Advanced Materials Processing and Analysis Center (AMPAC)Director: Jiyu Fang AMPAC's mission is to achieve excellence in materials research and education at UCF and promote the high-technology economic growth of the central Florida region. AMPAC strives to excel in the design, processing and characterization of advanced materials to achieve national prominence in targeted research areas that include energy, biotechnology, microelectronics and nanotechnology.
Biomolecular Science CenterDirector: Griff Parks To provide education and research in areas of bio-medical sciences.
Center for Advanced Turbomachinery and Energy Research (CATER)Director: Jay Kapat The Center for Advanced Turbomachinery and Energy Research (CATER) is focused on turbomachineries and associated technologies for power generation, aviation and space propulsion.
Center for Autism and Related DisabilitiesDirector: Terri Daly The Center's primary service is to provide individualized, direct consultative assistance to individuals with autism and related disabilities in Central Florida and their families. Other services include technical assistance and consultation, professional training programs, and public education services.
Center for Community SchoolsDirector: Amy Ellis The Center is dedicated to the development and sustainability of high-quality community schools. The center serves as a comprehensive resource for schools in Florida, across the nation and around the world by offering the following services: technical assistance, university-assisted partnership, training and development, and assessment and evaluation.
Center for Directed EnergyDirector: Martin Richardson The mission of CDE@UCF is to be the nation's leading academic research and educational center in engineering, science, atmospherics, environment, and policy associated with directed energy (DE) technologies, providing R&D and trained personnel to the defense, space and manufacturing industries, government institutions and laboratories, and academia. Formed in 2020, it has established a unique pedagogical paradigm in a seamless bridge between fundamental science and technology with accelerated mission-oriented studies fulfilling critical national needs, and where necessary, within secure environments.
Center for EthicsDirector: Jonathan Beever The UCF Center for Ethics aims to cultivate an institutional culture of ethical literacy, including a unified and ongoing conversation about ethics and a habit of practical application around ethics in research, teaching and partnerships. Ethics is not about compliance. Ethics is about so much more and the center will help the UCF community gain a richer understanding as well as the tools necessary to applying that new knowledge in a rapidly changing world where technology is creating many more opportunities to think ethically about our work and our future. The center will collaborate with faculty, students and administrators to complete its mission.
Center for Humanities and Digital ResearchDirector(s): Bruce Janz/Mark Kamrath The Center provides space, resources, expertise, programming, and digital research support both for individuals and scholars who seek to collaboratively address issues of central concern to our time and place, to connect history to the present, and to explore new ways of understanding, and educating others about, the diversity of cultures and ideas in our society and around the globe.
Center for Innovation and EntrepreneurshipDirector: Tom O'Neal The UCF Center is the entry point for the many organizations and programs university-wide that support innovation and entrepreneurship.
Center for Microgravity Research and EducationDirector: Josh Colwell The Center for Microgravity Research (CMR) is a joint venture of the University of Central Florida and Space Florida that conducts and facilitates research in microgravity sciences. The Center makes use of parabolic airplane flights, drop towers, suborbital rocket flights, and orbital flights. The Center’s educational activities include providing hands-on training and experience to college and university undergraduate and graduate students in the design, fabrication, and operation of space experiments.
Center for Public and Nonprofit ManagementDirector: Deborah Carroll The Center's goal is to support the research interests of faculty and students, as well as the research needs of the community. Our sponsored research focuses on policy and management, but our faculty expertise is rich and varied. We also lead public service projects and offer unique, holistic training and technical assistance projects to build nonprofit organizational capacity.
Center for Research & Education in Optics and Lasers: College of OpticsDirector: David Hagan CREOL, The College of Optics and Photonics, is a world leader in education, research, and industrial partnership. Optics and photonics is the science and technology of light: lasers, LEDs, LCDs, optical fibers, and imaging systems for applications in industry and medicine.
Center for Research and Education in Arts, Technology and Entertainment (CREATE)Director: Stella Sung The Center conducts multidisciplinary projects, and research-driven initiatives, as a part of the University of Central Florida. CREATE’s affiliated faculty, students, and staff explore a myriad of educational, research, and creative topics while promoting community awareness.
