Over the past eight years, the awards have supported a wide range of projects across the arts, health, humanities and technology, reflecting the breadth of interdisciplinary work at UCF and the program’s commitment to addressing real-world needs through creative research and community partnership.

Each winning team will receive $25,000 to support projects that meaningfully integrate technology, demonstrate potential for sustainability and measure outcomes using a logic model framework. This year’s theme, “Tech for the Human Good,” emphasizes the power of arts, humanities, health and technology to create positive societal impact.

To qualify, teams must include at least one member from the College of Arts and Humanities, another UCF unit and a community partner. Submissions are evaluated on potential impact, sustainability and measurable outcomes.

Founded in 2018 by Chuck Steinmetz and Margery Pabst Steinmetz, the awards debuted as the Pabst Steinmetz Arts and Innovation Awards, becoming the first project supported by the couple’s joint foundation. Originally created to ignite research initiatives focused on arts and wellness, the scope of the awards has since broadened. Margery Pabst Steinmetz says the awards have the potential to drive innovation and lasting impact for both campus and community.

“This year’s applicant pool was especially strong and highly accomplished,” Margery Pabst Steinmetz says. “Over the last year, we made some changes to the award so more researchers and nonprofits could see how it applies to their work, but the mission remains the same: champion and grow interdisciplinary research that will have a lasting impact on our community and beyond.”

Learn more about the winning projects.

Limbitless Adaptive Sports League: Power Soccer

This project, led by Matt Dombrowski’05 ‘08MFA, professor of emerging media in the , in collaboration with Peter Smith ’05MS ’12PhD, associate professor in the , aims to develop a multiplayer adaptive sports video game for individuals who use power wheelchairs.

In partnership with UCF-based nonprofit Limbitless Solutions, the Mayo Clinic, Central Florida Dreamplex and Orlando Magic Dreamers, the project transforms competitive adaptive sports like power soccer — a sport specifically designed for individuals who use power wheelchairs — into an accessible virtual gaming experience.

The game uses an electromyographic controller to translate muscle movements into game commands, allowing players to compete while building skills that support independence, collaboration and social engagement.

“The project empowers wheelchair athletes by giving them a platform to compete, connect and develop skills in ways that weren’t previously possible,” Dombrowski says. “This award is deeply meaningful to me and to everyone at Limbitless, and we are sincerely grateful to the [Pabst Steinmetz Foundation] for recognizing and supporting this work.”

Dombrowski says his inspiration comes from former students, neighbors and colleagues who live or have lived with degenerative conditions. He and Peter Smith recently lost a respected research collaborator who profoundly shaped the project and inspired the game’s development. The collaborator introduced them to the world of power soccer, and the team proudly dedicates the effort to his memory.

“This project is special because it … supports undergraduate student creatives, brings athletes of all abilities into true partnership, and provides training and independence …” — Matt Dombrowski’05 ‘08MFA, Ů��AV professor

“This project is special because it serves multiple communities at once. It supports undergraduate student creatives, brings athletes of all abilities into true partnership, and provides training and independence through Project Xavier, our hands-free power wheelchair control system,” Dombrowski says. “At its core, this work is about access, dignity and joy. Gaming and sport should be for everyone, across all abilities. No one should ever have to lose access to something they love.”

The initiative will host an annual eSports tournament, establish a scalable framework for adaptive sports games and provide professional development opportunities for interdisciplinary UCF students. Anticipated outcomes include increased social connection, physical activity engagement and overall well-being for participants, while advancing inclusive game design.

Collaborators:

• Paulette Belser, Orlando Magic Dreamers
• Matthew Dombrowski ’05 ‘08MFA, College of Arts and Humanities
• Cameron Gomes ’08, Central Florida Dreamplex
• Albert Manero ’12 ’14MS ’16PhD, Limbitless Solutions
• Björn Oskarsson, ALS Center of Excellence at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
• Peter Smith ’05MS ’12PhD, Nicholson School of Communication and Media, College of Sciences
• John Sparkman ’13 ’15MS, Limbitless Solutions

More information about the project can be found .

Designing for Resilience: Integrating Art and Wearable Technology for Firefighter Health, Safety and Well-Being

Led by Kaitlyn Crawford, associate professor of materials science and engineering in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, in collaboration with Ashley Taylor ’12, assistant professor of emerging media and graphic design in the School of Visual Arts and Design, this project partners with the Sanford Fire Department to design wearable technology that monitors firefighter heat stress while incorporating artistic design and educational components.

