“Postdocs are highly trained professionals, not students,” says Jade Laderwarg, director of postdoctoral affairs at UCF. “They contribute significantly to the university鈥檚 research enterprise by supporting grant activity, co-authoring publications and carrying out day-to-day research.”

Since postdoctoral scholars typically have fewer teaching and service responsibilities than tenured faculty, they can devote significant time to making new discoveries and are a vital part of 糖心logo入口鈥檚 research infrastructure.

In 2025, UCF employed 250 postdoctoral scholars, 25% higher than the postdoctoral scholar requirement for preeminence in Florida. The university鈥檚 investment in this researcher demographic in recent years emphasizes a strengthened focus on research growth and supporting postdoctoral scholars鈥� success.

Their impact can be seen across UCF鈥檚 research community.

Protecting Marine Ecosystems: Ian Silver-Gorges

As a biology postdoctoral scholar at UCF, Ian Silver-Gorges is investigating how environmental stress influences disease in green sea turtles throughout the Gulf of Mexico. His research is supported through the U.S. National Science Foundation鈥檚 Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology program.

鈥淯CF has given me important teaching experience and provided resources critical to my success,鈥� Silver-Gorges says.

Support from both the NSF and UCF has been pivotal to his research and professional development.

The NSF funds fundamental research and provides fellowships that help cover听salary and research costs during this pivotal career stage. Meanwhile, strategic initiatives such as the help UCF recruit nationally competitive scholars by providing matching funds to faculty.

鈥淚 believe that by completing both a P3 and an NSF fellowship at UCF, I鈥檒l be a competitive candidate for faculty or research positions when I start applying,鈥� Silver-Gorges says.

Advancing the Future of Cancer Detection: Dhruvam Pandey

In the Han Lab at CREOL, the College of Optics and Photonics, postdoctoral scholar Dhruvam Pandey is combining super-resolution microscopy and high-throughput imaging to develop tools that provide clinicians with faster, more precise cancer diagnostics. His work bridges the gap between experimental photonics and deep learning algorithms to improve cancerdetection.

鈥淲hat drew me to UCF is the unique research ecosystem at CREOL,鈥� Pandey says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a place where cutting-edge optics and computation come together.鈥�

Building a Research Powerhouse

Postdoctoral scholar numbers are one of 12 metrics used by the Florida Board of Governors to determine eligibility for designation as a Preeminent State Research University 鈥� the state鈥檚 highest classification for public universities. In 2025, UCF met all 12 metrics, fueled by an expanding research enterprise and more than $285 million in annual research expenditures.

Programs such as P3 and Short-Term Postdoc Support (STePS) have helped drive this growth by providing resources that enablefaculty to recruit talented scholars and strengthen mentorship opportunities.

鈥淲e鈥檙e incredibly proud of all the progress we鈥檝e made,鈥� says John Weishampel, dean of the . 鈥淭he tireless work of our faculty and staff, along with the success of programs like P3 and STePS, has allowed us to expand our postdoctoral community in meaningful and lasting ways.鈥�

As UCF continues its rise as a leading research institution, its expanding postdoctoral community is both a symbol of progress and a catalyst for future breakthroughs.

UCF Homecoming celebrates how far the university has come and where it鈥檚 going next.

At the center of that tradition is the , UCF鈥檚 premier alumni recognition event. Each year, the awards honor alumni and friends of the university whose accomplishments, leadership and service embody the best of 糖心logo入口 while helping Knight Nation .

On Thursday, Oct. 22, the DeVos Family Room at the听Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando will fill with Black & Gold pride as UCF recognizes six extraordinary individuals who are breaking barriers, lifting others and expanding what鈥檚 possible for the university and their communities.

鈥淭his is the pinnacle of alumni recognition at UCF, an evening when Knight Nation comes together to honor those whose leadership, service and achievements represent the very best of our university,鈥� says Heather Junod 鈥�98, associate vice president for UCF Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving. 鈥淭his year鈥檚 honorees exemplify the ambition, innovation and impact that define UCF. Their accomplishments elevate our university, inspire future generations of Knights, and demonstrate the difference UCF graduates make in their communities and around the world.鈥�

Distinguished Alumni Award

The highest honor bestowed annually upon a UCF graduate.

Brandi Bryan 鈥�17MS

A healthcare executive advancing the future of nursing, Brandi Bryan 鈥�17MS has dedicated her career to improving patient care and preparing the next generation of nurse leaders. A proud UCF College of Nursing graduate, she mentors students, serves on the college’s alumni council and champions opportunities that strengthen the nursing profession. Through her leadership and steadfast commitment to service, Bryan is helping build healthier communities and a stronger future for nursing.

Carrie Daanen 鈥�92

A retired finance executive, philanthropist and dedicated UCF volunteer, Carrie Daanen 鈥�92听helps clear the path to graduation for UCF students through her generous support. A first-generation college graduate, she champions scholarships, student stabilization and mentorship for women in business. Guided by gratitude for the opportunities UCF provided, Daanen, a member of , invests her resources, expertise and passion to ensure a financial setback never becomes the reason a degree goes unfinished, helping launch futures and strengthen communities for generations to come.

Ronald C. Thow 鈥�93

A principal of and former UCF student-athlete, Ron C. Thow 鈥�93 has built a career grounded in resilience, teamwork and ambition. As a first-generation college graduate, he credits UCF with opening doors during his time pursuing a degree in interdisciplinary studies, helping shape his professional journey. Today, Thow is a member of and proudly supports many programs in and the through his philanthropy and by encouraging future Knights to dream boldly, embrace challenges and pursue every opportunity with purpose.

John C. and Martha Hitt Honorary Alumni Award

The highest honor for a friend of 糖心logo入口.

Jogi听Pattisapu, M.D.

