During 麻豆原创 Celebrates the Arts 2026, Legally Blonde took the stage with a twist audiences didn鈥檛 see coming 鈥� one that blurred the line between performance and possibility.

The story still delivered the heart: College student Elle Woods chases love, faces doubt and ultimately discovers her own strength along the way. But this production layered something new into that journey: state-of-the-art robotics. At 麻豆原创, Florida鈥檚 Technological University, innovation shows up in unexpected places 鈥� even onstage.

The result is a show that felt both nostalgic and forward-looking, where dynamic musical theater met emerging tech.

Musical theatre major Lyric Stratton played the perfect protagonist, Elle Woods, whose dreams of settling down after college graduation are cut short when her boyfriend, Warner, breaks up with her to attend Harvard Law. Devastated and determined to get him back, Woods pulls together an unconventional application and charms her way into Harvard Law.

High-energy dance numbers powered the production from start to finish. In one standout scene titled 鈥淲hat You Want,鈥� Woods turns her Harvard application into a full-scale performance, trading a traditional essay for a show-stopping number alongside the UCLA cheer team.

The number featured 25 students on stage and took 13 hours to stage.

Three characters led a Harvard admissions conference room scene, delivering sharp dialogue as they debated Woods鈥� fate.

From left: Joey Fields as Winthrop, Tristan Haberland as Lowell and Jasper Allen as Pforzheimer.

Just as the audience settled into the story, two robot dogs stepped into the spotlight. During the nine-minute number 鈥淲hat You Want,鈥� they appeared in a Harvard campus scene where engineering students 鈥� played by theatre majors Mia Freeman and Isabel Ramos 鈥� walked them around as UCLA cheerleaders looked on in awe. In a brief but striking moment, technology wasn鈥檛 just a prop 鈥� it became part of the story.

Operated live on stage, the robots transformed the moment into a seamless blend of performance and engineering. Freeman and Ramos were trained by Mohsen Rakhshan, assistant professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, and his graduate teaching assistant, Chinmay Dhanraj Nehate.

鈥淲e鈥檙e seeing the incorporation of robotics into different things at an accelerated rate, including art. It’s exciting,鈥� says Rakhshan, who closely collaborated with the production鈥檚 director to bring the robots into the show.

The electrical and computer engineering department houses 15 state-of-the-art robot dogs, nine of which are in Rakhshan鈥檚 Laboratory for Interaction of Machine and Brain. There, he and his graduate teaching assistant use them for both instruction and research 鈥� teaching an Introduction to Robotics course and training the robots to navigate the uncertainties of real-world environments.

During last year鈥檚 annual 麻豆原创 football Space Game, Michael Jablonski, assistant professor of musical theatre in the College of Arts and Humanities, watched the ECE department鈥檚 robot dogs in motion across the field. At that moment, he saw more than entertainment 鈥� he saw the potential for storytelling. A way to take something typically confined to classrooms and labs and give it emotion and meaning.

When planning聽Legally Blonde, a story rooted in breaking expectations, the idea came naturally: why not let innovation share the stage?

Even with its high-tech twist, the show stayed true to its roots 鈥� including Bruiser, Woods鈥� loyal (and stylish) Chihuahua, brought to life by a real dog named Marty McFly.

During 鈥淲hipped Into Shape,鈥� fitness guru Brooke Wyndham, played by theatre major Isabel Ramos, led her cellmates through a relentless workout. Accused of murder, Wyndham refused to reveal the truth when Woods visited 鈥� unless she could keep up 鈥� turning the moment into a high-energy number where actors sang while performing intense jump rope choreography.

In the climactic courtroom scene, Woods took the lead, defending Wyndham and using sharp instincts, wit and confidence to expose the real culprit. It was a defining moment where she proved she belongs, blending intelligence, intuition and boldness to win the case.

Front row from left: Lyric Stratton as Elle Woods, Isabel Ramos as Brooke Wyndham and Jaxon Ryan as Emmett Forrest.

Along the way, Woods stops chasing approval and finds her confidence, purpose and voice. This central theme drew Jablonski, Legally Blonde production director, to the female-driven story.

鈥淭his story showcases how a very strong, intelligent woman [Elle Woods] finds her way in a male-dominated world. She initially follows love, but through it, she finds a space where she fits perfectly,鈥� Jablonski says. 鈥淭hrough being misjudged and stereotyped, we come to see that she鈥檚 far above the people around her in her thinking and in the way she brings humanity into her work as a lawyer.鈥�

What audiences saw was only part of the story. Behind every scene change, lighting cue, and musical number is a network of students, faculty, and staff working in sync 鈥� often just out of sight. Behind the curtain, more than 50 people managed lighting, sound and scene transitions in real time.

The music didn鈥檛 just support the story 鈥� it drove it. Legally Blonde, presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International, featured music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin, with 23 total musical numbers. The book is by Heather Hach.

Projection-mapped animations and imagery 鈥� created with QLab software and delivered through two high-brightness front projectors 鈥� were precisely timed to the music, blending seamlessly with choreography and lighting to shape the show鈥檚 visual rhythm.

