UCF’s texts and technology program has received a 2026 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to launch “Building a Digital Humanities Generative AI Learning Community,” a 24-month initiative designed to help faculty and graduate students thoughtfully integrate AI into humanities teaching.

This year, ��AV is leading one of only 84 projects funded by the NEH and is the only institution in Florida to be selected for the award.

Associate Professor and Professor will lead the initiative, which focuses on interdisciplinary collaboration, curriculum redesign and hands-on experimentation with emerging AI tools.

Coding for Creativity

Salter, director of graduate programs in the College of Arts and Humanities, says the project builds on a long tradition in digital humanities of teaching creative problem-solving through technology.

“In a lot of humanities programs, when we teach people how to build digital projects, we’re teaching them some level of code,” Salter says. “But often we’re working with low-code tools — interfaces designed for a specific purpose, like building a certain kind of game. Once students learn how to navigate those tools, what really matters is their ideas, the design, the story they want to tell.”

She explains that generative AI tools function in a similar way. Rather than replacing creativity, they can expand it.

“When we look at agentic AI, it’s essentially a low-code computational interface,” Salter says. “The better you can define and plan a concept, the more the system can assist with the underlying technical work — especially in the creative applications.”

Reimagining Humanities Work

Stanfill says the grant will fund course redesign efforts over the next two years. Faculty and graduate student participants will adapt existing undergraduate digital humanities courses to meaningfully incorporate AI in ways that align with humanistic expertise. Stanfill’s scholarship has recently received national recognition. In 2025, they were awarded the National Communication Association’s Diamond Anniversary Book Award for their book “Fandom Is Ugly: Networked Harassment in Participatory Culture”.

“It’s about integrating AI in a way that makes sense for each course and for what humanities already bring to the table,” Stanfill says. “The goal is to enhance — not replace — the core strengths of humanities scholarship.”

The funding will also support stipends that allow participants in the program to experiment with advanced AI tools that are expensive to access.

“They are more cost-intensive,” Salter says. “Part of what this grant allows us to do is give students real access — not just a limited sandbox version — so they can fully understand what these tools can do.”

The implications extend to areas such as archival transcription and preservation. Advances in handwriting recognition and large-scale document analysis could help students work with under-digitized collections in new ways.

“If you can bring a class into an archive that’s been underappreciated and use these tools, you can build searchable databases and identify patterns in ways that used to require years of manual labor,” Salter says.

The grant strengthens UCF’s position as a leader in digital humanities education, the researchers say. By fostering collaboration across disciplines and encouraging thoughtful AI integration, the texts and technology program aims to model how humanities scholarship can evolve alongside technological innovation.

The “Building a Digital Humanities Generative AI Learning Community” ��project has been made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The Thermo Fisher Talos F200X analytical transmission electron microscope enables researchers — both at UCF and in industries across Florida — to observe and analyze materials at the atomic scale. Equipped with advanced nanoanalysis tools, the instrument allows direct observation of elemental, chemical, electrical and magnetic states, dramatically enhancing what scientists can measure and understand.

The instrument will be housed in UCF’s AMPAC Materials Characterization Facility (MCF), directed by Professor Jiyu Fang, and will operate as a shared university resource supporting interdisciplinary research and external partnerships.

“The new Thermo Fisher Talos F200X analytical transmission electron microscope will revolutionize materials science and engineering at the nanoscale,” says Professor Sudipta Seal, chair of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. “Its advanced analytical capabilities will enable unprecedented insight into structure–property relationships, accelerating innovation across next-generation semiconductors, quantum materials, space and hypersonic systems, and cutting-edge biomedical applications.”

“This instrument is a catalyst for discovery,” says Vice President for Research and Innovation Winston Schoenfeld. “By giving our researchers and students the ability to see and understand materials at the atomic scale, Ů��AV is unlocking new pathways for innovation across energy, aerospace, semiconductors and beyond.”

A Unique Capability in Florida

While other institutions in Florida operate microscopes within the Talos series, UCF’s system offers a distinct combination of capabilities.

It is the only Talos F200X in the state equipped with both a cold field emission gun and a super X energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy detector. This configuration significantly enhances energy resolution and high-contrast imaging, enabling exceptionally precise chemical mapping at the atomic scale.

