Worth noting among this graduating class:

• Roughly 30% of the undergraduate students receiving their degrees are the first in their families to earn their diploma.
• More than 25% of this term’s degrees are tied to STEM majors.
• About 30% of the undergraduate graduating class are Pell Grant recipients.

麻豆原创 is the leading producer of talent among Florida鈥檚 universities, awarding roughly 19,000 degrees annually to Knights who go on to work in high-demand industries. About 85% of our alumni stay in Florida because of the ample opportunity to thrive as part of our state鈥檚 workforce.

Graduates will hear from听three听esteemed speakers听鈥� all 麻豆原创 graduates 鈥斕齱hose leadership and impact听have听benefited听our region:

• Psychology alum听Allen Johnson听鈥�81,听chief听venue听officer for听City听for听Orlando Venues
• Journalism alum Tanya (Easterling) Hill 鈥�97, market president for Central Florida for Florida Blue
• 颁谤颈尘颈苍补濒听箩耻蝉迟颈肠别听补濒耻尘听Fred Kittinger 鈥�80, 麻豆原创鈥檚 former听senior associate vice president for government and community relations

Commencement Festivities

Held in the Addition Financial Arena, summer commencement will take place over three ceremonies spanning Friday, July 31, and Saturday, Aug. 1.

All guests, including children and infants,鈥痭eed a ticket for admission. All graduates who have filed an intent to graduate will receive five commencement ceremony tickets when they pick up their regalia packet.

Guests who do not have tickets may watch the鈥痩ive ceremony via a simulcast viewing鈥痠n the FAIRWINDS Alumni Center and the Student Union. Ceremonies will also be .

Commencement Photo-ops Across 麻豆原创

Graduating Knights are unable to take photos at the Acrisure Bounce House football stadium this semester due to ongoing construction.

Grad Walk

On Thursday,听July听30,听4:30-7 p.m. (doors close at 6 p.m.),听summer听graduates are invited to a photo-op 鈥� Grad Walk 鈥� within the Addition Financial Arena. This will be a first-come, first-served occasion for graduates and up to 10 of their well-wishers to take photos and videos on the ceremony stage.鈥疓raduates听are required to听register at听.

Commencement Schedule

Graduates and guests can review the below commencement ceremony schedule, listing colleges, ceremony听dates听and streaming links:

贵谤颈诲补测,听闯耻濒测听31

6听辫.尘.

College of Arts and Humanities

College of Community Innovation and Education

College of Graduate Studies

Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Saturday,听Aug. 1

9 a.m.

Barry S. Miller听College of Business

College of Health Professions and Sciences

College of Medicine

College of Nursing

2:30听辫.尘.

College of Engineering and Computer Science

College of Optics and Photonics

College of Sciences

For more details and FAQs about听Summer听2026 commencement celebrations, visit听ucf.edu/graduation.

Commencement Speakers

Allen Johnson 鈥�81

Chief Venues Officer, City of Orlando Venues

Allen Johnson 鈥�81 has served as chief venues officer of Orlando Venues since 2004, overseeing the City of Orlando’s diverse portfolio of Kia Center, Camping World Stadium, Tinker Field, Leu Gardens and the Mennello Museum of American Art.

Johnson brings decades of venue management experience from leadership roles across Florida. Under Johnson’s leadership, Orlando Venues has evolved into a premier, globally recognized destination for sports, entertainment and culture, welcoming millions of guests each year while strengthening Central Florida’s reputation as a world-class destination.

A proud 麻豆原创 graduate with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, he has earned numerous honors, including the 2025 International Association of Venue Managers Foundation Legacy Award, the SPORTYS Executive of the Year Award and the Downtowner of the Year Award.

He remains active in the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM), serving as past chairman and trustee of the foundation board, while also contributing to organizations that include the Greater Orlando Sports Commission, Florida Citrus Sports, Victim Service Center and the .

Tanya (Easterling) Hill 鈥�97

Market President for Central Florida, Florida Blue

Tanya Hill 鈥�97听is Florida Blue鈥檚 market president for Central Florida,听responsible for听regional business and community engagement in a 9-county region.

Throughout her more than 25-year career, she has worked with reputable brands including Chick-fil-A, Target and Walt Disney World to drive business results through strategic partnerships.

Hill is passionate about investing time in the community and has been involved with听numerous听community and civic organizations. She currently serves on the board of directors for the听African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida, 4Roots Foundation, Orlando Economic听Partnership听and the Winter Park Health Foundation.

Hill holds a bachelor鈥檚 degree in journalism from 麻豆原创.

Fred Kittinger 鈥�80

Former Senior Associate Vice President for Government and Community Relations, 麻豆原创

A native of central Florida, Fred Kittinger 鈥�80 recently retired as senior associate vice president for government and community relations at 麻豆原创, where he served for more than 22 years.

He worked alongside local and state leaders to help foster some of 麻豆原创’s most transformative achievements, including the approval of 麻豆原创鈥檚 College of Medicine, the creation of the world-class Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy, the development of 麻豆原创 Downtown, the expansion of the 麻豆原创 Business Incubation Program and investments that enhanced the student experience and advanced regional impact.

Prior to his career at 麻豆原创, Kittinger served as chief of staff to Orlando Mayor Glenda Hood and previously as vice president of government relations for the Greater Orlando Chamber of Commerce. He began his career as a legislative aide to state Senator George Stuart of Orlando.

Reflecting his commitment to the community, Kittinger currently serves on the board of directors for Junior Achievement of Central Florida (past chair), Central Florida Council for Scouting America and Legacy Pointe at 麻豆原创.

Kittinger graduated from 麻豆原创鈥檚 criminal justice program and earned his master’s degree in public administration from Florida State University.

麻豆原创 researchers are known worldwide for their innovative studies, groundbreaking discoveries and contributions to patented technologies that have impacted society and influenced other leaders in the field.

Two College of Engineering and Computer Science professors and a three-time 麻豆原创 alum-turned-courtesy faculty appointee are now being recognized for their achievements that have advanced the quality of life for the state of Florida and the nation.

Professors Reza Abdolvand and Ni-bin Chang and Lockheed Martin Fellow Clara Rivero Baleine 鈥�01 鈥�03MS 鈥�05PhD have been named 2026 inductees of the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame (FIHF). This initiative celebrates pioneering inventors and empowers future problem-solvers and changemakers.

This initiative celebrates pioneering inventors and empowers future problem-solvers and changemakers.

This year, 10 inventors from Florida will be inducted during a formal ceremony in Tampa on Nov. 6. Since FIHF was founded in 2013, five faculty inventors from 麻豆原创 have been recognized with the distinction.

鈥淚nduction into the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame represents the ultimate validation of a lifelong commitment to translating academic research into industry practice,鈥� Chang says. 鈥淏eing inducted into the Hall of Fame, which includes over 90 inventors in different fields is also a testament to the thriving Florida innovation ecosystem and the power of continuous, groundbreaking discovery.鈥�

A Career in Environmental Innovation

Chang was selected for induction based on his groundbreaking invention of green sorption media (GSM) and sustainable water treatment technologies that improve water quality.

