Letter from the Chair

Dear Friends,

In an unexpected turn of events this year, we’ve all had to face a new and uncharted reality brought about by a worldwide, once-in-a-lifetime pandemic.

In mid-March, the University of Central Florida had to quickly pivot to remote teaching and learning model, which was no easy feat for a university with nearly 70,000 students. Our department not only faced the challenge of transitioning from face-to-face to remote classes mid-semester, but figured out how to continue our top-notch research in unusual and unprecedented circumstances.

Despite it all, our esteemed faculty members and extremely dedicated and competent staff members were able to excel. During these tested times, it became clear that we are not only a department of the highest caliber, but a community comprised of individuals who deeply care about each other. From my humble observation about how things played out, I’m extremely optimistic that we are heading toward a great future together. I’m truly grateful to be part of the UCF community.

This is our fourth issue of Momentum, and while we usually don’t focus our content on public affairs, it became evident that this, too, would be another evolution caused by the pandemic. We would be remiss if we did not cover the spectacular efforts of our students, faculty and alumni who have put their innovative minds to the task of solving just a few of the many issues that have arisen from COVID-19. We’re proud of their efforts and we know that COVID-19 will continue to be a research focus well into the next year.

As you journey through this issue, you’ll find that we have many exciting stories to share beyond the pandemic. Perhaps the biggest understated story of the last decade or so is the breadth and depth of UCF’s contribution to the aerospace industry. As you will read on page 11, UCF has been the No. 1 supplier to the industry for six consecutive years and is ranked the No. 2 preferred supplier in the nation by Aviation Week.

This year was also marked by a record number of NSF CAREER awardees in MAE—three to be exact— and you can learn more about them and their research on page 12.

We’ve also introduced a new graduate level track in guidance control and dynamics this fall, and you can learn more about it on page 13. This will not only give the students in our mechanical engineering and aerospace engineering master’s programs more flexibility to adapt the programs to their interests, but it will also fill the industry’s need for employees with skills in this area. Other interesting stories about our students and faculty are also detailed in this issue.

I hope you will enjoy reading this edition of Momentum. Above all, I wish you and your family the very best health during this pandemic.

Yoav Peles Chair, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering University of Central Florida