We are America’s Space University. And we celebrate 91�Թ��� Space Week to honor our origin as we dare to build what’s next.

Where Global Leaders Unite to Forge the Future of Space

Whether it’s solving the world’s biggest problems or investigating the potential of novel discoveries, researchers at 91�Թ��� are on the edge of scientific breakthroughs that aim to make an impact. Through the , student and faculty researchers condense their complex studies into bite-sized summaries so you can know how and why Knights plan to improve our world.

Name: Hansjorg Schwertz, M.D., Ph.D.

Position(s): Assistant professor of aerospace medicine; associate director for translational aerospace medicine research at the 91�Թ��� Center for Aerospace and Extreme Environments Medicine (CASEEM)

Why are you interested in this research?
We study some of the smallest and most overlooked cells in the blood. Platelets are famous for stopping bleeding and forming blood clots, but they also talk to the immune system, help initiate and control inflammation, and play roles in conditions from infection to cancer. They are made by much larger cells in the bone marrow called megakaryocytes, which grow to an enormous size, pack themselves with the machinery for making proteins, and then extend long, branching arms from which thousands of platelets are released. What makes these cells especially intriguing to us is that platelets have no nucleus, yet they carry RNA blueprints and can finish processing them and build new proteins when they are activated. Understanding that hidden layer of platelet behavior has been the thread of our work for years.

During spaceflight, astronauts experience changes in blood clotting and immune regulation, and surprisingly little is known about what happens to megakaryocytes and platelets during a mission. That gap is what drew us in. I should be clear that this is not my research. It is our laboratory’s research, carried forward by many hands. We all run the experiments — technicians, students and collaborators — and often analyze the data through nights and weekends. The flight experiment on the International Space Station was simply the next question we got to ask together.

Who inspires you to conduct your research?
Family comes first: My wife and our daughters are my inspiration, my support and honestly my drivers. They push me and motivate me on the days when experiments fail, which is most days in research. I also want to show them, by example rather than words, that everything is possible if you are willing to work for it.

My mentors are the other half of the answer: Guy Zimmerman and Andy Weyrich at the University of Utah. They taught me how to do science, but more importantly how to treat people in science. Whatever our laboratory accomplishes rests on what they built, and the fact that our collaborations are still active says a lot about the kind of environment they created.

Furthermore, the students — whether I am talking to schoolchildren or university students — watching someone encounter the beauty of megakaryocytes and platelets for the first time is a reminder that the work matters beyond the laboratory.

And finally, within the MOON study itself, [University of Utah researchers and collaborators] Marina Tristao and Neal Tolley are the core team. We do the heavy lifting as a team, and none of this flies without them.

How does 91�Թ��� empower you to do your research?
91�Թ��� has built something rare: a Division of Aerospace Medicine whose research goal is to understand how microgravity, radiation, and isolation affect the human body, and to turn that knowledge into better care for people in space and on Earth. As a tenure-track faculty member in the division and associate director for translational aerospace medicine research at the Center for Aerospace and Extreme Environments Medicine, I have an institutional home that is committed to exactly this kind of work. “Translational” is a word I care about: it means the path from a cell in a dish to an astronaut on orbit to a patient in a hospital should be short, and 91�Թ��� is organized around making it short.

Just as important, 91�Թ��� lets the collaboration continue. The MOON study began at the University of Utah and depends on partners there, on BioServe Space Technologies, whose hardware keeps our cells alive on orbit, and on the astronauts who perform the experiments themselves. Being able to keep that team together while growing new collaborations here is the real empowerment.

What major grants and honors have you earned to support your research?
The MOON study is supported by a NASA research award, and our laboratory has been fortunate to receive support over the years from the Volkswagen Foundation through a Lichtenberg Professorship, the German Research Foundation, the American Heart Association, and others. I say “our laboratory” deliberately because grants are written by teams and carried out by teams, and the funding belongs to the work, not to one person.

The honors I have received, including young investigator awards from the thrombosis and hemostasis community early in my career and fellowship in the occupational and aerospace medicine colleges more recently, mean the most as recognition of the mentors who trained me and the colleagues who did the work alongside me.

