Health & Medicine News | �鶹ԭ�� News

�鶹ԭ�� Study Suggests Some Alzheimer’s Symptoms May Begin Outside the Brain

Emily Dougherty — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:00:07 +0000

�鶹ԭ�� researchers have uncovered evidence that some movement-related symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease may originate outside the brain, which could change how the disease is diagnosed and treated in the future.

The study was sponsored by the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Aging and was led by �鶹ԭ�� Nanoscience Technology Center Professor James Hickman and Research Professor Xiufang “Nadine” Guo. In collaboration with researchers at healthcare tech company Hesperos, the team used lab-grown, human-cell systems designed to model how the body functions to examined how genetic mutations associated with familial Alzheimer’s affects movement. Today, the study was published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association.

“Motor deficits may be an earlier indication [of Alzheimer’s],” she says. “If we can detect those changes and intervene earlier, that could help delay the onset of central nervous system symptoms.”

How Movement and Alzheimer’s Are Connected

Familial Alzheimer’s is a rare form of the disease that is hereditary and appears earlier (from 40 to 65 years of age) in people affected than those with the typical condition.

While Alzheimer’s disease is widely associated with memory loss and dementia, clinicians have long observed that some patients show changes in balance, gait (manner of walking) or movement years before cognitive symptoms appear. These early motor changes raise questions about whether parts of the disease begin outside the brain.

Through a tech-powered approach, the team found that the diseased motor neurons — even without involvement from the brain — disrupted the neuromuscular junction, which is central to daily movement.

“This is the first time it’s been demonstrated that deficits in the peripheral nervous system can arise directly from these mutations,” Hickman says. “It means drugs that target the brain may not fix problems in the rest of the body.”

Maintaining motor function may also support overall brain health, as physical activity is known to play a role in cognitive well-being, Guo notes.

How Researchers Build Human Disease Models in the Lab

To explore how these mutations affect movement, the researchers turned to a cutting-edge approach called “human-on-a-chip” technology, which is manufactured through Hesperos, a company co-founded by Hickman. These miniature lab systems recreate the way human cells interact and function in the body, allowing scientists to study disease in a more realistic way than traditional lab or animal models.

The team built a neuromuscular junction-on-a-chip — a small system that mimics the connection between motor neurons and muscle cells. What makes this system powerful is what’s left out: the brain and spinal cord. By isolating motor neurons and muscle cells, the researchers could determine whether movement problems could arise without the central nervous system being involved.

To test this, the researchers paired healthy muscle cells with motor neurons that were created from stem cells and carried familial Alzheimer’s disease mutations. The findings suggest that Alzheimer’s-related movement issues may begin in the network of nerves outside the brain and spinal cord rather than being caused solely by brain degeneration.

Why the Nerve-to-Muscle Connection Matters

The neuromuscular junction is the point where a nerve cell signals a muscle to contract, making movement possible. If that connection is damaged, the body may lose strength, coordination or endurance.

In the study, the researchers measured several aspects of neuromuscular function, including how reliably nerve signals triggered muscle contraction and how long muscles could remain contracted before fatiguing. These measurements mirror the kinds of tests doctors use to evaluate movement disorders.

“You can’t move unless the motor circuit works,” Hickman says. “When a doctor taps your knee to check your reflex, they’re testing that exact connection.”

The Future of ‘Human-on-a-Chip’ Technology

The researchers believe their approach will become increasingly important as drug developers look for more accurate ways to study human disease.

Because the models use human cells and measure real biological function, they can reveal effects that may not appear in animal studies.

For Hickman, the work reflects 30 years of research to better understand disease and help people.

“These systems let us study disease in a way that’s closer to what actually happens in the human body, and that’s what we need to develop better treatments,” he says.

Research reported in this article was supported by the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Aging under award number R01AG077651 and R44AG071386. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health

�鶹ԭ�� Researchers Lead Study to Improve Quality of Life for Testicular Cancer Patients

College of Health Professions and Sciences — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 19:31:40 +0000

While completing treatment is a significant milestone for many cancer survivors, people with testicular cancer often face hidden physical, emotional and social well-being struggles that can last a lifetime.

Associate Professor of Health Sciences Michael Rovito

To reduce these challenges, associate professors of health sciences Michael Rovito and Keith Brazendale in ��’s Department of Health Sciences are conducting a 6-month intervention study, which is funded by the Florida Department of Health Cancer Innovation Fund.

The National Cancer Institute estimates survival rates for testicular cancer are high, as about 10,000 men are diagnosed each year and fewer than 5% die from the disease — underscoring the need to improve quality of life for these patients.

“Our focus is on finding ways to improve the quality of life for these survivors, and to improve their mental, emotional and social health,” says Rovito, who has researched testicular cancer and men’s health for nearly two decades.

A New Approach to Survivorship Care

Previous survivorship programs have often focused on high-intensity exercise, which can be difficult for patients managing recovery, work and family demands. To develop a more sustainable path to recovery, Rovito and Brazendale are testing a uniquely designed intervention in Florida, known as the Physical Activity and Connectivity for Testicular Cancer Survivors (PACT) program.

PACT combines low-impact, remote, physical activity with an online support network to help survivors navigate psychosocial challenges. Participants engage in regular low-intensity physical activity, such as walking or taking the stairs, and track their progress using Fitbit devices. The devices provide real-time feedback, allowing researchers to set weekly goals and offer personalized guidance. This feedback loop helps participants stay engaged while building sustainable habits.

“We’re seeking an intervention they can do for the rest of their lives,” Brazendale says. “We want these healthy supports to become habit.”

