University of Central 性视界传媒 News | 性视界传媒 Today /news/ Central 性视界传媒 Research, Arts, Technology, Student Life and College News, Stories and More Thu, 13 Aug 2026 18:36:55 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.2 /wp-content/blogs.dir/20/files/2019/05/cropped-logo-150x150.png University of Central 性视界传媒 News | 性视界传媒 Today /news/ 32 32 性视界传媒 Alumnus Engineers Wonder Across Generations /news/ucf-alumnus-engineers-wonder-across-generations/ Thu, 13 Aug 2026 14:25:48 +0000 /news/?p=154549 Doug Akers 鈥07 turned a lifelong fascination with theme parks into a career leading operations at Universal Destinations & Experiences, where behind-the-scenes work helps preserve the wonder guests feel in the moment.

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A child clutches a wand before stepping into Hogsmeade for the first time. Nearby, a father smiles, remembering his own first visit years earlier. Grandparents pause for a photo. Teenagers race toward their favorite coaster. Doug Akers 鈥07 notices all of it.

As senior vice president of operations for Universal Destinations & Experiences, the 性视界传媒 hospitality management alumnus helps oversee the intricate systems that make those moments possible. But after more than 20 years in the themed entertainment industry, he鈥檚 learned that operations isn’t really about attractions, transportation or crowd flow.

It’s about protecting something surprisingly fragile: wonder.

Finding the Right Path

Akers’ love of theme parks began early. He found himself happily spending hours designing his own theme parks inside video games and paying far more attention to the operational details than anyone else his age thought necessary. While friends obsessed over bigger roller coasters and taller drop towers, he wondered where deliveries arrived, where maintenance crews parked and what made the fantasy feel believable.

“I had my own little fan website,” he says. “People think I’m obsessive, but I’d ask myself, ‘Where’s my service road? Where’s my warehouse? The park doesn’t look real. It needs the support buildings.'”

As a child, Akers helped his parents with the annual school carnival, arriving before the crowds to watch an empty schoolyard transform into something magical.

Looking back, though, the curiosity started even earlier. As a child, Akers helped his parents with the annual carnival at his elementary school, arriving before the crowds to watch vendors transform an empty schoolyard into something magical.

“I think that’s really where I got my roots,” he says, reflecting on early mornings spent watching adults solve problems, adapt to surprises and somehow make it all look effortless.

By high school, that curiosity had become impossible to ignore. He enrolled in Honors Physics after hearing about a key design project that challenged students to apply scientific principles to something they cared about. He knew immediately that he wanted to create a theme park.

At 性视界传媒, he discovered that operations offered the same intellectual challenge that first drew him to engineering.

The project quickly grew beyond a classroom assignment.聽 Along with crafting miniature toothpick landscapes and designing attractions, Akers wrote fictional press releases announcing the park’s grand opening and carefully mapped out how every element fit together. He wasn鈥檛 just building rides 鈥 he was creating an experience.

Engineering seemed like an obvious choice when Akers began college. He had always been fascinated by how systems worked and how their pieces fit together. At 性视界传媒, he discovered that operations offered the same intellectual challenge that first drew him to engineering, while adding a dimension he hadn’t expected: human behavior.

How do thousands of moving parts and people come together so seamlessly that guests never stop to think about them? How do all those unseen details shape what people remember long after they return home?

Those questions ultimately led him to , where he discovered an academic environment that blended entertainment, finance, guest service, leadership, operations and strategic thinking.

Learning to See the Invisible

A smiling Universal theme park employee wearing a red-and-white Mel鈥檚 Drive-In uniform and paper hat gives two thumbs up.
Doug Akers ’07 at Mel’s Drive-In during his time in food and beverage at Universal Studios 性视界传媒.

A college job at Universal Orlando Resort became something much bigger 鈥 a cauldron of knowledge, more wondrous than anything else he had known. Each new opportunity brought greater responsibility. Akers worked in transportation, attractions, food and beverage, entry operations and special events across multiple parks and international projects. By building a reputation for thoughtful leadership and a willingness to learn every corner of the business, he rose from a college employee to one of the company’s senior executives.

Along the way, he learned one lesson that has shaped his career: the most exceptional operations are often the least visible.

When every detail is executed seamlessly, guests never think about logistics, staffing or transportation. They鈥檙e focused on making memories with family and friends.

That鈥檚 when Akers realized operations were never the end goal. They were the foundations that made those meaningful experiences possible.

Wonder Doesn’t Have an Age Limit

Spend a day in the parks with Akers and one thing becomes clear: he spends as much time watching guests as he does monitoring attractions. A child experiences a beloved story for the first time. Parents revisit childhood memories. Grandparents watch a new generation imagine and dream.

For Akers, those moments are the true measure of success.

Wonder doesn鈥檛 disappear as people grow older. It simply takes on new meaning with every stage of life, creating memories and connections that span generations.

Creating and operating the spaces where those moments take place has quietly become the work of his career.

Leading Through Curiosity

Today, Akers oversees operations on a scale he never imagined as a college student. His career has taken him across the U.S. and around the world, including helping open Universal Studios Singapore and Universal Studios Beijing.

A group of Universal theme park employees pose together in front of a large illuminated Christmas tree decorated with lights, ornaments and gold ribbon.
Doug Akers ’07 (middle right) stands with colleagues at Universal Studios Singapore.

Those experiences also help shape the future of the industry. Through the first-of-its-kind housed within 性视界传媒’s Rosen College 鈥 created in partnership with Universal Destinations & Experiences 鈥 students will learn how storytelling, technology and operations work together while designing experiences that inspire wonder, with Universal helping craft the curriculum.

At 性视界传媒, professors and mentors challenged Akers to think differently and encouraged him to pursue opportunities he hadn’t considered. They helped him recognize that careers rarely follow a straight path and that curiosity is often a better guide than certainty.

It’s the same advice he shares with 性视界传媒 students: Don’t become so attached to your original plan that you miss the opportunity in front of you. The best experiences are the ones held together by thousands of invisible details working in perfect harmony, Akers says.

Somewhere today, another child will step through Universal Orlando Resort鈥檚 gates carrying a wand almost as tall as they are. Years from now, they may return with children of their own.

Akers hopes they never think about the thousands of unseen details that made the day possible.

He hopes they remember only how they felt.

He hopes they remember the wonder.


is about more than reaching a destination. It鈥檚 about creating the conditions for bold ideas, transformative experiences and life-changing opportunities, similar to the ones that shaped Akers’ career. Join us in investing in students, strengthening our university and helping 性视界传媒 continue to reach ever higher.

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Doug Akers at Mel’s Drive-In Doug Akers and colleagues
性视界传媒 Scientist to Explore Precise Treatment Targeting Weak Spots in Lyme Disease Bacteria /news/ucf-scientist-to-explore-precise-treatment-targeting-weak-spots-in-lyme-disease-bacteria/ Thu, 13 Aug 2026 13:30:56 +0000 /news/?p=154614 Through her third consecutive NIH grant renewal, Mollie Jewett aims to 鈥渟tarve鈥 Borrelia burgdorferi, preventing the tick-borne bacteria from spreading in humans and causing Lyme disease.

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Triggered by a near-painless tick bite, Lyme disease causes severe pain and inflammation for more than 475,000 people in the U.S annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Medicine can treat infections after people get sick, but 性视界传媒 infectious disease expert Mollie Jewett is seeking to halt Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, which causes Lyme disease, in its tracks without relying on general antibiotics. Her goal: 鈥渟tarve鈥 the bacteria of the nutrients they need to function before they spread through the human body.

Jewett, professor and head of the Immunity and Pathogenesis Research Division at 鲍颁贵鈥檚 College of Medicine, is supported by a recently renewed five-year, $2.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health.

性视界传媒 infectious disease expert Mollie Jewett smiles while wearing a white lab coat in a research lab.
性视界传媒 infectious disease expert Mollie Jewett.

