Happy Halloween from the College of Sciences! During the spooky season, our COS Knights conjured breakthrough research, student success, and a stronger bond across campus. From a former alumnus working with developers to create life-changing smart prosthetics, the newly formed COS Alumni Council building community, and interdisciplinary researchers teaming up to create bone chilling reference materials, our Knights are never scared of Charging On! 

Share your (or your student, colleague, or fellow alumni’s) research, achievements, and unique stories with our COS Marketing team by filling out the COS Submit News form on our website. We will review and consider possibilities for sharing news. Make sure to include any relevant links, files, and photos!

Are you interested in learning more about the aviation industry? UCF students are invited to sign up for a free event to hear from the CEO of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, Lance Lyttle, and the Co-founder & Former CEO of Netflix, Marc Randolph. This event will be held on November 14, 2025 at 9 am and coffee and a light breakfast will be served. Full details for “Takeoff 2025” are at this link. There are limited registration slots available so we encourage you to sign up today and plan to attend.

Under the chilling glow of a laser beam, the secrets long buried in bones, hair, teeth, and nails begin to whisper their stories as UCF scientists have found a way to create what they call the “fantastic four” of chemical standards to apply science to justice.

Now, thanks to the work of UCF researchers led by associate professor of Chemistry, Matthieu Baudelet (pictured at center), the field of forensic science around the world is receiving a massive boost of knowledge through the release of the “fantastic four” chemical standards; the primary hard biomaterials — nails, hair, bones and teeth — that provide a consistent and critical reference point for forensic anthropology and toxicology work.

“Having a reference material is important because you can compare new measurements to a known measurement, which facilitates a reliable outcome, especially in forensic science,” Kristen Livingston (pictured far left), who graduates this fall with her doctoral degree in chemistry. “You need trustworthy and reliable data to compare new measurements back to a known measurement.” 

Chemistry doctoral student, Kaitlyn Bonilla (pictured far right), received a fellowship from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) to work on creating the chemical standard to analyze hair strands.

“A lot of people learn about forensics through TV shows and I was no different,” Bonilla says. “I wanted to be the next Olivia Benson [an NYPD officer from Law & Order: Special Victims Unit]. I initially wanted to be a detective. I was interested in science and math and after taking a forensics class in high school, I thought, why don't I apply science to the law?”

Bonilla says she is the first scientist in her family, and she is one of only eight UCF students selected since the NIJ fellowship’s inception in 2000.

The College of Sciences (COS) has recently selected a new Alumni Council to represent and engage alumni from UCF’s largest college. Coming from an array of professional backgrounds, these Knights bring unique experience to help strengthen the bridge that keeps COS alumni connected.

First-time council member, Elizabeth Swart says having the opportunity to join the council is a way for her to expand her mentorship roles and strengthen her passion for research.

“I was inspired by my colleagues in the UCF Department of Sociology,” she says. “I want to help inspire graduate students to embark on original and innovative research.” 

Alanna Reynolds, Security Operations Integration Lead at Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems and double Knight, says her involvement allows her to give back to UCF.    

“The scholarships, mentoring, and support I received as a UCF student were instrumental in shaping my professional career,” she says. “I’m incredibly appreciative of all the opportunities that I had at UCF and the College of Sciences.”

Learn more about all of the new College of Sciences Alumni Council members at our website.  

As we recognize National Substance Use & Misuse Prevention Month, one UCF Knight  reminds us that care, dignity, and empathy are at the heart of true prevention. 

Alumna Maria Ocando Monaco came to UCF to fulfill her dream of studying anthropology. Mentored by medical anthropologist and associate professor of anthropology , Dr. Shana Harris, she learned to see health not just as biology, but as something deeply human that is shaped by community, culture, and compassion. 

Her Honors Undergraduate Thesis, which won the Founders' Day Outstanding Honors Undergraduate Thesis Award, examined overdose experiences in Orlando, revealing how people who use drugs actively prevent overdoses and save lives.

“Community plays a vital role in overdose prevention,” she says. “We must go beyond resources and build environments where people are supported, valued, and connected.” 

If you know anything at all about UCF Hall of Famer Shaquem Griffin ’16, then you know enough to take him at his word when he sets his mind to anything. And that seems like a perfect bridge into the expected subject of sports, specifically Griffin’s determination to play linebacker at the highest level despite having his left hand amputated when he was 4 years old.

"The moment I met the people from smartARM, I knew there’s something different about them — not only what they’re doing with technology, but why they’re doing it,” Griffin says.

Griffin says this today from the perspective of a smartARM user. A few minutes ago, he was cleaning his son’s bottles with the help of a smartARM. Yesterday, he picked through produce at his favorite market with it. Every time he lifted an apple, the prosthetic collected real-time data and fed it into a constantly improving algorithm. When he picks up an apple tomorrow, the arm will be smarter than it was yesterday.

Boo! Our COS Student Ambassadors hosted a frightful Trivia O’Trick at the Foxtail on campus this month. With fun questions and spooky prizes, it was a great time to connect with fellow students at the College of Sciences, the largest college at UCF.

