The two are among 6,000 undergraduate, 尘补蝉迟别谤鈥檚 and Ph.D. students who will graduate from 麻豆原创 Dec. 12-13.

Bassett and Deinys, both Florida natives, credit 麻豆原创 with instilling in them a spirit of scientific discovery and a passion to use their love of science to help others.

Transforming Healthcare Through Tech

Bassett will graduate with a medicine-engineering double degree in molecular and cellular biology and mechanical engineering. The degree program, one of 麻豆原创鈥檚 most challenging, recognizes that the future of healthcare is in technology, and the workforce needs trained professionals who can understand both the biology of disease and the engineering principles to create new healthcare solutions.

The double major requires 163 credit hours and a lot of time management skills. With back-to-back engineering and biomedical sciences labs as part of his routine, Bassett jokes he could actually feel his mind transform as he walked from one classroom to the next to absorb and process two vastly different topics.

While at 麻豆原创 Bassett completed multiple internships at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. A Burnett Honors College scholar, he served as a teaching assistant and a chemistry undergraduate lab researcher.

Bassett says 麻豆原创 helped him understand the medical 鈥渨hys鈥� of the medical engineering he creates and wants to go into an industry that will allow him to design and test better medical tools that can make surgery less invasive, more efficient and safer.

鈥淲ith my training, I know the what and the why,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 can use that knowledge to solve more medical problems. I hope I can help my colleagues understand why something is happening in the body.鈥�

Making Florida鈥檚 Mangroves More Resilient

Born in Miami, Deinys knew science was her passion at an early age while attending a STEM-focused middle and high school. During an internship at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, she discovered a pathogen that was threatening to kill Florida mangroves.

Later, in collaboration with the Marine Resources Council, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and restoring Florida鈥檚 Indian River Lagoon, they determined that 80% of the mangroves they had sampled tested positive for at least one of the pathogens.

Through her research at 麻豆原创, she helped create a nutrient of magnesium and sulfur nanoparticles called 鈥淢ag Sun鈥� (MgSuN) that acts like an antimicrobial solution while helping nourish the plant. Mag Sun is also sustainable so it鈥檚 safe for the environment. The product, which reduced pathogens by 95%, has now been approved for use across Florida, and Deinys hopes it will soon receive EPA clearance for use nationwide.

鈥淚 grew up in South Florida and developed a deep love for the beach and coast,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd I knew something was happening to my mangroves. I鈥檓 committed to the community I鈥檓 from and I want to help people 鈥� that鈥檚 the goal.鈥�

As an undergraduate, she was lead research assistant in an agricultural artificial intelligence effort between 麻豆原创 and Cornell University and 麻豆原创鈥檚 Material Innovation for Sustainable Agriculture Lab. She also served as an Office of Undergraduate Research peer mentor and has presented her research at conferences across the state and nation.

An Order of Pegasus honoree, Deinys will stay at 麻豆原创 to earn her Ph.D. in chemistry with a specialization in nanoscience. She said her goal is to be a 鈥渏ack-of-all-trades,鈥� in science because she鈥檚 excited by too many opportunities to use her inquisitive mind to solve real-world problems. As she speaks from her lab office filled with plants, she says she wants to use her love of agriculture to help find ways to link plant life and space travel.

Today, the 24-year-old is on the cusp of earning two graduate degrees simultaneously, having elevated 麻豆原创鈥檚 reputation as a community and society changemaker along the way with the AI for Nonprofits course she helped develop. These milestones aren鈥檛 just personal. They鈥檙e also serving her biggest passion: helping others.

That鈥檚 the thing about opportunity. Sometimes all you need is a chance, a dash of inspiration and someone who believes in you.

Charting Her Own Path

Dones, who was born in Cuba, was just 2 years old when her family immigrated to Miami. Growing up, she viewed attending college as a somewhat unattainable goal.

鈥淚 remember discussions with my parents where they would say that college is for the wealthy, or that we’d cross that bridge when we get there,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 didn’t have anyone to rely on for mentorship because my parents didn’t know anyone that had been to college before, and all of our family was in Cuba.鈥�

In high school, she joined the International Baccalaureate program and learned about financial aid opportunities such as Bright Futures scholarships. A teacher encouraged her to seek out more scholarship opportunities from Miami-based nonprofits and foundations. That鈥檚 when she realized college was within her reach.

鈥淚 thought, 鈥業f everyone around me is doing this, what’s stopping me?鈥欌�� she says.

Dones connected with the Key Biscayne Community Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps students achieve their educational goals like the ones of her own. With assistance from the foundation and other nonprofits, Dones ended up receiving $20,000 in scholarships to attend 麻豆原创.

The support not only sparked her academic career; it also inspired a calling to give back to others.

She pulled up others with her along the way as an undergrad, serving as a mentor for local high school students and impressed upon them the importance of internships. She realized how much she loved positively impacting them.

That鈥檚 when her own mentor, Josefina Rosario 鈥� assistant director for access and student support at 鈥� suggested enrolling in the public administration and nonprofit management dual-degree graduate program next. It was a decision that would further fuel her passion for helping others.

Through the program, housed in , Dones has engaged in real-world experiences that simulate what it鈥檚 like to work in the nonprofit and public sectors. Through service-learning, she evaluated and helped develop a strategic fundraising plan for a local nonprofit. She鈥檚 also created budgets for the City of Orlando and analyzed how both the city and Orange County Sheriff鈥檚 Office use social media. She attended her first professional conference.

Perhaps some of the most invaluable experience she has gained involves the industry鈥檚 intersection with artificial intelligence.

Leveraging AI for Community Impact

Through the 麻豆原创 Applied AI Innovation Initiative, Dones has been working with associate lecturer and initiative lead 鈥�11笔丑顿 in using generative AI tools to find innovative solutions for challenges in educational and behavioral interventions. During her time as a student fellow for the initiative, Dones has learned to harness the power of AI to create apps, websites, data dashboards, chat bots, online courses and even a board game that enhances financial management skills 鈥� all without having a technical background.

