Students who enroll in ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄β€™s new graduate certificate in digital twins can explore the answers to these questions and a whole lot more. The 12-credit-hour program, launching this fall in the School of Modeling, Simulation and Training (SMST), will teach students to design, implement and analyze advanced digital twin systems that can mimic the behavior and performance of their physical counterparts.

β€œThe program emphasizes innovation and hands-on learning, preparing students to apply cutting-edge digital twin technologies to real-world challenges across sectors such as smart cities, healthcare, aerospace, manufacturing and defense,” SMST Interim Director and Program Coordinator Ghaith Rabadi says. β€œThe program is strategically designed to strengthen Central Florida’s digital twin talent pipeline and offers students access to industry-aligned training and career-ready skills. Graduates will emerge equipped to drive transformative digital solutions in high-demand fields.”

Various industries already utilize digital twins to test and analyze products or environments before they are created. For example, NASA uses digital twins to predict the behavior of spacecraft and increase the success of future missions. Siemens Healthcare employs digital twins of organs to help doctors better understand their physiology and to develop more targeted treatments.

Industry professionals who want to develop skills in this type of digital modeling are welcome to apply to the program. A background in engineering or computer science is not required, although an undergraduate degree from a STEM-related discipline and some experience with programming are preferred.

Assistant Professor Soheil Sabri says that graduates of the program may be better positioned to pursue job titles such as digital twin engineer, simulation analyst, systems integration specialist, smart infrastructure developer or digital transformation consultant across a wide range of industries.

β€œWith the growing adoption of digital twin technologies in industries such as aerospace, healthcare, manufacturing, energy, transportation and national defense, graduates will be equipped to lead efforts in optimizing operations, enhancing predictive maintenance and driving innovation in complex systems,” Sabri says. β€œThe program’s strong emphasis on real-world applications and industry collaboration further enhances graduates’ readiness for impactful, future-forward careers.”

The SMST faculty aims to enroll 10 to 15 students in the first year of the program and already have strong interest from students enrolled in the school’s graduate degrees. The program can be completed online, offering convenience to students who need to balance coursework with a full-time job.

β€œThe program is designed to be accessible to working professionals and students from diverse STEM backgrounds, providing flexible pathways to deepen understanding into emerging fields such as machine learning and artificial intelligence,” Assistant Professor Sean Modesire says. β€œAs digital twins continue to revolutionize sectors from healthcare to aerospace, this program positions ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ at the forefront of preparing the next generation of innovators and problem solvers.”

Other collaborators on the project include Roger Azevedo, Vishnu Prabhu and Bulent Soykan.

A Leader in Simulation

The study noted Orlando’s strength in the simulation technology field and the robust talent pipeline from ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄. The Institute for Simulation and Training, based at ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ and partnering with government and industry for more than 40 years, boasts a statewide economic impact of $11.6 billion. Within the College of Engineering and Computer Science, ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄β€™s School of Modeling, Simulation and Training has awarded more than 550 graduate degrees since its founding in 2018, advancing both research and workforce development in the field.

β€œAt ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ β€” and especially within the Institute for Simulation and Training β€” we have a long-standing commitment to cutting-edge research at the intersection of humans and technology, particularly through simulation and training,” Agere Chair Professor in Computer Science Carolina Cruz-Neira says. β€œOur integration of advanced research with academic programs has become a cornerstone of Central Florida’s simulation ecosystem. We produce a strong talent pipeline, graduating thousands of well-trained professionals each year, from undergraduate to highly specialized graduate degrees, many developed in close collaboration with industry and government.”

The university’s impact in the simulation sector also includes startups developed through ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄β€™s Business Incubation Program, which has supported more than 1,000 companies in the region over the past 25 years. One of the most recent simulation-based businesses includes ZuLeris Interactive, a Knight-founded startup that develops virtual training for the defense industry.

Developing Game Design

Orlando has emerged as one of the fastest-growing regions for video game development β€” part of an industry that generated nearly $455 billion in global revenue last year. ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ is contributing to the industry through talent educated in the Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy (FIEA), ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄β€™s graduate game design program located at ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ Downtown and surrounded by major companies. FIEA has ranked No. 1 in the world for four of the last five years, and the undergraduate program holds the No. 5 spot globally.

β€œMost great and growing cities have university presences in their downtown,” says Ben Noel, executive director of FIEA. β€œIn terms of FIEA and ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ Downtown, we are a short walking [distance] to thousands of developers and dozens of video game and simulation companies. The ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ Downtown campus investment near Creative Village, as well as FIEA’s reputation in the video game industry, have provided proven results.”

ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄β€™s FIEA program maintains strong partnerships with major game companies like Electronic Arts (EA), Epic Games, Iron Galaxy Studios, Microsoft’s Undead Labs, Ubisoft and Universal Creative. These companies provide scholarships, guest lectures, adjunct faculty and internships that often lead to full-time employment for ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ graduates. Over 100 FIEA alumni work at EA’s Tiburon studio, and many employees at Iron Galaxy and Undead Labs are FIEA graduates. The close ties formed during students’ time at ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ Downtown help maintain ongoing collaboration, with alumni frequently returning to recruit new talent.

β€œOrlando has the advantage of having [thousands of] college students within [15] miles and ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ as its hometown university,” Noel says. β€œThe quality of life, comparable affordability to other media hubs and critical mass of industry [here] have Orlando and Central Florida on almost all economic development maps.”

Advancing with AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most impactful technological developments today, influencing nearly every industry. More than three-quarters of respondents say their organizations use AI in at least one business function, according to a report from global management consulting firm McKinsey & Company.

To meet the growing demand for expertise in the field, ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ launched anΒ Artificial Intelligence Initiative, which includes hiring 30 new faculty members across five colleges to elevate the university’s expertise and education in AI.

ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ researchers are already exploring ways to use the developing technology, particularly in healthcare. Under the mentorship of College of Medicine Associate Professor Laura Brattain, six students from the College of Engineering and Computer Science recently developed an AI system to increase efficiency during robotic surgeries at Orlando Health. Brattain is also working with College of Health Professions and Sciences Assistant Professor Colby Mangum to study how AI can be used to diagnose and treat back pain by using AI with ultrasounds β€” a cost-effective alternative to MRI and CT scans.

The complex imaging of these medical scans is related to another advancing technology connected to AI: computer vision.

Enhancing Computer Vision

Computer vision is a field of AI that teaches computers to process and interpret meaningful information from digital images, such pictures and videos. Key challenges include detection and recognition of objects, features, or actions; segmentation of videos; and using image or video data in computational processes.

As Orlando’s tech hub evolves, ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ computer vision studies will contribute to the region through strategic investment in AI education, says Mubarak Shah, ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ trustee chair professor of computer science and founding director of ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄β€™s Center for Research in Computer Vision.

β€œAI is the future,” Shah says. β€œIt will have much more impact than what [the] Industrial Revolution had on our society.”

ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ has been a leader in computer vision for most of its existence. The university has been home to the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) in Computer Vision for 37 consecutive years β€” the longest-running REU in the nation. It is also the only public university in Florida offering a computer vision master’s degree program, with plans underway to launch an online version of the program.

The Center for Research in Computer Vision is consistently ranked among the top 10 in the country, recognized for conducting prominent research that evolves with the growing field. But to stay competitive with other countries, Shah emphasizes the importance of preparing Β the nation’s AI workforce.

β€œThe U.S. still has an edge in AI research. However, the majority of AI workforce consists of foreign nationals, who are not eligible to work in the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and other national security organizations,” Shah says. β€œThe nation needs to prepare an AI workforce for the future to be competitive with other countries.”

Orlando has a great opportunity to lead the nation in tech sectors, Shah says. In addition to innovative research and strategic partnerships driving tech forward, the city offers enticing advantages for companies considering relocation: no state income tax, a low cost of living and great weather. The Orlando metro area accounted for approximately 74,000 tech workers in 2023 β€” an increase of 2,000 from the previous year and 9,500 more than five years ago, according to CompTIA, a nonprofit American trade association.

β€œOrlando can attract some of these tech companies if we can keep strengthening our AI research and education,” Shah says. β€œThis will create lots of new jobs and improve the local and state economy. Our professors and students will continue to create startup companies, which will help Florida’s economy and living standards.”

Azevedo’s research focuses on human interactions with intelligent learning systems to study learning, performance and transfer in various contexts.

β€œThis recognition affirms my contributions to multidisciplinary research,” Azevedo says. β€œIt opens doors to new research partnerships, funding opportunities, and AI-based technological innovations.”

Azevedo’s work aims to develop adaptive learning systems that model and enhance human-machine collaboration, with applications in healthcare, defense, and education, advancing training technologies for the 21st-century workforce.

β€œDr. Azevedo’s selection as an AERA Fellow is a testament to his dedication to advancing the field of educational research,” says officials with the Pegasus Research Institute (PRI) at ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄.Β β€œHis work not only enhances IST’s mission to push the boundaries of learning technologies but also reflects our ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence in research.”

Nominated by their peers, the 2025 Fellows were selected by the fellows committee and approved by the AERA Council, the association’s elected governing body. Azevedo will be inducted alongside colleagues from prestigious institutions such as the University of Virginia, UCLA and Johns Hopkins University. The induction ceremony occurs at the 2025 Annual Meeting in Denver on April 24.

β€œBeing inducted as a Fellow of AERA is a significant milestone in recognizing the quality and impact of our interdisciplinary research,” Azevedo says. “It also enhances my research and professional goals by providing greater visibility and opportunities for collaboration across disciplines.”