Our COS Student Ambassadors are undergraduate students selected to serve as ambassadors over the academic year to build leadership and outreach skills, create engagement opportunities, participate in events, and connect with COS administration and faculty on behalf of the student body. Follow our COS Student Ambassadors on Instagram for the latest updates on events and initiatives.

Crystle Bechtold (left) and her children (right) celebrating the spirit of Halloween at a Trunk or Treat event.

When it’s spooky season and the air is cooling down, the spirit of Halloween can be felt in the College of Sciences thanks to Crystle Bechtold. Recently recognized with the Everyday Excellence Award, she continues to inspire others through her dedication and spirited approach to work and community.

As an Executive Assistant for the College of Sciences, Bechtold supports the Dean and administration, supervises front desk staff, manages COS’ scholarships, and serves on both the COS Staff Council and the UCF Staff Advisory Council. A proud Knight since her student days in 2004, she finds purpose in giving back to the community that shaped her.

“I cannot emphasize enough what an exceptional staff we have in the College of Sciences,” Bechtold says. “From those who have dedicated decades of service to those who are just beginning to find their way around campus, each of you plays a vital role in the success of your units, the college, and the university as a whole.”

She shares that she has countless memories at UCF, from fun moments in the office to representing the Staff Council onstage at Commencement.

“My most treasured experience as a UCF employee was representing the Staff Council onstage at Commencement. Sharing that moment with my friend Sandra Wheeler, who served as Grand Marshal, and our Interim Dean, Josh Colwell, made it even more remarkable,” she says. “The energy and joy from the graduates, their families, and our faculty as we celebrate their achievements is truly unforgettable and a powerful reminder of why we do what we do.”

During October, Bechtold is best known for transforming her workspace into a Halloween wonderland. With spooky decorations, fun costumes, and candy in the office, she turns the holiday into an immersive experience.

“I have loved Halloween since I was a child. It arrives during my favorite time of year — when the air turns crisp, the leaves are ablaze, and the wind nips playfully in the early morning chill,” she says. “Now that I have my own children, I have made most of their costumes, and they love helping push the limits of our decorations. Some of those decorations stay up year-round — both at my house and in my office—because Halloween, for me, is more than just a holiday.” 

Democracy is at the heart of the mission behind Lou Frey Institute (LFI) and its multi-prong approach to civics education. The institute’s work with educators was the focus of a special event held at UCF on September 27 in collaboration with its partners from SPHERE Education Initiatives and the Jack Miller Center.

The event,”Teaching America250: An Historic Opportunity,”is timely with the nation preparing to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence happening in 2026. The conference is the Lou Frey Institute’s third annual educator summit for social studies teachers held at UCF’s main campus in Orlando, Florida.

Stephen S. Masyada, Ph.D., the Director of LFI, provided a stirring keynote speech at the summit about the nation’s founding principles to nearly 100 educators and teacher-leaders from across the state of Florida.

“We The People matter, and in difficult times we heed the call that has come down to us over the centuries, that so many have believed in and fought for,” says Masyada.

For most diseases, early detection leads to better patient outcomes.

That’s why infectious disease experts and chemists at the UCF College of Medicine and College of Sciences were recently awarded a $537,619 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to create a low cost, accurate test that detects Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV at the same time.

The researchers are working to repurpose an existing electrochemical biosensor and apply that technology to quickly identify the viruses at the RNA level and quantify viral loads in resource-limited settings.

“It’s very important to detect those viruses in the same sample because those viruses share the same route of transmission and it increases the chance that the same person may get multiple viruses,” says Yulia Gerasimova, an associate professor of chemistry working on this project. to know how to tailor the treatment for patients depending on if they have a co-infection or not.” 

Space settlement has been the focus of researchers and organizations for years, offering the possibility of ensuring humanity’s long-term survival, advancing scientific knowledge and driving technological innovation. Agencies like NASA have set their sights on sending astronauts to Mars by the 2030s. 

To advance to the possibilities of living on other planets, researchers are examining what is needed to keep those explorers safe, including food, power sources, climate acclimation and transportation.

Among the UCF’s researchers leading this work is College of Sciences Assistant Professor Ramses Ramirez, a planetary scientist and astrobiologist who’s studying how Martian nanoparticles could be used to warm the planet’s surface to a habitable temperature in a process known as terraforming.

“The intersection between my work and biology is that ultimately I care about finding life on other planets. And if it’s not there, then we should become the life on that planet,” he says. “In our own solar system, if Mars is not habitable today or never did have life, we can change that.” 

The educational path to a STEM degree can be challenging both in and out of the classroom. To encourage aspiring scientists, UCF has launched a new grant for academically strong students with financial need earning degrees in chemistry, forensic science, physics, and photonics.

Funded by the National Science Foundation, Creating Holistic Advising and Mentoring to Advance Student Success in Physical Sciences (CHAMPS), will provide mentorship and financial support to 40 UCF STEM students over the next six years for up to $1,999,862.