鈥淚 never thought I would be able to build an app, but now we can with the help of AI,鈥� she says. 鈥淲hen I saw that I can do something like that or create a website with the help of AI, I wanted to continue doing it. Nonprofit organizations tend to get left behind when there’s new technology out there. I imagined how AI can help a nonprofit with time or resource constraints, and that鈥檚 how my passion for learning about it started.鈥�

鈥淚 imagined how AI can help a nonprofit with time or resource constraints, and that鈥檚 how my passion for learning about it started.鈥� 鈥� Ketty Dones 鈥�23

Dones has played a significant role for the Applied AI Innovation Initiative in helping local nonprofits leverage AI to boost creativity and efficiency in advancing their missions. She contributed to creating an AI Impact Hub, an app that serves as a one-stop shop to connect nonprofits with resources and engage with other nonprofit leaders through a discussion forum. She鈥檚 also assisted in hosting workshops that explore how AI can be used as a tool to assist nonprofits with social media, fundraising, compliance and evaluation.

Most notably, Dones helped the team develop an in partnership with that covers topics ranging from grant writing, evaluation, storytelling and prompting with AI to ethical guardrails, accountability and security when using the technology, as well as best practices for integrating AI tools in day-to-day operations. The course is also used in the Innovation and Technical Assistance Program, which provides hands-on assistance to local nonprofits engaging with AI-powered tools to help strengthen their organizational capacity.

In fact, 26 Orange County nonprofits graduated from the program last month with an AI for Nonprofits certificate.

Full Circle and Ever Upward

If it helps bridge the gap between AI and nonprofit organizations, count Dones in.

鈥淚 always like to think of AI as a thought partner and ask how it can help elevate ideas, not create them,鈥� Dones says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why I think it’s so important for the public and nonprofit sectors to leverage this technology. Continuing education in the nonprofit and public administration sectors is always important, but especially now with learning how to integrate AI tools.鈥�

Although AI has served as her assistant in creating innovative solutions for others, it鈥檚 the combination of her grit and determination to succeed along with a passion for serving others that assists her in unlocking the potential not just within herself but also in the community.

“Ketty has impressed me since day one,鈥� Concha says. 鈥淏etween her contributions to the AI for Nonprofits course and developing impactful resources using AI and advanced prompting techniques, she is a prime example of a student without a technical background using AI for social good.”

For now, Dones will continue working with Concha and the Applied AI Innovation Initiative to further develop AI tools and solutions, working toward certifications and mentoring nonprofit partners along the way. Although she is considering pursuing a career in AI product management or sales down the road, it鈥檚 using her knowledge to set up nonprofits for success that she finds most rewarding.

After all, her accomplishments thus far and her bright future wouldn鈥檛 have been possible without some help from nonprofit organizations along the way.

鈥淚 always think about the Key Biscayne Community Foundation and other nonprofit organizations that helped me receive funding to go to school,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 kind of full circle for me now. I feel that I can give back to my local community in understanding not just the challenges nonprofits face but also how I can help them in the future.鈥�

Graduates will hear from four esteemed speakers 鈥� Lance Lyttle, CEO for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority; Joe Nunziata, CEO for Acrisure Mortgage; JoAnn Newman, president and CEO for the Orlando Science Center; and Kathleen Plinske, president of Valencia College 鈥� whose leadership and impact span some of Central Florida鈥檚 most influential industries.

麻豆原创 will award more than 6,000 degrees during this fall鈥檚 commencement ceremonies, continuing its record-setting momentum in preparing highly skilled graduates for in-demand fields, including engineering, computer science, nursing, and digital and emerging media. The university awards over 18,000 degrees annually, including more 产补肠丑别濒辞谤鈥檚 degrees in engineering and nursing than any other institution in the state. These two fields are essential to sustaining Florida鈥檚 economic and population growth.

麻豆原创 serves鈥痬ore of Florida鈥檚 students than any other university. More than鈥�90%鈥痮f 麻豆原创鈥檚 undergraduate students are Florida residents, and most will stay in Florida after they graduate, with鈥�85%鈥痮f 麻豆原创鈥檚 new graduates remaining in Florida.

Of all degrees, the鈥�College of Sciences鈥痺ill award 25%, with fields like digital media, chemistry and physics. The鈥�College of Business will award 15%, including disciplines such as finance and accounting. The鈥�College of Engineering and Computer Science will award 15%, representing fields such as aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering and computer science.

About 54% of the 产补肠丑别濒辞谤鈥檚 degree recipients are eligible for Pell Grants, showcasing the university鈥檚 commitment to students of all backgrounds. Additionally, about 31% of all bachelor’s degrees will be awarded to first-generation students who will be the first in their families to graduate from college.

Commencement Festivities

Held in the Addition Financial Arena, fall commencement will take place Dec. 12-13.

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�live ceremony via a simulcast viewing鈥痠n the FAIRWINDS Alumni Center and the Student Union. Ceremonies will also be livestreamed on鈥�.

Commencement Photo-ops Across 麻豆原创

Main Campus

Two photo-ops are available for students to celebrate their accomplishments.

The Reflecting Pond is one of the most iconic spots on campus for grad photos. Strike a pose and make memories Dec. 1-14.

On Thursday, Dec. 11, 2:30-7 p.m. (doors close at 6 p.m.), fall graduates are invited to a photo-op 鈥� 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�.

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

麻豆原创 Downtown

麻豆原创 Downtown offers several great locations for鈥�unforgettable graduation photos. Here are our top picks of the best spots to memorialize your academic achievement.

Celebrate your college journey by honoring your support system at the Dr. Phillips Academic Commons West Lobby donor wall. Use the iconic phrase, 鈥淚f you want to go far, go together,鈥� on the donor wall as a backdrop to pay homage to those who helped you along the way.

The Seneff Plaza, located between the East and West Wings of Dr. Phillips Academic Commons, is where so many campus events and gatherings take place. The towering columns and reflective glass of Dr. Phillips Academic Commons capture the modern campus where you worked so hard to earn your degree.

Enhance your graduation photos by venturing beyond campus into the surrounding Orlando area. You barely have to step off campus to encounter the iconic Orlando sign locatedat Luminary Green Park. The 2.3-acre park features a large, welcoming lawn that leads up to the oversized 鈥淥rlando鈥� letters at the end of the park, creating the ideal environment to mark your time in The City Beautiful.

Commencement Schedule

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

Friday, Dec. 12
2 p.m.