Support Beyond Physical Recovery

Connected through Zoom sessions, PACT program participants receive personalized counsel and encouragement from the researchers directly. They also take part in virtual peer-support sessions led by a social worker and a survivor advocate trained in trauma-informed care. Monthly sessions include breathwork, meditation and discussions on common concerns such as fertility, relationship changes and fear of recurrence.

Associate Professor of Health Science Keith Brazendale

“The online support session provides coping strategies and tools for the participants to use during the day, when they can feel anxious or depressed or overwhelmed,” Rovito says.

Outside of the meetings, researchers stay in touch regularly with individual messages to participants, sending tailored motivational text messages.

“Our hope is that we are providing realistic physical activity changes that are sustainable when the monitoring ends,” says Brazendale. “We want these survivors to have adopted habits and skills that result in them being healthier over the long-term.”

The researchers say they hope to expand the program to other cancer survivor groups and integrate it into broader survivorship care across Florida, while securing additional funding for larger-scale trials.

The Feasibility of the Physical Activity and Connectivity for Testicular Cancer Survivors (PACT) program is supported by a grant from the Florida Department of Health Cancer Innovation Fund grant number 25C33.

�鶹ԭ�� Expert Plays Key Role in International Research to Combat Dengue Fever, Zika

Eddy Duryea ’13 — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:54:33 +0000

Nearly half of the world’s citizens live in areas with a risk of catching dengue fever, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As the mosquito-borne illness rapidly spreads, especially in the Americas and Caribbean, a researcher is playing a crucial role in finding solutions.

James Earnest, an assistant professor at the Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, is leading two new research projects to examine how humans build an immune response to dengue and the Zika virus over time, in pursuit of creating better preventative measures.

From left to right: �鶹ԭ�� research associate Daniel Limonta,�鶹ԭ�� Assistant Professor James Earnest and biomedical sciences doctoral student Bruno Pinheiro ’25. (Photo by Eddy Duryea ’13 )

Tackling a Global Problem

Both dengue and Zika are carried by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which has expanded its habitat from Africa to tropical, subtropical and even temperate areas worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, dengue infections in humans climbed from 505,430 in 2000 to 14.6 million in 2024, an increase of more than 2,700%.

Dengue can be asymptomatic or cause severe pain, fatigue and high fever. Repeated infections can be fatal.

Since 2017, there have been few cases of Zika recorded in the U.S., but the disease persists sporadically in Africa, the Americas and Asia. The virus’ biggest health concern is for pregnant women because contracting Zika can increase risks for serious congenital birth defects.

While people in Mexico and Uganda may benefit from this research, Florida’s location as a worldwide travel destination adds to the growing need for solutions. U.S. dengue cases are on the rise and have been reported in Florida, California, Texas and Hawaii. Most are related to travel. Dengue is also prevalent in Puerto Rico.

“The threat to the U.S. is growing over time. … We want to be the leaders at looking at these viruses.” — James Earnest, �鶹ԭ�� Assistant Professor

“With more favorable temperatures and with people traveling around the globe these days, the threat to the U.S. is growing over time,” Earnest says. “I think, especially here in Florida, the potential for these mosquitoes to live in these areas and start transmitting these diseases in the very near future is high. �鶹ԭ�� recognizes that this is an important avenue of research for this region, and so we want to be the leaders at looking at these viruses.”

Earnest’s research field team in Mexico collects samples. (Photo provided by James Earnest)

How the �鶹ԭ�� Research Works

Earnest’s lab is focused on how the immune system responds to mosquito-borne viruses. Before arriving at �鶹ԭ�� in 2024, he tracked dengue via longitudinal sampling in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.

Earnest is collaborating with the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) through a five-year $970,813 subcontract, part of a larger grant awarded to UVRI from Wellcome, a London-based charitable organization that supports science to solve urgent health challenges. The project aims to study immune system and antibody responses to dengue and Zika in large cohorts of people in Uganda and in Mexico.

�鶹ԭ�� will also collaborate with Emory University on a $578,157 grant from the National Institutes of Health, with Earnest subcontracted to Emory to study whether combining two current dengue inoculations used in Brazil gives humans better protection against repeat infections.

“It’s important that we understand what good and bad immune responses look like to these viruses.” — James Earnest, �鶹ԭ�� Assistant Professor

“It’s important that we understand what good and bad immune responses look like to these viruses,” Earnest says. “When we know those factors, then we can try to steer people in the right direction so that their antibodies will protect them from disease.”

Earnest will coordinate with teams in other countries to regularly collect blood samples and measure antibody production to get a comprehensive look at how different people’s bodies react to dengue and Zika over time. The samples will be collected and processed in Mexico and Uganda, and Earnest will analyze the results in his lab.

“I think what’s unique about this work is that we’re following people over time and not necessarily just when they get sick,” Earnest says.

His research focuses on B cells, which are white blood cells that make antibodies and help the body remember how to fight infections. By tracking how people’s B cells change over time, his team aims to understand how immune responses differ across regions.

In a related project with Emory, the lab will identify the most effective memory B cells and antibodies induced by two existing methods of inoculation for dengue, then test whether combining those methods in Brazilian trial participants produces a stronger immune response.

Students Aim to Save Lives Through Lab Work

With this new research, Earnest’s lab has welcomed two new �鶹ԭ�� students who have personal experience with dengue and Zika.

Maiesha Mahmood, a second-year biotechnology master’s student, is from Bangladesh, where the threat of dengue looms.