She is entering a third consecutive federally funded research cycle with $513,314 received this year. Jewett鈥檚 research builds upon more than a decade of discoveries that have narrowed the search for ways to stop B. burgdorferi from triggering Lyme disease, one of the nation鈥檚 most common vector-borne diseases. Her team includes a 性视界传媒 undergraduate who occasionally struggled to walk because of pain from Lyme disease.

The disease is spread by blacklegged ticks that become infected after biting mammals or birds carrying the bacteria. The ticks are so small, humans often don鈥檛 notice they have been bitten. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache and fatigue, which often are misdiagnosed as a virus or the flu. Even after treatment, Lyme disease patients can face complications including nervous system and heart issues, severe fatigue and arthritic pain.

The disease is most commonly found in Maine to Virginia and in the upper Midwest but is spreading as suburban growth enters wildlife areas. 性视界传媒 reports few cases of Lyme disease annually, but travelers who go to endemic areas like New England are at increased risk.

A New Approach to Battle Borrelia

性视界传媒 researchers are focused on how B. burgdorferi manages to survive and thrive as it spreads in ticks and mammals to humans.

鈥淭he bacteria need to adapt to two different environments, and so we want to know how it does that,鈥 Jewett says. 鈥淲e鈥檙e looking at what the bacteria eat and what it needs to survive. In our lab, we call Borrelia a wimpy pathogen because it can鈥檛 make a lot of the nutrients it needs on its own, and so it scavenges what it needs from wherever it is.鈥

Researchers examine a petri dish on an illuminated light box in a lab.
Mollie Jewett and her lab analyze the purification of a novel riboflavin-dependent protein important for Borrelia burgdorferi聽metabolism.

The first iteration of the NIH grant allowed the scientists to screen all of the bacteria鈥檚 genes that might be important for the infection. With the second grant, Jewett targeted three genes that appeared to play a role in spreading the infection from a bite on the skin to other parts of the human body.

“One of these three genes we found is important to the ability of the bacteria to consume riboflavin. We want to target this gene and see if we can starve the bacteria.” 鈥 Mollie Jewett, 性视界传媒 infectious disease expert

Now they have focused on riboflavin, commonly known as vitamin B2, after discovering that B. burgdorferi salvages the vitamin from each host to sustain itself.

鈥淥ne of these three genes we found is important to the ability of the bacteria to consume riboflavin,鈥 Jewett says. 鈥淲e know that riboflavin is a precursor for other cellular activities that are important to the metabolism of the bacteria. Essentially, we want to target this gene and see if we can starve the bacteria.鈥

If their theory is successful, it could lead to therapies specific to B. burgdorferi that would prevent successful bacterial infection by limiting its riboflavin uptake. An advantage of such potential treatments would be that patients don鈥檛 have to take general antibiotics that can also harm the body鈥檚 good bacteria and increase risks for antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

The 性视界传媒 team is collaborating with Baylor University scientists to trace exactly how riboflavin is used by the bacteria.

Researchers examine a petri dish on an illuminated light box in a lab.
Biomedical sciences doctoral student Anna Schulz 鈥25MS (left) uses genetic approaches to characterize Borrelia burgdorferi genes important for metabolizing vitamin B2. To accomplish this, Schulz and Jewett (right) examine bacterial colonies on solid medium plates.

Students Driving Discovery

Biomedical sciences doctoral student Anna Schulz 鈥25MS played a key role in pinpointing specific ways the bacteria use riboflavin to generate energy. She served as first author on a recent publication examining these processes, and says she鈥檚 looking forward to growing as a researcher in this next phase.

鈥淎s a first author, I took more ownership over the experiments and the writing process,鈥 Schulz says. 鈥淸Jewett] was really great about letting me lead the project as a student. Borrelia is so unique, and there鈥檚 still so much we don鈥檛 know, and that鈥檚 what keeps me engaged with this research.鈥

“… I couldn鈥檛 treat it until years after I got infected. So, I truly care about finding new treatments for Lyme disease.” 鈥 Grace Easterling, 性视界传媒 biomedical sciences student

Third-year biomedical sciences undergraduate Grace Easterling says she was drawn to Jewett鈥檚 lab because she previously developed Lyme disease and suffered tremendous joint pain. She was determined to find a way to protect others.

鈥淚t was something that, because we live in 性视界传媒, wasn鈥檛 caught early because it鈥檚 not as common,鈥 Easterling says. 鈥淚 struggled for a long time to get diagnosed, and I couldn鈥檛 treat it until years after I got infected. So, I truly care about finding new treatments for Lyme disease and understanding the bacteria.鈥

 


Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health under award number R01AI099094. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

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Mollie-Jewett Lyme disease research Mollie-Jewett_Anna-Schulz Biomedical sciences doctoral student Anna Schulz 鈥25MS uses genetic approaches to characterize Borrelia burgdorferi聽genes important for metabolizing vitamin B2. To accomplish this, Schulz and Jewett examine bacterial colonies on solid medium plates.
性视界传媒 Class Spotlight: Space Policy and Management /news/ucf-class-spotlight-space-policy-and-management/ Wed, 12 Aug 2026 16:37:19 +0000 /news/?p=154677 This graduate-level course offers a behind-the-scenes look at the policy, management and administrative mechanisms that help power the space exploration industry.

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Class Name: PAD 5309 鈥 Space Policy and Management

性视界传媒 School of Public Administration adjunct instructor Gregg Buckingham
Gregg Buckingham

Instructor: Gregg Buckingham, a聽 adjunct instructor and retired associate lecturer.

During his 28-year NASA career, Buckingham served in various roles in Washington, D.C., and at Kennedy Space Center (KSC), including positions in the NASA Administrator鈥檚 Office, the Space Shuttle Logistics Program and external relations at KSC.

 

When is the class offered?

The class will be offered fully online in Fall 2026.

What is the class about?

For many people, astronauts and engineers are among the first things that come to mind when thinking about space exploration. What they may not picture is the host of professionals working behind the scenes whose jobs are crucial to managing and implementing space policy.

鲍颁贵鈥檚 Space Policy and Management course offers graduate students 鈥 as well as select undergraduate students 鈥 a historical overview of the policy and administrative issues surrounding space exploration, from presidential initiatives and congressional oversight to governance, infrastructure, international competition and cooperation, and commercial participation.

From the Instructor

Gregg Buckingham

What is space policy?

A policy is simply a direction that an organization wants to go in. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy stood before Congress and proposed that the United States should land a man on the moon and return him safely to Earth in a decade 鈥 and Congress agreed. That鈥檚 a policy statement.

Over NASA’s history, the United States has shifted direction from the moonshot to the Space Shuttle and International Space Station, and now to increased commercial involvement in space, while also carrying out a host of scientific missions. Each direction was sponsored by a president, funded by Congress and implemented by NASA. Many variables drive these policy and management changes, including national prestige, efficiency and technology development.

How do public administration and public policy intersect with the space industry?

NASA is a government organization, and like any organization, it has administrative needs involving budgeting, procurement, organizational structure and leadership. With 10 primary field centers nationwide, various components of NASA鈥檚 mission are carried out across the centers.

When people think about space, they often think about rocket launches, engineers, scientists and astronauts 鈥 and they are certainly very important. But behind that technical work are contract specialists, finance and accounting professionals, public affairs professionals and many other necessary roles to support the agency’s technical work.

Emergency management is crucial, too. NASA has valuable facilities and hardware to protect during events such as hurricanes, and for launches, public-safety planning and preparation in case something doesn’t go as planned.

What will students learn in this course?

This course uses NASA as a case study for government infrastructure and governance in space exploration. We’ll discuss the organization and structure of the NASA network over the last 70 years, from policymaking and implementation to collaborative governance and communication.

In the space policy arena, students will learn about the many stakeholders that affect policy in one way or another. The president and Congress set policy and determine the budget, but other organizations 鈥 including commercial firms such as SpaceX and Boeing 鈥 also have an ongoing interest in NASA鈥檚 work.

