UCF honored seven faculty members as shining examples of excellence, dedication and inspiration during the 2025 Luminary Awards. Pegasus Professor and Trustee Chair Mohamed Abdel-Aty and Trustee Chair and Professor Kareem Ahmed were recognized from the College of Engineering and Computer Science.
Established in 2017, the annual awards recognize faculty whose achievements reflect the university’s highest standards in advancing knowledge, inspiring others and elevating UCF’s impact across disciplines and communities.
“Thank you for the ideas you pursue, the people you inspire and the impact you create,” said UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright at Wednesday’s celebration at the Burnett House, home of UCF’s president and first lady. “You are advancing what is possible for our students, our state and our world — and proving every day that UCF’s brightest light comes from our people.”
Honorees were selected based on nominations by deans, department chairs and directors from across UCF. The event gathered family members and friends, fellow faculty, former awardees and community leaders to celebrate their achievements.
Joining in recognizing the honorees were UCF Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs John Buckwalter, Vice President for Research and Innovation Winston Schoenfeld, and Interim Vice Provost for Faculty Excellence Joel Cramer.
Kareem Ahmed
Trustee Chair and professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science
Ahmed is reshaping the future of air flight and space travel. A world expert in hypersonic and space propulsion, his pioneering work includes developing technology that makes a 15-minute flight from coast to coast a future possibility.
Ahmed heads the UCF Center of Excellence in Hypersonic and Space Propulsion, which develops technology and innovation aimed at enhancing national defense and fostering new frontiers in space exploration. Beyond advancing faster air and space travel, Ahmed and his team’s research holds promise for enabling lighter, energy-efficient rockets that burn clean fuel and travel farther at a reduced cost.
The U.S. Department of Defense supports Ahmed’s work through multiple research grants, which also offer opportunities for his students — the next generation of innovators and explorers — to prepare for space industry careers.
“Throughout his career, Dr. Ahmed has demonstrated exceptional leadership in both research and education,” said Hyoung Jin Cho, Ahmed’s interim department chair, who nominated him for the award. “His pioneering work on detonation-based propulsion and supersonic combustion has expanded our understanding of aerospace engineering and has been recognized by prestigious awards, media coverage, competitive funding and high-impact publications.”
- Written by Joe Adams
- October 30, 2025