2025 Lecture SeriesSponsored by the Eurasia Foundation (From Asia)With 60 percent of the world's population, Asia is not only home to the world's oldest civilizations, it also represents cultural and economic vitality. Asia has a major role in manufacturing, technology and investment markets. Non-governmental organizations specializing in economic development, healthcare and environmental protection are also active throughout Asia. This series will provide a rare opportunity for students and the community to develop a better understanding of the cultural, political and economic forces that have shaped modern Asia by hearing from esteemed international scholars.The Challenge of Being A Global Citizen: The Journey of the Post-Ottoman TurkeyArzu Özturkmen Director & Professor of History, Bogaziçi University[Eurasian Lecture Series 2025 - College of Arts and Humanities](https://cah.ucf.edu/eurasia-lectures-2025/)Virtual Location URL: https://cah.ucf.edu/eurasia-lectures-2025/

Your network is your net worth, and we want to help you know and grow a successful career. Whether you have a business idea or are looking to gain traction in your job search, we are here to help you learn the smartest ways to leap ahead in your success.Join this session to see all of the great opportunities you can explore through our Blackstone LaunchPad at UCF.Virtual Location URL: ucf.zoom.us/my/ucflaunchpad Registration Link: https://ucf.startuptree.co/event/s/JXiMHwSuMeNMKuoCX8h3ka/Why-the-Blackstone-LaunchPad

UCF Office of Global Perspectives and International Initiatives is pleased to invite you for a fascinating conversation with Dr. Kirk Johnson, renowned paleobotanist and the Sant Director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, home to the largest natural history collection in the world. In this captivating talk, Museums, Science, Nature, and the Future, Dr. Johnson will explore the essential role museums play not only as guardians of history but also in advancing scientific understanding. Johnson will take us on a journey of tracing the story of our planet through time, and how the intersection of museums, science, and nature offers vital insights for understanding our present and illuminating the path ahead for navigating the future.Moderated by: David Dumke, Executive Director for UCF Office of Global Perspectives and International InitiativesThis event is part of the Lester N. Mandell Endowed Distinguished Lecture Series and hosted by UCF Global Perspectives and International Initiatives. Registration Link: https://ucf.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_89fVo8GpqPoMr1Y Registration Info: Free and open to the public. RSVP is required to attend.

The UCF College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS)'s Zoom-cast series is live-streamed every other Friday from noon to 1 p.m., offering talks by CECS faculty and a live-chat Q&A.Targeted to faculty, scientists, and potential industry and government partners, [all are invited to Zoom-in](https://ucf.zoom.us/j/95525633786) and hear presentations by UCF's engineering and computer science faculty who explain their cutting-edge, pioneering research endeavors in quick snapshots.These talks provide an opportunity to get to know -- and collaborate with -- our faculty who are advancing innovations in all areas of engineering and computer science, including smart city technology, aerospace, energy, modeling and simulation, medicine, advanced materials, cyber security, and more. Each faculty presenter will narrate as they share illustrative slides.Moderated by Subith Vasu, from the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, viewers can submit questions in real-time and express interest in collaborating.The Sept. 19, 2025 presenter lineup:* Yue Wen, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering: "Artificial intelligence for Wearable Robots and Neural Machine Interface" * Christopher Iannello, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering: "Strengthening Space Exploration: How Faculty Expertise and Space Sector Experience Can Come Together for Unprecedented Space-Sector Innovation and Workforce Development" * James Earnest, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences: Defining Helpful and Harmful Antibody Responses to Mosquito-Borne Viruses at the Individual and Population Levels"See more details in the [Sept. 19 faculty research talk flyer](https://www.cecs.ucf.edu/web/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Sept-19-2025-faculty-research-talk-flyer-web-accessible.pdf).Miss a session? See [recordings of past research talks](https://bit.ly/3cyb6He).Virtual Location URL: https://bit.ly/3ILqC1l

