As drones, air taxis and emergency aircraft begin to fill city skies, the biggest challenge may be invisible: how radio signals move through dense urban environments.

That future depends on reliable communication systems that can function reliably amid buildings, materials and interference, a problem 麻豆原创 postdoctoral researcher Saumya Gupta is working to solve.

鈥淐ollaborating with NASA through the MUREP MPLAN program provides an opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research that supports the future of aviation and air mobility.鈥� 鈥� Saumya Gupta, postdoctoral researcher

Gupta received a NASA Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) Partnership Learning Annual Notification (MPLAN) award to study and model how radio signals behavior in complex urban environments. She is working with co-principal investigator , an associate professor in 麻豆原创鈥檚 , on a project titled 鈥淎 Digital Twin for AAM Communication Channels.鈥�

Gupta鈥檚 research focuses on urban air mobility, where drones, emergency response aircraft and potential air taxis depend on reliable communication networks to operate safely in dense cities. The work builds on a growing body of AAM research at 麻豆原创, including prior simulation efforts led by Professor Vela, by focusing specifically on how communication signals move through crowded cities.

鈥淐ollaborating with NASA through the MUREP MPLAN program provides an opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research that supports the future of aviation and air mobility,鈥� Gupta says. 鈥淚t allows our team at 麻豆原创 to work on problems that are directly relevant to NASA鈥檚 AAM (advanced air mobility) mission while also benefitting from guidance and collaboration with NASA researchers. This partnership helps ensure that our research addresses real-world challenges in integrating new air vehicles into the national airspace.鈥�

Building the Digital Twin

Traditional radio frequency prediction models often rely on simplified formulas that estimate how signals weaken over distance. While useful, these models lack the spatial and material detail needed to represent dense urban environments where glass, steel and concrete significantly affect signal behavior.

More advanced simulation tools can model signal reflection, absorption and diffraction using digital maps. Most maps include building shapes but not detailed material data, a factor that strongly influences how signals are transmitted.

To address this limitation, Dr.Gupta and Professor Vela, along with their research team, are developing a simulation-based digital twin, a virtual model of an urban communication environment that incorporates artificial intelligence to improve prediction accuracy.

鈥淩eliable communication is essential for future systems such as drones, emergency response UAVs and urban air taxis.鈥� 鈥� Saumya Gupta, postdoctoral researcher

Rather than relying solely on static maps, the system trains neural networks using signal data collected by uncrewed aerial vehicles. By analyzing how signal strength changes across locations, the system can infer building material properties and refine the model accordingly. Over time, this approach allows the digital twin to become more adaptive and better aligned with real-world conditions.

鈥淩eliable communication is essential for future systems such as drones, emergency response UAVs and urban air taxis,鈥� Gupta says. 鈥淏y using a digital twin to model how buildings and materials affect radio frequency signals, this research helps identify where signals may weaken, become blocked or experience interference. These insights can guide safer routing, real-time coordination and the scalable airspace management that future urban air mobility will depend on.鈥�

Strengthening Industry-Academic Partnerships

NASA鈥檚 MUREP program aims to broaden participation in aerospace research while strengthening partnerships between universities and NASA centers.

Through the MPLAN initiative, faculty researchers work directly with NASA scientists to develop technologies aligned with the agency鈥檚 long-term missions while also expanding opportunities for students to engage in aerospace research.

鈥淲e plan to expand student involvement as the project progresses,鈥� Gupta says. 鈥淲e also look forward to engaging with NASA researchers to provide mentorship and collaborative learning opportunities.鈥�

In addition to Gupta鈥檚 project, 麻豆原创 researcher Justin Urso also received a MUREP MPLAN award supporting research on communication and sensing systems for advanced air mobility, further reflecting 麻豆原创鈥檚 role in NASA鈥檚 urban initiatives. Urso is a research assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering who conducts work in Professor Subith Vasu鈥檚 laboratory.

This material is based upon work supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) through the Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) Partnership Learning Annual Notification (MPLAN) program. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of NASA.聽

Four outstanding undergraduate students are redefining the boundaries of STEM through their high-impact research 鈥� and in doing so, placing the university among the nation鈥檚 top producers of Goldwater Scholars.

The prestigious Goldwater Scholarship identifies and supports the nation鈥檚 best student researchers in the fields of engineering, mathematics and natural sciences.