About SMART Lab
The SMART Lab explores human interactions with intelligent learning and training systems. Using multimodal data, researchers analyze cognitive and behavioral processes to improve adaptive learning technologies. Their work informs the development of systems that personalize training, enhance decision-making, and optimize performance in various fields, from education to high-stakes environments like healthcare and defense.

The DTC, established in 2020, is a widely recognized authority in digital twin technology. Its members coordinate academic, industry and government efforts to promote consistent standards in areas such as interoperability, vocabulary and architecture related to digital twin technology as it advances in multiple industries.

DTC is also part of a bigger organization, Object Management Group, which is a nonprofit consortium of 27 countries that seeks to develop consistent standards and harmonize terminology to ensure their relevance and applicability for various, evolving technologies.

The agreement between the university and DTC is set to last three years, and then it will come under review to determine its future continuation.

Senior ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ leaders have recognized this collaboration as a significant step forward in leveraging digital twin technology.

β€œWith ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ having a digital twin initiative, I think it’s very important to be connected to the broader community,” says Soheil Sabri, an assistant professor in the digital twin initiative at ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄β€™s School of Modeling, Simulation and Training. β€œDTC has more than 200 members around the world. Being part of DTC is helping ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ understand all the challenges in the current state of industry.”

What is a Digital Twin?

A digital twin is a virtual replica of a physical object, system or process that uses real-time data to simulate its behavior. Digital twins are valuable for several purposes, such as testing scenarios, predicting performance and identifying potential flaws without the costs and risks associated with real-life testing.

This technology is relatively new, which can lead to a variety of understandings across the industries that employ them.

β€œWith β€˜digital twins,’ there are a lot of different definitions, and different groups have their own perceptions of what that concept is,” Sabri says. β€œSome think digital twin is a tool or a product, and others think it’s a methodology or a process. DTC’s working groups are trying to contribute to the entire community’s understanding of the digital twin and its value to their own sectors.”

Sabri believes ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ can play a leadership role in the DTC domain because of its digital twin initiative.

β€œIt’s a big deal for us to be a part of this consortium and play a leadership role in supporting industry, government and other academic institutions to implement and leverage the work we are doing and collaborating on,” he says.

A Leader in Digital Twins

As a consortium regional branch organizer (RBO), ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ has accepted certain duties in working with its partners, including executing conferences, meetings and awareness efforts.

The university will also help facilitate innovation and ideas by helping develop the digital twin workforce to the market.

β€œIn this region, you can imagine the importance of the digital twin in relation to Kennedy Space Center, the entertainment industry and the defense industry,” Sabri says.

β€œThey’re interested in working with us, and they would like to be part of our journey, especially in the education and training aspects. That’s really important from ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄β€™s perspective, and we’re in a very strategic position in the U.S. as compared to other RBOs.”

With ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄β€™s recent addition to DTC, Sabri explained that the university would announce a regional plan to support industry requirements through awareness programs, workshops and professional development in the near future.

β€œWe hope to bring industry’s challenges into our group and make a connection between different industries and the government so we can coordinate innovation in digital twin technology and address some of the challenges those industries are facing,” he says.

The tour included visits with key ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ research centers, such as (IST), , and the Center of Excellence in Hypersonic and Space Propulsion (HyperSpace Center).

While Grady toured ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄β€™s defense-related research, his wife, Christine Grady, visited ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄β€™s Office of Military and Veteran Student Success; , a clinic dedicated to treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); and met with ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ Army and Air Force ROTC cadets.

β€œThe visit from Admiral and Mrs. Grady underscores the vital role ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ plays in advancing national security and defense research, supporting critical DOD needs, and preparing the next generation of military leaders,” says Winston V. Schoenfeld, ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄β€™s vice president for research and innovation. β€œOver 30% of ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄β€™s federal funding has come from the DOD for more than a decade, positioning ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ as a national leader in delivering key innovations to the DOD.”

The Tour

Grady began his visit with a meeting alongside ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ President Alexander N. Cartwright, where they discussed ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄β€™s longstanding commitment to supporting the nation’s defense through cutting-edge research and workforce development.

While with CREOL, Admiral Grady received a briefing on directed energy research and its applications for DOD missions, particularly the capabilities of the Townes Institute for Science and Technology Experimentation Facility. The institute, located at Kennedy Space Center, supports multidisciplinary research with a focus on space science, optics and other advanced technologies.

At IST, ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ showcased the latest advancements in digital twin technology, such as real-time 3D digital twins of structures and areas, and artificial intelligence for DOD-decision making tools.

Grady’s visit to the HyperSpace Center focused on the integration of students into the research process and the timeline for the hypersonic technology, which would allow air travel at speeds of up to 13,000 miles per hour (Mach 17).

Commitment to National Defense and Military Success

ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ is a national leader in supporting military and defense initiatives through education, research and industry partnerships.

ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄β€™s Office of Military and Veteran Student Success supports more than 3,200 military-connected students, including veterans, active-duty and dependents, by providing academic advising, transition assistance and tailored guidance.

ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ RESTORES offers innovative, no-cost PTSD treatment for veterans and first responders, with clinical trials achieving a 100% success rate in just 14 days for participants completing VR-assisted exposure therapy. The program has treated more than 500 veterans and 950 first responders, with the majority no longer meeting PTSD criteria.

ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ also boasts top-ranked ROTC programs, with the Army ROTC Fighting Knights Battalion and Air Force Detachment 159 preparing leaders for military and civilian careers. ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄β€™s AFROTC program, which has been developing officers for the Air Force and Space Force for more than 50 years, has earned the DOD’s ROTC and Educational Institutional Partnership Excellence Award for multiple areas of excellence.

In research, ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄β€™s close ties to the defense industry are amplified through Central Florida Research Park, a $7 billion hub for modeling and simulation adjacent to ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄β€™s main campus, which is also home to six DOD headquarters. ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ also ranks No. 1 in Florida for VA certifications, is leading the nation in the number of cybersecurity championships, and is the top supplier of graduates to the aerospace and defense industries.

The worldwide rankings, , place ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ in a tie with Yale University (57) and ahead of U.S. institutions such as Vanderbilt (56), Princeton (44) and Florida State University (38).

The NAI rankings may be further adjusted as patent corrections are submitted by universities.

This is the 11^th year that ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ has ranked in the top 100 universities in the world for patents.

β€œInnovation is at the heart of our mission at ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄, and these latest patent rankings reaffirm our commitment to pushing boundaries and making impactful advancements,” says Winston V. Schoenfeld, ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄β€™s interim vice president for research and innovation. β€œThe range of inventions reflects the dedication and ingenuity of our researchers across the research enterprise, and their efforts continue to position ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ as a leader in innovation, both nationally and globally.”

The patents were secured by ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄β€™sΒ , which brings discoveries to the marketplace and connects ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ researchers with companies and entrepreneurs to transform innovative ideas into successful products.

Svetlana ShtromΜύ’08MBA, director of ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄β€™s Technology Transfer Office, says university patents are a valuable asset for universities, industry and society.

β€œPatents facilitate transfer of technology from universities and foster collaboration between academia and the private sector,” Shtrom says.Β β€œThrough collaboration with industry, university technologies provide solutions to pressing problems and create new products and services that benefit the public.”

She says the patents also reflect the commitment of the university’s researchers to innovation, and they serve as a beacon to attract more students and faculty who are interested in cutting-edge research and entrepreneurship.

Here are a few of the ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ inventions that led to patents in 2023:

Passive Insect Surveillance Sensor Device
Lead researcher: Bradley Willenberg, assistant professor, ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄

ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ researchers have developed a low-cost, easy-to-use device for detection of mosquitos and other insects that also indicates whether an insect carries a specific infectious disease. Through simple color-based tests (colorimetric assays) and biomolecular tools for detection (DNA aptamers conjugated to nanoparticles), a user can monitor viral presence in insect saliva samples. By doing so, various mosquito-borne emerging pathogens, including Zika, Dengue, and Chikunguya, can be detected.Β  The easily deployable technology can potentially help in the global fight and prevention against these deadly diseases. The .

Antiplasmodial Compounds
Lead researcher: Debopam Chakrabarti, professor and head,

This technology is a method of treatment for malaria by administration of specific fungus-derived compounds. Annually, malaria affects more than 200 million people and kills more than 600,000. Caused by Plasmodium parasites carried in mosquitos, an effective treatment is desperately needed. ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ researchers used aΒ  library of fungi found in habitats and ecological niches across the U.S. to find potential antimalarial compounds. The unique chemicals they identified provide starting points for developing lead compounds of new drugs against malaria. The research team is .

Coating for Capturing and Killing Viruses on Surfaces
Lead researcher: Suditpa Seal, Pegasus Professor and chair,

This technology is a nano-coating designed to capture, hold and kill viruses on a surface, such as on personal protective equipment and clothing, using natural light sources to protect against infections.

The COVID-killing coating is made with a nanomaterial that activates under white light, such as sunlight or LED light. As long as the nanomaterial is exposed to a continuous light source, it can regenerate its antiviral properties, creating a self-cleaning effect.

The efficacy of the disinfectant was shown through a study that was published inΒ ACS Applied Materials and InterfacesΒ this past year. The study found that the coating can not only destroy the COVID-19 virus, but it can alsoΒ combat the spread of Zika virus, SARS, parainfluenza, rhinovirus and vesicular stomatitis.