An internationally respected pediatric neurosurgeon, educator and mentor, Jogi Pattisapu听 has devoted his career to advancing medicine while inspiring future physicians. Through decades of teaching, clinical excellence, philanthropy and service to UCF, including a faculty appointment as a professor of neurosurgery at the , he has challenged generations of students to think critically, lead compassionately and pursue lifelong learning. His enduring legacy is reflected in the countless lives he has helped shape.

Young Alumni Award

The highest annual honor for a recent 30 Under 30 honoree.

Shaina Ruth 鈥�18

A prosecutor and advocate for crime victims, criminal justice graduate Shaina Ruth 鈥�18 has dedicated her career to protecting vulnerable individuals and seeking justice with compassion. Inspired by mentors and meaningful internships at , she remains deeply committed to giving back as a UCF Legal Studies mentor. Ruth embraces the power of unexpected opportunities and encourages future Knights to do the same while making a lasting difference.

Distinguished Student Award

The highest honor for a current UCF student.

Ornella Vintimilla

A Burnett Honors Scholar, future physician-scientist and dedicated student leader, Ornella Vintimilla has transformed her transfer student experience into a mission of mentorship, service and discovery. Through campus leadership roles 鈥� including serving as co-founder of a medical student association and as an Academic Advancement Programs ambassador 鈥� the biomedical sciences major helps fellow students recognize their potential while preparing for a career in medicine. Vintimilla is committed to expanding opportunities that empower others to strive for bold goals and make a meaningful impact.

Interested in joining Knight Nation as we celebrate Black & Gold excellence at the 2026 Shining Knights Alumni Awards? Learn more about opportunities.

To build the ultrafast computers of the future, scientists are looking beyond the electrical charge of electrons to another property: their spin. While conventional hardware relies entirely on the movement of charge to process data, the ability to tap into this intrinsic quantum property could enable researchers to completely reinvent how information travels through a circuit.

Now, a team led by UCF Professor of Physics has identified a promising candidate. Neupane and his collaborators found evidence of altermagnetism, an emerging form of magnetism that combines useful characteristics of the two more familiar types of magnetism: ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism.

Ferromagnetism produces the behavior most people associate with everyday magnets. In these materials, magnetic moments align in the same direction, creating a magnetic field. That property can be useful in electronics, but the resulting stray magnetic fields can interfere with nearby components.

Antiferromagnets behave differently. Their magnetic moments point in opposing directions and cancel one another out, largely avoiding the stray fields. However, they lack some of the useful electronic properties found in ferromagnets.

Altermagnets offer another possibility by combining desirable characteristics of both.

Like antiferromagnets, they can avoid producing unwanted stray magnetic fields. But they can also generate and detect spin currents 鈥� the movement of electron spins through a material 鈥� that researchers hope to use for future electronics.

Neupane and his collaborators experimentally identified signatures of this unusual magnetic state in Co鈧�/鈧凾aSe鈧�, a layered material containing magnetic cobalt atoms. The discovery gives researchers a promising, versatile platform for studying altermagnetism and could help advance future electronic and spintronic technologies.

鈥淭hese materials are distinguished from more conventional antiferromagnets by their ability to generate and detect spin currents without the negative effect of producing stray fields,鈥� Neupane says. 鈥淭his new property makes them very well positioned for use in many different applications 鈥� including spintronics, ultrafast memory devices, terahertz networks and energy-efficient electronics.鈥�

Tracking the Signs of Altermagnetism

To determine whether Co鈧�/鈧凾aSe鈧� exhibited altermagnetism, the researchers needed to examine how its electrons behaved.

They used a technique called angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, or ARPES, which allows scientists to measure the energy and movement of electrons and map a material鈥檚 electronic structure.

鈥淥ur approach was to use higher-resolution methods that were insensitive to the electron鈥檚 spin to measure the splitting in the energy levels,鈥� Neupane says. 鈥淭hen, we complemented this measurement with spin-resolved ARPES to conclusively tell if this looks like altermagnetism.鈥�

The team first detected a characteristic splitting in the material鈥檚 electronic bands. They then used spin-resolved ARPES to take a closer look and found that those split states carried opposite spin polarizations, key evidence of altermagnetism.

Getting a clear look at that behavior presented another challenge. Photoemission measurements are extremely sensitive to a material鈥檚 surface, so researchers needed exceptionally clean samples to accurately observe what was happening.

While collaborators produced high-quality Co鈧�/鈧凾aSe鈧� samples, Neupane鈥檚 team carefully screened them for ultra-clean surfaces before mapping the material鈥檚 electronic behavior.

鈥淭he significance became clear once the experimental measurements consistently matched our theoretical predictions,鈥� Neupane says. 鈥淪eeing those independent pieces of evidence converge gave us confidence that we had identified a genuine layered altermagnet.鈥�

Why Layered Materials Are Changing the Game

Finding evidence of altermagnetism was only part of what made Co鈧�/鈧凾aSe鈧� interesting to researchers.

The material is built from extremely thin layers stacked on top of one another. Because those layers are weakly bound, scientists can separate and combine them into extremely thin structures, making layered materials promising for use in thin-film devices and other emerging technologies.

Scientists call this family of layered materials transition-metal dichalcogenides, or TMDs.

In Co鈧�/鈧凾aSe鈧�, magnetic cobalt atoms inserted between the layers help create the material鈥檚 unusual magnetic properties. Its layered structure also makes the material highly tunable, allowing researchers to modify it and study how those changes affect its electronic and magnetic behavior.

The team also wanted to understand where that unusual electronic behavior originated. Before the study, it was unclear whether the key signatures of altermagnetism in layered materials would come primarily from the surface or from deeper within the material.

Their measurements showed that the relevant electronic state originated primarily within the material itself and displayed clear signatures of altermagnetic order.

