From a nine-month cruise to students receiving remarkable scholarships and groundbreaking research from faculty, the Colleges of Sciences continues to make strides in discovery and student success. Keep reading for the latest news and to learn more ways to get involved.

The Lou Frey Institute of Politics & Government (LFI) is excited to announce the relaunch of the UCF Student Micro-Grant Program for UCF Registered Student Organizations (RSO). These micro-grants are for RSOs pursuing campus- and community-based initiatives focused on civic engagement. Applications are available on a rolling basis through May 2, 2025. Please find more details at the LFI website and submit micro-grant proposals at this link.

Looking to make an impact? We are in search of a new name for the College of Sciences newsletter and invite you to contribute your ideas. Please share your ideas at this link.  

The U.S. News & World Report has named UCF one of the most innovative public universities in the nation and the most innovative in Florida for the seventh year! The College of Sciences is pioneering transformative industry partnerships and student success to enhance social mobility in the Central Florida community and beyond. Thank you for your contributions to innovation!

Two College of Sciences students—Enilda Velazquez and Joseph Lee—were selected for the 2024 Department of Defense (DoD) Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship, an educational and workforce opportunity available to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing STEM degrees.

“UCF is providing me the fundamental academic resources and training as a graduate student,” said Lee. “These opportunities will provide me with a unique skillset in the future of scientific progression.”

Read more about them at UCF’s website.

Sixty-seven undergraduate students from across the U.S. gathered at UCF to take advantage of STEM research opportunities through the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program.

A number of COS departments actively participate, which include: the Department of Physics for research in materials for energy applications, the Department of Mathematics for applied computation mathematics, and the Department of Biology for Conservation, Restoration and Communication.

While some people unplug on vacation, UCF student Madison Schwetje stayed connected to complete the Spring 2024 semester aboard Royal Caribbean’s nine-month Ultimate World Cruise. Traveling from Brazil to New Zealand to China and 62 other countries, she skillfully managed her globe-trotting adventure alongside her full-time studies through UCF Online.

“UCF’s online learning program allowed me to experience the world without having to stop my education,” says Schwetje, a senior political science major. “[I was able] to go out into the world and experience … so many amazing cultures, people and places.”

UCF junior and biochemistry student Andrea Hernandez Gomez was one of 100 college students selected nationwide to receive the 2024 Voyager Scholarship — making her the first UCF student to receive the award.

"The Voyager scholarship supports and equips young leaders to view challenges on a global scale and get these experiences where you are able to further learn and explore the world," says Gomez. 

Read about her inspired plans on UCF’s website.

UCF researchers, led by UCF NanoScience Technology Center Professor Debashis Chanda, have developed an integrated optical sensor capable of detecting dopamine directly from an unprocessed blood sample. This sensor may serve as a low-cost and efficient screening tool for various neurological conditions and cancers, providing better outcomes for patients.

“This concept can be further explored in the detection of different biomolecules directly from unprocessed blood, such as proteins, viruses, DNA,” says Chanda. “There may be great interest in developing countries where access to analytical laboratories is limited.”

As Film and Mass Media Associate Professor Barry Sandler commemorates his 20th year of teaching at UCF, he has something extra to celebrate—the inaugural UCF Cinematic Legacy Award from the College of Sciences. This first-of-its-kind award recognizes the achievements of a UCF faculty member to the film industry and passing along that knowledge to UCF students.

“I enjoy the process of shepherding students through the development of their creative work,” says Sandler. “I find that I can take all the experience, knowledge, and wisdom and impart it to students and help them gain a sense of their own self, appreciation of their talent, and objectivity for their careers.”

A team of researchers led by University of Central Florida Pegasus Professor of Physics Enrique Del Barco is working on a new project that could change the future of electronics, making them faster and more energy efficient.

“Keck funds projects that are inherently very high risk, but that if successful, could represent a scientific or technological breakthrough of the utmost impact in society,” Del Barco says. “This is certainly the case, as we aim at validating a theoretical proposal by one of our team members that promises a new way of processing information without energy waste.”

District 2 City of Orlando Youtube

This partnership, which includes UCF Global, UCF Continuing Education, the Lou Frey Institute, and the UCF School of Politics, Security & International Affairs, brings new opportunities for Central Florida residents to earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) while deepening their understanding of civic processes.

Orlando Business Journal 

“When they are admitted to the program and receive the scholarship, things change for the student instantly. Suddenly, there’s a change in belief.”

-Brian Moore, Associate Professor of Mathematics

Spectrum News 13

“We have so many people here; across the university doing things that are related to lunar science and also just space exploration in general. I am the Deputy P.I. of a mission called Lunar-VISE which is a $35 million NASA mission that was selected to explore a really unique region on the surface of the moon called the Gruithuisen Domes. We are hoping to fly in 2028.”

-Adrienne Dove, Associate Professor of Physics, and Interim Physics Department Chair

The University Network

“This concept can be further explored in the detection of different biomolecules directly from unprocessed blood, such as proteins, viruses, DNA,” added Chanda. “There may be great interest in developing countries where access to analytical laboratories is limited.”

- Debashis Chanda, Physics Professor