College of Business Administration
College of Health Professions and Sciences

Friday, Dec. 12
7 p.m.

College of Arts and Humanities
College of Community Innovation and Education (includes the School of Interdisciplinary Studies)

Saturday, Dec. 13
9 a.m.

College of Sciences

Saturday, Dec. 13
2 p.m.

College of Engineering and Computer Science
College of Graduate Studies
College of Medicine
College of Nursing
College of Optics and Photonics
Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Commencement Speakers

Lance Lyttle

CEO for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority

As chief executive officer of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA), Lance Lyttle oversees the operations and management of Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Orlando Executive Airport 鈥� two premier gateways to Central Florida, one of the most visited destinations in the world. Both airports are integral to Florida鈥檚 transportation network.

Before his role as GOAA CEO, Lyttle held key leadership positions at three major U.S. airports, where he guided significant capital projects and elevated the standard for customer service. As managing director of Aviation for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, he oversaw major milestones including the completion of the N Concourse Modernization, the International Arrivals Facility and the expansion of the Central Terminal. He also advanced significant progress on the C Concourse expansion. Under his leadership, Seattle-Tacoma earned the prestigious 4-Star Airport Rating from international rating agency Skytrax, becoming only the second large U.S. hub airport to receive the designation.

Lyttle also served in leadership roles at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the busiest airport in the U.S. by passenger volume, and within the Houston Airport System.

His aviation experience is complemented by his involvement with several professional organizations. Lyttle currently serves on the boards of the International Association of Airport Executives and the Airport Cooperative Research Program. From 2019 to 2024, he was chair of Federal Affairs for the American Association of Airport Executives and testified before the U.S. House and Senate committees on aviation-related matters.

Joe Nunziata

CEO for Acrisure Mortgage聽

Joe Nunziata is a driving force in the financial industry, serving as CEO for Acrisure Mortgage (formerly FBC Mortgage), one of the nation鈥檚 largest independent mortgage banks. His entrepreneurial footprint extends across Central Florida as the founder and director of One Florida Bank, a Central Florida鈥揵ased community bank; and the founder and director of Trident Reciprocal Insurance, a Florida-based insurance company. He also lends his expertise as a director of FBCInsurance Agency. Nunziata鈥檚 leadership has earned him appointments by Governor Ron DeSantis to the boards of both the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority and the Central Florida Expressway Authority. He has also served on the boards of several financial institutions, including Sunshine Bank (NASDAQ), Southern Community Bank, Florida Bank of Commerce and Fifth Third Bank of Central Florida (NYSE: FITB).

Nunziata鈥檚 career is marked by moments of bold strategy and impactful transitions. After FBC Mortgage was acquired by The Sterne Agee Group in 2012, he took the lead as president and CEO. Three years later, he played a key role in the company鈥檚 successful re-acquisition from Sterne Agee in 2015 and guided it through its next era of growth. His earlier leadership roles in his career include serving as senior vice president at First Horizon Home Loans (NYSE: FHN) and vice president and shareholder at American Heritage Mortgage Corp., where he served from 1989 to 2003.

Beyond business, Nunziata is deeply committed to civic engagement and philanthropy. He currently serves on the boards of the Advent Health Foundation; the Orlando Police, Seminole, Osceola, Winter Park and Orange County Sheriff Foundations; and the FBC Mortgage Charitable Foundation. He and his family also operate the Joe and Jodi Nunziata Charitable Foundation, supporting a range of community initiatives.

A Certified Mortgage Banker through the Mortgage Bankers Association of America, Nunziata has served on the MBA鈥檚 Legislative Committee, the City of Longwood鈥檚 Board of Adjustment and the Florida Council 100. His industry expertise has made him a sought-after commentator for CNBC and Fox News and a frequent speaker at mortgage industry conferences and leadership panels.

Nunziata earned a 产补肠丑别濒辞谤鈥檚 degree from the University of South Florida, attended summer courses at 麻豆原创 and completed sessions at the London School of Economics. His leadership and entrepreneurial achievements have earned him many honors, including Executive of the Year by the Orlando Business Journal and the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award.

JoAnn Newman

President and CEO for the Orlando Science Center

Originally from Pennsylvania, JoAnn Newman holds a 产补肠丑别濒辞谤鈥檚 degree in industrial engineering from Penn State University and a 尘补蝉迟别谤鈥檚 degree in industrial engineering from Purdue University. She began her career as an engineer at AT&T Microelectronics in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and relocated to Orlando with the company in 1989. By the time she left the corporation in 2003, she had risen to vice president of manufacturing, overseeing a 650-person staff.

Newman joined the Orlando Science Center in 2003, bringing her leadership experience to the nonprofit sector.听 Before being named president and CEO in 2009, she served in key roles, including as director of exhibits, vice president of operations and chief operating officer. Under her leadership as CEO, the Orlando Science Center has seen tremendous growth and now reaches more than 650,000 people annually through its mission to inspire science learning for all.

Newman remains dedicated to guiding the Orlando Science Center as a premier educational institution focused on informal science and STEM education, family engagement and workforce development.

Kathleen Plinske

President of Valencia College

Kathleen Plinske serves as president of Valencia College in Orlando.鈥� A first-generation college graduate, she’s committed to expanding access to higher education and workforce training.

Plinske previously held several leadership roles at Valencia College, including executive vice president and provost, as well as campus president. She began her higher education career at McHenry County College in her hometown of Crystal Lake, Illinois, where she advanced through multiple positions, ultimately serving as vice president of institutional effectiveness and interim president.

A Herman B Wells Scholar at Indiana University, Plinske graduated with the highest distinction, earning a 产补肠丑别濒辞谤鈥檚 degree in Spanish and physics and being inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. She went on to complete a 尘补蝉迟别谤鈥檚 degree in Spanish from Roosevelt University and a doctorate in education from Pepperdine University 鈥� all while working full-time. She later earned both a master of business administration and a master of science in industrial and systems engineering from the University of Florida.

An avid lifelong learner, Plinske is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in philanthropy at Indiana University, where her research focuses on improving fundraising success within the community college sector.

For more details and FAQs about Fall 2025 commencement celebrations, visit ucf.edu/graduation.听

This fall, these strengths will continue to benefit the graduating Knight as he begins his professional career with Northop Grumman.