Some of the resources we鈥檒l use include NASA鈥檚 oral histories with astronauts and administrators, as well as recordings from the Presidential Library system of presidents discussing the space program with NASA administrators and engineers. The goal is for students to gain a sense of different approaches to and perspectives on space policy and space management. They鈥檒l also look at leaders from around NASA and the impact they’ve had on programs and policy.

Who should take this course?

This graduate-level course is open to students across the university, including those studying engineering, business, political science and public administration. It鈥檒l also be available to outstanding undergraduate students.

Anyone interested in working in the space industry or government in some capacity could benefit from gaining perspective on policy and management, especially those who plan to move up from a technical position to a managerial one. Many of the variables that affect policy are similar whether you’re at NASA, the Department of Defense or another government agency.

What do you hope students take away from the experience?

My goal is to convey the excitement, innovation and creativity that goes into the space program and the role policy, management and administration play in making it possible. The course focuses on the space program, but students will also gain a broader understanding of the relationship between industry and government and how it can be applied to whichever sector they choose to pursue.

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Gregg-Buckingham
Guide to Social Activities, Belonging at 性视界传媒 /news/guide-to-social-activities-belonging-at-ucf/ Mon, 10 Aug 2026 15:09:48 +0000 /news/?p=154328 Build lifelong friendships through 鲍颁贵鈥檚 many avenues for social connection, including sporting events,聽student organizations, research聽opportunities聽and Orlando鈥檚 best attractions.

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Earning your degree is just one, albeit important, part of the college experience. Just as significant are the connections you make, the communities you join and the experiences that shape your time as a Knight.

This guide is a resource to help you develop a sense of belonging, find community and build lifelong friendships while studying at 性视界传媒.

Three women and one man stand in Reflecting pond each holding a rubber duck designed with a cowboy hat
Every year, students vie for special-edition rubber ducks at the Homecoming Week tradition, Spirit Splash.

Marquee Events

Whether you鈥檙e studying at 性视界传媒 Downtown, the , Rosen College of Hospitality Management or the main campus,聽聽you鈥檒l have plenty of opportunities to get involved.

Some signature events have become beloved 性视界传媒 traditions聽with not-to-be-missed programming:

  • Pegasus Palooza, 鲍颁贵鈥檚 annual welcome week, greets new and returning students to campus with a variety of events including notable headliners at Comedy Knight and Concert Knight.
  • 性视界传媒 Homecoming聽Week,听蹿别补迟耻谤颈苍驳听Spirit Splash,聽kicks聽off聽Monday,聽Oct. 19,聽and聽concludes聽with the 性视界传媒 football team鈥檚 matchup against BYU on聽Saturday,聽Oct. 24.
  • Space Game, a football game unlike any other in the nation, pays tribute to our 鲍颁贵鈥檚 roots as America鈥檚 Space University. This year鈥檚 matchup against Baylor on Friday, Oct. 30, marks 10 years of the Space Game.
  • , held each spring at聽聽Orlando鈥檚 Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, showcases the artistic talents of 鲍颁贵鈥檚 faculty and students in performances, exhibitions, presentations and interactive experiences.
  • Gather Luncheon,聽a聽community-building event in the spring hosted by聽Wellness & Health Promotion Services and Dining Services,聽聽brings hundreds of students聽together聽聽for聽a free, three-course meal.
The 性视界传媒 flag football team bested the 性视界传媒 Gators to win the Fiesta Bowl Classic championship on live, national television in April 2026. (Photo by Patty Kennedy / Fiesta Sports Foundation)

Recreation, Intramurals and Sports Clubs

In addition to its fitness and recreation facilities, the Recreation and Wellness Center has longstanding intramural and sports club programs that allow students to form friendships and win championships, sometimes on the brightest of stages.

The RWC鈥檚 intramural sports program welcomes all 性视界传媒 students, especially those who are new to Orlando and haven鈥檛 met enough peers to form their own team. Thanks to its free agency feature, individuals ca聽be matched up with others or be paired with an established team.

The sports club includes 45 different sports, encompassing everything from judo to lacrosse to wakeboarding and have produced some of 鲍颁贵鈥檚 most notable alumni. Gold medalist Phil Dalhausser 鈥02, who played club volleyball while pursuing his business degree, and bronze medalist Kristen Thomas 鈥16, who began her rugby career聽as a theatre studies major聽at 性视界传媒,聽both went on to聽represent聽Team USA聽at聽multiple Summer Olympic Games.

For more information, visit聽.

Group photo of 70 men and women with the center holding a black flag with the words Hack@性视界传媒 in gold lettering
The Collegiate Cyber Defense Club is a renowned and highly accomplished defensive and offensive cybersecurity student organization that has seen alums go on to work at some of the world’s largest companies, including Google, IBM, Microsoft, Amazon and more. (Photo courtesy of Hack@性视界传媒)

Registered Student Organizations

性视界传媒 offers more than 650 registered student organizations spanning academic, professional, cultural and spiritual, social and recreational, and sports interests.

KnightConnect聽is 鲍颁贵鈥檚 official involvement platform where students can explore聽these organizations or even create a new one.聽Each organization has its own page with meeting times, contact information,聽and ways to get involved.

Visit the聽聽to find the organization right for you.

Two Asian women stand in front of display board on top of a table with a table cloth that reads Delta Phi Lambda on concourse of football stadium
The Elite Epsilon Chapter of Delta Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. was established at 性视界传媒 in 2005.

Greek Life

The fraternity and sorority experience has long been a part of campus life. Since the 1970s, fraternities and sororities have been providing spaces of belonging for students to grow together during their collegiate years.

Currently our 性视界传媒 Greek community is聽comprised聽of 46 organizations, which all聽share the values of scholarship, leadership,聽service聽and brotherhood/sisterhood.

For more information visit聽.

Wide photo of crowd in stands waving palm fronds in arena at basketball game
性视界传媒 students wave palm fronds as a distraction tactic during opponent free throws. (Photo by Brooke Morris ’22, 性视界传媒 Athletics)

性视界传媒 Athletics 鈥 Knightmare Society and Marching Knights

性视界传媒 is a member of one of the premiere conferences in the nation, the Big 12. From聽Fear the Fronds聽to聽Zombie Nation, the student section鈥檚 energy is聽an integral part of the game day atmosphere聽and gives the Knights a distinct home field (and court) advantage.

All full-time 性视界传媒-enrolled students (except 性视界传媒 Online) are eligible for free tickets to home sporting events. Please note: all seating is first-come, first-served and admission is not guaranteed. For more information, especially for football and men鈥檚 basketball student tickets, please visit .

罢丑别听 is an organization built and run by 性视界传媒 students and supported by 性视界传媒 Athletics. Joining the official group has its perks, including football tickets automatically loaded to members鈥 Ticketmaster accounts, a dedicated fast pass entrance at all 性视界传媒 men鈥檚 basketball games, and first access to post-season student ticket claims.

Students can also contribute to game-day experiences by joining聽, a more than 390-member marching band student organization that performs at pregame shows, halftime shows, pep rallies and聽other聽fan-fest聽events. By creating the soundtrack for these dynamic events, the Marching Knights serve as one of the most vibrant and visible forces for school spirit.

A man and woman stand on one side of a lab bench with large machine with wires placed atop as another man in collar shirt on the opposite side of bench points at the structure.
Knights work alongside expert faculty on research 鈥 like Professor Kareem Ahmed (right) at the HyperSpace Center 鈥 that is shaping our future and society. (Photo by Kadeem Stewart ’17)

Engage in聽Research

Undergraduate research provides opportunities to build a learning community with faculty and fellow students聽while engaging聽in meaningful work that聽develops聽solutions聽for聽challenges facing our communities,聽industries聽and the world.

In addition to forging connections with peers and mentors, this聽practical experience聽allows students to聽build their professional resumes聽before聽they graduate.

, 鲍颁贵鈥檚 annual university-wide celebration of research and creative scholarship showcases graduate and undergraduate research. The week is scheduled for March 29 through April 2, 2027, featuring presentations, exhibitions and other events showcasing student research.