鈥淓ach scene had its own visual identity, with projections adding specific details that help it stand out,鈥� says Tim Brown, associate professor of theatre design and technology. 鈥淭he goal is to support the show鈥檚 fun, colorful world in a clear and energetic way.鈥�

Costuming defined each character with bold color and precise detail. Huaixiang Tan, professor of costume and make-up design in the School of Performing Arts, led the design, with support from assistant costume designers Sabrina Cervilla and Aisha Bader-Ortega. The production featured more than 100 costumes, each the result of hundreds of hours of craftsmanship.

In the Theatre 麻豆原创 scene shop, students began using hands-on technical skills to build and refine set pieces in January.

Built through layers of paint, planning and precision, the set came together as a large-scale collaboration among more than 40 students.

Designed for transport, much like a touring production, the set added an extra layer of complexity and was built to be assembled at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. It was completed and delivered on March 30.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Advancing Sustainable Extraction

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

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

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

Lichtenberg鈥檚 work points to a sustainable future.

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

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

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

It Takes a Lab 鈥� and a Team

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

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

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

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

Justin Press 鈥�24, a 麻豆原创 photonic science and engineering major, may have developed a solution that benefits both employers and applicants. His brainchild, Hire Match AI, is an analytics layer that integrates with existing applicant tracking systems to better analyze and interpret hiring data.

鈥淲e reparse resumes, structure candidate data more accurately and use statistics to identify which combinations of skills and experiences tend to stay longer and perform better in a company over time,鈥� Press says. 鈥淭hat helps teams look past what I call 鈥榗hecklist champion鈥� resumes, where a candidate appears perfect on paper but is really just optimized for a filter.鈥�

Press says what sets his digital tool apart is its focus on analytics, fit and compliance.

From Frustration to Framework

He developed the idea as head of professional development for the Engineering Leadership and Innovation Institute 鈥� part of 鲍颁贵鈥檚 College of Engineering and Computer Science 鈥� where students develop professional skills through a certificate program, specialized courses, maker spaces and mentorship. In that role, he helped students optimize their resumes for job listings and quickly realized the process wasn鈥檛 as straightforward as it seemed.

鈥淎t 麻豆原创, I was going through hundreds of applications and postings each year, and it became obvious how much of the process was turning into a game,鈥� Press says. 鈥淭hat gave me a firsthand look at how inefficient and frustrating the process was for both applicants and the people trying to help them.鈥�

Launching What Hiring Lacks

From that frustration came Hire Match AI. Press brought the idea to the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, where he received guidance on turning the concept into a business. Now, as he prepares for launch, several businesses have already expressed interest in using the platform to analyze their hiring data more deeply. Press says the goal is to make data analytics more accessible, no matter which ATS a company uses.

“The bigger vision is to make hiring more data-driven, more transparent and less dependent on surface-level filtering.”

鈥淲e want Hire Match AI to plug into every major ATS so companies can get better visibility into candidate fit, hiring patterns and compliance risk without having to switch the systems they already rely on,鈥� he says. 鈥淒own the line, that means expanding into larger platforms like Workday and other major enterprise systems. The bigger vision is to make hiring more data-driven, more transparent and less dependent on surface-level filtering.鈥�

Engineering with Purpose

Press says he was drawn to the field of photonic science and engineering by a desire to create technology that improves people鈥檚 lives. His advice to students with similar ambitions: focus on what makes their idea unique.

鈥淔or engineering students especially, having a wide range of experiences is a huge advantage,鈥� Press says. 鈥淎 lot of the best ideas come from [understanding] how technical problems connect to business problems, user behavior or broken systems in the real world. That matters even more now, with tools like large language models making it easier to build quickly.鈥�

Companies interested in using Hire Match AI can or sign up for early access.

For computer engineering major Kamalakkannan Ravi 鈥�20MSCpE 鈥�25PhD, the goal was never to just earn a doctorate 鈥� it was to build artificial intelligence (AI) systems people could trust in the moments that matter most.

That bold vision found its momentum at 麻豆原创. As a student, Ravi was drawn to a university that encouraged big questions and interdisciplinary thinking, along with strong engineering fundamentals 鈥� the kind 麻豆原创 is rapidly becoming known for as a rising force in engineering and technology. The university鈥檚 dynamic research environment gave him the freedom to explore where machine learning, biomedical applications and human-centered AI converge, while mentorship in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering helped sharpen his purpose.

Now, he鈥檚 carrying that 麻豆原创-driven determination to Harvard Medical School and Boston Children鈥檚 Hospital, where he鈥檒l begin a research fellowship with the Division of Genetics and Genomics to advance trustworthy AI for clinical decision-making in healthcare.

At Harvard, Ravi will work on a project that aims to help physicians identify rare diseases earlier and respond more quickly. His research focuses on developing and evaluating clinical decision support tools that analyze electronic health record data and natural language processing to detect patterns that may signal a rare condition. These tools are designed to support clinicians in identifying patients who may benefit from further genetic evaluation, testing or a specialist referral. Ravi鈥檚 role centers on creating trustworthy, transparent AI methods that align with clinical systems, helping ensure these technologies are used responsibly in real-world healthcare.

