Institutes & Centers

UCF is home to more than 50 center and institutes that aim to solve big problems and align with the economic needs of the nation.

The Florida Board of Governors recognizes three types of institutes and centers in its Regulation 10.015:

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State of Florida

Recognized by the Board of Governors

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Florida Legislature

Created by legislation

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University

Approved by the university president

Advanced Materials Processing and Analysis Center (AMPAC)

Director: Jiyu Fang

Type : University

The Advanced Materials Processing and Analysis Center (AMPAC) at UCF advances excellence in materials science and engineering through interdisciplinary research, education, and industry collaboration. AMPAC focuses on the design, processing, and characterization of advanced materials in key areas such as energy, biotechnology, microelectronics, and nanotechnology. The center supports UCF’s MSE programs, fosters high-tech economic growth in Central Florida, and manages the Materials Characterization Facility (MCF), a resource for both academic and industry partners.

Biomolecular Science Center

Director: Griff Parks

Type : University

The Biomolecular Science Center is a university-wide interdisciplinary hub advancing research and training in the molecular and genomic foundations of disease and therapeutics. Our work focuses on four key areas: cancer, cardiovascular disease, infectious disease, and neurodegenerative disorders.

Center for Autism and Related Disabilities

Director: Terri Daly

Type : Florida Legislature, State

The Center’s primary service is to provide individualized, direct consultative assistance to individuals with autism and related disabilities in Central Florida and their families. Other services include technical assistance and consultation, professional training programs, and public education services.

Center for Community Schools

Director: Amy Ellis

Type : Florida Legislature, State

The Center is dedicated to the development and sustainability of high-quality community schools. The center serves as a comprehensive resource for schools in Florida, across the nation and around the world by offering the following services: technical assistance, university-assisted partnership, training and development, and assessment and evaluation.

Center for Research & Education in Optics and Lasers: College of Optics

Director: David Hagan

Type : University

CREOL, The College of Optics and Photonics, is a world leader in education, research, and industrial partnership. Optics and photonics is the science and technology of light: lasers, LEDs, LCDs, optical fibers, and imaging systems for applications in industry and medicine.

Townes Laser Institute (TLI) Center of Excellence

Director: Peter J. Delfyett

Type : University

The Center conducts multidisciplinary projects, and research-driven initiatives, as a part of the University of Central Florida. CREATE’s affiliated faculty, students, and staff explore a myriad of educational, research, and creative topics while promoting community awareness.

Florida Photonics Center of Excellence (FPCE) – University

Director: Stella Sung

Type : University

The Center conducts multidisciplinary projects, and research-driven initiatives, as a part of the University of Central Florida. CREATE’s affiliated faculty, students, and staff explore a myriad of educational, research, and creative topics while promoting community awareness.

Center for the Study of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery

Director: Jessica Wickey

Type : University

The Center for the Study of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery seeks to expand the understanding of this growing global challenge and search for solutions to it community engagement, research, education, training, student fellowships, and survivor scholarships.

Center for Research in Education Simulation Technology (CREST)

Director: Lisa Dieker and Charles Hughes

Type: University

The mission of the center is to develop core ideas, technologies, and societally relevant applications of UCF-developed and partnership-developed education simulation technologies and paradigms.

Center for Public and Nonprofit Management (CPNM)

Director: Roberto “Hugh” Potter

Type: University

The mission of the Center for Public and Nonprofit Management at the University of Central Florida is to strengthen management and leadership of public and nonprofit organizations through sponsored research and capacity-building services.

Community Counseling and Research Center (CCRC)

Director: Viki Kelchner

Type: University

The Community Counseling Research Center exists to promote mental health and wellness among children, adults, and families within Central Florida.

Dick Pope Sr. Institute for Tourism Studies

Director: Cynthia Mejia
Type: University

The Institute’s mission is to improve the quality of the tourism product and increase the benefits of the tourism industry to the State of Florida, and the local Central Florida community. From its inception, the Institute adopted three major objectives: Research, Public Awareness, and Education.

Environmental Systems Engineering Institute

Director: Steven Duranceau

Type: University

The Institute specializes in the study of drinking water treatment using membrane filtration techniques, including reverse-osmosis, nanofiltration, and microfiltration. ESEI also is involved in the study of coagulation and flocculation techniques.

Executive Development Center

Director: Darrell Johnson

Type: University

The UCF College of Business Executive Development Center (EDC) offers executive and professional graduate degrees in business administration, management, accounting and real estate. The EDC has specialized executive education programs for individuals and organizations in the local, state, national, and international business communities. For details on the MBA programs, doctorates and other professional certificates and workshops.

Florida Canada Linkage Institute (FCLI)

Director: Mark Hartman

Type : Florida Legislature, State

The Linkage Institutes were initiated “to assist in the development of stronger economic, cultural, educational, and social ties between Florida and select countries through the promotion of expanded public and private dialogue on cooperative research and technical assistance activities, increased bilateral commerce, student and faculty exchange, cultural exchange, and the enhancement of language training skills.

