamic careers in the space industry with hands-on programs and sought-after internship opportunities. Through the new engineering graduate certificate in electronic parts engineering, developed in collaboration with NASA, students are gaining essential skills in testing and evaluating space-ready electronic components �鶹��Ʒ S� a key advantage for aspiring space professionals.

Additionally, UCF students can benefit from hands-on internships at Kennedy Space Center, where they gain real-world experience in various fields, from engineering to project management.

At the , students gain direct experience in microgravity research and robotics. The center embodies ����� �鶹��Ʒ S�s commitment to democratizing space access, offering pathways for students from all backgrounds to participate in and contribute to the growing space industry.

FSI �鶹��Ʒ S�s CubeSat program further immerses students in satellite design and operation, offering direct involvement in active space missions.

Planetary Science

UCF’s planetary science program is driving breakthroughs in space exploration with projects spanning the moon, Mars and beyond. The NASA-funded Lunar-VISE mission, led by UCF, will explore the Gruithuisen domes on the far side of the moon to understand their volcanic origins, potentially unlocking insights crucial for future space exploration.

Complementing this, UCF researchers are contributing to NASA �鶹��Ʒ S�s Lunar Trailblazer mission, which will map water ice deposits on the moon �鶹��Ʒ S� an essential resource for sustained stays in space. On another front, UCF scientists are studying dust behavior in microgravity through experiments that flew on Blue Origin �鶹��Ʒ S�s New Shepard rocket, potentially leading to strategies for mitigating lunar dust, a challenge for electronics and equipment on future missions.

Expanding its reach beyond the moon, ����� �鶹��Ʒ S�s planetary science research involves asteroid studies, including the high-profile OSIRIS-REx mission to asteroid Bennu and examining seismic wave propagation in simulated asteroid materials to understand asteroid evolution and early planetary formation. UCF is also home to the , a node of NASA �鶹��Ʒ S�s Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute, which facilitates NASA �鶹��Ʒ S�s exploration of deep space by focusing its goals at the intersection of surface science and surface exploration of rocky, atmosphereless bodies.

Additionally, UCF researchers are studying trans-Neptunian objects and using the James Webb Space Telescope to explore the solar system’s outer reaches, analyzing ancient ices to uncover clues about the solar system’s history, while also investigating exoplanets to advance our understanding of other planets and to search for life beyond Earth.

In parallel, UCF researchers are also advancing bold ideas for terraforming Mars through nanoparticle dispersion to create warming effect, making the Red Planet potentially more habitable.

UCF researchers have also contributed their expertise to multiple high-profile NASA missions, including Cassini, Mars Pathfinder, Mars Curiosity, and New Horizons.

Advancing Astrophotonics, History and Policy

����� �鶹��Ʒ S�s space research spans pioneering astrophotonics technology, studies in space history and critical analyses in space policy, each offering unique insights into the universe. The within CREOL, the College of Optics and Photonics, is pushing the boundaries of photonics and astronomy, using tools like photonic lanterns, fiber optics, and hyperspectral imaging to detect cosmic phenomena and address profound questions about dark energy.

Meanwhile, delves into space history, exploring the cultural and scientific impacts of milestones like the Apollo missions and the Space Shuttle program, helping illuminate humanity �鶹��Ʒ S�s journey into space.

The contributes to this comprehensive approach with its broad studies of space policy, both domestically and internationally, including examining military space policy and rising space powers. The work involves studying space law, international agreements, and policy frameworks that guide space activities, which is essential for addressing the governance and strategic planning needed for space exploration and utilization.

Pioneering Tomorrow �鶹��Ʒ S�s Space Exploration

UCF is pushing the frontiers of space research and education, tackling today �鶹��Ʒ S�s challenges while preparing for the demands of future space missions. As the new space race continues, ����� �鶹��Ʒ S�s forward-thinking approach will continue to drive progress, inspire new possibilities and expand humanity �鶹��Ʒ S�s reach into the universe.

UCF launched the Center of Excellence in Hypersonic and Space Propulsion �鶹��Ʒ S� HyperSpace Center for short �鶹��Ʒ S� on Wednesday alongside leaders of the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research, one of the university �鶹��Ʒ S�s main partners in hypersonic research.