Overcoming Obstacles Without a Blueprint

Ravi鈥檚 path to this opportunity was shaped by his persistence and commitment to making an impact long before he arrived at 麻豆原创.

Originally from Chennai, India, he鈥檚 a first-generation college student who entered higher education without a family blueprint to guide him. That experience influenced how he navigated graduate school and advanced research environments, reinforcing the importance of mentorship, community and resilience.

After earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree in biomedical engineering from Anna University, Ravi worked as a research assistant at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras. There, he gained early exposure to data-driven modeling and applied systems research at the intersection of engineering and medicine 鈥� experiences that shaped his interest in applying computational methods to biomedical and societal challenges. He鈥檇 take this interest on his pursuit of graduate education abroad.

Finding Interdisciplinary Opportunity at 麻豆原创

Ravi chose 麻豆原创 specifically for its strength in engineering combined with opportunities for interdisciplinary, human-centered research.

Within the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, he found an environment that encouraged him to explore machine learning, biomedical applications and ethical AI.

Under the mentorship of Pegasus Professor Jiann-Shiun Yuan, who oversees the NSF-sponsored Multi-functional Integrated System Technology Center聽and specializes in developing the next generation of smart systems, Ravi refined his research, which bridges technical innovation with societal impact.

At 麻豆原创, Ravi鈥檚 research focused on trustworthy and comprehensible AI in critical settings, including healthcare and public safety. His dissertation, 鈥淎rtificial Intelligence for Social Wellness: Threats and Ideology Detection in Online Texts,鈥� examined how scalable and ethically grounded AI systems can be designed for real-world applications. His work emphasized interpretability, reliability and evaluation with human decision-makers in mind.

His doctoral work led to the development of several datasets and frameworks, including:

• RICo, a large-scale dataset analyzing ideological discourse in online communities
• ALERT, a threat detection framework that combines active learning with AI to support transparency and reduce labeling burden
• TRuST-M, a human-subject study exploring how explanation quality affects user trust in AI-assisted moderation systems.

Portions of this work were supported by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security 鈥� a testament to its national relevance and real-world value.

Growing Through Leadership, Mentorship and Community

Beyond his studies, Ravi immersed himself in the 麻豆原创 graduate community, taking on leadership roles that reflected his commitment to service and mentorship.

He served as senator for the in student government, director of professional development for the Graduate Student Association and president of the . He also led Alpha Alpha Alpha, the national honor society for first-generation college students, advocating for the success of first-generation graduate students.

Mentorship remained central to his experience through his involvement in the NSF-funded L.E.A.R.N. (Learning Environment and Academic Research Network) program, a STEM-focused living-learning community for first-year and transfer college students, and his service as a senior design project judge.

Ravi鈥檚 academic excellence, leadership and mentorship at 麻豆原创 were recognized through multiple awards, including the ORCGS Doctoral Fellowship, the Graduate Presentation Fellowship, the Graduate Research Mentor Award, the 麻豆原创 Alumni Fellows Leadership Scholarship and the Reuel Buchanan Aspire to Inspire Scholarship. These honors provided valuable support and enabled him to focus on research throughout his doctoral studies.

Advancing Impact Beyond 麻豆原创

As Ravi prepares to begin his fellowship at Harvard Medical School, he credits 麻豆原创 with shaping both his research approach and his sense of responsibility as a scholar. He hopes his journey encourages other students, especially first-generation scholars, to pursue ambitious, interdisciplinary work while remaining grounded in mentorship, ethics and service to the broader community.

Although Royal knew since high school that he wanted to be an engineer, he didn鈥檛 know these courses were essential to succeeding in his studies. He enjoyed working with his hands, solving practical problems, and was interested in science, math, and technology. Mechanical engineering felt like the perfect intersection of all his interests.

What he didn鈥檛 have was guidance.

Starting Behind 鈥� and Pushing Forward

Royal didn鈥檛 know anyone in engineering or have access to mentors who could advise him on the classes a university engineering program required. When he later reconnected with two friends from high school 鈥� Kent Huerta and Isaac Washington, both civil engineering majors at the University of South Florida 鈥� he quickly discovered they faced many of the same challenges navigating STEM pathways without early guidance.

鈥淚 would’ve still been a year behind graduating if I [hadn鈥檛 taken] an accelerated courseload,鈥� says Royal, who鈥檚 now a mechanical engineering graduate student on track to become a double Knight. 鈥淲e realized that 鈥� if we had some prior knowledge or someone to talk to us about STEM before we got to this level, or before we tried to enter STEM, we could have avoided those pitfalls.鈥�

That realization helped turn his personal ambitions into action that benefits others.

In 2024, Royal, Huerta and Washington co-founded STEM Mentorship Matters, an outreach program that connects students at their high school, Q. I. Roberts Junior-Senior High School, with professionals in STEM fields and equips them with the knowledge to successfully pursue their careers.