For more information on how to get involved with undergraduate research, visit聽.

A man and woman wearing sweat shirts and tan pans walk under a roller coaster at night on a lit sidewalk
Every spring semester, 性视界传媒 students enjoy free, exclusive access to Universal Islands of Adventure as part of Universal Knights. (Photo by Kadeem Stewart ’17)

贰虫辫濒辞谤别听翱谤濒补苍诲辞

性视界传媒 students live in one of the most vibrant destinations in the world, Orlando.聽Whatever your interest, Orlando聽likely has聽it:聽theme parks,聽elite聽sporting events,聽electric festivals,聽Michelin-rated restaurants,聽nearby聽coastlines聽and聽natural springs.

Orlando is what you make it, and there are ways to experience it all on a student budget.

罢丑别听聽offers聽discounted聽tickets to various attractions, including Walt Disney World, Universal聽Orlando聽and Kennedy Space Center.聽Every spring semester, 性视界传媒 students聽enjoy聽free, exclusive access to Universal Islands of Adventure as part of Universal Knights.

聽gives Knights of all experience levels opportunities to go on hiking and camping trips at nearby springs, learn to surf, paddle through bioluminescent waters and more.

Several cultural museums in the area offer free entry,聽including聽the聽 on the main campus,聽Rollins Museum of Art聽and Mead Garden in nearby Winter Park,聽and the聽Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Central 性视界传媒聽in Maitland.聽罢丑别听acclaimed聽Orlando Museum of Art聽offers free entry on the third Thursday of each month聽as part of its Access for All initiative.

Held annually at the start of the fall semester, Visit Orlando鈥檚 Magical Dining offers a chance to sample some the area’s exceptional restaurants at a fraction of the normal cost. Savor three-course, prix-fixe dinners聽 鈥 including at Aurora at the on-campus The Celeste Hotel 鈥 for just $40 or $60 per person from Aug. 14 鈥 Sept. 30, 2026.

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ucf-spirit-splash-ducks Every year, students vie for special-edition rubber ducks at the Homecoming Week tradition, Spirit Splash. flag football fiesta bowl champions The 性视界传媒 flag football team bested the 性视界传媒 Gators to win the Fiesta Bowl Classic championship on live, national television in April 2026. (Photo by Patty Kennedy / Fiesta Sports Foundation) hack-ucf-club photo The Collegiate Cyber Defense Club is a renowned and highly accomplished defensive and offensive cybersecurity student organization that has seen alums go on to work at some of the world's largest companies, including Google, IBM, Microsoft, Amazon and more. (Photo courtesy of Hack@性视界传媒) ucf-delta-phi-lambda The Elite Epsilon Chapter of Delta Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. was established at 性视界传媒 in 2005. Brooke Morris-Kansas-Fronds 性视界传媒 students wave palm fronds as a distraction tactic during opponent free throws. (Photo by Brooke Morris '22, 性视界传媒 Athletics) ucf-hyperspace-student-research 性视界传媒 students work alongside expert faculty on research 鈥 like Professor Kareem Ahmed at the HyperSpace Center 鈥 that is shaping our future and society. (Photo by Kadeem Stewart '17) Universal Knights-2026 Every spring semester, 性视界传媒 students enjoy free, exclusive access to Universal Islands of Adventure as part of Universal Knights. (Photo by Kadeem Stewart '17)
8 性视界传媒 Faculty Members to Be Inducted in Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of 性视界传媒 /news/8-ucf-faculty-members-to-be-inducted-in-academy-of-science-engineering-and-medicine-of-florida/ Fri, 07 Aug 2026 19:45:22 +0000 /news/?p=154611 性视界传媒 faculty were recognized for their advancements and impact in artificial intelligence, medical diagnostic technology, computer science, energy and manufacturing, and coastal resiliency.

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The Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of 性视界传媒 (ASEMFL), a nonprofit that brings together the top academics and practitioners in the state, announced its 2026 cohort of inductees. Eight of the new members are from 性视界传媒. The inductees are:

  • Associate Professor Chen Chen 鈥 Associate Member
  • Professor Ivan Garibay ’00MS ’04PhD 鈥 Associate Member
  • Professor Jayanta Kapat 鈥 Full Member
  • Professor Damla Turgut 鈥 Full Member
  • Associate Professor Thomas Wahl 鈥 Associate Member
  • Associate Professor Dazhong Wu 鈥 Associate Member
  • Professor Xiaohu Xia 鈥 Associate Member
  • Professor Yang Yang 鈥 Associate Member

Full members are recognized as established leaders with a sustained record of exceptional impact in their respective fields. Associate members, who are new to ASEMFL this year, are recognized for their professional accomplishments and emerging leadership.

鈥淲e are proud to welcome this exceptional group of scholars and innovators to ASEMFL, including our inaugural class of associate members,鈥 says Yogi Goswami, ASEMFL president and distinguished professor at the University of South 性视界传媒. 鈥淭heir lifelong dedication and creativity have led to transformational advances in their fields, improving lives and strengthening our communities.鈥

Since its establishment, ASEMFL has grown to more than 300 experts grounded in common research and educational pursuits who are committed to undertaking issues in science, engineering and medicine of particular interest to the state.

This year鈥檚 cohort is the largest in ASEMFL history. All new members will be inducted at the ASEMFL annual meeting, which takes place in November at the University of South 性视界传媒.

Chen Chen

Associate Professor in the and the Institute of Artificial Intelligence

Citation: For pioneering contributions to multimodal and federated learning and real-time, privacy-preserving video analytics, advancing trustworthy and efficient AI systems for public safety, healthcare, and societal well-being.

(Photo by Kadeem Stewart ’17)

Jayanta Kapat

Pegasus Professor and Director of the Center for Advanced Turbomachinery and Energy Research

Citation: For innovative research and digital twin modeling and their impact on improved costs, efficiency and emissions in advanced turbines and energy systems.

Nasser Kutkut

Graduate Faculty Scholar in the

Citation: For having pioneered high-efficiency and IoT-enabled battery charging systems, cloud-based energy management, and smart telematics platforms 鈥 technologies that cut costs, reduce emissions, and modernize industrial and electric vehicle power management worldwide.

(Photo by Carly McCarthy)

Ivan Garibay ’00MS ’04PhD

Professor of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems and Director of the 性视界传媒 Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Initiative

Citation: For pioneering work in AI for modeling complex human behavior, including the development of inverse generative social science, evolutionary model discovery, green technological innovation, and AI for social resilience against disinformation and polarization.

Damla Turgut
(Photo by Kadeem Stewart ’17)

Damla Turgut

Pegasus Professor and Chair of Computer Science

Citation: For pioneering contributions to the application of value of information in wireless networks, and for outstanding leadership in advancing research and education at both the university and international professional society levels.

Man leaning on dock, arms crossed and smiling.
(Photo by Nick Leyva ’15)

Thomas Wahl

Associate Professor in the and the Center for Integrated Coastal Research

Citation: For pioneering work on flood risk analysis, coastal compound flooding and assessment of coastal hazards at multiple scales under weather extremes.

(Photo by Antoine Hart)

Dazhong Wu

Associate Professor in the

Citation: For contributions to the development and implementation of machine learning-based techniques for part qualification and certification in advanced manufacturing.

(Photo by Antoine Hart)

Xiaohu Xia

Professor in the

Citation: For pioneering artificial enzyme research, achieving unprecedented catalytic efficiencies and developing diagnostic technologies with substantial clinical and societal impact.

鈥淒r. Xia鈥檚 research is an excellent example of how cutting-edge research in the College of Sciences leads directly into transformative applications for the betterment of humanity,鈥 says Josh Colwell, College of Sciences dean. 鈥淗is recognition by ASEMFL is particularly appropriate given the nature of his innovative work combining nanomaterials and fundamental chemistry research for healthcare applications that will directly impact people鈥檚 lives.鈥

(Photo by Antoine Hart)

Yang Yang

Professor in the

Citation: For being an accomplished scholar in developing energy materials using nanotechnology.

