Enjoy a full evening showcasing student work, a presentation with AIA National Firm of the Year Quinn Evans Architects, scholarship awards and more!* Networking & Cocktail Hour at 5:30 p.m. * Architecture presentation featuring: * Presentation of architectural work from UCF, UF and Valencia * Awarding of student scholarships * Gallery of student and local architects' fine artworkPresented in partnership with the University of Florida, Valencia College and the Orlando Foundation for Architecture (OFA).This event is a part of UCF Celebrates the Arts 2025. Registration Link: http://Arts.ucf.edu/celebrates Registration Info: For more information.

Enjoy readings from the graduating students of UCF's creative writing MFA program.Hosted by the UCF Department of English.Write of Passage 2025 showcases the work and talent of the Spring 2025 graduating students of UCF's creative writing MFA graduate program.This reading will feature works by Ian Abercrombie, Jayleen Cerda, Gabrielle Decker Fernandez, Aloysius Devine, Carolina Guzman, Nina Lopez, Emily Miller, Drew Robertson, Sophia Saco, Eric Tegethoff, and Nataliia Vatolina.Arrive early to enjoy a showcase of other projects from the UCF English department, including:* The Florida Review, UCF's international literary journal * The Cypress Dome, UCF's undergraduate student literary journal * Writers in the Sun, UCF's visiting writers' series * UCF Creative Writing faculty book displayThis event is a part of UCF Celebrates the Arts 2025. Registration Link: http://arts.ucf.edu/celebrates Registration Info: For more information.

Discover what a digital twin is, how it informs buildings, and how it can enhance research methodology.This event is a part of UCF Celebrates the Arts 2025. Registration Link: http://Arts.ucf.edu/celebrates Registration Info: For more information.

Title: Pushing the Limits of Imaging and Display using Machine Learning and Artificial IntelligenceAbstract: My research harnesses machine learning to re-imagine how we approach the design, engineering and analysis of optical systems.In this seminar, I will first highlight my Ph.D. research in the field of super-resolution optical microscopy. I will present a suite of techniques that enable tiny biological structures to be captured with a resolution superior to the diffraction limit. In discussing this work, I will pay particular attention to the central role of statistical inference and data analysis in constructing super-resolution images and developing novel 3D bio-imaging capabilities.In the second part of my talk, I will introduce a nanophotonic technology termed optical metasurfaces. These thin, nearly transparent structures can mimic conventional optics such as lenses and can be mass-produced using well-established nanofabrication processes. I will show how deep learning concepts such as the backpropagation algorithm can be re-purposed to discover top-performing metasurface designs and realize unconventional applications such as an "all-optical" neural network. The underlying physical modeling techniques used to develop such systems may be applied to address scaling issues associated with both classical and quantum optical computing platforms.Finally, I will present my most recent work developing simulation software for the design of an augmented reality (AR) display. I will discuss my experience deploying machine learning toolsets to address longstanding high-performance computing challenges in an industry setting.Bio: Adam Backer is a senior machine learning scientist at Apple contributing to the next generation of wearable augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR) display technology. Prior to joining Apple, Adam was a Harry S. Truman Fellow and later a Senior Member of the Technical Staff at Sandia National Labs. Adam received his Ph.D. in Computational and Mathematical Engineering from Stanford in 2016, where he performed his doctoral research in the lab of W. E. Moerner and was supported by an NDSEG fellowship. Adam holds an M.Phil. in Engineering from Cambridge University (2009), and a B.S. in Engineering and Physics from Brown University (2008).Virtual Location URL: https://ucf.zoom.us/j/95780562497

