On most days, DeAscanis is focused on something many people never think about: the invisible systems that keep modern life running.

Hospitals must power critical equipment. Cities endure record-breaking heat. Data centers aim to hum without interruption. Behind those moments are gas turbines the size of buildings, and a team of engineers determined to make them  smarter, faster and more reliable.

At Siemens Energy, DeAscanis helps lead that charge.

Rising to Energy Design Challenges

His bold goal is ambitious: transform how turbines are tested, inspected and manufactured so they can be delivered at the speed and scale global demand now requires. As electricity needs surge worldwide, efficiency is no longer optional.

“If the turbines don’t work, the power doesn’t exist,” he says.

After earning his aerospace engineering degree from UCF, DeAscanis joined Siemens Energy located just steps from campus. He began on a small team of three engineers developing custom tools to test next-generation engines. The work was intensely hands-on and involved long days refining inspection systems, improving automation and solving problems in real time.

Colleagues describe DeAscanis as calm under pressure and relentlessly curious. He sees constraints not as roadblocks but as design challenges.

That perspective proved essential during lean years in the energy sector, when fluctuating demand forced teams to justify every investment. Rather than scale back, DeAscanis and his colleagues innovated their way forward — streamlining inspection processes, reducing testing time and building automation systems that improved both speed and precision.

Those efforts produced measurable results. DeAscanis now holds 11 patents, with dozens more innovations developed across his team. Some advances are patented; others remain proprietary trade secrets that strengthen Siemens Energy’s competitive position in a global marketplace.

Enhancing Expertise to Deliver Impact

Over the past decade, he has also helped grow his organization from fewer than five engineers to nearly 100. His role expanded from technical contributor to strategic leader, overseeing budgets, setting research priorities and securing U.S. Department of Defense contracts to accelerate development. Recognizing the importance of business fluency, he returned to UCF to earn his MBA.

“I knew how to build technology,” he says. “I wanted to understand how to scale it.”

His journey traces back to his UCF senior design project, where he and three classmates developed a system to manufacture thin carbon nanofiber sheets designed to reinforce aircraft structures against lightning strikes. The project demanded technical rigor, collaboration and applied problem-solving — the same qualities Siemens Energy looks for in its engineers. It also helped open the door to his first role at Siemens Energy, proving that classroom innovation can translate directly into industry impact.

Fueling the Energy Industry

Learn more about how are accelerating innovation, fueling workforce development and strengthening the future of energy infrastructure.

Today, more than half of the engineers in his facility are UCF graduates. Through the Pegasus Partnership, Siemens Energy and UCF are not simply recruiting talent — they are co-developing it. Students gain exposure to real-world challenges long before graduation. Industry gains engineers who are ready to lead from day one.

For DeAscanis, that cycle feels deeply personal.

“UCF gave me the foundation to solve complex problems and the confidence to think bigger,” he says. “Now I get to help build the systems — and the teams — that will power what comes next.”

As global energy demand accelerates and infrastructure grows more sophisticated, the stakes are rising. The partnership between Siemens Energy and UCF reflects a shared belief: that bold thinking, applied research and prepared graduates can shape not just an industry, but the future of how the world runs.

At Kurd Qaburstan, an ancient site in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, a UCF-led team has uncovered the first substantial group of cuneiform tablets found in the Erbil region, along with evidence of large-scale destruction, mass graves and citywide fortifications. Together, the discoveries are providing one of the clearest archaeological records yet uncovered of siege warfare and urban life during the Middle Bronze Age.

“Our 2025 research produced clear archaeological evidence linking the site to the siege of Qabra, beginning with the first significant group of cuneiform tablets found on the Erbil Plain,” says Tiffany Earley-Spadoni, associate professor of history at UCF and director of the Kurd Qaburstan project. “Several tablets are dated within days of each other, matching the timeline of the city’s fall.”

The project is supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation and conducted in partnership with the Directorate-General of Antiquities and Heritage in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. The funded excavations took place during two summer seasons in 2024 and 2025.

A Lost Archive Emerges

Researchers recovered 20 cuneiform tablets and more than 100 administrative sealings from destruction layers within the Lower Town East Palace. The artifacts are being studied by epigraphers Paul Delnero (Johns Hopkins University) and Parker Zane (Yale University), along with art historian Marian Feldman (Johns Hopkins University).

The texts include palace administrative records and a letter that may reference a high-ranking official connected to Qabra. Some inscriptions may also correspond to the destruction described on the Victory Stele of Dadusha.

“Most of the tablets are administrative and provide a snapshot of palace life and the economy of the ancient city,” Earley-Spadoni says. “One tablet appears to have been written by a high-ranking official in ancient Qabra.”

Evidence of Siege Warfare

Collapsed structures, burned layers and concentrated debris suggest a coordinated and possibly prolonged assault.