Why is this research important?
Because astronauts’ blood changes in space, and one of the more sobering possibilities is an increased risk of blood clots on long missions. We do not yet completely understand why, because no one has watched the cells that control clotting — the megakaryocytes and platelets — develop and function over the course of a spaceflight. Our experiment was the first to grow megakaryocytes on the International Space Station, and by comparing those cultures with blood samples taken from crew members before and after flight, we hope to connect what we see in a dish to what actually happens in a person.

Whatever comes of it will be a team accomplishment in the fullest sense: our laboratory on the ground, Marina, Neal, and myself running the experiments, collaborators in Utah, the engineers who built the hardware, and the astronauts who gave their time and their blood. If the findings help protect crews heading to the moon and Mars, that is the goal. And because the same cells misbehave in sepsis and clotting disorders here on Earth, there is a good chance the work helps patients who will never leave the ground.

Name: John Sacher

�ʴDz����پ��Dz�(��):��Professor of history

Why are you interested in this research?
As I tell my first-year students, if you think history is boring, you just haven’t found the right teacher yet.

History is about understanding why things happened. Generally, people are all interested in some “why?” question. Now, the “why” questions each person might find fascinating are different, but there’s something for everyone. I might wonder, “Why does the United States have a two-party system?” or “How did the Confederacy manage to fight for four years in the Civil War?” You might wonder, “Why do we have 50 states?” or “Why do we have an interstate highway system?” or “Why is the Middle East so important?” or even “Why do brides traditionally wear white?”

Regardless of your “why” question, history can provide a lens to help you answer it.

Who inspires you to conduct your research?
My initial inspiration to study history came from my parents. They encouraged me to pursue a degree in whatever interested me, not necessarily one that led to a traditional occupation.

More recently, I think that my inspiration comes from my students. 91�Թ��� students have great questions. They keep me on my toes. Every semester I’m asked something I’ve never been asked before.  Also, they are entering adulthood at a time when there are a lot of big unknowns out there — what’s going on with politics, with foreign policy, or with technological changes.  While I can’t answer all of those questions, I can give them some tools to help them formulate their own answers and maybe some comfort to discover that they are not the first generation to face “big” questions in their immediate future.

How does 91�Թ��� empower you to do your research?
91�Թ���’s Department of History (and the College of Arts and Humanities and 91�Թ��� in general) certainly empower my research agenda. As a traditional historian, I don’t need fancy, expensive equipment to conduct my research. That said — teaching can be a different story. I was recently turned into a hologram to teach patrons of about the Constitution!

The most valuable commodity any historical researcher needs is time — time to research, time to think and time to write. I finished my most recent book thanks to a sabbatical which provided that time. The university has also repeatedly given me a teaching schedule that aligns with my research. So, I’m working with undergraduates and graduate students to help them understand the same issues that I grapple with in my research. That synchronicity keeps me on track and energized.

What major grants and honors have you earned to support your research?
I have received several major grants and honors in support of my research. My book A Perfect War of Politics: Parties, Politicians, and Democracy in Louisiana, 1824–1861 (Louisiana State University Press, 2003) won the 2003 Kemper and Leila Williams Prize for the best book on Louisiana history.

Why is this research important?
Historians provide invaluable contributions to understanding today’s political world. We live in a world of a rigid and hostile partisan divide where people are reluctant to trust the media. Historians can fill a void by delivering context for often debated topics such as the electoral college, redistricting, foreign policy, the second amendment, etc. We don’t tell people how to vote, but we grant them the tools to come to their own informed conclusions.

The more one understands founding documents such as the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights, the better one can make their own assessment of 21^st century political issues and candidates.