鈥淲e 鈥� didn’t have that many opportunities or much education related to STEM when we were in high school,鈥� Royal says. 鈥淭hat made it a lot more difficult compared to our peers who did. So we thought, 鈥業s there any way to give something to students who were like us, who could use opportunities in STEM?鈥欌��

Giving Students a Head Start

What began as a grassroots effort serving just 30 students at Q. I. Roberts has since grown into a network of 10 high schools across Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, reaching hundreds of junior and senior high school students. The organization now includes 30 volunteer mentors who lead monthly workshops that connect professionals with students.

STEM Mentorship Matters also offers a range of resources, including guidance on applying to universities through the Common App, explanations of different engineering disciplines and advice on getting involved on campus. Monthly discussions focus on preparing for careers in STEM, with topics shaped by student interest and shared through the organization鈥檚 Discord server.

From navigating the college application process and building strong resumes to learning how to network and apply for internships, volunteer mentors guide students to success in the classroom and beyond graduation.

鈥淚t helps students think, 鈥榃hat would I want to do beyond middle and high school? Am I even interested in STEM?鈥欌�� Royal says. 鈥淸And] it’s OK if they’re not. We’re just trying to provide them with some insight. It also provides some insight into what they may want to do in STEM if they are interested.鈥�

Royal adds that these interactions help students narrow their interests, explore future career possibilities and feel more confident entering their chosen field. Just as important, it gives them something Royal says he and his co-founders lacked early on: encouragement.

鈥淛ust someone saying, 鈥榊ou can do this if you set your mind to it,鈥� is very important because we didn’t have a lot of that pursuing STEM,鈥� he says. 鈥淎nd I feel it’s important to have because it makes it easier to accomplish whatever you set out to do.鈥�

With specialized programs in hospitality and themed experience design 鈥� alongside robust engineering opportunities through student-led clubs and industry partnerships 鈥� 麻豆原创 has played a critical role in preparing the workforce behind Epic Universe鈥檚 debut and has built a direct talent pipeline into the park.

Now as the park prepares to open its gates this week, it鈥檚 also transforming how students learn.

Epic in Curriculum

At 鲍颁贵鈥檚 Rosen College of Hospitality Management, located less than a mile from Epic Universe, the park has become a living case study for both faculty and students. Ranked No. 1 in the world for hospitality education by CEOWORLD magazine for 2025, the college is globally recognized for its leadership in shaping future professionals in tourism, attractions and entertainment.

鈥淎nyone looking to build a career in the global attractions industry would not find a better place to attend than 麻豆原创.鈥� 鈥� Carissa Baker 鈥�08MA 鈥�18PhD, Rosen College assistant professor

Carissa Baker 鈥�08MA 鈥�18PhD, assistant professor of hospitality, has embedded Epic Universe into multiple classes across the theme park and attraction management curriculum. In one course, students analyze the park鈥檚 community and economic impacts. In another, they follow the site creation process from research and development to operations and guest experience. Students have also designed guest experience concepts based on Universal鈥檚 creative parameters and presented them directly to leaders at the company.

鈥淪everal of my students were involved in design, construction and operations development for the park,鈥� Baker says. 鈥淒ozens were in attractions commissioning roles, and many are working at the park full time, part time and through internships.鈥�

Culinary Spectacle as Storytelling

Epic Universe is also reshaping 鲍颁贵鈥檚 approach to culinary education. Chef Jonathan 鈥淛ay鈥� Judy, assistant chair of the Department of Foodservice and Lodging Management, and senior instructor, uses the park鈥檚 immersive lands to explore how food enhances themed environments.

鈥淥ur students aren鈥檛 just studying the industry. They鈥檙e helping shape its future.鈥� 鈥� Jonathan 鈥淛ay鈥� Judy, Rosen College faculty member

In his course, Culinary Experiences in Theme Parks and Attractions, students study the full lifecycle of culinary operations in destination attractions 鈥� from food concept development to intellectual property (IP) integration and guest immersion.

鈥淲hen Universal Orlando announced the themes for the various worlds, my students created sample menus based on the IP for each world. We have also used Epic extensively as a class discussion topic,鈥� Judy says. 鈥淲atching a park like Epic Universe launch is a masterclass in themed food innovation. From kitchen concept to culinary spectacle, this course gives students the tools to imagine and execute food experiences that could exist in any world, real or fictional.鈥�

Epic Economics, Real-World Impact

The scale of Epic Universe also offers powerful insights into economic development, infrastructure and regional transformation 鈥� areas that Rosen College Associate Professor Jorge Ridderstaat is bringing into the classroom.

鈥淓pic Universe presents a valuable opportunity to view a theme park not just as an attraction, but as a major investment with measurable economic impact 鈥� something I鈥檓 looking to incorporate into my Hospitality Industry Finance class,鈥� Ridderstaat says.

He notes that the park鈥檚 projected $7 billion investment and estimated 17,000 new jobs could generate up to $2 billion in economic impact in its first year, while driving new infrastructure and expanding the region鈥檚 global tourism appeal. But he also encourages students to consider other related topics 鈥� such as housing affordability.