“The two superimposed destructions match the historical sequence of the siege of Qabra and its conquest by Shamshi Addu,” Earley-Spadoni says. “The charred debris, the large number of ceramic vessels and individuals who met untimely deaths and were buried in the destruction layers, provide the clearest archaeological case of Middle Bronze Age siege warfare yet discovered in northern Mesopotamia.”

The Human Toll of Conflict

Within the palace destruction layers, researchers discovered the remains of 17 individuals, studied by bioarchaeologist Andrea Zurek-Ost at Michigan State University.

“The individuals were not formally buried and had no associated grave goods,” Earley-Spadoni says. “Some appear to have been left where they died, including possible palace workers. One individual was found face down over a stone basin.”

Researchers also uncovered a preserved street with an engineered drainage system and domestic spaces used for food processing and textile production, pointing to sophisticated infrastructure and economic activity.

Mapping an Ancient City at Scale

“The evidence from Kurd Qaburstan shows that northern cities could be large, complex, and politically significant, with administrative systems, fortifications, and infrastructure comparable to those of the best-known southern sites.”—Tiffany Earley-Spadoni, director of the Kurd Qaburstan Project

The team also completed a magnetometer survey covering more than 80 hectares (about 180 acres). The survey, which measures changes in Earth’s magnetic field to detect buried structures, was led by Andrew Creekmore III at the University of Northern Colorado. The survey revealed a monumental wall with bastions encircling the site.

The fortifications correspond with those depicted on the Victory Stele of Dadusha and support the identification of Kurd Qaburstan as the ancient city of Qabra.

Rewriting the Story of Northern Mesopotamia

Mesopotamia is often associated with southern cities like Uruk, long viewed as the center of early urban civilization. Discoveries at Kurd Qaburstan are helping highlight the value of northern cities, Earley-Spadoni says.

“The evidence from Kurd Qaburstan shows that northern cities could be large, complex, and politically significant, with administrative systems, fortifications, and infrastructure comparable to those of the best-known southern sites,” she says.

These discoveries build on a decade of prior excavation at Kurd Qaburstan by Johns Hopkins University, revealing a city long absent from the historical record.

“Laboratory investigations are underway, including isotopic and ancient DNA analyses of the 17 individuals,” Earley-Spadoni says. “This work will help researchers understand their origins and relationships.”

Each discovery brings researchers closer to understanding how this ancient city functioned and how it ultimately fell.

This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) under Award No. 2344957. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NSF. Work was conducted with the permission, support, and collaboration of the Directorate-General of Antiquities of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Director-General Kak Kaify Mustafa Ali, and the Erbil Department of Antiquities, Director Kak Nader Babakr.

On how the ocean changed him:

I’ve never been as calm as I’ve been since returning to land. I’m a kind of restless person in general, somewhat impulsive in certain contexts. I always feel the need to do something, another adventure in nature. I have this fire in me that just makes me adventurous. But I think the success of the crossing, including the three years of preparation, gave me a lot of confidence. And with confidence, I think came the calmness of knowing I didn’t need to prove anything to anyone anymore.

World Ocean Day is June 8.

On UCF’s influence in pursuing his dreams:

It was once a dream of mine to leave my home country and do research with NASA. Coming to UCF, I realized that dream. Maybe at one point I wouldn’t have been able to think rowing an ocean was possible, but achieving my dream at UCF gave me the courage to try.

On the role a common goal can have in a team’s viability:

Our ultimate goal was to cross the ocean such that we would be willing and able to do it again in the next few years with the same team. This is the first time I am admitting out loud, I think we failed at that — none of us wishes to row an ocean again, nor are we planning another adventure with the same team.

So, though I have to admit we didn’t succeed in the ultimate holistic goal that we had, I think our crossing in general was quite successful. What I didn’t understand going into this was how strongly a common goal can influence your ability to withstand stress, interpersonal stress or annoyances from other team members. Everyone in this team had to work properly for us to be able to complete the goal. So even though we had that interpersonal tension and occasional conflicts, because of the salience of the shared goal, we were able to work through it.

On the breathtaking force of mother nature:

The ocean is so vast and so powerful. You’re nothing. We felt that the most when we had a school of whales approaching us from the stern. We saw them breaching, and then one whale swam under our boat, and we saw that it was longer than our boat, like 30 feet at least. It could have just pushed our boat over and do whatever it wanted with us. We had no power whatsoever.

And I really enjoyed the storms. During the last week we had such a strong wind coming from behind, with rain falling literally horizontally. It hurts when it hits you. The rain comes on so strong. And then the wind was so strong that it just pushed our boat. We usually did like 3 knots on our own, but the speed at that moment was 7 knots without rowing. We raised our oars and they became sails basically. We felt how the wind pushed through our oars. You’re just experiencing this unbelievable power of nature. It was amazing.