“I have been around dengue a lot growing up,” Mahmood says. “I know people who have been in hospital with severe forms of dengue, and people who’ve passed away suddenly. People become scared of mosquitos and dengue.”

She says she hopes ��’s research will someday save lives.

“Back in Bangladesh, we don’t really have a lot of facilities that can support virology research,” she says. “It was a huge opportunity to be able to come here and be able to work with Dr. Earnest. I want to continue looking into these kinds of viruses and find a way to help people who keep suffering from these diseases.”

��ܲԴ��ʾ��Գ�𾱰��’25, a first-year Ph.D. candidate, joined Earnest’s lab to further his education and hopes research will help people close to him.

“My family is from Brazil and so Zika was a very big thing for them,” says Pinheiro, who earned his bachelor’s degree in biotechnology “It’s great to work on something that you can feel will impact the community that you’re a part of.”

Researcher Credentials:

Earnest joined ��’s College of Medicine as an assistant professor in 2024. He earned his doctorate in microbiology and immunology from Loyola University Chicago in 2017. He performed postdoctoral research at Washington University in St. Louis studying antibody responses to mosquito-borne viruses and Emory University where he managed clinical field trials in Latin America.

Funding and Disclosure:

Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number U01AI186860. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Bank of America Grant Helps �鶹ԭ�� Reach Goal to Fund Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion

�鶹ԭ�� — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 15:00:34 +0000

Bank of America has awarded �鶹ԭ�� a $500,000 grant to support the on ��’s Academic Health Sciences Campus in Lake Nona. The funds will propel critically needed nursing talent and healthcare innovation at the state-of-the-art facility.

The pivotal investment closes an aggressive and purposeful capital campaign to raise more than $30 million in private funding, which together with $43 million from the State of Florida, has brought ��’s bold vision of a new home for its College of Nursing to life.

“Purposeful partnerships are what move our people and ideas forward to shape the future,” says �鶹ԭ�� President Alexander N. Cartwright. “Our mission with this campaign was clear: to address Florida’s nursing shortage head-on by significantly increasing ��’s capacity to prepare compassionate and highly skilled Knight nurses. Together, with the generous support of state leaders, donors and partners, we are moving healthcare forward by fueling talent and innovation.”

Opened in Fall 2025, the 90,000-square-foot Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion increases access to ��’s accredited and nationally ranked nursing degree programs. One in four Florida nursing graduates already receive a degree from �鶹ԭ��, more than any other university in the state.

With the opening, �鶹ԭ�� will graduate an additional 150 newly licensed eligible nurses annually and directly impact Florida communities. Of the more than 17,000 Knight nurse alumni, 85% live and work in the Sunshine State and nearly 60% remain in Central Florida.

The facility comes at a critical time for the profession and state, which is facing a projected shortage of 37,400 registered nurses by 2035. To meet demand spurred from Florida’s rapidly growing and aging population, an estimated 2,300 RNs are needed to enter the workforce annually.

“We are incredibly grateful to Bank of America Central Florida for their support that will impact generations in Central Florida and beyond,” says College of Nursing Dean Sharon Tucker. “Through philanthropic support and partnerships, �鶹ԭ�� has turned a challenge into opportunity — one that improves lives with increased access to a high-quality education and increased collaboration to innovate patient care. Together we are ensuring a healthier future for all.”

In addition to expanding classroom space, the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion dramatically expands space for simulation and immersive technologies to prepare future healthcare providers in the Helene Fuld Health Trust STIM Center. �鶹ԭ�� is a global leader in healthcare simulation, and the first in Florida with three global accolades in the innovative field.

With an optimal location in Lake Nona, adjacent to ��’s College of Medicine and in a hub of industry activity, the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion is fueling greater collaborative research and learning opportunities. �鶹ԭ�� students gain hands-on clinical experiences at neighboring healthcare facilities and real-life practice in interdisciplinary care with the new �鶹ԭ�� Health Mobile Clinic.

“This building is positively impacting how my peers and I learn, as community support is at the forefront and motivates our studies,” says Raquel Vargas, a current accelerated second degree BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) student at �鶹ԭ��. “In addition, the advanced technology in the simulation center is improving my ability to analyze and anticipate real-life patient scenarios, preparing me for my future clinical practice.”

The capital campaign launched in November 2022 anchored by a generous $10 million gift from Dr. Phillips Charities. Other founding donors of the facility include the Helene Fuld Health Trust, �鶹ԭ�� Pegasus Partners AdventHealth, Orlando Health, Nemours Children’s Health and Addition Financial, Zaby and Suree Vyas, and many others.

“Through this grant, the Bank of America is bolstering the backbone of healthcare in one of our nation’s fastest-growing regions,” says Naveed Shujaat, president, Bank of America Central Florida. “Education and healthcare are powerful forces in communities – catalysts that transform lives. This support for the education of future �鶹ԭ�� nurses will have an immeasurable impact on the patients and families they serve, especially in Florida.”

�鶹ԭ�� Graduate Programs Climb in U.S. News’ 2026 Rankings, Reflecting Strength in Serving National Needs

�鶹ԭ�� — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 13:01:22 +0000

�鶹ԭ�� continues our upward momentum in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Graduate Programs Rankings, earning 14 recognitions in the top 50. From emergency management and counseling to nursing and aerospace engineering, ��’s rise highlights a university-wide focus on faculty excellence, hands-on learning, and preparing graduates to lead in high-impact careers across critical workforces.

Boardman Endowed Professor of Environmental Science and Public Administration Christopher Emrich (left) and founding Director of �鶹ԭ��’s Emergency and Crisis Management Program Claire Connolly Knox (right) in the university’s Emergency Operations Center.

