Katsevich has liked math since an early age, and in 2001 he developed a breakthrough algorithm, which efficiently and accurately processes the data collected from high-speed computed tomography scanners and translates them into clear 3-D images.http

The 鈥淜atsevich Algorithm鈥� is the fundamental technology behind multiple patents issued to the 麻豆原创. The technology has been licensed to numerous international manufacturers of CT scanning equipment and is being commercialized by Katsevich鈥檚 startup iTomography Corp., under an exclusive license from 麻豆原创. Some of the most recent licensees include Siemens, Bruker, FEI (a division of Thermo Fisher Scientific), and Microtec.

鈥淭he ability to scan faster and with high image quality (artifact-free) has become an almost ubiquitous need in the world today,鈥� Katsevich said.

Companies use his 3-D CT image reconstruction technology for a variety of applications including:

This success and recognition has allowed iTomography to expand collaborations in the medical area, such as with Toshiba Medical Research Institute USA (now, part of Canon) and the National Institutes of Health, as well as establish new collaborations to develop advanced CT technologies. For example, the iTomography team is addressing difficult CT image reconstruction challenges in the areas, such as radiotherapy (to improve the delivery of radiation鈥揵ased cancer treatment) and security (scanning of luggage at airports and other locations). Katsevich is聽 involved in these projects and leads the technical development.

He and Igor Frenkel, vice president of business development and operations for iTomography, said that as the demand for CT scanning on both smaller and much larger scales continues to increase, more business and innovative development opportunities will arise.

The discovery almost never have happened. As a student at the Moscow Institute of Oil and Gas in the mid-1980s, Katsevich was set to begin a career in oil exploration, specifically using electromagnetic imaging methods to determine if the subsurface holds oil reserves.

Michael Frenkel, his advisor at the time (with whom he would later co-found iTomography in 2011), suggested he switch his research focus to medical imaging, which offered more stability for scientific development and was a way to use Katsevich鈥檚 mathematical talents to benefit healthcare worldwide. When Katsevich arrived in the United States to earn his Ph.D. at Kansas State University, he pursued X-ray tomography, which at the time was mostly used in medical fields.

After graduating and working as a post-doc at Los Alamos National Lab, Katsevich joined 麻豆原创鈥檚 mathematics department. He continued his research with a focus on developing novel image reconstruction algorithms for computed tomography. As opposed to conventional radiography which produces the image directly (such as in chest X-rays), CT uses a mathematical algorithm to reconstruct a three-dimensional image of the object鈥檚 interior from scan data.

Since his breakthrough in 2001, various organizations have recognized his work. For example, in October 2016, the King of Sweden presented Katsevich and his collaborator Microtec CEO Federico Giudiceandrea one of the country鈥檚 most prestigious awards 鈥� the Marcus Wallenberg Prize.

The award was for developing a new ultrafast wood log CT scanner. The new tool has the potential to revolutionize the lumber industry by giving loggers the ability to 鈥渟ee鈥� signs of disease or rot before cutting, enabling more efficient use of each tree and minimizing waste.聽 鈥淭he groundbreaking research and innovative implementation have opened new horizons, facilitating further optimization of the sawing process,鈥� says Marcus Wallenberg, chairman of the board of the awarding organization.

Katsevich said his philosophy is simple. What you are developing in academia should solve specific problems or needs in the real world and that means that industry should be able to adopt their use quickly.

Math is a good avenue to make that happen.

鈥淭he conventional stereotype that 鈥榤athematics has almost no practical application鈥� is very far from the truth,鈥� he said.

Just take a look at his life鈥檚 work and the impact it is having today.

During the month of July, 12 students in grades 8-12 will live on 麻豆原创鈥檚 campus, immersing themselves in a one-of-a-kind learning experience that includes math and literacy tutoring by 麻豆原创 education students, field trips and career-oriented workshops.

This intensive summer experience, which is supplemented year-round through monthly active learning experiences, provides youth in foster care with the academic support and encouragement needed to assist them in becoming competitive applicants for subsequent admission to college.

