The winning team includes Mubarak Shah, the director of the 166su Institute of Artificial Intelligence (IAI); Helen Huang and Qiushi Fu, associate professors of biomedical engineering; Yue Wen, an assistant professor of biomedical engineering; Abhilash Durgam, a doctoral student who works in the Center for Research in Computer Vision; and Jerry Fu, a postdoctoral scholar mentored by Huang and Wen.

As top 10 winners, Team Marque’s code will be added to the competition’s open-source repository, contributing to the future advancement of EEG research. They also receive a certificate in recognition of their achievement. Shah says that placing in the top 10 at the world’s premier venue for AI and machine learning is a tremendous accomplishment for 166su and its newly established IAI.

“It speaks to the strength of 166su’s interdisciplinary culture,” Shah says.

“Our students and faculty, with their combined expertise in machine learning, neuroscience, signal processing and computer vision can compete with some of the world’s best teams.” — Mubarak Shah, Trustee Chair Professor

The competitors had to prevail in two individual challenges that utilized data from the Healthy Brain Network, which includes EEGs of more than 3,000 children who were multitasking. Challenge 1 asked the teams to improve the predicted reaction time of a subject seeing change in contrast of an image while Challenge 2 called for an improved prediction of mental health traits in a subject.

Durgam says the secret to Team Marque’s success was to look for the patterns that hold true for all people.

“Rather than treat this as a regression problem to predict a number, we used a classification approach where we taught our model to recognize the unique ‘profile’ of the person,” Durgam says. “This encouraged the model to understand the individual’s distinct characteristics rather than just treating the task as a simple math problem.”

The team’s efforts are more than just an accomplishment for themselves and for the university — their code can now be used by scientists to advance EEG research.

“Our open-source repository supports open-science efforts, which I believe is necessary to make substantial breakthroughs in EEG research at a faster rate than any one group could accomplish alone,” Huang says. “Being able to predict mental health traits in developing children is a challenging problem that has great societal impact and could be solved faster collectively as a field by working in parallel and sharing data and code so groups don’t have to repeat something that has already been tried.”

Team Marque came together after Durgam reached out to Huang to learn more about EEG. Each of them had already formed teams for the competition, but decided to combine efforts for better results. For Huang, the competition also had a personal connection as one of the organizers, Seyed Yahya Shirazi ’21PhD, is her former student.

“I don’t think we have been in the top 10 if we didn’t combine efforts,” Huang says. “Together, we could work in parallel to explore fundamentally different approaches first to identify the most promising one and then focus on optimizing specific parameters.”

Forward Anzhané Hutton attempts a jump shot to score in the Addition Financial Arena. 166su defeated Wichita State 59-56.

Kareem Ahmed, associate professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, is the principal investigator of a new Naval Research Laboratory-funded project to create a morphing hypersonic engine for ultra-fast travel.

The 166su/Universal Creative Lab, which launched Spring 2023, brings immersive design learning experiences to students to cultivate the next generation of themed entertainment innovators. The class opened to graduate students in 166su’s , which is directed by Professor Peter Weishar.

Pushing the frontier of space research, Associate Professor of Physics Adrienne Dove is co-leading NASA’s $35 million science mission to the moon’s Gruithuisen Domes, which is expected to launch in 2026.

A participant in the 15th annual 166su Iron Knight Challenge drags weights across a field in a race to complete eight physical fitness tasks along a military-style obstacle course.

Forward Taylor Hendricks is 166su men’s basketball’s third NBA Draft selection in program history. Hendricks was selected by the Utah Jazz with the No. 9 overall pick of the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft.

Jane Gibson, from the College of Medicine, was selected as one of four 2023 Pegasus Professors, the university’s highest faculty honor. Professors Stephen Fiore, Jennifer Kent-Walsh and Marianna Pensky were also selected.

Rapper and singer Doechii performed at 166suest Concert Knight presented by Campus Activities Board at the Addition Financial Arena.

During 166su Celebrates the Arts — a multi-day showcase of creativity — student cellists and other 166su musicians performed orchestral classics at the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts.

Backstage during a 166su Celebrates the Arts production at the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts in downtown Orlando.