The UCF [Mathematics Colloquium](https://sciences.ucf.edu/math/colloquium/), held every Monday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in MSB 318, offers a diverse platform for research scholars, faculty, students, and industry experts to share and exchange ideas, fostering discussion and networking across various areas of mathematics.[Zeljko Cuckovic, Ph.D,](http://math.utoledo.edu/~zcuckov/) from University of Toledo will speak at this week's colloquium on invertibility of Toeplitz operators on the Bergman space.Abstract: Characterizing invertibility of a Toelitz operator $T_\varphi$ on the Bergman space in terms of the properties of the symbol $\varphi$ has been a long standing open problem. Partial answers can be given by assuming the positivity of the symbol. In this talk we introduce a novel geometric condition on the image of the symbols, which relaxes the standard positivity condition. We will also discuss the related Douglas' problem. (Joint work with Jari Taskinen)

Listeners can hear and learn from a UCF NSCM Hall of Famer about all the ins and outs, positives and negatives of networking, socializing, building a career, starting a new business and everything in between. Come explore the personal and professional aspect of how the world works these days in business and in life.\--Heissam "I'm in" Jebailey is the CEO, Founder and Host of the World's Largest Black and White Weekend for Charity and Wellness spanning over 15 years in support of BASE Camp Children's Cancer Foundation. He has a real estate license and team that specializes in commercial and residential real estate. He owns and manages airbnbs, has a passion for fitness and loves breaking personal and professional records every chance he gets. But most of all, he loves sharing and helping UCF students along the way whenever he can as a UCF Alum and student at heart himself. Registration Link: https://ucf.startuptree.co/event/s/mhERqThxCz7BnjfkHNGSaw/I%25E2%2580%2599m-In.-To-Promoting%252C-Branding%252C-and-Building-my-Career-and-Business

You're invited!TCH 358B or ZoomSpeaker:Fabian BalmoriAssociate Professor of Spanish, Spring Hill CollegeChair, Modern Languages, Literatures, and CulturesProgram Director, Latin American StudiesWith the support of the UCF Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies program.Virtual Location URL: https://ucf.zoom.us/j/92581285402

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.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 StatementOur speaker will also review some example capability statements as part of this discussion, and the hope is that there will be at least one or two clients who 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-5a1eVO6iUi5 Registration Link: https://events.blackthorn.io/en/6g3Q8Wa7/g/x4W8BcsAj4/capability-statement-boot-camp-5a1eVO6iUi5

In today's competitive business landscape, outstanding customer service isn't just an advantage, it's a necessity. This engaging and interactive session explores the vital role customer service plays in building brand loyalty, driving revenue and fostering long-term business success. Whether you're in sales, support or leadership, understanding how to create exceptional customer experiences can set you apart and elevate your organization. We'll discuss real-world examples of companies that have mastered the art of service and analyze how their approaches drive customer satisfaction and loyalty. Additionally, we'll discuss some creative ideas on how you can separate yourself from the competition.Be sure to [RSVP](https://ucf.startuptree.co/event/s/nLwFA6BYGLqfgdiW4RHJtt/The-Art-of-Creating-Loyal-Customers)!

The UCF School of Visual Arts and Design is proud to welcome artist Noelle Mason as part of the SVAD Distinguished Artist Series on April 8. The SVAD Distinguished Artist Series is an initiative that introduces the UCF students and community to professional and emerging contemporary artists in various fields of study.Artist Biography:Noelle Mason is a multi-disciplinary artist whose work is about the subtle seductiveness of power facilitated by systems of visual and institutional control. Noelle has shown nationally and internationally in a variety of non-traditional spaces, galleries, and institutions including the National Museum of Mexican Art, Orlando Museum of Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art. She is the recipient of a Joan Mitchell Foundation Artist Grant, Jerome fellowship, Santo Foundation Individual Artist Grant, the Florida Prize for Contemporary Art and the Southern Prize. In 2004 Noelle was a resident at the Skowhegan school of Painting and Sculpture. She holds a BA in both theatre and fine arts from the University of California, Irvine and received her MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Noelle currently holds the position of Associate Professor of Art at the University of South Florida and is the Founding Director and Curator of Parallelogram Gallery in Tampa, FL.