鈥淓vidence for altermagnetism in a versatile materials platform opens a lot of new possibilities,鈥� says Milo Sprague, the study鈥檚 lead graduate student researcher. 鈥淭here鈥檚 currently a lot of debate in altermagnetic theory about how the spin-polarized electronic states interact with other magnetic phenomena. Now we have a material that we can easily modify to explore these new questions.鈥�

Building the Foundation for Future Technologies

Most conventional electronics rely on the electrical charge of electrons to transmit and process information. But electrons possess another property, their spin, that researchers are exploring as another way to carry information.

This emerging field is known as spintronics.

Altermagnets could be particularly useful for spintronics because they can generate and detect spin currents without producing the stray magnetic fields that can interfere with densely packed electronic components.

鈥淎s electronic devices continue to shrink, researchers need new materials that can operate faster while consuming less energy,鈥� Neupane says.

Layered materials are already being investigated for use in extremely small transistors, optical technologies and other electronic devices. At the same time, researchers are exploring whether spin currents can provide new ways to transmit digital information.

Layered altermagnets could bring those two areas of research together, providing extremely thin, adaptable materials capable of controlling electron spin without producing the same unwanted magnetic interference as conventional magnets.

鈥淚f this approach proves viable, then layered altermagnets will be at the forefront of electronics development,鈥� Neupane says.

What Researchers Still Don鈥檛 Know

The study gives researchers something particularly valuable: a material they can use to investigate the many unanswered questions surrounding altermagnetism in Co鈧�/鈧凾aSe鈧�.

Scientists still don鈥檛 fully understand why this unusual magnetic state forms or why it can become favored over other possible magnetic structures 鈥� including ferromagnetism and other forms of antiferromagnetism 鈥� and how it behaves.

Theoretical studies suggest that competition among different interactions between electrons may help determine which magnetic state forms, but researchers are still working to determine how completely those theories describe the behavior of real materials.

鈥淭here are many details to the theory of how altermagnets work that haven鈥檛 been explored or verified yet,鈥� Neupane says. 鈥淣ow that we have identified several platforms for answering these questions, more advanced studies into these materials are underway.鈥�

Because scientists can modify Co鈧�/鈧凾aSe鈧� and observe how its properties change, the material provides researchers with a new experimental platform for investigating unanswered questions and exploring how altermagnetism interacts with other magnetic and electronic phenomena.

This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science under Award Number DE-SC0024304.

Hosted by the twice a year in the fall and spring semesters, the largest job fair on campus features 250+ companies across a variety of industries from diverse fields including technology, finance, healthcare, engineering and more.

This career fair is open to all UCF students and alumni. It is your gateway to explore a wide range of career options, gain insider advice from industry experts, and stay ahead of the curve in today鈥檚 evolving job market.

It鈥檚 also a great opportunity to practice your networking skills and leave a lasting impression on potential employers.

This guide shares logistical information about the Internship and Career Expo itself, as well as tips and resources ahead of the event so you can make your best impression.

Internship and Career Expo

Date: Thursday, Oct 1, 2026

Time: 11:30 a.m. 鈥� 3:30 p.m.

• Fast Pass Entry at 11:30 p.m. (more below on ways to score a fast pass)
• General Entrance begins at noon.
• Doors close at 3 p.m.

Location: Addition Financial Arena (12777 Gemini Blvd N, Orlando, FL 32816)

Attire: Business casual or professional attire encouraged; Pants or skirts paired with a dress shirt or blouse and dress shoes with socks or appropriate hosiery. Please avoid bringing large bags.

Security Check: The Addition Financial Arena is implementing enhanced security measures. Security procedures include, but are not limited to, performing body wand and bag checks at all arena entrances. before arriving. Guests should allow additional time to enter the gate, as these measures may delay entrance into the event.

Register: This career fair is open to all UCF students and alumni. .

Ways to Prepare and Resources

Virtual Career Guidance:

UCF partners with , a 24/7 virtual career assistant, to help students create a powerful resume and practice their interview skills. VMock leverages technologies like data science, machine learning and natural language processing to provide instant personalized feedback on resumes, cover letters, elevator pitches and interview responses based on criteria gathered from employers and global best practices.

Where to Print Your Resume:

Students seeking to print copies of their resume or cover letter can do so for a small charge on main campus at the or in the Visitor & Parking Information Center (4000 Central Florida Blvd.).

If you are printing your resume or cover letter for a job or career fair, we recommend having at least one copy for each job/employer you are interested in, plus additional copies for unexpected opportunities or to replace damaged or lost copies.

Professional Clothing Glow Up:

鈥� In Person at the Florida Mall
Sept. 19, 11 a.m. 鈥� 2 p.m.

An exclusive in-store shopping event for career apparel with exclusive discounts not available to the public. Students and alumni will be required to swipe their ID cards or provide their PID and check in via Handshake at the JCPenney Florida Mall location in order to receive their coupon.

This event is eligible for an EXPO Fast Pass which will grant early entry to the Fall 2026 Internship & Career EXPO. Pick up your Fast Pass Voucher at the check-in table.

鈥� In Person at Waterford Lakes
Sept. 20, noon 鈥� 2 p.m.

Students and alumni can enjoy a 15% discount on business and business casual attire during the shopping event. Students will be required to swipe their ID cards or provide their UCF ID and check in via Handshake at Style Encore Waterford Lakes location the day of the event.

This event is eligible for an EXPO Fast Pass which will grant early entry to the Fall 2026 Internship & Career EXPO. Pick up your Fast Pass Voucher at the check-in table.

鈥� Main Campus
Drop in, 10 a.m. 鈥� 6 p.m.

A limited professional clothing section is available to all UCF students, with valid UCF ID, on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Career Prep Events (Virtual and In-Person):

鈥� In Person
Sept. 22, 10 a.m. 鈥� 2 p.m.