The team is integrating wearable sensors — developed in collaboration with Northwestern University — that track physiological indicators to detect heat stress. Custom graphic design elements and informational infographics will be incorporated to encourage adoption within the fire service. A design feedback loop with the local fire service in Sanford ensures the wearable designs align with firefighter culture and identity, promoting usability and long-term adoption.

“Through [the Pabst Steinmetz Foundation’s] support, we will be able to collaborate across disciplines to create critical technological advances … that result in positive societal impact.” — Kaitlyn Crawford, UCF associate professor

“The goal is to improve firefighter health and safety while respecting traditions and creating tools they’re excited to use,” Crawford says. “It’s an incredible honor to engage with our fire service community in this meaningful way. We are sincerely grateful to the [Pabst Steinmetz Foundation] for supporting this work. Through this support, we will be able to collaborate across disciplines to create critical technological advances and meaningful connections with the community that result in positive societal impact.”

The award will allow the team to scale the project across multiple regions and provide hands-on professional development opportunities for UCF students in design, engineering and research. By helping prevent cardiac events and other heat-related health risks, the initiative addresses an urgent community need while modeling how art, engineering and public service can intersect to improve lives.

An infographic illustrating the wearable device and project logic model is available .

Collaborators:

• Carter Clingan, a materials science and engineering undergraduate student at UCF
• Kaitlyn Crawford, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• David Giordano, a biomedical engineering graduate student at UCF
• Ronnie McNeil Jr., Sanford Fire Department
• Ashley Taylor ’12, College of Arts and Humanities
• Studio Pegasus students, College of Arts and Humanities

“I watched my first patient evolve before my eyes from a shy girl to an outspoken, charismatic and funny individual,” she says. “That was always who she was, but the prosthesis gave her more confidence to speak up and make her voice heard. It is something that I will cherish forever.”

Rivera’s journey at UCF, marked by interdisciplinary research and partnerships, allowed her to expand her education beyond the classroom. On Aug. 4, she began her third UCF degree, donning a doctor’s white coat as part of the White Coat ceremony.

A “double Knight” is a term used amongst those at UCF to describe students or alumni who have earned two degrees. The level of “knighthood” increases as the student earns more degrees, and in Rivera’s case, she is working her way toward becoming a triple Knight.

Rivera earned her bachelor’s degree followed by her master’s in biomedical sciences while helping to design prosthetic arms through Limbitless Solutions, a UCF-based nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people through accessible technologies.

“We’re so proud of all of Viviana’s successes and it’s been a real privilege to be part of her journey,” says Limbitless Solutions Executive Director and Co-Founder Albert Manero ’12 ’14MS ’16PhD, who honored Rivera’s milestone by sponsoring her white coat. “Today we’re proud to stand with her as she prepares to take her next steps and is on her way to becoming a really incredible doctor.”

As she becomes part of the 121 students in the Class of 2029, Rivera says her time with Limbitless “was life changing in every sense.” She authored numerous publications, analyzed data from clinical trials and used airbrushes to customize arms for children.

“I am a strong believer that students can take charge in every academic institution to extract the most out of it and UCF has made that easy,” Rivera says. “UCF gave me the tools early on in my academic career to set me up with multiple connections that have made me a stronger applicant and person alike.”

Manero says about 500 students have participated in Limbitless since the partnership began 11 years ago. Rivera is only the second to go on to medical school at UCF.

Manero says students who work at the organization develop empathy through their intimate and sensitive patient interactions.

“Demonstrating that care and compassion in every single instance is something that we really prioritize for all our team and seeing her take ownership of that as a graduate student and as staff has really helped move the whole program forward,” he says. “We can see the huge impact it has had on our bionic families.”

As she begins medical school, Rivera says she’s looking forward to continuing to accumulate knowledge, grow her compassion for others and practice gratitude for all those who have helped her on her journey.

“In some ways, the white coat is not mine alone,” she says. “I never would have even believed that I could become a medical student without the massive support I’ve had from everyone. Every time I put on the white coat, I will be reminded that it stands for something bigger than just me.”

This milestone has given Limbitless cause to celebrate. The organization is hosting a 10-year anniversary gala at UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management Oct. 17. During the event, Limbitless alumni, partners and sponsors, UCF leadership, and bionic families will walk the blue carpet, dive into interactive experiences, hear inspiring stories and explore Limbitless’ vision for the future.

