Research
The University of Central Florida brings innovation and solutions to some of society’s most pressing problems through research and the discovery and dissemination of new knowledge and avenues for progress.
Thu Jun 16
Colby Mangum was recently awarded a grant as a co-investigator through the Department of Defense focused on improving rehabilitation for chronic pain around the kneecap (Peer Reviewed Orthopaedic Research Program Clinical Translational Research Award – Clinical Trial). The project, “Optimizing Clinical Outcomes for Patients with Patellofemoral Pain Using Strength Training Rehabilitation Incorporating Power Exercises (STRIPE)”…
Tue Jun 14
A UCF-developed forecast model, which uses machine learning, was able to predict the spread of COVID-19 cases in Florida. Although more research is needed, the model could become useful in predicting the spread of the next big virus, which could help healthcare agencies prepare their response. Md Mamunur Rashid, a graduate researcher at UCF’s Virtual Readability…
Mon Jun 13
College of Medicine biomedical engineer, Dr. Mehdi Razavi has been named among eight UCF recipients of the 2022 U.S. National Science Foundation CAREER award. All recipients are engineers by training who are working on interdisciplinary projects that aim to improve health or to develop new technology that promises to improve our lives. The awardees represent…
Mon Jun 13
A University of Central Florida researcher has been selected for an Early Career Award by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to investigate elusive chemical compounds that could help mitigate the impact of combustion on climate change. The researcher, Denisia Popolan-Vaida, will receive $800,000 for a period of five years to support her research. The…
Mon Jun 13
The U.S. National Science Foundation has named eight UCF professors 2022 NSF CAREER award recipients. All of the recipients are engineers by training who are working on interdisciplinary projects that aim to improve health or to develop new technology that promises to improve our lives. The awardees represent the most promising junior researchers in the…
Tue Jun 7
The time-consuming process of piecing together broken pottery vessels found during archaeological excavations is getting a boost from artificial intelligence. Pottery provides key insights into how ancient people lived, but most archaeological sites uncover pottery in broken sherds. To use this evidence to its full potential requires piecing them back together like a jigsaw puzzle…
Tue Jun 7
One of Florida’s most precious resources is its water from the aquifer to the 8,436 miles of coastline, boarded by the Gulf of Mexico, the Straits of Florida, and the Atlantic Ocean. Water is also a major player in the state’s economy, contributing $56 billion to the economy and generating 900,000 jobs according to a…
Mon Jun 6
For UCF microbiologist Dr. Salvador Almagro-Moreno, COVID-19 and now monkeypox have heightened the urgency to understand the dangers of emerging infectious diseases. His research into how harmless bacteria can turn into human threats has made him UCF’s first recipient of the prestigious Burroughs Wellcome Fund Investigators in the Pathogenesis of Infectious Disease (PATH) award. The…
Mon Jun 6
The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopment disorder associated with a range of social communication impairments, restricted and repetitive behaviors, and other health issues, is on the rise from 1 in 150 adolescents diagnosed with this disorder in 2000 to more recent estimates of 1 in 44. Fortunately, researchers at UCF, like Health…
Fri Jun 3
NASA has tapped UCF’s dynamic duo, planetary scientists Kerri Donaldson Hanna and Adrienne Dove, to lead a $35 million science mission that will land a spacecraft on a part of the moon never visited before — the Gruithuisen Domes. The domes, located in the western portion of the Imbrium basin rim, remain a mystery to…
Thu Jun 2
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted another busy hurricane season with up to 21 named storms for 2022. While we still can’t predict exactly when hurricanes will strike, researchers at UCF are working on various projects to help communities properly prepare and recover when it does happen. Resiliency and the use of technology…
Tue May 31
AUCF researcher’s work to create a “brain-on-a-chip” aims to improve neurological disorder research by speeding up drug discovery and providing an alternative to animal testing. James Hickman — professor of chemistry, biomolecular sciences and electrical engineering — recently published some of his latest findings in the journals Stem Cell Reports and Advanced Therapeutics. These studies explain advancements in his research group’s efforts to…
Tue May 31
Whether it’s solving the world’s biggest problems or investigating the potential of novel discoveries, researchers at UCF are on the edge scientific breakthroughs that aim to make an impact. Through the Research in 60 Seconds series, student and faculty researchers condense their complex studies into bite-sized summaries so you can know how and why Knights plan…
Tue May 31
Everyone knows that while disinformation is a problem, social media is a powerful tool for communicating fast in an emergency. In 2011 only about 10% of the U.S. population turned to social media for information during a crisis, according to several studies. Today that number is closer to 70%. A new study from the University…
Thu May 26
In hopes of equipping students to better understand and assist families facing domestic violence, UCF has joined the network of universities administering Survivor Link. The network provides students pursuing a master’s in social work with training, networking opportunities, scholarships and field placements in community nonprofits. As they develop their expertise, they also train their colleagues in domestic…
Mon May 23
A new grass species was discovered in the UCF Arboretum thanks to regular controlled burns that mimic nature’s wildfire season. Sporobolus osceolensis is a type of dropseed grass sensitive to fire-stimulated flowering, according to Florida ecologists Edwin Bridges and Steve Orzell, who identified the blooming grass in 2018 on one of UCF’s prescribed burn sites. The pair published their…
Thu May 19
If you have ever watched a bird land on a tree branch, you may have noticed that it rapidly pitches its wings upward at a high angle to execute a smooth landing. However, for some birds, they land by folding their wings as they perch instead, creating a sweeping motion as they decelerate. To uncover…
Thu May 19
UCF researchers are developing a tool for primary care providers that could help them protect senior citizens from scammers who steal everything from the elderly’s life’s savings to their identity. The team led by Psychology Assistant Professor Nichole Lighthall is working on exploitation susceptibility tool kits that could screen seniors’ cognitive abilities. These abilities influence…
Thu May 19
A preview of the future in optics was shared over two days in April at the CREOL Industrial Affiliates Symposium. The symposium attracted top talent from around the globe and at UCF to explore and discuss topics including augmented and virtual reality; liquid crystal optical elements; and highlights of the latest glass research. It was…
Tue May 17
In some areas of the Southeast, such as Florida, the housing market is booming, but with hurricanes and other natural disasters posing annual threats, the true cost of owning a home in the region may be largely unknown. That’s why the University of Central Florida and a team of researchers from across the country have…
