Asteroid Visiting Earth’s Neighborhood Brings its Own Face Mask
Thu Apr 23
Anne Virkki, head of Planetary Radar at the Arecibo Observatory and asteroid 1998 OR2 pose with their masks. The Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico is following an asteroid approaching Earth this week and while it poses no threat, it appears to know our planet is facing a pandemic. “The small-scale topographic features such as hills…
Orlando Pride’s Konya Plummer Completes Goal of College Degree
Thu Apr 23
UCF interdisciplinary studies major Konya Plummer, who is a member of the Jamaica Women’s National Team and Orlando Pride, is the first in her family to earn a college degree. (Photo by Nick Leyva ’15) During the last 11 months, UCF senior Konya Plummer cemented her name in the history books, saw a statue erected…
New Legal Studies Certificate to Begin This Fall
Wed Apr 22
Starting this fall, UCF’s new conflict resolution and analysis certificate will provide students with the opportunity to dig deeper into the theories behind conflict and uncover what causes disputes. They’ll also learn the tools needed to resolve conflict at all levels: personal, professional, local, regional, national and global. “Conflict is rampant in society,” says Alisa…
Spirit of Gratitude Spurs New Award Program in Department of Chemistry
Wed Apr 22
Professional recognition looks great on a resume, and reflects well on a department. It takes time, though, to put in an application, and that’s something in short supply for everyone — especially if you’re nominating someone other than yourself. Karin Chumbimuni-Torres, Ph.D., considered all these factors when she pitched her incentive plan to UCF Faculty…
Clean Hands for the Homeless
Wed Apr 22
A community is only as strong as its most vulnerable population. That’s the premise behind a team of biomedical sciences students who are working to reduce the spread of COVID-19 among the homeless in downtown Orlando by supporting handwashing. Ranya Awad and Tori Lynn are part of the Hearts for the Homeless UCF Chapter, which…
UCF to Offer Nation’s First Master’s Degree in Travel Technology and Analytics
Wed Apr 22
This fall, UCF will offer a new master’s degree in travel technology and analytics to prepare computer scientists, data analysts, software developers and information technologists for jobs in the travel industry. “The increasingly complex business environment the travel and tourism industry is facing requires an interdisciplinary approach to produce professionals who not only have a strong technology…
Addressing Climate Change Requires Baby Steps
Wed Apr 22
Today marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. It is an annual event celebrated around the world to demonstrate support for environmental protection. According to the Earth Day Network, more than one billion individuals are mobilized for action each year. This year, people will not fill parks, visit zoos, and participate in tree planting ceremonies.…
Lifelong Friendship with Arboretum Founder Inspires Donation
Wed Apr 22
A passion for plants is at the root of a recent donation made by Biology faculty member Rani Vajravelu, Ph.D. The donation is made out to the UCF Arboretum in aim of supporting students that are passionate about outdoor plant studies. “I would love the money to help alleviate financial stress on students looking to…
UCF Offers Digital âCare Package’ of Teaching Resources for Public Schools
Wed Apr 22
Florida schools will continue distance learning through the remainder of the school year. The Center for Distributed Learning has offered resources to teachers to help them with remote instruction. When Central Florida K-12 schools announced they would transition to remote instruction due to the coronavirus pandemic, UCF Center for Distributed Learning executive director Kelvin Thompson ’99MA ’05EdD suspected teachers were going to need a little extra…
âOld’ in the Age of Coronavirus
Wed Apr 22
It’s 6:45 a.m. Tuesday. I’m standing in the predawn darkness outside Publix in a line of people dressed in casual infectious-disease attire: shorts, sandals, masks and plastic gloves. A woman approaches and asks, “Is this the line for old people?” Yes it is. Yes we are. We are old whether we admit it or not.…
Distinguished Math Alum Turns to Art in Retirement
Wed Apr 22
There’s more art in science than one might think. Just ask Don Marks ’73, a mathematics instructor turned master wood turner. “I never would have expected myself to become an artist,” chuckled Marks. Prior to enrolling at UCF in 1969, at what was then known as Florida Technical University, Marks stumbled upon his first love…
UCF Researcher Helps Improve Accuracy of Storm Surge Analysis
Tue Apr 21
Accurately predicting how many people are at risk due to sea level rise and storm surges is of particular interest to states like Florida where a large part of the population lives along the coastline. Accurately predicting how many people are at risk due to sea level rise and storm surges has always challenged scientists,…
UCF Employees Support One Another In Times of Need
Tue Apr 21
We all play an important role in making our campus community a better place every day. We’ve proven that no matter what comes our way, Knights support one another. The reality is some of our colleagues need our help, and Human Resources has made it easy to help them with the Knights Care Leave Share program.…
Bringing a Challenging Semester to a Successful Close
Mon Apr 20
From Dr. Michael D. Johnson, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs As the end of an historic semester approaches, I want to tell you how very proud I am of how our faculty have responded to the greatest teaching challenge of our professional lives. The abrupt shift to remote teaching required a heavy…
UCF Grad Works at John Hopkins Hospital to Prevent and Control COVID-19 Spread
Mon Apr 20
Frankie Catalfumo ’13 has worked through outbreak responses to cholera in Haiti and Ebola virus disease in the United States, but he says the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is more stressful than any of his other work with controlling infectious diseases. “You see the waves in China and then we started to see it spread across…
SVAD Alumna, Students Win 2020 Addy Awards
Mon Apr 20
The American Advertising Awards, home of the ADDY Award, is one of the industry’s largest creative competitions, with nearly 35,000 professional and student entries each year. The 2020 awards included three UCF students, McKenzie Estes, Gi-ting Chen, Ryan Pesch, and one 2004 alumna, Annika Matos. The ADDYS originated in Florida in 1960 and became a…
UCF Health Expands Telehealth Services For New, Established Patients
Mon Apr 20
UCF Health, the College of Medicine physician practice, is extending its telehealth services, adding more specialties to the platform and offering care via computer or phone to new and established patients. The expansion comes as healthcare providers nationwide respond to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing orders from local and state governments.…
TNT: How to Defuse Quarantine Conflict
Mon Apr 20
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us are spending significantly more time at home, which means more time with those who live with us. In addition, most people are experiencing increased stress due to various issues, including financial concerns, worries about health, changes in work schedules and less time with friends. The…
Health Tips from Faculty During COVID-19
Fri Apr 17
The stressors brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic make self-care more important than ever. Here are some tips shared by our health experts at the College of Health Professions and Sciences on ways to cope with stress while still practicing social distancing.
