2023-2024 LAC Scholarship Recipients
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Laura Edith Andrade Barron Environmental Engineering MS | Nigel Francis Cybersecurity | Juan Lainez Mechanical Engineering MS | ||||
Bolivia | Dominica | Ecuador | ||||
Advisor: Dr. Kelly Kibler Thesis Title: "Investigation of vadose zone soil-hydrologic interaction to improve nutrient remediation efficiency and cost-effectiveness of stormwater BMP design" | Advisor: Dr. David Mohaisen Thesis Title: "Deepfake Detection and Defense: A Comprehensive Analysis of Techniques and Robustness" | Advisor: Dr. Yuanli Bai Thesis Title: "How to Calibrate the Fracture toughness of a material quickly" | ||||
"I am very grateful to have been selected for the Latin American Scholarship. This scholarship is important to me for several reasons. It represents more than just financial help; it will allow me to gain the skills and knowledge I need for my future career and provide opportunities to participate in research projects. This support motivates me to work harder and shows me that my efforts are recognized, which makes me even more determined to succeed. I am committed to excelling in my studies and using what I learn to help my community." "Estoy muy agradecido de haber sido seleccionado para la Beca Latinoamericana. Esta beca es importante para mí por varias razones. Representa más que solo una ayuda financiera; me permitirá adquirir las habilidades y conocimientos que necesito para mi futura carrera y me brindará oportunidades para participar en proyectos de investigación. Este apoyo me motiva a trabajar más duro y me muestra que mis esfuerzos son reconocidos, lo que me hace aún más decidido a tener éxito. Estoy comprometido a sobresalir en mis estudios y usar lo que aprendo para ayudar a mi comunidad." | "The increasing significance of AI and the prevalence of cyber tools have elevated the demand for cybersecurity expertise in Latin America and the Caribbean. The LAC scholarship has played a pivotal role in enabling me to address this need by removing financial barriers and facilitating my pursuit of a master's degree in cybersecurity at the University of Central Florida. As a first-generation college student, this opportunity has allowed me to fulfill my lifelong aspiration of becoming a leader in the field, capable of making a positive impact on the region." | "My name is Juan José Laínez, and I was born and raised in Ecuador. After completing my undergraduate studies, I realized that I wanted to delve deeper into research in my field. Since I’ve always regarded the United States as a leading country in research, I was determined to study here. However, the cost of attending any university, especially for graduate students, is often very high. When I heard about the LAC scholarship, I knew this was my opportunity to make my dream come true. Now, I am in the U.S., pursuing my master’s degree in mechanical engineering. I strongly believe that this degree will open doors to the U.S. industry and allow me to gain valuable experience in research. Thanks to this opportunity, I am confident that my future in this field will be bright. My parents always told me that the best investment you can make is in educating yourself." "Mi nombre es Juan José Laínez, nací y crecí en Ecuador. Después de completar mis estudios universitarios, me di cuenta de que quería profundizar en la investigación en mi campo. Como siempre he considerado a Estados Unidos como un país líder en investigación, estaba decidido a estudiar aquí. Sin embargo, el costo de asistir a cualquier universidad, especialmente para estudiantes de posgrado, suele ser muy alto. Cuando escuché sobre la beca LAC, supe que esta era mi oportunidad de hacer realidad mi sueño. Ahora estoy en los Estados Unidos, cursando mi maestría en ingeniería mecánica. Creo firmemente que esta carrera me abrirá puertas a la industria estadounidense y me permitirá adquirir una valiosa experiencia en investigación. Gracias a esta oportunidad, estoy seguro de que mi futuro en este campo será brillante. Mis padres siempre me dijeron que la mejor inversión que puedes hacer es educarte". | ||||
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Andres Felipe Fonseca Rueda Biomedical Engineering MS | Leonardo Sandoval Cybersecurity | Vinicius Da Silva Costa Computer Engineering MS | ||||
Colombia | Colombia | Brazil | ||||
Advisor: Thesis Title: | Advisor: Michael Borowczak Thesis Title: "S-CHIRP Secure Communication for Heterogeneous IoTs with Round-Robin Protection" | Advisor: Thesis Title: | ||||
"The LAC scholarship supports my studies abroad, granting me with valuable exposure to diverse perspectives in my field. It also aligns with my ambition of becoming an international professional by providing opportunities to build a global network and develop the skills needed to succeed in a competitive, globalized job market." "La beca LAC apoya mis estudios en el extranjero, brindándome una valiosa exposición a diversas perspectivas en mi campo. También se alinea con mi ambición de convertirme en un profesional internacional al brindar oportunidades para construir una red global y desarrollar las habilidades necesarias para tener éxito en un mercado laboral competitivo y globalizado." | "I earned my Bachelor's degree in Telecommunications Engineering in my home country, where I developed a deep passion for cybersecurity. Seeking to expand my knowledge and expertise, I explored universities worldwide, considering programs in Germany, the UK, and Canada. Ultimately, I chose the University of Central Florida (UCF), where I was awarded the CECS LAC Scholarship. This opportunity significantly reduced my tuition costs, making it possible for me to pursue my studies. Currently, I am working toward a Master’s degree in Cybersecurity and Privacy at UCF, driven by my commitment to advancing in this ever-evolving field, Thanks CESCS department and UCF for the opportunity." "Obtuve mi Licenciatura en Ingeniería de Telecomunicaciones en mi país de origen, donde desarrollé una profunda pasión por la ciberseguridad. Buscando ampliar mis conocimientos y experiencia, exploré universidades de todo el mundo, considerando programas en Alemania, el Reino Unido y Canadá. Finalmente, elegí la Universidad de Florida Central (UCF), donde obtuve la beca CECS LAC. Esta oportunidad redujo significativamente mis costos de matrícula, lo que me permitió continuar mis estudios. Actualmente, estoy trabajando para obtener una Maestría en Ciberseguridad y Privacidad en UCF, impulsada por mi compromiso de avanzar en este campo en constante evolución, agradece al departamento de CESCS y a la UCF por la oportunidad." | "The LAC scholarship has been a crucial support in my journey to study abroad, significantly reducing the financial strain and helping me navigate the many difficulties that come with being an international student. From adjusting to a new culture to managing living expenses, the challenges can be overwhelming, but this scholarship has provided the stability I needed to focus on my academic goals and make the most of this opportunity. Without it, the path would have been much harder to pursue, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities it has opened up for me." "A bolsa da LAC tem sido um apoio crucial na minha jornada para estudar no exterior, reduzindo significativamente a pressão financeira e me ajudando a enfrentar as muitas dificuldades que surgem quando sou um estudante internacional. Desde a adaptação a uma nova cultura até o gerenciamento de despesas de subsistência, os desafios podem ser esmagadores, mas esta bolsa proporcionou a estabilidade que eu precisava para me concentrar em meus objetivos acadêmicos e aproveitar ao máximo esta oportunidade. Sem ela, o caminho teria sido muito mais difícil de seguir, e estou extremamente grato pelas oportunidades que ela abriu para mim." |