GSM is a cost-effective and sustainable type of filtration media that uses recycled byproducts and natural minerals to treat stormwater runoff, wastewater effluent, groundwater flow and agricultural discharge.

There are a variety of patented GSM blends that can filter heavy metals, pathogens and contaminants from water systems. This process not only restores aquatic ecosystems but halts the transmission of waterborne diseases, and eliminates cyanotoxins and 鈥渇orever chemicals鈥� from water that can harm both humans and animals.

鈥淩emoving these diverse contaminants from water matrices provides profound, cascading benefits for both human health and aquatic ecosystems,鈥� Chang says. 鈥淏y eliminating the risk pathways associated with both acute exposure and chronic bioaccumulation, these GSM-based treatment technologies support fundamental ecological balance and public well-being.鈥�

GSM blends are already used at more than 300 water treatment sites across the U.S.

The Inventor of Advanced Electronics

Abdolvand, the chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, was named an inductee for his contributions to the field of micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) 鈥� incredibly small devices that have mighty power. Specifically, he is the inventor of a class of microelectronics called Thin-Film Piezoelectric-on-Substrate (TPoS) devices, which improve the reliability and efficiency of a wide range of electronics, including cell phones.

鈥淏y improving the efficiency and reliability of the components that make up these systems, the impact, while often invisible to the end user, is very real,鈥� Abdolvand says. 鈥淏etter performance, lower power consumption, and more reliable devices are the kinds of improvements that quietly make everyday technology work better for everyone.鈥�

Abdolvand鈥檚 interest in innovation stems from his natural sense of curiosity. He says his tendency to connect the dots between seemingly unrelated events or systems has served him well throughout his career in research and academia.

鈥淭he moment it all clicked was during my Ph.D., when I was first given the opportunity to work on genuinely hard technical problems,鈥� Abdolvand says. 鈥淚 realized I could come up with solutions that simply did not exist yet. That realization was a turning point.鈥�

As his career progresses, Abdolvand hopes to leave behind a legacy that is less about devices and innovation and more about people. His passion for educating, inspiring and creating opportunities for students means more than the impacts of his inventions.

鈥淲hat excites me most is seeing students take the seed ideas developed at the university and carry them forward into their own companies, their own inventions, their own contributions to society,鈥� Abdolvand says. 鈥淭hat chain of innovation 鈥� from a research lab to a startup to a product that improves people’s lives 鈥� is what I find truly meaningful. If I can play even a small role in setting that chain in motion for as many students as possible, that is the legacy I would be interested to leave behind.鈥�

On the Cutting Edge of听Infrared听Materials and Optics

Driven by a desire to protect people and advance technologies that matter, Rivero Baleine joined Lockheed Martin, a 麻豆原创 Pegasus Partner, in 2005 after completing three degrees in six years at 麻豆原创.

Rivero Baleine now serves as a Lockheed Martin fellow, contributing to cutting鈥慹dge innovation in infrared materials and optics.

Rivero-Baleine鈥檚 gradient refractive index optical materials and metamaterial coatings transformed infrared sensing systems for defense and advanced photonics applications.

鈥淚 am profoundly proud and deeply humbled to be welcomed into such an extraordinary community of inventors and innovators,鈥� Rivero-Baleine says. 鈥淲hat inspires me most is knowing that these听innovations will听become part of systems that protect service members, strengthen national security and expand the capabilities of the platforms we rely on. That sense of purpose continues to听drive听my work every day.鈥�

Rivero Baleine continues to maintain strong ties with 麻豆原创 through a courtesy faculty appointment at CREOL and serves on the CREOL Dean Advisory Board and the 麻豆原创 Material Science Industrial Advisory board.

Rivero Baleine is a Burnett Honors Scholar and earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in physics, and a 尘补蝉迟别谤鈥檚 and a doctorate in optics.

For a group of seven 麻豆原创 graduate students and alums, it starts with curiosity and a willingness to explore the unknown.

Researchers studying topics ranging from galaxy formation and invasive fire ant species interactions across Florida ecosystems to sustainable propulsion systems, harmful algal blooms and organic chemistry with potential pharmaceutical applications have earned recognition through the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)鈥檚 Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP). One of the nation鈥檚 most competitive honors, the fellowship supports students pursuing research-based 尘补蝉迟别谤鈥檚 and doctoral degrees in STEM fields while helping develop the next generation of innovators and scientific leaders.

The 2026 麻豆原创 recipients of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship are:

• Charlotte Moore 鈥�25
  Physics, College of Sciences and Burnett Honors College
• Jennifer Hughes 鈥�25
  Environmental engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science, and Burnett Honors College
• Melissa Deinys 鈥�26
  Chemistry, College of Sciences and Burnett Honors College
• Noah Swann 鈥�24
  Chemistry, College of Sciences
• Kalissa Moseley
  Integrative biology, College of Sciences
• Emilio Pereira 鈥�25
  Aerospace engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science, and Burnett Honors College
• Brendan Shrader 鈥�25
  Mathematics, College of Sciences, and Burnett Honors College

Chasing Challenges

The fellows鈥� research spans different disciplines, but many are driven by a common goal: developing solutions to better our world.

麻豆原创 mathematics and physics alum Charlotte Moore 鈥�25 studies galaxy evolution in the early universe, a field that has rapidly advanced thanks to new observational technologies such as the James Webb Space Telescope.

鈥淲e鈥檙e in an era of very rapid improvement in observing technology,鈥� says Moore, an astrophysics doctoral student at the University of California, Santa Barbara. 鈥淭here is a lot of data from very early times in the universe I can use that just wasn鈥檛 available before the past five years or so.鈥�

Jennifer Hughes 鈥�25, a 麻豆原创 environmental engineering and biology alum, became interested in research after seeing a graduate student demonstrate a microbial fuel cell powered by bacteria in research lab during her first semester at 麻豆原创.

鈥淚 was immediately fascinated by the idea that bacteria could generate an electrical current,鈥� says Hughes, an incoming 尘补蝉迟别谤鈥檚 student in biological and environmental engineering at Cornell University whose research at 麻豆原创 focused on harmful algal blooms and algal bioremediation.

Melissa Deinys 鈥�26, a 麻豆原创 biotechnology alum and current chemistry doctoral student whose research focuses on environmental health and ecosystem protection technologies, says her passion for science stems from a curiosity about how the world works and encouragement from her parents to keep asking questions.

鈥淲hat I love most about research is that it allows me to combine my natural curiosity with a meaningful impact,鈥� Deinys says.

Scientific Curiosity and Discovery

Moore said her interest in astronomy began early through physics courses and science programs she explored while growing up. She later became interested in studying galaxies through undergraduate research experiences and opportunities to work directly with researchers in the field.

Deinys says one of the experiences that most shaped her perspective on research came while presenting mangrove disease research during a community outreach event.

鈥淎s researchers, we often focus on experiments, data analysis and publications, but at the end of the day, the purpose of research is to help people,鈥� Deinys says.