According to Professor Akihiro Kushima, the cold field emission gun allows advanced atomistic-scale analysis even for beam-sensitive materials — samples that can be damaged under conventional imaging conditions. The improved resolution and signal collection make it possible to analyze delicate materials in ways that were previously difficult or impossible.

In addition to supporting engineering and computer science research, the instrument will expand capabilities in fields such as planetary science, where nanoscale characterization of extraterrestrial materials can provide new insight into the origins and composition of planetary bodies.

Supporting Florida’s Innovation Ecosystem

Beyond academic research, the microscope is expected to strengthen partnerships with Florida’s high-tech industries.

The Talos F200X enables deep structural understanding of advanced materials, opening new opportunities for collaboration with companies across aerospace, defense, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, electronics, semiconductors, energy and environmental sectors.

Kushima notes that the microscope is already supporting collaborations with local industry partners developing advanced battery materials. Using the Talos F200X, researchers can study how material structures evolve during charge and discharge processes, providing deeper insight into reaction mechanisms and helping optimize performance. The acquisition was made possible by the UCF Office of Research, with support from the Office of the Provost.

Training the Next Generation

The Talos F200X will be incorporated into undergraduate and graduate coursework in electron microscopy and advanced characterization techniques. Students conducting research can also gain hands-on experience after completing required training.

Understanding materials at the nano and atomic scales is essential in advanced manufacturing and semiconductor sectors, where structural insights inform synthesis optimization and failure analysis. Students trained in advanced characterization techniques such as transmission electron microscopy are highly valued in industry, positioning UCF graduates to contribute directly to Florida’s advanced manufacturing and semiconductor workforce.

Industry partners interested in utilizing the AMPAC Materials Characterization Facility may request instrument time by contacting ampacmcf@ucf.edu.

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

U.S. Department of Education (ED) Under Secretary of Education Nicholas Kent meets with Chanda Torres ’98 ’00MA ’08EdD, assistant vice president of the Dixon Career Development Center.

Torres shares an overview of the Kenneth G. Dixon Career Development Center, which empowers UCF students and recent graduates to successfully connect academic and career pathways — often through industry partnerships — that lead toward professional success and fulfillment.

Kent (center), ED Deputy Under Secretary James Bergeron (left) and ED Special Advisor Ethan Good (right) listen to an overview of the Lockheed Martin College Work Experience Program (CWEP).

Launched more than 40 years ago, CWEP provides paid internship experiences to about 500 UCF students annually — including about 60% of graduating Knights who are offered full-time jobs after completing the program.

ED and UCF staff in front of the Kenneth G. Dixon Career Development Center welcome sign.

Left to right: Assistant Secretary of Labor Henry Mack; Associate Vice Chancellor of Public Affairs for the State University System Tony Lee; UCF Associate Vice President for Federal Relations Eric “Tubby” Shwedo; Torres; UCF Dixon Career Development Center Program Manager Erica Hutton; Director of Career Services at UCF Lynn Hansen; Director of Experiential Learning at UCF Quynh Dang; and UCF Director of Academic Advancement Programs Michael Aldarondo‑Jeffries.

UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright joins Kent, Harding, Senior Campus Recruiter for BNY Tatiana Manzanares and Shwedo as they tour BNY’s Next‑Gen Client Technology and Operations Center in the SPRK building on UCF’s main campus.

In Fall 2025, UCF and BNY, a leading global financial services company, launched a groundbreaking $5 million Pegasus Partnership that established a co-located educational innovation hub on UCF’s main campus — the first-of-its-kind in Florida.

Kent also had the opportunity to meet and interact with students in the current BNY cohort.

At the heart of this collaboration is the 8,400 square-foot Next-Gen Cybersecurity Technology and Operations Center Lab, which reimagines how universities and global enterprises can work together to prepare the workforce of the future.

ED and UCF staff at the BNY Next-Gen Cybersecurity Technology and Operations Center Lab.

Left to right: ED Special Assistant Cristian Clementi, Good, Associate Vice Chancellor of Public Affairs for the State University System Tony Lee, Mack, Kent, Cartwright, Manzanares, Harding and Dang.

Vice President for Research and Innovation Winston Schoenfeld discusses UCF’s research enterprise and emphasizes the benefits of its adjacency to Central Florida Research Park, where defense‑focused organizations support research collaborations and workforce development.