Name: Christopher Emrich
�ʴDz����پ��Dz�(��):��Boardman Endowed Professor of Environmental Science and Public Administration and founding member of 91�Թ���’s National Center for Integrated Coastal Research

Why are you interested in this research?
A main reason stems from my childhood in Florida — constantly being exposed to a variety of hazards and seeing how communities were impacted in different ways. Being able to study geography at a state university, the  University of South Florida, and then completing my Ph.D. at the University of South Carolina under the tutelage of leading experts in the field really helped solidify that I wanted to become an expert in both the hazards themselves and what we can do to prepare for, mitigate, respond to, and rebound from them.

My time with FEMA supporting long-term recovery in Florida pushed me further to understand what is keeping people from recovering as quickly as some might expect. Tying all of these strings together really helped me pinpoint that one of the problems is that people are thirsty for knowledge. Learning how to turn data into information in order to extract meaningful knowledge has positioned me into a place that has meaning and impact for those attempting to make real-time decisions about hazards and disasters — from before the storm through the recovery period.

Who inspires you to conduct your research?
Seeing the suffering that takes place following disaster — suffering that could be avoided if society (people, governments and organizations) took the right steps to prepare for disasters — is what really drives what I do. I think that we can make simple changes to the way we do business that could lead to really impactful positive outcomes for disaster survivors.

How does 91�Թ��� empower you to do your research?
91�Թ��� has given me space and opportunity to explore the different aspects of hazard threat identification and vulnerability assessment.  Partnering with experts at DIST, and partners at FDOH, and the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council (among others)  we have been able to create open access websites like hazardaware.org, vulnerabilitymap.org, hazardrisk.org, and the Florida Public Health Risk Assessment tool (flphrat.com).  Each of these share the common goal of translating data into knowledge to support better emergency management decision making and preparedness planning.

What major grants and honors have you earned to support your research?
Since arriving at 91�Թ���, I have been awarded $10.8 million across 34 different extramurally supported grants and contracts. This includes grants of over $300K from funders including the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine’s Gulf Research Program, the State of Florida, The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Along the way, I have been awarded 91�Թ���’s Research Incentive Award twice (2021 and 2026) and 91�Թ���’s Luminary Award.

Why is this research important?
American political philosopher John Rawl’s once said, “The natural distribution is neither just nor unjust; nor is it unjust that persons are born into society at some particular position.”

I think it is a responsibility of each person, each organization, each governmental entity  — and society as a whole —  to support those who need the most help among us. If we do not, how can we ever hope to move our society into a better position? My research supports making decisions that help those in most need, including those most at risk and with the least resources, to be better positioned for the next disaster.

Name: Dinender Singla
Position(s): Professor of medicine; head of the Division of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Sciences; AdventHealth endowed chair of cardiovascular sciences

Why are you interested in this research?
My research journey began more than 30 years ago, while pursuing my doctorate, with a focus on developing molecular-based diagnostic tests for the early detection of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease. Over time, this foundation evolved as I collaborated with cardiovascular clinicians and basic scientists, deepening my commitment to creating innovative technologies that can meaningfully improve patient outcomes. Despite substantial global investment in heart disease treatment, mortality rates remain unacceptably high. Closing this gap continues to motivate my work and inspires me to find solutions. My ultimate goal is to develop transformative, science-driven therapies that not only improve clinical care but also save the lives of millions affected by cardiovascular disorders.

Who inspires you to conduct your research?
My mother has always been my strongest source of inspiration. She often shared stories about my maternal uncle and cousin, both of whom earned doctoral degrees. They sparked my early curiosity for scientific discovery. Though she was a homemaker, she was remarkably intelligent, forward-thinking and active. The values she instilled in me — hard work, persistence and creativity — continue to guide my scientific pursuits. Her passing from diabetes and diabetic cardiomyopathy profoundly strengthened my commitment to advancing cardiovascular research. Beyond her, my wife has been my greatest supporter, constantly motivating me to pursue ambitious scientific goals. These remarkable individuals have shaped my journey and empowered me to achieve all that I have accomplished in my research career.

How does 91�Թ��� empower you to do your research?
I joined 91�Թ��� in June 2007, coming from the University of Wisconsin and the University of Vermont, when the College of Medicine was still emerging and biomedical research was in its early stages. Making this move came with questions and uncertainties, even from colleagues who were hesitant about my decision. But I was driven by the desire to help build something unique and make a meaningful contribution at a new institution.