The Reality of Discovery

While scientific breakthroughs may be the end goal, several fellows say the real work of research happens in the setbacks, uncertainty and persistence that lead to discovery.

For chemistry alum Noah Swann 鈥�24, whose work focuses on organic chemistry and natural product synthesis, repeated setbacks are an expected part of lab research.

鈥淚 was told when I first started in the lab that 90% of the reactions you run won鈥檛 work,鈥� says Swann, a chemistry doctoral student at the University of Chicago. 鈥淎t the end of the day, you realize that there is no failure, only learning.鈥�

Kalissa Moseley, a 麻豆原创 integrative biology doctoral student who studies invasive fire ant interactions across Florida ecosystems, says one of her earliest undergraduate research projects helped reshape how she approached experimental design and scientific problem-solving.

鈥淓ven though this project was [challenging], I walked away with a much better skillset in experimental design,鈥� Moseley says.

Working through uncertainty has become one of the most important lessons for 麻豆原创 aerospace engineering alum Emilio Pereira 鈥�25, whose research focuses on hypersonics and detonative combustion for propulsion and power generation systems.

鈥淣othing worth doing has ever been easy,鈥� says Pereira, a mechanical engineering doctoral student at Purdue. 鈥淭he ability to recognize this and not beat myself down and be empowered by my own inadequacies, is what鈥檚 allowed me to succeed.鈥�

The Power of Mentorship

Many fellows credit 麻豆原创 faculty mentors, undergraduate research opportunities and hands-on lab experiences with helping shape their academic and professional journeys.

Moore points to undergraduate research experiences with Professor of Physics , which helped prepare her for graduate research and provided early exposure to scientific collaboration and conference opportunities.

Participating in undergraduate research and completing her Honors Undergraduate Thesis strengthened Hughes鈥� research skills for graduate study and the NSF fellowship.

Swann credits Professor of Chemistry with empowering him to lead his own research project and pursue research professionally.

Looking Ahead

Whether they鈥檙e studying distant galaxies, invasive species, sustainable energy systems, environmental resilience or future medicines, the fellows share a belief that research can make a meaningful difference.

Several hope to advance scientific discovery. Others envision mentoring the next generation of STEM students and researchers.

These ambitions are already taking shape in labs, field sites and research centers 鈥� one question, experiment and discovery at a time.

For Hughes, that future includes continuing research focused on biological systems and environmental resilience. For Moore, it includes continuing astronomy research as new observational technologies expand scientists鈥� ability to study the early universe.

Moseley says she hopes her future research can contribute to improving invasive species management strategies and understanding how invasive ants affect ecosystems across Florida.

Deinys says she hopes to eventually build a career that combines research, mentorship and public impact while helping future students see themselves represented in STEM fields.

Brendan Shrader 鈥�25, a 麻豆原创 mathematics alum and Burnett Honors Scholar, also received an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship and will pursue graduate studies in mathematical biology at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Students interested in applying for the U.S. National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship program or other major national awards should contact the Office of Prestigious Awards at听opa@ucf.edu.

Previously based in downtown Orlando, the FDLE Orlando Toxicology Lab handles approximately 10,000 cases per year. Working more closely with 麻豆原创 in Lake Nona supports FDLE鈥檚 mission to deliver timely, high-quality forensic testing for law enforcement agencies across Central Florida and the state, helping investigators and prosecutors rely on sound science in pursuit of justice.

鈥淭his partnership reflects what 麻豆原创 was built to do 鈥� bring talent, technology and applied research together in service to Florida,鈥� says Alexander N. Cartwright, 麻豆原创 president

鈥淭his partnership reflects what 麻豆原创 was built to do 鈥� bring talent, technology and applied research together in service to Florida,鈥� says 麻豆原创 President Alexander N. Cartwright. 鈥淏y welcoming the FDLE Orlando Toxicology Lab to 麻豆原创鈥檚 Academic Health Sciences Campus, we are bringing state forensic operations closer to faculty expertise and future workforce, creating opportunities to make smarter use of public resources while strengthening the knowledge, talent and tools available to keep Floridians safe.鈥�

FDLE leaders say the partnership reflects a broader strategy to modernize forensic services while building a strong talent pipeline.

鈥淭hrough this partnership between FDLE and 麻豆原创, we are investing in the future of forensic science,鈥� says听FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass. 鈥淭his partnership enhances our ability to recruit highly trained forensic scientists, develop new techniques and deliver timely, high-quality results to law enforcement agencies for investigations.鈥�

Research Driving Real-World Impact

Now part of Lake Nona Medical City, FDLE experts will benefit from proximity to 麻豆原创 researchers as they 鈥� together听鈥� aim to strengthen the region鈥檚 role as a hub for biomedical research, health innovation and forensic science. This includes work to advance drug detection methods, study emerging synthetic substances, improve toxicology workflows and develop faster analytical tools to support criminal investigations.

鈥淭he closer our researchers are to operational labs, the more responsive and impactful their work becomes,鈥� says Jack Ballantyne, 麻豆原创 chemistry professor and director of the National Center for Forensic Science. 鈥淲e鈥檙e able to identify challenges in real time and immediately begin working on solutions.鈥�

From Classroom to Crime Lab

Over the years, numerous 麻豆原创 alums have built impactful careers at FDLE. Many credit their hands-on training, research opportunities and mentorship at 麻豆原创, as well as guest speakers from FDLE, for preparing them to excel in high-stakes forensic environments.

鈥淚 was lucky enough to complete my internship with FDLE Toxicology, where I was able to experience firsthand what the day-to-day workflow is like before graduating,鈥� says Lauren McCool 鈥�15, a 麻豆原创 forensic science alum and FDLE crime laboratory analyst who remains engaged with 麻豆原创 as an FDLE guest lecturer. 鈥淲hen I began my career with FDLE I was able to navigate the laboratory with confidence due to the real-world and hands-on experience I had at 麻豆原创.鈥�

With FDLE鈥檚 new proximity, students will have even greater access to internships, experiential learning and professional networking 鈥� accelerating the pathway from classroom to career and helping prepare more graduates for forensic science roles that serve Florida鈥檚 communities.

Leading Forensic Science Education

麻豆原创 brings the academic depth, research capacity and student pipeline needed to support FDLE鈥檚 long-term forensic science needs. The partnership reinforces 麻豆原创鈥檚 role as Florida鈥檚 Technological University and a national leader in forensic science education and research.

麻豆原创 ranks No. 6 in the nation for Bachelor鈥檚 in Forensic Science Degree Programs, according to CriminalJusticeDegreeSchools.com. 麻豆原创鈥檚 undergraduate program was established in 1974, making it one of the oldest forensic science programs in the country. About 500 students are currently enrolled across 麻豆原创鈥檚 bachelor鈥檚, 尘补蝉迟别谤鈥檚 and doctoral forensic science degree offerings.