Institute for Stimulation and Training (IST) Director Carolina Cruz‑Neira offers an in‑depth overview and demonstration of IST advanced technological capabilities, with lab visits that included the Virtual and Augmented Reality Lab (VARLab).

Kent explores the CAVE system — a technology Cruz-Neira pioneered in the 90s — at the VARLab, where IST demonstrates how it develops immersive simulation systems for industry, government and research collaborators.

Cruz‑Neira provides an in‑depth demonstration of IST’s VARLab and overview of how Ů��AV is preparing the next generation through modeling, simulation and training.

“We often hear that ‘we’re at a turning point in human history,’” Tian says, “and with AI research in a university setting like this, it’s true.”

This is just one example of AI innovations at UCF. Learn about more at the .

Tian has adapted quickly — and gladly — to life at UCF since arriving last May to teach computer science. He is now living what he once imagined as the idyllic scenario: talented artificial intelligence (AI) specialists coming from around the world to collaborate with medical experts and launch new projects, pressing each other through formidable challenges and achieving the unachievable.

“The ultimate goal for my team is to extend people’s lives, significantly,” Tian says.

Assembling a Dream Team

Tian’s ambition has eluded human pursuits for millennia. Even medical AI has barely begun to approach its potential impact — especially when compared with other AI applications like chatbots and fintech.

“There are two major limitations with medical AI,” Tian says. “One is the privacy of data — AI requires a lot of data. The other issue holding back progress is collaboration. Computer scientists working on AI typically don’t know medicine. We need input from doctors and biologists. In that sense, universities are uniquely positioned.”

“Universities bring together computer scientists, physicians and hospitals — allowing us to identify clinically meaningful problems, access real-world data responsibly and develop solutions that are grounded in medical practice.”

With all of this available to his AIM team, they’ve been building a system that can learn from each patient’s history, exams, MRIs, CTs and life information. Given the copious amount of data, the AI model would then predict the person’s future medical trajectory.

For example, a doctor could know the probability of dementia five years before onset. An oncologist could use MRI scans to determine the gene mutation associated with a tumor within seconds rather than performing surgery and then waiting weeks for the results of a genome test.

Diseases would be preventable. Treatment plans would be more effective and less costly. People would be healthier, happier and live longer.

How close are we?

“Close,” Tian says. “It’s sometimes hard for me to believe, too.”

At the Forefront of AI

As recently as 2020, Tian didn’t give much thought to topics like longevity or the location of Orlando.

While working to complete his Ph.D., Tian had immersed himself in familiar computer-science objectives at the University of Adelaide in Australia. Day and night, the lab became a replacement for the home he’d left on the Chinese peninsula of Liaodong. In just three years, he published more than 15 papers.

Yet something was missing: a greater purpose.

“I’ve always wanted to discover a solution to a mystery that has never been solved,” he says.

He didn’t know what that mystery might be until an advisor asked him, “Do you want to work on fun AI video projects, or do you want to really impact lives?”

The conversation grabbed Tian’s attention. He’d been reading about groundbreaking AI research in computer vision and medical imaging. Many of the papers came from an institution in the U.S., a place called UCF.

After finishing his Ph.D., Tian came to the U.S. for postdoctoral work at Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania, digging his attention deeper into not only medical AI, but also into UCF.

“I found out about UCF’s young medical school with physicians and scientists working together. And then I heard about the hospitals in the Orlando area, including AdventHealth and Orlando Health, and this freedom to explore AI applications. I wanted to be in an environment like that, where research can advance quickly.”

Tian fast-tracked his postdoctoral role so he could accept a position at UCF, participate in the collaboration, and continue his pursuit of the unsolved mystery: extend life. Shortly after he arrived, the Institute of Artificial Intelligence (IAI) opened its doors — and Tian went on to establish his lab, taking a significant step toward his long-term research goals.

Big Goals Leads to Big Impact

You can sense a profound energy inside AIM.

It’s a convergence of talent and enthusiasm. In addition to Tian, the institute has recruited two dozen faculty, more than 100 doctoral students and 10 postdocs to imagine and encourage progress. The expertise transcends domains, including computer science, robotics, finance, smart cities and medicine.

“We all have big goals,” Tian says.

Less than a year after heading up the AIM Lab, he says, “We aren’t far off from deploying AI models in hospitals to help doctors.”