Many start-up ecosystem stakeholders, such as Startup Genome, Techstars, Y Combinator, CB Insights, Forbes and more, come out with "Top X Reasons Why Startups Fail" articles from time to time. They typically list factors such as "no market for the product or service," "ran out of money," "poor user experience," "poor customer relations," among others.As a project manager looking at these things, I don't see the causes of failure; I only see the symptoms of failure. As someone who's been an entrepreneur for multiple decades, started dozens of companies, with multiple exits in multiple industries, and a professor of entrepreneurship at both the bachelor's and master's levels, I can say without a shadow of a doubt: there has only ever been -- and will only ever be -- ONE cause of startup failure. Us. We are the cause of why our startups fail.I will delve into the primary aspects of what causes us to fail, and discuss solutions that I have proven to work.Virtual Location URL: ucf.zoom.us/my/ucflaunchpad Registration Link: https://ucf.startuptree.co/event/s/GSoxFWiS854et4vSpYyKid/We-have-found-the-enemy%252C-and-the-enemy-is-us%2521

Join Josiah Candelaria, founder of Purple Ocean Superfood Bar, for an inspiring TED Talk titled "From Tent to Trademark: Building a Brand the Real Way."In this powerful session, Josiah shares how he built his thriving business from a single tent setup into a cultural movement -- without investors or shortcuts. This talk dives into real-world strategies for starting a business with purpose, validating ideas through action, overcoming challenges and building a brand that resonates deeply with the community.Students will leave equipped with practical insights, entrepreneurial mindset tools and the belief that your passion -- no matter how small it starts -- can become a platform. Registration Link: https://ucf.startuptree.co/event/s/PS6jRd8DidLs4pzXgSVRfa/From-Tent-to-Trademark%253A-Building-a-Brand-the-Real-Way

Title: Probing light-matter interactions in nano-structured layered van der Waals materials for advanced nanophotonicsAbstract: Nanophotonic devices, relying on strong interaction between light and the underlying materials, play a vital role in modern technology facilitating communication, sensing, imaging, and energy conversion across various disciplines. In my research, I examine the use of novel layered van der Waals materials in creating more advanced nanophotonic devices to meet the growing demands imposed by newly emerging technologies. Specifically, I probe the coupling between light and the intrinsic excitations living within different types of van der Waals materials, which strongly modifies materials' optical responses and thus have profound implications on the photonic nano-structures performances. By utilizing the unique properties of this novel material platform, I find that nanophotonic devices and systems with reduced footprint, stronger light-matter interactions, and potentially higher energy efficiency can be achieved. These findings can provide a guideline for designing, fabricating, and characterizing advanced optical systems made of novel van der Waals materials.About the Speaker: Dr. Haonan Ling is an assistant professor in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering department at UCF starting in Jan 2025. His research interest lies at the intersection of material science, applied physics, and optics and photonics. His PhD dissertation focuses on probing light-matter interactions in nano-structured layered van der Waals materials for advanced nanophotonic applications. He is the recipient of the Dimitris N. Chorafas Foundation Prize (2024) and Dissertation Year Fellowship at UCLA (2023).Virtual Location URL: https://ucf.zoom.us/j/93129384570?from=addon

Ethics and Emotion: Implications for the Professional Formation of Future Engineers Dr. Madeline Palmer • September 23, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. EasternThere is a growing recognition for the role of emotion in engineering education as it is embedded in students' responses to topics, experiences in the classroom, and interactions with peers. In tandem, emotion also relates to how people learn about ethics and engage in ethical design making. In this talk, Dr. Polmear will provide an overview of the intersection between emotion, ethics, and engineering education, including recent scholarship in this area and implications for the professional formation of future engineers.Dr. Madeline Palmer is a lecturer (assistant professor) in engineering education at King's College London. Her research relates to ethics, societal responsibility, and emotion in engineering education. She teaches introduction to engineering and design courses where she highlights sociotechnical integration in engineering. Madeline received her Ph.D. in civil engineering (University of Colorado, Boulder) and was previously awarded a Marie Sklodowska-Curie, EUTOPIA Cofund Fellowship at Vrije Universitiet Brussel, Belgium to study macroethiczal development among engineering students.Virtual Location URL: https://ucf.zoom.us/meeting/register/UyVWRXtHTkStg2jiPXO3yw Registration Link: https://ucf.zoom.us/meeting/register/UyVWRXtHTkStg2jiPXO3yw