This year鈥檚 honorees 鈥� all expected to graduate next spring 鈥� have propelled 麻豆原创 into an elite tier of research institutions, surpassing several Ivy League institutions and tying for fourth in the nation in total Goldwater Scholars produced alongside Stanford University, the University of Notre Dame and the University of Chicago. Their impactful work reflects 麻豆原创’s commitment to building a high-level research environment that empowers students to lead projects addressing significant global and scientific challenges.

Supporting Space Exploration

Goldwater Scholar: Keanu Brayman

Major: Mechanical engineering

Ultimate Goal: To develop robotic systems to support human exploration on Mars.

Keanu Brayman鈥檚 passion for space began early.

鈥淥ne of my earliest memories is watching a Space Shuttle streak across the sky from a beach in South Florida,鈥� Brayman says. 鈥淚 remember being amazed there were people on board and feeling drawn to one day help explore the stars and discover what lies beyond our planet.鈥�

At 麻豆原创, Brayman has refined that dream with the support of faculty and mentors 鈥� including Associate Professors Adrienne Dove (physics) and Tarek Elgohary (mechanical and aerospace engineering), and NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Engineer Christopher Proctor 鈥� as well as through programs like the .

He plans to pursue a doctoral degree in aerospace engineering to support lunar exploration and NASA鈥檚 Artemis program, as well as develop robotic systems that can extract resources and build infrastructure to support human exploration on Mars.

Engineering the Brain

Goldwater Scholar: Kyle Coutray

Majors: Computer engineering and biomedical sciences

Ultimate Goal: To research ways to restore communication, movement and cognitive function to the brain through engineering methods.

Kyle Coutray is focused on the intersection of neuroscience and technology.

鈥淚鈥檓 interested in building systems that interact directly with the brain,鈥� Coutray says. 鈥淚n the lab, 鈥� [I鈥檓] blending [both majors] into one approach.鈥�

He aims to pursue a doctoral degree in neural engineering to further his research on brain-computer interfaces that translate complex brain activity into useful functions.

A 2026 Order of Pegasus inductee and a Burnett Honors Scholar, Coutray credits his success to disciplined focus and strong mentorship, particularly from Charles N. Millican Professor of Computer Science Joseph LaViola and Associate Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Helen Huang.

Advancing Patient Care

Goldwater Scholar: Varun Nannuri

Major: Molecular and cellular biology

Ultimate Goal: To pursue a career as a physician-scientist.

Varun Nannuri is driven by a desire to understand why people experience different health outcomes and improve care.

“Through my clinical experiences, I have seen how much patients and families rely on physicians during some of the most difficult moments of their lives,” Nannuri says. “My research experiences have shown me that better care depends on asking better questions.”

Nannuri plans to pursue a dual M.D./Ph.D. degree and become a physician-scientist. His ambition earned him recognition as a 2026 Order of Pegasus inductee while also completing his Honors Undergraduate Thesis. Nannuri is also a member of the Burnett Honors College as a Burnett Medical Scholar, a program that offers guaranteed admission to the 麻豆原创 College of Medicine upon completion.

鈥溌槎乖� has given me opportunities to grow as a student, researcher, leader and future physician,鈥� Nannuri says.

Restoring Human Senses

Goldwater Scholar: Trevor Overton

Majors: Electrical engineering and biomedical sciences

Ultimate Goal: To improve the lives of people with disabilities through advanced robotic prostheses.

Burnett Honors Scholar Trevor Overton鈥檚 work centers on neuroengineering and next-generation prosthetics.

鈥淚鈥檝e always had a passion for building things, and I also love reading and watching sci-fi,鈥� Overton says. 鈥淲hen 麻豆原创 offered me the opportunity to join the MEDD [ 鈥� I knew I had to take it.鈥�

麻豆原创鈥檚 MEDD program provides scientifically driven students like Overton with a unique opportunity to integrate engineering principles into medicine.

Much like the development of cochlear implants, Overton imagines similar breakthroughs with vision and touch.

鈥淚 envision a future where robotic prostheses are so advanced that they could completely replace or enhance the abilities of humans,鈥� Overton says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not entirely impossible.鈥�

After earning a doctoral degree in electrical engineering with a focus on neuroengineering, he hopes to inspire the next generation 鈥� just as his professors inspired him 鈥� emphasizing that 麻豆原创鈥檚 strength lies in professors who actively invest in their students.