A Creative Pipeline to Universal

“Epic has solidified Orlando as the international hub of the themed entertainment industry.” 鈥� Peter Weishar, director of 麻豆原创’s themed experience graduate programs

鲍颁贵鈥檚 themed experience M.F.A. program, based in the College of Arts and Humanities, is providing a direct pathway into the creative engine of the industry. The programs 鈥� which are among the first of their kinds nationally 鈥� teach students the unique creative skills, processes, and concepts needed to design and produce themed environments and attractions. Many graduates go on to become show set designers, architects, show writers, coordinators, project managers, producers, art directors and even creative directors at some of the top themed entertainment companies.

Through the 麻豆原创/Universal Creative Lab, students work directly with Universal Creative鈥檚 show producers, engineers and designers, gaining rare access to behind-the-scenes development processes.

According to program director and professor Peter Weishar, approximately 40% of themed experience students go on to work for Universal Creative.

鈥淥ur students, alumni and even faculty have worked for years to help make Epic Universe a reality,鈥� Weishar says. 鈥淣ow that it鈥檚 opening to the public, it鈥檚 serving as a working laboratory for new ideas, innovation and experiential learning.鈥�

鈥溌槎乖� is in the perfect location to collaborate with some of the top creatives in the field,鈥� 聽Weishar adds.

Engineering the Experience

At the intersection of innovation and imagination, 鲍颁贵鈥檚 STEEL Club 鈥� the Society of Themed Entertainment Engineers and Leaders 鈥� is creating new pathways for engineering students to enter the attractions industry. Founded in early 2024, the club has quickly become a hub for students eager to apply technical skills to the world of themed entertainment.

Focused on disciplines like ride control, show systems, mechanical safety and systems integration, the club regularly hosts industry speakers from Universal Creative, Disney, SeaWorld, and third-party vendors. Members also participate in technical workshops on topics ranging from Arduino programming and LED integration to mechanical modeling and wiring 鈥� all aligned with the demands of modern attraction engineering.

鈥淲e鈥檙e building a great program,鈥� says Mikel Garner, a fourth-year mechanical engineering student and STEEL Club vice president. 鈥淲e look at design, manufacturing, and maintenance 鈥� not just how a ride looks, but how it runs and how you troubleshoot it to keep guests safe.鈥�

Garner, who was a Compliance and Auditing intern for Universal Creative, says his experience applied Advancing Standards Transforming Markets (ASTM International) safety standards and engineering best practices to support the development of the park.

STEEL President Bryanna Price, also a senior mechanical engineering major, says the club was founded to fill a gap at 麻豆原创 for students who wanted hands-on, engineering-focused experience in themed entertainment.

鈥淲e鈥檙e helping students develop tangible technical skills that translate directly into the industry,鈥� Price says.

The club recently competed in the Ride Engineering Competition, where student teams design and build operational ride models under strict time and size constraints. In the latest event, held at The Ohio State University, Price鈥檚 team built a fully functioning flat ride model from scratch 鈥� applying controls, mechanics and problem-solving under real-world pressure.

鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting to know we鈥檙e helping prepare the next generation of engineers for the theme park world 鈥� right here at 麻豆原创.鈥� 鈥� 聽Bryanna Price, student and STEEL Club president

Beyond competitions, STEEL students are attending industry events like the ASTM F24 Conference, which develops global engineering safety standards for amusement rides and devices. They鈥檙e also partnering with other 麻豆原创 organizations to grow their board, expand student participation and bring in even more professional mentorship.

鈥淲e鈥檙e still a young club, but we鈥檝e already seen members go on to internships with companies like SeaWorld and Universal,鈥� Price says.

For 麻豆原创, Epic Universe is more than a neighbor 鈥� it鈥檚 a living laboratory. From immersive design to food and beverage innovation, and from economic modeling to technical prototyping, 麻豆原创 students aren鈥檛 just learning about the future of themed entertainment 鈥� they鈥檙e building it.

Catbas collaborated with his former civil engineering student Marwan Debees 鈥�23笔丑顿, who now works as a NASA Bridge Program manager, on newly published research that details how infrared thermography, high-definition imaging and neural network analysis can combine to make concrete bridge inspections more efficient.

Catbas and Debees are hopeful that their findings, recently published in the Transportation Research Record, can be leveraged by engineers through a combination of these methods to strategically pinpoint bridge conditions and better allocate repair costs.

鈥淚f we better understand which bridges need more repairs and which bridges may be postponed, then [funding agencies] can use limited funds more wisely, and then we can direct our efforts to the really critical bridges,鈥� Catbas says. 鈥淲e have about 650,000 bridges in the U.S. and we have been working to examine how we can use novel technologies to understand the existing condition of structures.鈥�

Debees noted an instance during a NASA bridge load test where Catbas and his team assisted in evaluating the repairs. They determined that the repairs made were sufficient, ultimately, eliminating the next phrase of planned work.