Center for Research in Computer Vision (CRCV)Director: Mubarak Shah The purpose of the Center is to strongly promote basic research in computer vision and its applications in all related areas including National Defense & Intelligence, Homeland Security, Environment Monitoring, Life Sciences and Biotechnology and Robotics.
Center for Research in Education Simulation Technology (CREST)Director: Lisa Dieker We provide an integrated structure that allows the use of UCF-developed technologies and paradigms for educational experiences to expand to include a broad range of societally relevant applications. The purpose of the center is to:
Center for the Study of Human Trafficking and Modern SlaveryDirector: Roberto "Hugh" Potter The goal of the Center is to expand the understanding of human trafficking at the global level in a comprehensive, interdisciplinary context. We are searching for solutions through our five goals: community engagement, research, education, training, student fellowships, and survivor scholarships.
Dick Pope Sr. Institute for Tourism StudiesDirector: Robertico Croes The primary mission of the Dr P. Phillips School of Real Estate is to prepare students for successful careers in the dynamic real estate industry. This world-class program provides multi-faceted experiences ranging from relevant academic course work and mentorship/internship opportunities to participation in the student-run UCF Real Estate Club and various other industry trade organizations. Not surprisingly, the robust Central Florida real estate environment provides students with numerous employment opportunities with a multitude of local and global companies doing business in the metropolitan area. As a testament to the viability of how this “pipeline” can work, there are more than 100 UCF graduates currently employed in the Central Florida real estate industry.
Dr. P. Phillips Institute for Research & Education in Real EstateDirector: Bill Moss Our mission is to connect the university and its students and alumni with the real estate industry and the world. We do this via our three primary activities: Education, Research, Industry Outreach.
Electric Vehicle Transportation Center (EVTC)Director: James Fenton The project objectives are to perform research, development and education to ensure seamless integration of electric vehicles into a complex transportation network and supporting electricity grid. The EVTC will bridge the gap between deployment of electric vehicles and the traditional transportation system.
Environmental Systems Engineering InstituteDirector: Steven Duranceau The Institute specializes in the study of drinking water treatment using membrane filtration techniques, including reverse-osmosis, nanofiltration, and microfiltration. ESEI also is involved in the study of coagulation and flocculation techniques.
Executive Development CenterDirector: Darrell Johnson The UCF College of Business Executive Development Center (EDC) offers executive and professional graduate degrees in business administration, management, accounting and real estate. The EDC has specialized executive education programs for individuals and organizations in the local, state, national, and international business communities. For details on the MBA programs, doctorates and other professional certificates and workshops.
Florida Canada Linkage Institute (FCLI)Director: Mark Hartman The Linkage Institutes were initiated "to assist in the development of stronger economic, cultural, educational, and social ties between Florida and select countries through the promotion of expanded public and private dialogue on cooperative research and technical assistance activities, increased bilateral commerce, student and faculty exchange, cultural exchange, and the enhancement of language training skills.
Florida Eastern Europe Linkage InstituteDirector: Mark Hartman The Linkage Institutes were initiated "to assist in the development of stronger economic, cultural, educational, and social ties between Florida and select countries through the promotion of expanded public and private dialogue on cooperative research and technical assistance activities, increased bilateral commerce, student and faculty exchange, cultural exchange, and the enhancement of language training skills
Florida Institute of Government (IOG)Director: Mari Rains The Institute's mission is to provide training and technical assistance to local governments, state agencies, and nonprofit organizations.
Florida Photonics Center of Excellence (FPCE)Director: David Hagan The focus of the FPCE research and education work has been on the technologies of nanophotonics, biophotonics, advanced imaging and 3D displays, and ultra-high bandwidth communications, all of which are forecast to experience rapid market growth.
Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC)Director: James Fenton Our mission is to research and develop energy technologies that enhance Florida’s and the nation’s economy and environment, and to educate the public, students and practitioners on the results of the research.
For more information about C&I contact Winston Schoenfeld, Associate VP for Research and Scholarship (winston@ucf.edu). |
Institute for Simulation & Training (IST)Director: Grace Bochenek IST is an internationally recognized interdisciplinary research institute within SMST that conducts basic and applied research in the art and science of modeling, simulation, and training. IST partners with public and private stakeholders to apply and develop simulations for diverse applications and actively supports the university`s modeling and simulation education initiative through SMST’s graduate program.