Production of Nanoporous Films
Lead researcher: Yang Yang, associate professor,

ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ researchers have created , such as for fuel cells, hydrogen production, photocatalysts, sensing and energy storage, and electrodes in supercapacitors. The method improves performance and versatility and does not require use of costly precious metals, such as gold. Instead, the ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ technology uses low-cost, earth-abundant resources such as iron, cobalt and nickel. The nanoporous thin films are designed to help meet today’s challenges in renewable energy production and conversion applications.

Method of Forming High-Throughput 3d Printed Microelectrode Array
Lead researcher: Swaminathan Rajaraman, associate professor, NanoScience Technology Center

This invention is a . The device has small channels and chambers that guide liquids, like samples or chemicals, to a central area where there are special electrodes. These electrodes can send and record electrical signals from tiny groups of cells called spheroids. Scientists can use this to see how cells react to different conditions and substances. The innovation offers an easy way to study biological cells, tissues and electrophysiological responses. The technology can help lead to advancements in disease modeling, toxicity assessments and drug discovery.

Adaptive Visual Overlay for Anatomical Simulation
Lead researcher: Greg Welch, Pegasus Professor, AdventHealth Endowed Chair in Healthcare Simulation,

This anatomical simulation allows users to wear a head-mounted display that presents an anatomical scenario onto a patient to allow for medical training, surgical training or other instruction. Users who experience the simulation will see a real body part or other anatomical items projected through an augmented reality system. The innovative, and provides constant, dynamic feedback to medical trainees as they treat wounds. Almost like a video game in real-life, the Tactile-Visual Wound Simulation Unit portrays the look, feel, and even the smell of different types of human wounds (such as a puncture, stab, slice or tear). It also tracks and analyzes a trainee’s treatment responses and provides corrective instructions.

System for Extracting Water from Lunar Regolith and Associated Method
Lead researcher: Phil Metzger ’00MS’05PhD, associate scientist,

This invention is and help to establish the industry. The process consists of robot mining of the regolith (loose, heterogeneous superficial deposits covering solid rock), transferring the mined material to a conveyer, and passing the soil through grinding and crushing stages. Included are mechanisms to sort the material into ice, metals, and other minerals, and final transport and cleanup. This technology allows mining water on the moon, which supports NASA missions, enables further commercial operations in space, and supports Space Force activities.

Inorganic Paint Pigment with Plasmonic Aluminum Reflector Layers and Related Methods
Lead researcher: Debashis Chanda, professor, NanoScience Technology Center

This invention, a plasmonic paint, draws inspiration from butterflies to create the first environmentally friendly, large-scale and multicolor alternative to pigment-based colorants, which can contribute to energy-saving efforts and help reduce impacts on climate.

The plasmonic paint uses nanoscale structural arrangement of colorless materials β€” aluminum and aluminum oxide β€” instead of pigments to create colors.

While pigment colorants control light absorption based on the electronic property of the pigment material, hence every color needs a new molecule, structural colorants control the way light is reflected, scattered or absorbed based on the geometrical arrangement of nanostructures.

Such structural colors are environmentally friendly as they only use metals and oxides, unlike pigment-based colors that use artificially synthesized molecules.

The researchers have combined their structural color flakes with a commercial binder to form long-lasting paints of all colors. And because plasmonic paint reflects the entire infrared spectrum, less heat is absorbed by the paint, resulting in the underneath surface staying 25 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than it would if it were covered with standard commercial paint.

Plasmonic paint is also lightweight, a result of the paint’s large area-to-thickness ratio, with full coloration achieved at a paint thickness of only 150 nanometers, making it the lightest paint in the world.

System and Method for Radio Frequency Power Sensing and Scavenging Based on Phonon-electron Coupling in Acoustic Waveguides
Lead researcher: Hakhamanesh Mansoorzare ’21, postdoctoral researcher,

To meet the growing energy needs of the internet of things (IoT) and wireless communication systems, this new technology is .

The invention harvests ambient energy, specifically radio frequency electromagnetic waves, the most abundant form of communication among IoT nodes and hubs.

The technology can reduce the electronic industry’s reliance on batteries and broaden the expansion of the IoT and its energy needs.

Forward AnzhanΓ© Hutton attempts a jump shot to score in the Addition Financial Arena. ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ defeated Wichita State 59-56.

Kareem Ahmed, associate professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, is the principal investigator of a new Naval Research Laboratory-funded project to create a morphing hypersonic engine for ultra-fast travel.

The ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄/Universal Creative Lab, which launched Spring 2023, brings immersive design learning experiences to students to cultivate the next generation of themed entertainment innovators. The class opened to graduate students in ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄β€™s , which is directed by Professor Peter Weishar.

Pushing the frontier of space research, Associate Professor of Physics Adrienne Dove is co-leading NASA’s $35 million science mission to the moon’s Gruithuisen Domes, which is expected to launch in 2026.

A participant in the 15th annual ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ Iron Knight Challenge drags weights across a field in a race to complete eight physical fitness tasks along a military-style obstacle course.