The four-week program, launched in 2014, selects students who demonstrate commitment to their academics and motivation to attend a post-secondary institution. 麻豆原创 students will work with the youngsters throughout the academic year as well.

鈥淚 enjoyed last year鈥檚 麻豆原创 experience so much that I couldn鈥檛 wait to be part of it again this summer,鈥� said Dawnasia, a 16-year-old sophomore who also attends monthly events sponsored by First Star Academy. 鈥淟iving on campus and being able to bond with other kids my age helped prepare me for what college might be like.鈥�

Research shows that about 70 percent of youth in foster care want to attend college, but only 3 percent will achieve a four-year degree.

鈥淲e鈥檙e making every effort to move the needle of educational achievement for our foster youth,鈥� said Gerry Glynn, chief legal officer of Community Based Care of Central Florida. 鈥淥ur focus is helping these students transition to adulthood, succeed in college and launch a successful career.”

College of Education and Human Performance Dean Pamela Carroll praised the partnership.

鈥淲e hope that this is the first of many years of collaboration with Community Based Care and First Star to support the academic, social, emotional, and physical health and growth of teens who live in foster care,鈥� she said.

Hour of Code is a national campaign that promotes computer coding. Last year鈥檚 event featured President Obama writing his first line of code and made history by having more than 100 million participants.

This year鈥檚 Hour of Code, which coincided with Computer Science Education Week, attracted more than 100 attendees for its inaugural event at 麻豆原创.

The space-themed adventure included 鈥淪tar Wars鈥� games designed with a coding module on a smart phone, tablet or laptop instructed by BASE Camp Children鈥檚 Cancer Foundation 10-year-old twins Avery and Grayson Zrelak, interactive challenges like Storm Trooper bowling with Wonder Workshop鈥檚 Dash robots and recorded messages from President Obama and 鈥淪tar Wars: The Force Awakens鈥� engineers, discussing the coding process and how to create a game with computer code.

麻豆原创 College of Education and Human Performance鈥檚 mathematics education assistant professor Megan Nickels organized this year鈥檚 Hour of Code festivities with her CEDHP Pediatric Interest Group-Education (pig-e) student organization. The group features 21 elementary education undergraduate students from Nickels鈥� math content course.

鈥淧ig-e is helping me with robotics, but I鈥檓 also preparing the students to be educators,鈥� says Nickels. 鈥淚 feel future educators should get exposure and seek out as many different educational settings as possible, some of which may make them feel uncomfortable, so they can see enough and know to find their passion within our profession.鈥�

Nickels has been teaching critically ill children mathematics with LEGO and Wonder Workshop鈥檚 Dash and Dot robots ever since she volunteered at the Children鈥檚 Hospital of Illinois in Peoria, Ill., a St. Jude鈥檚 Hospital affiliate clinic where she provided educational services while she was pursuing her doctoral degree in mathematics education from Illinois State University.

She uses the Dash and Dot robots to teach the children math. The building process uses algebraic, geometric and other mathematic concepts for developing the robot鈥檚 think tank. The children became attached to the robots and had an opportunity to program the mathematical learning tools to be a shark, play rock paper scissors or whatever their heart desires.

鈥淚t became really clear that there was a big need to have an exposure to meaningful mathematics,鈥� explains Nickels. 鈥淚鈥檓 researching how children with cancer and other chronic illnesses learn mathematics through robotics and how that affects their conceptual understanding of mathematics and physiological and socio-emotional well-being.鈥�

In Orlando, Nickels is continuing her mission by teaching children mathematics with robotics at area hospitals through BASE Camp Children鈥檚 Cancer Foundation.

During Hour of Code, attendees had an opportunity to program their own robots and play games.

鈥淚 enjoyed looking at the crowd and seeing them engrossed with the ‘Star Wars’ coding module,” said Nickels. “They learned coding skills and put them into practice with the Wonder Workshop鈥檚 Dash robots. Computer science is now, and the rock stars of tomorrow are coders.鈥�

Web engineer Amado Gonzalez was amazed with how quickly the area school children learned the computer coding when they programmed their Dash robots with tablets and smart phones. He also felt this year鈥檚 theme was engaging and fun.