The HyperSpace Center will advance the research and innovations of world-renowned faculty members like Kareem Ahmed, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, whose team has received multiple U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) grants to develop hypersonic technology.

�鶹��Ʒ S�What we create here and across UCF will define the aerospace and defense industries for generations. �鶹��Ʒ S� �鶹��Ʒ S� Alexander N. Cartwright, UCF president

UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright and Col. Janelle T.H. Jackson, deputy director of the Air Force Office of Scientific Research and detachment 14 commander, spoke at the launch ceremony at the new center in the Central Florida Research Park adjacent to the UCF main campus. They were joined by U.S. Reps. Darren Soto and Daniel Webster and State Rep. Susan Plasencia.

�鶹��Ʒ S�What we create here and across UCF will define the aerospace and defense industries for generations, �鶹��Ʒ S� Cartwright says. �鶹��Ʒ S�UCF has always been an institution for people who have dared to invent a better future. We are also an institution that recognizes no one builds the future alone.

It takes strong partnerships, shared vision, and a relentless commitment to be bold together. UCF and the Air Force have an incredible history of collaboration, and I am excited about our dedication to continuing to build, innovate, and lead together. �鶹��Ʒ S�

Col. Jackson celebrated the significance of the HyperSpace Center bringing together the DOD, UCF  and cutting-edge technology.

�鶹��Ʒ S�Today, the University of Central Florida is not only opening a new, top-notch facility where leading-edge research in hypersonics and space propulsion will take place, �鶹��Ʒ S� Col. Jackson says. �鶹��Ʒ S�You are also opening doors and opportunities to students from various backgrounds. �鶹��Ʒ S�

�鶹��Ʒ S�They are gaining the opportunity to realize their dreams, to work towards expanding the scientific frontier and disciplines that are of great importance to the Department of Defense and also to the larger DoD ecosystem. The hyperspace hub is a place where these students can become the thought leaders and problem solvers of tomorrow. �鶹��Ʒ S�

Ahmed �鶹��Ʒ S�s research team includes 40 graduate students and 25 undergraduates. The team �鶹��Ʒ S�s research will transition from other labs on campus into the new facility and will benefit from a unique and upgraded testing environment for hypersonic materials, aerodynamics and propulsion. The Air Force Office of Scientific Research has supported Ahmed �鶹��Ʒ S�s team through multiple research grants.

Hypersonic propulsion allows for air travel at speeds of Mach 6 to 17, meaning six to 17 times the speed of sound, or more than 4,600 to 13,000 mph.

Advanced hypersonic propulsion systems are a national priority and are essential to maintaining U.S. national defense as global technological advancements continue to evolve. High-speed propulsion research requires hypersonic facilities that can generate the representative flight Mach numbers.

For space travel, hypersonic technology holds promise for opening up the boundaries of space exploration as it fuels flights through the Earth �鶹��Ʒ S�s atmosphere at very high speeds and allows for safe and efficient entries and exits through planetary atmospheres.

On Earth, flying at hypersonic speeds means going from New York to London in less than 15 minutes �鶹��Ʒ S� making it much more convenient to travel to close an important business deal, attend a best friend �鶹��Ʒ S�s wedding or see a bucket-list sporting event.

Ahmed �鶹��Ʒ S�s research holds promise in all of those areas �鶹��Ʒ S� and also is preparing students on his team to be innovators and leaders in the field after they graduate, demonstrating why UCF is both Florida �鶹��Ʒ S�s premier engineering and technology university, and the nation �鶹��Ʒ S�s No. 1 supplier of graduates to the aerospace and defense industry for six years in a row, according to Aviation Week Network.

�鶹��Ʒ S�It �鶹��Ʒ S�s important that UCF lead this research, primarily because of the student talent that we have, �鶹��Ʒ S� Ahmed says. �鶹��Ʒ S�Industry is interested in our top talent. Once they graduate, they are already hired by industry, pretrained on the topics they would explore and they become the next generation of leaders in this technology. �鶹��Ʒ S�

The DoD is providing more than $20 million in funding to support Ahmed �鶹��Ʒ S�s research, including for developing the first hypersonic rotating detonation rocket engine and creating a morphing hypersonic engine.