Have you noticed a problem at school, at home or in your community that you want to solve? Have you imagined solutions to major problems but been frustrated at not knowing where to start? Our Ideas Tournament is a great place for you to showcase your startup ideas and get a chance to win $5,000 in cash prize. This signature competition supports LaunchPad's goals to reduce startup risks, broaden access to startup resources and encourage students to dream big and succeed. Join our info session to learn more about the competition and how you can apply to be one of our talented participants. Registration Link: https://ucf.startuptree.co/event/s/JVoTK3SSZBHAJHCDKH8GY8/Ideas-Tournament-Info-Session-%25232

Join the Department of Writing and Rhetoric Graduate Team during our virtual Information Session on September 23rd, from 5:30-6:30pm. During this session, we will cover the exciting opportunities available through our M.A. in English, Rhetoric and Composition program, as well as the Professional Writing Certificate. We will highlight our program requirements/benefits, career paths, and professional development opportunities. We hope to see you there!Virtual Location URL: https://applynow.graduate.ucf.edu/register/?id=4cb3876f-1349-4905-992c-c72089e724d6

This virtual event is sponsored by Orange County Government as part of the Florida SBDC at UCF's Orange County Strategic Series.Get Started with the Most Effective Advertising Tool for Local Businesses: Google AdsLearn how to use Google Ads to drive more revenue for your business.Whether you are considering Google Ads for your marketing or are currently managing an account, this is a can't miss session.Google Ads is a powerful, measurable advertising tool that should be in nearly every local business' marketing plan. See how to use it with less risk and more success.• Learn how Google ranks ads• Learn whether you are a candidate for the new automation in Google Ads• Learn how to reap the rewards of a properly structured Ads accountPresented by Google Partner and National Trainer Matt Weber, President, ROAR! Internet MarketingVirtual Location URL: https://events.blackthorn.io/en/6g3Q8Wa7/grow-with-google-google-ads-webinar-5a1eVO8PnSL/overview Registration Link: https://events.blackthorn.io/en/6g3Q8Wa7/grow-with-google-google-ads-webinar-5a1eVO8PnSL/overview

During the next several Wednesdays, CREOL faculty will present brief highlights of their research activities. The talks take place at noon in Room 103, with two professors each giving a 25-minute presentation.Attendance is mandatory for all first-semester Ph.D. students.SEPTEMBER 312:00: Ayman Abouraddy12:30: Christian HeideSEPTEMBER 10No presentationsSEPTEMBER 1712:00: Sean Pang12:30: Yannick SalaminSEPTEMBER 2412:00: Konstantin Vodopyanov12:30: Shin-Tson WuOCTOBER 112:00: Joshua Kaufman12:30: Kristopher DavisOCTOBER 812:00: Kyle Renshaw12:30: Peter DelfyettOCTOBER 1512:00: Eric Johnson12:30: Ivan DivlianskyOCTOBER 2212:00: Murat Yuskel12:30: Li FangOCTOBER 2912:00: Kyu Young Han12:30: Leland NordinNOVEMBER 512:00: TBD12:30: Midya PartoNOVEMBER 1212:00: Sasan Fathpour12:30: Debashis ChandaNOVEMBER 1912:00: Stephen Eikenberry12:30: TBD

* Vous voulez ameliorer votre français oral? (Would you like to improve your French speaking skills?) * Vous aimeriez connaitre des etudiant.e.s qui ont la meme passion que vous pour la langue française?(Would you like to meet students who share your passion for the French language?)Bienvenu.e.s au cafe francophone! Venez echanger avec vos collegues etudiant.e.s dans une ambiance decontractee. (Welcome to the French cafe! Come and chat with your colleagues in a relaxed atmosphere.)Pour qui? Les etudiant.e.s de niveau 2000 (intermediaire) et +, ou etudiant.e.s francophones. (For students at the 2000 level (intermediate) or higher, or French speakers)