鈥淚鈥檒l be looking to get into the field of engineering and robotics,鈥� he says.

Before coming to 麻豆原创, Koopman was inspired by his father 鈥� who completed three tours in the Army Reserves after 9/11 鈥� to enlist and make an impact through service. By joining the military he also knew he鈥檇 have an affordable path to an education that would in turn serve him for the rest of this life.鈥淚f I could get an education while serving my country, that would be a dream job,鈥� says Koopman, an Iowa native who came to 麻豆原创 after being encouraged by family who live in Florida.

During his time at 麻豆原创, Koopman took on leadership roles in the engineering program and completed two internships at Northrop Grumman. He鈥檚 also led research at the Wearable Engineering Assistive Robotics Lab, where he鈥檚 developed a robotic tendon-driven hand exoskeleton for simulation purposes. A novelty of this development is the base framework for the glove, he says.

鈥淔or a hand exoskeleton meant to be used in a virtual environment, complete hand dexterity needs to be kept,鈥� Koopman says. 鈥淣ot only can range of motion and degrees of freedom not be interfered with, but they also need to be replicating to provide opposing force against the user. This meant that I spent a lot of time researching and analyzing the biomechanics of the human in all its amazing complexity.鈥�

Koopman also took advantage of the Engineering Leadership and Innovation Institute, eli2, at 麻豆原创.

鈥淭hat included mentoring project leaders, managing technical resources and fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration,鈥� he says.

He also worked with 麻豆原创鈥檚 Florida Space Institute to showcase an engineering Mars rover project using 3D printing. The final prototype served as a platform for virtual simulation, rehabilitation and robotics research, Koopman says.

Koopman says he hopes to use his education and experiences at 麻豆原创 to achieve his goals of earning a 尘补蝉迟别谤鈥檚 in robotics and leading a company one day.

鈥淚 have the vision of one day starting my own robotics company developing exoskeletons, which is related to my research,鈥� he says.

鈥淚 came to realize during my time in academia that I love the problem-solving aspect of engineering.鈥�

Koopman credits a large part of his personal and professional growth to involvement with various clubs on campus, including First Step, a mentorship program for transfer students.

鈥淚 really appreciate all the support and resources that have been provided to me,鈥� Koopman says.

鈥淚 was so excited to play doctor,鈥� she says. 鈥淓ven as a child I knew medicine was my calling.鈥�

Beleri was one of 119 麻豆原创 College of Medicine graduates who earned their medical degrees on Friday. She will now go onto the University of Texas to become a family medicine resident, a specialty she chose so she can care for entire generations 鈥� from newborns to seniors. As she gathered with her family outside Addition Financial Arena, she hugged her grandmother, Vasillo. The family matriarch was asked how it felt to have a granddaughter as a doctor. Beleri translated the question into Greek. The grandmother looked to the heavens, covered her heart with her hands, and said, 鈥淚 feel full.鈥�

With Friday鈥檚 commencement, 麻豆原创鈥檚 young medical school has graduated 1,312 physicians. This year鈥檚 class had a 100% residency placement rate and will go onto residencies across Florida and the nation in specialties that include surgery, psychiatry, pediatrics, OB-GYN, radiology and primary care.

Deborah German, vice president for health affairs and dean, reminded graduates they had helped to create the College of Medicine鈥檚 legacy.

鈥淭oday you become alumni of an innovative medical school committed to improving health for all,鈥� she said. 鈥淥ur medical school is part of a university founded in 1963 to educate the talent to support our nation鈥檚 space program and the ambitious goal to land humans on the moon 鈥� a challenge that seemed impossible at the time. We make the impossible the inevitable. At 麻豆原创 we want each and every one of you to boldly invent the future.鈥�

The Class of 2025 graduates came to 麻豆原创鈥檚 medical school with dreams often based on life experiences. Some had overcome health challenges of their own and saw the important role doctors had played in their recovery. Some were inspired by parents who are beloved physicians to their patients. Others had volunteered and became passionate about serving their community.

Parag Vyas ’25MD is Beleri鈥檚 fiance. The two met during study sessions in their first year of medical school. He grew up in Orlando, just minutes from the 麻豆原创 campus. In the sixth grade, he started doing Habitat for Humanity construction projects and loved the feeling of giving back to his community. He and Beleri couples matched into residency. Vyas will train at Baylor University for internal medicine and wants to become a cardiologist to help people like his father who has cardiac disease. The two hope to return to the Orlando area someday to practice medicine.

Before entering med school, Alex Llauget ’25MD provided psychological support to military veterans. Now he鈥檚 going to the University of South Florida to become an anesthesiologist. He said he has seen health problems, including addiction, that plague veterans who are in physical pain because of injuries. He hopes he can help prevent that pain through interventional surgery.

鈥溌槎乖� taught me to continue to be humble,鈥� he says, 鈥渢hat every patient is a human in need of care who needs to be seen and heard.鈥�

Shirley Ke ’25MD and Zachary Self ’25MD also were inspired by veterans. Now military physicians, they will do their residency training at VA hospitals. As part of the graduation ceremonies, Ke and Self received their promotional ribbons from Jeff LaRochelle, the College of Medicine鈥檚 associate dean of academic affairs and a retired Air Force colonel with 24 years of military service.

Faculty speaker Stephen Lambert reminded graduates he had given them their very first class in medical school 鈥� on the life cycle of a cell 鈥� and was now giving them their last.