Are you a faculty member or student conducting research at 91�Թ���? We want to hear from you! 

Throughout my journey, there were moments when challenges made me consider leaving. However, the support I received from Deborah German, dean of the College of Medicine and vice president for health affairs, reinforced my commitment to stay and grow here. As a clinician, German deeply understands the value of research and ensures I have the resources to succeed. More recently, Griff Parks, professor and director of the , has continued that support by providing the guidance and facilities essential to advancing my research. His perspective as an accomplished researcher allows him to recognize exactly what is needed for success in this field.

91�Թ��� has also been an exceptional environment for finding talented, motivated students. I am deeply grateful for the support of my outstanding students, colleagues, staff and administration, all of whom have been instrumental to my success.

What major grants and honors have you earned to support your research?
I have secured more than $12 million in research funding from the National Institutes of Health to support a broad portfolio of innovative cardiovascular studies. Throughout my career, I’ve also been honored with numerous awards recognizing my scientific contributions. One of the most meaningful distinctions has been my appointment as the AdventHealth endowed chair of cardiovascular sciences, which reflects both the impact of my work and my vision for advancing cardiovascular research.

Why is this research important?
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide and imposes a significant economic burden on healthcare systems. Despite major advances in medicine, millions of patients still die each year because current diagnostic tools and therapies often fail to precisely target diseased heart tissue. Many treatments require patients to take multiple high-dose medications, yet clinicians cannot be certain that these drugs are effectively reaching the heart, limiting efficacy and increasing the risk of side effects.

My research directly addresses this critical challenge by developing an innovative, targeted drug delivery platform to transform cardiovascular therapy. Our goal is to create a safe, highly targeted treatment strategy that improves patient outcomes, reduces healthcare costs and lowers global cardiovascular mortality rates — all while advancing a more personalized, effective approach to heart disease care.

Name: Brian Peach
Position(s): Associate professor of nursing; Honors Undergraduate Thesis Program director in the College of Nursing; Co-advisor to the Student Nurses Association, Orlando

Why are you interested in this research?
My interest in this research is rooted in nearly 20 years of nursing practice, most of it spent caring for critically ill patients in intensive care units. I worked alongside dedicated multidisciplinary clinicians to save lives, and I took pride in seeing patients survive conditions such as sepsis, respiratory failure, heart failure and gastrointestinal bleeds.

Are you a faculty member or student conducting research at 91�Թ���? We want to hear from you! 

I assumed that once they left the ICU, they would recover, reclaim their lives and enjoy the years we had helped them gain. During my doctoral program however, I learned something that fundamentally shifted my perspective. Survivors were not simply recovering — they were facing new or worsened long-term physical, cognitive and mental health challenges that persisted months or even years after discharge.

These chronic issues, collectively known as post‑intensive care syndrome (PICS), included something I found especially troubling: post‑traumatic stress disorder stemming from the ICU experience itself. This realization was unsettling.

As clinicians, we often celebrate when a patient survives and moves on to the next unit or facility. Once they leave our care, they tend to slip out of sight and out of mind. Yet if you asked any ICU clinician what they hope for their patients, none would say they want survivors to live with debilitating long‑term consequences. We want them to thrive.

Recognizing the hidden burden carried by ICU survivors — and the gap between survival and true recovery — motivates my work. I am committed to advancing research that acknowledges, prevents, and treats PICS conditions, with particular focus on PTSD. My goal is to ensure that surviving critical illness is not the end of the story. While many critical illness survivors may never return to their prior level of health, I hope we can effectively treat their PTSD and remove a major barrier to living a fulfilling post‑ICU life.

Who inspires you to conduct your research?
The critical illness survivors and their families motivate me to conduct this research. Through my research, I’ve heard their stories, and admittedly they trouble me. Their experiences remind me that survival is only the first step; what happens after the ICU matters just as much. I want survivors to have the chance at a meaningful, high‑quality life, and I want families to feel supported rather than blindsided by the long‑term effects of critical illness.