On his new motto — “Don’t fight with the ocean”:

Just don’t fight with the ocean because you can’t win. There is no point. Just let things be, let them go. I think this was one of the things that I really took back with me from the experience. I can apply this anywhere. Like at the workplace, if we have colleagues who are difficult to deal with, you can’t change them. You can’t fight with the ocean. You can only change your own reactions and thoughts.

On halfway home still being a far way to go:

After we crossed the halfway point, it became more difficult. You would expect that maybe it gets easier because, oh, half is done, only half more to go, but only half more is still 20 days. It’s three more weeks. It’s still a lot of time to be thinking about, What do you want do when you finish? What do you want to eat? What are you going to do when you get back home? I think we as a team mentally got to the finish too fast. We really had to take a step back and remind ourselves to take it two hours at a time.

On the feeling of seeing land for the first time after 39 days:

We arrived at sunrise. When the light appeared and we saw those cliffs, it’s just something so overwhelming and unique, this feeling of, ‘It’s over. It’s done — 40 days of suffering basically has ended.’ As we entered the harbor, we saw our family and friends were up there on the cliff, waving the flags and then the finish flare going off. It was the high point, definitely.

On how the experience gave insight into his research on teams in extreme, isolated and confined environments:

I think one of the main takeaways that I got from this project was really that preparation is everything. Everyone externally was focusing on the mission, the row, because of course that’s the exciting part. For us, completing the row was the goal, but it’s the smallest piece of the whole project. The three years of preparation and those difficulties that we had, this was much more important.

So now for my research, I’m thinking, we’re always focusing on the part or the actual mission. It’s not necessarily irrelevant, but the mission is the outcome. The input that we should study is before the mission, the preparations. So that informs my future research quite a bit.

On what’s next:

I graduate in the summer. Days before we started the race, I accepted a job offer, which was a relief. I was prepared to take job interviews on the boat. I’m starting as an assistant professor of industrial/organizational psychology at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey in August.

I realized that I don’t like this type of several-weeks-endurance events, it’s too monotonous, too dull. I was thinking that my next big thing would be skiing across Greenland, which is more than a month as well. But now, no, thank you. There’s not enough variability, or excitement, for me. I love mountaineering, summiting a mountain in a few days. I just bought new mountain boots, so I think this will be my next thing.

Name: Christopher Emrich
�ʴDz����پ��Dz�(��):��Boardman Endowed Professor of Environmental Science and Public Administration and founding member of UCF’s National Center for Integrated Coastal Research

Why are you interested in this research?
A main reason stems from my childhood in Florida — constantly being exposed to a variety of hazards and seeing how communities were impacted in different ways. Being able to study geography at a state university, the  University of South Florida, and then completing my Ph.D. at the University of South Carolina under the tutelage of leading experts in the field really helped solidify that I wanted to become an expert in both the hazards themselves and what we can do to prepare for, mitigate, respond to, and rebound from them.

My time with FEMA supporting long-term recovery in Florida pushed me further to understand what is keeping people from recovering as quickly as some might expect. Tying all of these strings together really helped me pinpoint that one of the problems is that people are thirsty for knowledge. Learning how to turn data into information in order to extract meaningful knowledge has positioned me into a place that has meaning and impact for those attempting to make real-time decisions about hazards and disasters — from before the storm through the recovery period.

Who inspires you to conduct your research?
Seeing the suffering that takes place following disaster — suffering that could be avoided if society (people, governments and organizations) took the right steps to prepare for disasters — is what really drives what I do. I think that we can make simple changes to the way we do business that could lead to really impactful positive outcomes for disaster survivors.

How does UCF empower you to do your research?
UCF has given me space and opportunity to explore the different aspects of hazard threat identification and vulnerability assessment.  Partnering with experts at DIST, and partners at FDOH, and the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council (among others)  we have been able to create open access websites like hazardaware.org, vulnerabilitymap.org, hazardrisk.org, and the Florida Public Health Risk Assessment tool (flphrat.com).  Each of these share the common goal of translating data into knowledge to support better emergency management decision making and preparedness planning.

What major grants and honors have you earned to support your research?
Since arriving at UCF, I have been awarded $10.8 million across 34 different extramurally supported grants and contracts. This includes grants of over $300K from funders including the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine’s Gulf Research Program, the State of Florida, The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Along the way, I have been awarded UCF’s Research Incentive Award twice (2021 and 2026) and UCF’s Luminary Award.

Why is this research important?
American political philosopher John Rawl’s once said, “The natural distribution is neither just nor unjust; nor is it unjust that persons are born into society at some particular position.”

I think it is a responsibility of each person, each organization, each governmental entity  — and society as a whole —  to support those who need the most help among us. If we do not, how can we ever hope to move our society into a better position? My research supports making decisions that help those in most need, including those most at risk and with the least resources, to be better positioned for the next disaster.