Established in 1997, the National Center for Forensic Science, based in Central Florida Research Park, is made up of 麻豆原创 faculty and staff whose research touches everything from DNA analysis to chemical analysis of trace evidence.听Their work often contributes to industry-wide advancements in forensic science. This includes research earlier this year on the 鈥渇antastic four鈥� chemical standards to provide a consistent and critical reference point for forensic anthropology and toxicology work.

A new educational partnership between 麻豆原创 and the U.S. Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC) is creating opportunities for research, student training and workforce development in one of the country鈥檚 most specialized scientific fields. The collaboration strengthens critical scientific capabilities, facilitates the sharing of resources and expertise, helps build the radiochemistry talent pipeline and positions 麻豆原创 at the forefront of nuclear chemistry research that supports national security missions.

鈥淭hrough collaborative research projects and summer internships, 麻豆原创 students gain hands-on experience working alongside federal scientists and access to AFTAC鈥檚 facilities and instrumentation for research supporting national security missions,鈥� says Vasileios Anagnostopoulos, associate professor of chemistry in the 麻豆原创 College of Sciences and principal investigator of the partnership.

Only a small number of universities nationwide have established this type of relationship with AFTAC, the Department of the Air Force responsible for monitoring nuclear treaty compliance and detecting nuclear events worldwide.

A Nationally Recognized Program

鈥淭he fact that we were invited by AFTAC to be one of their official academic partners says a lot about the recognition of our program and the important role chemistry and radiochemistry play in the national security landscape.”

According to Anagnostopoulos 鈥� director of 麻豆原创鈥檚 Nuclear Regulatory Commission Fellowship and 麻豆原创 principal investigator for the multi-institutional NNSA-funded Consortium for Nuclear Forensics 鈥� 麻豆原创鈥檚 growing reputation in radiochemistry and analytical chemistry helped distinguish the university as a strong academic partner.

The collaboration also reflects 麻豆原创鈥檚 broader role in supporting Florida鈥檚 rapidly growing aerospace, defense and national security ecosystem through research, workforce development and federal partnerships.

鈥淥ur radiochemistry program is gaining national recognition through multiple research grants and collaborative proposals,鈥� Anagnostopoulos says. 鈥淭he fact that we were invited by AFTAC to be one of their official academic partners says a lot about the recognition of our program and the important role chemistry and radiochemistry play in the national security landscape.鈥�

The partnership builds on 麻豆原创鈥檚 advanced research infrastructure, including radiochemistry laboratories, mass spectrometry capabilities and materials characterization resources. Together, these facilities enable researchers to analyze complex nuclear materials and conduct detailed characterization studies for national and international security applications.

鈥淲e have cutting-edge facilities and instrumentation for sensitive and precise analysis,鈥� Anagnostopoulos says. 鈥淭he combination of radiochemistry, advanced analytical capabilities and access to radioactive materials allows us to address complicated real-world problems and provide technical information that can support our federal partners鈥� missions.鈥�

Unique Opportunities for Students

For students, the partnership opens the door to hands-on experiences rarely available in a traditional academic setting.

Through internships and collaborative research projects, students will work alongside multidisciplinary teams of chemists, engineers and scientists while gaining exposure to federal laboratory environments and national security protocols.

Few universities nationwide offer students direct pathways into operational nuclear security environments, making the partnership a unique training opportunity for 麻豆原创 students interested in chemistry, national security and federal science careers.

鈥淏eyond the technical training, they gain exposure to mission-focused work, interdisciplinary collaboration and communication skills that are essential in federal and defense environments,鈥� Anagnostopoulos says.

Building the Future Workforce

The agreement also addresses a national need for trained experts in radiochemistry and nuclear chemistry, highly specialized disciplines offered at only a limited number of institutions nationwide, Anagnostopoulos says.

As federal agencies and national laboratories work to strengthen expertise in nuclear security, treaty monitoring and advanced nuclear technologies, partnerships like this help ensure a pipeline of future highly skilled scientists is ready to contribute.

鈥淭his partnership helps prepare the next generation of scientists while keeping the country at the forefront of nuclear security and global safety,鈥� Anagnostopoulos says.

As the collaboration grows, it鈥檚 expected to expand opportunities for faculty, researchers, and students in other fields, such as big data analytics and cybersecurity, while further establishing 麻豆原创 as a hub for radiochemistry, defense-related chemistry, and national security research.

In aquatic ecosystems, some species use active sensing systems, emitting echolocation sounds or electric fields to navigate dark or murky waters.

This sensory ability can come with trade-offs. For electric eels and their weakly electric knifefish prey, generating electric fields helps them navigate and hunt, but those same signals can also reveal their location.

In a recent study published in , 麻豆原创 researchers found that both electric eels and knifefish strategically suppress and resume their electric signals to avoid detection.

The findings provide new insight into how animals balance sensing their surroundings while remaining hidden from predators or prey, a challenge that also appears in technologies such as sonar and radar. This work also expands scientific understanding of how active sensory systems evolve in competitive environments where being detected can mean losing a meal or becoming one.

鈥淥ur findings show that active sensing creates a paradox: the same electric signals these animals need to navigate and hunt can also reveal them to eavesdropping predators or prey,鈥� says Professor of Biology William Crampton, who co-led the study with biology doctoral graduate Lok Poon 鈥�26PhD. 鈥淏oth eels and knifefish appear to resolve this paradox through electric stealth, briefly suppressing their signals when concealment matters, then resuming them when sensing becomes more important.鈥�

Tracking Electric Signals in the Amazon

To test these predator-prey interactions, the researchers deployed six custom-designed electric signal loggers along a 150-meter section of an Amazonian stream. Each logger recorded 60-second segments of electric signals over 27 nights. In total, nearly 107,000 minutes of data were collected.

鈥淓lectric fish are ideal for this kind of study because their signals let us monitor their presence and movements electronically, simply by recording how often they pass near submerged electrodes,鈥� Crampton says. 鈥淥ur loggers allowed us, for the first time, to monitor predator-prey electric signaling interactions continuously in the wild.鈥�

Researchers then analyzed the recordings to distinguish species by their unique electric signal signatures.

How Eels and Knifefish Use 鈥淓lectric Stealth鈥�

“With knifefish, we found that when they detect electric eel signals, some flee while some pulse-type species switch off their own electric discharges for several seconds. “鈥擶illiam Crampton, professor of biology

鈥淲ith knifefish, we found that when they detect electric eel signals, some flee while some pulse-type species switch off their own electric discharges for several seconds,鈥� Crampton says. 鈥淚n our logger recordings, a knifefish could be producing its normal train of pulses to sense its environment, then suddenly become electrically silent as soon as eel signals appeared.鈥�

Laboratory tests showed that low-frequency components of electric eel signals play a key role in triggering this response, with knifefish reacting far less when those components were reduced.

Electric eels were also found to pause their low-voltage electrolocation pulses before high-voltage bursts used to probe for or stun prey. This silence would make an approaching eel less detectable to electroreceptive prey such as knifefish. Once the eel produces a high-voltage burst, however, it has revealed its presence, temporarily reducing the benefit of stealth. 听The eel promptly resumes its regular low-voltage pulses, likely to rapidly relocate, track or capture prey.