Bridging Art and Technology

At the heart of Limbitless’ mission is the use of creativity to drive innovation and enhance technology, highlighting the essential role UCF’s College of Arts and Humanities (CAH) plays across disciplines. This philosophy was advocated by Katie Manero ’09, a graphic design alumna from UCF’s School of Visual Arts and Design (SVAD). She encouraged Limbitless executive director Albert Manero ’12 ’14MS ’16PhD to engage the UCF arts community to enrich the organization’s mission.

“At Limbitless, we’ve seen firsthand how visual arts and design play a crucial role in driving innovation across disciplines.” — Matt Dombrowski ’05 ’08 MFA, Limbitless Solutions creative director

One of the first individuals Manero contacted was Matt Dombrowski ’05 ’08MFA,  SVAD assistant director and associate professor of emerging media. In 2015, Manero sought Dombrowski’s assistance in recruiting student volunteers to paint Limbitless’ 3D-printed bionic arms, which the organization donates to children with limb differences. Dombrowski eagerly agreed and soon proposed an innovative concept that redefined the role of creativity at Limbitless: developing immersive video games that utilize electrical impulses from the muscles to teach kids to use their bionic arms. Since then, Dombrowski has served as the creative director at Limbitless.

“At Limbitless, we’ve seen firsthand how visual arts and design play a crucial role in driving innovation across disciplines,” Dombrowski says. “By breaking down the silos between science, technology and visual communication, we enable creativity to be a force for positive societal change. The empathy, storytelling and human-centered design the arts bring to the table are not just complementary — they are vital.”

This approach not only made the learning process enjoyable for bionic kids but also fostered a sense of empowerment and confidence among the users. What once felt like a routine medical appointment transformed into an interactive and playful experience.

“Our award-winning training games are designed to help bionic kids learn to use their prosthetics in a fun and safe environment. Creating that sense of safety is key to the successful adoption of these technologies, which could not be done without our amazing undergraduate students,” Dombrowski says. “I’m immensely proud of the dozens of SVAD and CAH students who have contributed not only to the development of these video games but also to the design of 3D-printed bionic arms and social advocacy. These students, now alumni, have gone on to their careers with an empathy-focused, creative mindset — skills they honed at both SVAD and Limbitless.”

Empowering Future Innovations

Over the past decade, dozens of arts and humanities undergraduates have played a crucial role in expanding Limbitless’ mission — whether by designing video games, painting bionic arm sleeves, creating accessible webpages or producing engaging social media content.

One of these students was Stephanie Valderrama ’16, an alumna in graphic design, and visual arts and emerging media management, who also served as one of the first student interns at Limbitless.

“I never felt I had to be an engineer to be part of the [Limbitless] movement. It was clear the creative side was just as needed as the engineering side,” Valderrama says. “At Limbitless, I learned to put human emotions and connectivity at the forefront of what I designed. You weren’t just looking at a bionic arm that opened and closed; you were also looking at the design that reflected the personality of the child receiving it.”

Valderrama now works as a senior product designer at Disney Parks and Experiences in Lake Buena Vista, where she uses user interface and user experience design (UI/UX) to create digital applications for the company.

“I never thought I would end up here. At Limbitless, I learned I loved receiving real-life feedback, which is eventually why I transitioned to product designing. In my role now, we design something and complete user tests to evaluate the product in different environments,” Valderrama says. “I never would’ve known that was something I valued if it wasn’t for my experience at Limbitless.”

Another former Limbitless intern and studio art alumna, Anna Stafford ’19, was drawn to Limbitless for the opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

“It made a lot of sense to intern at Limbitless because I was able to use my skills in a professional setting alongside people who brought different skills to the table,” Stafford says. “That made me really excited because I felt there was a space for me to use the skills I felt like I had to be using, but I could use them in a way that was going to help people and directly impact the world.”

Stafford has applied the skills she gained at Limbitless to her current position as a user experience designer at Cherry, a fintech company that serves the healthcare industry.

“Two huge things I learned both from the College of Arts and Humanities, and Limbitless was the ability to adapt to unfamiliar environments,” Stafford says. “It really has paid off for me professionally because I’ve been able to jump into my career much more seamlessly than I thought possible.”

CAH and SVAD are committed to supporting creatives through real-world industry experiences like those provided by Limbitless. By building on the rich history of traditional arts practices, arts and humanities disciplines prepare students to meet contemporary challenges with innovative solutions. The collaboration between UCF and Limbitless has shown numerous students the power of creativity in their work. Like Valderrama and Stafford, many UCF and Limbitless alumni are now harnessing creativity to make a positive impact.