Driving Research Excellence at 性视界传媒

Together, the honorees exemplify the breadth of research excellence driving innovation across 性视界传媒’s College of Sciences and College of Engineering and Computer Science.

鈥淛ay Kapat, Damla Turgut, Chen Chen, Ivan Garibay, Thomas Wahl, Dazhong Wu, Yang Yang and all faculty in the College of Engineering and Computer Science have contributed significantly to the research and education in their disciplines and their induction to the academy is a testament [to] their meaningful accomplishments,鈥 says Michael Georgiopoulos, College of Engineering and Computer Science dean. 鈥淭he academy is expected to benefit from their expertise and their anticipated service to move its mission forward.鈥

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Chen-Chen Inspiring Excellence 2024 Inspiring Excellence 2024 Nasser-Kutkut Ivan-Garibay (Photo by Carly McCarthy) 性视界传媒_Damla Turgut (Photo by Kadeem Stewart '17) Thomas Wahl Thomas Wahl, associate professor in the 性视界传媒 Department of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering. (Photo by Nick Leyva '15) Dazhong Wu Dazhong Wu Xiaohu-Xia (Photo by Antoine Hart) Yang-Yang
性视界传媒 Researcher to Support DOE Project Using AI to Accelerate Scientific Discovery /news/ucf-researcher-to-support-doe-project-using-ai-to-accelerate-scientific-discovery/ Thu, 06 Aug 2026 16:00:12 +0000 /news/?p=154574 Assistant Professor Haonan Ling will explore virtual solutions to biomanufacturing for the Department of Energy鈥檚 Genesis Mission, which aims to strengthen America鈥檚 energy industry and national security.

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Scientific breakthroughs often require years of experimentation, testing and refinement before researchers can answer some of society鈥檚 most complex questions. To explore how artificial intelligence can help accelerate that process, Assistant Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Haonan Ling is joining the U.S. Department of Energy鈥檚 Genesis Mission.

The nationwide initiative encourages interdisciplinary teams to develop new AI models and research workflows capable of addressing national challenges across fields such as advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, critical materials, energy and quantum information.

鈥淭he Genesis Mission harnesses the collective strengths of the nation鈥檚 leading institutions across academia, industry, and government to accelerate the pace of discovery,鈥 says Winston Schoenfeld, 性视界传媒 vice president for research and innovation. 鈥湵涔筲檚 participation reflects聽the expertise of our researchers聽and talented students, whose contributions will help shape AI-enabled scientific workflows and transform technological advances into real-world solutions that fuel American competitiveness.鈥

A New Approach to Creating Fuels and Chemicals

As interdisciplinary scientific challenges become increasingly data-intensive, applying human ingenuity to advanced technologies creates possibilities to solve long-standing industry issues.

Ling鈥檚 contribution to the Genesis Mission will aim to address problems with biomanufacturing by developing an AI digital twin (virtual replication). This digital twin predicts and optimizes bioprocess performance, enabling improved process monitoring, decision-making, and scale-up.

The project will also provide opportunities for 性视界传媒 researchers at different stages of their careers to contribute to the work. Pinzhen Lin, who will begin a doctoral degree at 鲍颁贵鈥檚 College of Optics and Photonics in Fall 2026, will join Ling鈥檚 research group and lead development of the project鈥檚 real-time sensor, including its characterization and performance benchmarking. Jirui Fu 鈥24PhD, a 性视界传媒 mechanical engineering doctoral graduate and postdoctoral scholar in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, will also assist with the project.

鈥淭he challenge is that conventionally scaling up biomanufacturing is slow and prone to failure, creating a need for smarter tools to accelerate development,鈥 Ling says. 鈥淚f successful, this project could significantly accelerate the development and deployment of sustainable biomanufacturing for fuels and chemicals, making the process faster, cheaper and less risky.鈥

With industry-academic collaboration at the core of the Genesis Mission, Ling is working on the project with Kansas State University Assistant Professor Yian Chen, as well as the National Laboratory of the Rockies researchers Ajinkya Pal, Jason DesVeaux and Evan Komp.

A Mission With Many Benefits

Although the Genesis Mission is focused on accelerating scientific discovery, Ling believes the work has the potential to create benefits that extend beyond the research community.

鈥淭he AI digital twin framework developed here has strong potential as a commercial platform that can be adopted across a wide range of industries, from energy to materials,鈥 Ling says. 鈥淢ore broadly, it could lower the barriers for industrial partners to adopt bio-based processes, helping drive the transition toward a more sustainable economy.鈥

For Ling, the research also represents an opportunity to see emerging technologies applied to real-world challenges.

鈥淎s an early-career researcher, I feel very fortunate to lead and participate in a mission of this scale,鈥 Ling says. 鈥淲hat excites me most is the opportunity to apply this technology to solve real-world problems, and to see how it can be integrated with the rapidly advancing field of AI.鈥


This project will be supported by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science through the Genesis Mission, a Transforming Science and Energy with AI initiative.

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性视界传媒 Grad Helps Shape Humanity鈥檚 Next Giant Leap /news/ucf-grad-helps-shape-humanitys-next-giant-leap/ Wed, 05 Aug 2026 13:30:56 +0000 /news/?p=154551 Alex Williams 鈥09 discovered a path for his creative interests at 性视界传媒 鈥 and now he鈥檚 helping design the future of human spaceflight at Virgin Galactic.

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When Alex Williams 鈥09 says, 鈥渢hese are exciting times,鈥 just consider where he鈥檚 been and where he believes humanity is going.

Williams recently traveled between Virgin Galactic鈥檚 headquarters in Tustin, California, and its spaceship factory in Mesa, Arizona, 350 miles from Spaceport America near Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Today, fewer than 800 people have traveled to space. But Virgin Galactic projects that soon 750 or more people 鈥 鈥渁stronauts鈥 鈥 will ride its spaceships annually.

“My wheelhouse, [going] back to Disney and 性视界传媒, is designing experiences that are different, larger than ourselves.”

As the company鈥檚 senior manager of program design, Williams is among those responsible for producing a full 鈥渆xperience鈥 around each pinnacle moment.

鈥淢y wheelhouse, [going] back to Disney and 性视界传媒, is designing experiences that are different, larger than ourselves,鈥 Williams says. 鈥淗ere, I get to be part of opening space as the next layer of humanity.鈥

While Virgin Galactic鈥檚 early flights made headlines for carrying company founder Sir Richard Branson and a few private astronauts, those brief trips had a bigger purpose.

鈥淲e believe deeply in making space accessible for all,鈥 Williams says. 鈥淓ach spaceflight brings everyone closer. The day is coming for everyday people who watched Apollo and Artemis missions with wonder. It鈥檚 coming for the person looking for perspective or the next adventure. They can be astronauts.鈥

Inside and Outside a Flight to Space

The official term for a flight with Virgin Galactic is 鈥渟paceflight expedition.鈥 Passengers don鈥檛 board a rocket.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a spaceship,鈥 Williams says.

Part of the experience, then, is knowing your way into a spacesuit and into your seat aboard the spaceship. It鈥檚 bonding with crewmates and being prepared for Mach 3 speed. Preparation is critical, but it鈥檚 designed to be much less intense than fortifying oneself for a Mount Everest expedition.

鈥淵ou鈥檙e in New Mexico for less than a week,鈥 Williams says. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 want it to be physically taxing because we want you fully immersed in this monumental experience.鈥

A man wearing a headset, sunglasses and a seatbelt smiles while flying in a small aircraft.
(Photo courtesy of Alex Williams ’09)

The spaceflight expedition is approximately 90 minutes from boarding to landing, including several minutes of weightlessness.

