Celebrating Excellence in Research, Teaching and Service
Last week, the University of Central Florida recognized graduate faculty and students for excellence in research, teaching, leadership, and service.
These awardees are some of UCF’s top scholars and educators. They advance research, support student success, and contribute to their fields and community. Many have mentored students, led projects, and participated in service beyond campus.
Two of UCF’s top awards were presented: the Order of Pegasus and the Graduate Awards for Excellence. The Order of Pegasus honors achievement in academics, leadership, research, and service. The Graduate Awards for Excellence recognize outstanding contributions in teaching, research, and creative work.
These awards highlight the dedication and talent of UCF’s faculty and graduate students. Their achievements advance their fields and support the university’s mission of innovation, discovery, and service.
Order of Pegasus Graduate Student Inductees
- Stacie Becker ’23, College of Arts and Humanities
- Akash Hari Bharath ’25MS, College of Engineering and Computer Science
- Swati Bhargava ’25MS, College of Optics and Photonics
- Griffon Binkowski ’24, College of Sciences and Burnett Honors College
- Lindsey Hildebrand, College of Health Professions and Sciences
- Ariana Johnson, College of Medicine
- Sanjan Kumar ’23, College of Medicine
- Kworweinski Lafontant, College of Health Professions and Sciences
- Ilana Logvinov, College of Nursing
- Pritha Sarkar ’24, College of Engineering and Computer Science
Graduate Student Awards
Outstanding Dissertation
- Jessica Moon ’25PhD, College of Health Professions and Sciences
- Michael Pierro ’20 ’23MS ’25PhD, College of Engineering and Computer Science
Outstanding Master’s Thesis
- Madeline Grohowski ’25MA, College of Arts and Humanities
- Reeshoon Sayera ’25MS, College of Engineering and Computer Science
Outstanding Creative Work
- Jordan Alexander ’23, College of Arts and Humanities
Excellence in Graduate Student Teaching
- Yu-Shan Huang, College of Business
Excellence by a Graduate Teaching Assistant
- Brent Pappas ‘21, ’25MS, College of Engineering and Computer Science
Excellence in Graduate Teaching
College Awardees
Shaurya Agarwal, College of Engineering and Computer Science
Kim Anderson, College of Health Professions and Sciences
Christopher Blackwell, College of Nursing
Shannon Carter, College of Sciences
Sasan Fathpour, College of Optics and Photonics
Murat Hancer, Rosen College of Hospitality Management
Dana Joseph, College of Business
Magdalena Pasarica, College of Medicine
Mel Stanfill, College of Arts and Humanities
Vassiliki Zygouris-Coe, College of Community Innovation and Education
University Winner
Christopher Blackwell, College of Nursing
University Award for Excellence in Mentoring Doctoral Students
Engineering, Physical Sciences, and Life Sciences
Subith Vasu, College of Engineering and Computer Science
Social Science, Humanities, Education, Business, Art, and Health
David Boote, College of Community Innovation and Education
University Award for Excellence in Mentoring Postdoctoral Scholars
Kausik Mukhopadhyay, College of Engineering and Computer Science
Thomas Wahl, College of Engineering and Computer Science