Forward Taylor Hendricks is ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ men’s basketball’s third NBA Draft selection in program history. Hendricks was selected by the Utah Jazz with the No. 9 overall pick of the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft.

Jane Gibson, fromΒ the College of Medicine, was selected as one of fourΒ 2023 Pegasus Professors, the university’s highest faculty honor. Professors Stephen Fiore, Jennifer Kent-Walsh and Marianna Pensky were also selected.

Rapper and singer Doechii performed at ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄est Concert Knight presented by Campus Activities Board at the Addition Financial Arena.

During ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ Celebrates the Arts β€” a multi-day showcase of creativity β€” student cellists and other ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ musicians performed orchestral classics at the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts.

Backstage during a ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ Celebrates the Arts production at the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts in downtown Orlando.

Ballet dancers captivated the stage during TECH-nique: A Dance Concert at ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ Celebrates the Arts, which focused on the intersection of arts and technology this year.

Knights posed for photos in the Student Union during ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ Day of Giving 2023; an impactful celebration that ended with Knight Nation raising over $6.8 million β€” the most in university history β€” to support our local community, fund life-changing scholarships, power championship athletics, build 21st century learning facilities, fuel innovative research and enhance the university’s global reputation.

A graduate from Spring 2023 commencement celebrates with loved ones.

ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ students spend a day outdoors in downtown Orlando, which ranks as the No. 1 Best College City in Florida, according to WalletHub.

Principal Investigator and Associate Professor ofΒ Mechanical and Aerospace EngineeringΒ Helen Huang works with student Jordan Grubb to understand how the brain and body work together β€” valuable research to assist those with impaired movement.

The Charging Knight statue β€” representative of ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄β€™s excellence in academics, its partnerships with the community and its athletics program β€” sits near the main entrance of FBC Mortgage Stadium.

College of Optics and Photonics Associate Professor Kyu Young Han works with doctoral student Katelyn CanedoΜύ’16 in the , which focuses on optical nanoscopy. Han is an expert in designing new optical tools for biological applications, including ones that could aid in the understanding of human protein linked to diseases.

Student researchers gain hands-on experience with lasers in a lab in the College of Optics and Photonics.

Two students take a selfie with Knightro during the Welcome Back Popsicle Social event hosted by the Office of the President at the Reflecting Pond on the first day of the fall semester.

Political science student Sebastian Jimenez dives into a book outside of the John C. Hitt Library β€” carrying on the late president emeritus’ core belief that education transforms lives.

Jersey Shore star and DJ, Pauly D, gets the crowd pumped during his pregame set at Bounce House Live at IOA Plaza before ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ football’s first Big 12 home game.

Fans filled FBC Mortgage Stadium for the first Big 12 home football game against Baylor.

The School of Modeling, Simulation and Training secured an advanced dog-like robot named TapeMeasure β€” allowing them to bring students, faculty and new technology together forΒ innovative researchΒ and teaching.

ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ Creative School for Children held a foam splash event to provide its own Spirit Splash-like experience for preschoolers during Homecoming Week.

Knightro surfed over a crowd of students at Spirit Splash during Homecoming Week.

Knights charged into the Reflecting Pond to catch coveted homecoming rubber ducks at Spirit Splash.

During Spirit Splash, the dance team amped up the crowd before Knights rushed into the Reflecting Pond.

Knightro hyped up the crowd from the sidelines at the homecoming football game against West Virginia.

Assistant Professor of Theme Park and Attraction Management Carissa Baker (middle) works with students to understand theme park storytelling. Baker is a 2023 Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching awardee.

Track and field sprinters Latasha Smith (left) and I’Asia Wilson (right) pose with their collection of championship rings at a tailgate event before ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ football’s Space Game.

Football in tow, tight end Alec Holler moves up the field during ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄β€™s annual Space Game. The Knights defeated Oklahoma State, 45-3, marking their seventh consecutive win since the Space Game debuted in 2017.

Of the degrees ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ expects to award, 2,986 are bachelor’s, 615 are master’s, 152 are doctoral and 6 are education specialist degrees. ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ will also award 104 graduate certificates.

Overall, ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ anticipates awarding 816 degrees in STEM fields β€” including 359 in engineering and computer science β€” as well as 410 in business, 168 in hospitality-related fields, 277 in nursing, 91 in biomedical sciences, 32 in digital and emerging media, and 54 in elementary education.

More than half of the bachelor’s degree recipients are students eligible to receive Pell Grants (1,535), demonstrating the university’s impact on social mobility. In addition, 710 bachelor’s degrees will be awarded to first-generation students β€” accounting for 24% of the graduating class.

Commencement Festivities

Held in Addition Financial Arena, the spring commencement will take place Aug. 4-5.