Registration via handshake is required to attend this event. Employer representatives will be on site to assist with one-on-one resume reviews and interview preparation sessions. Please bring an updated copy of your resume for recruiters to review. The session will be conducted on a first-come, first-served drop-in basis. As employer representatives become available, students will be paired one-to-one to conduct a 15-20-minute session of their choice and may leave after the session is complete.

This event is eligible for an EXPO Fast Pass, which will grant early entry to the Fall 2026 Internship and Career EXPO. Pick up your voucher on the way out of the session. Limited quantities available.

Engineering and Technical Industry Day – In Person
Sept. 23, (9 a.m. 鈥� noon) and (1 鈥� 4 p.m.)

Registration via handshake is required to attend this event. Employer representatives will be on site to assist with one-on-one resume reviews and interview preparation sessions. Please bring an updated copy of your resume for recruiters to review. The sessions will be conducted on a first-come, first-served drop-in basis. As employer representatives become available, students will be paired one-to-one to conduct a 15-20-minute session of their choice and may leave after the session is complete.

This event is eligible for an EXPO Fast Pass, which will grant early entry to the Fall 2026 Internship and Career EXPO. Pick up your voucher on the way out of the session. Limited quantities available.

– Virtual
Sept. 24, 10 a.m. 鈥� 2 p.m.

Registration via handshake is required to attend this event. Employer representatives will be available to assist with one-on-one resume reviews and interview preparation sessions. Please bring an updated copy of your resume for recruiters to review. The session will be conducted on a first-come, first-served drop-in basis. As employer representatives become available, students will be paired one-to-one to conduct a 15-20-minute session of their choice and may leave after the session is complete.

This event is eligible for an EXPO Fast Pass, which will grant early entry to the Fall 2026 Internship and Career EXPO. Information regarding pick-up will be sent to attendees at the conclusion of the virtual session. Limited quantities available.

鈥� Virtual
September 25, 1 鈥� 3 p.m.

Join us this fall semester (Aug. 31鈥揘ov. 20) on Fridays, any time between 1 and 3 p.m., via . Ask quick career questions, or we can critique your resume, LinkedIn/Handshake profile, cover letter and elevator pitch.

Whether you鈥檙e attending a job fair or trying to advance to the interview stage for a position you鈥檙e applying for, you can increase your chances of success by following some tried-and-true tips from UCF鈥檚 .

How can you make a strong impression on your job interview?

• Know your professional story/prepare your elevator pitch
• Offer a confident greeting, handshake and smile
• Think about two to three key selling points about your professional self. For UCF students, start with your major/expected graduation and talk about related skills/experience including student clubs and class projects
• Research employers and showcase your knowledge in conversation
• Give examples to back up your answers. Storytelling is a big part of the interview experience.

How can you craft an effective elevator pitch?

Your elevator pitch introduces you to recruiters in 30-60 seconds. Follow the present-past-future format:

• Present: What are you currently studying? What鈥檚 your major or program?
• Past: Highlight a recent relevant experience (e.g., internship, research project, volunteer work).
• Future: State your career goals and explain why you鈥檙e excited to connect with this employer.

What are some ways you can make your resume stand out in a pile?

• A resume should be concise, organized marketing document highlighting your education, experiences and achievements; its purpose is to secure an interview and evolve with your professional growth.
• Keep formatting clean and consistent: 1-inch margins, 1 page (up to 2 max), standard 10- to 12-point fonts, professional appearance and easy-to-scan layout.
• Focus content on relevance: tailor to the position, connect transferable skills, emphasize contributions and quantify results whenever possible.
• Use strong writing mechanics: start bullets with action verbs, maintain consistent verb tense (present for current roles, past for previous) and keep statements concise.
• Include core sections as appropriate: Heading, objective (optional but tailored), education (reverse chronological order), summary of qualifications (skills-focused) and experience (employment, internships, research, projects).
• Add optional sections when relevant: Activities, leadership, honors/awards, publications or research.

What software or AI tools can help build your resume?

• is a fantastic tool available to all students by logging in with their NID credentials
• VMock is a 24/7 virtual career assistant that utilizes technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning and sophisticated analytics engine to deliver instant, personalized, and smart career guidance to students and professionals.
• Do not rely only on AI to write content for your resume. Double check wonky spelling/grammar and word choices to make sure it is your voice.
• Be aware that employers are now reviewing resumes and running them through plagiarism detection software to check for AI.
• Utilize AI (VMock can do this) to make sure your resume matches the language in the job description closely enough so that it will pass through applicant tracking systems successfully.

What questions should job candidates ask the interviewer?

Typically, it鈥檚 best to focus on two to three questions to have prepared to ask at the end of the interview.

• Ask about the company culture. What is it like to work there?
• Ask about the position or opportunity in a way that helps you learn more than what you have already learned on your own research. In your opinion, what qualities/traits do you look for in an ideal candidate to be successful in the role?
• Ask about what to expect in the interview process. What are next steps?

Are there any best practices for following up after an interview?

Within 24 hours, send personalized thank-you emails to the recruiters you spoke with that include:

• A brief recap of your conversation
• An expression of gratitude
• A question or statement to keep the dialogue going

Deaner鈥檚 dissertation centers on a first-of-its-kind Florida scrub jay translocation initiative examining genetic rescue, a conservation strategy that introduces individuals from other populations to increase genetic diversity and improve the health and viability of an imperiled population.

鈥淭his project gives us a unique opportunity to understand the effects of a large-scale translocation on population recovery, how mate choice is influenced when birds from different genetic units are brought together and how genetic variation changes over time,鈥� Deaner says.

The project build on regional recovery efforts that began in the late 1990s through mitigation efforts led by the with guidance from the late , a prominent Florida avian biologist. Raoul Boughton, senior manager of ecology and wildlife at the Mosaic Company, leads the current recovery effort, with Deaner and Sahas Barve, program director of avian ecology at Archbold Biological Station, serving as co-principal investigators.