A Growing Research Powerhouse

With four 2026 Goldwater Scholarship recipients, 麻豆原创 continues to strengthen its position as a leader in undergraduate research. The achievement reflects both students鈥� immense dedication and a university-wide commitment to driving innovation, mentorship and hands-on discovery. As these Knights prepare for the next steps in their academic journeys, they carry forward a shared mission: to turn research into real-world impact.

Students interested in applying for the Goldwater Scholarship or other major national awards should contact the Office of Prestigious Awards at聽opa@ucf.edu.

To better understand Assistant Professor Hamzeh Ghasemzadeh and his work, he goes back to a childhood memory of broken toys. Within hours of receiving little robotic figures or remote-control cars, he鈥檇 dissembled what had once been a carefully crafted package of technology. To him, sitting among the remnants of a new gift meant he was sitting in a circle of fun.

鈥淢y favorite game was to take the toys apart to see how they work and then try to put them back together,鈥� Ghasemzadeh says. 鈥淢y parents saw my curiosity as a great thing.鈥�

“This is why I came to 麻豆原创. I鈥檝e been able to jump right in and address mysteries that haven鈥檛 received much attention.”

That same curiosity now drives his research at , where he seeks to take apart discomforted voices, figuratively, so he can develop strategies to make each one whole again. Ghasemzadeh, who joined 麻豆原创 in late Summer 2025 and will teach in the school鈥檚 newly launched , has already secured one research project funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health and is developing another.

鈥淭his is why I came to 麻豆原创,鈥� he says. 鈥淚鈥檝e been able to jump right in and address mysteries that haven鈥檛 received much attention until now.鈥�

A Common Problem Without Clear Answers

The first such mystery sounds quite straightforward: vocal fatigue, a common vocal complaint. Beneath the surface, however, it鈥檚 deceptive. Solutions have mostly evaded scientists, leaving vocal fatigue as an ongoing problem for many people who rely on their voices, like coaches, public speakers, singers and teachers. Many of Ghasemzadeh鈥檚 colleagues experience the very throat discomfort that he鈥檚 deconstructing during the funded project just underway.

“We want to collect … multi-modal data and use machine learning models to analyze [vocal fatigue] and develop recommendations for each person.”

鈥淪ome instructors get vocal fatigue quickly, some get it slowly and some don鈥檛 get it at all,鈥� he says. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a genetic component, but there are also behavioral components. How do they use their voice? How often do they use it? What about the environment where they鈥檙e using it? What about personality? We want to collect such comprehensive multi-modal data and use machine learning models to analyze it and develop recommendations for each person.鈥�

The recommendations might include pacing voice usage, projecting the voice efficiently and allowing the voice to recover. Ghasemzadeh envisions this model being predictive and 鈥� this is the part he stresses most 鈥� personalized.

鈥淭he approach to general medicine started with an assumption that while we鈥檙e different on the outside, we are very similar inside. Patients with similar ailments took the same medications and [the] same dosages. But we now know that people don鈥檛 always respond to pills the same way. If we can quantify how we鈥檙e different inside, we can create a computational model to predict responses to medications and optimize treatment plans.鈥�

To integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into vocal fatigue solutions, subjects in Ghasemzadeh鈥檚 study will wear sensors that track how and where they use their voices. He鈥檒l prompt them to perform specific vocal tasks and monitor their phonatory function throughout the day. The AI model will analyze these patterns in real time to identify early signs of vocal strain and predict when fatigue is likely to occur.

“We are different. Every prescribed solution should be different, too.”

Participants will also visit his lab at the in Central Florida Research Park, where specialists will collect imaging, aerodynamic and acoustic data. The highly equipped facility brings together America鈥檚 leading hearing and voice scientists to develop new technologies and clinical tools for people with hearing loss or voice disorders.

With all of that in hand, including the technology, Ghasemzadeh and his team hope to unwind the mystery of vocal fatigue 鈥� one person at a time.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 the idea I want to put forward with every project,鈥� he says. 鈥淲e are different. Every prescribed solution should be different, too.鈥�

From Engineering to Human Connection

Many would think a toy-reassembling boy is destined to become an engineer. That鈥檚 what Ghasemzadeh thought, too. He earned bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees in electrical engineering and began his career with a focus on telecommunications and signal processing.

鈥淭here was something important missing,鈥� he says. 鈥淗uman connection.鈥�

“Speech became my research interest because … it sets us apart as a species and as individuals.”