Tian works at the same speed as technology (fast), until a certain topic comes up. Family. He looks up and begins to describe his hometown, his mother, and the sight of his dad walking in the door one night with the family’s first computer.

“He and I were fascinated. We went from trying to install the first software to building our own computers and robots. I could never get enough of it.”

Those memories motivate him to work even faster toward his ultimate goal.

“I want to help everyone have a quality life to 100 — or longer. My family. Me. All of us,” he says. “I love the possibility. I love being here, at this turning point, with the opportunity to make a huge impact.”

Inside, groundbreaking forensic science is unfolding — work that has national implications for solving crimes, advancing justice and training the next generation of forensic experts.

Ballantyne is a chemistry professor and the interim director of UCF’s National Center for Forensic Science (NCFS).

It’s a long title, but it’s fitting since he has worked in forensic science for decades.

In fact, Ballantyne has a �����������ǰ�’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Glasgow, Scotland; a �������ٱ��’s in forensic science from the University of Strathclyde, Scotland; a doctoral degree in genetics from the State University of New York; and just a hint of Scottish brogue.

He leads a multidisciplinary team whose research touches everything from DNA analysis to chemical analysis of trace evidence. The building may blend into its surroundings, however, the science happening within it is anything but invisible.

Ballantyne’s resume goes far beyond his roles at UCF. He also works in the field of forensic molecular genetics. He has provided a slew of expert testimony in criminal courts, served as the chair of the New York State DNA subcommittee and is a regular invited guest at the FBI’s Scientific Working Group on DNA analysis.

“I’m a forensic scientist of 46 years and still actively involved in all aspects of the forensic community,” he says.

So, what exactly is forensic science?

It’s the application of scientific methods and techniques to aid in investigating crimes and analyzing evidence for use in legal proceedings. That includes crime scene investigations, DNA analysis that could identify individuals through genetic material, detecting poisons, analyzing data from electronic devices, preserving evidence like fingerprints, blood, hair and fiber, and identifying human remains.

UCF’s undergraduate forensic science program was established in 1974, making it one of the oldest forensic science programs in the country. The National Center for Forensic Science followed in 1997.

“UCF decided to start a center for forensic science and initially concentrated on fire investigations, explosives and explosive analysis,” Ballantyne says. “We then expanded beyond fire and explosives and moved into digital evidence and DNA analysis. Now, we also have people working on sexual lubricants and a myriad of other chemical analysis and spectroscopic methods and statistical methods to evaluate evidentiary items.”

That doesn’t mean research and academics are on the back burner. Ballantyne and his team of expert faculty teach on campus and conduct research in Central Florida Research Park.

UCF’s Department of Chemistry offers a �����������ǰ�’s degree in forensic science, a �������ٱ��’s degree in chemistry (forensic science track) a doctoral degree in chemistry and a forensic science concentration. That’s the academic side, plus most of the forensic faculty are affiliated with NCFS.

Ballantyne and his forensic faculty conduct research both independently and collaboratively, each with their own specialties:

• Jack Ballantyne
  Professor of chemistry
  Forensic biochemistry; forensic analysis of DNA, RNA, serology and other biological evidence; single cell analysis and advanced mixture deconvolution tools.
• Matthieu Baudelet
  Assistant professor of chemistry
  ��Identify commingled bones, glass, tires, pollen and other trace evidence.
• Candice Bridge
  Associate professor of chemistry
  Analysis of lubricants, gunshot residue, drugs/toxicology and other trace evidence.
• Erin Hanson
  Assistant professor of chemistry
  Forensic biochemistry; forensic analysis of DNA, RNA, serology and other biological evidence; analysis of challenging sexual assault samples and forensic investigative genetic genealogy.
• Larry Tang
  Professor of statistics and data science
  Forensic statistical analysis of forensic trace evidence
• Mary Williams
  Coordinator of research services
  Curates and maintains community databases used by forensic scientists worldwide, especially used to aid fire/arson investigations, including the Ignitable Liquids Reference Collection, International Database of Ignitable Liquids, Substrate and Thermal Properties Database.

The NCFS still offers courses in arson and explosives and continues to run databases that are used by crime labs to this day.

“I find purpose in my work by aiding forensic laboratories in their ability to provide evidence that won’t convict innocent people,” says Mary Williams, coordinator of research services.