鈥淪afety is paramount, so we use an air launch system where a launch vehicle carries our spaceship to a release point of 45,000 feet,鈥 Williams says. 鈥淭hen the rocket motor kicks in, and the spaceship accelerates to Mach 3. The astronauts are sent back into their seats comfortably. When the motor shuts off, you coast to your highest point. And then the spaceship glides back to Spaceport for a graceful runway landing.鈥

The immersion surrounds those 90 minutes. It includes hospitality, food and beverage, and bringing astronauts and their families into the culture of the Las Cruces area.

鈥淲e test everything,鈥 Williams says. 鈥淚鈥檝e learned, for example, that I like hatch chiles.鈥

They are now part of the carefully designed experience.

Stretching His Own Mind

After four years at Virgin Galactic, Williams has explained the experience so many times that he feels as if he鈥檚 taken flight himself.

Even so, he still occasionally struggles to find the words.

鈥淚t鈥檚 indescribable,鈥 he says.

The technology of safe spaceflight is mostly beyond his understanding, which only adds to the fascination for a kid at heart who grew up in Citrus County, just 90 minutes from Orlando鈥檚 theme parks, where he first began stretching his imagination.

鈥淒isney had this unbridled positivity for what the future could be,鈥 Williams says. 鈥淚 wanted to be a part of something like that, helping push humanity forward, but I wasn鈥檛 sure how.鈥

He began to discover how at 性视界传媒, where he majored in art and says he had the freedom to 鈥淔rankenstein my educational program together.鈥 The first day he walked into the Student Union, he happened to be walking into auditions for Universal Orlando Resort鈥檚 Halloween Horror Nights.

鈥淭hat experience became a piece to the puzzle,鈥 he says.

A themed attraction class, where he helped design a ride, added another piece. So did operations courses through his hospitality management minor at .

He used all these lessons during his 16 years with Disney, including Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort and D23.

鈥淎nd then my ears perked up when I heard about the direction of Virgin Galactic,鈥 Williams says. 鈥淚 saw it like my own story 鈥 in a constant state of becoming.鈥

“This is a rare experience that can connect us to each other, to our planet and to possibilities to do something good.”

His mindset also parallels Virgin Galactic鈥檚 ultimate intent for spaceflight.

鈥淚t comes down to optimism,鈥 he says. 鈥淭his is a rare experience that can connect us to each other, to our planet and to possibilities to do something good. You don鈥檛 go up on our spaceship to look out at space 鈥 you go up to look back at Earth. As more people do that, we can鈥檛 begin to imagine how much good can result from those few minutes.鈥

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Alex Williams_flying plane
120 Students Join 性视界传媒 to Become Physician Knights /news/120-students-join-ucf-to-become-physician-knights/ Tue, 04 Aug 2026 13:16:11 +0000 /news/?p=154542 Chosen from 5,422 applicants, the 120 new M.D. candidates received their undergraduate degrees from Yale, Vanderbilt, Notre Dame, Duke, Case Western and Emory in addition to 性视界传媒.

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Pepi Dostal was inspired to enter medicine by his grandmother, a physician who cared for her village in the Czech Republic. Often paid with eggs or meat from her patients鈥 farms, she remains the village matriarch even after retirement.

鈥淚 saw what she means to her community,鈥 says Dostal, who comes to 性视界传媒 from the University of Washington. 鈥淎nd I wanted to do the same thing for my community.鈥

Dostal was one of 120 new 性视界传媒 College of Medicine students who received their white coats Monday in a traditional celebration that welcomes them as partners in healthcare.

Chosen from 5,422 applicants, the 120 new M.D. candidates received their undergraduate degrees from Yale, Vanderbilt, Notre Dame, Duke, Case Western and Emory in addition to 性视界传媒. They include scientists, artists, musicians, athletes, global volunteers and EMTs.

A group of students wearing white coats and posing for a photo
性视界传媒’s M.D. Class of 2030 includes scientists, community volunteers, first responders, athletes and artists.

Monday was the 18th White Coat Ceremony in the history of the medical school, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. In his welcome, 性视界传媒 President Alexander N. Cartwright described 鈥渨hat began as a bold vision on undeveloped land in Lake Nona has grown into a thriving Academic Health Sciences Campus and a community focused on improving lives.鈥

And he credited that growth to Deborah German, vice president for health affairs and founding dean, who has announced her transition from both roles. Monday was her last White Coat Ceremony.

鈥淒r. German helped transform an ambitious vision into the college you join today,鈥 he told students, parents, faculty and staff. 鈥淏ecause of her leadership, hundreds of physicians have begun their careers here, thousands of patients have been served, and new partnerships, discoveries, and opportunities have taken shape across Lake Nona and our state. Dr. German, your remarkable legacy will always hold a special place at 性视界传媒.鈥

The Good Doctor

For every White Coat Ceremony, German has conducted the first class of medical school called 鈥淭he Good Doctor 鈥 A 性视界传媒 Tradition.鈥

Dean Deborah German conducts the first class of medical school at 性视界传媒 鈥 The Good Doctor, a 性视界传媒 Tradition.
Dean Deborah German conducts the first class of medical school at 性视界传媒 鈥 The Good Doctor, a 性视界传媒 Tradition.

She asks first-year students to imagine the person they love most in the world is seriously ill with an undiagnosed condition. What are the traits they want to see in the doctor caring for their beloved? As students name attributes, German writes each word on a blackboard that is displayed in the College of Medicine atrium for the entire year.

The class of 2030 suggested 38 traits, including聽humble, trustworthy, dedicated, knowledgeable, ethical, determined, compassionate, resilient and innovative.

鈥淭his is your聽contract聽with your聽faculty,聽friends,聽family, community聽and聽each other,鈥 German said, pointing to the board. 鈥淎lways remember, The Good Doctor lives in each of you. With the聽guidance of the faculty聽and聽your own hard work, you will become The Good Doctor.鈥

Nelson Jones with his family, including both parents who are nurses and inspired him to go into medicine.
Nelson Jones with his family, including both parents who are nurses and inspired him to go into medicine.

Inspired to Care for Others

As a 性视界传媒 undergraduate, Nelson Jones earned the Order of Pegasus, the university鈥檚 top student honor. Today he is a physician-in-training. Both of his parents are nurses, and he described how their care of others 鈥 especially in communities of need 鈥 inspired him. So did the opportunities 性视界传媒 provides.

鈥淚鈥檓 feeling extremely grateful and excited,鈥 he said after receiving his white coat. 鈥淭his university has built me into the person I am and will continue to build me into the physician I strive to become.鈥

Vivian Silva-Dallenbach graduated from the University of South 性视界传媒 with degrees in biomedical sciences and astronomy. She chose 性视界传媒 for medical school because of the college鈥檚 new aerospace medicine program. She鈥檚 researched how space flight affects the human body.

鈥淥nce I saw that 性视界传媒 has an aerospace medicine program, I knew it was a match,鈥 she says. 鈥淚鈥檓 particularly interested in women鈥檚 health and how we can provide specialized care for female astronauts.鈥

Dev Patel, another 性视界传媒 alum, says his dreams are inspired by the College of Medicine鈥檚 founding dean. 鈥淚 would like to take a page out of German鈥檚 book. She started with almost nothing to work with and she built something amazing here. So as we have such a long road in front of us, I鈥檓 hoping to follow in her footsteps and even have a fraction of the impact she did.鈥

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性视界传媒_-Class-of-2030-White-Coat 性视界传媒's M.D. Class of 2030 incudes scientists, community volunteers, first responders, athletes and artists. 性视界传媒_Class of 2030 White Coat_Deb German Dean Deborah German conducts the first class of medical school at 性视界传媒 鈥 The Good Doctor, a 性视界传媒 Tradition. 性视界传媒_White Coat_Class of 2030_Nelson Jones Nelson Jones with his family, including both parents who are nurses and inspired him to go into medicine.
2 Graduating Student-Veterans Share Their Courage to Begin Again /news/2-graduating-student-veterans-share-their-courage-to-begin-again/ Fri, 31 Jul 2026 13:00:39 +0000 /news/?p=154503 U.S. Army veterans Alexandria Marcellus and Mason Miles found more than a fulfilling academic journey at 性视界传媒. Through community, leadership and industry experience, they launched careers, discovered purpose and redefined what service looks like.