����� �鶹��Ʒ S�s longstanding partnership with the U.S. Air Force extends beyond hypersonics.

�鶹��Ʒ S������ �鶹��Ʒ S�s history, and our commitment to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible, have helped to position us as Florida �鶹��Ʒ S�s premier engineering and technology university. �鶹��Ʒ S� �鶹��Ʒ S� Alexander N. Cartwright, UCF president

UCF and Air Force ROTC Detachment 159 were recipients of the DoD ROTC and Educational Institution Partnership Excellence Award in 2021-22, when the UCF Air Force ROTC program ranked first out of 145 nationwide.

The Air Force also has funded other UCF research projects outside of hypersonics, including how to make semiconductors immune to radiation from the sun and other celestial bodies and also how to ensure reliability and design consistency in semiconductors.

�鶹��Ʒ S������ �鶹��Ʒ S�s history, and our commitment to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible, have helped to position us as Florida �鶹��Ʒ S�s premier engineering and technology university, �鶹��Ʒ S� Cartwright says. �鶹��Ʒ S�Our geographic location �鶹��Ʒ S� surrounded by industries eager to collaborate on research and workforce development �鶹��Ʒ S� puts UCF in a unique position to capitalize on emerging opportunities.

We are thinking beyond theory … we are establishing the foundation for revolutionary technology and innovation that will shape both the defense and civilian sectors. �鶹��Ʒ S�

College of Engineering and Computer Science faculty are leaders in fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), hypersonic travel, energy, next-generation computing hardware and aerospace, fields that are major economic drivers for Florida and that are critical to our state and nation �鶹��Ʒ S�s future.

Earlier this year, U.S. News & World Report‘s ranked nine of UCF’s other graduate programs among the top 50 on the 2024 Best Graduate Schools list.

This pioneering engineering research by expert UCF faculty prepares students to thrive in their careers, as does ����� �鶹��Ʒ S�s longstanding relationships with industry partners who are eager to hire talented students. Partners include Electronic Arts, Lockheed Martin, NASA, Northrop Grumman, Siemens, Walt Disney World and Universal Studios.

Collectively, ����� �鶹��Ʒ S�s cutting-edge, high-impact teaching practices and partnerships have drawn many recognitions, including the latest from U.S. News & World Report �鶹��Ʒ S�s Best Graduate Schools rankings.

Today, U.S. News & World Report ranks three of ����� �鶹��Ʒ S�s engineering and computer science graduate programs among the top 50 in the nation. The industrial/manufacturing/systems engineering program is ranked No. 43, aerospace is No. 47 and computer engineering is No. 50. Two other programs �鶹��Ʒ S� materials engineering and electrical/electronic/communications engineering �鶹��Ʒ S� ranked just outside the top 50, at No. 52 and No. 53 respectively.

A total of nine engineering and computer science programs rank among the top 50 among the nation �鶹��Ʒ S�s public universities.

�鶹��Ʒ S�Our outstanding engineering faculty are conducting impactful research that is advancing our knowledge of space, modeling and simulation, virtual and augmented reality, and many other high-tech fields, �鶹��Ʒ S� says Michael D. Johnson, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. �鶹��Ʒ S�They are innovators and inventors fueling our region �鶹��Ʒ S�s economy and our society �鶹��Ʒ S�s quality of life, healthcare, energy and transportation systems, and they excel at preparing our graduates to thrive in their careers. �鶹��Ʒ S�

Twenty-nine percent of Kennedy Space Center employees and 25% of Lockheed Martin �鶹��Ʒ S�s Orlando employees earned UCF degrees. Aviation Week Network has named UCF the No. 1 supplier of graduates to the aerospace and defense industry for six consecutive years.

Bringing More Brilliant Minds Together

����� �鶹��Ʒ S�s College of Engineering and Computer Science produces 25% of Florida �鶹��Ʒ S�s engineering and computer science graduates, according to the State University System. The college �鶹��Ʒ S�s goal is to educate 25,000 engineering and technology students by increasing capacity by 50%.