He crossed paths with a close friend who mentioned his own research in a field Ghasemzadeh was vaguely familiar with: communication sciences and disorders. The conversation sparked Ghasemzadeh’s enthusiasm for applying his expertise in areas such as signal processing to personally help others.

鈥淪peech became my research interest because it鈥檚 the signal we predominantly use to communicate,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t sets us apart as a species and as individuals.鈥�

For example, it鈥檚 quite easy to identify Ghasemzadeh without even seeing him. He sounds young yet intelligent enough to have dual doctoral degrees. There鈥檚 an inflection of humility in his voice. The curiosity is always there, too. In fact, his peers have noticed, from his work, what his parents noticed among his broken toys: his curiosity leading to great things. Shortly after arriving at 麻豆原创, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association chose Ghasemzadeh for its Early Career Contributions in Research Award.

鈥淚t鈥檚 also a reminder that I鈥檓 early in my career,鈥� he says, 鈥渁nd the sky is the limit.鈥�

At the center of his work as a principal investigator is a belief that progress doesn鈥檛 happen alone, but through teamwork.

鈥淵ou have to surround yourself with different skillsets, all of us willing to take things apart that have never been taken apart, with everyone focused on one goal,鈥� Ghasemzadeh says. 鈥淲hen you win, I win and everyone wins.鈥�

Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders of the National Institutes of Health under award number R00DC021235. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Burke was recognized for her exceptional contributions to advancing the science and practice of industrial-organizational psychology, as well as her sustained impact on the professional community. The distinction of SIOP Fellow is awarded to individuals who have made significant, enduring contributions to research, leadership and application within the field.

鈥淚鈥檓 honored to be named a SIOP Fellow,鈥� says Burke, director of IST鈥檚 Team Research and Adaptability in Complex Environments聽(TRACE) Lab. 鈥淭his recognition reflects the collaborative efforts of the students, researchers and partners I鈥檝e had the privilege to work with, and the importance of advancing training and decision-making in complex environments.鈥�

鈥淭his recognition reflects the collaborative efforts of the students, researchers and partners I鈥檝e had the privilege to work with, and the importance of advancing training and decision-making in complex environments.鈥� 鈥� Shawn Burke, research professor

At 麻豆原创 IST, Burke leads the TRACE Lab, where her work focuses on team performance, adaptive training and human-centered approaches to complex systems. Her research has supported advancements in high-stakes environments across defense, healthcare and industry, reinforcing 麻豆原创鈥檚 leadership in modeling, simulation and training.

鈥淭his honor recognizes not only Dr. Burke鈥檚 scientific contributions, but also her leadership and mentorship within the research community,鈥� says Carolina Cruz-Neira, executive director of 麻豆原创 IST. 鈥淪he has played a vital role in developing the next generation of scholars and practitioners in industrial-organizational psychology.鈥�

New fellows will be formally recognized during the SIOP Annual Conference, with a ceremony held on April 29 in New Orleans. The honor represents a significant milestone in Burke鈥檚 career and highlights the continued impact of 麻豆原创 IST in shaping the future of workforce research, training and performance.

About 麻豆原创’s Institute for Simulation and Training

麻豆原创’s Institute for Simulation and Training is an internationally recognized, interdisciplinary institute conducting basic and applied human-centric research that affects nearly all sectors of industry and government, from healthcare to national defense and education to manufacturing. 麻豆原创 and IST have built the industry, together with more than 200 Central Florida modeling, simulation and training companies and the U.S. Department of Defense. IST is an early adopter whose vision and leadership have spurred new applications and opportunities. (ist.ucf.edu)

They proclaimed there is no better place than 麻豆原创, the closest medical school to Kennedy Space Center, to create a new frontier in healthcare as humans prepare for longer missions to the moon, Mars and beyond.

鈥淵ou are in a global destination for medical innovation,鈥� Michal Masternak told participants in the Star Nona 2026 event in Lake Nona鈥檚 Medical City. An anti-aging and cancer researcher at the 麻豆原创 College of Medicine, Masternak organized the event as part of the Lake Nona Research Council, which is focused on encouraging interdisciplinary scientific partnerships between industry, academia and healthcare.

Space medicine is one of the council鈥檚 priorities. Deep space travel and the commercialization of space bring unique health challenges that science is just beginning to explore. The College of Medicine鈥檚 focuses on 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 for patients on Earth.

