Testimonials

Golareh Jalilvand
PhD ’20 — Research Assistant Professor, Chemical Engineering, University of South Carolina
“The most valuable experience I acquired from my time at UCF was the significance of interdisciplinary collaboration. The collaborative opportunities helped me incredibly to broaden my technical skills while founding fruitful and lasting professional relationships with experts from scientific communities other than the MSE.”

Ryan Shamet
PhD ’20 — Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering, University of North Florida
“In my opinion, the academic community within the College of Engineering and Computer Sciences at UCF is second to none. Collaborative research opportunities, relevant and interesting course topics, and a culturally and educationally diverse faculty and student body, are just a few attributes of the CECS that I cherish from my time as a graduate student. Looking back, the opportunities before me now truly did “start there” at UCF.”

Pengyang Wang
MS ’17 — Current PhD Candidate
“UCF has such a great CS PhD program that many awesome professors and researchers get together to study the frontiers in computer science and solve real-world problems. Beyond that, the program also provides many opportunities to reach out to future employers (both academia and industry) to help build connections. I believe my experiences at UCF can promote my career significantly in the future.”

Esraa Soliman
MS ’20 — Systems Analyst & Trainer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NYC
“My motivation to pursue grad school stemmed from my interest in improving processes within the healthcare system & enhancing both the patient and provider experience. From my first conversation with the HSE program director, Dr. Vernet Lasrado, I immediately knew UCF was the place to be. The IEMS/HSE program is so unique in bridging the healthcare and engineering worlds together. Working in the healthcare field, I want to use every day to make sure I am doing something to make it count, and this program has provided me with the tools and education to elevate my dream. UCF has supported my dreams, and I know that will lead me on a path destined for great things.”

Amy Lebanoff
BS ’20 — Current Graduate Student
“I had multiple lab courses in my undergraduate curriculum, but the first lab during my biomedical engineering MS program was when I realized the potential of my career to make a real impact on real lives. The truth is, after 17 years of school, learning sometimes felt like a chore, but this single lab session made learning feel like magic again however cliché it may sound.”

Charles W. Davis, Jr.
PhD ’20 — Industrial Engineering
“I completed my Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering program with a specialization in Engineering Management. My doctoral experience and interactions with Dr. Rabelo and the IEMS department represented the essential element of my Ph.D. journey and shaped my life as a researcher, life-learner, and professional.”

Elizabeth Barrios
PhD — Northrop Grumman
“I applied to many PhD programs but UCF’s College of Engineering and Computer Science stood out to me because of the impact that they have throughout the aerospace industry and their reputation for developing strong and successful engineers. My advisor supported my professional goals and research interests, which has set me up for a career that will allow me to continue growing in many aspects of materials science and the aerospace industry.””

Lila Zapata
MSDA ’20
“Being part of the Master’s in Data Analytics at the University of Central Florida was a fulfilling experience. It was challenging, rewarding, and it allowed me to meet some incredible people that made the adventure in getting my master’s a lot of fun. My professors pushed me to try my hardest, and they were always available to help me.”

Brandy King
MS Computer Science ’21
“Working alongside professors that I respect and look up to has helped me grow both as a student and as an individual during my time at UCF. Being recognized for my hard work and contributions to the department truly makes me feel valued and appreciated.”