All guests, including children and infants,Β need 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 theΒ live ceremony via a simulcast viewingΒ in the FAIRWINDS Alumni Center and the Student Union. Ceremonies will also be livestreamed onΒ ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄β€™s YouTube channel.

Commencement Photo-ops

Three different photo-ops on ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄β€™s main campus are available for students to their accomplishments.

The Reflecting Pond is one of the most iconic spots on campus for grad photos and this year the pond will have enhanced elements, such as flags on the lawn and black and gold balls in the water, July 22- Aug. 7.

Graduating Knights will also be able to take photos in FBC Mortgage Stadium from 10 a.m. to 4p.m. July 31-Aug. 3. Please enter through Gate 17 to access the stadium. Taking photos on the field is prohibited.

On Thursday, Aug. 3, 3-7 p.m., spring graduates will be offered a photo-op β€” Grad WalkΒ β€” within 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. No pre-registration is required.

Commencement Schedule

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

Aug. 4, 6 p.m.
College of Arts and Humanities
College of Sciences
College of Undergraduate Studies

Aug. 5, 10 a.m.
College of Business
College of Community Innovation and Education
Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Aug. 5, 3 p.m.
College of Engineering and Computer Science
College of Graduate Studies
College of Health Professions and Sciences
College of Medicine
College of Nursing
College of Optics and Photonics

Commencement Speakers

Aug. 4, 6 p.m.
Ray Rodrigues
Chancellor of the State University System of Florida

Aug. 5, 10 a.m.
John Rivers
CEO for the 4R Restaurant Group

Aug. 5, 3 p.m.
Grace Bochenek ’98PhD
Director of ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄β€™s School of Modeling, Simulation and Training, and
ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ industrial and systems engineering alum

For more details and FAQs about Spring 2023 commencement celebrations, visitβ€―ucf.edu/graduation.

Orlando’s tech industry job growth is projected to be 26.8% β€” more than double the growth for computer and information technology jobs nationally by 2030, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Best Colleges rankings considers an analysis of the BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages and a 2022 report by 24/7 Wall St.

β€œOrlando offers resources for startups and tech professionals through its tech hub portal,” Best Colleges stated in its rankings. β€œProfessionals can find peer networking, professional development and other career opportunities. Startups can also recruit workers by posting jobs and showcasing innovation in the industry.”

Annually ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ produces a high volume of top talent to the tech field. In the 2022-23 academic year thus far, ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ has awarded more than 4,600 degrees in STEM fields to graduates.

STEM fields emphasize technology, innovation, problem-solving, and critical thinking and are in high demand by employers throughout Central Florida and the state. STEM workers, on average, earn higher salaries and can extend across various fields, including advanced manufacturing, aerospace, artificial intelligence, biomedical sciences, cybersecurity, engineering, game development and nursing.

Faculty lead highly regarded programs across tech-related fields at ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄, with computing being a strong focus. ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ ranks No. 57 for graduate computer engineering, No. 70 for computer science graduate programs and No. 86 for computer science undergraduate programs, according to U.S. News & World Report. The organization also ranks ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ No. 20 for innovation in the nation.

β€œIf you look at high-tech centers around the world, they emerge close to universities,” says Christo Pirinsky, co-director of ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄β€™s fintech graduate program, which is the first of degree of its kind in Florida and provides graduates with employable technical skills in areas such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, crowdfunding, cybersecurity, mobile application development and peer-to-peer lending.

ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ is a top producer of talent for the digital media and video game industry. This year, ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄β€™s graduate game design program, the Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy (FIEA), ranks No. 2 β€” its fourth consecutive year in the top two, according to The Princeton Review and PC Gamer. FIEA has produced 940 graduates and about half are employed in Central Florida.

Orlando is known as the modeling and simulation capital of the world β€” and ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄β€™s Institute of Simulation and Training has played a critical role in the industry’s growth in the region for 40 years through key partnerships with the government. Through the School of Modeling, Simulation and Training, which was established in 2018, ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ is training individuals already in the tech space how to take their talents to the next level.

ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ is also a partner with several key tech companies across the region, such as Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman through the college work experience programs, which provide student industry connections before they even graduate.

In 2022, Coldwell Banker Richard Ellis ranked the Orlando region No. 25 in the nation and No. 1 in Florida for producing tech talent. Last year, ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ ranked the No. 2 university in Florida and No. 8 nationally for producing highly skilled employees for some of the world’s most prominent technology companies, according to a survey from TonerGiant.

β€œI’ve only been in Central Florida for a few years and can feel the reputation as a hub of technology is at an inflection point,” says Ajai Singh, chair of ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄β€™s Department of Finance, who helped establish the university’s fintech program. β€œThe corporate world knows it. Other schools know it. I believe everyone is about to know it.”

