Eight UCF faculty members named to Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida

September 8, 2026

Eight UCF faculty members have been selected for the Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida’s (ASEMFL) 2026 class.

ASEMFL recognizes established leaders as full members and professionals with significant professional accomplishments and emerging leadership as associate members.

The faculty represent a range of disciplines, including artificial intelligence, computer science, energy, advanced manufacturing, medical diagnostics and coastal resilience.

The 2026 UCF inductees include Chen Chen, Ph.D., associate professor of computer science; Ivan Garibay, Ph.D., professor of industrial engineering and management systems; Jayanta Kapat, Ph.D., Pegasus Professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering; Damla Turgut, Ph.D., Pegasus Professor and chair of computer science; Thomas Wahl, Ph.D., professor of civil, environmental and construction engineering; Dazhong Wu, Ph.D., associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering; Xiaohu Xia, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry; and Yang Yang, Ph.D., professor of materials science and engineering.

Two of the inductees are associated with the UCF Institute for Simulation & Training (IST). Garibay leads IST’s Complex Adaptive Systems Laboratory, which focuses on modeling and simulation of complex socio-technical and economic systems. Kapat leads IST’s Center for Advanced Turbomachinery and Energy Research, which conducts research in turbomachinery, energy systems and advanced propulsion.

The new ASEMFL members will be inducted on Nov. 6 during the academy’s annual meeting at the University of South Florida in Tampa.

Read the full article about the UCF faculty selected for the 2026 ASEMFL class and their areas of research.