The National Leader in Emergency and Crisis Management

�鶹ԭ�� earned the No. 1 Homeland/National Security and Emergency Management Graduate Program ranking in the nation for the third consecutive year.

At the forefront of this year’s ranking is the College of Community Innovation and Education (CCIE)’s online emergency and crisis management program, signaling ��’s long-standing leadership in programs that keep people safe from disasters of all kinds.

“To maintain the U.S. News No. 1 ranking of graduate programs in homeland security and emergency management is truly a team endeavor,” Associate Professor of Public Administration Yue ‘Gurt’ Ge says. “It reflects our nationally and internationally renowned faculty in education and research, our stellar students and alumni — who have become the backbone of the emergency management profession in Florida and beyond — and our signature staff members and advisory board representing government, nonprofit, and business sectors across Central Florida.”

That strong connection to practice is central to the program’s success. Faculty research influences policy nationwide, while students gain real-world insight through close partnerships with emergency managers at the local, state and federal levels. Graduates leave prepared to respond to complex crises, from natural disasters to public health emergencies, at a time when the need for highly trained professionals continues to grow.

Sejal Barden helps counselor education students gain real-world counseling experience through initiatives like Project Harmony and the �鶹ԭ�� Community Counseling and Research Center.

A Top-10 School Preparing Student Counselors

�鶹ԭ��’s College of Community Innovation and Education also earned the No. 9 ranking for Student Counseling and Personnel Services Graduate Programs in the nation.

Recognition for CCIE’s student counseling graduate program reflects ��’s high-touch faculty mentorship model and its emphasis on integrating research, service, and professional preparation.

For Benoit Aubin, a first-year doctoral student in counselor education, that support has been transformative. A former firefighter and medic, Aubin now works as a mental health clinician for his former fire station while serving as a graduate research assistant with ��’s Marriage and Family Research Institute (MFRI).

With guidance from Department of Counselor Education and School Psychology Chair and MFRI Executive Director Sejal Barden, Aubin has conducted clinical research focused on trauma and relationship stress among first-responder couples. His work has already contributed to a funded grant, conference presentations, a published book and the development of a training program — achievements he credits to a highly supportive learning environment.

“�鶹ԭ�� knows how to prepare us to compete professionally,” Aubin says.

Acute care nurse practitioner DNP students demonstrate skills in the health assessment lab during the opening tour of the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion in Lake Nona.

A 34-Spot Rise in Advanced Nursing Education

�鶹ԭ��’s College of Nursing jumped 34 spots to No. 37 for Doctor of Nursing Practice Graduate Programs in the nation — the highest ranking in the college’s history.

�鶹ԭ��’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program (DNP) improved ranking reflects a continued investment in academic rigor, faculty expertise and hands-on clinical training designed to address the nation’s growing need for nurse practitioners.

Graduates from the DNP program consistently outperform national first-time pass rates on nurse practitioner certification exams. They also often receive job offers before they even complete their degrees, according to Christopher Blackwell ’00 ’01MSN ’05PhD, director of ��’s adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner program. All full-time faculty hold at least one doctoral degree, more than half remain actively practicing clinicians and many are nationally recognized fellows. Through partnerships with healthcare organizations across Central Florida students gain applied experience alongside expert preceptors in varied clinical settings.

“The incredible amount of support I’ve received from ��’s nursing professors and the opportunities to make an impact through my research and clinical practice solidified that I made the best choice in my graduate degree,” says Mimi Alliance ’21, a family nurse practitioner doctoral student who provides care and conducts research on the �鶹ԭ�� Mobile Health Clinic.

Some of that training is anchored in the college’s Helene Fuld Health Trust STIM Center, an internationally recognized simulation facility that strengthens clinical skills and decision-making before students enter patient-care environments. The STIM Center, as well as ��’s nursing programs, are housed in the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion, which opened in Lake Nona in Fall 2025 thanks to generous state and industry support — a proof point of �鶹ԭ��’s ability to solve real-world issues.

Postdoctoral scholar and alum Rachel Hyvotick ’24MS ’25PhD (left) working with Trustee Chair Professor Kareem Ahmed in the �鶹ԭ�� HyperSpace Center.

Building on a Legacy of Aerospace Engineering Excellence

As Florida’s Technological University, �鶹ԭ�� continues to build on our strength in technology-driven fields by ranking No. 38 for Aerospace Engineering Graduate Programs in the nation.

The �鶹ԭ�� College of Engineering and Computer Sciences‘ aerospace engineering graduate program ranking reinforces the university’s legacy in a field deeply tied to Florida’s Space Coast and NASA’s recent Artemis II launch.

“It is gratifying to see the hard work and exciting research of our faculty and students recognized by our peers,” says Associate Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Jeffrey Kauffman, noting that since launching the aerospace engineering doctoral program in 2019, �鶹ԭ�� has steadily climbed in rankings while program enrollment has grown to more than 100 doctoral students.

Fueling that growth are advances in hypersonic flight, space exploration and defense research, with ��’s HyperSpace Center serving as a catalyst for interdisciplinary collaboration. Faculty success in securing competitive federal research funding has strengthened infrastructure and expanded opportunities for both graduate and undergraduate students.

The result is a vibrant research environment where students engage directly in cutting-edge projects and build industry connections well before entering the workforce.

Across disciplines, ��’s growth in the U.S. News & World Report’s graduate rankings reflects a shared commitment to student success — driven by faculty who mentor closely, curricula that align with real-world needs and an institutional culture focused on impact. As ��’s graduate programs continue to climb, they reinforce the university’s role as a national leader preparing professionals to tackle society’s most urgent challenges.