2025 Lecture SeriesSponsored by the Eurasia Foundation (From Asia)With 60 percent of the world's population, Asia is not only home to the world's oldest civilizations, it also represents cultural and economic vitality. Asia has a major role in manufacturing, technology and investment markets. Non-governmental organizations specializing in economic development, healthcare and environmental protection are also active throughout Asia. This series will provide a rare opportunity for students and the community to develop a better understanding of the cultural, political and economic forces that have shaped modern Asia by hearing from esteemed international scholars.Journey to the Ottoman Empire: Chinese Travelers to the Early Turkish RepublicGiray Fidan Professor and Chair, Chinese Translation & Interpreting Department at Ankara Haci Bayram Veli University, Turkiye[Eurasian Lecture Series 2025 - College of Arts and Humanities](https://cah.ucf.edu/eurasia-lectures-2025/)Virtual Location URL: https://cah.ucf.edu/eurasia-lectures-2025/

Join Rosangela Parker, program manager at Plug and Play Tech Center's Smart Cities Orlando, for an inspiring conversation on navigating a career at the intersection of technology, innovation and community impact.Parker will share her unconventional path from early professional choices to leading a global startup accelerator program, spotlighting the skills, relationships and mindset shifts that shaped her journey.Students will gain practical insights into breaking into competitive industries, building a personal brand, and creating opportunities that align with both passion and purpose. Bring your questions for an engaging discussion that blends real-world experience with actionable advice. Registration Link: https://ucf.startuptree.co/event/s/hD6Cu56bpD5ghFao2WXuCH/From-Curiosity-to-Career%253A-Building-A-Life-in-Innovation-%2526-Smart-Cities

Event: Webinar hosted by Debashis Chanda and presented by Laser Focus WorldTitle: Building an Uncooled Infrared Camera based on 1-Atom-Thick GrapheneSummary: Debashis Chanda, a professor at UCF's Nanoscale Technology Center, and his team recently developed a technique to detect long-wave infrared (LWIR) photons of different wavelengths--it analyzes materials by their spectral properties, or spectroscopic imaging, as well as thermal imaging.In this webinar, Chanda will describe how he and his team reached beyond the limitations of existing LWIR to create a highly sensitive, efficient, and dynamically tunable method based on nanopatterned graphene. The result? No existing cooled or uncooled detectors offer such dynamic spectral tunability and ultrafast response.This work has potential applications capturing thermal imaging or night vision, as well as medical imaging, spectroscopy and space exploration.About the Speaker: Debashis Chanda is a professor, jointly appointed with NanoScience Technology Center, Department of Physics and CREOL, the College of Optics and Photonics. Chanda received his Ph.D. from University of Toronto. His Ph.D. work was recognized in the form of several awards, including prestigious National Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) fellowship. Chanda completed his post-doctoral research with Prof. John A. Rogers at Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Quite a few of this research works were extensively covered by National Science Foundation news, BBC, Daily Mail, NBC, Fox, Science Radio and other national/international media outlets. His research has appeared on American Scientist magazine as a featured article where it outlined how companies like Intel, Toshiba, etc. are trying to adopt some of the printing techniques developed by his group. Chanda is a recipient of the 2012 DOE Energy Frontier Research Center (EFRC) Solar Energy Future Direction Innovation Proposal Award, 2013 NSF Summer Institute Fellowship and International Displaying Future Award-2016 by Merck Germany, UCF Reach of the Stars Award (2018), Samsung Global Research Outreach (GRO) Award (2022), Sony Research Award (2022), Cleantech Faculty Innovation Award (2024), UCF Research Initiative Award (2025).Virtual Location URL: https://www.laserfocusworld.com/webinars/webinar/55303987/building-an-uncooled-infrared-camera-based-on-1-atom-thick-graphene Registration Link: https://www.laserfocusworld.com/webinars/webinar/55303987/building-an-uncooled-infrared-camera-based-on-1-atom-thick-graphene

Luis Fred, Associate Professor of Trombone, will deliver his talk, "Caribbean Musical Cosmopolitanism, A Lecture About Musical Mestizaje"