鈥淭he field recordings revealed these phenomena in the ecological context,鈥� Crampton says. 鈥淭he laboratory experiments then allowed us to isolate the eel signal features that trigger knifefish responses.鈥�

Parallels in Nature and Technology

In nature, the only well-studied comparison to this behavior is the predator-prey dynamic between killer whales and their toothed-whale prey.

鈥淜iller whales and smaller toothed whales such as beaked whales use echolocation, relying on sound rather than electric signals to sense their surroundings,鈥� Crampton says. 鈥淢ammal-eating killer whales can suppress echolocation and calls while hunting, while beaked whales and other prey species may reduce vocal activity or take evasive action when they detect killer whale sounds. The eel-knifefish system shows a remarkably similar trade-off in the electric sense.鈥�

The findings suggest convergent evolutionary pressures favoring the ability of both predators and prey to modulate active-sensing signals to improve survival.

Similar trade-offs also occur in human active-sensing technologies such as sonar and radar. A submarine, for instance, can use active signals to detect its surroundings, but each outgoing ping can also reveal the vessel鈥檚 location.

鈥淛ust as we found in electric eels and knifefish, operators of these systems balance the need to gather information with the need to remain hidden,鈥� Crampton says. 鈥淚n submarines, that can mean alternating between active sonar and passive listening depending on the situation.鈥�

Electric eels, knifefish, echolocating whales and human operators all face the same challenge: balancing the benefits of active sensing with the risk of detection.

Future Research Applications

Electric fish have long contributed to scientists鈥� understanding of concepts beyond biology, including electricity, nerves and sensing.

鈥淓lectric fishes have played an outsized role in the history of biology and physics,鈥� Crampton says. 鈥淔or example, their discharges helped shape early research on electricity, including Alessandro Volta鈥檚 invention of the first battery, and their electric organs later became important model tissues for studying acetylcholine receptors 鈥� protein channels that help nerves send signals to other cells.鈥�

The new findings build on this legacy, showing how electric fish can reveal principles related to sensing, stealth and decision making. Similar trade-offs shape sonar, radar and autonomous sensing technologies, suggesting that nature’s solutions to stealth and detection may offer insights for future adaptive sensing systems.

鈥淭his study shows that active sensing is not just about gathering information, but also about managing the risk of being detected,鈥� Crampton says. 鈥淭his opens opportunities for future research, from understanding how other aquatic species respond to electric signals to uncovering whether similar stealth strategies occur in other sensory systems.鈥�

This work was funded by National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program grant 2035702 (L.P.), an American Philosophical Society Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research grant (L.P.), and National Science Foundation grant DEB-1146374 (W.G.R.C.).

While immune systems are well studied in mammals and birds, reptiles 鈥� particularly sea turtles 鈥� remain less explored, leaving critical gaps in scientific understanding.

New research published in helps address this gap by examining the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), a critical group of immune system genes that enables organisms to recognize and fight diseases.

The study, which examined four species 鈥� loggerheads, green turtles, Kemp鈥檚 ridleys and leatherbacks 鈥� found that most sea turtles maintain high levels of immune gene variation, likely inherited from a common ancestor. However, variation differs across species and different copies of these genes can function in distinct ways.

鈥淪ea turtles are an interesting case for studying immune system evolution,鈥� says Katherine Martin 鈥�24PhD, an integrative conservation biology alum and postdoctoral researcher at Oregon State University who led the study. 鈥淭hey live for a long time and encounter many different types of pathogens across multiple habitats.鈥�

How MHC and Genetic Variation Work Together

MHC plays a key role in identifying and flagging pathogens for destruction by the immune system.

鈥淢HC is essentially holding a small molecular flag that says to T cells, 鈥楾his is the invader that you need to seek and destroy鈥�,鈥� says Martin, who specializes in immune system genetics in sea turtles.

Because pathogens vary widely, immune defenses must also adapt, creating strong evolutionary pressure for variation in MHC genes.

鈥淔or each different pathogen, you need a different MHC protein,鈥� Martin says. 鈥淵ou can think of it kind of like a lock and key.鈥�

Martin adds that immune gene variation is critical for population health and studying this builds insight on how well a population might respond to disease.

Key Findings and Evolutionary Insights

The study revealed differences in genetic variation across species, with leatherbacks showing lower MHC diversity than others.

鈥淥ne of the things that can contribute to low genetic variation is low population size,鈥� Martin says. 鈥淲e think this might be the case with leatherbacks.鈥�

Another key finding was the presence of shared genetic variants across species, suggesting deep evolutionary roots.

鈥淭he results indicate that shared ancestry is the most likely explanation,鈥� Martin says. 鈥淭hat likely underscores their importance and their function.鈥�

Martin also identified balancing selection as a key evolutionary force maintaining immune gene variation.

鈥淚nstead of selecting for a single trait, it鈥檚 the variation within that trait that鈥檚 advantageous,鈥� Martin says.

A Comparative Approach Across Species

鈥淭he turtle species have different diets, habitats and disease prevalence, and [these samples] provided a useful comparison of the different ways of living that sea turtles have and how that might bear out in patterns of MHC variation.”

To establish a baseline for variations, Martin analyzed MHC genes from more than 300 turtles samples collected through and collaborators, highlighting the shared effort behind large-scale conservation research.

鈥淸The turtle species] have different diets, habitats and disease prevalence,鈥� Martin says. 鈥淸These samples] provided a useful comparison of the different ways of living that sea turtles have and how that might bear out in patterns of MHC variation.鈥�

Martin extracted DNA from samples across coastal nesting sites, lagoons and offshore waters. She then amplified target genes and sequenced them using next-generation DNA sequencing technology.

鈥淚n a single sequencing run, you can analyze multiple individuals all at once,鈥� Martin says. 鈥淲e also get high sequencing depth, meaning each bit of DNA is sequenced multiple times.鈥�

This approach improves accuracy, especially for highly variable genes like MHC.

Expanding Studies and Conservation Efforts

Martin plans to expand her research to additional sea turtle populations worldwide rather than just the northwest Atlantic, as well as to reptiles more broadly.

鈥淚 really love being able to ask questions about how that variation arises in the first place and what forces maintain it over time,鈥� Martin says.听听Understanding immune gene variation has direct applications for conservation strategies, particularly as sea turtles face increasing environmental pressures.

鈥淚f we protect the habitats these sea turtles rely on, we can bolster population sizes and, in turn, maintain genetic variation across all genes,鈥� Martin says.

While advanced interventions such as gene editing may be possible in the future, Martin emphasizes that habitat protection remains the most practical and effective approach.

鈥淭he most effective solution is public advocacy for [protection of] the natural world,鈥� Martin says.

Funding and support for this research was provided in part by the Sea Turtle Grants Program funded from the proceeds of the Florida Sea Turtle License Plate, the Sigma Xi Grants in Aid of Research Program, the NOAA Oil Spill Supplemental Spend Plan, the Florida RESTORE Act Centers of Excellence Program administered through the Florida Institute of Oceanography and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Turtle handling conducted as part of permitted research (FL-MTP-225, FL-MTP-231, NMFS 19508, and predecessors).