“We are so grateful to be awarded this Disney Grant and the opportunity to grow our program and impact,” says Albert Manero ’12 ’14MS ’16PhD, executive director of and a UCF aerospace and mechanical engineering alum. “This will enable our program to provide more opportunities that can unleash the potential of our students and create magical moments for our bionic kids and families.”

Disney’s investment helps local organizations, like Limbitless Solutions, continue making big differences in the lives of many Floridians and their families in areas including education, workforce development, arts and entertainment, homelessness, hunger and more. It is also another step forward in Disney World’s more than 50-year history of helping Florida thrive.

As one of 19 recipient organizations, Limbitless Solutions was recognized for its work to address the need for affordable, multi-gesture bionic prosthetics for children born without an arm. Through its student scholar program, Limbitless has supported more than 325 students since 2014 through innovative technology and developing a more experienced and professional workforce. In 2021, Limbitless Solutions also opened a new research lab in UCF’s Research Park dedicated to expanding its bionics research and undergraduate research.

To further empower the workforce of tomorrow, Limbitless will leverage the grant from Walt Disney World to grow its student scholars program by an impressive 30% — welcoming an additional 16 . This expansion reflects Limbitless’ unwavering commitment to nurturing the next generation of professionals.

Limbitless Solutions currently operates as a uniquely interdisciplinary environment with opportunities for students across many of UCF’s colleges — creating innovators across teams from art and medicine to public relations and computer science. Limbitless additionally invests in these students through a cohort focused on professional branding and workplace-focused topics, in addition to projects where they are engaged with creating expressive bionics, accessibility projects, research and storytelling.

“Being a part of the Limbitless team has pushed me in ways I didn’t even know I was capable of, and I will always be grateful for this experience,” says Emily Peterson, a .

Based at UCF, Limbitless uses 3D printing and in-house manufacturing to develop and advance bionic arms for children — focused on reducing the weight and cost compared to traditional devices, in addition to accessibility devices and video game training platforms. Led by UCF faculty members Matt Dombrowski ’05 ’08MFA with the and Peter Smith ’05MS ’12PhD with the , Limbitless accessibility technology uniquely leverages video game-based training that converts muscle flexing into the video game character’s actions.

Limbitless is excited for the impact the grant will have on the program by expanding the growth of its student workforce development program and providing enrichment opportunities with corporate and industry partners that enable job-ready students to be competitive in their fields.

We’re grateful for the support of Disney and our partners in growing our undergraduates into dynamic innovators and professionals and impacting current and future bionic families.

Albert Chi, who specializes in critical care and prosthetics, was keeping a close eye on COVID-19 during the early days. He immediately began working with his team at Oregon Health and Science University to develop a new, easy way to replicate ventilators that could be deployed anywhere. As a retired commander of the U.S. Navy Reserve, Chi is well versed in extreme conditions.

When Chi had a design, he called his friend and clinical-trial collaborator Albert Manero ’12 ’14MS ’16PhD, CEO and co-founder of Limbitless Solutions.

Manero leads the nonprofit based at the Ů��AV. The team creates prosthetics for children and has been conducting a clinical trial with Chi since 2018. Currently the trial is being adapted for telemedicine per FDA guidelines (in response to COVID-19) to mitigate participants’ travel. In the interim, Limbitless pivoted its manufacturing capabilities to produce hundreds of 3D-printed face shield components for local hospitals through a national coalition led by 3D company Stratasys.

“Dr. Chi called me and said, ’Hey Albert, I have an idea,’” Manero says. “When Dr. Chi has an idea, we listen. We were happy to support in any way we could.”

“When Dr. Chi has an idea, we listen. We were happy to support in any way we could.” — Albert Manero ’12 ’14MS ’16PhD

That’s when Manero called Limbitless’ engineers together to tackle this new challenge. Limbitless printed the pieces in its laboratory for the prototype, which exceeded expectations when it was tested in Chi’s lab in Oregon. OHSU’s engineering design team members include Whit Menzel, and Evan Fontaine. Within days, OHSU submitted a request to the FDA for Emergency Use Authorization to make the 3D-printed ventilators available to support hospitals worldwide battling high caseloads in hot spots due to the pandemic.

Limbitless this week also produced pieces for the first 10 ventilator prototypes, which Chi says will be sent to hospitals nationwide to test and collect feedback while he awaits FDA approval.

Chi’s ventilator is unique, because it does not require electronics and uses 3D-printed parts, which can be potentially manufactured at hospitals.