Called the Virtual Experience Research Accelerator, or VERA, the system will enable researchers to carry out large studies in extended reality (XR) environments, including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality and mixed reality, with large and wide-ranging populations. The four-year project will be led by Professor Greg Welch, a computer scientist and engineer, and the AdventHealth Endowed Chair in Healthcare Simulation in ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄β€™s College of Nursing. Welch also holds secondary appointments in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, and the School of Modeling, Simulation and Training (SMST).

The NSF announced the funding today as part of a $16.1 million investment the agency is making in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure through its Computer and Information Science and EngineeringΒ  (CISE) Community Research Infrastructure β€” or CCRI β€” program.

β€œVERA could transform the way XR researchers carry out human subjects research,” Welch says. β€œIt will allow researchers to run studies relatively quickly, using a large number of study participants with wide-ranging demographics, to realize faster generation of better-quality results that are more generalizable to the larger population.”

One goal of the VERA project is to provide researchers with a new and powerful tool that could lead to improved XR technologies that are more effective for the user and make XR research more available to underrepresented groups, such as older adults or people with disabilities, who could potentially benefit from the technology, Welch says.

Other institutions also receiving NSF CCRI awards this year are the University of Pennsylvania; the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities; UCLA; and Penn State.

The 2023 CCRI projects will provide researchers and students across the nation with access to transformative resources through platforms for carrying out AI research on social robotics and research in immersive virtual environments that could also benefit AI research.

β€œA critical element to the success of the AI research revolution is ensuring that researchers have access to the data and platforms required to continue to drive innovation and scalability in AI technologies and systems,” says NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan. β€œThis infrastructure must be accessible to a full breadth and variety of talent interested in AI [research and development], as that is the driving force behind modern discoveries.”

While VERA is primarily aimed at human subjects research in XR, it will also contribute to the success of AI research by providing researchers with a tool for collecting large data sets of realistic human behavior that is representative of the general population, Welch says.

About VERA

The VERA project will address a critical problem in human subjects research in XR β€” a vast majority of the studies rely on relatively small convenience samples of college-age participants that are not demographically mixed and take a relatively long time to carry out, Welch says.

β€œBecause laboratory-based studies are relatively slow, they are typically limited to relatively small population samples, and because those samples are not typically representative of the general population, the findings typically are not either,” he says.

VERA will combine the ideas of distributed lab-based studies, online studies, research panels, crowdsourcing and virtual environments into a unified system for carrying out XR-based human subjects research. To create a large, wide-ranging pool of research participants, the team will recruit participants from around the country to serve in a standing participant pool.

The system will be comprised of a study management program, the participant pool, and a virtual metaworld where participants can join studies, and researchers can attend meetings and events as well as interact with 3D visualizations of final study data.

Individuals recruited for the VERA participant pool will include those who already own VR equipment as well as those who will have it provided to them. The system will allow for participants to take part in studies remotely, without having to come to a lab.

The VERA Team

In addition to Welch, the VERA team includes principal investigators Shiri Azenkot, an associate professor with Cornell Tech and a co-founder and Director of XR Access; Jeremy Bailenson, a Thomas More Storke Professor at Stanford University; Gerd Bruder, a research associate professor with ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄β€™s Institute of Simulation and Training, SMST; Tabitha Peck, an associate professor with Davidson College; and Valerie Jones Taylor, an associate professor with Lehigh University.

Co-investigators are Jonathan Beever, an associate professor in ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄β€™s College of Arts and Humanities; Nicholas Alvaro Coles, a research scientist with Stanford University and the Director of the Psychological Science Accelerator; Carolina Cruz-Neira, an Agere Chair Professor in ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄β€™s Department of Computer Science; John Murray, an assistant professor in ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄β€™s Nicholson School of Communication and Media; and Rui Xie, an assistant professor in ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄β€™s Department of Statistics and Data Science.

Several industry and nonprofit organizations are involved, as is the XR Association.

Next Steps

The VERA team will begin developing the system and curating a participant pool during the first year of the work, as well as build a community around the project.

β€œIt’s really a joy to be working on this,” Welch says. β€œWith VERA, both established and advancing researchers will have a new power tool to do more great research, and researchers who do not have a laboratory where they can run XR human subjects research, due to perhaps money or space limitations, will now have a practical and powerful way to run studies. VERA offers a chance to do something for the amazing XR research community, by making high-quality human subjects research accessible to more researchers.”

Researcher Credentials

Welch received his doctorate in computer science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and joined ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ in 2011.

Bruder received his doctorate in computer science from the University of Hamburg in Germany and joined ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ in 2016.

Beever received his doctorate in philosophy from Purdue University and joined ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ in 2015.

Cruz-Neira received her doctorate in computer science/virtual reality from the University of Illinois Chicago and joined ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ in 2020.

Murray received his doctorate in computer science from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and joined ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ in 2018.

Xie received his doctorate in statistics from the University of Georgia and joined ΒιΆΉΤ­΄΄ in 2019.