Part of my motivation is personal as well. I know that my own loved ones could one day find themselves in an ICU, and if they were to leave with PICS‑related challenges, I would want them to have access to timely, effective care.

This research has also opened doors to service opportunities that continually reinforce my commitment. Through the PICS Advocacy Network, the Society of Critical Care Medicine, and the American Psychological Association, I’ve met survivors, caregivers, clinicians, and researchers who are working tirelessly to improve post‑ICU outcomes.

Two years ago, I co‑founded Walk‑4‑PICS Orlando with a survivor and the spouse of a survivor. What began with a handful of determined individuals holding small walks in 2023 to raise awareness about PICS has grown into a global movement — now 20 walks across four countries with increasing numbers of attendees. Each year, our walk brings together survivors, families, clinicians, and community members, and I leave every event more inspired than when I arrived.

For the past two years, I’ve worn a Walk‑4‑PICS bracelet every single day. It’s a simple reminder of my “why”: the belief that we can do better for those whose lives have been devastated by critical illness.

How does 91�Թ��� empower you to do your research?
91�Թ��� has empowered my research since my arrival in 2018. The College of Nursing has consistently supported my work with critical illness survivors by providing the facilities, staff assistance, and encouragement needed to pursue both intramural and extramural funding. This particular project was made possible through intramural support from the School of Social Work’s Center for Behavioral Research and Training, which allowed the study to take shape and move forward.

Through the university, I met my collaborator, Pegasus Professor Deborah Beidel. Our therapy study has been conducted at the 91�Թ��� RESTORES Clinic, where she serves as executive director. The RESTORES team has been enthusiastic, skilled and deeply committed to adapting and testing their therapy for critical illness survivors. Their partnership has elevated the quality and reach of this work.

Students from the College of Nursing and other programs have played an important role as well, assisting with data collection and analysis and bringing fresh perspectives to the research. Their involvement has strengthened the project and given me the opportunity to train the next generation of clinicians and PICS researchers.

What major grants and honors have you earned to support your research?
I have received funding from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, Sigma Theta Tau International, and 91�Թ���’s Center for Behavioral Research and Training, each of which has supported different phases of my work with critical illness survivors. These awards have helped advance my research program and build the foundation for larger studies. I am now pursuing funding from the National Institutes of Health to further expand my work and strengthen its impact on post‑ICU care.

Why is this research important?
This research matters because the consequences of critical illness extend far beyond the ICU. More than half of the 5.7 million Americans admitted to an ICU each year develop at least one post‑intensive care syndrome (PICS) condition within the first year after discharge, and roughly 20% experience clinically significant PTSD symptoms within six months. These psychological injuries can disrupt survivors’ ability to work, care for their families, and maintain relationships, while placing substantial emotional and practical burdens on caregivers.

When survival comes with a cost of long‑term suffering, we have an obligation to find ways to treat PICS-related conditions. Identifying effective ways to treat PICS conditions — especially PTSD  —can help survivors regain stability, restore a sense of normalcy and reengage fully in their communities. And this isn’t an abstract issue. Any one of us, or someone we love, could find ourselves in an ICU because of an infection, an accident, or an unexpected medical crisis. Improving care for ICU survivors is not only a clinical priority; it is a societal responsibility.

Founded to reach the moon, we’re already on our way to the next frontier. Built for liftoff, America’s Space University celebrates 91�Թ��� Space Week Nov. 3-7.

Where Global Leaders Unite to Forge the Future of Space

Whether it’s solving the world’s biggest problems or investigating the potential of novel discoveries, researchers at 91�Թ��� are on the edge of scientific breakthroughs that aim to make an impact. Through the, student and faculty researchers condense their complex studies into bite-sized summaries so you can know how and why Knights plan to improve our world.

Name: Kerri Donaldson Hanna
Position(s): Associate professor of physics and member of 91�Թ���’s Planetary Sciences Group

Why are you interested in this research?
How cool is it to be able to study planetary bodies using spacecraft and telescopic observations and with studies in the lab!