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For a combined 13 years, Alexandria Marcellus and Mason Miles lived lives defined by missions, military orders and serving something greater than themselves.

Then came a challenge unlike any either had faced before: college.

Stepping onto 鲍颁贵鈥檚 campus meant trading uniforms for backpacks, military precision for unstructured schedules and familiar routines for classrooms filled with students years younger than themselves. After years of knowing exactly where they needed to be and when, they suddenly had to chart their own course.

That uncertainty became the beginning of an entirely new mission.

This summer, the two U.S. Army veterans 鈥 both first-generation college students 鈥 will cross the stage during 鲍颁贵鈥檚 Summer 2026 Commencement with bachelor鈥檚 degrees and full-time jobs already secured. Their journeys represent far more than earning a degree. They show how resilience, adaptability and a willingness to embrace the unknown can transform possibility into opportunity.

Alexandria Marcellus
(Photo by Antoine Hart)

Alexandria Marcellus: Finding Stability 鈥 and a Calling to Serve

Marcellus has spent much of her life opening doors no one in her family had opened before.

(Photo courtesy of Alexandria Marcellus)

At 17, she became the first person in her family to enlist in the Army. While stationed in Germany, she earned an associate degree in business administration and began to see college as a realistic option for the first time.

“The military was an escape,鈥 Marcellus says. 鈥淚f I wanted a different life from the one I’d seen, this was the way.”

鈥淪erving my soldiers put me in a position to always be in service of others because of the difference that I can make.鈥 鈥 Alexandria Marcellus

During seven years of military service, she quickly rose into a noncommissioned officer leadership role, discovering that her greatest fulfillment came from helping others succeed.

鈥淪erving my soldiers put me in a position to always be in service of others because of the difference that I can make. That鈥檚 what stuck with me the most,鈥 Marcellus says.

That mindset followed her to 性视界传媒.

Leaving the military and becoming a full-time student just two months later proved more difficult than she expected.

The campus felt enormous. The freedom she had long desired suddenly became intimidating. Unsure where she fit, she walked into (MVSS), where a veteran peer success coach assured her she wasn’t alone.

鈥淭hat’s when, for the first time since I left the military, I felt like somebody understood me,鈥 Marcellus says.

What began as a place to ask questions quickly became what she describes as her “duty station on campus.”

Inspired by the support she received, Marcellus returned as a peer success coach, helping veterans and students on academic probation regain confidence, navigate challenges and create plans for success. Often, she found that what students needed most was someone willing to listen.

She recalls several students telling her, “No one has ever asked me what’s going on in my life that’s affecting my grades.”

Marcellus became that person.

Wanting women veterans to experience the same sense of belonging she found in the military, Marcellus established the Women Veterans Association at 性视界传媒, creating a community where women veterans could build lifelong friendships and support one another throughout college.

“If I could create a space where women could come together and find someone who was going to be pivotal to them succeeding along their journey,” she says, “then I wanted to do it.”

Her own journey wasn’t without setbacks. After realizing the management major wasn’t the right academic fit, she discovered 性视界传媒’s integrated business program, where collaborative projects and interdisciplinary coursework aligned perfectly with her strengths.

“I want my future children, my nieces and nephews, my godchildren and anyone close to me to see what’s possible because when you watch someone you know accomplish something, it suddenly feels like something you can accomplish, too.” 鈥擜lexandria Marcellus

As graduation approached, she looked beyond the classroom for industry experience. After six unanswered applications to Lockheed Martin, persistence paid off when she landed a year-long position through the Lockheed Martin College Work Experience Program (CWEP), which provides undergraduate and graduate students with real-world work skills relevant to their academic and career goals. As an integrated program planner, she balanced full-time coursework while coordinating schedules, improving processes and building industry-ready skills.

The experience helped prepare her for her current position as an administrative assistant at CHA Consulting, a local engineering consulting firm, where she supports engineering teams across Central 性视界传媒.

Graduation isn鈥檛 the finish line. She plans to earn her project management professional certification before pursuing graduate studies focused on business psychology and organizational leadership.

For Marcellus, every achievement represents another opportunity for someone else.

“Every single challenge or opportunity in life is like a door,” she says. “When I can open one, it doesn’t just change my life. It creates a path for people coming after me. I want my future children, my nieces and nephews, my godchildren and anyone close to me to see what’s possible, because when you watch someone you know accomplish something, it suddenly feels like something you can accomplish, too.”

Mason Miles
(Photo by Antoine Hart)

Mason Miles: Turning Curiosity into a Career

For many teenagers, an 18th birthday comes with cake and car keys. For Miles, it came with a decision to enlist in the Army.

College wasn’t financially realistic after high school, but military service offered opportunity, purpose and a way forward.

The son of a construction worker who had long been fascinated by engineering and aviation, Miles participated in JROTC throughout high school before spending six years in the Army, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

(Photo courtesy of Mason Miles)

He began as an unmanned aircraft operator before advancing to aircraft commander, instructor and noncommissioned officer, eventually helping develop battlefield training doctrine alongside senior military leaders 鈥 responsibilities few people in their early twenties ever experience.

Yet during deployment, another passion quietly emerged.

鈥淚 saw that it was direct industry-relevant experience that was veteran-preferred. So I thought, 鈥榃hy not try my hand at it?鈥 I ended up in a field that has a ton to do with my exact interest.鈥 鈥 Mason Miles

Between missions, he taught himself Python programming, built Arduino robotics kits and enrolled in online college courses.

“I knew engineering was something I was interested in,” Miles says. “I never thought I would do it. Once I got back from deployment, I saw I had plateaued [in my career]. My natural next step was in engineering.鈥

Returning to his hometown of Orlando, he enrolled at 性视界传媒 to study computer engineering.

Determined to gain industry experience as early as possible, he applied to Lockheed Martin鈥檚 CWEP program during his first year as a Knight.

Having previously worked with Lockheed Martin while serving in the military, he recognized the program as an opportunity to combine classroom learning with real-world experience.

鈥淚 saw that it was direct industry-relevant experience that was veteran-preferred,鈥 he says. 鈥淪o I thought, 鈥榃hy not try my hand at it?鈥 I ended up in a field that has a ton to do with my exact interest.鈥

Over the past three years, Miles has worked as a software engineer focused on cybersecurity for embedded systems, strengthening his knowledge of software and hardware development.

“Every class I took throughout my computer engineering degree either has a direct piece of software or skill or toolbox that I need for my job.” 鈥 Mason Miles

Classroom learning and professional experience quickly became inseparable.

“Every class I took throughout my computer engineering degree either has a direct piece of software or skill or toolbox that I need for my job,” Miles says.

His proudest accomplishment came during Senior Design, a capstone course for engineering and computer science disciplines at 性视界传媒. He helped create a biometric sleep-tracking device that mimics a bedside lamp 鈥 an invention he hopes to patent while continuing his accelerated bachelor鈥檚-to-master鈥檚 degree in computer engineering.

Miles has already accepted a full-time position as a cyber software engineer with Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control in Orlando.

Where Their Stories Go From Here

For Marcellus, graduation represents another door opened for her and for the generations of family members and fellow veterans who鈥檒l follow.

For Miles, it marks the moment when years of military service give way to a career solving tomorrow鈥檚 greatest cybersecurity challenges.

As they graduate with careers already underway, they embody what military service has always been about: using your skills to make a difference wherever you鈥檙e called next.