Ballet dancers captivated the stage during TECH-nique: A Dance Concert at 166su Celebrates the Arts, which focused on the intersection of arts and technology this year.

Knights posed for photos in the Student Union during 166su Day of Giving 2023; an impactful celebration that ended with Knight Nation raising over $6.8 million — the most in university history — to support our local community, fund life-changing scholarships, power championship athletics, build 21st century learning facilities, fuel innovative research and enhance the university’s global reputation.

A graduate from Spring 2023 commencement celebrates with loved ones.

166su students spend a day outdoors in downtown Orlando, which ranks as the No. 1 Best College City in Florida, according to WalletHub.

Principal Investigator and Associate Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Helen Huang works with student Jordan Grubb to understand how the brain and body work together — valuable research to assist those with impaired movement.

The Charging Knight statue — representative of 166su’s excellence in academics, its partnerships with the community and its athletics program — sits near the main entrance of FBC Mortgage Stadium.

College of Optics and Photonics Associate Professor Kyu Young Han works with doctoral student Katelyn Canedo ’16 in the , which focuses on optical nanoscopy. Han is an expert in designing new optical tools for biological applications, including ones that could aid in the understanding of human protein linked to diseases.

Student researchers gain hands-on experience with lasers in a lab in the College of Optics and Photonics.

Two students take a selfie with Knightro during the Welcome Back Popsicle Social event hosted by the Office of the President at the Reflecting Pond on the first day of the fall semester.

Political science student Sebastian Jimenez dives into a book outside of the John C. Hitt Library — carrying on the late president emeritus’ core belief that education transforms lives.

Jersey Shore star and DJ, Pauly D, gets the crowd pumped during his pregame set at Bounce House Live at IOA Plaza before 166su football’s first Big 12 home game.

Fans filled FBC Mortgage Stadium for the first Big 12 home football game against Baylor.

The School of Modeling, Simulation and Training secured an advanced dog-like robot named TapeMeasure — allowing them to bring students, faculty and new technology together for innovative research and teaching.

166su Creative School for Children held a foam splash event to provide its own Spirit Splash-like experience for preschoolers during Homecoming Week.

Knightro surfed over a crowd of students at Spirit Splash during Homecoming Week.

Knights charged into the Reflecting Pond to catch coveted homecoming rubber ducks at Spirit Splash.

During Spirit Splash, the dance team amped up the crowd before Knights rushed into the Reflecting Pond.

Knightro hyped up the crowd from the sidelines at the homecoming football game against West Virginia.

Assistant Professor of Theme Park and Attraction Management Carissa Baker (middle) works with students to understand theme park storytelling. Baker is a 2023 Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching awardee.

Track and field sprinters Latasha Smith (left) and I’Asia Wilson (right) pose with their collection of championship rings at a tailgate event before 166su football’s Space Game.

Football in tow, tight end Alec Holler moves up the field during 166su’s annual Space Game. The Knights defeated Oklahoma State, 45-3, marking their seventh consecutive win since the Space Game debuted in 2017.

Helen Huang, the principal investigator of the lab and associate professor in , understands firsthand how STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) is dominated by men. Nationally, just 25% of those working in computer occupations are women, and just 15% of engineers and architects are women, according to the Pew Research Center. But with women like Huang in STEM leadership roles, those numbers can change — something International Women in Engineering Day seeks to influence as it celebrates the work of women engineers annually on June 23.

“I think the most important thing [for women in STEM] is to have a supportive network,” Huang says. “Surround yourself with people who will encourage you to pursue what you’re interested in. There are plenty of women in STEM who would love to see more women in STEM.”

In the BRaIN Lab, Huang helps student researchers conduct human subject experiments and analyze large sets of data from the brain, muscles and body during challenging balance and walking tasks. By measuring electrical activity of the brain, computer algorithms can estimate where and when areas of the brain activate during movement — valuable insight that can design better robotic devices and rehabilitation for those with impaired movement.

For Lindsey Lee, seeing the BRaIN Lab was an “aha” moment. While studying a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering — which she just graduated from this spring — she discovered the lab and a way to combine her passion for sports, movement and math. Since, she’s worked in the lab to analyze people’s patterns of walking in response to perturbations on a treadmill and that young and older adults increase their walking speed when a treadmill shifts rapidly from side-to-side, disrupting the normal walking pattern. Next, she will continue to analyze these findings and others in the BRaIN Lab while pursuing a master’s degree in biomedical engineering.

