UF Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering

The first PRIME cohort just crossed the finish line. 🎉

Over the past two months, Ph.D. students from across the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering came together to strengthen one of the most important parts of research: mentorship.

Through the PhD Research and Interdisciplinary Mentoring Experience (PRIME), participants explored communication, expectation setting, fostering independence, professional development and other evidence-based mentoring practices designed to help undergraduate researchers thrive.

This week, the inaugural cohort completed the program and received recognition for their commitment to becoming stronger mentors, collaborators and leaders.

Congratulations to all of our PRIME participants and thank you to the faculty who helped bring this program to life.

PRIME Program Development Team:
• Sindia M. Rivera-Jiménez, Ph.D., PRIME Director
• Malisa Sarntinoranont, Ph.D., PRIME Director
• Thomas E. Angelini, Ph.D., PI, NSF Trailblazer
• Douglas Spearot, Ph.D., PI, NSF REU

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grants EFMA-2535181 and EEC-2446983.

Faculty Spotlight: Sindia Rivera-Jiménez, Ph.D.

As an assistant professor in the UF Department of Engineering Education, Sindia Rivera-Jiménez studies how students, educators and institutions navigate uncertainty in rapidly evolving engineering fields, including AI and advanced manufacturing.

Her work is informed by a unique educational journey through the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Santa Fe College and the University of Florida. Those experiences sparked a passion for understanding how students learn, adapt and succeed across different educational environments.

Beyond her research, Sindia is committed to building supportive learning communities and helping students develop the skills needed to thrive in an ever-changing profession.

We're excited to launch a new way to stay connected with the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering.

Our new monthly LinkedIn highlights series brings together some of the top stories from across the college, including research breakthroughs, student achievements, faculty recognition and industry partnerships.

Check out our June highlights and subscribe to stay up to date on the latest news and innovations from UF Engineering.

Summer momentum at UF Engineering: AI leadership, research and student innovation Explore the latest artificial intelligence, engineering research and student achievements from the University of Florida Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering

Sixteen Gator engineers have been selected for the prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program — one of the nation’s top honors for graduate students in STEM.

From advancing cancer immunotherapy and biomedical engineering to developing next-generation materials, photonics and aerospace technologies, these students and recent graduates are helping shape the future of engineering research.

Congratulations to all 16 fellowship recipients on this outstanding achievement. 🐊⚙️

Read more: https://bit.ly/4fSAs5q

Congratulations to Michael Tonks, Ph.D., chair of UF Department of Materials Science & Engineering, on being named a Fellow of the American Nuclear Society.

As the organization's highest membership grade, Fellow recognizes individuals whose contributions have advanced nuclear science and technology and strengthened the profession through leadership and service.

We're proud to celebrate this achievement with our colleagues at MSE. 👏

We are proud to celebrate MSE Chair Michael Tonks, Ph.D., on being named a Fellow of the American Nuclear Society — the organization's highest membership grade.

Tonks was recognized for his outstanding contributions to the advancement of nuclear science and technology and for his leadership in nuclear engineering education. Fellow status is reserved for a select group of professionals whose work has made a lasting impact on the field.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Tonks on this prestigious honor.

🎉 Congratulations to five Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering faculty members selected for the 2026 class of the of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida.

Carlos Rinaldi-Ramos, Ph.D., was named a full member, while Gregory Hudalla, Ph.D., Parisa Rashidi, Ph.D., Whitney Stoppel, Ph.D., and Lakiesha Williams, Ph.D., were selected as associate members.

The recognition honors researchers and innovators whose work is making a significant impact across science, engineering and medicine.

Join us in celebrating these outstanding faculty members and their contributions to research, education and innovation.

After nearly three decades at the University of Florida, Angela Lindner, Ph.D., is retiring after a career defined by student advocacy, visionary leadership and lasting impact across Gator Engineering.

From launching Engineers Without Borders-UF and the Gator Engineering @ Santa Fe program to leading the Engineering Leadership Institute, Lindner helped shape the undergraduate experience for countless students.

“Her commitment, creativity and vision for what undergraduate education can be will continue to benefit our students and guide our university for years to come.” — UF Interim Provost Joe Glover

Read more about her remarkable journey and legacy: https://bit.ly/4dXQLLY

For more than 80 years, UF engineers have helped advance research supporting national defense and security.

What began during World War II with research contributing to the radio proximity fuze — a technology credited with helping turn the tide of the war — continues today through Florida Applied Research in Engineering, known as FLARE.

From secure defense research to workforce development and experiential learning opportunities for students, FLARE continues to connect Gator engineers with real-world challenges impacting national security.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4nXgvMP

How do engineers make homes and businesses safer during hurricanes and tornadoes?

At the University of Florida’s Powell Laboratory, researchers at UF Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure & Environment- ESSIE recreate extreme wind conditions to study how buildings respond under pressure.

By testing models against hurricane- and tornado-force winds, researchers can better understand structural loads and improve designs to help keep communities safer during severe weather events.

FOX 13 Meteorologist Valerie Mills recently visited the lab for a firsthand look inside the wind machine.

🎥: FOX 13 News - Tampa Bay

https://bit.ly/4o3gdnX

Wind tunnel research at UF FOX 13 Meteorologist Valerie Mills went inside the wind machine at Powell Laboratory at the University of Florida to experience hurricane force winds.

From the lab to the shoreline.

UF Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure & Environment- ESSIE research team is collecting water samples along Florida’s Gulf Coast to better understand Vibrio vulnificus and help develop an early warning system for coastal communities.

We're excited to see this important work featured in local news coverage. Take a look at the story to learn more about the research and the people behind it.

UF project aims to give Pensacola Beach early alerts for Vibrio bacteria in water PENSACOLA BEACH, Fla. -- A team of research scientists from the University of Florida were in town Thursday collecting water samples at pensacola beachthe goal