This project was paid for in part with federal funding from the Department of the Treasury under the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012 (RESTORE Act). The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Treasury.

On how the ocean changed him:

I鈥檝e never been as calm as I’ve been since returning to land. I鈥檓 a kind of restless person in general, somewhat impulsive in certain contexts. I always feel the need to do something, another adventure in nature. I have this fire in me that just makes me adventurous. But I think the success of the crossing, including the three years of preparation, gave me a lot of confidence. And with confidence, I think came the calmness of knowing I didn鈥檛 need to prove anything to anyone anymore.

World Ocean Day is June 8.

On 麻豆原创鈥檚 influence in pursuing his dreams:

It was once a dream of mine to leave my home country and do research with NASA. Coming to 麻豆原创, I realized that dream. Maybe at one point I wouldn’t have been able to think rowing an ocean was possible, but achieving my dream at 麻豆原创 gave me the courage to try.

On the role a common goal can have in a team鈥檚 viability:

Our ultimate goal was to cross the ocean such that we would be willing and able to do it again in the next few years with the same team. This is the first time I am admitting out loud, I think we failed at that 鈥� none of us wishes to row an ocean again, nor are we planning another adventure with the same team.

So, though I have to admit we didn鈥檛 succeed in the ultimate holistic goal that we had, I think our crossing in general was quite successful. What I didn鈥檛 understand going into this was how strongly a common goal can influence your ability to withstand stress, interpersonal stress or annoyances from other team members. Everyone in this team had to work properly for us to be able to complete the goal. So even though we had that interpersonal tension and occasional conflicts, because of the salience of the shared goal, we were able to work through it.

On the breathtaking force of mother nature:

The ocean is so vast and so powerful. You鈥檙e nothing. We felt that the most when we had a school of whales approaching us from the stern. We saw them breaching, and then one whale swam under our boat, and we saw that it was longer than our boat, like 30 feet at least. It could have just pushed our boat over and do whatever it wanted with us. We had no power whatsoever.

And I really enjoyed the storms. During the last week we had such a strong wind coming from behind, with rain falling literally horizontally. It hurts when it hits you. The rain comes on so strong. And then the wind was so strong that it just pushed our boat. We usually did like 3 knots on our own, but the speed at that moment was 7 knots without rowing. We raised our oars and they became sails basically. We felt how the wind pushed through our oars. You鈥檙e just experiencing this unbelievable power of nature. It was amazing.

On his new motto 鈥� 鈥淒on鈥檛 fight with the ocean鈥�:

Just don鈥檛 fight with the ocean because you can鈥檛 win. There is no point. Just let things be, let them go. I think this was one of the things that I really took back with me from the experience. I can apply this anywhere. Like at the workplace, if we have colleagues who are difficult to deal with, you can’t change them. You can鈥檛 fight with the ocean. You can only change your own reactions and thoughts.

On halfway home still being a far way to go:

After we crossed the halfway point, it became more difficult. You would expect that maybe it gets easier because, oh, half is done, only half more to go, but only half more is still 20 days. It鈥檚 three more weeks. It鈥檚 still a lot of time to be thinking about, What do you want do when you finish? What do you want to eat? What are you going to do when you get back home? I think we as a team mentally got to the finish too fast. We really had to take a step back and remind ourselves to take it two hours at a time.

On the feeling of seeing land for the first time after 39 days:

We arrived at sunrise. When the light appeared and we saw those cliffs, it鈥檚 just something so overwhelming and unique, this feeling of, 鈥業t鈥檚 over. It’s done 鈥� 40 days of suffering basically has ended.鈥� As we entered the harbor, we saw our family and friends were up there on the cliff, waving the flags and then the finish flare going off. It was the high point, definitely.

On how the experience gave insight into his research on teams in extreme, isolated and confined environments:

I think one of the main takeaways that I got from this project was really that preparation is everything. Everyone externally was focusing on the mission, the row, because of course that鈥檚 the exciting part. For us, completing the row was the goal, but it鈥檚 the smallest piece of the whole project. The three years of preparation and those difficulties that we had, this was much more important.

So now for my research, I鈥檓 thinking, we鈥檙e always focusing on the part or the actual mission. It鈥檚 not necessarily irrelevant, but the mission is the outcome. The input that we should study is before the mission, the preparations. So that informs my future research quite a bit.

On what鈥檚 next:

I graduate in the summer. Days before we started the race, I accepted a job offer, which was a relief. I was prepared to take job interviews on the boat. I鈥檓听starting as听an assistant听professor of industrial/organizational psychology at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey in August.

I realized that I don鈥檛 like this type of several-weeks-endurance events, it鈥檚 too monotonous, too dull. I was thinking that my next big thing would be skiing across Greenland, which is more than a month as well. But now, no, thank you. There鈥檚 not enough variability, or excitement, for me. I love mountaineering, summiting a mountain in a few days. I just bought new mountain boots, so I think this will be my next thing.

Florida鈥檚 coastlines are changing, and so are the fish that depend on them.

As rising temperatures push tropical species northward and mangrove habitats expand into areas historically dominated by salt marshes, scientists are racing to understand how these shifts could affect marine food webs and long-term ecosystem stability.

Meredith Pratt, a 麻豆原创 integrative and conservation biology doctoral student, is helping answer those questions. Her research on sustainable fisheries management along Florida鈥檚 east coast earned her the prestigious Florida Sea Grant/Guy Harvey Fellowship. The highly competitive award supports graduate students conducting research that informs marine conservation and fisheries management while cultivating future leaders in marine science.

Tracking a Changing Ecosystem

Pratt studies how tropicalization 鈥� the northward movement of tropical species and habitats 鈥� is altering Florida鈥檚 coastal ecosystems.

“As temperatures rise, mangroves, traditionally found in warmer, tropical regions, are expanding northward into areas historically dominated by salt marshes,鈥� she says. 鈥淭his shift is influencing the species that live there.鈥�

To understand these changes, Pratt and her team study fish communities along Florida鈥檚 east coast. One fellowship-supported project focuses on predator-prey dynamics among popular sport fish, including common snook, red drum and spotted sea trout.

“The most interesting result so far is that the same fish species are eating different things, … and that raises important questions about how continued mangrove expansion could impact the ecosystem in the long term.鈥�

鈥淭he most interesting result so far is that the same fish species are eating different things depending on whether they inhabit traditional salt marshes or increasingly dominant mangrove environments,鈥� Pratt says. 鈥淲hile most species primarily feed on shrimp, common snook tend to consume more fish, and that raises important questions about how continued mangrove expansion could impact the ecosystem in the long term.鈥�

These findings were supported through lab gut analysis of fish samples collected in the field using seine nets to determine stomach contents. Because digestion can make some prey difficult to identify, Pratt also used stable isotope analysis, which provides insight into a fish鈥檚position in the food web based on chemical signatures in its tissue.