Testing Genetic Rescue at an Unprecedented Scale

Researchers translocated 48 Florida scrub jays to a new recipient site 鈥� enough birds to fill the site to its estimated carrying capacity. Previous translocations typically moved smaller numbers of birds over several years. All 48 birds were hatched in 2025, minimizing age-related competitive advantages.

Six months after the translocation, Deaner has already observed promising signs.

Florida scrub jays typically do not become breeders until they are 2 or 3 years old.听 Across six decades of monitoring at Archbold Biological Station and two decades of data from the local population, fewer than 0.25% of recorded nesting attempts involved pairs of one-year-old birds.

At the recipient site, however, four of the 10 newly formed pairs of one-year-old birds attempted to nest this year 鈥� a rate of 40%. Researchers had expected approximately half of the groups to include young birds serving as helpers听 but instead, most translocated birds sought their own breeding positions.

The early breeding activity is significant because genetic rescue ultimately depends on translocated birds establishing themselves, reproducing and passing their genetic variation into the recipient population. Although it is too early to determine the translocation鈥檚 long-term effect, the nesting attempts allow researchers to begin studying whether and how that genetic integration occurs.

Combining Genomics and Field Monitoring

Genomic data allows researchers to examine genetic variation among source populations, while long-term field monitoring provides information about survival, reproduction, territory establishment, dispersal and population growth. The team combines this data using Vortex, a population viability analysis software, to assess how genetic, environmental and demographic factors could affect the species鈥� long-term survival.

Researchers also equipped the birds with RFID tags and established feeding stations where each jay must stand on an antenna to access peanuts. The system allows Deaner to track visits and social feeding behavior, including patterns that may indicate pair formation and help researchers target birds for reproductive monitoring.

Deaner says UCF was the right place to pursue those questions because of the university鈥檚 collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to biology.

鈥淢y dissertation combines conservation genomics, population ecology, behavior, spatial analysis and population modeling and UCF has given me access to researchers with expertise across those fields,鈥� she says.

Deaner conducts her research in UCF Department of Biology Chair and Professor , where she works alongside students studying similar conservation questions.

Building on Nearly Two Decades of Fieldwork

Deaner鈥檚 path to UCF has been shaped by her years working directly with Florida scrub jays.

Between earning her undergraduate degree at the University of Delaware and her master鈥檚 degree at Georgia Southern University, she spent six years conducting early translocations involving the same Florida scrub jay population she studies today.

鈥淐ollecting those data and knowing so many answers lie just beneath the surface of each spreadsheet is what first inspired me to pursue graduate school,鈥� Deaner says.

After earning her master鈥檚 degree, she returned to the Florida scrub jay recovery project, where her work reinforced the importance of genetic recovery to the population鈥檚 long-term persistence. At 糖心logo入口, Deaner has been able to bring those experiences together, combining the perspective of a field biologist with the tools of a researcher.

She hopes the research will ultimately help conservationists recover imperiled species more quickly and with fewer resources. In September, Deaner presented preliminary findings at the International Conservation Translocation Conference in Edinburgh, Scotland.

鈥淚t’s not the taxa (group of organisms) that’s important, it’s the questions,鈥� Deaner says. 鈥淎s long as the questions are the ones that trigger your curiosity, you are heading in the right direction.鈥�

Carrillo is not among those planning to retire. He isn鈥檛 panicking either. After 30 years in underwriting, actuary work, risk management, research, and product development, Carrillo believes he鈥檚 just getting started. He embraces the workforce chasm as an enormous opportunity. It鈥檚 why he brought decades of experience to UCF in July 2025 to direct the Center for Risk Management and Insurance Education.

鈥淚 came here because UCF鈥檚 strengths in areas like technology and innovation give us a head start to transform this field in spaces where it鈥檚 lagged and build something special from scratch.鈥�

鈥淚 came here because UCF鈥檚 strengths in areas like technology and innovation give us a head start to transform this field in spaces where it鈥檚 lagged and build something special from scratch,鈥� Carrillo says.

He credits Ron Piccolo, associate dean for strategic initiatives in the Barry S. Miller College of Business, for preparing a smooth runway. They鈥檝e worked hard to have a major and minor in risk management in place by Fall 2026. In April 2026, UCF鈥檚 Board of Trustees approved a new bachelor鈥檚 program in risk management and insurance education, pending Florida Board of Governors鈥� approval. Carrillo and Piccolo aim for an MBA and a continuing education program to follow. Experts trained at UCF will eventually partner with industry leaders to identify problems, apply research and deliver cutting edge talent.

鈥淚 can see what鈥檚 ahead, and it鈥檚 amazing,鈥� Carrillo says. 鈥淎t the same time, I鈥檓 fully aware of the serious challenges directly in front of us.鈥�

Shattering Perceptions of Insurance

To infuse the program at UCF with as much optimism as he exudes, Carrillo must first face down the insurance industry鈥檚 most significant obstacle.

鈥淧erception,鈥� Carrillo says, bluntly. 鈥淣egative depictions of insurance professionals are everywhere. We even see it in kids鈥� movies, like The Incredibles, where the boss at an insurance agency is a villain. People grow up believing the entire industry is complicated and greedy.

鈥淥ur first step is to blow up those perceptions.鈥�

To do that, Carrillo has been inviting professionals to show UCF students what the future of risk management looks like (young and enthused) and where their talents are being applied (Disney, the PGA Tour, the New York Yankees, and Marriott, to name a few). The diverse skillsets (drone operators, investors, accountants, and experts in fintech and cybersecurity) and personalities (extroverts and introverts) do not perfectly match old stereotypes.

The casual 鈥済et-to-know-us鈥� events have stirred enough interest to fill as many as 144 seats, with others at The Exchange reaching the capacity of 120.