“Having Helen as a mentor has solidified my interest in the field and she’s encouraged me and helped build my confidence to continue onto graduate school,” Lee says. “I think it’s great to see a successful woman in this field. It can help inspire others who may not have similar examples in their life.”

For Shayla Hoa, a sophomore in mechanical engineering, the BRaIN Lab and Huang’s success also have influenced her career interests.

“I often find myself surrounded by male classmates, but witnessing Helen’s remarkable career achievements and the strides she’s made has given me a sense of assurance to persevere,” Hoa says. “The BRaIN Lab has given me hands-on experience conducting human-subject experiments and collaborating with more experienced peers who I can depend on for guidance.”

Huang hopes interest in the BRaIN Lab and biomedical engineering continues to grow. She feels it will at 166su, as and are now offered. Limbitless Solutions, a nationally recognized nonprofit at 166su that designs and builds personalized prosthetics more affordably thanks to its 3D-printing technology, also has brought more attention to the growing field. 166su also offers a , which prepares students for careers in medical research and development.

As understanding of brain activity and human movement grows, ultimately Huang hopes to help preserve mobility.

“The end game is to make sure everyone can maintain their mobility,” she says. “Mobility is a big part of our quality of life. It can greatly impact what we do, our mood, our ability to be independent. Our ultimate goal is to help our growing population in this way.”

Under the mentorship of Pegasus Professor Alain Kassab, Messmore shifted career paths once again, this time in the direction of biomedical engineering, a field that combines her passions for both medicine and engineering. Now Messmore, is one of the first students to pursue a doctoral degree in biomedical engineering at 166su.

The doctorate in biomedical engineering, which launched in Fall 2022, is the newest degree offered through the in the . The program is designed to prepare students for research and development careers in the biomedical industry, government labs and organizations and academia.

Supporting the Industry

The program also supports the demand for a workforce with advanced biomedical engineering knowledge and skills. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of biomedical engineers and bioengineers will increase steadily throughout the decade. Florida is also among the states with the highest employment in this field.

One employer of biomedical engineers is the company .decimal, which manufactures devices and develops software that can assist with the treatment of cancer. Kevin Erhart ’04 ’06MS ’09PhD, the president and chief technology officer of the company, says that the pipeline of students from 166su to industry can be invaluable to small companies like his.

“Having local Ph.D. students engaged in work within our fields of interest would open the door to collaborative projects where students solve novel problems and companies commercialize the results through their existing sales and marketing channels,” Erhart says. “Students will hopefully be better exposed to real-world research and development and also have opportunities to interact with local companies that would have significant interest in hiring them upon graduation.”

Opportunities for Growth

Students are exposed to real-world research opportunities in faculty labs at both CECS and the College of Medicine, and they also have the chance to engage in research projects with local medical professionals. Steven Scheller, who joined the program when it launched in Fall 2022, says that it provides an in-depth look at what it takes to design and develop medical devices that doctors and patients use every day.

“In many cases, doctors will have the medical knowledge and desire to improve a device or develop a new device to help fellow medical professionals and patients,” he says. “However, they lack the engineering background and expertise to determine how to go about designing and building a device. I want to be a physician who is able to bridge this gap. I want to have both the medical and engineering knowledge and skill necessary to take an idea I have to invent or improve a medical device, design, build, and test it in order to dramatically improve patients’ lives.”

When it comes to their area of study, students can tailor the degree program to their interests, which Messmore says sets it apart from similar doctoral programs.

“Since biomedical engineering is a very rapidly advancing field and is also so broad, the degree maintains the balance of requiring fundamentals in the field but allowing people to tailor their electives to whatever subfield they wish,” Messmore says. “It’s great because it doesn’t limit anyone to a specific specialty, and you can pursue whatever you desire – biomechanics, biofluids or even regenerative medicine – all while working with world-class faculty.”

Students are also not limited in how they enter the program. Graduates with a master’s degree can apply as can graduates with a bachelor’s degree who would like to earn a master’s degree along the way.

