Office of Community Relations

UF Government and Community Relations

Monday July 15, 2024

Across the University of Florida, our 16 colleges, numerous institutes, and health care facilities embrace our shared mission of outreach and service to improve and enrich our community, nation, and the world. UF in the Community spotlights the impact of UF in our region.

Although UF has students and employees throughout the state, North Central Florida is home to much of our faculty and staff and to our 50,000+ students. Like all area residents, we want a vibrant, safe, healthy, and equitable place in which to live and thrive. Here are some of the ways in which we are enhancing our shared community.?

Tambellini Group awards University of Florida grand prize for inaugural Future Campus Award

The University of Florida has been awarded the grand prize in the Tambellini Group’s inaugural Future Campus Award, recognizing UF's pioneering work in integrating AI across its curriculum. The award was presented today at Tambellini's Future Campus Summit in New York City. 

“I’m pleased to present the University of Florida with this honor for their strategic and impactful work with AI that will surely serve as a model for other institutions,” said Katelyn Ilkani, president and COO of Tambellini.

The Tambellini Group has been the leading provider of unbiased and proprietary research and advisory services to higher education since 2001. Its mission is to equip educational institutions with the impartial insights, tools, and market predictions needed to make informed technology decisions while maximizing return on investment and constituent experience.



The Future Campus Award was established by Tambellini to honor innovative colleges and universities leveraging AI and other cutting-edge technologies to redefine the landscape of learning, administration, and campus life. As the grand prize winner, UF demonstrated excellence in one or more application categories and in its responsible use of AI.

Underwater Data Centers

Recently more and more tech companies have begun to move their data centers into one of the most unlikely places — the ocean. Why? It turns out that the ocean’s natural cooling processes cut down on energy costs and emissions, making this a vital solution for sustainability.

But with this location change comes new vulnerabilities for these data centers.

Cybersecurity and robotics researchers at the UF College of Engineering discovered that the inherent density of water can turn sound into a potential weapon, meaning that even a small pool speaker could pose a significant threat to these centers.

They also have a solution.

Students hone their dental AI skills while helping their patients

After just one hour of training with Overjet’s dental AI technology, University of Florida dental students improved their ability to detect cavities by more than 40%.

Since December 2023, 100 students have gone through the training on Overjet’s module. For many, it was their first look into the AI-powered future of their field.

“Students absolutely loved it. They were a hundred percent focused,” said Anita Gohel, B.D.S., Ph.D., the chair of oral and maxillofacial diagnostic services in UF’s College of Dentistry. Gohel has supervised dozens of students who trained on Overjet’s system and is researching how the application can serve as a dental AI teaching tool.

UF smart sensor sends smartphone alert if mending patient is too daring on their feet

A physician isn’t going to follow a patient home to ensure they’re doing as instructed and not placing weight on a surgically repaired foot.

“Sometimes someone swears they didn’t put weight on their foot, but then they come to their next appointment with a dirty cast,” said University of Florida Health foot and ankle surgeon R. James Toussaint, M.D.

It’s not that the patient is necessarily at fault. Life happens. And some people have nerve damage called neuropathy that makes it difficult to feel when pressure is placed on an injured foot. The patient might be a child who doesn’t know better.

The solution: innovation.

American Dream: Taiwan-born UF professor wins prestigious NASA award

On this Fourth of July, University of Florida professor Jacob Chung, Ph.D., stands as the epitome of the American Dream.

In 1971, at age 23, he moved to the United States from Taiwan with one suitcase and $1,000. He had earned his bachelor’s degree from National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan and planned to become an aerospace engineer in America. He entered the master’s program in the nuclear engineering department at the University of Missouri.

“The feelings that I had at that time basically were excitement, hope and thankfulness about the opportunities ahead,” recalled Chung.

Now an esteemed professor with the UF’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Chung was awarded the Exceptional Public Service Medal from NASA in late June. The award is among the highest honors bestowed by the NASA Glenn Research Center Awards Office and is “an acknowledgement of significant contributions to NASA’s mission and purpose,” according to the award letter.

“As an immigrant, I have been telling myself that I need to pay back my adopted country,” Chung said. “With this award, I feel that I have done my share of making contributions toward NASA’s mission and purpose, and also my patriotic work has been recognized.”