Limbitless used printers in its lab at UCF to print the pieces necessary for high quality prints and large-scale distribution. Limbitless key engineers and co-founders, Dominique Courbin ’18 and John Sparkman ’13 ’15MS, optimized the production of the critical pieces at UCF. The pieces fit perfectly when assembled at OHSU. The coordination between the two teams was critical to rapidly prototype the design, Manero says.

Depending on the printer used, a single ventilator could be manufactured within three to eight hours and made operational with the addition of low-cost springs available at any hardware store. The low-tech ventilators can be replicated anywhere in the world for less than $10 of material, Chi says.

The low-tech ventilators can be replicated anywhere in the world for less than $10 of material.

Limbitless shipped the first ventilator pieces back to OHSU on April 17. Chi and his team assembled the first prototype and placed it on an oxygen tank to test it. The goal was to see if it would work for at least 24 hours without any durability issues. Chi’s team had already performed extensive modeling and testing in the lab, but the next 24 hours were to determine if OHSU would go after FDA emergency approval.

On April 24, Chi filed with the FDA because the ventilator was still pumping air with no issues 120 hours later.

“Hearing the machine ‘breathing’ during testing was a really moving experience,” Manero says. “The sound is such a reminder of why we continue to do everything we can to support our community in any way we can. It is an example of what teamwork can accomplish to change the world.”

OHSU stopped the durability testing of the first ventilator after seven continuous days with zero issues.

“They did such a good job producing the pieces,” Chi says. “I knew the quality of their work. I knew I could trust them to produce the first 10 prototypes. Our teams are kindred partners just wanting to help save lives. This is the power of heart, mind and a cooperative spirit.”

When the ventilator design is approved, Chi said it would not only help hospitals now, but in the future. The ventilators could be used during another pandemic or in remote regions or after a natural disaster when electricity is scarce.

“I feel like all my experiences until this point — being in the Navy, working in trauma critical care, meeting Limbitless — they all led me here to this moment, where together we can make a difference,” Chi says. “It’s not just about being a doctor, it’s wanting to give back and help anyone in need, which is what I think makes Albert and I such good partners.”

The non-profit, established in 2014, empowers confidence in children and increases accessibility for those in the limb difference community by manufacturing personalized 3D printed bionic arms. The organization’s lab on the UCF main campus produces these arms currently being evaluated in clinical trials, but in light of the pandemic has shifted its operations to join a national coalition working to provide protective equipment to those who need it most.

“We are honored to be a small part of a network committed to supporting our medical community,” says Albert Manero ’12 ’14MS ’16PhD, CEO and co-founder of Limbitless Solutions. “They are the real heroes, serving the community selflessly.”

Limbitless connected with , the 3D printer company that created the coalition. Stratasys is working with multiple hospitals and organizations nationwide. The company had optimized the design for the machines available, so the pivot to shift operations temporarily was able to be done quickly.

On March 26, two Limbitless staff began producing visors, a component of the disposable face shield used by many medical workers. They plan to produce 100 plus visors per week. Each visor will feature one of four special messages: “hope,” “compassion,” “love” or “we thank you.”

“We will continue to work safely during this challenging and disruptive time, continuing to support our bionic kids, our team, and those who are directly impacted by the virus.” —Albert Manero ’12 ’14MS ’16PhD

“The messages are meant to thank and pay tribute to those doing life-saving work during the pandemic,” says Manero. “We have reduced operations in the lab to promote social distancing and to abide by Orange County’s stay at home order. We knew we could still be part of helping our community. We will continue to work safely during this challenging and disruptive time, continuing to support our bionic kids, our team, and those who are directly impacted by the virus.”

How it works

Limbitless is participating as a “remote production site” by 3D-printing a piece of the face shield for final assembly and distribution by Stratasys. The disposable face shields are described as a “consumer barrier product,” not Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) or a medical device. These shields are in high demand with the coalition already receiving requests for more than 300,000 from medical providers. The face shields, unlike masks or respirators, provide a physical barrier, but not a fluid or air filtration, barrier for the medical staff.

Once the components are printed, a delivery company will pick up the boxes following social distancing protocols and healthcare guidelines and transport them to another location for assembly and final distribution. The entire coalition looks to deliver an initial 5,000 shields to critical need locations nationwide over the next week.

“Limbitless was founded when a community need intersected with our capabilities, says Dominique Courbin ’18, director of production and co-founder of Limbitless Solutions. “Even when we didn’t know ‘how,’ it was never a question ‘if’ we would help. We hope to use that same spirit to support those who serve now.”