One important path to achieving that goal is to expand the college �鶹��Ʒ S�s faculty. Last year and this year combined, the college has hired 55 new faculty members, including many with expertise in the strategic investment program areas identified by the university, such as AI, energy, next-generation computing hardware, space-aerospace, digital twin and infectious diseases. The new faculty hires will further strengthen the college �鶹��Ʒ S�s research initiatives and opportunities for students to learn alongside talented faculty in the classroom and in research labs.

Plans for this fall also include one new degree program. The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering will launch a master of science in robotics and autonomous systems program. Students will learn to analyze, design and develop robotics and autonomous systems including self-driving cars, drones, medical robots and even mechanical dogs.

The new faculty and degree program join a host of current UCF engineering and computer science faculty who are conducting groundbreaking research:

• Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Professor Kareem Ahmed received Department of Defense funding that �鶹��Ʒ S�s establishing UCF as a leader in hypersonics and space propulsion research. Hypersonic propulsion would allow for air travel at speeds of Mach 6 to 17, or more than 4,600 to 13,000 miles per hour, and has applications in commercial and space travel.

• Sudipta Seal, chair of materials science and engineering, and Ozlem Garibay, assistant professor in industrial engineering and management systems, have created an Al-based prediction method that helps develop life-saving medicines and treatments for various diseases with up to 97% accuracy.

• Tarek Elgohary, an associate professor of aerospace engineering, is developing algorithms that will accurately track space objects like asteroids and satellites so they don �鶹��Ʒ S�t collide with spacecraft. It �鶹��Ʒ S�s a vital tool given the rapid growth of space junk in cislunar space, which stretches from Earth to just beyond the moon �鶹��Ʒ S�s orbit.

• Carolina Cruz-Neira, the Agere Chair Professor at the UCF Department of Computer Science and a member of the National Academy of Engineering, is a pioneer in the areas of virtual reality and interactive visualization, having created and deployed a variety of technologies that have become standard tools in industry, government and academia. �鶹��Ʒ S�In a few weeks, she will be inducted into the inaugural Augmented World Expo (AWE) XR Hall of Fame, joining an elite international group of 100 researchers, entrepreneurs, artists and others. Cruz-Neira was one of just 22 researchers selected. �鶹��Ʒ S�It is not well known that UCF has one of, if not the, largest concentration of VR researchers in the U.S., �鶹��Ʒ S� she says. �鶹��Ʒ S�Of course, the strong reputation of UCF as a leader in modeling and simulation ties very well with the ecosystem. �鶹��Ʒ S�

In addition, the internationally recognized Collegiate Cyber Defense Club at UCF won first place at the National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition in April. The club has been sending student teams around the world to compete against other universities since 2013. In all, UCF cybersecurity teams have earned 87 first place awards �鶹��Ʒ S� including five NCCDC titles �鶹��Ʒ S� 29 second-place and 25 third-place awards. The competitions allow UCF students to sharpen their skills before cybersecurity professionals and are hosted by companies from private industry, such as IBM, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Raymond James, Raytheon and several federal agencies.

Hypersonic propulsion would allow for air travel at speeds of Mach 6 to 17, or more than 4,600 to 13,000 miles per hour, and has applications in commercial and space travel.

Over the past year, the DoD has awarded funding to hypersonics research led by Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Professor Kareem Ahmed to support the advancements he �鶹��Ʒ S�s making in the technology.

The awards are funding the construction of a hypersonic testing facility, flight experiments and further advancements of the technology.

The support is a testament to the progress UCF has made in the field, including developing the first hypersonic rotating detonation rocket engine, which could allow for air travel from New York to L.A in less than 30 minutes. It also comes on the heels of recently received DoD funding to build a morphing hypersonic engine.

�鶹��Ʒ S�High-hypersonic propulsion technology is being born here, similar to how new technology was developed at Kennedy Space Center during the space era, �鶹��Ʒ S� Ahmed says. �鶹��Ʒ S�Now it �鶹��Ʒ S�s happening at UCF. The new funding highlights that we’re a major player in hypersonic propulsion. �鶹��Ʒ S�

The most recent projects include:

High-Hypersonic Enthalpy Facility (HiHYPER) for Hypersonic and Space Propulsion

Achieving ultra-high-speed flight at hypersonic speeds is a national priority and an international focus driving the hypersonics and space race. Such systems would allow flight through our atmosphere at very high speeds and allow efficient entry and exit from planetary atmospheres. This will make hypersonic defense systems, space exploration, and intercontinental travel as routine as intercity travel is today.