Former NASA Administrator and U.S. Senator Bill Nelson told attendees the Artemis voyage鈥檚 return to the moon should inspire space medicine experts to make new discoveries.

鈥淲e鈥檙e in a whole new era, an exciting era, of space exploration that makes this time so special,鈥� Nelson said.

Star Nona鈥檚 goal was to bring together experts to understand current research on the health impacts of space travel and what challenges need to be addressed as more professional and commercial space travelers go to the moon and beyond.

The Physical Challenges of Space Flight

Former NASA astronaut Robert Curbeam holds the record for most spacewalks on a single mission. He described how the body feels during launch and splashdown when G-forces are so strong you must remind yourself to breathe. He presented with his former NASA flight surgeon, Smith Johnson, now a faculty member at 麻豆原创鈥檚 new Center for Aerospace and Extreme Environments Medicine (CASEEM). The two discussed the important relationship between physicians and space travelers before, during and after a mission.

鈥淚 loved being an astronaut and flying space shuttles,鈥� Curbeam says. 鈥淭he only problem with space travel is that not a lot of people get to do it.鈥�

Your Brain Actually Shifts in Space

Living in space causes the body鈥檚 fluids to move up to the head and brain. But symptoms of that condition do more than cause puffy faces. Space travel actually causes the brain to shift. Jogi Pattisapu, of the Hydrocephalus and Neuroscience Institute, said as astronauts go to Mars for years-long missions and settle on the moon, scientists will have to understand how living in space affects brain function and create predictive tests and preventative measures. Eye health will be key, as fluid buildup has caused spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS)聽in 70% of astronauts on the International Space Station, leading to farsightedness, optic nerve swelling and eyeball flattening.

鈥淲hat are we going to do if the pilot goes blind 210 million miles from Earth?鈥� he said.

Team Dynamics in Space

Interpersonal communication is key to any team鈥檚 success, but how do relationships change for crews in confined spaces and face additional challenges such as sleep deprivation, isolation and differences in rank and roles. Shawn Burke and Stephen Fiore from 麻豆原创鈥檚 Institute for Simulation and Training have researched team dynamics in space to understand and prevent collaboration failures that can impact mission success.

Their research has also identified the formal and informal roles crew members play in encouraging positive social interactions and teamwork, especially in long-term missions. Missions to Mars may take up to 36 months and include 20-minute communications delays to and from Mission Control. Team dynamics will impact performance, mental health and affect, Burke said, because 鈥測ou鈥檙e stuck with the people you have.鈥�

Conducting Medical Research in Microgravity: Everything鈥檚 Upside Down

The weightlessness of space provides a unique research environment for new discoveries in areas including nutrient production, waste treatment, crystallization and biomanufacturing, said Alain Berinstain, director of the Florida Space Institute at 麻豆原创.

鈥淭errestrially, whenever space can make a difference, it’s a great economic driver,鈥� he said.

In space, air doesn鈥檛 slow down processes, he explained, so experiments that involve weight, separation, sedimentation, fluid flow and buoyancy change. His advice to researchers considering space as a lab?

鈥淭urn your experiment upside down. Does it still work? If the answer is no, you have a lot of work to do.鈥�

To advance knowledge in this area, 麻豆原创 Assistant Professor of Biology , collaborated with international researchers through the Antscan, a global initiave聽led by the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), with contributions from universities and museums.

The effort has led to a Nature Methods publication and created a freely available, morphological database of over 2,000 ant specimens representing nearly 800 species.

鈥淎nts are important to study because they are ubiquitous, abundant and highly varied, ecologically dominant, and some species practice agriculture, facing challenges similar to human agriculture, such as crop pests,鈥� says Sosa-Calvo, who began researching insect diversity at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and the University of Maryland.

Using a fast and powerful X-ray scanning technique, researchers created phenotypically accurate 3D models, providing a detailed look at both ants鈥� external and internal anatomy that can benefit a wide range of fields.

鈥淭here is strong potential for more ant species to be聽added to Antscan and that other small insect or invertebrate groups create similar repositories of phenotypic data to advance our understanding of biological morphology,鈥� Sosa-Calvo says.

Closing the Gap Between Genetic and Morphological Data

Standard imaging tools used to photograph specimens, like high-resolution cameras, can capture the external morphology of ants from multiple angles, and micro-CT scanning can capture the internal morphology like organs and muscle tissue. However, these methods are time-consuming and limit how many specimens can be studied.