Stratasys has set up a web page where organizations can request 3D printed products to help with the crisis, offer 3D printing capacity or request 3D printers or material for medical or safety related purposes. Visit .

In July 2019, Limbitless announced a partnership with Stratasys to support the organization’s bionics research and development.

“In these unpredictable times, the team is grateful for the opportunity to help create #3DHope for the global community and the medical professionals,” Manero says.

“I have been paycheck to paycheck my entire life. Through college, I was not making enough money to have any real savings. I had my neck barely above water,” says Vila, a manufacturing engineer at Texas Instruments who paid off his debt Jan. 21. “For the first time ever, I can finally stop being paycheck to paycheck. There’s no better feeling than that.”

Born in Puerto Rico, Vila moved to Fort Myers at age 10. In high school, he volunteered with the local fire department and found a passion for helping people. Initially, he didn’t want to go to college — he wanted to become a firefighter — but his parents, who are both college graduates, implored him to reconsider.

The decision changed the trajectory of his life.

During his first year at UCF, Limbitless Solutions was in its early stages of developing bionic prosthetics for children. Albert Manero ’12 ’14MS ’16PhD and other members of the Limbitless team gave a presentation to Vila’s Introduction to the Engineering Profession class, hoping to recruit some fellow students to join their mission.

“At the time, I was thinking about dropping out of engineering because I felt like engineering was kind of making people’s lives more convenient as opposed to making a massive impact,” Vila says. “Coming to UCF and finding Limbitless allowed me to bridge that gap between pursuing engineering and changing peoples’ lives at the same time. I’m incredibly grateful to Limbitless, particularly Albert Manero and John Sparkman who truly believed in me.”

About half of UCF students graduate with no debt. For Vila, that wasn’t the case.

He earned some scholarships, which he says paid for roughly 85 percent of his tuition. The rest he needed to figure out on his own, and he ended up incurring more than the average UCF student.

“I would say I was very much like every other college student. I really didn’t think about the long-term financial consequences to student loans. I just knew I needed money.” — Juan Diego Vila, UCF grad

“I would say I was very much like every other college student. I really didn’t think about the long-term financial consequences to student loans,” says Vila, who worked jobs at Chick-fil-A, 4 Rivers Smokehouse and an aquarium shop in addition to Limbitless throughout his time in college. “I just knew I needed money and that was it. In terms of how and when I was going to pay it back, I wasn’t sure.”

The realization hit him hard during his final semester. Vila saw how his family struggled with financial pressure throughout his life, and he knew he didn’t want that for himself.

So he quickly formed a plan to erase his debt in six months while still enjoying his life and creating a startup company.

It’s pretty simple. I made an Excel spreadsheet. How much money do I make? How much money do I spend? I subtracted one from the other. Now how many paychecks is it going to take for me to pay off the debt if I don’t change how much I spend? I wasn’t happy when I saw the result. My goal was to pay it off as soon as humanly possible.

I looked at all my expenses. I saw what I could cut away. Instead of buying food out in a restaurant, I started meal prepping. Instead of going to a coffee shop to get coffee, I made my coffee at home. Little things like that. And I put all of this in the Excel spreadsheet so I could really see the numbers go down. That established my budget. The rest of it was discipline to stick to the budget.
What was your budget?
When I graduated, I got a job with Texas Instruments. The base pay started at $76,000 and they gave me a $10,000 bonus to sign on. That $10,000 immediately went into my debt so that was a really nice jump start. Regardless of whether or not I would have gotten that, I would have had the same exact plan. It would have just taken me a little longer to pay it off.

Every single month, I would put about $3,000 into nothing but debt. About 50 percent of the money I was making every month would go straight to my student debt. The rest was to live and have fun.
Do you feel you had to make sacrifices?
I didn’t suffer. A lot of people are probably going to think I ate nothing but ramen all day every day and that’s not true at all. I still went out with my friends. I still had perfectly healthy food. Granted, I would meal prep and when I went out with my friends I wouldn’t splurge and spend a ton of money. But I was still having fun. My life felt perfectly balanced.

“It’s not that you have to sacrifice everything. It’s just about being conscious about what you’re spending money on.”

