Get To Know Us! - Sara Williams
09/29/25

Get To Know Us!

A monthly showcase of the amazing staff who make the International Center a place where the UF community meets all its international goals!

Sara Williams

Since joining the UF International Center in 2021, Sara Williams has brought not only her expertise in human resources but also a deep commitment to fostering a supportive workplace culture. As HR Generalist III,Sara plays a pivotal role behind the scenes—guiding hiring processes, onboarding new team members, managing payroll, and cultivating positive employee relations. Sara is more than a vital team member—she’s a driving force in creating a welcoming environment that reflects UFIC...

Successful UF Study Abroad Fall 2025 Fair!
09/29/25

The UF Study Abroad Fall 2025 Fair was a huge success! Students had the chance to explore a wide range of international opportunities—academic, cultural, and professional. The event brought together advisors and program representatives, giving attendees the resources and inspiration to start planning their next global experience. It was an energizing day that highlighted how study abroad can expand learning far beyond the classroom.

To learn about Study Abroad opportunities at UF visit our website.

UF Global Fellow Carla Brisotto Advances International Research on Disaster Preparedness and Urban Resilience
09/29/25

When disasters strike, whether floods in Italy, hurricanes in Florida, or earthquakes in Ecuador, the damage is immediate. But the true test of resilience often comes in the “in-between” periods, when communities prepare, rebuild, and reimagine their futures.

UF Global Fellow Carla Brisotto, assistant professor in the School of Architecture, College of Design, Construction and Planning (DCP), and former Assistant Director of UF’s ...

Graduate Student Rock Aboujaoude, Jr. Builds Research Partnerships in Central Asia Supported by theInternational Center
09/29/25

When graduate student Rock Aboujaoude, Jr. set out for Central Asia this summer, his goal was clear: expand the international scope of his dissertation on carbon farming and regenerative agriculture while exploring opportunities for long-term partnerships with universities in the region. Supported by the UF International Center through the Research Abroad for Doctoral Students (RADS ) and advised by Dr.Michael Kung: (UFIC’s Office for Global Research Engagement), Dr. Sadie Hundemer (Asst. Professor,...

UF Professor and Virtual Exchange Partner Publish on Virtual Exchange Outcomes
09/22/25

Following a presentation at the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) annual conference this summer by Dr. Ana Porras, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering at UF, she and her virtual exchange partner, Dr. Daniel Suarez of Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Colombia), have published a conference proceedings paper on their virtual exchange (VE) format, outcomes, and lessons learned. Through their VE project, graduate students at UF and undergraduate students in Colombia identified biomedical needs from each other’s contexts and exchanged feedback on proposed solutions. To demonstrate the outcomes of this project, the authors presented data from the ...

Megan Ennes Showcases Research on Museum Educators at International Conference
09/22/25

Megan Ennes, Director of the Thompson Earth Systems Institute and Associate Curator of Museum Education in the Department of Natural History presented at the ...

Dr. Tamara Macieira Advances AI in Nursing at Universidade Federal de Alfenas
09/22/25

Dr. Tamara Macieira, Ph.D., from the University of Florida College of Nursing, visited the Universidade Federal de Alfenas (UNIFAL-MG) in Brazil to collaborate with Dr. Isabelle Costa and her team on advancing the use of AI in nursing and the nursing process.

Dr. Macieira was honored to deliver the keynote at the launch of Sistema SisApec—an AI-driven electronic health record system designed to support nursing documentation and strengthen the implementation of the nursing process in Brazil. Led by Dr. Costa and her team, this innovative system has the potential to transform nursing practice nationwide.

The launch event gathered nearly 300 researchers,...

UFIC’s Paloma Rodriguez selected as NACE Career Fellow
09/22/25

Dr. Paloma Rodriguez, Director of the Office of Global Learning at UFIC, was chosen to become a NACE Career Fellow. The NACE Career Fellows is a new initiative from the UF Career Connections Center to bring a select group of faculty and staff from across the University to lead career development efforts on campus in collaboration with the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). NACE collects and analyzes data on topics such as starting salaries for graduates, student attitudes and outcomes, and industry best practices, and fellows will use these insights to enhance curricular and co-curricular programs within their respective areas, ensuring their alignment with the needs...

Fulbright: Connecting People and Nations
09/15/25

Fulbright is the United States government’s flagship program of international educational and cultural exchange. The U.S. Scholar Program is one among many programs for talented students and scholars worldwide. We encourage you to explore the following programs for the students you advise, campus enrichment activities, and as a potential host for a foreign scholar. 

For students considering a next step after earning their degree, t...

Internationally Recognized Professor, Dr. Rachael Seidler, Appointed as Director of the UF Astraeus Space Institute
09/15/25

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Rachael Seidler, Ph.D., as Director of the University of Florida’s Astraeus Space Institute, effective October 1, 2025. Dr. Seidler is a Professor in the Department of Applied Physiology & Kinesiology and has served as Deputy Director of the Astraeus Space Institute since 2024. She is internationally recognized for her research in spaceflight operations, neuroscience, and aging, with nearly 200 peer-reviewed publications and extensive experience leading interdisciplinary teams. Dr. Seidler’s work has been supported by NASA, NIH, NSF, and other major...

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