The Antscan initiative is filling this gap of available data by providing a library of morphologically accurate 3D models of ant anatomy. To solve the throughput bottleneck, the team of researchers is using high-throughput X-ray micro-CT scanning powered by a synchrotron particle accelerator.

鈥淭he synchrotron particle accelerator produces much higher intensity light beams, resulting in images with higher contrast and faster processing times than a normal micro-CT scanner,鈥� Sosa-Calvo says. 鈥淚t takes about 3,000 images per specimen in a short period of time. So instead of taking most of the day to scan a single specimen, researchers can scan a single ant in聽about a minute or so.鈥�

Once the 2D images are captured, they are reconstructed into a 3D tomogram of the specimen, allowing researchers to see fine details from the exoskeleton to internal structures like the nervous system.

Why This Tech Matters for Biodiversity Research

By streamlining the process of scanning smaller specimens and making the 3D models publicly available, the Antscan initiative has opened the door for researchers to study morphology at a scale previously only possible for genetic data, helping morphological research catch up with its molecular counterpart.

It has also helped document the presence of characteristics previously thought to occur in only a single species.

鈥淎 few years ago, we discovered that fungus-farming ants鈥攁聽group of ants that grow fungus for food and are the subject of Sosa-Calvo’s聽research at 麻豆原创鈥攈ave biomineralized armor that protects them聽like the shell of marine crustaceans and mollusks,鈥� he says. 鈥淲ith the scans performed in this project, we now know that other species, within fungus-farming ants also have this armor, which appears to be a unique feature among ants.鈥�

Applications in Art and Media

Scientists aren鈥檛 the only group that benefits from this extensive library. Since the files are open to the public, Sosa-Calvo says artists are using them to better understand and animate natural ant movement and is a valuable tool for education by engaging students.

He adds that this proven method of collecting morphological data could encourage researchers to generate similar databases, including other Hymenopteran groups, such as聽wasps andbees, as well as other insect groups like beetles, and other invertebrates.

Sosa-Calvo鈥檚 work contributed expertise on insect diversity, particularly within the order Hymenoptera, which includes ants, bees, and wasps. His research focuses on fungus-farming ants, a group known for their highly organized, cooperative colonies and unique agricultural behavior, or fungiculture.

This research was supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation (DEB-1927161).

Researchers and students in the Department of Biology within 麻豆原创鈥檚 College of Sciences, including the Sosa-Calvo Ant Lab, have contributed to the Antscan initiative.

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

鈥淢otor deficits may be an earlier indication聽[of Alzheimer鈥檚],鈥� she聽says. 鈥淚f we can detect those changes and intervene earlier, that could help delay the onset of central nervous system symptoms.鈥�

How聽Movement and Alzheimer鈥檚 Are Connected

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

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

Through a tech-powered approach, the聽team found that the diseased motor neurons聽鈥斅爀ven without involvement from the brain聽鈥斅燿isrupted聽the neuromuscular junction, which is聽central to daily movement.

鈥淭his is the first time it鈥檚 been demonstrated that deficits in the peripheral nervous system can arise directly from these mutations,鈥� Hickman聽says. 鈥淚t means drugs that target the brain may not fix problems in the rest of the body.鈥�

Maintaining聽motor function may also聽support overall聽brain聽health,聽as聽physical activity is known to聽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聽cutting-edge聽approach called 鈥渉uman-on-a-chip鈥� technology, which is manufactured聽through Hesperos, a company co-founded by Hickman.聽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 鈥� a small system that mimics the connection between motor neurons and muscle cells.聽What makes聽this system powerful is聽what鈥檚聽left out: the brain and spinal cord. By isolating motor neurons and muscle cells, the researchers could聽determine聽whether movement problems could arise without the central nervous system being involved.

To test this, the researchers聽paired聽healthy聽muscle cells聽with聽motor neurons聽that were聽created from stem cells聽and聽carried聽familial Alzheimer鈥檚 disease聽mutations.聽The聽findings suggest that Alzheimer鈥檚-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聽Nerve-to-Muscle Connection Matters

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

鈥淵ou can鈥檛 move unless the motor circuit works,鈥� Hickman聽says. 鈥淲hen a doctor taps your knee to check your reflex, they鈥檙e testing that exact connection.鈥�

The Future of聽鈥楬uman-on-a-Chip鈥櫬燭echnology

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

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

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

鈥淭hese systems let us study disease in a way that鈥檚 closer to what actually happens in the human body, and that鈥檚 what we need to develop better treatments,鈥澛爃e says.