�鶹ԭ�� Nursing Expert Honored for Contributions to Critical Care

Julie Harper ’01 — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 14:00:49 +0000

During the 2026 Society of Critical Care Medicine Congress, thousands of healthcare professionals gathered to advance patient care and recognize the experts leading the way — including �鶹ԭ�� Nursing Associate Professor Brian Peach.

�鶹ԭ�� Nursing Associate Professor Brian Peach onstage during the induction ceremony for the American College of Critical Care Medicine.

Peach was the only nursing expert in Florida inducted into this year’s class of fellows of the American College of Critical Care Medicine, a prestigious distinction recognizing healthcare leaders who’ve made outstanding contributions to critical care through clinical excellence, program development and scholarly activities.

Improving Patient Outcomes

Peach has dedicated nearly two decades to improving critical care — from the patient bedside as an intensive care unit (ICU) nurse and leader to advancing the field as an educator and researcher.

“… the best patient care and research outcomes are achieved through interdisciplinary teamwork.”

His clinical career spanned three teaching facilities — the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, University of Florida Health Shands Hospital and Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center — where he advanced into leadership roles and collaborated across disciplines to improve patient outcomes and drive quality initiatives, including improving time-sensitive sepsis care to save lives.

“I firmly believe that the best patient care and research outcomes are achieved through interdisciplinary teamwork, where each professional’s expertise enhances the collective effort,” Peach says. “My experiences have reinforced my commitment to fostering collaborations that drive meaningful improvements in healthcare.”

Advancing Education and Science

While his clinical work laid the foundation, Peach recognized a broader purpose: preparing future nurses and advancing the science behind critical care.

At ��’s College of Nursing, he’s led a critical care course that emphasizes essential concepts through case-based learning that prepare future nurses for real-world practice. He also serves as the college’s Honors Undergraduate Thesis liaison, advising nearly 25 undergraduate and graduate students in independent research in the field.

Nationally, Peach extends his impact through leadership and service. He’s served as a reviewer for multiple critical care publications and collaborates with experts on projects like the next tier of the Society of Critical Care Medicine’s Centers of Excellence program, which will recognize hospitals for excellence in ICU care.

His award-winning research, shared globally through publications and presentations, focuses on improving outcomes for septic patients and, more recently, advancing care for ICU delirium and post-intensive care syndrome (PICS).

Advocating for Intensive Care Survivors

PICS — a syndrome involving new or worsened physical, cognitive and mental health impairments following an ICU admission — affects a significant portion of survivors. Of the more than 5.7 million Americans admitted to ICUs each year, about 70% survive, and it’s estimated that more than half experience lasting impairments.

Peach has become an advocate for critical illness survivors, dedicated to raising awareness and improving care. He currently leads a virtual reality exposure therapy trial for the treatment of PICS in critical illness survivors and frequently speaks on the topic at conferences, healthcare facilities and to the media.

“Helping shed light on the hidden burden carried by ICU survivors — and the gap between survival and true recovery — motivates my work,” he says.

As a member of the PICS Advocacy Network, he was inspired to co-found Orlando’s Walk-4-PICS campaign in 2024. It’s now one of the largest events in a global effort to raise awareness and connect survivors and their families with resources and research opportunities.

“… by allowing researchers to track data nationwide, [the diagnostic code] could help make the case that PICS research warrants greater investment.”

Earlier this month, Peach presented a proposal to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advocating for a PICS ICD-10 diagnostic code. If approved, the code would allow providers to formally diagnose PICS and enable researchers to track its prevalence. A decision is expected by Summer 2026.

“This code has the potential to dramatically influence health policy and research funding,” Peach says. “Millions of people across the U.S. suffering from PICS conditions will officially be able to receive a diagnosis. Furthermore, by allowing researchers to track data nationwide, it could help make the case that PICS research warrants greater investment.”

For Peach, it’s the people behind the statistics that inspire his work. It’s the personal stories of the ICU survivors he meets, the achievements of the students he mentors and the thought leaders he collaborates with to create change.

“I look forward to [continuing] to advance critical care through collaboration and mentorship,” he says, “and to improving care for patients, survivors and their families.”

If you’re a critical illness survivor living with new or worsened physical, cognitive or mental health conditions, you may qualify for one of Peach’s studies.

�鶹ԭ�� College of Medicine Leads the Way in Bilingual Medical Training

Eddy Duryea ’13 — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 16:41:24 +0000

A new Spanish-language program offered in ��’s College of Medicine will better equip its students to serve patients in Florida — a state that ranks among the top four in the country for Latino populations and Spanish speakers.

�鶹ԭ�� is the first medical school in Florida offering Spanish language certification through the national Physician Oral Language Observation Matrix exam.

The exam establishes the physician has demonstrated comprehension, vocabulary and pronunciation skills in Spanish to provide care to patients without an interpreter.

Three students have passed the exam already, four are awaiting results and 11 more are on the path to complete it. Two of the certified students recently found out on Match Day they are staying in Florida for their medical residency programs.

“The exam represents a meaningful milestone because it validates that a student can provide safe, language-concordant care in clinical settings,” says Analia Castiglioni, assistant dean and director of the Spanish language program.

Elevated Care for Florida’s Patients

Data shows that communications problems are the most frequent root cause of serious patient safety events such as mismanagement of medications. Patients with limited English language proficiency face higher levels of such risk.

