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

UCF’s two teams include faculty from every department in the College of Arts and Humanities. The first, led by Associate Dean Peter Larson (professor, history), includes Meghan Velez (assistant professor, writing and rhetoric), Jonathan Beever (professor of philosophy), Matt Dombrowski ’05 ’08 MFA�� (professor, visual arts and design), Melissa Scott (lecturer, performing arts), Lisa Logan (associate professor, English) and Taoues Hadour (assistant professor, modern languages and literatures). Their project will focus on building AI literacy across the arts and humanities through course design, policy recommendations and sharable resources.

The second team, led by Anastasia Salter (professor, English; director, texts and technologies), includes Rudy McDaniel (professor, English; director, visual arts and design) and Sherry Rankins-Robertson (professor, writing and rhetoric). Their work will explore the viability of creating a college-level center on AI scholarship, teaching and learning, as well as opportunities for funding, partnerships and community engagement.

In addition, four UCF employees are serving as AI fellows and mentors for the institute: Rankins-Robertson, Thomas Cavanaugh (vice president, digital learning)��and Rohan Jowallah (senior instructional designer, Center for Distributed Learning), all returning for a second year, and newcomer Kevin Yee ’90 (special assistant to the provost, UCF Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning). Rankins-Robertson and Jowallah also serve on the AAC&U institute faculty.

“The fact that we have enthusiastic participation from faculty in every department in the College of Arts and Humanities demonstrates how seriously we’re taking this moment,” says Jeff Moore, dean of the college. “AI is changing how we teach, how students learn and what employers expect. This is our chance to rethink how we prepare students for today’s classrooms and tomorrow’s careers.”

This year’s institute includes more than 1,220 participants across 192 teams.

The UCF-based nonprofit celebrated 10 years of developing and creating pediatric prostheses in 2024 and is also renowned for its complementary advancements in gamified training that empower patients to master their accessible medical technologies.

Limbitless researchers recently published two new studies aimed at improving training games. One, published in , explores how machine learning may streamline level design for bionic arm training games. The other, a playtest study published in , evaluates the efficacy of a new training game to assist patients with severely limited mobility who use an eye-tracking wheelchair.

Together these two studies exemplify Limbitless’ continued commitment to ensuring patients feel connected to the new technologies they receive, gain confidence in overcoming their conditions and ultimately transform their lives.

“These��games are now fully integrated into the Limbitless experience,” says Peter Smith��’05MS ’12PhD, Limbitless’ head of game development and training, associate professor and director of the games and interactive media program within the Nicholson School of Communication and Media. “The kids get the games first to learn to use and strengthen muscles they may not have needed to use before. The goal is to have the kids practice and learn in the games, and have all their failures in the games so that when they get their arms, they are immediately successful.”

The researchers at Limbitless aim to give patients comprehensive care. It isn’t enough to provide a bionic arm, nor is it enough to make a game that’s just fun but lacking in training, says Limbitless Creative Director Matt Dombrowski ’05 ’08MFA.

“Limbitless is more than technology, games or picking things up — it’s about giving children with limb differences agency,” says Dombrowski, who’s also a professor at UCF’s School of Visual Arts and Design (SVAD). “The training games are designed to be the first step on that journey to build trust, excitement and self-belief through play. Embedding this development inside SVAD and Nicholson, with guidance from Peter and I, we ensure the work stays grounded in both creative innovation and research-backed methodology.”

“The training games are designed to be the first step on that journey to build trust, excitement and self-belief through play.” — UCF Professor and Limbitless Creative Director Matt Dombrowski ’05 ’08MFA.

The idea of using immersive gamified training was conceived early on, says Albert Manero ’12 ’14MS ’16PhD, executive director and co-founder of Limbitless Solutions.

“One of our colleagues here at Limbitless reached out to some of the faculty at SVAD and asked them if they could help create some of the cosmetic components of the prosthetic limbs,” Manero says. “One of those faculty members countered with, ‘Have you ever considered making video games around these arms?’�� Ever since then, it’s just kind of snowballed into what we have here today, which is being able to improve the quality of the training and the onboarding for our patients, whether those are with the bionic arms or the face gesture-controlled wheelchair.”