鈥淭ying Hour of Code with ‘Star Wars,’ which is a global phenomenon, is great because the kids can see real-world applications of what coding does and how it鈥檚 programmed.鈥�

Elementary education student Karly Nelson loved the 鈥淪tar Wars鈥� theme and was fascinated with her Dash robot. She played Storm Trooper bowling and was able to knock some of the cups down with her robot, which was programmed by her smart phone. Nelson was impressed with Dash and its capabilities and feels computer coding is the wave of the future.

鈥淓verything is tech-based now. Daily lives also revolve around their cell phone. Your computer is in your hand constantly. Understanding how that computer works and building a phone with computer code will be common place.”

STEM has been a powerful engine of prosperity in the US since World War II. Currently, American students’ performances and enthusiasm in STEM education are inadequate for the US to maintain its leadership in science and technology unless we motivate a new generation of US students toward STEM careers, some experts say.

Students from 32 high schools in Seminole and Orange counties will participate in the event at the Physical Sciences Building room 161 of the 麻豆原创 at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12.聽 About 200 students and their parents will hear from mathematicians and physicists about working in these fields doing an array of exciting things including:

Various speakers will give talks and the College of Sciences Dean Michael Johnson will also share his story about becoming a physicist. Tours of department facilities, including a behind the scenes look at the Math Lab and Mathematics Mall will be given.

Light breakfast & lunch will be provided thanks in part to the Florida High tech Corridor Council (techPATH), a co-sponsor of the event. There will also be an opportunity to enjoy ice cream and one-on-one discussions with faculty members and students who are majoring in math or physics.

The mission of the department of physics is to provide education and perform research at the highest level.聽 In fulfillment of this mission, the department educates students at all levels from general education, through preparation for teaching and scientific careers, to doctoral and post-doctoral education.聽This education is expected to provide the necessary background to understand the fundamental universal laws that govern the behavior of matter and energy.

Piercy, an elementary education major, was assigned to write and illustrate a children鈥檚 book for an elementary mathematics-education class. The book, Ellie鈥檚 Math Adventure, focused on a young elephant that longs for an expensive new bicycle.

鈥淭hroughout the story, you take the journey with her and see how determination and hard work help her toward her goal of buying the bike of her dreams,鈥� said Piercy. 鈥淭he book was designed not only to help children learn a math lesson, but also to provide life lessons that would make it captivating for readers of all ages.鈥�

Gina Gresham, an associate professor in the College of Education, was so impressed after grading Piercy鈥檚 assignment that she encouraged her to have the book published.

After Piercy graduated from 麻豆原创 in 2009, the book continued to receive support from family members, especially her grandfather. In fact, it was her grandfather who pursued the publication process when Piercy was working as a teacher full time.

鈥淢y grandfather was not only a huge part of the publication process, but more importantly he was a positive influence on my life,鈥� said Piercy. 鈥淗e was the one that pushed me the most to have this book published, and began the publication process when I was teaching and didn鈥檛 have much time on my hands.鈥�

The book was published in February, but Piercy鈥檚 grandfather passed away before the publication process was completed.

鈥淭o see my book on the Barnes & Noble website was one of the most thrilling experiences I鈥檝e ever had,鈥� said Piercy. 鈥淚 remember laughing and crying at the same time, because I was happy that I had finally done it, but sad at the same time that my Papa wasn鈥檛 there to celebrate with me in person. I definitely think he was jumping up and down from above with excitement and joy for all that I鈥檇 accomplished.鈥�

Piercy will embark on a book tour this summer and hopes that the book will be incorporated in classrooms across the country as a tool to teach money and addition lessons.

For more information about Ellie鈥檚 Math Adventure visit, 聽.