鈥淎fter 16 years of trying, both here and at home, I finally get the last word,鈥� he joked. And as he bid them farewell, Lambert, an avid sailor, sent off the new physicians with a sailor鈥檚 toast:

鈥淭o fair winds and following seas. To sturdy ships and strong hearts. To shipmates present and those long departed 鈥� may our journey be steady, our course true and our spirits ever free. Here鈥檚 to the sea that unites us, and the courage that defines us. Cheers!鈥�

鈥淚 am so humbled by this honor,鈥� Kanouff says. 鈥淲hen I received my 尘补蝉迟别谤鈥檚 degree, Dr. Ahmed Zayed 鈥� my 鈥榯hesis father鈥� and mentor 鈥� told me that my work in math was worthy of a doctorate. However, I was not in a position to pursue that level of education at the time. I am so grateful, proud and honored to stand here now and receive this degree from 麻豆原创.鈥�

Her continued commitment to the university has made an impact on students, faculty and staff.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a rare opportunity for students to interact and learn from a person as passionate and successful as Yvette 鈥� yet she took the time from her busy schedule this spring to teach a calculus class while she was visiting campus for meetings,鈥� says Anthony Pomonis, executive director of advancement at the College of Sciences. 鈥淪he is truly devoted to the people around her and makes an incredible difference through her professional contributions and her volunteer leadership.鈥�

Kanouff is a partner in JC2 Ventures, a venture capital firm reimagining the power of investment. Through this work, she helps address challenges around the globe, encouraging startups that can drive economic growth, job creation and innovation through digital technologies.

She drew on this experience in her commencement speech, inspiring the graduating students.

鈥淲e are in an era of innovation and transformation in technology and in how we work, play and live. I am fortunate to have started my career during times of great innovation, and you have such an opportunity today,鈥� Kanouff said during the ceremony.

Kanouff offered lessons from life to the students, speaking of the power of bringing 鈥渄rive and grit鈥� to work and the importance of giving back.

She previously received a Lifetime Achievement Emmy in Engineering and Technology, the National Cable and Television Association’s Vanguard Award for Leadership in Science and Technology, and was named one of the most influential people in the television industry.

Kanouff has left a legacy in a number of industries, helping to create on demand video, contributing to everyday technologies and spearheading the technology behind the streaming services that most people utilize and enjoy today. However, she came from humble beginnings, working to pay her tuition while going to school

鈥淚 had to put myself through college and am proud of having done that for my undergraduate and graduate degrees,鈥� Kanouff says. 聽鈥淚 worked while going to school and consistently focused on innovation, and disruptive technology and mathematics.鈥�

In her commencement remarks, she expressed appreciation to her family and friends and spoke to the power of mentorship in her 聽life, encouraging graduates to give back, especially to their alma mater.

鈥淚t鈥檚 up to you to create something more and to help future students and others accomplish what you have accomplished today,鈥� Kanouff said to graduates. 鈥溌槎乖� has always welcomed me, as well as other alumni, and that鈥檚 a relationship that will continue [for you] after this [ceremony] 鈥� continue to be a part of this special place wherever life takes you.鈥�

With Mother鈥檚 Day nearing, the achievement and memorable moment will be even more special for the family, who calls Apopka, Florida, home.

Stacie pursued the online 尘补蝉迟别谤鈥檚 degree in nurse leadership and management at 麻豆原创 at the same time that her twin daughters Hannah and Elizabeth were in the 产补肠丑别濒辞谤鈥檚 in nursing (BSN) program on the Orlando campus.

鈥淚t鈥檚聽everything I want to celebrate as a mom,鈥� says Stacie Scarborough 鈥�13, who recently accepted a position as manager of nursing professional development at AdventHealth Orlando. 鈥淓very parent dreams of seeing their聽children grow into happy and functional adults that have succeeded in flying on their own. They have done this and more.鈥�

鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 be prouder to see them walk that stage and join them in doing so,鈥� Stacie adds. 鈥淪haring the same path right now is amazing.鈥�

鈥淚 never thought that, after being so inspired by my mom鈥檚 nursing career, I鈥檇 not only graduate from the same nursing program as she did, but also do it right beside her,鈥� Elizabeth Scarborough says. 鈥淚 am so incredibly thankful for this opportunity, and I will cherish this moment forever.鈥�

Elizabeth鈥檚 twin sister, Hannah, shares the same pride and gratitude, making the family鈥檚 dual-generation graduation a truly unforgettable moment.

鈥淚 feel it鈥檚 made our 麻豆原创 legacy much more impactful,鈥� Hannah says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 one thing to go to same school as your parents, but it鈥檚 another to experience that school with them.鈥�

Supporting One Another

Since the family calls Central Florida home, all three have lived together while pursuing their degrees.

鈥淚magine three stressed-out students in nursing school living together. We all owe my husband, and their dad, a debt of gratitude,鈥� Stacie says with a laugh.

鈥淲e also had a lot of great opportunities to share each other鈥檚 worries while building each other up and supporting one another,鈥� Stacie says. 鈥淚t is an experience that I will never forget and consider it to be an amazing gift.鈥�

In addition to their clinicals and classes, both Hannah and Elizabeth who are Bright Futures scholars have worked as nurse techs while in their final year of the traditional BSN program.

鈥淚 am thankful for this position as it taught me a lot about patient care,鈥� Elizabeth says. 鈥淚 learned how important it is to take the time to make patients feel truly seen and heard, while also tending to their most basic needs.鈥�

For Elizabeth, her favorite part of the program is the 鈥渢hings the rest of the world does not always get a chance to see,鈥� she says.

鈥淔or instance, on the very first day of my OB (obstetrics) clinical rotation, I was able to assist in a live birth,鈥� Elizabeth says. 鈥淲atching a baby come into the world, and seeing the parents鈥� instant love and affection for that little baby, was such a moving and emotional experience that I could never forget.鈥�

鈥淭hroughout these past two years my mom has been a major support system and encouragement, while my twin sister has been my best friend and favorite study partner,鈥� Elizabeth says.

It is those memories, both with her family and friends in the cohort, that Hannah says she will cherish the most from her time at 麻豆原创.

鈥淣ursing school has become more of a wonderfully unique experience to me than simply a career path,鈥� Hannah says.

Moms, and Nurses, Inspire

Hannah鈥檚 and Elizabeth鈥檚 decision to pursue nursing was inspired by their mom and fellow Knight nurse.

鈥淲atching my mom go through nursing school when I was very young was very impactful for me,鈥� Elizabeth says. 鈥淚 remember hearing all of her nursing stories, how the job could be fun, challenging and meaningful at the same time, and it sounded like such a rewarding career to step into.鈥�

Stacie began her nursing career at Florida Hospital (now AdventHealth) as a nurse resident in the orthopedic institute on the Orlando campus. She then became a nurse educator on the Apopka campus and part of the opening team as it transitioned to a new building.