Title: AI-Enhanced Photonic SensingAbstract: The fusion of AI and photonic sensing is transforming how we detect, analyze, and interpret optical signals, with applications spanning biomedical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and industrial automation. In this talk, I will present my research on AI-enhanced photonic sensors, demonstrating how machine learning algorithms can significantly improve sensitivity, selectivity, and unlock new sensing capabilities. I will discuss key innovations in AI-enhanced photonic sensing, including optical resonance barcodes, AI-driven multiparameter sensing, and cavity-enhanced photoacoustic detection, leveraging whispering-gallery-mode (WGM) microresonators as a sensing platform. These resonators, with their ultrahigh quality factors and strong light-matter interactions, enable ultra-sensitive, label-free detection. Beyond enhancing sensing performance, AI-enhanced sensors unlock capabilities beyond conventional sensors, enabling adaptive, real-time detection in dynamic and complex environments with enhanced robustness and precision. The techniques developed for WGM-based sensors provide a transferable framework that can be adapted to other sensing systems. Looking ahead, I will outline future research directions that integrate AI, photonics, and microfabrication to develop intelligent sensors with broad applications in healthcare, manufacturing, and security.About the Speaker: Jie Liao is currently a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Washington University in St. Louis. He obtained his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis in 2023. He received his M.S. and B.S. in Optics and Photonics from Fudan University, China, in 2017. His research focuses on AI-enhanced photonic sensing techniques and systems, with a particular emphasis on their applications in biosensing and diagnostics. He is a recipient of the Danforth Scholar recognition at Washington University in St. Louis.Virtual Location URL: https://ucf.zoom.us/j/96981631939

Host: UCF SIAM Graduate Student Chapter What: Weekly Seminar on Topics in Math or Applied Math When: 11 a.m. - Noon, Wednesdays Where: MSB 318Speakers vary by week

[Mathematics Biology Seminar](https://sciences.ucf.edu/math/mathbio/mathematical-biology-seminar/) 2-3 p.m., Wednesday, April 2, 2025 MSB 318Speaker: [Christen Fleming, Ph.D.](https://sciences.ucf.edu/biology/person/christen-fleming/) Department of Biology University of Central FloridaTitle: Resource selection and habitat suitability in animal movement and species distributionAbstract: There is currently a divide between mathematical and applied models of animal movement in the context of spatial covariates, where individuals move in a way to select resources and avoid risks. Whereas mathematical biologists tend to consider animal movement as advection-diffusion equations, applied ecologists tend to consider animal movement in a discrete choice framework. While advection diffusion-equations provide continuous-time mathematical descriptions of movement, they generally require unrealistic assumptions regarding the continuity of spatial covariates. On the other hand, while discrete choice models can be easily fit to data, their discrete-time structure limits inferential capabilities. This seminar will explore integrating these approaches to enhance our understanding of resource selection and habitat suitability. By constructing continuous-time models of resource selection, we aim to develop a comprehensive framework that can accurately predict resource utilization patterns and inform conservation and management strategies.

Cyrus Zargar, Ph.D., the Department of Philosophy's Endowed Al-Ghazali Distinguished Professor in Islamic Studies, will present "Persian Sufi Poetry and Contemporary Cinema: The Gaze according to Majid Majidi." Majid Majidi's films capture contradictions in Iranian life: anonymity and identity; poverty and joy; and disability and extraordinary skill. To do so, Majidi draws from the classical Persian Sufi literary tradition. His focus on themes related to sight, as well as his neorealist style, centers the gaze as one of the most powerful themes in his work.

A webinar providing an overview of the marketing process for small business, as well as a close look at all elements of a marketing plan. Marketing is the driver of revenue growth and an imperative for small business success. Topics include the traditional four "P's" of marketing - Product, Place, Promotion, and Price - as well as three new "P's" with special application to small businesses - Positioning, People, and Planning.Virtual Location URL: https://events.blackthorn.io/en/6g3Q8Wa7/marketing-basics-webinar-5a1eVO6ifqP/overview Registration Link: https://events.blackthorn.io/en/6g3Q8Wa7/marketing-basics-webinar-5a1eVO6ifqP/overview

The Department of History and RICHES will host eight panelists across five interactive stations.This event is a part of UCF Celebrates the Arts 2025. Registration Link: https://cah.ucf.edu/events/celebrates/ Registration Info: For more information.