The Journey Forward

Limbitless’ Project Xavier is a specialized wheelchair that uses the same electromyographic (EMG) technology used in the bionic arms to power an electric wheelchair completely hands-free. It works by using a sensor placed on a person’s temple to detect subtle facial movements and translate them into directional control.

The wheelchair is designed to help people with limited mobility, such as those with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), regain autonomy and use some of the muscles that are the last to lose function as the condition progresses.

Their recently published research explores how a training game called Limbitless Journey can help determine muscle strength, assess user comfort with using the wheelchair and examine the potential for integrating eye-tracking technology.

“We want to make that experience the lowest stress possible and the most beneficial as possible for wheelchair users,” Manero says. “This research paper really looks at that usability evaluation and helping be able to understand how humans interact with machines and simulations … ��to better improve dexterity and mobility control.”

Manero says he saw a need for a specialized wheelchair that can adapt to its users as their body changes over time. ��Recognizing that this technology may seem complex and potentially intimidating, Limbitless was inspired to go one step further and develop a training game to accompany Project Xavier.

“The wheelchair project came about from a friend who was using a powered wheelchair. ��We really learned [that] for [people with] neuromuscular disorders, there can come a point when their hand is just not sufficient to be able to control their wheelchair,” Manero says. “As we learned more and more about the experience for those patients, we realized that there is a real need for hands-free wheelchair technology.”

Evaluating how people use the training game to learn how to use their wheelchair was the key takeaway from the study. Participants in the study praised the level of design and provided suggestions, stating that eye-tracking technology could be improved. The researchers also concluded that objective-based minigames within the game may be implemented.

With this feedback, the Limbitless team members say they are hopeful that the training can reach its full potential.

“This research paper really looks at that usability evaluation and helping be able to understand how humans interact with machines and simulations … ��to better improve dexterity and mobility control.” — Albert Manero ’12 ’14MS ’16PhD, executive director and co-founder of Limbitless Solutions.

“We started working with a clinical trial with the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. In that trial we found that people were nervous to learn how to use the chair,” Smith says. “So we started building this game that would allow them to practice before getting put into that experience.”

The game’s eye-tracking technology works by using an infrared camera across from the user to detect eye movement and translate it to the user interface. The user can “select” an option by maintaining eye contact with a specific point on the screen for a duration of time.

Receiving steady gameplay input from testers is crucial to designing a training game that is both intuitive and enjoyable, Smith says.

“I think that the key for any kind of training game is to make sure that you’re focusing on the learning objective or the training outcome that you want,” he says.

Navigating through feedback and customizing the experience for all levels of users is something that Dombrowski says he bears in mind when developing training games.

“It’s really about understanding [that] our audience is ever-changing and each person is going to be completely different,” he says. “Our big goal is to make this scalable, to have experiences that are peaceful, slow and calm, and then also have experiences that maybe ramp that up a little bit more.”

The team is encouraged by the valuable input the testers provided and are excited to keep the project rolling, Dombrowski says.

Training Together with Machine Learning Agent PAUL

Limbitless has been using gamified training to help pediatric patients feel empowered when receiving and using their arms.

Their latest research on training games takes their concept further and explores the efficacy of machine learning to reduce user frustrations and streamline game development.

“The study helped us build on the testing and validation of the level design, which supports improving��the testing,” Manero says. “It also helps our team to accelerate the design phase so that we can have the games in use by our bionic kids.��Building on the use of machine learning will enable us to make training games that support faster and more robust learning, while we work to have them be as much fun as possible for bionic kids.”

For this work, a machine learning agent dubbed “PAUL” (Program for Autonomous Unity Learning) was integrated into an endless runner game called��Limbitless Runner,��which contains obstacles and power-ups that the user must avoid or collect. Past work with��Limbitless Runner��proved effective in training muscles with an EMG game controller to prepare users for bionic arms.

The researchers concluded PAUL can determine the feasibility of gameplay. The machine learning agent allowed the team to refine the design process, provided an artificial intelligence (AI) player to race against in the game, and offered comparisons in optimizing and evaluating user progress.

The researchers say they envision future work focusing on using machine learning to reduce potential frustrations by recognizing imperfect reactions and much more.