She next joined the system team as a simulation facilitator for two years. While in this role, she says she longed to be back in the clinical environment, which led her to become an educator supporting the float pool team on the Orlando campus, where she was the assistant nurse manager of professional development for the cardiac progressive care unit. With her graduate degree, Stacie is able to make another transition in her career.

鈥淲atching my mom balance her nursing career with a family was the main point of inspiration for me,鈥� Hannah adds. 鈥淲ith nursing, she was able to be available for either weekdays or weekends, allowing our family plenty of opportunities to make fun memories as well as just do normal life together.鈥�

Finding Opportunity at 麻豆原创

The family鈥檚 legacy at 麻豆原创 began two generations before them. Stacie鈥檚 grandmother, Mary Kline, graduated from 麻豆原创 with a business degree when Stacie was a new mom in her 20s.

That was the beginning of a legacy. Stacie followed in her footsteps and went back to school at 麻豆原创 at age 35 and a mom to four children.

鈥淚 truly understood what a blessing it was to have this opportunity,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 was very proud of being able to finally complete my education,聽provide for some of our financial needs and doing so at my hometown university.鈥�

The four are not the only 麻豆原创 graduates in the family. Stacie鈥檚 eldest daughter, Jesse, Hannah鈥檚 and Elizabeth鈥檚 sister, also is an alumna. She graduated from 麻豆原创鈥檚 College of Education in 2015 and is currently pursuing her 尘补蝉迟别谤鈥檚 degree at 麻豆原创.

鈥淭hey each spoke highly of the culture and environment at 麻豆原创,鈥� says Elizabeth. 鈥淚t made me want to be a part of the 麻豆原创 community too.鈥�

Hannah also chose 麻豆原创 for the family legacy.

鈥淚t鈥檚 local, affordable, and accessible with many academic options. However, the fact that my family had gone before me was a primary reason for me to go,鈥� says Hannah.

These newest 麻豆原创 graduates, and three Knight nurses, will no doubt continue to shine bright and show their Central Florida community the strength of Black & Gold.

After graduation, Elizabeths plan to continue to follow in her mom鈥檚 footsteps and apply to AdventHealth. Hannah will continue working as a nurse tech until she accepts a nursing position in the area.

鈥溌槎乖� represents opportunity, elevation, pride and family to me,鈥� Stacie says. 鈥淚 am just so grateful for a hometown university that made so many dreams possible for me and my family. It is truly an honor to be a Knight alumnus and to welcome my two baby girls聽(sorry, Hannah and Ellie, you will always be my babies) into this club.鈥�

Two graduating students embody the value of a 麻豆原创 education: Chloe Pinkston and Nicole Stevens. As they cross the commencement stage this weekend, their degrees in aerospace engineering and biomedical sciences, respectively, highlight the transformative impact of 麻豆原创.

Like 70% of her fellow undergraduates, Pinkston will graduate with no educational debt from 麻豆原创. Her degree will set her up for a lifetime income of more than $1 million over what someone without a college degree earns.

Stevens, a transfer student from the innovative DirectConnect to 麻豆原创 program, saved more than $6,500 in tuition and fees by attending a partner state college before transitioning to 麻豆原创. This national model pathway program demonstrates 麻豆原创鈥檚 commitment to providing accessible, affordable and high-quality education.

Their degrees will come with a strong return on investment for them and the State of Florida 鈥� 麻豆原创 produces high-quality degrees at the lowest cost per degree of any institution in the State University System.

Both degrees are also a boon for Florida鈥檚 growing engineering and technology-driven economy. Pinkston and Stevens will enroll at 麻豆原创鈥檚 College of Medicine this fall. Pinkston plans to pursue a career in the aerospace medicine industry, which is rapidly expanding along with the growth in private space flight. Stevens aspires to become a pediatrician in Florida 鈥� a field where there is a shortage of doctors to meet the growing needs of the state鈥檚 population.

As the state鈥檚 top producer of engineering and nursing degrees, 麻豆原创 plays a crucial role in sustaining Florida鈥檚 economic competitiveness. Companies in aerospace, technology, and healthcare know they can rely on 麻豆原创 for a steady pipeline of world-class talent.

The success of 麻豆原创鈥檚 graduates isn鈥檛 just their own 鈥� it鈥檚 a win for Florida, too. With a focus on affordability, quality and workforce alignment, 麻豆原创 demonstrates how investing in higher education pays dividends for students, businesses, and the entire state.

麻豆原创 provides students with an exceptional return on their investment.

Most students graduate with no debt from the university thanks to a 麻豆原创 degree being one of the most affordable in the nation and through the generosity of philanthropy. Pinkston, for example, earned a STEM scholarship from Lockheed Martin and a scholarship from the Florida Daughters of the American Revolution.

Pell Grants are another vital resource for more than half of 麻豆原创鈥檚 undergraduate students. These federal grants awarded based on financial need are transformative for students and families by providing funding that does not need to be repaid.

The university鈥檚 world-class faculty, who bring strong industry experience and expertise into the classroom, and 麻豆原创鈥檚 deep partnerships with industry give 麻豆原创 students a competitive edge when they graduate.

That all translates into an exceptional return on investment for students 鈥� and, when you put all of the graduates together, a huge economic impact by 麻豆原创 alumni on the State of Florida.

INCREASED EARNINGS

Transfer students from Florida鈥檚 state colleges benefit from extra savings.

More than 8,200 students transfer to 麻豆原创 from Florida鈥檚 state colleges each year, with most coming from the partnership with six area state colleges.

By doing so, they save an average of $6,553 鈥� 25% 鈥� off their total tuition costs compared to what they would have paid for four years at 麻豆原创.

DirectConnect to 麻豆原创 has become a national model, spotlighted by organizations like The Aspen Institute and The Chronicle of Higher Education. To date, more than 77,900 degrees have been awarded to DirectConnect students coming to 麻豆原创 from the program鈥檚 six state college partners, with the majority coming from Valencia College.

FLORIDA COLLEGE SYSTEM TRANSFER ENROLLMENT

麻豆原创鈥檚 benefit to the state of Florida goes well beyond the value of the degrees.