Join us for an exciting evening showcasing the innovative work of UCF's SVAD graduating seniors from the nationally ranked Emerging Media BFA program. Engage with the future of Orlando's design community, connecting with talented students as they showcase groundbreaking projects in the Graphic Design and Animation & Visualization tracks. The evening will conclude with inspiring presentations from distinguished industry guests, sharing their creative insights and career wisdom. Don't miss this unique chance to be a part of the next chapter in Orlando's thriving creative scene!This event is a part of UCF Celebrates the Arts 2025. Registration Link: http://Arts.ucf.edu/celebrates Registration Info: For more information.

A dynamic panel exploring the transformative impact of artificial intelligence across diverse realms of creativity. Our expert panelists will discuss innovative applications in music, language learning, and computational creativity, offering insights into how AI is reshaping the future of artistic expression and learning methodologies. Don't miss this opportunity to uncover the limitless potential of AI in pushing creative boundaries.This event is a part of UCF Celebrates the Arts 2025. Registration Link: http://Arts.ucf.edu/celebrates Registration Info: For more information.

Bring your lunch and join us to learn about the research graduate students are conducting!Please see the presentation abstracts below for more information:Jacob Woodard \- Jonathan Dickinson's Journal as an Ethnohistorical Resource for Insights into Florida Ethnobiology* Abstract: Jonathan Dickinson's Journal, a firsthand account of his 1696 shipwreck and journey through Florida, provides valuable ethnohistorical data on the region's plant and animal use. This talk examines the botanical and zoological references to reconstruct aspects of Indigenous resource utilization, environmental interactions, and subsistence strategies. By analyzing Dickinson's descriptions of flora, fauna, and survival practices, we gain information into the ethnobiological landscape of 17th-century Florida, and insights to colonial bias on ecological realities.Melissa Marks \- Sex Estimation Using Metric and Geometric Morphometric Analyses of the Adult Human Talus* Abstract: Estimating biological sex is an essential first step when analyzing human remains in both forensic and archaeological contexts. The talus is a promising alternative to traditional methods utilizing the pelvis or skull. The present study aims to refine metric and geometric morphometric methodologies of sex estimation utilizing ancient Egyptian, ancient Maya, and modern American tali. After preliminary analyses, side asymmetry was not identified based on the linear measurements or the GM data. Linear discriminant analysis achieved 64-71% accuracy. Set points achieved 71-78% accuracy. Canonical Variate Analysis achieved 57-100% accuracy in shape space, and 67-83% in form space. These preliminary results carry important implications for sex estimation of archaeological and modern populations based on the talus.Lydia Kiernicki - A Temporal and Spatial Analysis of Macrobotanical Remains Preservation at the Penny Site in Cape Canaveral, Florida* Abstract: Previous paleoethnobotanical analyses of microremains, starches and phytoliths at the Penny Site in Cape Canaveral, Florida have identified a variety of food plants, including greenbrier (Smilax sp.), maize (Zea mays), bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and acorn (Quercus sp.). Using statistical analyses to identify spatial and temporal patterns of plant remains, I will further assess the distribution, preservation, and cultural use of plants at the site. This study will enhance our understanding of preservation of plant remains in coastal Florida contexts and of foodways that made up the subsistence practices of Indigenous populations that occupied Cape Canaveral.Virtual Location URL: https://ucf.zoom.us/j/96976159385?pwd=61qhoOkT1nXzKbKOYDlY1CnzPeorRL.1&from=addon

Host: UCF SIAM Graduate Student Chapter What: Weekly Seminar on Topics in Math or Applied Math When: 11 a.m. - Noon, Wednesdays Where: MSB 318Speakers vary by week