The Florida High Tech Corridor’s Matching Grants Research Program (MGRP) has funded more than 2,000 student research contracts, creating opportunities for students at the University of Central Florida (UCF) and the University of South Florida (USF) to tackle real-world industry challenges alongside distinguished researchers and innovators driving industry growth.
Along with helping companies tap into university research expertise, The Corridor’s matching funds provide impactful applied research experiences that help students become more competitive candidates for advanced degree programs and high-tech jobs.
The following profiles spotlight brilliant UCF and USF students who have benefited from Corridor support by developing innovative products, engaging with industry partners, learning from accomplished researchers, increasing their business acumen and more. These examples demonstrate the immense impact Corridor-supported research projects can have on preparing the next generation to become the innovative minds that will propel the region forward.
University of Central Florida
Deepalakshmi Babu Venkateswaran
School: University of Central Florida
Hometown: Chennai, India
Degree Program: Computer Engineering Ph.D. Candidate
As companies like Duke Energy invest in their power systems to meet the evolving needs of our customers, many are exploring the use of various technologies to mitigate energy grid disturbances and increase their resiliency. Advanced Energy Storage Batteries offer a potential solution, with a capability to regulate power from various sources, including solar and wind. However, the current use of some of these technologies are limited, and more research is required to implement them with greater confidence.
Deepalakshmi Babu Venkateswaran, a computer engineering Ph.D. candidate at UCF, conducted important research that may someday make these batteries a viable option. Alongside electrical and computer engineering professor, Zhihua Qu, Ph.D., Venkateswaran worked to study the use of other advanced batteries as an alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries for microgrid and bulk power system operations.
Venkateswaran programmed communication protocols to support data acquisition and analysis, and developed a simulated environment in which the team can more fully test these batteries. Throughout the process, she presented the results of her work to Duke Energy collaborators and learned which data is most useful in an industry setting.
Undoubtedly, her work to study and advance this complex system accelerated progress toward her desired career in control engineering and showed her the types of career opportunities available. Her advice for students interested in a similar experience is to visit the research labs on campus.
“If you know what you want to work on, ask the professors for a lab tour,” said Venkateswaran. “They can set you up with their grad students for lab visits. These visits are so helpful in learning the current topics and problem statements in a particular field.”
Ethan Shepherd
School: University of Central Florida
Hometown: Casselberry, Florida
Degree: B.S. in Photonic Science and Engineering
Ethan Shepherd was an undergraduate engineering student when he partnered with Dr. Joshua Kaufman at the UCF College of Optics and Photonics (CREOL), and defense contractor L3Harris Technologies on research that could innovate our use of fiber optic cables for maritime applications.
Advancements in fiber optic technology can improve electronic systems used on boats and planes, making them smaller, lighter and more energy efficient. This ensures systems like sonar, radar and others work reliably. However, when the military uses these systems, the fiber optic cables often must perform additional tasks while facing harsh conditions. It’s vital to ensure their functionality and durability. To address the challenge, UCF and L3Harris partnered to research and design specialized fiber optic cables that are small diameter, lightweight and mechanically robust. The teams worked with existing commercial cables and created new cables as part of their experimentation. Using their experience from that industry partnership, Shepherd, under the guidance of Dr. Kaufman, furthered their research to develop new prototypes that include polarization-maintaining fibers.
In his role, Shepherd managed the manufacturing systems and meticulously monitored key parameters to ensure smooth operations. This included maintaining and customizing the manufacturing system based on the specific project requirements. His responsibilities extended to collecting fiber optic cable samples for microscopic imaging – a crucial step for detailed reports and analysis.
Shepherd’s work involved regular interaction with L3Harris professionals. He was not afraid to ask questions and dive deeper into the work performed by professional engineers. He was exposed to several engineering disciplines, broadening his skill set and providing him with different perspectives.
Driven by his passion for optical engineering and his experience working on Corridor-sponsored research, Shepherd aims to secure a position in the defense industry after graduation. His hands-on experience and close collaboration with industry experts have equipped him with valuable insights and skills that benefit his professional growth.
“Make the most of working closely with professionals,” Shepherd advised. “Try your best to ask questions and understand why they do what they do.”
University of South Florida
Kworweinski Lafontant
School: University of South Florida
Hometown: Orlando, Florida
Degree Program: M.S. Exercise Science
Kworweinski Lafontant’s research experience provided the unique opportunity to receive mentorship from a C-level leader, taught him the importance of perseverance and helped him prepare for doctoral studies in kinesiology.
As a coordinator for the research collaboration between Legion Athletics Inc. and USF’s Performance & Physique Enhancement Laboratory directed by Bill Campbell, Ph.D., Lafontant oversaw all aspects of a study to determine the metabolic, hunger and hemodynamic responses of a caffeinated thermogenic supplement compared to its non-caffeinated counterpart and a placebo condition. This included subject recruitment, staff training and data collection.
Throughout the experience, he enjoyed frequent visits with Legion Athletics CEO Karim Rodriguez, who shared insights into his career journey and life as an executive, and development and marketing of evidenced-based products.
“Karim also took a tour of our labs and worked out with us in our [Performance & Physique Enhancement Laboratory] before we all sat down for dinner,” said Lafontant. “It was an invaluable time, and I appreciated his openness and willingness to answer our questions and give us advice.”
Lafontant and his research team persevered through several unexpected hurdles, including two hurricanes, to successfully complete the study. He’s excited to publish and present their findings at industry conferences.
The research also helped Lafontant prepare to become a Ph.D. student in kinesiology at UCF. “The program at UCF, much like our master’s program at USF, is very research-focused, so having this experience and leading a funded study has been a great opportunity to prepare myself for exactly what is to come next.”
Alex Otten
School: University of South Florida
Hometown: Tampa, Florida
Degree: Electrical Engineering Ph.D. Candidate
While pursuing his Ph.D. in electrical engineering, Alex Otten had the unique opportunity to conduct applied research as a member of the team led by USF Medical Engineering faculty, Mark Jaroszeski, Ph.D. and Richard Heller, Ph.D.
With funding and support from The Corridor, their MGRP collaboration with MMD Technologies is focused on development of a system to interface with MMD Technologies’ medical pulse device, allowing expansion from two existing electrodes to up to 16 individually addressable electrodes. This is a significant breakthrough for the modality and will bring it into wider use as a cytotoxic drug is unnecessary for successful treatment of solid tumors.
Otten was responsible for investigating and designing the required circuitry and timing apparatus, and for mentoring an undergraduate student who assisted on the project. Not only did the project stretch Otten’s skills, but also provided him with valuable teaching experience that he can apply toward the pursuit of a career as a university professor.
“The Corridor-supported research was at the edge of my expertise area and expanded my knowledge and capabilities, as well as provided opportunities to interact with undergraduate students and pass my knowledge on to them,” Otten explained.
Otten also benefited from frequent interaction with industry partners, who provided valuable feedback about the impacts of his work on the customer experience.
He urged students who are interested in research to ask their professors about their collaborations with industry partners and seek opportunities to get involved. “These professors and corporations may have a project ready to work on, or you may be able to expand an existing project or help them start a new one.”
Someday, Otten may be the professor providing research opportunities to students thanks to the experience he gained in The Corridor’s Matching Grants Research Program.
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