“We envision a future where all these types of AI can exist in our training games and support the bionic kids in using their prosthetics,” Smith says.��“Going forward, we will likely use more machine learning agents for verification and possibly for non-player characters, but we are also interested in other AI applications.”

Dombrowski says he believes machine learning can expand access and even customize the experience for patients.

“This holds exciting potential for helping us fine-tune training protocols,” he says. “We can identify patterns and make data-informed adjustments to how difficulty is scaled or how muscle control challenges are presented. Eventually, [AI] could even support automatic personalization for each child based on their learning capability and progress, ensuring that training meets them where they are.”

Gamified training also provides an exceptional opportunity to study how children may interact with their bionic arms in ways that are distinct from a lab setting. This gives researchers a fuller perspective, Dombrowski says.

“Games provide immediate feedback, narrative immersion, and, perhaps most importantly, a space where failure is expected and retrying is encouraged,” he says. “This mindset shift is critical because if a prosthesis doesn’t work perfectly right away, it can negatively affect a child’s willingness to continue using it.”

“We envision a future where all these types of AI can exist in our training games and support the bionic kids in using their prosthetics.” — Peter Smith��’05MS ’12PhD, Limbitless’ head of game development and training.

By blending machine learning with nearly a decade of existing gamified training knowledge, the goal of training games like Limbitless Runner is to take a proactive approach by helping patients build confidence, Dombrowski says.

“Helping children hone their muscle control in game environments gives them the foundation to succeed once they transition to the real prosthetic,” he says. “Over time, they progress from simply making a basic flex to using different levels of muscle engagement to trigger multiple gestures and controls, creating an intuitive pathway from gameplay to real-world usage.”

Gamified training is deeply integrated into the Limbitless experience — from researcher to patient — so the opportunity to continue building on proven concepts is exciting, Manero says.

“We are still working to prove the improvements from the training, but we have seen the impact anecdotally,” he says. “The gamified training is a key component of our clinical trials, with each arm being accompanied by a training video game system. Our study revealed some unintended responses to design decisions and gave our team a great opportunity to strengthen our design and testing.”

A Full Body of Work: Where Art Meets Engineering

Interdisciplinary collaboration is a hallmark of UCF’s research enterprise. The convergence of art, engineering and game design is a critical component of Limbitless’ success, and it helps give students engaged in the nonprofit’s research a fuller experience, Manero says.

“I think one of the most exciting parts about Limbitless is seeing how our student researchers can go from video games to engineering to the clinical sciences, and translate that to our patient group,” he says. “It’s a special environment to watch artists, game designers, engineers, and premedical students all sit together and work on a project. And that seems to be unique to UCF and Limbitless Solutions.”

Seniors Delaney Gunnell and Maanya Pradeep, who are both majoring in biotechnology and biomedical sciences, respectively, say that their experience working on the eye-tracking wheelchair paper has enriched their exposure to undergraduate research and accelerated their exposure to collaboration across disciplines.

“This has been a great learning process,” Gunnell says. “I gained a ton of experience, and now I’m able to use the skills we learned together for coding and analysis to help other scholars here with their projects.”

Being immersed in the research and interfacing with colleagues allowed Gunnell and Pradeep to quickly develop a leadership role amongst their peers and prepare for careers after graduation.

“I think something that’s really valuable for me was the manuscript writing and the technical skills associated with that,” Pradeep says. “We’ve been helping other scholars here get into writing their own manuscripts, and that’s been a key takeaway. I’m also applying for medical school right now, and so conducting research at Limbitless [has] helped open my eyes to how accessible technology should be designed. As a future physician, it gives me an idea of the patient care aspect of the research process.”

Almost nine years ago, Smith and Dombrowski joined Limbitless and began guiding the next generation of creators by giving them practical education in developing training games.

“It’s a unique academic pipeline that turns classroom learning into real-world, impactful experiences that advance the research and give students tangible outcomes and a deep sense of purpose,” he says. “Cross collaboration and ensuring that everyone plays a vital role is really what Ů��AV is all about, and the positive of it all is [that] we’re helping people.”

