UCF in the News

UCF researchers have developed a nanoparticle-based disinfectant that can continuously kill viruses on a surface for up to seven days — a discovery that could be a powerful weapon against COVID-19 and other emerging pathogenic viruses. The findings, by a multidisciplinary team of the university’s virus and engineering experts and the leader of an Orlando technology firm, were published this week in ACS Nano, a journal of the American Chemical Society. “Initially my thought was to develop a fast-acting disinfectant,” said Christina Drake, a UCF alumna and founder of Kismet Technologies. “but we spoke to consumers — like doctors and dentists — to find out what they really wanted from a disinfectant. What mattered the most to them was something long-lasting that would continue to disinfect high-touch areas like doorhandles and floors long after application.” Drake partnered with Dr. Sudipta Seal, a UCF materials engineer and nanosciences expert, and Dr. Griff Parks, a College of Medicine virologist who is also associate dean of research and director of the Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences.

The University of Central Florida is teaming up with Orlando Health to launch a national study to see how well video game-based training helps children learn to use prosthetic limbs. Limbitless Solutions, along with Orlando Health Arnold Parmer Hospital for Children, will work with families evaluating how well video games help children prepare muscles for using bionic arms created by students and the Limbitless team.

UCF and Boise State are eternal Thursday Heroes, the Sons of Zabransky and Kin of the Griffin Brothers. They’ve provided endless weeknight entertainment, last-call fodder and showcased time and again they’re capable of sabotaging the highest levels of the sport. In the past two decades, the long list of bowl games that UCF and Boise have won includes the Fiesta and the Peach. The programs they’ve toppled include Oklahoma, Auburn, Virginia Tech, Georgia, Baylor, Alabama, and Penn State. “This is a program that has a chance to be elite here in the near future,” Head Coach Gus Malzahn told Yahoo Sports after the game. “Everything is where you need it to be to be in the top 10,” president Alex Cartwright told Yahoo Sports in his office Thursday. He added: “We want to be a top 10 athletic program.” UCF’s Athletics Director Terry Mohajir embraces UCF’s role as a maverick and an upstart, saying, “When people compare us to the big school ... We are the big school.”

Carol Ann Logue and Rob Panepinto of UCF's Business Incubation program have been recognized among this year's list of people who make Orlando a better place to live. They are recognized for their work in helping to transform our economy, providing guidance to burgeoning entrepreneurs and fostering the creation of as many as 6,700 jobs in a single year.

Halloween events at Orlando’s theme parks are major contributors to theme park revenue and to Orlando tourism. Carissa Baker, assistant professor of theme park and attraction management at UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management, said with many theme park companies just returning to profitability, Halloween events can give them an “extra boost” during a difficult year.

Hospitals dealing with staff shortages and an influx of COVID-19 patients are calling for the help of nursing students from UCF and other area nursing programs. Kate Dorminy, clinical coordinator at UCF’s College of Nursing, said, “Given the high demand and honestly desperation that our clinical teams are in in the Central Florida area, wherever you want to go, whatever length of shift you’re available to do, the need is there and bring it on.”

UCF’s programming team has advanced to the world finals of the 2021 International Collegiate Programming Contest. The team finished 19th in the North American competition earlier this month, and the world finals will be held in spring of next year. UCF has finished in the top 10 of the World Finals six times.

Owen Kirby, a fellow with the University of Central Florida's Global Perspectives and International Initiatives program, is keeping a close eye on in the situation in Afghanistan.

In 2006, astronomers gathered for a conference in Prague and determined that the solar system had eight planets, formally excluding Pluto as a planetary body. For Phil Metzger, a UCF planetary scientist, the decision was scientifically cowardly.