UCF Health Sciences

🤖 + 🧠 = Better learning.

UCF Health Sciences Associate Professor Humberto López Castillo, named Superhuman’s (formerly Grammarly) 2026 Educator of the Year, is showing students how to use AI the right way — as a tool to enhance creativity, research and critical thinking, not replace it.

From AI-powered health research to educational games and Hamilton-style rap songs, his students are using technology in innovative ways while learning an important lesson: humans are still responsible for the final product.

Read more about his approach to teaching in this Tech & Learning story:

4 Strategies For Teaching With AI Effectively - UCF Athletic Training | Communication Sciences and Disorders | Health Sciences | Kinesiology | Physical Therapy | Social Work

University of Central Florida graduating senior Hailey Satmaria reflects on a college journey shaped by leadership, service and hands-on healthcare experience. Satmaria chose UCF and the health sciences major for its specialized curriculum and strong sense of community.

“I loved UCF’s campus the most,” Satmaria said. “Plus, there aren’t many universities that offer such a rich pre-medical curriculum.”

Throughout her undergraduate career, Satmaria balanced rigorous academics with meaningful clinical experiences. She volunteered at AdventHealth Orlando, worked as a medical scribe in adult and pediatric emergency departments, and shadowed physicians in intensive care and cardiology. She also traveled to Costa Rica on a medical mission trip with Pre-Med AMSA, assisting with triage, vital signs and patient education.

“It’s a beautiful thing to help people you’ve never met before,” she said.

Satmaria’s impact extended beyond clinical settings. She took on leadership roles in mentoring programs, fundraising initiatives and student organizations, experiences that strengthened her confidence and deepened her commitment to service.

She encourages fellow students to embrace challenges and persevere through uncertainty.

“Even if you’re scared, you have to keep going,” Satmaria said.

As she prepares for medical school, Satmaria is proud of how far she has come and excited for what lies ahead.

SIX of our CHPS alumni have been recognized in the 2026 Class of 30 Under 30! 😎 Congratulations to:

⭐Cassandra Allen ’18 from the Department of Health Sciences

⭐Chloe Artrip ’19 ’23DPT from the School of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences

⭐Brenden Brown ’20 ’23MHA from the Department of Health Sciences

⭐Michele Guillard ’20 from the Department of Health Sciences

⭐Jaquesha Jefferson ’22 from the Department of Health Sciences

⭐Jillian Pirozzi ’22 ’25MHA from the Department of Health Sciences

The 30 Under 30 Awards highlight 30 alumni with remarkable professional achievements and contributions to the community. Read more about these outstanding alumni here:
https://ucfalumni.exposure.co/30-under-30-class-of-2026

Set to graduate in Summer 2026, Emma Coffman is a health sciences major on the preclinical track with a minor in leadership studies. Adopted from China and raised in Clermont, Florida, she grew up alongside her sister, a fellow UCF Health Sciences alumna.

Coffman discovered her passion for healthcare early through dual enrollment courses, shadowing opportunities and volunteer work — experiences that sparked her interest in dentistry. After earning her associate degree at Lake-Sumter State College, she transferred to UCF and embraced the transition to a larger campus community. By getting involved early, she found connection and encouragement, something she now recommends to other students navigating their own college journeys.

One of the most impactful parts of her UCF experience was participating in the LEAD Scholars Academy, where she developed as both a leader and mentor. Serving as a senior peer mentor strengthened her communication skills, confidence and ability to guide others — qualities she hopes to carry into a future career in dentistry while continuing to mentor and inspire others.

As graduation approaches, Coffman’s advice is simple: “Talk to people, find mentors, start early and focus on experiences that matter to you. You don’t have to stress so much … just enjoy the journey.”

Congratulations to Savannah Adams who successfully defended her thesis “Investigating the Association Between Polycystic O***y Syndrome and Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.” She earned her master’s degree in health promotion and behavioral science and crossed the commencement stage earlier this month.

What’s next for this talented grad? She has accepted a role with the Orange County Department of Health.

She is pictured here (center) with members of her thesis committee: Assistant Professor Joy Scheidell and Associate Professor Michael Rovito. Not pictured is Assistant Professor Qianxia Jiang, who also served as a committee member.

Congratulation to Brian Sukhu who successfully defended his thesis, “Association of Social Support Patterns on Health-related Quality of Life Among Hispanic/Latina Breast Cancer Survivors.”

He crossed the commencement stage last week, earning his master’s degree in health promotion and behavioral science. What's next? This aspiring physician scientist will pursue an MD Ph.D. program.

Sukhu is pictured with his thesis committee members, from left to right: Associate Professor Eunkyung “Muriel” Lee, Lecturer Cheryl Cavaliere and Associate Professor Humberto Lopez Castillo.

Congratulations to Isabelle Lynch, who successfully defended her thesis, “Social Support as an Effect Modifier of the Association Between Drug-Use Stigma and History of Substance Use During Pregnancy Among Women Who Use Unprescribed Opioids in New York: A Cross-Sectional Study.”

Lynch crossed the commencement stage last week, earning her master’s degree in health promotion and behavioral science. Her next step? Earning her Ph.D. in health education and behaviors at the University of Florida.

She is pictured from left to right with thesis committee members: Assistant Professor Jacob Bleasdale, Lynch, Assistant Professor Yen-Han Lee and Assistant Professor Joy Scheidell.

Congratulations to the latest graduates of our Master’s in Health Promotion and Behavioral Science! We’re so proud of their accomplishments and excited to watch the bright futures of these scientists and health leaders unfold.

Pictured here from left to right are:
Brian Sukhu and Jillian Weathington (both of whom will be pursuing an MD PhD program), Savannah Adams (who has accepted a role with Orange County Department of Health), and Isabelle Lynch (who will be enrolled in the Health Education and Behavior Ph.D. at UF).

Not pictured is Tina Glatz (who is also pursuing a Ph.D. program post graduation) and Loura Garcia (who is serving as a clinical research coordinator with a major hospital).

Charge On!

Congratulations to our graduating students who earned honors! 🎓 Charge On! 💛🖤

Jillian Weathington has earned a Master of Science in Health Promotion and Behavioral Science and plans to one day work as a physician-scientist, bringing laboratory findings into new treatments to improve patient care. 🎓

Her advice? “Try Everything. You will never know what opportunities will arise or what journey it will lead you on until you put yourself out there.”

Congratulations, Jillian! ⭐🖤