鈥淕ut content analysis shows us exactly what a fish recently ate, while stable isotopes give us a longer-term picture of its diet,鈥� she says. 鈥淭ogether, they allow us to answer questions we couldn鈥檛 with just one method alone.鈥�

Guiding Future Fisheries Management

The research is both environmentally and economically important to Florida. As one of the world鈥檚 premier fishing destinations, the state depends on healthy coastal ecosystems and fish populations to support its recreational and commercial fisheries.

鈥淢any of the fish we rely on start in estuaries and coastal environments,鈥� Pratt says. 鈥淭hey grow in protected areas like mangroves and salt marshes before moving offshore. If we don鈥檛 understand how those habitats are changing, we can鈥檛 effectively manage the fisheries that depend on them.鈥�

Connecting Science and Community

Pratt is also expanding the impact of her research beyond the lab. Through her National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellowship, she launched the Guana Tolomato Matanzas (GTM) Fisheries Monitoring Program at the GTM National Estuarine Research Reserve.

“Getting people involved and helping them understand the importance of this work makes a big difference.”

The volunteer-driven initiative trains community members to collect fisheries data at designated sites, including species identification, abundance and size measurements. With nearly 20 volunteers participating, the program provides valuable long-term data while increasing public involvement in scientific research.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been one of the most rewarding parts of my Ph.D.,鈥� Pratt says. 鈥淕etting people involved and helping them understand the importance of this work makes a big difference.鈥�

A Full Circle Moment

For Pratt, earning the Florida Sea Grant/Guy Harvey Fellowship was a full-circle moment. As an undergraduate, she completed many of her classes and research experiences at the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Center at Nova Southeastern University. Now, funding from Florida Sea Grant and the Guy Harvey Foundation is helping advance her research while providing professional development opportunities in science communication.

鈥淭his fellowship not only supports my research but also allows me to connect with other scientists, stakeholders and the public,鈥� she says. 鈥淪haring our findings and contributing to science communication is a really meaningful part of the experience.鈥�

Looking ahead, Pratt hopes her work will support more informed decision-making around fisheries management and conservation.

鈥淐onservation requires research and education working together,鈥� she says. 鈥淚f we can understand what鈥檚 happening and communicate that effectively, we can make better decisions to protect these ecosystems for future generations.鈥�

This year鈥檚 tournament will be the first FIFA World Cup to be hosted by three nations 鈥� United States, Canada and Mexico 鈥� and the first to include an expanded field of 48 teams from across the globe. Eleven U.S. cities will host 78 matches June 11 鈥� July 19, including the championship match in New York and third place playoff in Miami.

This historic event coincides with the United States鈥� 250th anniversary听and marks the first time since 1994 the country has hosted the men鈥檚 World Cup.

Here鈥檚听a look at some of the Knights bringing this event to life.

Izzy Angel 鈥�23

Bachelor鈥檚听in听human听communication

Role:听Media听operations听and听services
FIFA location: Atlanta

I will be supporting media logistics, guiding photographers and press to designated areas, and facilitating press conferences and interviews. One of the biggest ways 麻豆原创 prepared me for this opportunity was through its emphasis on networking, collaboration and real-world experience. That mindset opened doors to internships, jobs and experiences that helped me gain confidence in putting myself out there and connecting with people.

It鈥檚 been really fulfilling to meet people with completely different backgrounds and life experiences who are all coming together over a shared passion. Being part of something on such a global scale and feeling that sense of community has been incredibly special.

Brendon Boseja 鈥�25

Bachelor鈥檚 in听integrated听business

Role:听Senior听coordinator,听Client Group Management听Accreditation
FIFA site: Miami

At 麻豆原创, I learned to network and make many connections in the industry and to continue these relationships. This has especially helped me throughout FIFA, especially since my main job is to communicate with every stadium involved in the tournament. Working for a sports organization as big as FIFA has been a dream of mine, and to be involved with an event like the World Cup is surreal to think about.

Taylor Culver 鈥�23 鈥�26MSBM 鈥�26MBA

Bachelor鈥檚 in kinesiology
Master鈥檚听in听sport听business听management
Master鈥檚 in business administration

Role:听Event听executive, FIFA Fan Festival
FIFA site: Houston

鈥淏ecause of the connections, mentorship and opportunities I gained through 麻豆原创, these experiences expanded my confidence and showed me that I truly belong in this industry.鈥�

My role is to help create and execute large-scale fan experiences that bring the energy of the World Cup to life outside of the stadium. Being able to contribute to an event of this magnitude is both humbling and motivating, and I know it will be one of the most impactful experiences of my career. 麻豆原创 prepared me for this opportunity by putting me in real-world sports environments early and constantly challenging me to grow as a leader. Through the program and my experience as a recruiting assistant for 麻豆原创 Athletics with the football team, I learned how to operate in fast-paced environments where organization, communication and adaptability are critical. Because of the connections, mentorship and opportunities I gained through 麻豆原创, these experiences expanded my confidence and showed me that I truly belong in this industry.

Daniel Garzon 鈥�23 鈥�24MSBM 鈥�24MBA

Bachelor鈥檚听in听elementary听education
Master鈥檚听in听sport听business听management
Master鈥檚 in business听administration

Role:听Workforce听integration听senior听coordinator,听Tournament Operation Center Services
FIFA site:听Miami

I started my journey at FIFA as an intern with the volunteer management team shortly after graduating from the DeVos Sport Business Management program in 2024. As a recruitment coordinator, I spearheaded communications and recruitment strategy while sourcing and scheduling thousands of candidates. Now in my new role, I will be in the heartbeat of the headquarters of the tournament, fulfilling operational needs for all departments while manipulating data to make informed decisions for all the venues during the World Cup.

Risako Karasawa 鈥�21

Bachelor鈥檚 in entertainment management
Graduate student majoring in sport business management

Role: VIP Tour Coordinator/Translator
FIFA site:听Dallas

I serve as the primary point of contact for a VIP delegation from Japan. My responsibilities include coordinating transportation and logistics, providing interpretation and translation support, and ensuring a seamless experience throughout the visit. Combining my passions for sports, entertainment and hospitality, this opportunity feels like the perfect intersection of everything I love. Through both the Rosen College of Hospitality Management and the DeVos Sport Business Management Program, I have gained practical experience through hands-on opportunities working with professionals across the industries in event planning, guest experience, sponsorship and stakeholder management that prepared me for this incredibly exciting opportunity.

William Mendez 鈥�26MSBM 鈥�26MBA

Master鈥檚听in听sport听business听management
Master鈥檚 in business听administration

Role: Team protocol liaison officer
FIFA site:听Miami

I will provide operational support as a main point of contact for the teams鈥� protocol representatives, managing VIP/VVIP seating, ticket distribution and logistics. I鈥檓 truly excited to be part of an event of this magnitude because FIFA 鈥�26 goes beyond sports by bringing people together across cultures from all over the world.鈥疶he DeVos Sport Business Management program at 麻豆原创 has played a major role in preparing me for this moment, giving me the hands-on experience and confidence I need to contribute to an event of this scale.