鈥淲e鈥檙e only spending the money where we need to instead of doing it without a comprehensive understanding of the actual conditions of the bridge in the field,鈥� Debees says. 鈥淭he goal is to better understand the conditions of the bridge and have a better priority list of what bridges are really in need.鈥�

Diagnosing Concrete Bridges

Catbas says what he and other civil engineers do to assess a structure鈥檚 overall integrity may be likened to a doctor鈥檚 diagnostics for a person鈥檚 wellbeing.

鈥淪tructural health monitoring, which is almost like human health monitoring, is where we use different types of equipment to better understand the safety and serviceability of structures,鈥� he says.

To help take high-definition images to compare to infrared data, the researchers closely collaborated with NEXCO-West USA. Inc, an imaging and non-destructive evaluation company in Tysons, Virginia, that have specialized vehicles equipped with imaging tools. With the company鈥檚 support, the research team utilized the infrared data to assess the conditions of bridge components, including the deck, superstructure and substructure.

鈥淎s far as the infrared itself, there are some limitations,鈥� Debees says. 鈥淥ne of the things in this paper that helped overcome some of these limitations is high-definition images to complement the infrared images.鈥�

These technologies that were used in the study by Catbas and Debees provided a more comprehensive record of concrete bridge health.

鈥淗uman visualization has limitations,鈥� Catbas says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 almost like a doctor just looking at you and saying that you look fine when you might really be fine, or you might not be. There may be other problems that the sensors and other technologies can tell you, kind of like when a doctor says he wants more testing, so he sends you to get an X-ray or an MRI. We are taking a similar approach to our bridges.鈥�

Bridging the Gap Between Technology and Interpretation

Infrared thermography works by collecting a structure鈥檚 thermal responses, which can indicate defects within it such as heat loss, moisture intrusion or other structural problems.

To analyze the different parts of the bridge such as the deck, superstructure and substructure, the research team used thermography and image capturing technologies deployed on boats under the bridge and on vehicles traveling across it so that traffic wouldn鈥檛 be impeded and motorists may continue using the roads.

The combination of visual inspection and imaging is common practice, but Debees says the element of utilizing a neural network and machine learning to decipher the data is something that is an emerging component of inspections. The collective knowledge from experienced engineers doing similar inspections was used to compare the results in the study.

鈥淭he way it differs from other utilization is that we are not using just infrared cameras and collecting raw data, but then we have a level of post-processing, and we are eliminating the noise or unnecessary information within the infrared image,鈥� Debees says. 鈥淭hen we use this data to understand where these defects are and then we integrate them within the current required bridge inspection processes. We close the loop by using some decision-making and algorithms with an easy-to-use perceptron neural network to guide the inspector or engineer without spending too much time or data analysis.鈥�

The two parts of the paper are how to implement this new technology and how it can be used to accelerate decision making while keeping it accurate and safe, he says.

鈥淲hen we do bridge inspections, we aim to find ways to accelerate or make it more efficient while also having more data to rely on in the future or in the immediate decision making,鈥� Debees says. 鈥淲e can determine which bridge needs to be evaluated right away, which needs more testing and we can see the significance of the finding quicker.鈥�

Crossing Into the Future

Debees says one of the most exciting parts of the research findings is the realization that the framework of multiple inspection techniques can be integrated with collective knowledge and applied to monitor a wide variety of structures.

鈥淲e鈥檙e not limited to concrete bridges,鈥� he says. 鈥淲e can build on this research and applying it with different inspection methods and use it for different infrastructure types. We can try this on concrete buildings, or steel bridges, buildings or other structures.鈥�

Using machine learning and collective knowledge to interpret data is something that Debees believes will continue to have a role in inspections even beyond the purview of their study.

鈥淚 think what was eye-opening to me is there is room, even outside of conventional inspections, to utilize more decision-making neural networks to standardize the decision-making [process],鈥� he says. 鈥淵ou can make it easier on the people in the field to know where to make decisions on the spot or where to seek more experienced help.鈥�

There are ample opportunities to discover even more innovative ways to assess structural health, and Catbas says he gladly looks forward to meeting the next challenge with former students and collaborators like Debees.

鈥淟ike other Ph.D. students of mine, we still keep in touch once they graduate and then become my colleague,鈥� Catbas says as he turns to Debees. 鈥淪o, my question is this: 鈥榃hat are we going to work on next?鈥欌��

Researchers鈥� Credentials:

Catbas holds a doctorate in structural engineering from the University of Cincinnati. After postdoctoral studies at Drexel University in Philadelphia, he joined 鲍颁贵鈥檚鈥�College of Engineering and Computer Science鈥痠n 2003 and is the founding director of the Civil Infrastructure Technologies for Resilience and Safety (CITRS) Initiative. His research covers various aspects of civil engineering, including analysis, design, and assessment of civil infrastructure systems, structural health monitoring, structural identification, structural dynamics, and earthquake engineering.

Debees graduated in 2023 from 麻豆原创 with a doctoral degree in civil engineering. His research focuses on structural engineering, particularly on bridge systems. His work emphasizes the application of technology in bridge assessment and the efficacy of structural repairs. Debees currently serves as the Bridge Program Manager at NASA, where he has worked since 2013. Prior to joining NASA, he spent three years with Manson Construction.

