Seven faculty members at the University of Central Florida (UCF) were recognized for their achievements during the 2025 Luminary Awards, held at the Burnett House. The annual awards, established in 2017, honor faculty whose work advances knowledge and elevates UCF’s impact across various disciplines.
During the event, UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright addressed the honorees and attendees. “Thank you for the ideas you pursue, the people you inspire and the impact you create,” Cartwright said. “You are advancing what is possible for our students, our state and our world — and proving every day that UCF’s brightest light comes from our people.”
The selection process involved nominations from deans, department chairs, and directors throughout UCF. The ceremony included family members, colleagues, previous awardees, and community leaders.
Other university leaders present included Provost John Buckwalter, Vice President for Research and Innovation Winston Schoenfeld, and Interim Vice Provost for Faculty Excellence Joel Cramer.
This year’s honorees are:
Mohamed Abdel-Aty serves as Pegasus Professor and Trustee Chair in Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering. He is internationally recognized in transportation engineering and traffic safety. Over three decades at UCF, Abdel-Aty has secured more than $32 million in research funding and managed over 90 projects. His innovations include CitySim—a drone-based database to study driving behaviors—and developing the nation’s first master’s degree in smart cities. “Dr. Abdel-Aty is a one-of-a-kind researcher whose individual and research group achievements are paralleled only by the state, national and global impacts he has made,” said Kevin Mackie, engineering department chair.
Kareem Ahmed is Trustee Chair and professor in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Ahmed leads research on hypersonic propulsion with support from multiple Department of Defense grants. His work includes technology that could enable coast-to-coast flights in 15 minutes as well as cleaner rocket propulsion systems. “Throughout his career, Dr. Ahmed has demonstrated exceptional leadership in both research and education,” said Hyoung Jin Cho, interim department chair.
Tim Brown is an associate professor in the School of Performing Arts known for his theater scene designs used by celebrities such as Jimmy Kimmel and J. Cole at venues like Madison Square Garden. Locally active with Orlando Shakes and Orlando Family Stage, Brown also teaches theater technology courses at UCF. “Professor Brown is richly deserving of a Luminary Award. He is one of the school’s top achieving theater artists with an international reputation for excellence and the credits to back that up,” said Michael Wainstein, director of the School of Performing Arts.
Yue “Gurt” Ge is an associate professor in Community Innovation and Education who co-leads UCF’s Urban Resilience Initiative. Ge has brought together scholars to secure major National Science Foundation grants focused on risk communication using artificial intelligence as well as urban resilience hubs supporting Orlando neighborhoods through educational programs adopted by local agencies. “Dr. Ge is a nationally and internationally recognized scholar in the interdisciplinary fields of community resilience and smart cities,” said Doug Goodman, director of Public Administration.
Carmen Giurgescu holds an endowed chair in Nursing where she focuses on maternal health outcomes including reducing preterm births through multi-million dollar grant-funded research projects supported by organizations such as NIH. She has developed training programs that have increased her college’s research expenditures nationally among nursing schools.“Her research is not only advancing scientific understanding but also transforming clinical practice,” former College of Nursing Dean Mary Lou Sole said.
Chiara Mazzucchelli directs Italian Studies at UCF with scholarship focusing on Sicilian migration studies; her partnerships have led to new student opportunities via grants from Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs along with honors such as Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy.“Her exceptional combination of research, academic leadership and international reputation make her eminently worthy of this recognition,” said Geri Smith, chair of Modern Languages.
Keri Watson is a professor specializing in art history who founded Florida Prison Education Project to provide college access to incarcerated individuals while securing over $1.7 million from national foundations for related initiatives.“Dr. Watson exemplifies what it means to be a luminary at UCF,” said Rudy McDaniel, director of Visual Arts & Design.