Who inspires you to conduct your research?
My research group that includes undergraduate and graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers as well as my colleagues and teammates located at research institutions from the U.S. and U.K. Working with such great people really motivates me and makes we want to keep pushing forward even when things are tough.

How does 91�Թ��� empower you to do your research?
Being surrounded by such fantastic colleagues to work with on a daily basis has really empowered me and my research. And being at SpaceU where all of our cool projects are really celebrated is a lot of fun!

What major grants and honors have you earned to support your research?
I have been the principal investigator (PI) or Co-PI on several NASA projects including the Lunar Vulkan Imaging and Spectroscopy Explorer (Lunar-VISE), a project to collect terrestrial rocks similar to what we expect at the Gruithuisen domes (the Lunar-VISE landing site) and characterize them in the lab, a project to work with lunar samples collected and returned to Earth by the Apollo astronauts, and the Lunar Compact Infrared and Imaging System (L-CIRiS) which is a thermal camera that is going to the lunar south pole on an Intuitive Machines lander.

Why is this research important?
Scientific investigations from the lunar surface like what we will be doing with Lunar-VISE will help us better understand how planetary bodies form and evolve into what we observe today and will help in developing and building tools, rovers and robots for future exploration.

Name: Carla Perscky
Major: Master’s in biology

Why are you interested in this research?
When I learned that seagrass provides ecosystem services like mitigating shoreline erosion, improving water quality, cycling nutrients, sequestering carbon dioxide, and providing nursery and habitat for commercially and recreationally important species I realized that I wanted to contribute to the long-term conservation of these ecosystems for future generations.

Are you a faculty member or student conducting research at 91�Թ���? We want to hear from you! 

How did you get started in research at 91�Թ���?
My research journey began under the mentorship of Dr. Linda Walters at the Coastal and Estuarine Ecology Lab through a former U.S. National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) scholarship. This program was pivotal in launching my career as an early scientist. Without the REU it would have been incredibly difficult to break into STEM or pursue graduate school, especially as a U.S. Navy veteran who took a nontraditional path to higher education. Dr. Walters continues to serve as my mentor throughout my master’s degree in biology.

Who inspires you and how?
I am inspired by Claudia Sheinbaum, the newly elected president of Mexico. As a scientist, and now national leader, she represents the kind of intersection I strive for, where science informs public policy, and leadership is rooted in evidence and sustainability. Her journey gives me hope that [researchers] with strong STEM backgrounds can make lasting impact not only in the labs and classrooms, but in the world stage.

How does 91�Թ��� empower you to do your research?
91�Թ��� has given me access to an amazing network of scientists and field opportunities.

Why is this research important?
Seagrasses are essential to healthy ecosystems and livelihoods. However, these coastal plants are experiencing global declines, especially under anthropogenic stressors like eutrophication, which occurs when nutrients that can lead to excessive plant growth and pollution. My research is about future-proofing our conservation approach to help these critical ecosystems and the people who depend on them thrive in a changing environment.

This episode of Research in 60 Seconds also highlights 91�Թ���’s honors undergraduate theses, which have received more than 2 million downloads from .

Name: Nicholas Rose
Colleges: College of Medicine and Burnett Honors College
Major: Biomedical sciences
Research Area: Materials science and engineering

Why are you interested in this research?
My major goal after high school was to become a physician, so I started a journey as a biomedical science major at 91�Թ���. As I’ve always had a personal hobby and a love for the basic sciences, I pursued STEM hobbies alongside my biomedical sciences studies. I did NASA academies in my first year and shared my passion for organic chemistry by becoming a 91�Թ��� in my second year.

What really drew me into my current research project was its interdisciplinary nature. It connects physics, biomedicine, electrical engineering and chemistry to study new energy harvesters. This complex network of disciplines both intimidated me and drew me in. I never thought my STEM interests could make their way into my future career as a physician. I now see an exciting future where I merge clinical practice with interdisciplinary research.

Are you a faculty member or student conducting research at 91�Թ���? We want to hear from you!

