Discover how to identify your target audience and validate your business idea through effective market research and customer discovery techniques. In this interactive workshop, you'll learn how to gather meaningful insights about your customers' needs, behaviors, and preferences, and use that information to refine your product or service. Leave with actionable strategies to build a business that truly resonates with your audience!RSVP:

Capability Statement Boot CampPowered by the APEX Accelerator at UCFA capability statement is a popular piece of marketing collateral in government contracting. It a one-page summary of the business much like a 'company resume' and can be a great tool to introduce your business. A capability statement will not be the only piece of marketing collateral that you use in government contracting, but it can be a great first step.Kara Vernon and Steve South of the APEX Accelerator at UCF will present a detailed introduction to the capability statement and how it can be used in government contracting. Highlights will include:* An Overview of the Capability Statement * A Review of Key Components of a Capability Statement: Core Competencies, Differentiators, Past Performance * The Importance of Customizing Your Capability StatementKara and Steve will also review some example capability statements as part of their discussion, and the hope is that there will be at least one or two clients that are willing to have their capability statements reviewed in front of the audience as well.Join us for this training session focused on the cornerstone of your government contracting marketing effort!This event is sponsored by the Florida SBDC at UCF.Virtual Location URL: https://events.blackthorn.io/en/6g3Q8Wa7/g/x4W8BcsAj4/capability-statement-boot-camp-5a1eVO6B6t3 Registration Link: https://events.blackthorn.io/en/6g3Q8Wa7/g/x4W8BcsAj4/capability-statement-boot-camp-5a1eVO6B6t3

Title: Advancing the next generation of photonic systems using machine learningAbstract: The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics underscores the growing influence of machine learning in diverse areas of physical science. In the field of photonics, machine learning is proving invaluable for tasks such as optimizing and designing fiber-optical communication systems, optical amplifiers, noise characterization of frequency combs, inverse design of photonic components, and quantum-noise-limited signal detection. In this talk, I will review notable applications of machine learning in photonics and explore future directions in this emerging field. Specifically, I will highlight its role in phase noise characterization of optical frequency combs, end-to-end learning for fiber-optic communication, and realization of programmable ultra-wideband Raman amplifiers. Lastly, I will introduce an exciting new application of machine learning: controlling nonlinear interactions in highly nonlinear waveguidesBiography: Darko Zibar is currently professor at the Department of Electrical and Photonics Engineering, Technical University of Denmark and the group leader of Machine Learning in Photonics Systems group. He received master's of science in telecommunication and doctorate in optical communications from the Technical University of Denmark, in 2004 and 2007, respectively. He has been a visiting professor at Politecnico di Torino, Friedreich Alexander University of Erlangen, University of California Santa Barbara and University of Colorado, Boulder. His research efforts are currently focused on the application of digital signal processing and machine learning techniques to advance classical and quantum optical communication and measurement systems. Some of his major scientific contributions include: record capacity hybrid optical-wireless link (2011), record sensitive optical phase noise measurement technique that approaches the quantum limit (2021) and record-bandwidth (S+C+L band) programmable gain Raman amplifier (2019). He is the recipient of Young Researcher Award by University of Erlangen-Nurnberg (2016), European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant (2017), Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Bessel Research Award, (2021), and Villum Investigator Award (2023). Finally, he was a part of the team that won the HORIZON 2020 prize for breaking the optical transmission barriers (2016).Virtual Location URL: https://ucf.zoom.us/j/98717167672?from=addon

Fireside Chat with Hollywood Virgin author & Virgin Entertainment co-founder Jason FeltsMonday, Feb. 17 1 p.m.[Pegasus Ballroom - UCF Student Union](https://maps.app.goo.gl/Z5XKmsuSJmT1CJZF6) 12715 Pegasus Dr., Orlando, FL 32816This event is free to all UCF Students, Alumni and Friends.Join us for a fireside chat on all things business entertainment with [Hollywood Virgin](http://www.hollywoodvirgin.com/) author and Virgin Entertainment co-founder Jason Felts! This chat celebrating the release of Hollywood Virgin will be moderated by [Dr. Rod Berger](https://www.drrodberger.com/) and close with an audience Q&A.All attendes will receive a free copy of Hollywood Virgin! Attendees must be present to collect their book.Questions? Contact us at [Knights@ucfalumni.com](mailto:Knights@ucfalumni.com). Registration Link: https://foundation.ucf.edu/HollywoodVirgin

The CCIE virtual bi-weekly research circles includes presentations and conversations from UCF's College of Community Innovation and Education (CCIE) faculty, as well as faculty from other colleges at UCF with a focus on collaborative, innovative, interdisciplinary, community-based research initiatives.Presentations provide opportunities to connect with faculty in CCIE and share opportunities of mutual interest.Presenters from the community and government agencies are also invited to join in the discussion and explore ways to engage in research and innovation at UCF.DATES and TOPICSSeptember 4, 2024 Centers: CREST, CASTLE Lab, PEERSeptember 25, 2024 CCIE Research Administration Services Team (RAST)October 9, 2024 NIH Funding Success (rescheduled for November 6)October 23, 2024 Tips for SuccessNovember 6, 2024 NIH Funding SuccessJanuary 22, 2025 Writing and Publishing in Peer-Reviewed JournalsFebruary 5, 2025 Faculty Research Fellows: Tips for Success and Value of CollaborationFebruary 19, 2025 International EngagementMarch 5, 2025 University and College Communication Resources for Amplifying Research VisibilityApril 2, 2025 Efforts to Engage Communities and Researchers to Strengthen Community ResilienceApril 16, 2025 Public Safety - NIJVirtual Location URL: https://ucf.zoom.us/j/95985035483?pwd=4JGOCuKFKGIGy6TFDdt6xaec3hSPhf.1#success

Dementia represents an escalating global public health challenge, with a rapidly growing population affected by cognitive decline, limited access to specialist care, and an urgent need for scalable solutions. India is projected to experience one of the largest increases in dementia cases. As the prevalence increases, the shortage of trained neurologists and the lack of incentives for medical students to enter this field further compounds the crisis.In this talk, Vijaya Kolachalama, Ph.D. will discuss how AI offers a promising path forward by addressing gaps in diagnosis, accessibility, and scalability in dementia care. Specifically, Kolachalama will share how his lab is developing multimodal AI approaches capable of accurately diagnosing diverse forms of dementia by training models on large, heterogeneous cohorts and validating them against gold-standard evidence, including biomarkers and postmortem data.This presentation will explore the impact of these advancements, examining how AI can play a transformative role in mitigating the dementia burden worldwide and fostering a future of improved diagnosis and treatment for patients. Further, Kolachalama aims to encourage a discussion on how technological advancements can support the India Center's mission to foster deeper understanding and collaborations between India and global research initiatives.Speaker: Vijaya B. Kolachalama, PhD, FAHA, Boston University Registration Link: https://ucf.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_808RCkJutX9nBBQ