Right after I graduated, I went to seven countries in Europe, and again I budgeted it very, very strictly. But I got to travel for the first time outside of the country. When I got back, I moved to Texas — a state I’ve never been to before. The whole time, I still got to hang out with my friends. I went to a music festival. It’s not that you have to sacrifice everything. It’s just about being conscious about what you’re spending money on. The way that Dave Ramsey explains it is, it’s an every-dollar budget. You know where every dollar that you are spending is going. Every dollar has been planned. That doesn’t mean that it has to all go toward a debt. Some of it can go toward having fun.
Did UCF’s affordability help?
Yes. I am very happy that I went to UCF because of that. Ů��AV is a high quality education with classes that don’t cost an astronomical amount. I know people [that went to other universities] who graduated with $60,000 or $90,000 in debt. If that would have been my case, again I wouldn’t have changed my game plan. I would have been just as aggressive, and it just would have taken more time.

“A lot of my friends that went to other universities like UF or Ivy League schools, they have told me, ‘Wow I kind of wish I went to school at UCF. It’s a great education and you’re not paying an incredible amount.’ ”

A lot of my friends that went to universities like UF or Ivy League schools, they have told me, “Wow I kind of wish I went to school at UCF. It’s a great education and you’re not paying an incredible amount.”
Do you have tips for students who are in the same position you were in?
A lot of people who graduate decide that because of their hard work to get their degree, they want to reward themselves with a brand new car or a house while still being in student debt. I think that’s the wrong way to look at things. You should instead reward yourself by getting out of debt. There’s no better reward than releasing that financial pressure. There’s no brand new car that’s going to give you that relief.

It takes a lot of hard work and diligence. You have to know where all your money is going. Sometimes your friends are going to want to go out on a day that you hadn’t planned on spending money. And you just have to be willing to say, “No. I’m on a mission and there’s nothing that can stop me. And if you are going to be supportive friends, then this should be OK with you.” And I’m happy that my friends were. Now all my friends are doing what I did to pay off their student debt.
How did your education and experience with Limbitless impact your life after graduation?
It made me into the person that I am, and it’s going to make a massive impact for my future. The combination made me see the world differently. I’ve always been somebody that had high aspirations and big goals, but I never quite had the tools to be able to execute them. And I think those experiences gave me the tools that I needed to be able to bring these goals to life.

The technology, nicknamed Project Xavier, is being tested and evaluated by Mayo Clinic neurologist . He and his team will assess if Xavier improves the independent mobility and quality of life of patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.

Xavier uses electromyography sensors, placed on the patient’s temporalis muscles, to control a power wheelchair or vehicle. When the user clenches his or her jaw in various ways, the wheelchair will respond by moving forward, backward, left or right. The technology holds the promise of helping improve the lives of thousands of people who live with a number of neurological conditions that reduce their mobility.

“Being able to evaluate the technology in an effort to provide a meaningful difference for ALS patients is incredibly moving to our team,” says Limbitless Solutions president Albert Manero ’12 ’14MS ’16PhD. “Translating the design work in the lab to the clinical environment has been our goal, and the Mayo Clinic investigators have been incredible to work with.”

ALS is a heterogeneous disease involving motor neuron death, resulting in progressive weakness and disability. Patients with ALS slowly lose their ability to use their limbs and most muscle function. Often facial muscles are spared until late in the disease, which is documented in the journal Neurology. This group could potentially benefit from Limbitless Solutions’ latest innovation.

Limbitless Solutions, based at UCF, launched in 2014 and is most notably known for developing 3D-printed, inexpensive prosthetic arms for children and providing them at no cost to families around the world. The group formed when Manero and a few of his fellow students at UCF responded to a Central Florida mother who asked for help for her 6-year old son who was missing an arm. The group has continued its work. Last summer, the 3D-printed with the Oregon Health & Science University, the first clinical trial of its kind. Last month published its first peer-reviewed research article about their work with the bionic arms in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

The core EMG technology used for the 3D-printed bionic arms is used to control the power wheelchair.

Project Xavier started when Manero was inspired by a friend with a neuromuscular condition to explore how the Limbitless Solutions team could leverage their bionics research for limited-mobility individuals.

“Working on Project Xavier for the past two years has been absolutely incredible,” says Juan Vila, a UCF senior studying mechanical engineering. “I have had the privilege to take my knowledge in engineering and apply in a way that can empower confidence in the lives of individuals around the world.”

Limbitless Solutions hopes Project Xavier — named after the comic book X-Men leader Professor Xavier — provides an opportunity to people with limited or no mobility to continue their independence as long as possible. Tasks that usually depend on assistive personnel to push the user in a wheelchair will be easier and less time consuming to perform, Manero says.

