Two interdisciplinary projects focused on advancing human well-being through technology have been named winners of the 2025–26 Pabst Steinmetz Creative Futures Awards. The awards recognize UCF research teams that collaborate across disciplines and with community partners to tackle community challenges.
Over the past 11 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 were 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. Pabst Steinmetz says the foundation is excited about the potential of these awards to create innovation and lasting impact for both campus and community.
“This year’s applicant pool was especially strong and highly accomplished,” 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 School of Visual Arts and Design, in collaboration with Peter Smith ’05MS ’12PhD, associate professor in the Nicholson School of Communication and Media, 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 family 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, UCF 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 here.
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 family’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 family 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 here.
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