Advanced hypersonic propulsion systems are needed to maintain the technological superiority of the U.S. Air Force relative to the growing technological threat from adversaries. High-speed propulsion research requires hypersonic facilities that could generate the representative flight Mach numbers and enthalpies.

This project, funded by the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), aims to develop a unique mid-scale high-hypersonic enthalpy propulsion testing facility at UCF for integrated hypersonic materials, aerodynamics, and propulsion research (HiHYPER). HiHYPER will provide significant new capabilities to explore the fundamentals of the hypersonic regime and overcome the most significant national challenges where advances are needed in hypersonic research.

Hypersonic Flight Experiment for High-Speed Propulsion Detonation Fundamentals

This project �鶹��Ʒ S�s objective is to develop the experimental hardware for a flight experiment to stabilize and investigate standing oblique detonation waves under an AFOSR program.

The technology offers improved jet propulsion engine efficiency so that more power is generated while using less fuel than traditional propulsion engines, thus lightening the fuel load and reducing costs and emissions.

In addition to faster air travel, the technology could also be used in rockets for space missions to make them lighter by requiring less fuel, travel farther and burn more cleanly.

The flight experiments are critically needed to provide the structure and dynamic details of standing oblique detonation waves in a hypersonic flight regime. The flight experimental results will form the foundation for hypersonic detonation engines.

Distinguished Fellow: Advanced Flow-Independent Fuel Injector for Naval Propulsion

This project, funded by the Office of Naval Research, will explore and document the evolution spray and splash dynamics of the flow independent fuel injector, a type of fuel injector designed to deliver a consistent and precise amount of fuel regardless of variations in fuel pressure.

Fuel control will improve Navy applications system performance that are reliant on jet-in-crossflow fuel injectors commonly used in combustors and augmentors to fuel modern Navy propulsions systems, such as the F35.

These improvements will lead to efficient propulsion and power systems that control jet fueling for enhanced performance. Fuel injection is a critical technology for Navy Aircraft propulsion, unmanned aerial vehicles, ship propulsion and power, ramjets/scramjets and missiles.

Researcher Credentials

Ahmed joined ����� �鶹��Ʒ S�s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, part of ����� �鶹��Ʒ S�s College of Engineering and Computer Science, in 2014. He is also a faculty member of the Center for Advanced Turbomachinery and Energy Research and the Florida Center for Advanced Aero-Propulsion. He served more than three years as a senior aero/thermo engineer at Pratt & Whitney military engines working on advanced engine programs and technologies. He also served as a faculty member at Old Dominion University and Florida State University. At UCF, he is leading research in propulsion and energy with applications for power generation and gas-turbine engines, propulsion-jet engines, hypersonics and fire safety, as well as research related to supernova science and COVID-19 transmission control. He earned his doctoral degree in mechanical engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He is an American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics associate fellow and a U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory and Office of Naval Research faculty fellow.

Forward Anzhané Hutton attempts a jump shot to score in the Addition Financial Arena. UCF defeated Wichita State 59-56.

Kareem Ahmed, associate professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, is the principal investigator of a new Naval Research Laboratory-funded project to create a morphing hypersonic engine for ultra-fast travel.

The UCF/Universal Creative Lab, which launched Spring 2023, brings immersive design learning experiences to students to cultivate the next generation of themed entertainment innovators. The class opened to graduate students in ����� �鶹��Ʒ S�s , which is directed by Professor Peter Weishar.

Pushing the frontier of space research, Associate Professor of Physics Adrienne Dove is co-leading NASA �鶹��Ʒ S�s $35 million science mission to the moon �鶹��Ʒ S�s Gruithuisen Domes, which is expected to launch in 2026.

A participant in the 15th annual UCF Iron Knight Challenge drags weights across a field in a race to complete eight physical fitness tasks along a military-style obstacle course.

Forward Taylor Hendricks is UCF men �鶹��Ʒ S�s basketball �鶹��Ʒ S�s third NBA Draft selection in program history. Hendricks was selected by the Utah Jazz with the No. 9 overall pick of the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft.