Florida’s coastlines are changing, and so are the fish that depend on them.

As rising temperatures push tropical species northward and mangrove habitats expand into areas historically dominated by salt marshes, scientists are racing to understand how these shifts could affect marine food webs and long-term ecosystem stability.

Meredith Pratt, a UCF integrative and conservation biology doctoral student, is helping answer those questions. Her research on sustainable fisheries management along Florida’s east coast earned her the prestigious Florida Sea Grant/Guy Harvey Fellowship. The highly competitive award supports graduate students conducting research that informs marine conservation and fisheries management while cultivating future leaders in marine science.

Tracking a Changing Ecosystem

Pratt studies how tropicalization — the northward movement of tropical species and habitats — is altering Florida’s coastal ecosystems.

“As temperatures rise, mangroves, traditionally found in warmer, tropical regions, are expanding northward into areas historically dominated by salt marshes,” she says. “This shift is influencing the species that live there.”

To understand these changes, Pratt and her team study fish communities along Florida’s east coast. One fellowship-supported project focuses on predator-prey dynamics among popular sport fish, including common snook, red drum and spotted sea trout.

“The most interesting result so far is that the same fish species are eating different things, … and that raises important questions about how continued mangrove expansion could impact the ecosystem in the long term.”

“The most interesting result so far is that the same fish species are eating different things depending on whether they inhabit traditional salt marshes or increasingly dominant mangrove environments,” Pratt says. “While most species primarily feed on shrimp, common snook tend to consume more fish, and that raises important questions about how continued mangrove expansion could impact the ecosystem in the long term.”

These findings were supported through lab gut analysis of fish samples collected in the field using seine nets to determine stomach contents. Because digestion can make some prey difficult to identify, Pratt also used stable isotope analysis, which provides insight into a fish’sposition in the food web based on chemical signatures in its tissue.

“Gut content analysis shows us exactly what a fish recently ate, while stable isotopes give us a longer-term picture of its diet,” she says. “Together, they allow us to answer questions we couldn’t with just one method alone.”

Guiding Future Fisheries Management

The research is both environmentally and economically important to Florida. As one of the world’s premier fishing destinations, the state depends on healthy coastal ecosystems and fish populations to support its recreational and commercial fisheries.

“Many of the fish we rely on start in estuaries and coastal environments,” Pratt says. “They grow in protected areas like mangroves and salt marshes before moving offshore. If we don’t understand how those habitats are changing, we can’t effectively manage the fisheries that depend on them.”

Connecting Science and Community

Pratt is also expanding the impact of her research beyond the lab. Through her National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellowship, she launched the Guana Tolomato Matanzas (GTM) Fisheries Monitoring Program at the GTM National Estuarine Research Reserve.

“Getting people involved and helping them understand the importance of this work makes a big difference.”

The volunteer-driven initiative trains community members to collect fisheries data at designated sites, including species identification, abundance and size measurements. With nearly 20 volunteers participating, the program provides valuable long-term data while increasing public involvement in scientific research.

“It’s been one of the most rewarding parts of my Ph.D.,” Pratt says. “Getting people involved and helping them understand the importance of this work makes a big difference.”

A Full Circle Moment

For Pratt, earning the Florida Sea Grant/Guy Harvey Fellowship was a full-circle moment. As an undergraduate, she completed many of her classes and research experiences at the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Center at Nova Southeastern University. Now, funding from Florida Sea Grant and the Guy Harvey Foundation is helping advance her research while providing professional development opportunities in science communication.

“This fellowship not only supports my research but also allows me to connect with other scientists, stakeholders and the public,” she says. “Sharing our findings and contributing to science communication is a really meaningful part of the experience.”

Looking ahead, Pratt hopes her work will support more informed decision-making around fisheries management and conservation.

“Conservation requires research and education working together,” she says. “If we can understand what’s happening and communicate that effectively, we can make better decisions to protect these ecosystems for future generations.”

This year’s tournament will be the first FIFA World Cup to be hosted by three nations — United States, Canada and Mexico — and the first to include an expanded field of 48 teams from across the globe. Eleven U.S. cities will host 78 matches June 11 – July 19, including the championship match in New York and third place playoff in Miami.

This historic event coincides with the United States’ 250th anniversary and marks the first time since 1994 the country has hosted the men’s World Cup.

Here’s a look at some of the Knights bringing this event to life.

Izzy Angel ’23

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FIFA location: Atlanta

I will be supporting media logistics, guiding photographers and press to designated areas, and facilitating press conferences and interviews. One of the biggest ways ��AV prepared me for this opportunity was through its emphasis on networking, collaboration and real-world experience. That mindset opened doors to internships, jobs and experiences that helped me gain confidence in putting myself out there and connecting with people.