Limbitless Co-founder and Director of Research and Development John Sparkman ’13 ’15MS, along with Program Support Specialist Viviana Rivera ’23 ’24MS also contributed to both research projects. Pradeep and undergraduate student researcher Eric Gass ’24 contributed to the prosthesis research.

Limbitless Solutions’ gamified training research is supported by funding through their Unity for Humanity initiative, the Epic Games MegaGrant program and the Pabst Steinmetz Foundation.

Researchers’ Credentials:

Dombrowski is a professor in UCF’s School of Visual Arts and Design, where he combines creative leadership with a commitment to innovation and social impact. As the creative director of Limbitless Solutions, he leads interdisciplinary teams that develop expressive 3D-printed bionic arms, immersive training video games and inclusive digital experiences for children with limb differences. Dombrowski’s work blends digital art, immersive technology and accessibility-driven design. His projects have been featured by Adobe, Unity, Epic Games, Autodesk, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Game Developers Conference, SXSW EDU and the Gates Foundation. He has helped secure major support through initiatives like Unity for Humanity, the Epic MegaGrant, and national clinical partnerships. A nationally recognized educator, Dombrowski has received numerous teaching honors from UCF, including the University Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching award and the Chuck D. Dziuban Award for Online Teaching. He is a four-time recipient of the CAH Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching award and was named an Adobe Creative Campus Innovator and Adobe Education Leader. Through his teaching, research and creative practice, Dombrowski inspires students to harness visual storytelling and design thinking to drive positive change, expanding what’s possible when the arts intersect with science, healthcare and technology.

Manero is the executive director and co-founder of Limbitless Solutions. He received his doctoral degree in mechanical engineering and his master’s and bachelor’s degrees in aerospace engineering from UCF.

Manero also holds courtesy research appointments in UCF’s mechanical and aerospace engineering department within the College of Engineering and Computer Science, graduate faculty scholar appointments from the College of Graduate Studies and the College of Engineering and Computer Science, and a research appointment in Mayo Clinic’s neurology department. He’s also a member of UCF’s Biionix faculty cluster initiative.

Smith is an associate professor and associate director of UCF’s Digital Media: Games and Interactive Media program. His research focuses on games for health, rehabilitation, education and alternative controllers. Smith has developed and contributed to a wide range of funded and creative games, and he is the lead for game development and training at Limbitless Solutions. His work spans virtual reality post-traumatic stress disorder therapy systems, health and rehabilitation games, educational games and experimental control games. These projects have been exhibited internationally and have received awards such as Alt.Ctrl.GDC Finalist, Most Innovative Game at I/ITSEC. He has served as principal investigator or co-principal investigator on projects funded by sources such as the U.S. State Department, the U.S. National Science Foundation, Unity 3D, Disney, Epic Games and the Pabst Steinmetz Foundation.

The Luminary Awards — established in 2017 — are designed to recognize some of UCF’s brightest stars who shine a positive light on the university and in their respective fields, as well as illuminate a path of discovery for those who will come after them.

Honorees were selected based on nominations by deans, chairs and directors from across the university. The event was attended by the recipients, their close family and friends, as well as former awardees and special guests from the community.

UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Michael Johnson, Vice President for Research and Innovation Winston Schoenfeld and Interim Vice Provost for Faculty Excellence Joel Cramer were on hand to recognize each winner.

The 2024 Luminary Award recipients are:

Robertico Croes

Professor, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

For over two decades, Croes has focused his academic career on the critical intersection of socially sustainable tourism, economic growth, and poverty alleviation. In recent years, he has made waves with pioneering research on travel health and infectious disease control. Leading the charge as principal investigator, Croes secured $4.5 million in funding to help mitigate the severe social and economic impacts of pandemics on the hospitality and tourism industry. His work emphasizes the survival of small businesses and the well-being of disabled people, aiming to protect the future of both.

One of the most notable outcomes of this funding is Rosen College’s first intellectual property: a personalized health-based travel app.

Croes’ expertise has also garnered global recognition, leading to his recent invitation by the president of the United Nations General Assembly to discuss sustainable development goals as they pertain to tourism’s role in alleviating poverty.

Croes’ contributions to sustainable tourism have had far-reaching impacts, benefiting UCF, the Rosen College, and impacted populations both in the U.S. and internationally. His commitment to mentoring students and faculty has helped shape the future of the tourism industry while enhancing global economic sustainability.