Research reported in this article was supported by the National Institutes of Health鈥檚 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

To reduce these challenges, associate professors of health sciences Michael Rovito and Keith Brazendale in 麻豆原创鈥檚 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 鈥� underscoring the need to improve quality of life for these patients.

鈥淥ur focus is on finding ways to improve the quality of life for these survivors, and to improve their mental, emotional and social health,鈥� says Rovito, who has researched testicular cancer and men鈥檚 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.

鈥淲e鈥檙e seeking an intervention they can do for the rest of their lives,鈥� Brazendale says. 鈥淲e want these healthy supports to become habit.鈥�

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.

鈥淭he 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,鈥� Rovito says.

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

鈥淥ur hope is that we are providing realistic physical activity changes that are sustainable when the monitoring ends,鈥� says Brazendale. 鈥淲e want these survivors to have adopted habits and skills that result in them being healthier over the long-term.鈥�

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.聽

Now, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has taken notice.

Dene茅 Lichtenberg was awarded the DOE鈥檚 Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship, giving her the opportunity to further her research at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. This premier multidisciplinary research institution is advancing breakthroughs in science and technology to address national security challenges.

The opportunity brings her closer to achieving one of her biggest goals: working at a national laboratory, where she鈥檒l collaborate with experienced researchers and learn how large-scale scientific projects are conducted.

Raised in Titusville, less than an hour away from 麻豆原创鈥檚 main campus, Lichtenberg says she always knew she鈥檇 attend 麻豆原创, especially given the strength of its engineering programs. What she didn鈥檛 yet know was how far that decision would take her.

“The ability to design and improve materials that impact a variety of fields really motivated me to pursue this discipline.”

She found her path in materials science 鈥� a field where physics, chemistry and engineering intersect 鈥� which would allow her to study materials from the atomic level to real-world applications.

鈥淯ltimately, everything is made up of materials,鈥� she says. 鈥淏y changing a material鈥檚 structure or composition, you can drastically alter its performance. The ability to design and improve materials that impact a variety of fields really motivated me to pursue this discipline.鈥�

That curiosity has evolved into something bigger: tackling the challenge of sustainably recovering rare earth metals that are vital to the future of energy and technology.

Advancing Sustainable Extraction

Over the past year in the , led by Assistant Professor of Engineering Kausik Mukhopadhyay, Lichtenberg has focused on a breakthrough approach that uses a naturally occurring protein, lanmoudulin.

鈥淭he protein can capture rare earth elements from dilute waste streams, and then a small temperature change can trigger the protein to release them so they can be collected,鈥� she says. 鈥淭his could create a more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly way to recover valuable materials.鈥�

Those materials are critical to everything from renewable energy systems to manufacturing; however, traditional extraction methods rely heavily on large amounts of energy and chemicals sourced from acid mine drainage, coal byproducts and electronic waste.

Lichtenberg鈥檚 work points to a sustainable future.

鈥淏y developing protein-based systems that selectively capture and release these elements, we could potentially reduce the reliance on traditional extraction,鈥� she says.

At Los Alamos National Laboratory, Lichtenberg will take that work further, designing modified proteins, producing them in the lab and testing how effectively they bind and release rare earth elements.

鈥淚t is a very exciting interdisciplinary project that combines protein engineering, materials science and sustainability,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 hope to continue this research after the internship ends.鈥�

It Takes a Lab 鈥� and a Team

But just as impactful as the research has been, the environment that鈥檚 shaped it has been.

鈥淒r. Mukhopadhyay is a fantastic mentor who creates a very supportive and positive environment that encourages learning [both] in and out of the lab,鈥� Lichtenberg says. 鈥淭he graduate students in the lab have [also] played a huge role in 鈥� helping me learn new techniques and [understand] the experiments and science itself.鈥�

Next, she plans to continue her journey as a Knight by pursuing a doctoral degree at 麻豆原创, advancing her research as a graduate member of the KM Lab.

For Lichtenberg, the DOE internship isn鈥檛 the finish line 鈥� it鈥檚 just the beginning of reimagining how the world sources its most essential materials.

Presented by the SCHOTT Group and the Ernst Abbe Fund, the award recognizes outstanding contributions to research and technology in glass, glass-ceramics and advanced materials. Richardson shares this year鈥檚 honor with Iowa State University researcher Steve Martin.