鈥淪tudents sit up and say, 鈥榃ait, we thought working in this field meant shlepping life insurance to people who don鈥檛 want it or sitting in cubicles to deny claims.鈥� Their minds open up when they hear about professional playgrounds that don鈥檛 fit the mold.鈥�

鈥淚 believe this calling is among the most noble things we can do. We鈥檙e helping people put their lives back together at a time of great loss.”

Interest heightens when 鈥渢he cliff鈥� enters the conversation. In addition to jobs opening because of mass retirement, analysts expect risk management and insurance to grow 17% per year into the foreseeable future, with average starting salaries ranging from $60,000-$90,000. Carrillo says a recession-proof career is all but guaranteed. To the skeptical question, 鈥淏ut is it fulfilling?鈥� he candidly answers from his own experience.

鈥淚 believe this calling is among the most noble things we can do,鈥� he says. 鈥淲e鈥檙e helping people put their lives back together at a time of great loss. Is that what people think we do? Maybe not. It鈥檚 up to us to change that.鈥�

And that leads to a second canyon-size gap: the knowledge gap. Sound personal advice has been replaced with search engines that find the cheapest rates for the minimum coverage, which can turn out horribly for customers when coverage is actually needed.

鈥淔inancial literacy has to be a big part of what we build,鈥� Carrillo says. 鈥淲ith it, graduates can help people make informed decisions and have better lives.鈥�

The 85-15 Ratio

Carrillo plans to launch a podcast soon called, 鈥淣o One Does This on Purpose.鈥� From his own research, he estimates only 15% of the people working in insurance and risk management intended to enter the industry. The other 85% have stories like Carrillo鈥檚.

As an undergraduate at Purdue University, he took a summer job in the mailroom of an insurance company. An underwriter welcomed Carrillo on his first day and told him, 鈥淵ou鈥檒l stay in this business.鈥� Shortly after, the president of the company and shared more welcoming encouragement.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 pay much attention because I wanted to be a pilot,鈥� Carrillo says, 鈥渂ut everyone at that place blew up my own perceptions. The culture hooked me.鈥�

He鈥檚 identified hooks all around Central Florida. UCF will be the 77^th institution with a risk management and insurance education program, but Carrillo says few have a comparable location or a blank slate to do something truly new 鈥� another reason he chose to come here from one of the oldest such programs in the country at FSU. The Center will partner with major risk management companies, collaborate on research with other colleges on campus and with Daytona State, and match students to internships where fresh perspectives are coveted.

鈥淚 expect this to explode,鈥� he says, sounding very much like a man who鈥檚 about to ride a clean wave into the future with a new generation of students. Like him, they might never want to leave.

For Stephen Masyada, civics education has been a lifelong interest. Now, his work in the field will help shape how civics knowledge and skills are assessed for students across the country.

Masyada, director of the , has been selected as one of 20 members of the panel that will help revise the framework for the civics portion of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) for the 2032 assessment.

The appointment recognizes his extensive experience in civics education and provides an opportunity to bring his perspective to a national conversation about what students should know and be able to do as engaged citizens.

鈥淚 think it’s a recognition of the work we do here at the Lou Frey Institute and at UCF in civic education and the impact we’ve had on civics in Florida and in some cases nationally,鈥� Masyada says.

Shaping How Civics Education Is Assessed

The NAEP civics assessment provides data used to understand students鈥� civic knowledge nationally. While only a sample of students take the assessment, the results provide a broader picture of civic education across the country.

Masyada says the framework is particularly important because it can influence how policymakers and educators understand what should be emphasized in civics education.

鈥淭he content of the framework will dictate to states what is seen as important and what they’ll be comparing what’s happening in the states to when they release data,鈥� Masyada says.

He also expects the framework to play a role in national evaluations of state standards for civics and government.

As a member of the framework committee, Masyada hopes to help broaden the way civic education is considered and assessed. Rather than focusing solely on students鈥� ability to recall facts, he believes assessments should also consider how students apply their knowledge.

鈥淚 think we really need to think about something beyond just knowledge, but also scenarios,鈥� Masyada says. 鈥淲hat does the knowledge look like in practice, taking it to that next level?鈥�

He also hopes the conversation will consider how civics education can begin earlier, including at the K-5 level.

For Masyada, effective civic education includes foundational knowledge of the nation鈥檚 founding principles, rights and liberties and the responsibilities of citizenship. It also includes dispositions that encourage students to participate in their communities, work with others to address problems and seek solutions to public policy issues.

鈥淗ow do we measure these different dispositions necessary?鈥� Masyada says. 鈥淚 think that’s part of the conversation for the committee that’s involved with this.鈥�

Bringing a National Perspective to Civics Education

The committee鈥檚 work will bring together perspectives from across the country. Masyada says that is important because civic education varies significantly from state to state.

鈥淲e have 50 states and 50 different ways to approach civic education in this country,鈥� Masyada says. 鈥淚 know what’s actually happening and being taught in Florida鈥檚 classrooms. I’ve been involved heavily in standards in this state and helping teachers understand what the standards mean and what they look like.鈥�

A U.S. Air Force veteran, Masyada earned his bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees from the University of Florida and a certificate in instructional design and higher education leadership from UCF.

He taught high school in Florida for more than a decade and also worked in North Carolina as a state-level social studies specialist. In 2014, he joined the Lou Frey Institute, where he has continued his work supporting civic education.

His experience working directly with K-16 educators, developing and interpreting standards and supporting assessment initiatives has prepared him to contribute to the national framework process.

He is one of two representatives from the College of Sciences involved in the development of the 2032 civics assessment. In addition to Masyada serving on the 20-member framework committee, Terri Fine, professor emerita from the School of Politics, Security and International Affairs (SPSIA) and former associate director of the Lou Frey Institute, will serve on the 10-member content committee.

鈥淭he fact that UCF has two people involved I think it’s a huge feather in the cap for all of us,鈥� he says.