Colin O鈥橳oole 鈥�26MSBM 鈥�26MBA

Master鈥檚听in听sport听business听management
Master鈥檚听in business听administration

Role: Accreditation center coordinator
FIFA site:听Boston

I grew up watching the World Cup and always dreamed of being part of the most watched sporting event in the world. My experience in the soccer industry through both professional and volunteer roles gave me a strong foundation, and the DeVos program broadened my perspective. It exposed me to the business side of the industry, while simultaneously connecting me with incredible mentors and peers, ultimately giving me the confidence and network to land this opportunity with FIFA.

Connor Pank 鈥�17

Bachelor鈥檚 in听management

Role:听Team听services听venue听officer
FIFA site: Tampa, Florida

The sport business management minor at 麻豆原创 offered plenty of opportunities to gain practical experience in the industry. My junior year, I was fortunate enough to land a season-long internship at Orlando City Soccer Club in the game day operations department, which then turned into a full-time position with seven amazing seasons of constant growth and experiences that I am forever grateful鈥痜or.

Being involved in a FIFA World Cup has been a personal goal of mine since my early days with Orlando City SC, when we hosted a U.S. Soccer vs.听Panama World Cup Qualifier听ahead of the听2018 FIFA World Cup.听Every team听participating听in the World Cup chooses a designated home base,听which includes the team hotel, training听site听and other operational support facilities as needed. My role is centered around acting as FIFA鈥檚 primary operational lead on-site for Cabo Verde鈥檚 home base in Tampa to ensure a seamless, world-class experience.

Annie Quaile 鈥�06

Bachelor鈥檚听in听marketing

Role:听Venue听manager,听FIFA Fan Festival
FIFA site: Atlanta

I act as the bridge between FIFA, Atlanta and the commercial and operational partners delivering the Fan Festival experience. My role focuses on coordinating event听logistics, operations, guest experience, VIP and talent management, and partner integration while ensuring FIFA brand standards are upheld throughout the event.

One of the biggest takeaways from my experience at 麻豆原创 was learning how to balance creativity,听leadership听and problem-solving under pressure, which is听essentially the听foundation of live event and operational management.听The FIFA World Cup is one of the few truly global experiences that brings together people from every background,听culture听and country around a shared passion.听All of听the planning, coordination and operational work happens behind the scenes for months, so finally seeing people from around the world听gathering together, celebrating and creating memories is incredibly rewarding.

Andres Sifontes 鈥�24

Bachelor鈥檚 in communication

Role:听Coordinator, Accreditation Documentation and Training Operations
FIFA site: Houston

I joined the FIFA team in September 2024, supporting preparations for both Club World Cup 2025 and FIFA World Cup 2026. In my role now, I oversee Accreditation Center operations in Houston, assist volunteers, and ensure that key stakeholders 鈥� including partners like Coca-Cola, Adidas and Visa 鈥� receive proper credentials. 麻豆原创鈥檚 communication program, and especially my听Communication Research Methods听Professor , equipped me with the tools I continue to apply every day in my role at FIFA by teaching me how to communicate effectively, carry myself professionally, and think strategically.

Since graduating, my goal has been to contribute to the growth of soccer in the United States. This passion has always been part of who I am, and 麻豆原创 helped me build the foundation to pursue it professionally. After graduation, I worked with Inter Miami CF, and now with FIFA, I鈥檝e been fortunate to play a role in supporting the continued development of the sport. I truly believe we are about to witness unprecedented growth for the game in this country. I hope that at the end of my career, I can look back and say I contributed to that growth 鈥� and that it all started at 麻豆原创.

Dennis Sprenkle 鈥�01

Bachelor鈥檚听in听political听science

Role:听Director of听workforce听and听human听resources
FIFA site:听Miami

My team oversees the employee journey from recruitment to offboarding across the three host countries (Canada, Mexico and the U.S.) and 16 host cities. We are responsible for everything from workforce planning, training, visa management, benefits, payroll, employee uniforms and just about every other aspect of human resources.

I have always had a keen interest in global political and business affairs, which is why I studied political science with an emphasis on international relations at 麻豆原创. Working for a governing body like FIFA in many respects is akin to working for the United Nations. 鈥� In order to be a successful leader in a global organization like FIFA, it is critical to have an open mind to effectively collaborate, plan and execute the largest sporting event in human history. My education and experience at 麻豆原创 as a leader in Student Government certainly laid the foundation and has helped prepare me for this opportunity.

Ryan Taheri 鈥�24

Bachelor鈥檚听in听finance

Role:听Workforce听operations听manager
FIFA site: Dallas

I grew up watching the World Cup with my family. Now, I occasionally stop for a second and realize how special it all is to be working behind the scenes on the operational side of the tournament. A big part of what I do in my role is coordinate with different functional areas like transportation, catering, accommodations, uniforms and venue operations to ensure the workforce is supported and operations run smoothly.

鈥溌槎乖� pushed me into leadership opportunities early and taught me how to work in fast-paced environments with a lot of moving parts.鈥�

A lot of the role comes down to staying organized, communicating clearly and solving problems quickly. 麻豆原创 pushed me into leadership opportunities early and taught me how to work in fast-paced environments with a lot of moving parts. Looking back now, I don鈥檛 think I realized at the time how much of my experience at 麻豆原创 directly prepared me for working on something as large and complex as a鈥疐IFA 鈥�26.

Alejandro Tarazona 鈥�22

Bachelor鈥檚 in integrated business

Role:听Manager,听Training听Site听Venue听Transport
FIFA site: Miami

I鈥痮versee transportation operations and鈥痩ogistics鈥痑t all 75 training sites across U.S., Canada and Mexico 鈥� including shuttles, loading zones, team busses and their fleets, and parking lots for media, volunteers and guests. I grew up in Lake Nona and had an opportunity to play collegiate soccer at a Division II school in Florida, but financially, it just didn鈥檛 make sense for my family and me. Instead I enrolled at Valencia College and earned my degree through the .

麻豆原创 gave me the technical skills I needed for my managerial position now, like creating financial analysis for labor rates across 16 stadiums that鈥痺e鈥檒l鈥痓e using in U.S., Canada and Mexico. As a former soccer player and as someone鈥痺ho is鈥痮bsessed with the sport, working for one of the biggest and best sports organization in the world has been a lifelong goal.鈥疶his experience has taught me to consider redefining what鈥檚 possible and keep setting goals.

Tomas Upegui 鈥�22

Bachelor鈥檚听in听integrated听business

Role:听Fleet听operations听analyst
FIFA site: Miami

Growing up playing soccer, being involved with FIFA in any capacity is something I never imagined would become reality, especially this early in my career. I am supporting transportation and depot operations across all 16 host cities, contributing to transportation operations involving VIPs and trophy movements. Studying business taught me how to work efficiently in fast-paced environments and quickly adapt while balancing multiple responsibilities at once, which directly translates to my role.

One of the most exciting parts of this experience has been realizing the true scale of the FIFA World Cup and seeing firsthand how much coordination happens behind the scenes to make an event of this magnitude successful.