“The CHAMPS program provides a mix of financial, academic, and professional support designed to help students not just stay in STEM but really thrive in it. Students will receive scholarships to help reduce financial stress so they can focus more on learning and less on working extra jobs or worrying about tuition,” says Principal Investigator Tamra Legron-Rodriguez, Associate Department Chair and Forensic Science Undergraduate Coordinator and Associate Lecturer of Chemistry. 

Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) have one of the most impressive migrations in the animal kingdom, but rising temperatures are disrupting their physiology, migration success, and long-term population stability, raising new questions about conservation strategies.

In a recent study published in Royal Society Open Science, researchers found that warmer migratory temperatures may be disrupting their reproductive development, reducing overall fitness and increasing mortality.

Led by UCF Professor of Biology Ken Fedorka and colleagues, the study warns that if warming weather trends continue, the monarch’s migratory phenotype could be lost in North America.

“Eastern and western monarch populations migrate thousands of miles to overwintering sites in Mexico and California, entering reproductive diapause, or a dormancy stage, to conserve energy and survive the journey and winter,” Fedorka says. “But warming temperatures are activating their reproductive development earlier and causing them to drop out of migration, even in the absence of native milkweed, the crucial plant they rely on for breeding success.” 

New Pelican 

The decision to move the headquarters of the Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM) from Colorado to Florida was made for strategic and infrastructural reasons. The new home for the command—Patrick Space Force Base—is located near Orlando, where a major technology cluster has already formed.

Orlando has long been known as a center for the development of computer games, simulators, and virtual reality technologies. The University of Central Florida is located here, offering master’s programs in game design and simulation.

Proximity to companies such as EA Sports contributes to the formation of a unique ecosystem where science, business, and the entertainment industry collaborate closely. 

Brighter Side News

The dream of living on another planet has intrigued scientists, engineers, and explorers for a long time. Now, the dream is moving closer to becoming a reality with researchers at the University of Central Florida (UCF) and beyond exploring how human beings could one day build thriving communities away from the planet. From creating breathable air on Mars to finding stable energy reserves in Venusian skies, all of these missions belong to a larger mission ensuring the survival of our species—and extending science's boundaries.

UCF Planetary Scientist and Astrobiologist Ramses Ramirez is leading the research into how to heat and render Mars livable again. His focus is on terraforming—a modification of the planet's environment to make it more Earth-like. With Martian nanoparticles, Ramirez believes that it may be feasible to heat the planet's surface so that it will be capable of supporting liquid water and plant life.

"Ultimately, I'm interested in finding life on other planets," Ramirez says. "And if it's not there, then we should become that life on that planet." 

Science Magazine

Infectious diseases pose a persistent global health challenge, with early and accurate detection remaining a key determinant of patient outcomes. Recognizing this critical need, researchers at the University of Central Florida (UCF), bridging expertise from both the College of Medicine and the College of Sciences, are pioneering a transformative approach for diagnosing Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV infections simultaneously.

Traditional methods for detecting these viruses typically rely on blood samples analyzed in centralized clinical laboratories. However, this process often proves cumbersome and inaccessible, especially in resource-constrained settings such as rural or low-income regions where laboratory infrastructure is limited or absent. Consequently, patients face prolonged wait times — sometimes months — for definitive diagnoses, during which the viruses may silently advance, exacerbating health risks and fueling further transmission within communities.

The UCF team, led by chemists Dr. Yulia Gerasimova and Dr. Karin Chumbimuni-Torres alongside infectious disease specialist Dr. Daniel Ram, is addressing these challenges by repurposing an existing electrochemical biosensor platform.  

Click Orlando

An Orlando startup called Wriggle Brew is pioneering a unique approach to two major environmental problems: plastic pollution and fertilizer runoff.

Founded by Sam Baker and his longtime friends and researchers, Wriggle Brew produces an organic fertilizer made from earthworm castings, the nutrient-rich manure of earthworms, while also developing a breakthrough method to break down plastic waste using bacteria and worms.

Since its founding at the University of Central Florida, Wriggle Brew has grown steadily, fueled by grants including a recent $1.2 million award from the National Science Foundation. The funding has enabled the company to scale up plastic processing and expand production.

Wriggle Brew’s mission is to provide a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers and to permanently reduce plastic pollution.

“There are billions of pounds of plastic floating around in the ocean, in our bodies, and on our food,” Baker said. “Something’s got to be done about it. Recycling isn’t a solution; it just cycles plastic. We want to put a permanent end to plastic.” 

Fox 35 Orlando

Andrew Cherico is a broadcast journalism student at UCF who provides content for the "Sons of UCF" and "Knights 247" as well as Orlando Magic content for the website round table. Andrew was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy when he was two and a half years old. When he was nine years old, he lost his ability to walk.

He now works on the adult advisory council at Cure SMA and shares his story at speaking events to help bring awareness to his condition and give those with similar conditions someone to look up to.  

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