It’s been really fulfilling to meet people with completely different backgrounds and life experiences who are all coming together over a shared passion. Being part of something on such a global scale and feeling that sense of community has been incredibly special.

Brendon Boseja ’25

Bachelor’s in integrated business

Role: Senior coordinator, Client Group Management Accreditation
FIFA site: Miami

At UCF, I learned to network and make many connections in the industry and to continue these relationships. This has especially helped me throughout FIFA, especially since my main job is to communicate with every stadium involved in the tournament. Working for a sports organization as big as FIFA has been a dream of mine, and to be involved with an event like the World Cup is surreal to think about.

Taylor Culver ’23 ’26MSBM ’26MBA

Bachelor’s in kinesiology
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Master’s in business administration

Role: Event executive, FIFA Fan Festival
FIFA site: Houston

“Because of the connections, mentorship and opportunities I gained through UCF, these experiences expanded my confidence and showed me that I truly belong in this industry.”

My role is to help create and execute large-scale fan experiences that bring the energy of the World Cup to life outside of the stadium. Being able to contribute to an event of this magnitude is both humbling and motivating, and I know it will be one of the most impactful experiences of my career. ��AV prepared me for this opportunity by putting me in real-world sports environments early and constantly challenging me to grow as a leader. Through the program and my experience as a recruiting assistant for UCF Athletics with the football team, I learned how to operate in fast-paced environments where organization, communication and adaptability are critical. Because of the connections, mentorship and opportunities I gained through UCF, these experiences expanded my confidence and showed me that I truly belong in this industry.

Daniel Garzon ’23 ’24MSBM ’24MBA

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Master’s in business administration

Role: Workforce integration senior coordinator, Tournament Operation Center Services
FIFA site: Miami

I started my journey at FIFA as an intern with the volunteer management team shortly after graduating from the DeVos Sport Business Management program in 2024. As a recruitment coordinator, I spearheaded communications and recruitment strategy while sourcing and scheduling thousands of candidates. Now in my new role, I will be in the heartbeat of the headquarters of the tournament, fulfilling operational needs for all departments while manipulating data to make informed decisions for all the venues during the World Cup.

William Mendez ’26MSBM ’26MBA

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Master’s in business administration

Role: Team protocol liaison officer
FIFA site: Miami

I will provide operational support as a main point of contact for the teams’ protocol representatives, managing VIP/VVIP seating, ticket distribution and logistics. I’m truly excited to be part of an event of this magnitude because FIFA ’26 goes beyond sports by bringing people together across cultures from all over the world. The DeVos Sport Business Management program at UCF has played a major role in preparing me for this moment, giving me the hands-on experience and confidence I need to contribute to an event of this scale.

Colin O’Toole ’26MSBM ’26MBA

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Master’s in business administration

Role: Accreditation center coordinator
FIFA site: Boston

I grew up watching the World Cup and always dreamed of being part of the most watched sporting event in the world. My experience in the soccer industry through both professional and volunteer roles gave me a strong foundation, and the DeVos program broadened my perspective. It exposed me to the business side of the industry, while simultaneously connecting me with incredible mentors and peers, ultimately giving me the confidence and network to land this opportunity with FIFA.

Connor Pank ’17

Bachelor’s in management

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FIFA site: Tampa, Florida

The sport business management minor at UCF offered plenty of opportunities to gain practical experience in the industry. My junior year, I was fortunate enough to land a season-long internship at Orlando City Soccer Club in the game day operations department, which then turned into a full-time position with seven amazing seasons of constant growth and experiences that I am forever grateful for.

Being involved in a FIFA World Cup has been a personal goal of mine since my early days with Orlando City SC, when we hosted a U.S. Soccer vs. Panama World Cup Qualifier ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Every team participating in the World Cup chooses a designated home base, which includes the team hotel, training site and other operational support facilities as needed. My role is centered around acting as FIFA’s primary operational lead on-site for Cabo Verde’s home base in Tampa to ensure a seamless, world-class experience.

Annie Quaile ’06

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Role: Venue manager, FIFA Fan Festival
FIFA site: Atlanta

I act as the bridge between FIFA, Atlanta and the commercial and operational partners delivering the Fan Festival experience. My role focuses on coordinating event logistics, operations, guest experience, VIP and talent management, and partner integration while ensuring FIFA brand standards are upheld throughout the event.

One of the biggest takeaways from my experience at UCF was learning how to balance creativity, leadership and problem-solving under pressure, which is essentially the foundation of live event and operational management. The FIFA World Cup is one of the few truly global experiences that brings together people from every background, culture and country around a shared passion. All of the planning, coordination and operational work happens behind the scenes for months, so finally seeing people from around the world gathering together, celebrating and creating memories is incredibly rewarding.