The forensic faculty are principally, but not only, concerned with criminal cases. The Ballantyne and Hanson research groups, for example, use techniques and technologies of biochemistry, molecular biology and genomics to help forensic scientists retrieve more information from biological traces transferred during the commission of a crime.

“One example of this could determine whether it’s possible to distinguish between innocuous consensual social intercourse or criminal sexual intercourse,” Ballantyne says. “Biomarkers that may pinpoint saliva, skin and vaginal secretions can be useful to distinguish these possibilities, which can sometimes require painstaking laboratory work.”

Hanson works with challenging and late reported sexual assault evidence, as well as other types of physical assault evidence. She’s also a faculty member of UCF’s Violence Against Women faculty cluster initiative and a volunteer for the Victim Service Center of Central Florida.

“Every victim has the right to be heard, especially when they no longer can speak for themselves,” Hanson says. “That conviction drives my research every single day. If even one case finds truth or justice because of my work, then I have done my job.”

She continues: “Challenging sexual or physical assault evidence involves a trace amount of biological material among an overwhelming amount of [the victim’s] biological material. We’re essentially trying to find a needle in a haystack – those few cells that have been left behind by a perpetrator. We use advanced techniques like micromanipulation, which allow us to isolate and collect single cells from�� these admixed samples. For sexual assault evidence, this could be a single sperm remaining in the sample or, in the case of digital penetration, a shed skin cell from the perpetrator’s finger. Standard methods would fail to detect these trace amounts of biological material. If any of the methods we work on can help solve one case, take one perpetrator off the streets or help exonerate one wrongfully convicted person, then it makes all the hard work worth it.”

Others are just as dedicated.

“Recently, there’s been an increased interest in partnering with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE),” Ballantyne says. “This should be a very good relationship. There’s an impetus to partner with UCF and FDLE — it’s our local lab after all, and we have multiple former and current students employed in FDLE laboratories.”

Biological evidence can leverage human identification, which is used not only for criminal cases but also for unidentified human remains, accidents and disasters.

“Anything we do must be useful at some point from the crime scene to the courtroom, which also means we need to ensure that sample integrity isn’t compromised by … issues at the scene or throughout the forensic analysis process,” Ballantyne says. “If a crime takes place, nowadays there will likely be a digital footprint somewhere — on a phone, computer or wherever it may be.”

Recognizing the need for digital forensic experts, UCF’s nationally ranked Master of Science in Digital Forensics program is essential, preparing future professionals to follow the trail from evidence to justice.

Department Chair and Professor of Philosophy Nancy Stanlick emphasizes that understanding AI requires more than technical knowledge; it demands a deep exploration of ethics.

“As science and technology begin to shape more aspects of our lives, fundamental philosophical questions lie at the center of the ethical issues we face, especially with the rise of AI,” Stanlick says. “Perhaps the central [concern] is that it pulls us away from the essence of our humanity.”

Steve Fiore, a philosophy professor whose work is in the cognitive sciences program, investigates how humans interact socially with technology. In 2023, he co-authored a International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction study, titled “Six Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence Grand Challenges,” that serves as a call to the scientific community to design AI systems that prioritize human values and ethical considerations. Fiore also collaborates with the U.S. Department of Defense to explore how emerging technologies may shape national security.

Professor Jonathan Beever played a key role in developing UCF’s artificial intelligence, big data and human impacts undergraduate certificate. The interdisciplinary program equips students with the tools to critically assess and advocate for the ethical development of data-driven technologies, particularly AI and big data.

Associate Lecturer Stacey DiLiberto brings a unique perspective through her work in digital humanities, a field that merges traditional humanities with digital tools. Her research and teaching encourage students to view AI as a tool, while critically examining its impact on identity and creativity. In her classes, she challenges students with questions like “What does it mean to be human when humans can mimic our creativity?” DiLiberto argues that while AI can generate art, it lacks the lived experience and emotional depth that define human expression. Machines cannot replace lived experiences or memories, often lacking pathos when generating art.

While artificial intelligence has made remarkable progress, it does not replicate the depth of human connection or the ethical and moral reasoning inherent to human judgment. Department of Philosophy faculty like Stanlick, Fiore, Beever and DiLiberto provide frameworks for developing technology in ways that uphold ethical standards and preserve human values.

