Audubon Center: TogetherGreen Event
12/05/2009
Sustainability Teaching Circle
12/09/2009
Florida Solar Energy Center Tour
12/10/2009
Florida Solar Energy Center Tour
1/14/2010
Peter Pritchard - Director, Chelonian Research Institute
1/14/2010
Florida Solar Energy Center Tour
2/11/2010
Events Calendar »
Jonathan Baker and Anthony Wertz, graduating seniors from the College of Engineering and Computer Science, are researching alternative energy sources.
Baker and Wertz worked with undergraduates Christopher Hamilton and James Ramsey to develop a cost-effective, high-efficiency converter to derive power from a wind turbine to charge batteries that was showcased at the 2009 Showcase of Undergraduate Reseach Excellence.
The overall goal was to create a product that could be used by individuals and residences to capture and store power while minimizing adverse effects on the environment.Anthony Wertz is a computer engineering major from Council Bluffs, Iowa. Wertz also conducted undergraduate research at Advanced Power Electronics Corporation (ApECOR), a power electronics company that specializes in highly efficient power conversion for hybrid, solar, and wind power. Jonathan Baker is an electrical engineering major with a minor in Spanish. Since coming to UCF from Cary, NC, by way of Palm Bay, FL. He has participated in the Honors in the Major program and International Research in Solar and Wind Power. His research with alternative energy has been with UCF professor Dr. Issa Batarseh and ApECOR.
UCF Spring 2009 graduate Roberto Miguez recently began a National Institute of Health Post-baccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) at the University of Michigan. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Roberto earned his UCF bachelor's degree in electrical engineering with a minor in mathematics. During his undergraduate career at UCF, Roberto completed an Honors in the Major thesis introducing the concept of a solar energy belt stretched across America. His work demonstrated through mathematical modeling that such a project could be feasible, efficient, and cost-effective.
“Effectively harnessing the vast energy that radiates on the earth’s surface from the sun is a long standing goal of clean energy proponents.” -Roberto MiguezSome of Roberto’s many accomplishments and activities during his time at UCF include the McNair Scholars Program, LEGACY Leadership & Mentor Program, the National Science Foundation (NSF) funded Advances of Machine Learning in Theory & Application Research Experience for Undergraduates, as well as both the University Honors and Honors in the Major programs. He has received several awards, such as the IEEE Orlando Section Undergraduate Student of the Year Award and the prestigious NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, upon which he will embark at the conclusion of his current research program at the University of Michigan.
Paul Biscardi is a sophomore Environmental Engineering major from Melbourne, FL. He is a member of the Student Undergraduate Research Council and serves as a research assistant to both the UCF Stormwater Management Academy and the Geospatial Analysis and Modeling of Ecological Systems (GAMES) Lab.
For his undergraduate research project with the Department of Biology (presented at the 2009 Showcase of Undergraduate Research Excellence), Paul developed maps to indicate changes in land use over time in central Florida. These maps indicate a dramatic increase in population and urbanization and show ways population growth has affected the natural landscape.
“My project sheds light on the importance of "smart" and effective planning and the risks to our environment if we continue to expand at our current rate.” -Paul BiscardiThrough his work in the Stormwater Management Academy, Paul is working to reduce the amount of pollution that enters Florida’s aquifer, the main source of our drinking water, by modifying stormwater retention ponds.
Melissa Ussa is a senior Environmental Studies major from Pembroke Pines, FL. She is a student in The Burnett Honors College and participates in the UCF Marine Turtle Research Group Internship, as well as her own independent research project. She is also actively involved with the UCF Environmental Initiative and Student Sustainability Alliance.
Melissa became involved with the Student Sustainability Alliance (SSA) through her independent study with the UCF Environmental Initiative, where she promoted SSA programs by developing marketing and outreach materials. She has continued her involvement in these organizations through the planning and planting of UCF’s organic vegetable and herb garden as part of her undergraduate research project.
Working with Dr. Rani Vajravelu in UCF's Department of Biology, Melissa undertook the feat of devising ways for apartment-dwelling students to grow pesticide-free organic herbs in recycled containers with organic manure made from everday kitchen waste. She aimed to educate students in methods to practice environmentally friendly gardening. She presented her innovative project at the 2009 Showcase of Undergraduate Research Excellence.
Melissa's engagement in global climate change extends beyond her extra- and co-curricular activities. She also expresses her views on the environment through her art. Melissa's work was featured during the 2009 Student-Juried Student Art Exhibition. Click here to view her artwork and other UCF undergraduates'. profile-melissa-ussa
Luisa Alavarez and Christina Restrepo are active undergraduate researchers who are engaged in environmental issues. Working under Hospitality Management professor Dr. Po-Ju Chen, they conducted quantitative and qualitative studies of consumer perceptions of “green” hotels in both central Florida and Colombia.
Christina Restrepo is a junior Biology major from Passaic, New Jersey. She is a participant in the McNair Scholars Program, Research and Mentoring Program, and Student Undergraduate Research Society. For her research project, Christina is using a metaphoric technique to elicit tourists’ perceptions of ecologically-oriented hotels in Colombia. Although the project is still underway, she is finding that environmental awareness is heightened for those who choose to vacation in an environmentally friendly location. Christina Restrepo is also personally committed to the environment as an avid advocate for recycling.
Michelle Murphy is a junior at UCF from Clearwater, FL. She is pursuing a double major in history and legal studies with a minor in political science. Recently appointed the Environmental & Sustainability Coordinator to the SGA Executive Cabinet, she is an active member of the Student Sustainability Alliance, President's Leadership Council, and a pre-law professional fraternity. Michelle is an engaged student, working to educate the UCF community about conservation practices and sustainability efforts.
Michelle began her environmental efforts as a member of the student organization Eco-Advocates, participating in a grass-roots initiative to educate students on sustainable practices, as well as personally cleaning up around UCF. In 2007, the Department of Sustainability & Energy Management chose her to work on an Environmental Protection Agency educational grant. She created an environmentally-focused board game, "Energy Land," which she brought to residence halls in order to teach students about sustainability and energy conservation.
She was recently hired as the department's Campus Outreach and Programming intern, where she is co-coordinating the 2008 Campus & Community Sustainability Conference to be held in October. Aditionallly, Michelle speaks with incoming students at Orientation sessions to educate on conservation practices and UCF's growing GREEN movement. She was also invited by the Orange County Clerk of Courts to present UCF's environmental initiatives at the kick-off of the Green with ENVEE campaign.
Visit www.sustainablefloridaconference.org to learn more about the upcoming conference. profile-michelle-murphy
Meghan and Meghan have spent the past two months planning the Florida Power Shift Summit 2009. This event aimed to educate Florida undergraduates on how to promote sustainability and environmental awareness on their campuses. They are nominated by SGA Environmental and Sustainability Specialist Tracy Wilk and President of the Student Sustainability Alliance Lisa Kipersztok. “Without these two girls, this event could not have been possible. They worked hard every day to advertise, plan, coordinate, and run the event, which brought 150 university students together to discuss ways to promote comprehensive climate legislation,” said Wilk and Kipersztok. Meghan Maloney, Vice President of Eco-Advocates said, “I am thrilled to see the involvement and support on our end, the students, as well as the university's because it really seems like everyone is making a tremendous effort to fulfill our role as a leading university on climate change. I am very confident that this will continue to grow!” The Unifying Theme and the Office of Undergraduate Studies would like to thank Meghan and Meghan for their dedication and support for promoting sustainability at UCF. It is the efforts of student’s like them, and the many others that participated in Power Shift 2009, that are accomplishing many things to further the UCF Environmental Initiative.
