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.

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

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

* 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, TurkiyeVirtual Location URL: https://cah.ucf.edu/eurasia-lectures-2025/

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