Together, their work reflects how advances in material structure can translate into real-world applications across industries including healthcare, energy, electronics and advanced technologies.

A Career of Innovation

Over the course of her career, Richardson has focused on advancing the science of optical materials, helping to expand how glass can be used in increasingly complex and demanding environments.

Her work has contributed to the development of materials that can be precisely engineered for performance, supporting innovations in imaging, sensing and optical systems.

鈥淭his award recognizes a lifetime of investment in know-how, specialized facilities creation and professional development of skilled personnel, which has resulted in unique prototype materials and technology development,鈥� Richardson says. 鈥淭hese efforts have resulted in products that have gone on to be licensed to partners in this critical application space. I am truly honored to be recognized by one of the global leaders in advanced optical materials for our team鈥檚 sustained work in IR materials.鈥�

Advancing Optical Materials

Richardson is recognized for her contributions to the development of optical glasses and infrared materials 鈥� specialized materials that control how light is transmitted and detected.

Her research focuses on designing glass compositions at the atomic level to achieve precise optical properties, enabling high-performance systems for infrared imaging, sensing technologies and advanced optics.

鈥淒r. Richardson鈥檚 sustained career has driven significant advancement in infrared material technologies, laying the foundation for next-generation sensing capabilities,鈥� says Winston Schoenfeld, vice president for research and innovation at 麻豆原创. 鈥淗er relentless pursuit of discovery in optical and infrared materials illuminates 麻豆原创鈥檚 expanding impact on the frontiers of advanced technologies that continue to shape the future.鈥�

From Fundamental Science to Application

The Otto Schott Research Award highlights the critical connection between fundamental research and industrial application, a hallmark of Richardson鈥檚 work. By advancing how glass materials are engineered and processed, her research helps expand the performance limits of existing materials while opening the door to entirely new classes of optical systems.

These innovations include glasses with improved infrared transmission and tailored properties that support emerging technologies in fields including aerospace, electronics, energy production and medical technologies.聽 Her work has benefited from diverse support ranging from government to industry (local and international) as well as state funding from Florida鈥檚 High Technology Corridor (FHTC) which has provided extensive matching funds that have leveraged state funds to support education and training of several dozen graduate and undergraduate students from the Richardson group, over her career.

Why Infrared Materials Matter

Infrared materials play a critical role in technologies that rely on detecting and transmitting light beyond the visible spectrum. These systems are used in applications ranging from medical diagnostics and environmental monitoring to advanced imaging and sensing technologies.

Unlike conventional optical materials, infrared (IR) glasses must be carefully engineered to maintain transparency and performance under demanding conditions, including extreme temperatures and radiation.聽聽 Their chemistry is difficult requiring specialized facilities unique to 麻豆原创, present in the University鈥檚 Optical Material Laboratory, which houses the Glass Processing and Characterization Laboratory (GPCL). 聽As a result, workforce training in such novel optical material science benefits not only local industry, a stronghold in IR optical materials manufacturing and systems, but government agencies as well.

Richardson鈥檚 work focuses on developing glass compositions that meet these challenges while offering greater flexibility than traditional crystalline materials, which are often more expensive and difficult to manufacture.

By enabling more adaptable and scalable materials, her research supports continued advances in imaging systems, sensing technologies and other applications that rely on precise optical performance.

A Global Recognition

The award, endowed with about $29,000, was presented April 13 during the annual meeting at the International Commission on Glass in Lyon, France.

鈥淭he research of Steve Martin and Kathleen Richardson clearly shows how essential a deep understanding of material structures is for technological progress,鈥� says Matthias M眉ller, head of research and development at SCHOTT. 鈥淭hese insights form the basis for developing new glass solutions that perform reliably in real-world applications and expand the boundaries of what is possible.鈥�

Awarded every two years, the Otto Schott Research Award recognizes scientists whose work bridges scientific discovery and practical innovation.

About the Awardee

Richardson is a 麻豆原创 trustee chair and Pegasus Professor of optics and materials science and engineering in CREOL. She is also Director of 麻豆原创鈥檚 Glass Processing and Characterization Laboratory (GPCL).

She earned her bachelor鈥檚 degree in ceramic engineering and her master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees in glass science from Alfred University. Richardson has spent more than two decades at 麻豆原创, following earlier work at Clemson University.