Craig Crossley

Associate professor, Department of Management, College of Business

Crossley has earned global recognition for his impactful research and leadership, most notably through his prestigious role as the Fulbright-Hanken Distinguished Chair in Helsinki, Finland. Each year, fewer than 30 scholars worldwide receive this distinction, the Fulbright Program’s highest honor designated for eminent figures across all academic disciplines. Despite the demanding nature of this position, Crossley has continued to fully serve UCF while fulfilling his Fulbright obligations over two consecutive summers.

Crossley’s research excellence is well-reflected in his citation count, with more than 6,000 citations, nearly half of which were garnered in the last three years alone. His work puts him in the top 3% of scholars in his field, demonstrating his growing influence in the management discipline. Over the past three years, he has given nine presentations at international conferences, serving as chair or keynote speaker for four of them.

Beyond academia, Crossley’s work has widespread societal impact. He has formed partnerships with organizations such as the Children’s Home Society of Florida and global entities like the Irish and U.K. governments, helping organizations with difficult business environments and business challenges, such as navigating Brexit.

Matt Marino and Eleazar Vasquez

Professors, School of Teacher Education, College of Community Innovation and Education

Marino and Vasquez, leaders of the Toni Jennings Exceptional Education Institute in UCF’s School of Teacher Education, have earned national recognition for their impactful contributions to exceptional student research and education. Together, they have transformed the institute into a vital ecosystem serving regional, statewide, and national communities through innovative policy and practices.

As the institute’s director and former interim director, respectively, Vasquez and Marino have created strong collaborations with school districts and stakeholders like Orange County Public Schools, the nation’s eighth-largest district. Their partnerships benefit countless students, educators and families, and extend to supporting students with intellectual disabilities through the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities.

Vasquez’s leadership earned him a White House and Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee invitation in May to discuss artificial intelligence and education, and he is part of a team securing several federal research awards, including a $50 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education Office of Elementary and Secondary Education Full Service Community Schools Programs to enhance community partnership schools in Florida.

Marino, likewise, has recently secured several awards, including $6.5 million over five years from the Office of Special Education Programs and a three-year grant from the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities to expand the institute’s work. Their collective efforts have positively impacted 1.5 million scholars, 35,000 teachers, and hundreds of families. They consistently publish research studies in high-impact journals, present at key conferences, and have secured more than $82 million in grant funding since 2017. These achievements demonstrate excellence in education, research and societal impact.

Matt Dombrowski ’05 ’08MFA

Associate professor, School of Visual Arts and Design, College of Arts and Humanities

Dombrowski has demonstrated exceptional dedication to interdisciplinary research, innovative teaching, and impactful service. His contributions to the field of animation and visual art and his role as creative director at Limbitless Solutions have significantly advanced UCF’s mission of fostering creative and scholarly excellence.

His scholarly work encompasses varying fields, with peer-reviewed articles exploring groundbreaking technologies such as electromyographic video game controllers for improving prosthetic outcomes, innovative 3D printing strategies for prosthetic components and control schemes for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. His publications often include undergraduate researchers, underscoring his dedication to both mentorship and innovation.

In his role at Limbitless Solutions, Dombrowski has overseen a total of over 500 interdisciplinary students comprised of seven UCF colleges. His leadership has forged partnerships with industry giants like Adobe, Autodesk and Microsoft, securing significant support, including over a quarter of a million dollars in funding from companies like Adobe, Unity, Epic Unreal and Disney. His work also extends to impactful community projects like bionic arm delivery with Arnold Palmer, Orlando Health and Oregon Health & Science University along with Project Xavier, a hands-free wheelchair initiative with the Mayo Clinic.

Dombrowski’s advocacy for Limbitless has taken UCF undergraduates to prestigious venues such as the United Nations and the Smithsonian. His national recognition, including being named an Adobe Creator to Watch in 2023 by Adobe and Forbes magazine, reflects his transformative contributions to UCF and the broader community.