How did you get started in research at 91�Թ���?
Before joining my lab two years ago, I had little idea what research was. A free 91�Թ��� course really helped me figure out what research was all about. I took it in the summer of my first year, and it highlighted the basics of what research is and how to get started. It even gave a guide on how to message professors to begin research. In combination, I also attended workshops hosted by 91�Թ��� and the 91�Թ��� honors college, where people explained research and best practices for getting involved.

With all this knowledge, I began searching through 91�Թ���’s extensive catalog of projects and professors to find some that resonated with me. I crafted emails to meet with professors, and this started it all.

My first meeting with Dr. [Kaitlyn] Crawford, my mentor, [and associate professor of material science and engineering] was super impactful. She shared her passion for what she was studying and her plans for the future, which drew me in. Her lab was super free-flowing, and she let me try out anything I wanted. I worked with different PhD students until I found what interested me the most.

It was intimidating at first, joining a materials science and engineering lab and studying phenomena that were distant from what my biomedical sciences courses taught me. However, it was also really rewarding and freeing. Since this field was outside my area of expertise, I could let my guard down and ask a million questions. I always carried a little notebook around and jot down everything I learned.

Who is your mentor? Who inspires you and how?
My mentors are Dr. Crawford and all the Ph.D. students in her lab. Everyone in the lab answered any and every question I had, which set me up for success in the long run. They’re all highly supportive and willing to help; they even visited me during my student scholar presentation this Thursday and cheered me on.

As for who inspires me, my mom, dad and grandpa were major inspirations. My mom immigrated from Russia to America when she was 18, traveling through the circus. Despite language differences and many challenges, she now works as a successful software engineer. My dad was extremely inspirational as well. He overcame a period of intense difficulty while I was in middle and high school. However, these struggles made him stronger and more determined to pursue his goals. I went to live with him during this transitionary period, and I witnessed his goals become a reality as I helped him build his first bagel shop, Bagel Bros, in Clermont, Florida. Finally, my grandpa constantly pushed me to chase the things I loved. He always supported me through every roadblock, reminding me I could do anything I set my mind to.

How does 91�Թ��� empower you to do your research?
Doing research at 91�Թ��� has been amazing. Since 91�Թ��� has so many professors, students and organizations, there was so much support and networking available to find great opportunities. 91�Թ��� research workshops, specifically the honors thesis workshops, were super helpful for getting me on the right path with a project I loved.

Furthermore, 91�Թ��� offers grants to undergrads. I’m thankful to have received two undergraduate grants offered, the Office of Undergraduate Research and Al Dallago Gerontology Research grants. These open up every semester, and this support laid the groundwork for my early research.

Why is this research important?
My research focuses on finding new ways to improve energy harvesters. I genuinely believe these devices, called triboelectric and piezoelectric nanogenerators, will significantly impact our lives. These devices can be microns thin and a few millimeters in size or large and cover entire fields. My research focuses on improving how we test these devices and interpret their output, an essential prerequisite to developing reliable and powerful energy harvesters in the future.

Name: Sejal Mehta Barden

Position(s): Professor of counselor education and school psychology; executive director of the Marriage and Family Research Institute (MFRI)

Why are you interested in this research?
I am deeply passionate about helping others and making a difference through my research on healthy relationships for both couples and individuals. Strong relationships are the foundation of thriving communities, and when families are healthy, children grow up with the support they need to succeed. The good news is that building strong relationships doesn’t have to be complicated — simple lessons can make a big difference. When we feel loved and understood, our mental and physical health are at their best, and I am committed to sharing this knowledge to create lasting, positive change.

Who inspires you to conduct your research?
My inspiration for this work comes from witnessing the real, lasting impact it has on people’s lives. Seeing individuals and couples return months or even a year later, sharing how learning relationship skills saved their partnership, strengthened their bond with their children and even inspired them to pay it forward, is incredibly rewarding. These stories remind me that small, intentional changes can create a ripple effect — transforming not just relationships, but entire families and communities. Knowing that our work provides hope and practical tools for lasting connection is what drives my passion every day.