The College of Medicine offers Spanish as its language focus to meet the state’s healthcare needs. Florida ranks as one of the top four states in the country for in Spanish speakers. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 22% of Floridians report speaking Spanish at home.

“When the care team and the patient share a common language, something important happens,” Castiglioni says. “Trust develops more quickly, patients share more complete information, and care becomes safer and more compassionate.”

Not Your Average Spanish

Fourth-year medical student Rodolfo Rodriguez came to Florida from South America when he was young and spoke Spanish and English at home. While he is bilingual, he needed to learn medical Spanish to be a more effective physician.

“Household Spanish is much more casual and you’re not using terms that are prevalent in the medical field,” Rodriguez says. “There are also words that don’t directly translate the same, like ‘stroke.’ In Spanish, you wouldn’t say ‘stroke’ you’d say ‘accidente cerebrovascular’ which literally means ‘cerebrovascular accident.’”

He wanted to specialize in rehabilitative medicine after witnessing his father recover from a motorcycle accident. Last week, he matched into the University of Miami’s physical medicine and rehabilitation program.

“I’m overjoyed, and I know my dad is too,” he says. “Many people here in Florida don’t speak English as a first language, so being able to use my medical Spanish to help these patients feel comfortable through the rehab process is something I know will make a difference.”

The training is equally as valuable to non-native speakers like fourth-year M.D. candidate Elizabeth Durkin. She says ��’s structured program helped strengthen the Spanish skills she studied throughout her education, and she wants to continue building her proficiency. She passed the national certification, and this summer will begin her neurology residency in neurology at HealthONE in Englewood, CO.

“Being able to speak directly with non-English speaking patients has been a goal of mine for a long time,” says Durkin, who used to translate doctor’s visits for her Russian-speaking grandparents. “I’d like to say I did this to honor my family and my grandparents.”

College of Medicine students Elizabeth Durkin, Rodolfo Rodriguez and Anthony Martinez all completed certification in �鶹ԭ��’s Spanish Language program.

Certification Program Details

Students are eligible to take the Medical Spanish electives in the summer before their second year of medical school, before they go into clerkships at hospitals and clinics, and/or in their fourth year.

In addition to formal Spanish language education, they practice obtaining patient histories and provide treatment plans in Spanish with standardized patients in the College of Medicine’s Clinical Skills and Simulation Center. Every patient encounter is taped and evaluated by Brenda Perez, who is a Certified Healthcare Interpreter in Spanish, the medical curriculum program manager at the College of Medicine and a casual Spanish interpreter at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Lake Nona.

The college hopes to expand the program to continue meeting the community’s needs.

“My vision is for the program to continue growing,” Castiglioni says. “That means building strong partnerships with clinical sites that serve Spanish-speaking communities and creating opportunities for our students to rotate in those settings, where their language skills can directly enhance patient care.”

College of Medicine students interested in learning more about the medical Spanish program may email commedspanish@ucf.edu.

�鶹ԭ�� College of Medicine Exceeds Nation’s Match Placement Rate

Wendy Sarubbi — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:51:58 +0000

��’s College of Medicine was designed to be a model of 21st-century medical education. The results and euphoria of Friday’s annual Match Day reaffirmed the mission as more than 100 students matched into residencies across the nation.

�鶹ԭ�� is setting the standard, earning a 99% match placement rate, compared with a national average of 93.5%.

Knights matched into specialties that include internal and family medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, radiology, surgery, pathology and emergency medicine, with 46 of the 108 completing some or all their training in Florida.

Nationally, students are headed to programs that include Brown, Duke, Emory, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Stanford and Vanderbilt. In Florida, students are going to Orlando Health, Miami, University of Florida and University of South Florida. Nine will further strengthen their ties as Knights in �鶹ԭ��-HCA Healthcare residencies in Greater Orlando, Gainesville and Tallahassee.

Medical school students cannot practice medicine immediately after graduation but must do three to seven years of residency training, depending on their specialty. Match results are kept secret until noon on the third Friday in March.

“At noon, as you open your match envelope, you are opening the door to your future,” Deborah German, vice president for health affairs and dean, said moments before the long-awaited unveiling.

Knights matched into specialties that include internal and family medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, radiology, surgery, pathology and emergency medicine.

A Match Day Tradition

Friday’s Match Day was particularly meaningful for German, who recently announced she is transitioning away from her role leading the medical school. During her 20 years as dean, German has conducted the first class of medical school for each new cohort. Called, “The Good Doctor – A �鶹ԭ�� Tradition,” she asks students to think of the person they love most in the world and describe the characteristics of the doctor they want treating their loved one.

She writes those traits on a blackboard, which stays in the College of Medicine lobby as a contract between students, their faculty, patients and community.

Class of 2026 students designed decorative boxes to hold their Match Day envelopes. The boxes contained their Good Doctor words from four years ago, including grateful, humble, compassionate and resourceful.

More than 100 students matched into residencies across the nation at programs that include Brown, Duke, Emory, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Stanford, UCLA and Vanderbilt.

Finding Their Match

Ariana Johnson began to cry even before she opened her envelope and learned she will be doing her otolaryngology residency at Old Dominion University. A recipient of ��’s highest student honor, the Order of Pegasus, Johnson says the tears came as she realized she was finally achieving her dream after four years of hard work in medical school. As an ear, nose and throat specialist, she will be able to combine excellence in surgery with clinical patient care.

“I’ll be providing longitudinal care for patients,” she said. “With this specialty, you get to know patients for their whole lives.”

“I’ve wanted this since I was in middle school.” — Brandon Molligoda

Brandon Molligoda matched into neurology at Duke. He says his match result “means everything to me. I’ve wanted this since I was in middle school. I was always fascinated with how the brain works.”