Mindy Shoss

Professor, Department of Psychology, College of Sciences

Shoss has been instrumental in building and maintaining UCF as a powerhouse of workplace psychology research, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence, layoffs and the future of work. This includes helping UCF become selected as a site for a targeted research training program funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Her research has been featured in Harvard Business Review and in leading media outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post.

Shoss has also delivered high-profile presentations for the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, the American Psychological Association (APA), and the National Safety Council. Her influence has extended to advising the APA, U.S. Congress, and the U.S. Surgeon General’s Office on workplace mental health.

With over 100 published works, including 32 peer-reviewed articles since 2021, Shoss’ research is highly regarded. She has secured $3.8 million in external funding. Recognized as a fellow of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Shoss continues to shape the future of work and workplace well-being.

Mona Shattell

Professor, College of Nursing

Shattell, a distinguished scholar in psychiatric-mental health, has earned an international reputation for her groundbreaking research on the well-being of nurses and long-haul truck drivers. Her extensive work highlights her commitment to advancing mental health and well-being in often overlooked populations.

She has served as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services for the past seven years, curating impactful content and co-authoring multiple editorials, including one with a doctoral student. In addition to her editorial duties, she co-authored nine articles in high-impact journals, focusing on workplace mental health issues.

Shattell’s contributions extend beyond academia. She is the lead author of Social Media in Health Care: A Guide to Creating Your Professional Digital Presence, a practical guide that has become a key resource for healthcare professionals. Her strong social media presence, with nearly 9,000 followers on X (formerly Twitter), amplifies her influence and thought leadership in the mental health field.

Her expertise is frequently sought by the media, having conducted multiple interviews and appearing as a guest on national podcasts, including a Sirius XM show about mental health in the trucking industry. She has also delivered keynote addresses at international conferences and received the prestigious Melva Jo Hendrix Award from the International Society of Psychiatric Mental Health Nurses in 2023.

With her national and international recognition, Shattell’s work continues to improve mental health care for populations in need, solidifying her impact on the field.

Ladda Thiamwong

Professor, College of Nursing

Thiamwong has earned international recognition for her innovative aging research and leadership, highlighting her significant contributions to the field. Over the past three years, Thiamwong has secured over $4 million in National Institutes of Health funding, with an additional $4 million pending, and has produced an impressive 76 scholarly works, including 62 peer-reviewed articles. Her research is collaborative and involves disciplines that span engineering, kinesiology, computer science, psychology, and statistics, helping to transform the field of geriatric nursing.

Thiamwong’s work has garnered widespread media attention, including a recent feature on the front page of the Orlando Sentinel. She has delivered 53 international presentations in the past three years, including a keynote address, and serves as an associate editor for Frontiers in Public Health. Her expertise is frequently sought locally as well, including as a member of the Orlando Mayor’s Committee on Livability and Healthy Aging.

Among her numerous accolades, Thiamwong was inducted as a fellow in both the American Academy of Nursing and the National Academies of Practice. She also received the Excellence in Geriatric Nursing Research Mid-Career Award and was recently named the Florida Blue Endowed Professor for Healthy Communities.

Her dedication to mentoring the next generation of scientists and her contributions to aging research are promoting significant progress and innovations that will have long-lasting impacts in the field.

Thomas Wahl

Department of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science.

Wahl has established himself as a leader on the impact of sea level rise and storm surges on the built environment. His work integrates engineering with atmospheric and oceanographic sciences and influences policy at national and international levels.

Since joining Ů��AV in 2017, Wahl has attracted nearly $6 million in research funding, contributing to projects totaling over $55 million. His scholarly output is remarkable, with more than 100 peer-reviewed journal papers with over 5,000 Scopus citations. His research has been published in prestigious journals such as Nature, and his excellent ability to communicate the importance of his work to stakeholders and the media elevates UCF’s prominence nationally and globally.

Wahl’s numerous accolades include the Huber Prize from the American Society of Civil Engineers and early career investigator awards from both NASA and the U.S. National Science Foundation. He is also a dedicated mentor, having guided students like Javed Ali, a recent Order of Pegasus awardee. His research has gained widespread media attention, appearing in The Washington Post, National Geographic and numerous state and local media outlets.

With his impressive achievements and significant contributions to addressing sea level rise, Wahl continues to push the boundaries of research and innovation.

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.