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性视界传媒_Alexandria Marcellus_2026 (Photo by Antoine Hart) 性视界传媒_Alexandria-Marcellus_army (Photo courtesy of Alexandria Marcellus) 性视界传媒_Mason MIles_2026 (Photo by Antoine Hart) 性视界传媒_Mason-Miles_military (Photo courtesy of Mason Miles)
From the Clinic to the Cockpit: 性视界传媒 Opens New FAA-Designated Clinic for Pilots /news/from-the-clinic-to-the-cockpit-ucf-opens-new-faa-designated-clinic-for-pilots/ Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:34:48 +0000 /news/?p=154402 Through specially administered exams, 性视界传媒 faculty member William 鈥淓d鈥 Powers and his team are helping pilots stay healthy and adhere to the medical standards the FAA requires for safe aircraft operation.

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Minutes from one of the world鈥檚 most visited airports, 性视界传媒 has opened a new clinic to help pilots meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) medical requirements to fly safely.

The new University of Central 性视界传媒 Aerospace Medicine Clinic at 性视界传媒 Health Faculty Physician Practice in Lake Nona is led by William 鈥淓d鈥 Powers, chief medical officer of 鲍颁贵鈥檚 and a certified aviation medical examiner.

Pilots operating civilian aircraft must have various levels of FAA medical certification depending on the type of aircraft. Commercial pilots must pass the exam every six months or each year.

鈥淔light safety depends on healthy pilots,鈥 says Powers, who is certified to conduct the highest level of FAA exams. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 ultimately what we鈥檙e here to support.鈥

“Here at 性视界传媒, we are … connecting medicine, engineering, research and industry in ways few universities can.” 鈥 性视界传媒 President Alexander N. Cartwright

性视界传媒 President Alexander N. Cartwright says the clinic is an example of the university鈥檚 mission to educate talent, advance discovery and solve societal challenges that matter.

鈥淭he next era of flight will bring new demands on health and human performance,鈥 Cartwright says. 鈥淗ere at 性视界传媒, we are meeting those challenges by connecting medicine, engineering, research and industry in ways few universities can.鈥

What sets this clinic apart from others is its ability to more efficiently address the health needs of pilots thanks to a network of 性视界传媒 College of Medicine faculty physicians, university officials say.

The clinic marked its opening with a ceremony today.

Assessing Safety and Minimizing Risk

Medical clearance for pilots is 鈥渁ll about risk,鈥 Powers says. 鈥淭he FAA has to assess the risk of a pilot experiencing a sudden incapacitation while flying. That鈥檚 really what these exams are focused on.鈥

For that reason, the 性视界传媒 clinic will not focus on diagnosing disease, but on identifying and acting on any condition that might endanger pilot, crew and passenger safety.

In addition to a physical exam, pilots must pass hearing and vision tests, including demonstrating that they are not color blind. Airline pilots receive an electrocardiogram every year, while other pilots, like hobbyists, may receive an electrocardiogram if there is evidence of heart disease. Physicians also review medical history and discuss any health concerns that could affect flight safety.

Even manageable chronic conditions like high blood pressure can temporarily delay certification until the condition is treated, stabilized and controlled.

鈥淲hen you鈥檙e flying an airplane, you don鈥檛 have the luxury of pulling over and waiting for help like if you鈥檙e a truck driver,鈥 Powers says. 鈥淵ou must be aware at all times. If you鈥檙e responsible for an aircraft full of passengers, the FAA wants to minimize the chance of a sudden incapacitation.鈥

A Vast Network of Expertise

Complicated medical cases are referred to the FAA for further review, and pilots may need additional interventions to meet certification standards. That鈥檚 where the College of Medicine鈥檚 physician practice offers a distinct advantage, Powers says.

“We can guide pilots to the specialists and testing they need and help them get back on the path toward medical clearance.” 鈥 William “Ed” Powers, chief medical officer of the CASEEM

Unlike private clinics that do pilot certification exams, 性视界传媒 offers multiple medical specialties under one roof and a team approach to care.

鈥淲e can guide pilots to the specialists and testing they need and help them get back on the path toward medical clearance,鈥 Powers says.

Powers brings decades of expertise in space and aviation medicine. Before joining 性视界传媒, he was chief of NASA鈥檚 Medical Operations Branch, director of flight medicine for Axiom Space and director of the aerospace medicine residency program at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.

Powers also worked inside the FAA as a supervisory medical officer. He says that experience gives him a firm understanding of what the FAA requires, making the process smoother for everyone.

鈥淭hat means fewer delays, fewer mistakes in paperwork and a more efficient process for pilots whose livelihoods depend on getting certified,鈥 he says.

William 鈥淓d鈥 Powers demonstrates part of a hearing test with a standardized patient. Pilots are assessed for hearing, vision, cardiovascular health and more to ensure pilot safety and eliminate the risk of sudden incapacitation.

Strengthening the Regional Aviation Ecosystem

Another 性视界传媒 advantage: the clinic is only about 10 miles from Orlando International Airport, which welcomes 58 million travelers annually. So in addition to local aviators, pilots nationwide who travel to and through Orlando could easily schedule their certification exams at 性视界传媒.

“Clinics like 鲍颁贵鈥檚 Aerospace Medicine Clinic [are] helping pilots, whether in space or on the ground, access the care and medical certification support they need to remain flight-ready.” 鈥 Lance Lyttle, CEO of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority

The clinic will help strengthen the aviation training pipeline in one of the nation鈥檚 most active aerospace regions. This capability is especially important for local flight schools whose students may require guidance in navigating medical certification, return-to-flight concerns and the health demands of aviation careers.

鈥淐entral 性视界传媒鈥檚 aviation ecosystem is built on more than runways, terminals and launchpads,鈥 says Lance Lyttle, CEO of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, which manages Orlando International and Orlando Executive airports. 鈥淚t also depends on the people and services that keep aviation moving safely and efficiently. Clinics like 鲍颁贵鈥檚 Aerospace Medicine Clinic complement that ecosystem by helping pilots, whether in space or on the ground, access the care and medical certification support they need to remain flight-ready.鈥

The clinic is embedded in Central 性视界传媒鈥檚 bustling travel hub with numerous satellite airports, including Kissimmee Gateway Airport and Orlando Sanford International Airport. Giving pilots another option to get cleared to fly strengthens the regional economy, says Shaun Germolus, director of aviation for the Kissimmee facility.

鈥淭he aviation industry in Central 性视界传媒 provides a major economic impact to the region,鈥 Germolus says. 鈥淭he medical exams and certificates provided by the 性视界传媒 Aerospace Medicine Clinic will be very valuable to ensure our aviation professionals are healthy and readily available to serve.鈥

Launching the Clinic

The clinic is starting with limited Thursday and Friday morning appointments to allow the team to refine operations before expanding. Helping coordinate those efforts is Camila Niebla 鈥26, a 性视界传媒 health sciences graduate who now serves as the clinic鈥檚 aerospace medicine navigator.

Niebla discovered aerospace medicine by accident while exploring future career paths before applying to medical school.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 even know aerospace medicine was a possibility,鈥 she says. 鈥淚鈥檝e always been interested in performance-driven medicine, like sports medicine, so this felt really exciting. It鈥檚 exciting to be part of something from the beginning and watch it grow.鈥

Part of a Larger Vision for Aerospace Medicine at 性视界传媒

The clinic is part of 鲍颁贵鈥檚 , which is being developed as a comprehensive academic, clinical, research, education, and operational platform to support the future of aviation, commercial spaceflight, and human space exploration.

鈥淭his is about building the medical infrastructure required for the next era of flight, both on Earth and in space,鈥 says Emmanuel Urquieta, vice chair for aerospace medicine at the 性视界传媒 College of Medicine. 鈥淥ur goal is to create a program that is not only academic, but operational and translational in nature 鈥 one that supports student pilots, flight schools, commercial aviation, spaceflight providers and the broader aerospace ecosystem.鈥

Schedule an Appointment

to learn more about FAA medical exams at 性视界传媒 Health Faculty Physician Practice and schedule an appointment online.

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FAA flight exam William 鈥淓d鈥 Powers demonstrates part of a hearing test with a standardized patient. Pilots are assessed for hearing, vision, cardiovascular health and more to ensure pilot safety and eliminate the risk of sudden incapacitation.