Andres Sifontes ’24

Bachelor’s in communication

Role: Coordinator, Accreditation Documentation and Training Operations
FIFA site: Houston

I joined the FIFA team in September 2024, supporting preparations for both Club World Cup 2025 and FIFA World Cup 2026. In my role now, I oversee Accreditation Center operations in Houston, assist volunteers, and ensure that key stakeholders — including partners like Coca-Cola, Adidas and Visa — receive proper credentials. UCF’s communication program, and especially my Communication Research Methods���ʰ��Ǵڱ�����ǰ� , equipped me with the tools I continue to apply every day in my role at FIFA by teaching me how to communicate effectively, carry myself professionally, and think strategically.

Since graduating, my goal has been to contribute to the growth of soccer in the United States. This passion has always been part of who I am, and UCF helped me build the foundation to pursue it professionally. After graduation, I worked with Inter Miami CF, and now with FIFA, I’ve been fortunate to play a role in supporting the continued development of the sport. I truly believe we are about to witness unprecedented growth for the game in this country. I hope that at the end of my career, I can look back and say I contributed to that growth — and that it all started at UCF.

Dennis Sprenkle ’01

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Role: Director of workforce�����Ի���human resources
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My team oversees the employee journey from recruitment to offboarding across the three host countries (Canada, Mexico and the U.S.) and 16 host cities. We are responsible for everything from workforce planning, training, visa management, benefits, payroll, employee uniforms and just about every other aspect of human resources.

I have always had a keen interest in global political and business affairs, which is why I studied political science with an emphasis on international relations at UCF. Working for a governing body like FIFA in many respects is akin to working for the United Nations. … In order to be a successful leader in a global organization like FIFA, it is critical to have an open mind to effectively collaborate, plan and execute the largest sporting event in human history. My education and experience at UCF as a leader in Student Government certainly laid the foundation and has helped prepare me for this opportunity.

Ryan Taheri ’24

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FIFA site: Dallas

I grew up watching the World Cup with my family. Now, I occasionally stop for a second and realize how special it all is to be working behind the scenes on the operational side of the tournament. A big part of what I do in my role is coordinate with different functional areas like transportation, catering, accommodations, uniforms and venue operations to ensure the workforce is supported and operations run smoothly.

“Ů��AV pushed me into leadership opportunities early and taught me how to work in fast-paced environments with a lot of moving parts.”

A lot of the role comes down to staying organized, communicating clearly and solving problems quickly. Ů��AV pushed me into leadership opportunities early and taught me how to work in fast-paced environments with a lot of moving parts. Looking back now, I don’t think I realized at the time how much of my experience at UCF directly prepared me for working on something as large and complex as a FIFA ’26.

Alejandro Tarazona ’22

Bachelor’s in integrated business

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FIFA site: Miami

I oversee transportation operations and logistics at all 75 training sites across U.S., Canada and Mexico — including shuttles, loading zones, team busses and their fleets, and parking lots for media, volunteers and guests. I grew up in Lake Nona and had an opportunity to play collegiate soccer at a Division II school in Florida, but financially, it just didn’t make sense for my family and me. Instead I enrolled at Valencia College and earned my degree through the .

UCF gave me the technical skills I needed for my managerial position now, like creating financial analysis for labor rates across 16 stadiums that we’ll be using in U.S., Canada and Mexico. As a former soccer player and as someone who is obsessed with the sport, working for one of the biggest and best sports organization in the world has been a lifelong goal. This experience has taught me to consider redefining what’s possible and keep setting goals.

Tomas Upegui ’22

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FIFA site: Miami

Growing up playing soccer, being involved with FIFA in any capacity is something I never imagined would become reality, especially this early in my career. I am supporting transportation and depot operations across all 16 host cities, contributing to transportation operations involving VIPs and trophy movements. Studying business taught me how to work efficiently in fast-paced environments and quickly adapt while balancing multiple responsibilities at once, which directly translates to my role.

One of the most exciting parts of this experience has been realizing the true scale of the FIFA World Cup and seeing firsthand how much coordination happens behind the scenes to make an event of this magnitude successful.

UCF College of Medicine Associate Professor Claudia Andl, a throat and oral cancer researcher, is investigating how a simple probiotic could treat and prevent both conditions..

UCF College of Medicine Associate Professor Claudia Andl, a throat and oral cancer researcher, is investigating how a simple probiotic could treat and prevent both conditions. The research is funded by a one-year, more than $380,000 grant from the Florida Department of Health’s Florida Cancer Innovation Fund.

Probiotics are live microorganisms — usually bacteria or yeasts — that support and strengthen health by increasing the body’s population of healthy cells. Many people take probiotics to improve gut health and digestion. Andl’s research is focused on using a healthy bacteria called Lactobacillus spp. to treat esophageal damage caused by acid reflux and improve the microbial environment in the esophagus to reduce the risk of cancer.