As the committee looks toward the 2032 assessment, Masyada hopes its work will strengthen support for high-quality civic education and help establish a shared understanding of what students need to know and how they can participate in civic life.

He also sees an opportunity to consider how the country鈥檚 student population has changed and how civic education can provide common ground.

鈥淲e’re a far more diverse student population than we used to be,鈥� Masyada says. 鈥淪o I think having some commonality, some understanding of what can bring this population together, when it comes to civic education, I think that’s one of my hopes.鈥�

Extending UCF鈥檚 Civic Education Work

The Lou Frey Institute at UCF houses the Florida Joint Center for Citizenship and has been a leading provider of civic education instructional and professional development resources in Florida since it was established in 2002. 听The institute reaches approximately 300,000 students and 2,000 teachers across every Florida school district.

鈥淲e appreciate the opportunity to support and represent the college, the school and the university in these different districts, working with so many different teachers and leaders and representing UCF on the national stage as well when it comes to civic education,鈥� Masyada says.

贵辞谤听seven consecutive years, the听Rosen College of Hospitality Management听谤补苍办蝉听No. 1 in the nation听for Hospitality and Tourism Management Programs, according to听ShanghaiRanking鈥檚 2026 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.

鈥淭he ranking recognizes what Rosen College has accomplished over the past two decades,鈥� Rosen College Dean Cynthia Mejia says. 鈥淲hat excites me most is how we build on that foundation. Our goal is to influence the future of hospitality through the students we educate, the research we produce, the partnerships we create and the solutions we help develop for the industry’s most important challenges.鈥�

Additionally, UCF ranks听No. 2 in the nation听for Transportation Science and Technology 鈥� and in the top 10 for the seventh year in a row. The recognition reflects the breadth of research underway across UCF to develop solutions and advancements for the future of the transportation industry while improving safety and mobility on the nation鈥檚 most critical and busiest roadways.

鈥淚 am happy that our hard work and expanding our transportation faculty have paid off in this continuous recognition,鈥� UCF Pegasus Professor Mohamed Abdel-Aty says. 鈥淲e have opened new fronts in transportation systems, technology and ideas looking to the future. We balance traditional transportation research with cutting-edge and high-impact new directions.鈥�

The rankings represent significant industries that drive international economies with travel and tourism contributing to a global GDP (gross domestic product) of $11.6 trillion and supporting about one in every nine jobs around the world, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council鈥檚 2025 report.

The ShanghaiRanking Global Ranking of Academic Subjects evaluates universities by academic discipline using research-focused indicators, these include measures related to research output, research quality, international collaboration and academic influence.

A Global Leader in Hospitality and Tourism Research

Located in the nation鈥檚 top tourism destination, Rosen College students, faculty and staff are embedded in industry, allowing them to directly explore emerging areas in the field.

鈥淭his ranking reflects the depth, quality and consistency of the research being produced by our faculty,鈥� Manuel Rivera, associate dean of research at Rosen College says. 鈥淭o be recognized once again among the world’s leading hospitality and tourism programs is a testament to the collective efforts of our faculty, students, alumni and industry partners. The ranking recognizes the foundation Rosen College has built over the past two decades. Building on that foundation, Rosen College is helping shape the future of hospitality through impactful research, innovation, industry partnerships and the development of future leaders.鈥�

Faculty research spans areas including tourism, lodging, events, food service, consumer behavior, technology, and the management of destinations and hospitality organizations, including:

• HFTP Professor of Hospitality Financial Management and Technology Mehmet Altin鈥檚 study on entrepreneurial ecosystems in hospitality and tourism with a comparative analysis across economic contexts, which was published in Tourism Economics.
• Associate Professor Yun Ying Zhong, a research faculty member of 糖心logo入口鈥檚 Disability, Aging and Technology faculty cluster initiative, completed a systematic review of 30-year research on hospitality in healthcare, which was published in the International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management.
• Assistant Professor Frank Badu-Baiden鈥檚 study of the factors influencing consumers鈥� acceptance of drone food delivery, including the role of usefulness, emotions and perceived risk, which was published in the International Journal of Hospitality Management.

The No. 1 ShanghaiRanking placement builds on Rosen College鈥檚 continued excellence in curriculum, research and workforce impact as Universal Destinations & Experiences (UDX) joined UCF as a Pegasus Partner in June to establish the Universal School of Experience Leadership & Innovation. Through this partnership, UCF and UDX will further explore:

• Service robotics and human-centered approaches to shape guest and employee interactions

• AR and VR simulation technologies for training, operations, and immersive environments
• AI and digital twins for optimizing and personalizing the guest experience

Advancing Transportation Safety and Technology

With more than 23.4 million residents in 2025, Florida is the nation鈥檚 third most populated state, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In the same year, the Sunshine State welcomed 143.3 million visitors听as America鈥檚 No. 1 domestic travel destination, according to Visit Florida.

As residents and tourists navigate around the state, UCF researchers are working to improve transportation challenges related to roadway safety, emerging mobility technologies and other areas.

Abdel-Aty and Associate Professor Shaurya Agarwal lead multiple projects funded by U.S. and Florida Departments of Transportation to develop safety plans and demonstrate technologies across various Florida counties.

One examines Florida鈥檚 Regional Advanced Mobility Elements, or IFRAME, project along Interstate 4 between Orlando and Tampa. The study is evaluating the performance of advanced transportation technologies to inform decisions about future investments to enhance safety and mobility.

Research Assistant Professor Zubayer Islam and Abdel-Aty鈥檚 Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) project 鈥� the first of its kind in the Southeast 鈥� evaluates the effectiveness and enhancements of the agency’s Flex Lanes Program on sections of its expressway. It is the latest development in UCF鈥檚 longstanding partnership with the CFX.

