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:

Layan Rizeq

Layan is a sophomore in MSE. She is conducting research in IRG2 - Catalysis.

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.

Javier Cuevas Charbier

Javier Cuevas Charbier is an UG in Physics working in IRG 1 - Quantum, with Professor Khondaker.

Linda Rizeq

Linda is a sophomore in MSE. She is conducting research in the IRG 2 - Catalysis

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.

Sofia Valentina Plaut Maza

Coming soon!

Ayelen Mora

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

Edward Perez

Edward is an Optics undergraduate. He is working with Professor Blanco-Redondo.

Nelson Alvarez

Edward is a physics undergraduate in IRG 1 - Quantum working with Professor Khondaker.

Israel Herera

Edward is a Optics undergraduate in IRG 1 - Quantum working with Professor Blanco-Redondo.

Dante James

Dante is a Physics undergraduate in IRG 1 - Quantum working with Professor Blanco-Redondo.

Francisco Gonzalez

Francisco is a MAE undergraduate in IRG 1 - Quantum working with Professor Blanco-Redondo.

Carlos Caro

Carlos is a Physics undergraduate in IRG 1 - Quantum working with Professor Khondaker.

Nia Suitt

Nia is a Physics undergraduate in IRG 1 - Quantum working with Professor Neupane.

Zacharia El-Helw

Zacharia El-Helw is a Physics undergraduate in IRG 1 - Quantum.

Maddison Walker

Maddison is a Physics undergraduate in IRG 3 - Bio.

Joseph Berger

Joseph is a Math/Bio double major undergraduate in IRG 3 - Bio.

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.

Luis Tomar

Luis in one of our PREM's earliest alumni joining the Center in 2021! He graduated with a BS in MSE in Spring 2025 and is now working for Lockheed Martin Company in Orlando.