The First Alum — With Many More to Come

Currently, nine students are enrolled in the program, which will soon boast its first alumnus. Jinfeng Li ’19MS ’22PhD transferred from the mechanical engineering doctoral program to biomedical doctoral program last fall. He graduated in Fall 2022 under the tutelage of Associate Professor Helen Huang.

“Compared to other programs, the biomedical engineering Ph.D. program is a highly interdisciplinary program that trains students to solve biomedical problems with engineering approaches,” Li says. “This program has many faculty members who are rising stars, accompanied with outstanding resources from the main campus and Lake Nona, and offers [various] career opportunities.”

Li may be the first alumnus of the biomedical doctoral program, but he certainly won’t be the last. Tamar Yishay ’20 ’21MS is one future graduate of the program and a current alumna of 166su. She says the program will give her more exposure to the clinical work environment and will allow her to build off of her previous work in the undergraduate biology and master’s in nanotechnology programs.

“As I strive to strengthen and cultivate my niche in the science world, the pursuit of a biomedical engineering Ph.D. will inspire me to continue to develop my identity within the 166su community and to bring about revolutionary contributions to the art of science and medicine,” Yishay says. “Moreover, it provides an exciting journey to healthy living, which is what I hope to embody throughout my career and life.”

The deadline for applications for the doctorate in biomedical engineering program are due July 1 for fall and December 1 for spring.  For more information about the program, visit

Huang secured the National Institutes of Health R01 Award in her second year as an assistant professor in 166su’s Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering. The five-year grant awarded in August by the National Institute on Aging will look at “Adaptation of brain and body responses to perturbations during gait in young and older adults.”

To work towards brain-based gait rehabilitation and fall interventions, researchers must first determine the brain processes involved in balance control during walking, and recovery from losses of balance in young and older adults. Huang’s research involves collecting brain-wave and muscle-activity data to understand how people maintain their balance and adapt their movement patterns to disruptions during walking and exercise.

In addition to preventing the debilitation of hip fractures and head injuries, the findings would help reduce the economic burden of falls among older adults. The medical costs associated with falls in the United States total about $31 billion each year, according to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.

Tests will be carried out on a specially fitted treadmill that has two belts to walk on, one for each leg. The belt speeds can be run independently so one belt can go faster than the other.

“We use this feature to suddenly slow down or speed up a belt for a fraction of a second to create a small slip backwards or trip forwards,” Huang said. “The treadmill can also shift side to side. With this feature, we can create a slip in the side-to-side direction.”

By applying changes on the treadmill, researchers can see how the subjects react and adapt their walking pattern.

The treadmill’s incline/decline also can be adjusted as people walk to create a rolling terrain and it also has a self-paced mode, which allows the machine to change its speed to match the person’s walking speed.

While walking on the treadmill, the subjects’ brain waves will be recorded using electroencephalography with electrodes placed on the scalp to measure electrical activity generated by neurons in the brain. The system has 128 electrodes and will process the data to identify the brain areas that are the primary sources of the electrical activity during walking and responding to the perturbations.

“We expect to find that both young and older adults can adapt to these perturbations but that older adults will adapt less,” Huang said. “We expect that subjects will use a combination of anticipating and reacting to the perturbations to maintain their balance.

“If we could identify who is more likely to fall, then we could develop preventative balance-training programs to help reduce their fall risk. Additionally, we hope to be able to use brain dynamics to help customize fall-training programs and interventions for each individual.”

Her co-investigator on the grant is Professor Carolynn Patten at the University of Florida. Also helping with the project will be Assistant Professor Ladda Thiamwong in the 166su College of Nursing and Assistant Professor Hsin-Hsiung Huang in the Statistics department, who were added co-investigators once the project began.

Huang, who has a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from the University of Michigan, said this research meshes with her lifetime interest in movement and sports.

“I’ve played many sports throughout my life, and having a good sense of balance is beneficial. Unfortunately, I have really bad balance from repeated ankle sprains,” she said. “I seem to trip over imaginary lines and sprain my ankles on pea-sized pebbles.”

The study is looking for healthy volunteers 18-35 years old and 60-85 years old. Interested individuals can contact the team to conduct a brief interview about their overall health to determine eligibility. Interested individuals can email ucfbrainlab@gmail.com to learn more about the project.