A UCF Literacy Symposium EventIn this presentation, participants will hear from two sets of instructional support providers in disciplinary literacy at the secondary level. In Wyoming's Fremont County School District 1 (Lander), Cami Kostreva and Kristy Nelson have worked alongside teacher leaders from various content areas who have volunteered to partake in disciplinary literacy-focused professional development cohorts. Currently, professional development has been designed for these cohorts to continue learning over a span of three years, each year delving deeper into disciplinary literacy learning, instructional implementation and student apprenticeship. In Park County School District 6 (Cody), innovative integration of evidence-based adolescent literacy instruction has been the center of the school's 3-year initiative to improve reading. Stephany Anderson will introduce listeners to one high school grappling with the understanding and implementation of the science of reading across Tier 1, 2 and 3 instruction. The school's journey began with interdisciplinary cohorts inquiring into the application of disciplinary literacy supports and integrating those supports into interdisciplinary, place-based outdoor education, and the establishment of a Literacy Lab with Tier 2 literacy intervention and progress monitoring. Finally, the school provided instructional training to enhance computer-based Tier 3 intervention and purchased foundational literacy instructional materials that reflect adolescent culture. In both cases, these instructional leaders will describe their work with teachers and explain the successes, struggles, and lessons learned. Leslie Rush, a university-based consultant supporting both, will engage the audience in a discussion about the potential for disciplinary literacy professional development. Presenters: Stephany Anderson, Literacy Interventionist, Park County School District #6, Wyoming; Kristy Nelson, Instructional Facilitator, Fremont County School District #1, Wyoming; Camriel Kostreva, Literacy Specialist, Fremont County School District #1, Wyoming; Leslie Rush, Wyoming Excellence Chair in Literacy Education, University of WyomingVirtual Location URL: https://ucf.zoom.us/meeting/register/7CLpZqjSQw2khm5_7BrLtA Registration Link: https://ucf.zoom.us/meeting/register/7CLpZqjSQw2khm5_7BrLtA Registration Info: Register in advance for this event.

This virtual event is sponsored by Orange County Government as part of the Florida SBDC at UCF's Orange County Strategic Series.This engaging and practical webinar introduces small business owners to the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI). This session demystifies AI concepts and showcases how even the smallest businesses can harness AI to boost efficiency, improve customer engagement and drive growth.Participants will:* Learn what AI is and how it differs from machine learning and generative AI. * Explore real-world use cases in marketing, sales, customer support, operations and finance. * Discover low-risk, high-impact AI tools that require no coding experience. * Practice effective prompting techniques to get the most out of generative AI platforms like ChatGPT and Copilot. * Understand key legal, ethical and data privacy considerations, including IP ownership and liability risks. * Leave with actionable strategies and best practices to safely and confidently integrate AI into their business workflows.Whether you're just curious or ready to implement AI, this webinar will equip you with the knowledge and tools to make smart, responsible decisions in today's AI-powered economy.Virtual Location URL: https://events.blackthorn.io/en/6g3Q8Wa7/ai-101-for-small-business-owners-5a1eVOAeIEz/overview Registration Link: https://events.blackthorn.io/en/6g3Q8Wa7/ai-101-for-small-business-owners-5a1eVOAeIEz/overview

Think about ways to workshop or further engage students with a small activity or specific calls to action/skills to test drive in the future)When in the weeds of planning your first career, it can be difficult -- if not nearly impossible -- to imagine your second or third. Whether you've already written your career plan in the stars, or you're still "figuring out what you want to be when you grow up," this session is designed to get you thinking about how to identify and take note of the skills you build throughout your career journey. Join Karissa Smith as she shares her own 22-year career journey from retail "fixer" to federal healthcare consultant and, finally, to entrepreneur.During this one-hour session, you'll learn how "yes" transforms into opportunities to develop skills you otherwise would never have the chance to encounter, how those skills create opportunities you may not even know you desire, and how to spot and spotlight the unique value you bring to the table. Registration Link: https://ucf.startuptree.co/event/s/Lcua2AYhALKanbJWwk3E53/This-is-Not-the-Only-Thing-You%2527ll-Ever-Be%253A-How-to-Develop-and-Identify-Lifelong-Skills-Using-%2522Yes%2522-as-Your-Guide