Visit the for more information about undergraduate and graduate programs, courses and opportunities to collaborate with the department’s faculty and students.

“Creating the School of Interdisciplinary Studies strengthens our ability to provide students with the resources, connections and experiences they need to excel,” says Ross Wolf, interim dean of the College of Community Innovation and Education. “Being part of a larger college provides SIS students with access to more opportunities that support their academic and career goals, along with expanded opportunities for internships, research and community engagement.”

SIS degree programs range from environmental studies and sustainability to leadership, or a combination of multiple areas of study. Students have the unique opportunity to customize their degree programs to align with their interests and career goals.

This multidisciplinary approach to learning prepares students to solve complex problems by drawing on knowledge from multiple disciplines and experiences. With guidance from faculty and staff, students learn to think critically, combine diverse insights and develop innovative solutions to pressing issues in their communities and beyond.

“The School of Interdisciplinary Studies concentrates tightly on student success; faculty and staff translate students’ existing interests and coursework into a focused path to graduation that connects students with meaningful careers,” says Melinda Hall, director of the School of Interdisciplinary Studies. “As the new director of SIS, I very much look forward to sharing the fantastic work of our faculty and staff and encouraging students to cultivate their skills in our classrooms.”

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 �������ٱ��’s and �����������ǰ�’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.

Carolina Cruz-Neira, director of IST and Agere Chair Professor of Computer Science, has been named to the prestigious Forbes 50 Over 50 list for 2025 in recognition of her groundbreaking innovations in virtual reality.

Forbes honors 200 influential people annually in the categories of Lifestyle, Impact, Innovation and Investment. Cruz-Neira, recognized in the Innovation category, pioneered the CAVE virtual reality system, which Forbes calls “a technology used worldwide, from gaming and art installations to military training.” Her open-source contributions have enabled the development of highly sophisticated virtual reality (VR) systems globally.

“One of my biggest challenges, has been championing unconventional ideas, especially early in my career, when I didn’t fit the typical mold,” she says. “Looking back on my journey, I realize that my work in immersive technologies, simulation, and digital twins is helping to create a global common language, one that’s reshaping how we learn, collaborate, heal, and ultimately, build a better future. These technologies are not just tools, but bridges that connect people and possibilities across the world.”

“Being over 50 is no longer just about advancing my own ideas but also mentoring the next generation and helping them shape theirs,” Cruz-Neira continues. “Fulfillment now comes from seeing others succeed.”

UCF’s Institute for Simulation and Training is an internationally recognized, interdisciplinary institute conducting basic and applied human-centric research that affects nearly all sectors of industry and government, from healthcare to national defense and education to manufacturing. UCF and IST have built the industry, together with more than 200 Central Florida modeling, simulation, and training companies and the U.S. Department of Defense, an early adopter whose vision and leadership have spurred new applications and opportunities.

Investing in Digital Technologies to Solve Global Challenges

Mathematics alumna Yvette Kanouff, a partner in JC2 Ventures, a venture capital firm reimagining the power of investment, is also among this year’s honorees. Her placement on Forbes’ Investment category is recognition of work to empower startups to be core drivers of economic growth, job creation and innovation.Kanouff has left a legacy in a number of industries, helping to create on demand video, contributing to everyday technologies and spearheading the technology behind the streaming services that most people utilize and enjoy today. She has won a Lifetime Achievement Emmy for television engineering and technology, is an inductee to the Cable Hall of Fame, and is a Streaming Video Technology Alliance��Industry Fellow. However, she came from humble beginnings, working to pay her tuition while going to school

“I had to put myself through college and am proud of having done that for my undergraduate and graduate degrees,” Kanouff says. ��“I worked while going to school and consistently focused on innovation, and disruptive technology and mathematics.”

Kanouff earned both her�������������ǰ�’s��and���������ٱ��’s��degrees in mathematics from UCF and has remained engaged with Ů��AV in the subsequent years, currently serving on the College of Sciences Dean’s Advisory Board. During Spring 2025 commencement, she received an honorary doctoral degree from the university.

“We are in an era of innovation and transformation in technology and in how we work, play and live. I am fortunate to have started my career during times of great innovation, and you have such an opportunity today,” Kanouff said to graduates during the ceremony.