Students

Dylan Jeff

I am pursuing a PhD in Physics. I am a Honduran immigrant who moved to the United States when I was two years old. I am working with Professor Saiful Khondaker.

Keith Blackman

I am a graduate student in Physics. working with Professor Mihai Vaida understanding strong metal support interaction in precious metal / metal oxide supports.

Terrick McNealy-James

I am pursuing my PhD in MSE, starting Fall 2024. My advisor is Professor Banerjee and I work on atomic scale processes. I was also a PREM UG student at the Center.

Justin Moore

I am pursuing my PhD in Chemistry starting Fall 2024. My advisor is Professor Titel Jurca. I am interested in developing new precursors for atomic scale processes that help develop new quantum materials.

Nathan Valadez

I was born in Port Lavaca, TX and obtained a B.S. in Physics with a minor in Mathematics from Texas A&M. Since Fall 2022 I am pursuing my PhD with Prof. Madhab Neupane. 

Bryan Demosthene

I am pursuing my PhD in Biomedical Sciences. I am a McKnight Fellow as well. My advisor is Professor Ellen Kang.

Taylor Douglas

I am pursuing my PhD in Physics. I am a McKnight Fellow as well. My advisor is Professor Ellen Kang.

Dante James

I am pursuing my PhD in Physics. I am working with Professor Madhab Neupane.

Micah Wilkerson

I am pursuing my PhD in MSE. I work with Professor Lorraine Leon.

Undergraduate Students:

Luis Tomar

Luis is a sophomore in MSE from Apopka, FL. He loves playing the trombone and walking his dogs. Luis is working with Professor Banerjee studying atomic layer deposition of powder catalysts.

Derek Freitas

I'm currently a sophomore pursuing a degree in Biomedical Sciences. I am originally from Brazil. I work in Dr. Robert Steward's lab.

Tristen Gerren

I am a junior majoring in biotechnology and a proud member of the Ronald E. McNair scholars' program, with the aim of pursuing a PhD in the field of Molecular biology.

Ruthlyn Mangroo

I was born in Guyana and I am pursuing a BS in Material Science and Engineering. I work in Dr. Akihiro Kushima’s characterization group, focusing on battery efficiency.

Javier Cuevas Chabrier

Javier is a dual Mechanical + Aero Major with a minor in CS. He is passionate about rocketry and works with Professor Khondaker on Quantum Materials.

Giuliana Delatore

Giuliana Delatore is a sophomore in Physics.

Nicolas Ramos

Nicolas is a sophomore in Physics.

Shaurice Kildare

Shaurice is a freshman in Chemistry and works in catalysis in Professor Feng's group.

Barbara Stewart

Barbara is a senior in BioEngineering. She works with Professor Lorraine Leon.

Blaine Mauri-Newell

Blaine is a junior in MSE and was a process specialist at Alleima for many years before joining UCF.

Ayelen Mora

Ayelen is an undergraduate in MSE. She works with Professor Parag Banerjee.

High School Students (Partnership with Oak Ridge High School):

Nghia Dang

Nghia is a senior from Oak Ridge High School, Orlando. He is interning in Professor Banerjee's Lab. His current interest is in materials chemistry. He has been accepted into the Health Sciences track at UCF starting Fall 2024.

Amos Liberal

Amos Liberal is a junior from Oak Ridge High School. He is interning in Professor Saiful Khondaker's Lab. His current interests are in Physics of low dimensional solids like graphene.

Past Students and Alumni:

Christian Cabello

Mr. Chrisitan Cabello obtained his BS in Physics in 2023. He worked with Professor Michael Chini. Christian is now pursuing his PhD at the Institut Polytechnique de Paris.

Ariel Tarrago

Ariel graduated in Mechanical Engineering in Spring 2022 and was hired as an Engineer in trainee with Battelle Corporation.

Izabela Freire

Ms. Izabela Freire got her MS in Materials Science and Engineering at UCF. She was an intern with Professor Banerjee. She is currently a process engineer at Lockheed Martin.

Kamal Harrison

Kamal worked with Professor Saiful Khondaker. He is now a 1st year PHD student in Physics at UF, Gainesville.

Troie Journigan

Troie obtained her PhD with Professor Michael Chini. She is now a post doctoral scientist in Professor Neupane's Lab.

Emily Martinez

Emily is an R&D Engineer at Procter & Gamble. She graduated from UCF in 2024. with an BS in MSE. She did her UG research rotation in Professor Vaida's Lab and an REU in Vanderbilt's NINSE program.