Leslie Kraynik, Amber Thibedeau and Barbara Wilcox, all teachers in Brevard County, are nominees for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. The program was established in 1963 by the White House and is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.

Of the six finalists from Florida, one from math and one from science will be chosen to represent the state at the national level. The national winners will receive a signed note from the president; a paid trip for two to Washington, D.C., to attend a series of recognition ceremonies; and $10,000 from the National Science Foundation.

Kraynik, a math coach at Westside Elementary in Palm Bay, holds a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Elementary Education from 麻豆原创. She has worked as a teacher in Brevard County for 25 years and was selected by the county in 2009 as Exemplary Mathematics Teacher of the Year.

Thibedeau holds a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Elementary Education and a master鈥檚 in Reading Education from 麻豆原创. A fifth-grade science teacher at Sunrise Elementary in Palm Bay, Thibedeau, received Brevard鈥檚 Exemplary Teacher of the Year Award in 2008.

Wilcox earned her bachelor鈥檚 and masters degrees in Education from 麻豆原创 and is a National Board Certified teacher who teaches science at Endeavour Elementary in Cocoa. In 2012 she won the Florida Agriculture in the Classroom award and has placed first for five years in the Florida School Garden contest.

To learn more about the awards, go to .

The Lockheed Martin/麻豆原创 Academy for Mathematics and Science Program was created 20 years ago with a $1 million grant from Lockheed Martin and the National Science Foundation.

Lockheed Martin last week announced a $500,000 gift to the academy, part of 麻豆原创鈥檚 College of Education, to expand scholarship opportunities for students and provide educational enrichment programs for academy graduates.

鈥淏y helping the College of Education create a strong cast of accomplished teachers in mathematics and science, Lockheed Martin has helped make Central Florida a center of excellence for STEM disciplines,鈥� said 麻豆原创 President John C. Hitt. 鈥淭ogether, 麻豆原创 and Lockheed Martin are developing the highly-skilled workers that our community and state need to thrive in today鈥檚 competitive global marketplace.鈥�

The academy supports two master鈥檚 degree programs dedicated to improving math and science education. The K-8 program targets existing teachers who want to strengthen the quality of their teaching and learning. The Transition to Mathematics and Science Teaching program, or T-MAST, is for industry professionals who want to transition to teaching and put their knowledge to work in high-needs classrooms.

Each program has different curriculum, but both serve to recruit the best teachers to become leaders in math and science education.

With support from Lockheed Martin, scholars in the academy鈥檚 K-8 program will have additional financial aid opportunities. That means that more teachers interested in pursuing master鈥檚 degrees will have the chance to do so at lower costs.

Also through the Lockheed Martin gift, teachers who have graduated from the academy during the past 20 years can benefit from an enhancement program that allows them to enrich their skills.

鈥淥ur partnership with 麻豆原创 represents our shared commitment to STEM education in Florida, and recognizes that teachers are the critical link,鈥� said Denise Saiki, president of Lockheed Martin鈥檚 Global Training and Logistics business. 鈥淭he teachers graduating from the Lockheed Martin/麻豆原创 Academy are defining excellence in the classroom, as demonstrated by a long list of awards ranging from the National Science Foundation, Department of Education, and teacher of the year awards at the state, district and local school levels.鈥�

More than 500 teachers have graduated from the academy, including K-8 program alumna Rebecca Jones, a mathematics teacher at Union Park Middle School in Orange County.

鈥淯nder my care, numerous students have had light bulbs turn on, connections have been made and the joys of mathematics seem to have come alive for many,鈥� Jones said. 鈥淲ith continued financial backing for higher education, more educators can continue to make a difference in the lives of our children, our society and our future as they return to school to improve their craft.鈥�

Jones and other teachers who have completed the academy have reached more than 1 million children in Central Florida.

With the new gift, academy graduates will reach more than 18,000 children each year.