College of Engineering and Computer Science faculty are leaders in fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), hypersonic travel, energy, next-generation computing hardware and aerospace, fields that are major economic drivers for Florida and that are critical to our state and nation鈥檚 future.

Earlier this year, U.S. News & World Report‘s ranked nine of 麻豆原创’s other graduate programs among the top 50 on the 2024 Best Graduate Schools list.

This pioneering engineering research by expert 麻豆原创 faculty prepares students to thrive in their careers, as does 鲍颁贵鈥檚 longstanding relationships with industry partners who are eager to hire talented students. Partners include Electronic Arts, Lockheed Martin, NASA, Northrop Grumman, Siemens, Walt Disney World and Universal Studios.

Collectively, 鲍颁贵鈥檚 cutting-edge, high-impact teaching practices and partnerships have drawn many recognitions, including the latest from U.S. News & World Report鈥檚 Best Graduate Schools rankings.

Today, U.S. News & World Report ranks three of 鲍颁贵鈥檚 engineering and computer science graduate programs among the top 50 in the nation. The industrial/manufacturing/systems engineering program is ranked No. 43, aerospace is No. 47 and computer engineering is No. 50. Two other programs 鈥� materials engineering and electrical/electronic/communications engineering 鈥� ranked just outside the top 50, at No. 52 and No. 53 respectively.

A total of nine engineering and computer science programs rank among the top 50 among the nation鈥檚 public universities.

鈥淥ur outstanding engineering faculty are conducting impactful research that is advancing our knowledge of space, modeling and simulation, virtual and augmented reality, and many other high-tech fields,鈥� says Michael D. Johnson, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. 鈥淭hey are innovators and inventors fueling our region鈥檚 economy and our society鈥檚 quality of life, healthcare, energy and transportation systems, and they excel at preparing our graduates to thrive in their careers.鈥�

Twenty-nine percent of Kennedy Space Center employees and 25% of Lockheed Martin鈥檚 Orlando employees earned 麻豆原创 degrees. Aviation Week Network has named 麻豆原创 the No. 1 supplier of graduates to the aerospace and defense industry for six consecutive years.

Bringing More Brilliant Minds Together

鲍颁贵鈥檚 College of Engineering and Computer Science produces 25% of Florida鈥檚 engineering and computer science graduates, according to the State University System. The college鈥檚 goal is to educate 25,000 engineering and technology students by increasing capacity by 50%.

One important path to achieving that goal is to expand the college鈥檚 faculty. Last year and this year combined, the college has hired 55 new faculty members, including many with expertise in the strategic investment program areas identified by the university, such as AI, energy, next-generation computing hardware, space-aerospace, digital twin and infectious diseases. The new faculty hires will further strengthen the college鈥檚 research initiatives and opportunities for students to learn alongside talented faculty in the classroom and in research labs.

Plans for this fall also include one new degree program. The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering will launch a master of science in robotics and autonomous systems program. Students will learn to analyze, design and develop robotics and autonomous systems including self-driving cars, drones, medical robots and even mechanical dogs.

The new faculty and degree program join a host of current 麻豆原创 engineering and computer science faculty who are conducting groundbreaking research:

• Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Professor Kareem Ahmed received Department of Defense funding that鈥檚 establishing 麻豆原创 as a leader in hypersonics and space propulsion research. Hypersonic propulsion would allow for air travel at speeds of Mach 6 to 17, or more than 4,600 to 13,000 miles per hour, and has applications in commercial and space travel.

• Sudipta Seal, chair of materials science and engineering, and Ozlem Garibay, assistant professor in industrial engineering and management systems, have created an Al-based prediction method that helps develop life-saving medicines and treatments for various diseases with up to 97% accuracy.

• Tarek Elgohary, an associate professor of aerospace engineering, is developing algorithms that will accurately track space objects like asteroids and satellites so they don鈥檛 collide with spacecraft. It鈥檚 a vital tool given the rapid growth of space junk in cislunar space, which stretches from Earth to just beyond the moon鈥檚 orbit.

• Carolina Cruz-Neira, the Agere Chair Professor at the 麻豆原创 Department of Computer Science and a member of the National Academy of Engineering, is a pioneer in the areas of virtual reality and interactive visualization, having created and deployed a variety of technologies that have become standard tools in industry, government and academia.鈥疘n a few weeks, she will be inducted into the inaugural Augmented World Expo (AWE) XR Hall of Fame, joining an elite international group of 100 researchers, entrepreneurs, artists and others. Cruz-Neira was one of just 22 researchers selected. 鈥淚t is not well known that 麻豆原创 has one of, if not the, largest concentration of VR researchers in the U.S.,鈥� she says. 鈥淥f course, the strong reputation of 麻豆原创 as a leader in modeling and simulation ties very well with the ecosystem.鈥�

In addition, the internationally recognized Collegiate Cyber Defense Club at 麻豆原创 won first place at the National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition in April. The club has been sending student teams around the world to compete against other universities since 2013. In all, 麻豆原创 cybersecurity teams have earned 87 first place awards 鈥� including five NCCDC titles 鈥� 29 second-place and 25 third-place awards. The competitions allow 麻豆原创 students to sharpen their skills before cybersecurity professionals and are hosted by companies from private industry, such as IBM, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Raymond James, Raytheon and several federal agencies.