Jane Gibson, from the College of Medicine, was selected as one of four 2023 Pegasus Professors, the university �鶹��Ʒ S�s highest faculty honor. Professors Stephen Fiore, Jennifer Kent-Walsh and Marianna Pensky were also selected.

Rapper and singer Doechii performed at UCFest Concert Knight presented by Campus Activities Board at the Addition Financial Arena.

During UCF Celebrates the Arts �鶹��Ʒ S� a multi-day showcase of creativity �鶹��Ʒ S� student cellists and other UCF musicians performed orchestral classics at the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts.

Backstage during a UCF Celebrates the Arts production at the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts in downtown Orlando.

Ballet dancers captivated the stage during TECH-nique: A Dance Concert at UCF Celebrates the Arts, which focused on the intersection of arts and technology this year.

Knights posed for photos in the Student Union during UCF Day of Giving 2023; an impactful celebration that ended with Knight Nation raising over $6.8 million �鶹��Ʒ S� the most in university history �鶹��Ʒ S� to support our local community, fund life-changing scholarships, power championship athletics, build 21st century learning facilities, fuel innovative research and enhance the university �鶹��Ʒ S�s global reputation.

A graduate from Spring 2023 commencement celebrates with loved ones.

UCF students spend a day outdoors in downtown Orlando, which ranks as the No. 1 Best College City in Florida, according to WalletHub.

Principal Investigator and Associate Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Helen Huang works with student Jordan Grubb to understand how the brain and body work together �鶹��Ʒ S� valuable research to assist those with impaired movement.

The Charging Knight statue �鶹��Ʒ S� representative of ����� �鶹��Ʒ S�s excellence in academics, its partnerships with the community and its athletics program �鶹��Ʒ S� sits near the main entrance of FBC Mortgage Stadium.

College of Optics and Photonics Associate Professor Kyu Young Han works with doctoral student Katelyn Canedo  �鶹��Ʒ S�16 in the , which focuses on optical nanoscopy. Han is an expert in designing new optical tools for biological applications, including ones that could aid in the understanding of human protein linked to diseases.

Student researchers gain hands-on experience with lasers in a lab in the College of Optics and Photonics.

Two students take a selfie with Knightro during the Welcome Back Popsicle Social event hosted by the Office of the President at the Reflecting Pond on the first day of the fall semester.

Political science student Sebastian Jimenez dives into a book outside of the John C. Hitt Library �鶹��Ʒ S� carrying on the late president emeritus �鶹��Ʒ S� core belief that education transforms lives.

Jersey Shore star and DJ, Pauly D, gets the crowd pumped during his pregame set at Bounce House Live at IOA Plaza before UCF football �鶹��Ʒ S�s first Big 12 home game.

Fans filled FBC Mortgage Stadium for the first Big 12 home football game against Baylor.

The School of Modeling, Simulation and Training secured an advanced dog-like robot named TapeMeasure �鶹��Ʒ S� allowing them to bring students, faculty and new technology together for innovative research and teaching.

UCF Creative School for Children held a foam splash event to provide its own Spirit Splash-like experience for preschoolers during Homecoming Week.

Knightro surfed over a crowd of students at Spirit Splash during Homecoming Week.

Knights charged into the Reflecting Pond to catch coveted homecoming rubber ducks at Spirit Splash.

During Spirit Splash, the dance team amped up the crowd before Knights rushed into the Reflecting Pond.

Knightro hyped up the crowd from the sidelines at the homecoming football game against West Virginia.

Assistant Professor of Theme Park and Attraction Management Carissa Baker (middle) works with students to understand theme park storytelling. Baker is a 2023 Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching awardee.

Track and field sprinters Latasha Smith (left) and I �鶹��Ʒ S�Asia Wilson (right) pose with their collection of championship rings at a tailgate event before UCF football �鶹��Ʒ S�s Space Game.

Football in tow, tight end Alec Holler moves up the field during ����� �鶹��Ʒ S�s annual Space Game. The Knights defeated Oklahoma State, 45-3, marking their seventh consecutive win since the Space Game debuted in 2017.