鈥淭he Lockheed Martin/麻豆原创 Academy for Mathematics and Science stands as a shining example of what a successful partnership is capable of accomplishing,鈥� said College of Education Dean Sandra L. Robinson. 鈥淥ver 20 years ago we found in Lockheed the partner鈥攁nd friend鈥攚ith the vision and understanding that an investment in education can pay extraordinary dividends across a broad spectrum.鈥�

Challapalli Suryanarayana, a professor of materials science and engineering, became the first 麻豆原创 faculty member selected as a . The fellowship, established in 2004, is aimed at making sure that policy makers understand rapidly evolving technology, science and engineering for the better formulation and implementation of U.S. foreign policy.

He is among 13 fellows chosen for the prestigious assignment.

鈥淚鈥檓 honored and humbled to serve,鈥� Suryanarayana said. 鈥淪taying ahead of the curve in science, technology and engineering is critical to our future and I鈥檓 happy to lend whatever talents I can to make sure our policy makers have good information to make sound policies.鈥�

As a Jefferson Science Fellow, Suryanarayana will report to the U.S. Department of State this week and serve one year engaging in the formulation and implementation of U.S. foreign policy for an office within the State Department or the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Suryanarayana will provide technical advice and lead projects in various science and technology issues that support the Office of the Science and Technology Advisor to the Secretary (STAS) and other bureaus and offices. He will ensure managers in these offices have the “full picture” on various science and tech issues, as well as recommendations on the pros and cons of different approaches. Following the fellowship year, he will remain available for five years as a consultant to the U.S. government on short-term projects.

Fewer than 15 JSF awardees have been chosen each year since the program began. Applicants are limited to scientists, technologists, engineers and physicians holding a tenured or similarly ranked academic appointment at a U.S. college or university. JSF awardees are selected based on their stature, recognition and experience in the national and international scientific or engineering community. They are also selected for their ability to rapidly and accurately understand scientific advancements and integrate that knowledge into federal international policy discussions.

Suryanarayana is considered a leader in his field. He has developed novel materials such as nanostructured monolithic and composite materials, improved intermetallics and (bulk) metallic glasses, many of which have applications in the aerospace industry.

In 2011, Suryanarayana was ranked the 40th-best materials scientist in the world (21st in the United States) by Thomson Reuters, which聽considered a total of 500,000 materials scientists in the world. The 麻豆原创 professor has published more than 300 academic research papers and more than 20 technical books, and sits on the editorial committees of several archival journals. He is a recipient of the Young Scientist Medal of the Indian National Science Academy, Distinguished Alumnus Award of Banaras Hindu University, and the National Metallurgists’ Day Award of the Government of India, among other awards. He is a fellow of ASM International and also of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining of London, U.K.

Prior to joining 麻豆原创 in 2001, Suryanarayana was a research professor at the Colorado School of Mines for three years. Earlier, he was a visiting professor and associate director of the Institute for Materials and Advanced Processes at the University of Idaho. From 1988 to 1990, he was a research associate for the National Research Council at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. Prior to that, he held professorship and teaching positions at Banaras Hindu University in India. He has also served as a short-term visiting professor at 10 international universities.

He holds a Ph.D. and an M.S. in metallurgical engineering from Banaras Hindu University in India; a B.E. in metallurgy from the Indian Institute of Science in India, and a B.S. in math, physics and chemistry from Andhra University in India.

The Jefferson Science Fellowship program is a collaborative effort between the U.S. academic community, the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development. The program serves as an innovative model for engaging American academic science, technology, engineering and medical communities in U.S. foreign policy.

Ten 麻豆原创 students and graduates were named recipients of the National Science Foundation , which support outstanding graduate students who are working toward research-based master’s or doctoral degrees in STEM fields.

Four other 麻豆原创 students received honorable mentions from the NSF.

The fellows will each receive a three-year annual stipend of $30,000.

The students are also each given a $10,500 educational allowance that covers tuition and fees, opportunities for international research and professional development, and the freedom to conduct research at any accredited U.S. institution of graduate education.