The program allows engineering students to gain real-world experience while meeting the needs of the industry. Starting Fall 2024, students can enroll in the graduate certificate in electronic parts engineering, offered through the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in partnership with the NASA Electronic Parts and Packaging Program.

The certificate program will train students to evaluate and test the electrical and electronic components of devices and equipment used in the harsh environment of space. 麻豆原创 is one of three universities 鈥� and the only university in Florida 鈥� to partner with NASA on the program.

“The new graduate certificate … marks a significant step in our commitment to enhance our role in this sector.” 鈥� Reza Abdolvand, chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

鈥淚n alignment with 鲍颁贵鈥檚 vision as [America鈥檚] Space University and in response to the demands of prominent local industries, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is prioritizing space electronics as a key focus in both student training and research initiatives,鈥� says Reza Abdolvand, chair of the department. 鈥淭he introduction of the new graduate certificate in electronic parts engineering marks a significant step in our commitment to enhance our role in this sector and to foster stronger collaborations with leading organizations, including NASA.鈥�

Through their coursework, students will learn to establish test plans, conduct failure analysis and evaluate test results for usage. Then they can take what they鈥檝e learned in the classroom and apply it to real-world research through paid internships at NASA鈥檚 Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

鈥淭his program will uniquely position students for internships and careers at NASA and, more generally, the aerospace and defense sector in both Florida and across the U.S.,鈥� says Assistant Professor Enxia Zhang, coordinator of the certificate program.

The goal of the program is to meet the industry need for electronic parts and electrical engineers who are already trained and educated. Employment of electrical and electronics engineers is projected to grow over the next decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Florida is among the states boasting top employment for this profession.

A bonus for students is that the credits earned in the certificate program can be applied to a master鈥檚 degree, furthering their education and competitiveness in the industry.

鈥淚n many ways, the graduate certificate program is a gateway to other degree programs in the College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS),鈥� says Ali Gordon, the CECS associate dean for graduate affairs. 鈥淢any students realize that after they鈥檝e had a few graduate courses, they want more. A key feature of 鲍颁贵鈥檚 graduate certificate program is that 100% of the credits earned towards the certificate can be applied towards a master鈥檚 degree.鈥�

Students who are interested in applying for the certificate should have completed a bachelor鈥檚 degree program in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or a related discipline. Current undergraduate students are eligible to apply as a junior or senior, and the courses can be completed online.

To learn more or to apply, visit the graduate certificate in electronic parts engineering webpage.

Now students with a passion for robotics can take their interest and their education to a new level. The College of Engineering and Computer Science plans to launch the master鈥檚 in robotics and autonomous systems within the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in Fall 2024.

Students who enroll in the program will learn to analyze, design and develop the robotics and autonomous systems that are used in society. This includes self-driving cars, drones, medical robots 鈥� and even mechanical dogs. The curriculum will cover multiple disciplines with a focus on electrical and electronic hardware, machine learning, autonomous control and computer vision.

鈥淩obotics is a very interdisciplinary field and 鲍颁贵鈥檚 program ensures that students are exposed to courses from multiple engineering specialties,鈥� says Professor Gita Sukthankar, coordinator of the program. 鈥淭he master of science in robotics and autonomous systems is housed within the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, but it also includes required courses from mechanical engineering and computer science.鈥�

While other graduate level programs in Florida offer specializations related to robotics, none are as comprehensive or immersive as this master鈥檚 degree, Sukthankar says. Students who enroll can take courses in computer vision, machine learning, autonomous vehicles, medical robotics and intelligent systems. The skills they develop can be applied to an independent study project, a master鈥檚 thesis or robotics research in a related laboratory or center. With the skills and experience gained from the program, students can establish careers as robotics engineers across a variety of industries.

鈥淒epending on the student鈥檚 selection of technical electives, they are likely to be recruited for certain specialized computer, electrical and mechanical engineering roles,鈥� Sukthankar says. 鈥淔or instance, a student who opted to take machine learning electives would be eligible to work as a machine learning engineer.鈥�

The program is designed to not only benefit students, but the local workforce as well.

鈥淲e hope the program helps local companies with their workforce needs,鈥� Sukthankar says. 鈥淐entral Florida is home to several companies that have large robotics investments, including Lockheed Martin, L3Harris and Siemens. We also hope that some of our graduates choose to start companies of their own since this area is ripe for venture capital investment.鈥�

Prospective applicants should have a 3.0 GPA or above and an undergraduate degree in a STEM-related discipline. Some knowledge of programming languages, engineering statistics, linear algebra and multivariate calculus is preferred.

To learn more or to apply, visit the master鈥檚 in robotics and autonomous systems webpage.