UCF Department of Chemistry

10/02/2026

Join us for the next UCF Department of Chemistry Seminar Series!

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Mircea Dincă, Professor of Chemistry at Princeton University, for a seminar titled:

“From Electrically Conductive MOFs to Sustainable Batteries”

📅 Monday, October 5, 2026
🕘 9:00 AM
📍 HEC 125, UCF

09/24/2026

🎉 Celebrating Faculty Excellence at UCF Chemistry!
We are proud to congratulate Drs. Vasileios A. Vasileios Anagnostopoulos, Yulia Gerasimova and Nicole Lap on receiving the UCF Teaching Incentive Program (TIP) Award, and Dr. Stephen Kuebler on receiving the UCF Research Incentive Award (RIA)!

🏆 The Teaching Incentive Program (TIP) recognizes faculty who demonstrate sustained excellence and meaningful impact in teaching and demonstrated innovative instruction methods contributing to student success.

🔬 The Research Incentive Award (RIA) recognizes outstanding research and scholarly activity that advances knowledge and strengthens UCF'mission of discovery and innovation.

These university-level recognitions highlight the breadth of excellence within UCF Chemistry: from creating exceptional learning experiences for our students to advancing impactful research and discovery.

Please join us in congratulating our faculty on this well-deserved recognition!

09/20/2026

Join us for the next UCF Department of Chemistry Seminar Series!

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Hao Xie, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Oncology and Consultant at Mayo Clinic, for his seminar:

“Small Molecules, Big Impact: Molecular Engineering in Oncology”

📅 Monday, September 21, 2026
🕘 9:00 AM
📍 HEC 125, UCF

Dr. Xie will discuss his translational oncology research integrating medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, and cancer therapeutics to advance new approaches in precision oncology.

09/18/2026

The department had an incredible time at the UCF Graduate Fair! 🧪✨
It was wonderful connecting with so many driven prospective students, sharing insights about our cutting-edge graduate programs and research resources, and discussing what makes our academic community special.

A big thank you to everyone who stopped by to chat. We are excited about the future of chemistry and can't wait to see the impact these brilliant minds will make!
Special thanks to our Graduate Admissions Coordinator, Davalda Bellot, MPH.

09/17/2026

Join us tomorrow! The Department of Chemistry will host Dr. James Boncella from the Washington State University.

Title: The Role of 5f Orbitals in Uranium-Ligand Bonding Interactions: From U(VI) to U(II) as well as U(I) and Th(II) "Synthons"

Date and time: Friday, September 18, 9:00 AM
Location: HEC 125
Host: Titel Jurca

09/16/2026

The Summer 2026 issue of the UCF Chemistry Newsletter is here!

This issue highlights the people, partnerships, and discoveries shaping our department — from new research awards and publications to advances in forensic science, national security collaborations, student fellowships and internships, alumni achievements, and innovative teaching.

Inside, you’ll find stories featuring collaborations with the United States Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC) and NASA's Kennedy Space Center, student experiences at national laboratories, new developments through the National Center for Forensic Science, faculty research in areas ranging from spectroscopy and AI-enabled materials characterization to biosensing and nuclear forensics, and the accomplishments of our students and alumni.

We invite you to explore the issue and celebrate the work of the UCF Chemistry community.

Reach for the stars. We provide the elements.

09/10/2026

Join us tomorrow! The Department of Chemistry will host Dr. Igor Fedin, Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Alabama. Dr. Fedin will present a seminar titled "Advanced Photophysics of Colloidal Quantum Dots".

Seminar Series Fall 2026 - Event Details
📅 Date: Friday, September 11
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM
📍 Location: HEC 125
🤝Host: Dr. Steve Kuebler

09/04/2026

🔬 UCF Chemistry research featured by SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory!

Congratulations to Dr. Tom Hopper, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at UCF, whose recent work published in Nature Photonics has been featured by SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory.

The study explores how high-energy electrons can generate exceptionally strong, ultrafast optical responses in semiconductors, with potential applications in advanced imaging, radiation detection, and sensing technologies.

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, operated by Stanford University for the U.S. Department of Energy, is one of the nation’s premier research centers for accelerator science, photon science, materials, and ultrafast phenomena.

It is great to see UCF Chemistry faculty research recognized through both a Nature Photonics publication and a feature from a leading U.S. national laboratory.
🔗 Read the SLAC feature:
https://www6.slac.stanford.edu/news/2026-09-03-ultrafast-electrons-and-lasers-open-possibilities-better-imaging-and-sensing

SLAC and Stanford scientists used ultrafast electrons and a laser to reveal an unexpectedly strong optical response to ionization, opening new possibilities for radiological imaging and sensing while shedding light on the fundamental behavior of materials.

09/03/2026

The UCF Materials Innovation for Sustainable Agriculture (MISA) Center and the Department of Chemistry are pleased to announce the Eleventh Annual MISA Symposium!
📅 Dates: October 10–11, 2026
📍 Location: Live Oak Event Center, University of Central Florida
🎟️ Cost: FREE registration (meals provided at the venue)
⏰ Registration Deadline: October 1, 2026

Each year, MISA brings together a vibrant community of scientists, industry professionals, regulatory representatives, and growers.
This symposium, led by Dr. Swadeshmukul Santra, offers a premier platform for students, postdocs, research scientists, and faculty to collaborate on emerging agricultural challenges and explore novel materials and tools for crop protection and sustainable farming.
We strongly encourage students and postdoctoral researchers to join us, present their ideas, and network with leading experts in the field.
🔗 Register today and secure your spot by Oct 1.

09/02/2026

This summer, UCF Chemistry played a leading role in the inaugural Engineering and Radiochemistry for Nuclear Non-proliferation (ERNN) Summer School, where students from across the country gained hands-on experience in radiochemistry, nuclear chemistry, nuclear engineering, and nuclear nonproliferation.

The ERNN Summer School is dedicated to training the next generation of scientists and engineers in these critical fields through applied training and real-world learning experiences.
Congratulations to the UCF team that made it possible: Dr. Deborah Penchoff, ERNN director; Dr. Andres Campiglia, who contributed to curriculum development; Brittany Stieferman, who received an Outstanding Service Award for her teaching assistant duties; and Deanna Nguyen, Caroline del Barrio, Emily Willis, and Kaithlyne Nguyen, who contributed to the program's success.