University of Central Florida
08/07/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/07/2026 13:52
8 UCF Faculty Members to Be Inducted in Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida
The Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida (ASEMFL), a nonprofit that brings together the top academics and practitioners in the state, announced its 2026 cohort of inductees. Eight of the new members are from UCF. The inductees are:
- Associate Professor Chen Chen - Associate Member
- Professor Ivan Garibay '00MS '04PhD - Associate Member
- Professor Jayanta Kapat - Full Member
- Professor Damla Turgut - Full Member
- Associate Professor Thomas Wahl - Associate Member
- Associate Professor Dazhong Wu - Associate Member
- Professor Xiaohu Xu - Full Member
- Associate Professor Yang Yang - Associate Member
Full members are recognized as established leaders with a sustained record of exceptional impact in their respective fields. Associate members, who are new to ASEMFL this year, are recognized for their professional accomplishments and emerging leadership.
"We are proud to welcome this exceptional group of scholars and innovators to ASEMFL, including our inaugural class of associate members," says Yogi Goswami, ASEMFL president and distinguished professor at the University of South Florida. "Their lifelong dedication and creativity have led to transformational advances in their fields, improving lives and strengthening our communities."
Since its establishment, ASEMFL has grown to more than 300 experts grounded in common research and educational pursuits who are committed to undertaking issues in science, engineering and medicine of particular interest to the state.
This year's cohort is the largest in ASEMFL history. All new members will be inducted at the ASEMFL annual meeting, which takes place in November at the University of South Florida.
Chen Chen
Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science and the Institute of Artificial Intelligence
Citation: For pioneering contributions to multimodal and federated learning and real-time, privacy-preserving video analytics, advancing trustworthy and efficient AI systems for public safety, healthcare, and societal well-being.
(Photo by Kadeem Stewart '17)Jayanta Kapat
Pegasus Professor and Director of the Center for Advanced Turbomachinery and Energy Research
Citation: For innovative research and digital twin modeling and their impact on improved costs, efficiency and emissions in advanced turbines and energy systems.
Nasser Kutkut
Graduate Faculty Scholar in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Citation: For having pioneered high-efficiency and IoT-enabled battery charging systems, cloud-based energy management, and smart telematics platforms - technologies that cut costs, reduce emissions, and modernize industrial and electric vehicle power management worldwide.
(Photo by Carly McCarthy)Ivan Garibay '00MS '04PhD
Professor of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems and Director of the UCF Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Initiative
Citation: For pioneering work in AI for modeling complex human behavior, including the development of inverse generative social science, evolutionary model discovery, green technological innovation, and AI for social resilience against disinformation and polarization.
(Photo by Kadeem Stewart '17)Damla Turgut
Pegasus Professor and Chair of Computer Science
Citation: For pioneering contributions to the application of value of information in wireless networks, and for outstanding leadership in advancing research and education at both the university and international professional society levels.
(Photo by Nick Leyva '15)Thomas Wahl
Associate Professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering and the Center for Integrated Coastal Research
Citation: For pioneering work on flood risk analysis, coastal compound flooding and assessment of coastal hazards at multiple scales under weather extremes.
(Photo by Antoine Hart)Dazhong Wu
Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Citation: For contributions to the development and implementation of machine learning-based techniques for part qualification and certification in advanced manufacturing.
(Photo by Antoine Hart)Xiaohu Xia
Professor in the Department of Chemistry
Citation: For pioneering artificial enzyme research, achieving unprecedented catalytic efficiencies and developing diagnostic technologies with substantial clinical and societal impact.
"Dr. Xia's research is an excellent example of how cutting-edge research in the College of Sciences leads directly into transformative applications for the betterment of humanity," says Josh Colwell, College of Sciences dean. "His recognition by ASEMFL is particularly appropriate given the nature of his innovative work combining nanomaterials and fundamental chemistry research for healthcare applications that will directly impact people's lives."
(Photo by Antoine Hart)Yang Yang
Associate Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Citation: For being an accomplished scholar in developing energy materials using nanotechnology.
Fueling Research Excellence at UCF
Together, the honorees exemplify the breadth of research excellence driving innovation across UCF's College of Sciences and College of Engineering and Computer Science.
"Jay Kapat, Damla Turgut, Chen Chen, Ivan Garibay, Thomas Wahl, Dazhong Wu, Yang Yang and all faculty in the College of Engineering and Computer Science have contributed significantly to the research and education in their disciplines and their induction to the academy is a testament [to] their meaningful accomplishments," says Michael Georgiopoulos, College of Engineering and Computer Science dean. "The academy is expected to benefit from their expertise and their anticipated service to move its mission forward."
More Topics
College of Engineering and Computer Science College of Sciences Faculty Excellence Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department of Materials Science and EngineeringRelated Stories
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