麻豆原创鈥檚 2012 NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program recipients are:

Christine Dykstra graduated with Honors in the Major in spring 2011. She received a degree in Environmental Engineering from the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

Jacqueline Esquiaqui, a member of the Burnett Honors College, graduated from the College of Sciences in fall 2010 with degrees in Chemistry and Biology.

Ashley Ewh, a member of the Burnett Honors College, graduated in spring 2011 from the College of Engineering and Computer Science with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Spencer Frank is an Honors in the Major student. He currently studies Aerospace Engineering in the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

Elise Hernandez, a member of the Burnett Honors College, graduated with Honors in the Major in summer 2011. She received a degree in Psychology from the College of Sciences.

Perry Johnson, a member of the Burnett Honors College, graduated in fall 2011 with Honors in the Major. He received his Mechanical Engineering degree from the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

Lilian Milanes currently studies Anthropology in the College of Sciences and is an Honors in the Major student.

Christina Restrepo graduated with Honors in the Major in spring 2011. She received a degree from the College of Education in Science Education with a specialization in Biology.

Emily Sassano received a degree in Molecular Biology and Microbiology from the College of Medicine and a degree in Biology from the College of Sciences. She graduated with Honors in the Major in fall 2007.

Reginald Tran graduated in spring 2011 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

The Office of Prestigious Awards works with fellowship applicants and supports them throughout the application process. For more information about the office and other award opportunities, visit .

Working with local school districts, the college is using a federal $10 million Race to the Top grant to develop a program that will put STEM professionals in classrooms to help students understand and get excited about these challenging topics.

The program was created in response to the demand for a skilled workforce in the science, engineering and math industries. Technology has led to growth in those areas, but difficulties lay in teaching kids the value of STEM and preparing them to work in those fields.

For the next two years, the Resident Teacher Professional Preparation Program (RTP3) will guide 140 individuals with degrees in science, technology, engineering and math as they earn teaching degrees and apply their STEM expertise as educators in Florida鈥檚 classrooms.

The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Education鈥檚 Race to the Top competition, which has awarded more than $4 billion in federal aid to 12 states since 2009. Race to the Top, part of a broader national effort to improve school achievement, awards states that agree to take on ambitious education reforms.

麻豆原创鈥檚 partners in the grant include the Florida Virtual School and the school districts in Orange, Seminole, Volusia and Lake counties.

鈥淲e are so pleased to be working with such strong partners in meeting the critical need for teachers in the STEM fields,鈥� said Sandra Robinson, dean of the College of Education. 鈥淭his is a tremendous opportunity for the College of Education to bring a measure of added value to schools throughout Central Florida.鈥�

The RTP3 program is open to those who have earned undergraduate degrees in a STEM field since 2008 and have no experience teaching. Participants will become students working toward Master of Arts in Teaching degrees, awarded by 麻豆原创鈥檚 School of Teaching, Learning and Leadership.

Seventy students will be admitted into the 15-month program this spring, and 70 more will be admitted in spring 2013. Grant funding will cover all aspects of the program, including tuition costs for the students.

The educational component of the program will begin in May, when students will use simulation software developed by Lockheed Martin to learn the fundamentals of teaching and instruction. They also will practice working with students in a classroom with TLE TeachLivE, the classroom simulator developed by 麻豆原创 College of Education Professor Lisa Dieker.

In August, the students will be hired as teachers at schools in partnering districts, where they will teach math and science to students in grades 6-12.

In the classrooms, the 麻豆原创 students will assess areas in which middle and high schoolers are weakest and tweak their instruction to address their needs. They also will incorporate feedback from industry on what is needed in classrooms.

鈥淲e want to develop a national model,鈥� said Associate Professor Rosemarye Taylor, who is leading the project with College of Education faculty members Janet Andreasen and Erhan Selchuk Haciomeroglu.

鈥淲e鈥檙e gathering data, learning what works and what doesn鈥檛, and refining the program before we hand it over to the Department of Education in 2014,鈥� Taylor said.

The deadline to apply for entry into this year鈥檚 program is Sunday, April 15. For more information or to apply, e-mail rtp3@ucf.edu.