Institute for Social and Behavioral SciencesDirector: Amy Donley Tthe Institute for Social and Behavioral Science (ISBS) promotes community-oriented research throughout the social and behavioral science disciplines. The ISBS specializes in research relevant to public policy issues in the Orlando region. Located in UCF’s Department of Sociology, the Institute houses: Survey Research Laboratory, with the capacity to do telephone, online, and face to face surveys; Center for Qualitative Methodologies, which specializes in focus groups & face to face interviews; Center for Outreach and Public Service, which embodies the Institute’s commitment to social and human service agencies that serve our community; and Center for Social Geography, the ISBS GIS analysis and mapping center.
Institute for the Frontier of Attosecond Science and Technology (iFAST)Director: Zenghu Chang Our missions is to provide unique opportunities for faculty, scientists and students to closely collaborate in attosecond science research; Create and disseminate new knowledge in attosecond physics by conducting, presenting, and publishing cutting-edge fundamental and applied research; Develop next generation attosecond lasers for technology transfer and creating jobs in the State of Florida and the nation.
Institute of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation ScienceDirector(s): David Faduka/ Matt Stock The institute supports mechanistic and translational research by faculty members and students in the school’s Division of Kinesiology, Division of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training Program. The institute also partners with colleagues from the College of Health Professions and Sciences and Academic Health Sciences Center to contribute to the research mission of the university. With its current resources and faculty expertise, the institute has a broad capacity to advance the fields of exercise and rehabilitation sciences.
Materials Innovation for Sustainable Agriculture Center (MISA)Director: Swadeshmukul Santra Our vision is to: Promote interdisciplinary research culture for stimulating innovations in materials research; Develop new technologies for protecting sustainability of agriculture industry challenged by emerging threats of plant diseases and unpredictable weather patterns; Establish industry-academia close collaboration for educational and technological knowledge sharing; Establish interdisciplinary education and extension program to help growers in making informed decision; Promote sustainable outcomes by adopting innovative approaches through engagement of stakeholders, scientists, engineers, industry partners and regulatory agencies.
Morgridge International Reading CenterDirector: Sandra Robinson The Center is a dynamic complex for the free exchange of ideas and information to improve literacy acquisition and instruction. Our main goal is to advance literacy through communication, collaboration, learning, and research.
NanoScience Technology Center (NSTC)Director: Lei Zhai Our mission is to establish a cutting-edge research program in materials and nanotechnology, provide high quality training for students and facilitate the advance of innovations to solve real world technology challenges. The interests of our faculty are diverse and the innovative research programs including Green Energy, In Vitro Test Systems, Composites, Computer/Mathematical Simulations, Assistive Robotics, Quantum Dynamics, Bioimaging, NanoElectronics & NanoPhysics, Nanomaterials for Sustainable Agriculture, Integrated Device Development and Advanced Materials have been explored. Our research effort has made significant impact on nanotechnology society and industry. NSTC faculty has received NSF CAREER, ONR YIP, and DARPA YIA awards.
National Center for Forensic ScienceDirector: Michael Sigman Our mission is to provide relevant and responsive forensic science research and operational support to the Criminal Justice Community.
National Center for Integrated Coastal ResearchDirector: Christopher Emrich Our team of interdisciplinary researchers and scientists is committed to an evidence-based, whole-community approach to increase the resiliency and sustainability of coastal communities by bringing together biologists, chemists, engineers, emergency managers, sociologists, political scientists, medical researchers, economists and urban planners. Responsible management of Florida’s exceptional coastal resources and ocean-based economy depends on innovative scientific research to address complex environmental, economic and social challenges. UCF Coastal’s goal is to link the ecological security of coastal ecosystems with the economic security of coastal communities, ensuring the sustainability of our coastlines and economy for generations to come.
Resilient, Intelligent and Sustainable Energy Systems (RISES)Director: Zhihua Qu RISES aims to be a premier research center with focus on three technical fields: smart grid (sensing, communication, control, transmission and distribution) for intelligence and resiliency, PV system for sustainability, and building automation, energy storage, and connected communities for efficiency and integration.