麻豆原创 serves more of Florida鈥檚 students than any other university. More than 90% of 麻豆原创鈥檚 undergraduate students are Florida residents 鈥� and most will stay in Florida after they graduate, with 85% of 麻豆原创鈥檚 new graduates remaining in Florida.

麻豆原创鈥檚 alumni contribute $6.7 billion in added income for Florida鈥檚 economy 鈥� equivalent to supporting聽75,371 jobs, according to the most recent Lightcast Economic Impact Study. They are leaders and innovators in engineering, computer science, space, nursing, digital media, healthcare, optics and photonics, and many other fields 鈥� helping to drive Florida鈥檚 economy and make the state a better place to live.

EXTENDING 麻豆原创鈥橲 IMPACT

麻豆原创 also produces degrees more efficiently than any other State University institution, meaning a 麻豆原创 degree provides a strong return on investment for taxpayers. The actual cost of each degree to the state is under $25,000, while it exceeds $40,000 for other leading Florida institutions.

COST TO STATE PER DEGREE

As graduates like Pinkston and Stevens celebrate their huge accomplishments at this weekend鈥檚 commencement ceremonies, it鈥檚 clear that the state of Florida and industry have many reasons to celebrate as well.

Zaima Aline, Arlette Morcelo and Nicole Stevens, who all graduate with honors from 麻豆原创 on May 2, say support from 麻豆原创 faculty mentors and caring physicians inspired them to follow their dreams to improve healthcare for all.

鈥淭hese three undergraduate students each have a remarkable story of academic achievement, resilience and scientific curiosity that drove them during their undergraduate careers,鈥� says William Self, who leads undergraduate education at the Burnett School. 鈥淭hey benefited from outstanding faculty mentoring and an integrated student community to help them achieve their goals. We are so proud to support transfer students who help 麻豆原创 stand for academic excellence while offering opportunities to ensure access in our community.鈥�

Since 2006, 麻豆原创 has increased opportunities for student success through the DirectConnect program, which guarantees admission to students who complete an associate degree in the Florida College System. More than 8,200 students transfer to 麻豆原创 through this program each year. As of Fall 2024, the program has awarded 77,900 麻豆原创 degrees. DirectConnect students save more than $6,500 in tuition as they work toward their college degree.

Here鈥檚 a closer look at the graduating DirectConnect students and aspiring doctors鈥� stories:

Nicole Stevens

Stevens is the oldest daughter of 10 children in her family. Homeschooled, she finished high school, got married and had three children. She always loved science.

鈥淥ne day I was thinking about my future and asked, 鈥榃hat do I know about myself?鈥欌�� she says. 鈥淎nd it came to me that the science I loved could be used in medicine to alleviate suffering.鈥�

She was 26 when she enrolled at Valencia College. Two years later, she transferred to 麻豆原创 and pursued a major in biomedical sciences while maintaining a 4.0 grade point average. She volunteered at Nemours Children鈥檚 Health, where she was named Volunteer of the Month for being what she calls the 鈥淪anta Claus of the ER,鈥� helping children and parents seeking emergency care at the hospital.

At 麻豆原创, Stevens has conducted and presented research on improving care for children with asthma, including those whose families don鈥檛 have reliable access to internet, through which they could learn more about the condition. Stevens has won numerous 麻豆原创 research and academic awards, such as the Order of Pegasus 鈥� the university鈥檚 most prestigious student honor.

In August, she will join the 麻豆原创 College of Medicine鈥檚 Class of 2029. She is considering becoming a pediatrician but is open to other specialties.

鈥淎s the oldest daughter, I took care of a lot of boo-boos and I always wanted to learn more about how to do it better,鈥� she says. 鈥淎s a mother I think I have a unique perspective to see parents and children where they are.鈥�

Her children, who are 7, 10 and 11, accompanied Stevens to the Order of Pegasus celebration. Her husband is a store manager at Publix who says he is thrilled watching her fulfilling her dreams.

鈥淚鈥檓 not a traditional student at all,鈥� Stevens says. 鈥淏ut I want people to know they can do it. You just have to take that first step. Pursue your dreams and get the best out of life. I am living proof of the 麻豆原创 [spirit of] unleashing the possible and reaching for the stars.鈥�

Zaima Aline

Aline鈥檚 passion for medical research was sparked by a heartbreaking personal experience. During her senior year of high school, a cousin was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, a rare type of cancer that attacks soft tissue.

鈥淏efore then I didn鈥檛 really study that much, I mainly played video games,鈥� she says. 鈥淲itnessing his diagnosis and treatment made me realize what truly mattered to me and I completely changed the direction of my life.鈥�

Before transferring to 麻豆原创, Aline began her studies at Valencia. The COVID-19 pandemic hit while she was at Valencia, and she saw the physical and mental health impacts that social distancing and isolation caused. So she conducted a research project, including a campus-wide survey to document the effects of the disease.

鈥淐OVID-19 took away a lot of what I had hoped to experience at Valencia,鈥� she says. 鈥淪o, when I got to 麻豆原创, I made a promise to myself 鈥� I wasn鈥檛 going to waste a single moment.鈥滱line immersed herself in opportunities at 麻豆原创, diving into research at the Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences and quickly discovering a passion for scientific inquiry. Her honors undergraduate thesis explored the role of a protease (enzyme) called prostasin and its effects on angiogenesis 鈥� the process by which the body uses chemical signals to trigger the formation of new blood vessels.

Beyond the lab, she co-founded It Takes A Village, a student-led organization dedicated to helping transfer and nontraditional students build a stronger sense of community on campus. Aline also volunteered with Hearts for the Homeless, an initiative that offers health services, such as blood pressure screenings, to individuals receiving care at Orlando鈥檚 Christian Service Center.

Her academic and research accomplishments led to two Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. There, she studied the genetic mutations that drive brain cancer and contribute to its resistance against therapies. She says she was inspired by how Mayo physicians balanced cutting-edge research with a deep compassion for their patients.

鈥淲hat struck me most was that, at Mayo, the patient always came first, before anything else,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t made me realize that I don鈥檛 want to choose between science and people. I want to be the kind of physician-scientist who can do both 鈥� [one] who listens, who investigates and who shows up for their patients every step of the way.鈥�

Another Order of Pegasus honoree, Aline will take a gap year after graduation to conduct cancer research at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center before applying to medical school to pursue an M.D./Ph.D.