How does 91�Թ��� empower you to do your research?
91�Թ��� is an incredible university in the heart of one of the greatest cities in the country — Orlando. I am proud to be part of an institution that leads in innovation, impact and community-engaged research. The support from the College of Community Innovation and Education, along with strong administrative leadership, has allowed me to conduct meaningful research that directly benefits the communities we serve. 91�Թ���’s commitment to making a real difference isn’t just a vision — it’s a reality, and I am grateful to contribute to the university’s mission of creating lasting impact.

What major grants and honors have you earned to support your research?
To date, I have secured over $20 million in federally funded research, highlighting my ability to attract funding for projects that improve relationship outcomes. The true impact of my work lies in the lives we have touched, offering hope and support to individuals and families during challenging times.

In 2020, I received a five-year, $7.5 million research grant from the Office of Family Assistance to study the impact of relationship interventions for low-income couples. This study is the first national comparison of in-person and online relationship education. Concurrently, I completed a previous five-year, $9.6 million grant, leading a clinical trial on relationship interventions for economically disadvantaged couples, enrolling over 4,800 participants in Central Florida.

In 2021, my research team was awarded $2.77 million by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute to adapt an online couples’ communication program for Latina breast cancer survivors and their partners. Reviewers commended our interdisciplinary team’s innovation and research rigor.

My research has been nationally recognized with awards from the Association for Assessment in Research and Counseling, and the Association for Specialists in Group Work. Regionally, I have received awards from the Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. At 91�Թ���, my contributions have been honored with the Women of Distinction Award, Research Incentive Awards, Excellence in Research Award, and Reach for the Stars Award.

Why is this research important?
The MFRI is committed to strengthening relationships and empowering economically vulnerable individuals and families. Our work focuses on teaching essential skills like healthy communication, conflict resolution  and relationship-building — tools that not only transform couples and individuals but also create lasting positive effects for their children and communities.

With over 8,000 individuals and couples served in the Orlando area — one of the fastest-growing minority metropolitan regions — we prioritize inclusivity by offering bilingual services, addressing barriers like transportation and childcare, and ensuring every participant feels safe and supported. For many, this may be the only intervention they seek, making our work even more critical.

In recognition of this work, the MFRI received a national award from the American Counseling Association, underscoring our dedication to strengthening families and communities.

Name: Melanie Coathup
Position(s): Professor of medicine and lead of the Biionix Cluster

Why are you interested in this research?
Exposure to ionizing radiation can affect so many people from different walks of life such as cancer survivors to the those in the military to astronauts and our plans for deep space exploration. From the physics, chemistry and biological aspects of it, it’s an area where there’s still so much to learn and understand, and if we can figure out a way to prevent the harm and injury it can cause, it will positively impact so many lives.

Who inspires you to conduct your research?
The enthusiasm and hard work of my postdocs and students in the lab plays a huge part in this. But also, everyone I see who chooses to keep going after a setback. I think every job or ambition comes with its challenges and despite how it may sometimes seem, the path forward isn’t always so smooth. I’m inspired to conduct this research through remembering past trailblazers such as Marie Curie, as well as directly by those I see who keep on striving despite difficulties — particularly those who do it with grace and generosity to others.

How does 91�Թ��� empower you to do your research?
91�Թ��� is a really great place to work and the resources and support that I’ve received from so many individuals in the various departments and services has been so critical in progressing the day-to-day aspects of the research.

What major grants and honors have you earned to support your research?
To date, this research has been supported by NASA, the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. National Science Foundation.

Why is this research important?
Exposure to ionizing radiation can be highly damaging to the body. Even if a localized area of the body is exposed, it can cause systemic injury and significant ill health. The development of a radioprotective agent would be helpful for cancer survivors undergoing radiotherapy and to warfighters or civilians in anticipation of radiation exposure. However, at the moment, there are no effective FDA-approved medications that can be given either before or indeed after accidental exposure to high-doses of radiation. Finding such countermeasures could help prevent injury and potentially, death due to radiation.