The muscle flex patterns used to power the wheelchair are designed to be very intuitive and easy to pick up. Limbitless hopes that after just a little practice, users will be able to drive the wheelchair, even in crowded areas, with ease. The control mechanism patent is in review.

For more information on Project Xavier and Limbitless Solutions, visit .

Riot Games, creator and publisher of League of Legends, and 343 Industries, maker of Halo, collaborated with Limbitless Solutions to create seven new prosthetic-arm designs inspired by their games. League of Legends is a team-based multiplayer online battle arena video game. Halo is a first-person shooter game that centers on a galaxy at war and the epic adventures of protagonist, the Master Chief.

Designs from League of Legends include three inspired by characters—Odyssey Jinx, Illaoi, and Maokai—and two inspired by settings from the game—Star Guardian and Shurima. The two designs from Halo are inspired by different armor suits of the Master Chief. The designs are in the form of interchangeable sleeves that attach to the prosthetic device via magnets to allow the children to swap out for different designs as they please.

“It is so exciting to be able to add these new designs to the catalog for children to customize their arms,” said Albert Manero ’12 ’14MS ’16PhD, CEO and co-founder of Limbitless Solutions. “It will unlock new expression and confidence for children, and we are so grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with these companies’ design teams.”

The collaboration with Riot spawned from an employee’s desire to support Limbitless and UCF, his alma mater. Through Thunderdome, a biannual hackathon event for Riot employees where they work on passion projects for 48 hours, this alumnus energized a group of Rioters to make these designs for Limbitless. The collaboration with 343 Industries began in March at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, where Microsoft Studios employees connected Limbitless team members with the makers of Halo.

Limbitless was founded in 2014 by Manero and a group of fellow students after a mother reached out to Manero for help in creating a prosthetic arm for her son who was born without most of his right arm. At about $40,000, prosthetics currently on the market were not in the family’s budget. Manero and the team found an affordable alternative by using 3D-printed material and sensor stickers to be placed on the child’s skin to activate the prosthetic when muscles are flexed.

Limbitless has since become a nonprofit organization based at UCF and has enhanced the capabilities and design of their prosthetic arm. The latest version includes multiple motors and smartphone app integration to both improve a child’s ability to grip objects and use the arm for various gestures. The interchangeable sleeves are also one of the latest features of the arms.

In 2019, Limbitless’ prosthetic arm devices will be tested and studied in the first U.S. clinical trial of 3D-printed prosthetics for children. Twenty children will receive the latest arm devices and will get to select two sleeve designs from the catalog to customize their arm as part of the clinical trial, which may lead to future Food and Drug Administration clearance and coverage by insurance companies.

Beyond prosthetic arms, Limbitless creates and strengthen the arm muscles of the recipients, and also with limited hand and arm dexterity to move the chair with the temporalis muscles in their head.

For more on Limbitless Solutions, visit .

Shaquem made history in April when he became the first one-handed player to be drafted in the NFL. He didn’t settle for  just making the roster and worked his way into the starting lineup for the Sept. 9 season opener against the Denver Broncos.

Although he didn’t start against the Bears, he did play and his story has inspired countless individuals, most notably children — like the recipients of 3D-printed prosthetic arms from Limbitless Solutions — who see themselves in him.

So when a 90-second segment about Shaquem’s story aired across the nation just before kickoff, Limbitless Solutions CEO and co-founder Albert Manero ’12 ’14MS ’16PhD couldn’t help but beam not only for Shaquem, but also for several of the children who were part of the message to keep dreaming big.

“It’s amazing to see the impact of Shaquem’s platform and how he continues to inspire and encourage children around the country,” Manero says. “For our bionic kids to play a role in changing that conversation — that having a limb difference can be no different than needing a pair of glasses or braces — is something really special for them to be a part of. They’re going out there and living their lives and pursuing their dreams and goals, just like their hero, Shaquem.”

Watch the feature below.

Griffin’s twin brother, Shaquill, who was drafted by the Seahawks in 2017, also had his moment to shine. Shaquill recorded four tackles during the game and added two impressive interceptions in the second quarter.

Meanwhile, Marshall, who is featured in the Fall issue of Pegasus, emerged as the team’s second-leading receiver for the evening with four catches for 44 yards.

The Griffin twins and Marshall join 12 other former Knights who are currently listed on NFL rosters.

The No. 16 UCF football team returns to action this Friday against FAU at Spectrum Stadium at 7 p.m. on ESPN.