鈥淓verything I鈥檝e done so far has been building toward this,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 just want to study cancer 鈥� I want to find better ways to treat it. I just hope I can make a difference in my lifetime.鈥�

Arlette Morcelo

Morcelo became fascinated with science, especially genetics, at age 16 after learning she was conceived through IVF. After completing her associate degree at Valencia, she transferred to 麻豆原创, where she met Ken Teter, a professor at the Burnett School.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 even know what a Ph.D. was,鈥� she says, 鈥淏ut I went into the lab and said, 鈥極h, my God, I love聽 this.鈥� 鈥�

Morcelo says Teter encouraged her to 鈥済o for it,鈥� when it came to scientific discovery and taught her that failure was just a learning experience.

She served on the board of 麻豆原创鈥檚 Undergraduate Research Council, working with students and faculty to increase research opportunities for students earlier in their college careers. Among her academic and research honors, she became a Ronald E. McNair Scholar, which is a prestigious federal program that prepares students for graduate school. She became a peer mentor to help other students achieve success and served on the executive board of Transfer Knights, which organizes programs for transfer students.

And through it all, she kept researching. In Teter鈥檚 lab, Morcelo focused on cholera, a potentially deadly disease caused by drinking contaminated water. The disease affects up to 4 million people a year worldwide. As she advanced in her undergraduate degree 鈥� with a major in biomedical sciences and a minor in genomics and bioinformatics 鈥� Morcelo says she became fascinated with the brain.

Morcelo leaves 麻豆原创 as the 2025 Founders鈥� Day student honoree for the College of Medicine and will do a two-year postbaccalaureate research experience at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Next year, she will apply to medical school to become an M.D./Ph.D.

鈥淢y aspiration to pursue an M.D./Ph.D. reflects my commitment to merging scientific inquiry with clinical practice,鈥� Morcelo says. 鈥淎s a future surgeon-scientist, I aim to lead advancements in treating聽neurovascular malformations through pioneering surgical techniques and gene therapy. This path allows me to innovate treatments that directly enhance patient care and outcomes.鈥�

A native of Oviedo, Florida, Chloe鈥檚 journey at the 麻豆原创 reflects an exceptional blend of academic rigor, groundbreaking research and a passion for innovation.

鈥淓ven though it is such a big school, I was able to find my place at 麻豆原创 and create my own unique path,鈥� says Pinkston, who has enjoyed finding friends studying a variety of disciplines. 鈥溌槎乖� provide so many opportunities for me to do research and get involved in research leadership through the student Undergraduate Research Council.鈥�

Majoring in aerospace engineering with minors in bioengineering and mathematics on the pre-medical track, Pinkston is also a Burnett Honors Scholar. She says it was an opportunity “too good to turn down,” with a Lockheed Martin STEM Scholarship included.

Growing up close to campus, Pinkston says felt a sense of familiarity and community at 麻豆原创, making it the ideal place to pursue her aspirations. Her grandparents are 麻豆原创 alumni, and now, her younger sister is following in Pinkston鈥檚 footsteps, studying aerospace engineering too.

While initially focused on medicine, Pinkston鈥檚 interests broadened in high school, where she took advanced coursework in biology, chemistry and all three physics AP classes that were offered. This foundation, plus her love of mathematics, sparked her interest in aerospace medicine, which combines her passion for science and her fascination with engineering and exploration. Although she loved the nine-hour-long airplane flights to visit family in France, she also noticed that her body experienced changes afterwards.

鈥淚鈥檓 especially interested in the effects of reduced gravity, oxygen and pressure on the human body,鈥� Pinkston says. 鈥淚 hope to be at the forefront of this research, as well as contribute to the development of technologies that help protect and optimize human health in these conditions.鈥�

Her aerospace medicine background will allow her to better understand, design and test the technical systems impacting human health and position her in a valuable role on interdisciplinary teams, where collaboration between medical and engineering professionals is essential.

Her undergraduate career has been marked by rigorous research and academic achievements, especially in biomedical research, which combines her areas of interest. Pinkston has spent over three years in the assistive device lab at the 麻豆原创 Academic Health Sciences Campus in Lake Nona, studying the properties of the Achilles tendon, particularly stiffness and energy return during walking. This biomedical research, which began during her first year, has implications for improving mobility and understanding human biomechanics. Currently focused on healthy adults, Pinkston envisions future collaborations with Nemours Children鈥檚 Hospital to extend her work to pediatric applications.

Beyond her academic pursuits, Pinkston has been volunteering with organizations like HOPE Helps and Shepherd鈥檚 Hope Clinic, where she assists with patient communication and record-keeping.

Reflecting on her decision to study engineering, she attributes her passion to the unique opportunity to blend medicine with cutting-edge technology. She sees aerospace engineering as a pathway to specialize in aerospace medicine, a field that aligns with her dreams of solving complex challenges and improving lives through innovation.

She is part of a group that participated in engineering a Senior Design capstone project, which involved designing, modeling, constructing and flying a remote-controlled unmanned aerial vehicle capable of rapid delivery of emergency supplies that could be marketed as cost effective. This project, operated by a pilot using a remote control that sends a signal to the plane鈥檚 receiver and applies the pilot鈥檚 input to a motor, shows Pinkston鈥檚 engineering expertise and teamwork skills.

At 麻豆原创鈥檚 2025 Founders鈥� Day, Chloe was recognized with the Order of Pegasus award, 麻豆原创鈥檚 highest honor for students. As graduation nears, she recently defended her honors thesis.

鈥淚鈥檓 grateful for my time at 麻豆原创, which is a place that nurtured my academic and personal growth. I am excited to start medical school, combining my interests in engineering and healthcare,鈥� she says.

Last year, 麻豆原创 College of Medicine recruited a vice chair of aerospace medicine, Emmanuel Urquieta, to build a multidisciplinary program in space health. Pinkston says pursuing the program will be a challenge that she looks forward to 鈥� especially the integrated sciences courses and opportunities to eventually pursue an aerospace medicine residency or fellowship once she graduates from the medical school.

Pinkston exemplifies the caliber of graduates 麻豆原创 is proud to send into the world: bright, driven and ready to positively change the world.