THE LATEST FROM THE UNIVERSITY
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The Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering continues to earn national recognition, with its online engineering programs ranking among the top in the country by U.S. News & World Report. The honor reflects the college’s commitment to accessible, high-quality graduate education.
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Two UF Engineers Named 2026 National Academy of Inventors Senior Members
Two faculty members from the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering — Curtis Taylor, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Engineering Education and the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, and Hamed Dalir, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering — have been named Senior Members of the National Academy of Inventors. The recognition honors researchers who have demonstrated success in translating innovative discoveries into technologies that benefit society.
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UF Researchers Using Machine Learning to Pursue Fusion Power
UF researchers are applying machine learning to improve predictions of plasma behavior inside fusion reactors. By enhancing models used to understand plasma stability, the team aims to accelerate progress toward fusion energy — a potential source of abundant, carbon-free power.
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UF Launches Center for Engineering Human Performance and Wellness
The University of Florida has launched a new Center for Engineering Human Performance and Wellness, bringing together experts across engineering and health to advance how we understand movement, recovery and overall well-being. By leveraging wearable sensors, robotics and AI-driven data analysis, researchers aim to improve athletic performance, support rehabilitation and enhance quality of life across populations.
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UF’s RoboPI Lab Making Waves with Marine Robots
Researchers in UF’s RoboPI Lab are developing innovative marine robotic systems designed to explore and monitor ocean environments. These robots help scientists collect data in challenging underwater conditions, advancing research in coastal resilience, environmental monitoring and ocean engineering.
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UF Research Reveals Vulnerabilities in Drone Thermal Cameras
UF researcher Sara Rampazzi, Ph.D. and her team have discovered critical vulnerabilities in thermal cameras used in drones and autonomous systems, showing how heat sources can be used to hide real obstacles or create false ones — and are developing solutions to make these systems safer and more reliable.
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New research from UF Engineering reveals that artificial intelligence can outperform humans at identifying manipulated images. However, the study also found that people still perform better at detecting deepfake videos, highlighting opportunities for human-AI collaboration in combating digital misinformation.
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Researchers at the University of Florida CISE Department are exploring ways to intentionally “stress test” artificial intelligence systems to uncover potential weaknesses before they can cause real-world problems. By deliberately pushing AI models to their limits, the team aims to identify vulnerabilities and improve the reliability and safety of AI technologies used in critical applications.
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NEWS FROM AROUND THE COLLEGE
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Wally Rhines Elected to the National Academy of Engineering
Wally Rhines, a valued supporter and leader within the college community, has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering — one of the highest professional distinctions in the field. His recognition reflects decades of engineering leadership and impact.
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Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering Mark Orazem, Ph.D., of the University of Florida Department of Chemical Engineering has been recognized by The Electrochemical Society for distinguished multidisciplinary contributions to the field. The honor highlights decades of impactful research spanning electrochemistry, materials science and engineering innovation.
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The Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering community came together in a powerful show of support on Giving Day, raising $550,898 to advance scholarships, fuel groundbreaking research and expand hands-on learning opportunities. Alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends contributed to initiatives that strengthen our college and shape the future of engineering at UF. Thank you for making an impact.
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Yeongseon Jang, Ph.D., of the University of Florida Department of Chemical Engineering, has received a $500,000 National Science Foundation award to develop protein-based, cell-like membrane systems that model how immune cells recognize and respond to signals. The research advances biomaterials innovation while providing hands-on training opportunities for students.
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Philip Feng, Ph.D., of the University of Florida Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and his research team have demonstrated record-setting gigahertz (GHz) vibrations in ultra-thin graphene and molybdenum disulfide resonators. Published in Science Advances, the breakthrough enables high-frequency oscillations at room temperature, advancing next-generation signal processing, sensing and quantum technologies.
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Researchers in the Sarntinoranont Lab are using advanced computational models to study how cancer treatments interact with human tissue. By combining engineering principles with medical science, the team hopes to improve treatment delivery and effectiveness for cancer patients.
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CELEBRATING OUR FUTURE ENGINEERS
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AI Researcher Wins HiPerGator Early-Career Award
UF master’s student Matheus Maldaner has earned the HiPerGator Early Career Award for his contributions to artificial intelligence research, recognizing his work on developing faster, more transparent AI systems using UF’s supercomputer.
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Quest for Helmet Safety Earns ISE Ph.D. Student Top Awards
ISE doctoral student Gustavo Paulon earned two Best Paper awards from the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society for research on firefighter helmet design. His work focuses on reducing neck strain and injury risk by improving helmet ergonomics and weight distribution.
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Nuclear engineering Ph.D. students Emily Gunger, Enrique Medici and Hannah Patz have been selected for the prestigious Training in Radiological and International Nuclear Security (TRAINS) Fellowship. The highly competitive program connects graduate students with leading universities and national laboratories in the United States and Europe to advance research and collaboration in nuclear security and nonproliferation.
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What started as an idea in Turlington Plaza has become a historic milestone for the University of Florida. Through Florida Rocket Lab, an entirely undergraduate team designed, built and successfully hotfired “Sparrow,” a 550-pound-thrust liquid rocket engine—the first of its kind in UF history. Working under the guidance of Youngsup Song, Ph.D., students led every stage of development, from simulation and design to full-scale testing at Cecil Spaceport.
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The Turbo GatorBots, a FIRST LEGO League robotics team mentored by University of Florida engineering students, won the state championship and will advance to the FIRST LEGO League World Championship. Through mentorship from UF students, the team developed innovative robotics solutions while gaining hands-on experience in engineering, teamwork and problem-solving.
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A biomedical engineering doctoral student has been selected for the national ABCD START Fellowship, a program that supports emerging researchers working to advance biomedical innovation and translate discoveries into real-world health solutions.
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GRATEFUL RECOGNITION - $100,000+ GIFTS
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We are deeply grateful to those whose generosity helps Gator Engineers be future-ready leaders through bold research, hands-on learning and forward-thinking innovation!
John Hauck Foundation - To continue support for the Investigation of Fission Plasma Stability in Gas Core Reactors.
Luis M. Sierra - To establish a new endowed Sierra Family Faculty Excellence Award as well as a new Luis Sierra Innovation Fund in MAE.
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Gator Engineers In Action
We’d like to see more of you in our next issue the Florida Engineer … literally! Whether you’re traveling or at work, send us some photos of our Gator Engineers out in the world.
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SUPPORT ENGINEERING STUDENTS
Gifts made to the Dean’s Excellence Fund help students through experiential learning opportunities that emphasize team-based learning, hands-on projects, student-organized competitions, internships, and externships to develop their leadership and innovation skills.
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