Florida Eastern Europe Linkage Institute

Director: Mark Hartman

Type : Florida Legislature, State

The Linkage Institutes were initiated “to assist in the development of stronger economic, cultural, educational, and social ties between Florida and select countries through the promotion of expanded public and private dialogue on cooperative research and technical assistance activities, increased bilateral commerce, student and faculty exchange, cultural exchange, and the enhancement of language training skills

Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities

Director: Wilbur “Drew” Andrews

Type : Florida Legislature, State

The Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities (FCSUA) serves as the state coordinating center to establish and support quality inclusive postsecondary education programs in collaboration with universities, state and technical colleges, with the goal of increasing independent living and competitive integrated employment.

Florida Space Institute (FSI)

Director: Julie Brisset

Type : Florida Legislature, State

The core mission of FSI is to support space research, development, and education activities within the University of Central Florida (UCF) and other FSI member institutions in Florida, and secondarily to support the development of Florida’s space economy—civil, defense, and commercial.

Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC)

Director: James Fenton

Type : Florida Legislature, State

Our mission is to research and develop energy technologies that enhance Florida’s and the nation’s economy and environment, and to educate the public, students and practitioners on the results of the research.

Institute for Simulation & Training (IST)

Director: Grace Bochenek

Type: University

IST is an internationally recognized interdisciplinary research institute within SMST that conducts basic and applied research in the art and science of modeling, simulation, and training. IST partners with public and private stakeholders to apply and develop simulations for diverse applications and actively supports the university`s modeling and simulation education initiative through SMST’s graduate program.

Institute for Social and Behavioral Sciences

Director: Amy Donley

Type: University

Our mission is to research and develop energy technologies that enhance Florida’s and the nation’s economy and environment, and to educate the public, students and practitioners on the results of the research.

Institute of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation Science

Director: David Faduka/ Matt Stock

Type: University

The institute supports mechanistic and translational research by faculty members and students in the school’s Division of Kinesiology, Division of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training Program. The institute also partners with colleagues from the College of Health Professions and Sciences and Academic Health Sciences Center to contribute to the research mission of the university. With its current resources and faculty expertise, the institute has a broad capacity to advance the fields of exercise and rehabilitation sciences.

NanoScience Technology Center (NSTC)

Director: Lei Zhai

Type: University

Our mission is to establish a cutting-edge research program in materials and nanotechnology, provide high quality training for students and facilitate the advance of innovations to solve real world technology challenges. The interests of our faculty are diverse and the innovative research programs including Green Energy, In Vitro Test Systems, Composites, Computer/Mathematical Simulations, Assistive Robotics, Quantum Dynamics, Bioimaging, NanoElectronics & NanoPhysics, Nanomaterials for Sustainable Agriculture, Integrated Device Development and Advanced Materials have been explored. Our research effort has made significant impact on nanotechnology society and industry. NSTC faculty has received NSF CAREER, ONR YIP, and DARPA YIA awards.

National Center for Integrated Coastal Research

Director: Graham Worthy

Type: University

Our team of interdisciplinary researchers and scientists is committed to an evidence-based, whole-community approach to increase the resiliency and sustainability of coastal communities by bringing together biologists, chemists, engineers, emergency managers, sociologists, political scientists, medical researchers, economists and urban planners. Responsible management of Florida’s exceptional coastal resources and ocean-based economy depends on innovative scientific research to address complex environmental, economic and social challenges. UCF Coastal’s goal is to link the ecological security of coastal ecosystems with the economic security of coastal communities, ensuring the sustainability of our coastlines and economy for generations to come.

National Center for Forensic Science

Director: Michael Sigman

Type: University

Our mission is to provide relevant and responsive forensic science research and operational support to the Criminal Justice Community.

Resilient, Intelligent and Sustainable Energy Systems (RISES)

Director: Zhihua Qu

Type: University

RISES aims to be a premier research center with focus on three technical fields: smart grid (sensing, communication, control, transmission and distribution) for intelligence and resiliency, PV system for sustainability, and building automation, energy storage, and connected communities for efficiency and integration.

Small Business Development Center

Director: Eunice Choi

Type: State

The Small Business Development Center at the University of Central Florida, is located in the National Entrepreneur Center inside the Orlando Fashion Square Mall and provides business seminars and free one-on-one business counseling for small business owners. The SBDC at UCF serves an eight-county area that includes Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter and Volusia counties, and maintains six sub-center offices in addition to the main office in Orlando. The SBDC at UCF is a member of the Florida SBDC Network, a statewide service funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Toni Jennings Exceptional Education Institute

Director: Eleazar “Trey” Vasquez/ Florencio Eloy Hernandez

Type: Florida Legislature, State

The Institute is dedicated to preparing and retaining exceptional student education teachers and related professional educators who serve children and adults with special needs. In collaboration with Central Florida partners, TJEEI provides families of children with disabilities, UCF faculty and students, and educators access to current information, resources and opportunities.

UCF RESTORES

Director: Deborah Beidel

Type: University

UCF RESTORES is a multi-disciplinary team consisting of behavioral health professionals (psychology, psychiatry, social work) who work collaboratively to provide cutting-edge treatment for trauma and stress-related disorders.

UCF Center for Ethics

Director: Lyman Brodie

Type: University

The Institute provides a dynamic cultural context for UCF students to practice their craft as storytellers while collecting and documenting the cultural histories of marginalized communities. In collaboration with community-based art groups and close partnership with the internationally renowned annual Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities (Zora Festival) in the Town of Eatonville, we are beginning to bring local and national interest to the Institute.

For more information about C&I contact Interim Associate Vice President for Research and Scholarship Joe Harrington. Please email jh@ucf.edu