Small Business Development CenterDirector: Eunice Choi The Small Business Development Center at the University of Central Florida, is located in the National Entrepreneur Center inside the Orlando Fashion Square Mall and provides business seminars and free one-on-one business counseling for small business owners. The SBDC at UCF serves an eight-county area that includes Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter and Volusia counties, and maintains six sub-center offices in addition to the main office in Orlando. The SBDC at UCF is a member of the Florida SBDC Network, a statewide service funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Stormwater Management AcademyDirector: Ni-Bin Chang The Academy's goal is to provide educational materials and research to advance an understanding and practice of stormwater management and to influence policy and procedures.
The Florida Space Institute (FSI)Director: Ramon (Ray) Lugo lll The Florida Space Institute (FSI) supports space research, development, and education activities. In addition, we support the development of Florida’s space economy—civil, defense, and commercial. Since 1996, FSI has been an institute of the State University System of Florida. FSI is made up of researchers, educators, and staff from member universities in Florida. FSI research ranges from studying the Earth’s upper atmosphere to the origin of the planets and from the workings of asteroids to propulsion technologies for high-Mach aerospace vehicles. We’re involved in space missions as diverse as high-altitude rocket launches, next-gen suborbital flights, the NASA Cassini mission to Saturn, and NASA’s Explorer program. FSI administratively houses the Florida Space Grant Consortium (FSGC) for NASA, and we operate the Space Research Initiative (SRI) for the State of Florida. We welcome your interest in FSI. Whether you are from NASA, a private company or institute, the public, or the scientific community, whether you seek to work with us, go to work for us, fund us, or team in projects, contact us to get started.
The India CenterDirector: Kerstin Hamann Our vision is to establish the India Center at UCF as the nation’s preeminent location for the study of India’s role in the world today: a national leader in the formation of U.S.-India partnerships, scholarship and research focused on India, India-centered educational programs, and outreach to the Indian community in Florida and nationally.
The Lou Frey Institute of Politics and GovernmentDirector: Stephen Masyada The Lou Frey Institute promotes the development of enlightened, responsible, and actively engaged citizens. The Institute works to accomplish its mission: Through civic education programs that encourage thoughtful debate and discussion about current policy issues; Through experiential learning programs that encourage the development of civic and political skills; By working to help strengthen the civic education capacity of Florida’s K-12 education system; and Through research, policy analysis, and advocacy.
The Townes Laser Institute (TLI)Director: Peter J. Delfyett To develop the next generation of laser light engines for applications in medicine, advanced manufacturing and defense applications. These include: in laser development and laser-based technologies at UCF, in ultra-fast laser technologies, laser materials processing, novel optics for high power lasers, fiber laser development, laser-based sensing, laser-plasma EUV sources, and other related topics.
Toni Jennings Exceptional Education InstituteDirector(s): Eleazar “Trey” Vasquez/ Florencio Eloy Hernandez The Institute is dedicated to preparing and retaining exceptional student education teachers and related professional educators who serve children and adults with special needs. In collaboration with Central Florida partners, TJEEI provides families of children with disabilities, UCF faculty and students, and educators access to current information, resources and opportunities.
UCF Marriage and Family Research InstituteDirector: Sejal Barden The Institute is committed to conducting and disseminating rigorous research that contributes to the understanding of relationships and provides useful clinical applications. We are invested in collaborating with our community partners to enrich the lives of individuals, couples and families. It is our goal to make our services inclusive and accessible to the widest reach of people across race, ethnicity, ability, religion, class, culture, and sexual orientation. We are also committed to the continuous care, development and support of our Institute team, as we know that passion and compassion must begin with ourselves.
UCF RESTORESDirector: Deborah Beidel UCF RESTORES is a multi-disciplinary team consisting of behavioral health professionals (psychology, psychiatry, social work) who work collaboratively to provide cutting-edge treatment for trauma and stress-related disorders.
Zora Neale Hurston Institute for Documentary StudiesDirector: Lyman Brodie The Institute provides a dynamic cultural context for UCF students to practice their craft as storytellers while collecting and documenting the cultural histories of marginalized communities. In collaboration with community-based art groups and close partnership with the internationally renowned annual Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities (Zora Festival) in the Town of Eatonville, we are beginning to bring local and national interest to the Institute.
|