In patients with acid reflux — as well as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a chronic and more severe form of the digestive condition — stomach acid burns through the lining of the esophagus, causing inflammation and DNA damage to surrounding cells. Over time, those cellular changes can create a condition called Barrett’s esophagus, which increases the risk for esophageal cancer. In addition, when the throat’s bacterial environment becomes dominated by stomach acids and salts, healthy bacteria struggle to survive. Harmful bacteria take their place, causing further cell damage and inflammation that increases cancer risk. Introducing Lactobacillus spp. into disease models has solved both issues.

“We all talk about how important it is to eat yogurt or drink kombucha so that we maintain a healthy bacterial residence in all your organs. And it’s the same in the esophagus.”

“The reintroduction of beneficial bacteria works two-fold,” Andl says. “It restores a normal environment again, but also these Lactobacilli are known to suppress inflammation and repair the DNA damage.”

“We all talk about how important it is to eat yogurt or drink kombucha so that we maintain a healthy bacterial residence in all your organs,” Andl continues. “And it’s the same in the esophagus.”

Early results have shown a reduction in Barrett’s esophagus, and if cancer develops at all, it occurs much later than in models not treated with the probiotic.

Andl says she hopes her research will inform new therapies and provide more information on how to keep the body’s microbial balance healthy to fight disease. She notes this is especially important as data also shows Barett’s esophagus and esophageal cancer are increasing in patients under ages 60-70, the average age for these patient populations.

“We aim to improve outcomes for the large number of reflux patients at risk for cancer,” Andl says. “Playing a role in that would be incredibly rewarding.”

Andl joined ��AV in 2016 after receiving her Ph.D. in cell biology from the University Duisburg-Essen in Germany and conducting postdoctoral research at the University of Pennsylvania.

This research is sponsored by the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund and the Florida Department of Health.

������research, backed by a five-year $813,130 National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases grant, found that an antimicrobial peptide naturally found in cows weakens the biofilm defenses of Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria and destroys it.

Now in their fourth year of research, Fleeman and her lab have discovered exactly how the peptide works in findings published in PLOS Pathogens.

“Our research is very advantageous for healthcare because about 80% of bacterial infections being treated in the clinic are bacteria living in a biofilm state, which makes them resistant to virtually every antibiotic available,” she says.

The results represent a critical step to potentially applying this peptide as a therapy and eventually treating patients, as the findings show they can and kill biofilm-embedded bacteria in animal models.

Parsing out the Peptide

K. pneumoniae is found in the intestines and is usually harmless, however, the bacterium develops resistance over a person’s lifetime as they are exposed to antibiotics. The bacteria also can spread from the intestine to other parts of the body in immunocompromised patients and those who have internal ruptures or exposure to contaminated medical devices. That exposure can lead to pneumonia, urinary tract or wound infections.

“What happens is the bacteria infects the wound, proliferates, and then invades through the bloodstream where it travels to the liver, kidneys and spleen,” Fleeman says. “We found our peptide was able to decrease the bacteria at the source while limiting the bacteria’s ability to move through the blood.”

Fleeman and her lab’s most recent study found that the peptide triggers a dual stress response that tricks the bacteria to break out of their protective biofilm.

They discovered the genetics of a specific protein in the bacterium when turned on in the germ causes it to break from its own protective biofilm. The peptide, in effect, damages the protection and then stresses the bacterium into shedding its protection, making the germ more sensitive to antibiotics and the body’s immune system.

“By hitting the membrane as well as protein synthesis at the same time, it’s a double punch that triggers a genetic change in the cell to make it think it needs to break out of the biofilm as a response to our peptide,” Fleeman says.

The team says their sustained research aims to demonstrate that their peptide can work synergistically with existing antibiotics. They envision long-term applications could involve a topical cream that weakens the bacteria’s defenses and allows standard antibiotics to work more effectively.

“We’re moving our research forward and we’re very hopeful,” Fleeman says.

Preparing for the Post-Antibiotic Era

The first author of this new work is Robert Beckman ’23, who graduated from UCF with a bachelor’s degree in health sciences, managed Fleeman’s lab and is now on his way to the University of Michigan for his Ph.D.

His previous work as an EMT gave him firsthand exposure to infectious diseases and their impact on patients. He says helping to lead the study and working with Fleeman helped prepare him for a career in medical research.

“I have developed a strong foundation in research and gained insight into the many components that define an effective scientist,” he says. “My long-term goal is to remain in academia and eventually lead my own research lab. I plan to continue focusing on bacteriology, with a particular emphasis on pathogenic bacteria and drug discovery applications.”

Funding and Disclosure:

Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R00AI163295. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Globally, a total of 230 emerging inventors were named to the list this year, making it the largest cohort in NAI history. The inductees will be honored during the NAI 15^th annual conference in Los Angeles in June. Solihin says he feels honored to join this distinguished group of researchers.