Chung earned the award due to his “exceptional, sustained, and multi-faceted contributions advancing NASA’s in-space cryogenic fluid management science and technologies over multiple programs and 30 years.”

High school interns gain valuable hands-on lab experience, thanks to foundation gifts

Sixteen students from Palm Beach and Martin Counties have donned lab coats and safety glasses for the summer, as they immerse themselves in the fascinating world of biomedical research, working and learning alongside scientists at The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology.

Since 2005, 218 local students have immersed themselves in research as part of the Kenan Fellows High School internship program, thanks to the generosity of the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust. This year, the program has grown by becoming part of the institute’s Glenn W. Bailey STEM Education Outreach Programs, thanks to a generous gift from the Glenn W. Bailey Foundation. This gift will significantly enhance the institute’s STEM education and outreach initiatives, underscoring a shared vision and commitment to nurturing the next generation of scientists and innovators.

Students spend their summer working full-time in one lab, where they learn about the lab’s focus, absorb its research methods and techniques, and then begin to conduct experiments and contribute data to studies in many areas. Each week, they attend a group lecture about a variety of career and research topics. Students’ summer projects include exploring cancer biology, cellular viral defenses, the genetics of metabolism, drug screening methods, RNA therapeutics, synthesis of medicinal chemicals, and more.

UF drone camp steers 4-H teens toward future careers

While many of his high school classmates relished the lackadaisical days of summer break, Putnam County resident Liam Sayler memorized Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and the basics of aerodynamics. But Liam’s tenacity ultimately paid off when he passed an FAA exam, certifying he is qualified to fly a drone. He’ll share his accomplishment and the process he went through to earn it during next week’s Putnam County Commission meeting.

Liam is one of eight Florida 4-H members who took a drone camp offered by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension Putnam County last month.

Some camp participants plan to apply their new skills toward aerial photography jobs in the real estate, construction and agriculture sectors. One of the teens considers the certificate a stepping stone to securing a pilot’s license. Another desires to use drone photography as a firefighter.

“I am so proud of these students,” said Wendy Mussoline, director of UF/IFAS Extension Putnam County. “They dedicated a week of their summer to commit to an intensive academic drone training program and obtained their licenses. I believe this experience can truly enhance their future career endeavors.”

Harnessing the Power of Rain: Installing a Rain Barrel at Home

Water is one of the most valuable natural resources and with the ever growing concern of climate change and the hot dry conditions Northwest Florida has already experienced this summer, every drop counts. One way you could combat this issue is by installing a rain barrel at your home. By having a rain barrel on hand, you can reduce stormwater runoff, potentially save money, and improve the health of your plants. Here’s what you need to know:

What is a rain barrel? A rain barrel is a container or storage tank that collects runoff water from a catchment area (a rooftop). They are typically placed under downspouts and capture the water runoff from your home’s gutters. The type of container used to make a rain barrel could be any type, but it cannot have stored chemicals prior to its use as a rain barrel.

Now that we know the definition, why exactly do people use rain barrels? For one, they aid in water conservation. Rain barrels help reduce the amount of potable water used for outdoor purposes, which is important during dry weather spells and areas known for drought conditions. There are also potential cost savings with using a rain barrel. By using the collected rainwater for watering your garden, cleaning outdoor surfaces, or even washing your car, homeowners could potentially reduce their water bills significantly. Having a rain barrel is also a Florida-Friendly way to gardening. Rain barrel usage co-aligns with the Florida-Friendly Landscaping Principles #2: Water Efficiently and #8: Reduce Stormwater Runoff. The use of rain barrels also aligns with sustainable living. It reduces the reliance on municipal water systems and promotes awareness of water usage and conservation.

Florida Beekeeping Management Calendar: July

This beekeeping calendar is a tool for all beekeepers in Florida, small scale to commercial operations. This calendar is meant to be a reference point for beekeeping management and is not comprehensive. The checklist can be used to identify management issues or concerns in the apiary. Understanding the plants blooming in your area can help to identify the nectar and pollen resources available to your bees. To learn more about honey bees and beekeeping management, visit www.ufhoneybee.com

FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES CONTACT

Brittany Wise

brittany.alana@ufl.edu

(352) 273-3820

Karen Thomas

Director, Community Relations