Holly Moots ’17 ’24PhD is the third M.D./Ph.D. graduate in ��’s history. She researched pancreatic cancer during her joint degree and was thrilled to match into internal medicine at Lakeland Regional Hospital because of the residency’s focus on research and clinical trials.

“With my background, I want to take what I’ve learned in the labs and translate that into a clinical setting,” she said. “I can finally use all of this knowledge I got here at �鶹ԭ�� and apply it to help patients.”

Nine �鶹ԭ�� med students will further strengthen their ties as Knights in �鶹ԭ��-HCA Healthcare residencies in Greater Orlando, Gainesville and Tallahassee.

Addressing Florida’s Physician Shortage

The �鶹ԭ��-HCA Graduate Medical Education Consortium is the fastest growing residency and fellowship program in Florida and by this summer will be training more than 800 physicians in Greater Orlando, Sanford, Tallahassee, Gainesville, Ocala, Pensacola and Fort Walton Beach. �鶹ԭ��-HCA filled all their residency programs during National Match Day, adding 310 new physicians.

“As the need for physicians grows in the state of Florida, with an estimated 18,000 physician shortage projected over the next decade, we are helping to meet those needs,” says Stephen Cico, ��’s associate dean for graduate medical education and the �鶹ԭ��-HCA consortium’s designated institutional official. “We are focused on medical specialties that are or are going to be in the highest demand.”

Primary care is one of those specialties.

Victoria Millington ’21, who earned her bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences before pursing her MD, is one of five Knights who will be staying in Orlando to serve their residences. She matched into her first-choice, internal medicine at the �鶹ԭ��-HCA Healthcare program in Greater Orlando.

Millington says she chose the specialty because it allows her to have long-term relationships with patients and coordinate with specialists to “bring all of the pieces of care together.”

“We are excited to welcome the next generation of physicians who will carry forward our mission — above all else, to care for and improve human life — and deliver compassionate, patient-centered care in the communities we are honored to serve,” says Cheryll Albold, who serves as vice president of graduate medical education for HCA Healthcare’s North Florida Division.

�鶹ԭ�� Researchers Receive Meta Support to Study Motor Learning in EMG-Based Interfaces

Andrew Miller | Photos by Antoine Hart — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 13:00:54 +0000

�鶹ԭ�� researchers are partnering with Meta Platforms Inc. to study how people learn to control digital systems using muscle signals, work that could improve human-computer interaction in virtual and augmented environments.

Supported by a gift from Meta, the two-year project uses electromyographic (EMG)-based human-machine interface technology as a platform for investigating motor learning through gamified training systems. While EMG systems are often studied in the context of prosthetic limb control, the broader goal of the project is to understand how adaptive interfaces can become more intuitive and embodied over time.

“This Meta support will enable my lab to work on real-world problems that can have an immediate impact on neurotechnologies.” — Mohsen Rakhshan, assistant professor

�鶹ԭ�� was selected through Meta’s competitive funding initiative, in part because of its interdisciplinary approach pairing engineering with philosophy and ethics.

Mohsen Rakhshan, an assistant professor in ��’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Disability, Aging and Technology (DAT) faculty cluster initiative, and Jonathan Beever, a professor of philosophy and director of the �鶹ԭ�� Center for Ethics, will lead the project.

“This Meta support will enable my lab to work on real-world problems that can have an immediate impact on neurotechnologies,” Rakhshan says. “The impact ranges from individuals using augmented and virtual reality for entertainment to individuals with amputation or paralysis seeking to improve their quality of life. It also gives my engineering students the opportunity to integrate ethics research into their technical work.”

Advancing Motor Learning Through EMG

EMG-based interfaces translate electrical signals generated by muscle activity into digital commands, allowing users to control devices through subtle physical gestures. In immersive environments, these systems can enable more natural interaction with virtual objects. In rehabilitation settings, they can assist in training neural prostheses.

The �鶹ԭ�� team is using this technology to examine how people learn new motor skills in digital environments, particularly through gamified interaction tasks designed to strengthen human-computer coordination. By training both the participant and the signal-processing algorithm (often called a “decoder”) simultaneously, through a process known as co-adaptation, researchers aim to create systems that improve alongside the user.

Professor Jonathan Beever (left) and Assistant Professor Mohsen Rakhshan (right) discuss an EMG-based interface prototype.

“A significant challenge for most of these systems is that they require constant retraining or calibration of the decoder,” Rakhshan says. “Retraining after each use can discourage individuals from using these devices long term. The human nervous system is plastic — it can adapt and improve performance over time. But if the decoder is constantly reset or kept static, it may prevent the nervous system from leveraging that plasticity. We aim to develop a co-adaptive loop between the human and the device.”

Rather than focusing solely on stable decoding, the project investigates how adaptive systems can enhance motor learning, improve user confidence and promote a stronger sense of embodiment in human-machine interaction.

If successful, the research could inform next-generation EMG systems used in immersive computing, rehabilitation technologies and assistive devices.

A prototype EMG-based interface device that will be used to explore how people interact with systems that translate muscle signals into digital commands.

Embedding Ethics Into Engineering

A defining feature of the project is the integration of ethics alongside engineering from the outset.

“Interdisciplinary collaboration between ethics and technical experts is the best path forward for responsible innovation.” — Jonathan Beever, professor

Longitudinal EMG studies can reveal subtle motor signatures that uniquely identify individuals, raising questions about privacy and data protection. Adaptive systems may also influence a user’s sense of agency, whether individuals feel genuinely in control of the interface. For example, if an EMG system begins adjusting its interpretation of muscle signals automatically, users may feel the device is responding to them intuitively or, in some cases, acting unpredictably. Researchers want to better understand how these dynamics affect trust, confidence, and long-term use.