“What sets the NAI senior member designation apart is that it focuses on innovations with real-world impact.”

“This induction means a lot to me,” he says. “What sets the NAI senior member designation apart is that it focuses on innovations with real-world impact.”

Solihin’s work has significantly impacted society and the way that our technology works. The Pegasus Professor and director of the UCF Cyber Security and Privacy faculty cluster initiative has made computing systems faster, more reliable and more secure.

Among his most influential inventios are a security mechanism known as the Bonsai Merkle Tree and a system called Cache Quality of Service. The former protects computer memory from unauthorized modifications at significantly lower cost than previous methods, while the latter addresses performance slowdowns that occur when multiple applications share processor resources.

Both innovations have influenced processors that are now widely used in data centers.

“My journey of making real-world impact from my research spanned many years ago, starting in 2012,” he says. “Since that time, my work has garnered 57 U.S. patents in the area of chip design.”

Solihin, who is also an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Association for Computing Machinery and Japan Society for Promotion of Science fellow, says his process for taking an invention from an idea to a tangible product starts with identifying a problem that is worth solving. From there, he analyzes literature and technical documents for solutions, identifies the key technical challenges to overcome and then works to refine the solution. He encourages young inventors to just start by “brainspilling,” or getting the idea out on paper.

“When I have an idea in my head, it is typically not very clear,” Solihin says. “It appears vague, like seeing it through fog. Translating this into an invention requires working the brain to conceptualize the solution, to visualize it in much deeper details, to enumerate all the cases in which it shows benefits and drawbacks and solves key technical challenges. This process, brainspilling, requires long hours with pencil and paper to remove the fog.”

Ultimately, he says, the motivation to continue innovating comes from the satisfaction of solving complex problems.

“It’s the good feeling of gaining clarity on something that was once unclear,” he says. “It’s similar to solving a puzzle but with open-ended problems and unpredictable timelines.”

At 16, he opened his first brokerage account in 2008, with his grandmother’s help, during the Great Recession because he saw a market that had no place to go but up.

When cloud accounting platforms were just starting to become viable in the early 2010s, he was an early adopter, eventually building a firm that served clients remotely.

Now as artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes the business landscape, Hubenthal decided to embrace this latest inflection point by enrolling in UCF’s .

“Ů��AV is ready for every Knight who dares to lean in.”

“UCF doesn’t just educate you. It finds you. It amplifies who you are and prepares you to make a difference,” says Hubenthal, who is from Elon, North Carolina. “Sometimes I’m amazed that this small-town kid has ended up consulting with business leaders in boardrooms across the globe. Somewhere out there, another teenager is watching the world shift and feeling that pull. Ů��AV is ready for every Knight who dares to lean in.”

Leading With a Spirit of Innovation

It’s Knights like Hubenthal who inspired Barry S. Miller ’95 to invest a transformational $50 million gift into the College of Business to further strengthen UCF’s reputation as a global leader in fintech, AI and business innovation.

A graduate of UCF’s  program in the , Hubenthal initially came to UCF to study �����Ի���engineering. But after witnessing the impact of the Great Recession on families, including his own, he switched to business and finance.

“I made it my mission to understand what happened, why it happened and how to help prevent it,” Hubenthal says.

Early in his career, Hubenthal worked in corporate finance, gaining hands-on experience�����Ի���learning how established organizations manage their financial infrastructure.

In 2015, just two years after earning his bachelor’s degree, he co-founded a data analytics firm with fellow UCF graduates, bringing enterprise-grade big data and analytics services to local businesses at an accessible price point. That venture earned Hubenthal recognition as part of Business North Carolina magazine’s cover story on innovation in 2016.

Building on Success

He has since founded firms rooted in data analytics, accounting and finance — including his firm Bookscaping — started a financial literacy podcast to share his expertise with small businesses, and published a book, The Simple Fiscal Method: 17 Financial Lessons for Every Small Business Owner to Succeed in Life.

In 2022, he signed on as vice president of finance for ryco.io, an educational startup where he built and still leads the company’s financial strategy and operations.

He is currently beta testing an automated system for the company, which almost fully manages its payable function with safeguards, audit trails and authorizations built in. He envisions this empowering ryco.io to scale its financial operations.

Hubenthal wanted to fully immerse himself in this new era of business and tech, so he is turning to UCF’s fintech program to prepare him for what’s ahead.

“For me, the real world is the lab. And thanks to UCF, I’m just getting started.”

“The program put me in a room with nearly 30 students from four continents who felt like family within the first month,” Hubenthal says. “Just weeks ago, I built a portfolio optimization tool for my own retirement account — 1 million simulated market days�����Ի���almost 4,000 years of data, solved by a supercomputer in under three seconds — using what I learned in this program.

“For me, the real world is the lab,” he continues. “And thanks to UCF, I’m just getting started.”