Faculty

My fascination with flight — like that of many others — is simple: There is something about the way an aircraft dances gracefully with the wind to lift itself off the ground, seemingly defying the impossible, that has always intrigued me. One hundred and eighteen years have passed since the Wright brothers demonstrated the first, […]

Two assistant professors from the UCF Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering have been selected to receive CAREER Awards from the National Science Foundation this year. The funding will support the research of Samik Bhattacharya and Robert Steward. Bhattacharya, whose research focuses on aerospace engineering, will explore the seas rather than the skies with his […]

This year has started with glass ceilings shattered in the highest offices of the country. You cannot hide the powerful feeling that rises from the pit of your stomach and overtakes your entire being as you watch historic “firsts” unfold if you are underrepresented in some way — a woman, person of color, LGBTQ or […]

When astronauts had their first glimpse of Earth from space, the effect it had on them was more than just visual. They described an intense state of self-transcendent awe, wonder and oneness, called the “overview effect.” Heading to space was not an option for me at the time, so the change in worldview that I […]

Nine new columnists, including MAE Professor Seetha Raghavan, will begin sharing their opinions for the ninth year of the weekly UCF Forum. The faculty, staff and student writers for the next 12 months of columns are from engineering, business, athletics and varied other fields around the university. Some of the writers also are graduates from […]