To address these questions, Beever will be embedded within the �鶹ԭ�� Laboratory for Interaction of Machine and Brain (LIMB), contributing directly to experimental design and evaluation. The team will conduct structured assessments of agency and embodiment while examining potential privacy leakage from EMG signal data.

“Interdisciplinary collaboration between ethics and technical experts is the best path forward for responsible innovation,” Beever says. “Technological advancement must be guided toward good ends. Our work emphasizes not only ethical research practices but also deeper questions about autonomy and agency in human-machine interfaces.”

A Three-Phase Study

The longitudinal study will involve 30 participants completing 10 sessions over two months, allowing researchers to measure both short-term and long-term motor learning outcomes.

The project will occur in three phases:

Phase 1: Standardizing muscle signal data so artificial intelligence systems can more accurately interpret user intent.

Phase 2: Training both participants and machine learning models simultaneously — a co-adaptive process designed to improve human-computer interaction through gamified tasks.

Phase 3: Conducting structured evaluation of agency, embodiment and privacy risks while developing a publishable ethics framework for adaptive EMG-based systems.

“There has been a significant increase in industry interest in using biological signals such as EMG, from muscles, and EEG, from the brain, to interact with virtual and augmented reality, consumer electronics, prostheses for individuals with amputation and robotic systems for individuals with paralysis,” Rakhshan says.

This research is supported by a gift from Meta. The project is conducted by faculty, staff and students in ��’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, the Disability, Aging and Technology research cluster and the �鶹ԭ�� Center for Ethics.

Progressing the Final Frontier of Medicine: Space

Wendy Sarubbi — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 11:10:28 +0000

��’s leading space medicine experts, valued strategic partners and an astronaut who holds NASA’s record for spacewalks will gather April 10 in Lake Nona’s Medical City to discuss how they can work together to keep space travelers healthy and use that research to create groundbreaking clinical innovations on Earth.

The “Star Nona 2026” event is led by the Lake Nona Research Council, which is focused on encouraging interdisciplinary scientific partnerships between industry, academia and healthcare.

The council includes physicians and researchers from �鶹ԭ��, Orlando Health, AdventHealth, the , the Orlando VA Medical Center, Nemours Children’s Health, business and industry.

Star Nona 2026 Event Details

“Our goal is to bring together space medicine leaders and experts from academia, medicine and the space industry to find more ways we can work together to research the health impacts of space flight and how our discoveries can also improve healthcare on Earth,” says Michal Masternak, �鶹ԭ�� professor of medicine.

An anti-aging and cancer researcher, Masternak leads the Lake Nona Research Council’s space medicine research group. He also leads the College of Medicine’s program that processes astronaut samples so physicians and scientists can analyze the immediate impact of space travel on astronauts’ bodies.

Sessions will include presentations on:

Microgravity and radiation exposure and their impact on human physical and mental health
How space travel affects muscles, bones, cells, vision and the brain
Protecting muscles in space (led by AdventHealth researchers)
Next generation of the space station
New technologies for diagnosing how space travel impacts human cells.

Robert Curbeam holds the record for the most spacewalks (4) during a single spaceflight.

These presentations will feature �鶹ԭ�� researchers from medicine, , and . �鶹ԭ�� graduate students and post-doctoral scientists will also present research posters on space medicine.

The plenary speaker is NASA astronaut Robert Curbeam, a U.S. Navy captain who completed four spacewalks during space shuttle Discovery’s 2006 mission to the International Space Station.

The Space Coast’s College of Medicine

Located 45 miles west of the Space Coast and Kennedy Space Center, ��’s College of Medicine is the perfect partner to chart a new frontier in healthcare as humans prepare for longer missions to the moon and Mars, and commercial space flights take more civilians into space.

The goal: explore how factors such as microgravity, radiation and isolation impact the human body in space and how that knowledge can drive innovation into diagnostics, treatment and disease prevention on Earth.

To further those efforts, �鶹ԭ�� has created a new Center for Aerospace and Extreme Environments Medicine (CASEEM), which includes �鶹ԭ�� faculty experts in medicine, engineering, computer science, psychology, arts and educational leadership. This interdisciplinary group will work together to research and develop new technologies for keeping space travelers healthy, as well as soldiers on military missions, deep sea explorers and mountain climbers.

About the Lake Nona Research Council

Edward Ross, the College of Medicine’s chair of medicine and assistant dean for research, leads the Lake Nona Research Council.

Ross says Star Nona and the partnerships it creates will help solidify �鶹ԭ�� and Medical City’s reputation as a premier center for space medicine.

“When people think of keeping space visitors healthy, we want them to immediately think �鶹ԭ��.” — Edward Ross, College of Medicine’s chair of medicine

“As a university, �鶹ԭ�� was born to create the workforce to send humans to the moon,” he says. “We’re continuing that legacy with space medicine. When people think of keeping space visitors healthy, we want them to immediately think �鶹ԭ��.”

Event Registration

Star Nona 2026 will be held at the �鶹ԭ�� Lake Nona Cancer Center, with registration beginning at 8:15 a.m. Star Nona is made possible by support and sponsorships from Dr. Jogi Pattisapu and the Hydrocephalus and Neuroscience Institute, Tavistock Development Company and the Florida Space Institute. To sign up to attend the event, please visit .