For nearly 14 years, UCF has worked to make highways safer by tackling wrong-way driving, one of the nation鈥檚 deadliest roadway hazards. An international expert in transportation engineering, planning and operations, Professor Haitham Al-Deek, in partnership with CFX, designed, implemented and evaluated wrong-way driving and prevention system technology to detect and deter wrong-way driving on high-speed roads. Deployed across the CFX system, it has achieved an 88.5% driver self-correction rate, the highest known worldwide, which is well supported by the largest amount of data collected on the performance of the invented technology.

Al-Deek and his students also invented the nation鈥檚 first algorithm to help transportation agencies identify wrong-way driving hotspots and prioritize improvements for greatest safety impact with maximum economic efficiency. Through competitively won contracts at state and national levels, this algorithm was implemented for five transportation networks throughout Florida and Idaho.

鈥淎ccording to the data we collected, the deployed lifesaving technology on CFX transportation network helped 2,541 out of the detected 2,870 wrong-way drivers self-correct and turn around safely as of June 2026,鈥� Al-Deek says.

Research That Translates to Daily Impact

UCF鈥檚 performance in transportation science and technology and hospitality and tourism management reflects two distinct research strengths while also demonstrating how the university is improve daily life across the region, state and nation. The 2026 ShanghaiRanking Global Ranking of Academic Subjects also show UCF is making an impact in Public Administration as the No. 11 program in the nation and Law as the No. 25 program across the U.S.

As artificial intelligence (AI), virtual assistants and robots become increasingly woven into everyday life, more researchers are asking this question: What happens when technology stops being just a tool and becomes something we can communicate with?

UCF faculty have spent years helping create a field dedicated to finding the answers.

“Human-machine communication is about studying how humans perceive and interact with technology as a communicator rather than simply as a tool.”

This summer, human-machine communication (HMC) reached a major milestone when the International Communication Association (ICA) elevated it from an interest group to an official Division, recognizing it as an established area of communication research. The achievement reflects the rapid growth of a field exploring how emerging technologies are reshaping the way people communicate, form relationships and make decisions.

“Human-machine communication is about studying how humans perceive and interact with technology as a communicator rather than simply as a tool,” UCF College of Sciences Professor Jihyun Kim says. “It’s about communicating with machine agents as interaction partners.”

Among those who helped shape the field are faculty members Kim and Professor Patric Spence, whose leadership has contributed to HMC’s development both at UCF and within the international research community.

When Technology Becomes the Communicator

Traditional studies of technology-mediated communication typically examine technology as a channel connecting people. HMC shifts the focus to interactions between people and technologies such as AI assistants, social robots and virtual companions.

Researchers explore how these interactions can influence everything from trust and relationships to decision-making and communication.

Although scholars have studied human-computer interaction for decades, HMC is a relatively young field within the communication discipline. It formally emerged in 2015, bringing together researchers interested in studying machines not simply as tools, but as communicators.

Since then, the rapid adoption of generative AI has accelerated both public interest and scholarly research.

Kim, who recently completed a four-year leadership term with ICA’s Human-Machine Communication Interest Group, witnessed that growth firsthand.

“During my four years in leadership, I saw a drastic increase in the volume of HMC research,” she says. “I also saw scholars from interpersonal communication, organizational communication, public relations and many other communication specialties begin collaborating to better understand AI from their own perspectives.”

“We’re studying how humans perceive AI and communicate with it for good outcomes.”

But as public conversations increasingly focus on whether AI could replace human work or relationships, Kim says that鈥檚 a common misconception about human-machine communication research.

“A lot of times people assume we’re glorifying AI, but that’s not what we study,” Kim says. “We’re studying how humans perceive AI and communicate with it for good outcomes.”

Her own research explores how people perceive and interact with AI or machine agents and how people can instead use AI to strengthen, rather than replace, human relationships.

“I’m studying augmentation,鈥� Kim says. 鈥淗ow can AI help strengthen the relationships we already have? How can we communicate with AI more effectively, so it enhances our social relationships instead of replacing them?”

Building a Scholarly Home

As interest in HMC grew, so did the need for a dedicated scholarly community.

Spence was among the founding members who organized the first HMC post-conference in 2016, creating one of the first formal spaces where researchers with shared interests could collaborate and exchange ideas.

“Through our research and leadership, we’ve helped put UCF on the international stage.”

He later helped establish the journal, which launched in 2020 and is hosted under a UCF domain. Before its creation, researchers published HMC studies across broader communication journals, as no publication was dedicated exclusively to the emerging field. The journal provided a central platform for sharing HMC research and scholarship, building an international academic community, and further positioning UCF as a leader in the discipline.

“Whenever we do something meaningful in this field, UCF is represented alongside that achievement,” Kim says. “Through our research and leadership, we’ve helped put UCF on the international stage.”

Kim continued that work during her tenure as vice chair and later chair of ICA鈥檚 Human-Machine Communication Interest Group.听 She focused on mentoring early-career researchers, expanding the field’s international presence and helping prepare the review dossier that ultimately led to HMC’s elevation to Division status.

From Momentum to Milestone

For Kim, the new designation signals more than organizational growth.

“[The recognition] especially matters for junior scholars because they’re contributing to a discipline that’s formally recognized by the world’s largest communication association.”

“Having this formal recognition within the International Communication Association sends the message that human-machine communication is now an established field,” Kim says. “It especially matters for junior scholars because they’re contributing to a discipline that’s formally recognized by the world’s largest communication association.”

The milestone is expected to create new opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration, including partnerships with researchers studying AI from technical, behavioral and social perspectives.

And as AI continues to evolve, Kim believes HMC will continue growing alongside it, helping researchers better understand not only the technologies themselves but also the people who use them.

“We want to make sure it’s not about studying bad things,” Kim says. “It’s about how we can leverage what AI offers to improve our lives and how we can communicate more effectively.”