UCF Health Sciences

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UCF Health Sciences

The Health Sciences page connects students and shares information and opportunities for graduate edu Have a quick question?

The Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences Pre-Clinical Track is designed for students with interest in human health leading to graduate study or career advancement. This degree is designed to provide the students with a solid educational background in basic
and health-related sciences, while providing the foundation courses required for admission to graduate level clinical programs in hea

lth professions including but not limited to medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant, and occupational therapy. The flexibility of this program allows students to prepare for multiple careers in health sciences. To schedule an advising appointment with HSPC, please call 407-823-0946. Walk-in hours are held every Thursday from 1:30 - 4:30 PM

09/01/2026

A serious neurological injury during his senior year of high school forced UCF health sciences alumnus Robert Beckman '23 to rethink his future. After transferring from Seminole State College to UCF, he transformed that setback into a career in biomedical research. Today, Beckman reflects on that turning point with gratitude. "I'm actually very fortunate with how things evolved," says Beckman.

Determined to move forward, Beckman joined UCF's T-LEARN program, which connected him with a research lab and mentors who helped shape his career. Over the next four years, he studied multidrug-resistant bacteria as an undergraduate researcher before becoming the lab's manager after graduation. Along the way, he published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at national conferences and mentored more than a dozen students. His work earned him the UCF Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Award, recognizing his outstanding and impactful contributions to undergraduate research.

Beckman hopes students facing setbacks remember they don't have to navigate them alone. "Never be afraid to step outside your comfort zone,” says Beckman.
Now headed to the University of Michigan for graduate school, Beckman plans to advance research on antimicrobial therapies to combat antibiotic resistance while continuing to inspire the next generation of scientists.

08/31/2026

Ready to prove that U Can Finish? 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️⚔️ https://trackshack.com/u-can-finish-5-mile-2-mile/

Join the UCF Health Sciences Team for the U Can Finish 5 Mile & 2 Mile presented by AdventHealth on Sunday, Oct. 11, at UCF’s Memory Mall! Whether you’re running, walking or just looking to cross that finish line, we want you on our team!

Be sure to select UCF Health Sciences Team when you register and use one of the following UCF discount codes:

💛 UCF Students: goknights26 — $10 off
🖤 UCF Staff/Faculty: ucfstaff26 — $5 off
⚔️ UCF Alumni: ucfalumni26 — $5 off

The 2 Mile starts at 7:30 a.m. and the 5 Mile starts at 8 a.m. See you at the finish line, Knights! 🏅

08/27/2026

Associate professor of health sciences Humberto Lopez Castillo prioritizes speaking other people's languages as a researcher and an expert communicator. Lopez Castillo recently put these skills to use on a Fogarty project, Cardiometabolic Status of Adults Living with HIV, in Panama – which is the country with the highest rate of HIV in Central America. While adults living with HIV are now enjoying longer and more fulfilling lives, his research found a high prevalence of health problems that raise the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Now, he's crafting new proposals for further research designed to integrate cardiometabolic care into HIV primary care in Panama with a goal of helping people there, and in other communities, live healthier lives.

Learn more about his research and findings here https://www.fic.nih.gov/News/GlobalHealthMatters/july-august-2026/Pages/fogarty-project-in-panama-aims-to-thwart-cardiometabolic-disease-among-adults-with-hiv.aspx

08/03/2026

When Jaquesha Jefferson began her UCF journey, she planned to become a physician. But through the LEAD Scholars Academy, campus leadership roles and the health sciences curriculum, she discovered a broader calling: improving lives through public health.

After earning her bachelor's degree in health sciences in 2022 and an MPH from Florida State University in 2024, she realized she could create meaningful change by improving healthcare systems. “I really fell in love with public health and being able to make healthcare impacts on a more global level instead of just the individual patient level,” Jefferson says.

In just four years since graduating from UCF, Jefferson has built an impressive career dedicated to service. As a senior project manager for the Rural Health Redesign Center, she helps rural healthcare organizations strengthen operations, improve quality and deliver better patient care. She also leads her own consulting business supporting nonprofit organizations. A UCF 30 Under 30 honoree, she credits UCF with providing the mentorship and leadership opportunities that helped shape her success.
Her advice to students is simple:

“The degree is important, but the experience and connections are what will carry you. Trust the journey, and take it day by day, step by step.”

07/22/2026

🩺This was a day that could shape a career! 🍏

We were pleased to welcome 68 high school students who spent part of their summer discovering what a future in healthcare can look like at this year's Health Leaders Summer Academy.

Presented in partnership with the UCF College of Medicine, the academy gives students an inside look at career paths that help build stronger and healthier communities. Throughout the day, participants gained hands-on experience, from working with simulated patients to examining assistive technology to learning about movement as medicine.

Students also toured our state-of-the-art Rehabilitation Innovation Center, where they experienced some of our unique technologies that support education, research and patient care, including holograms, manikins and our immersive simulation suite. We can't wait to see where these inspired healthcare leaders go next!

07/13/2026

When Michele Guillard graduated from UCF in 2020 with dual degrees in interdisciplinary studies and health sciences, she envisioned a career in healthcare. She credits scholarships, the Burnett Honors College and campus involvement with shaping her career.

Guillard initially planned to become a physician before shifting her focus to physical therapy. She began physical therapy school in 2020, but the challenges of learning during the COVID-19 pandemic prompted her to reconsider her career path. When an opportunity in technology sales emerged, she embraced it.
Today, Guillard serves as a client innovation manager at Avanade, where she partners with organizations, including healthcare systems, to solve complex technology challenges. Her healthcare education continues to influence her work by helping her understand the needs of hospital leaders and the role of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.

Guillard continues to give back to her alma mater as a member of the UCF Alumni Board, mentoring students and volunteering. In 2026, she was recognized with UCF’s 30 Under 30 Alumni Award for her professional achievements.

Reflecting on her nontraditional career path, Guillard encourages students to branch out and say yes to opportunities, even if they don't align with their original plans. She reminds students that exploration is part of the college experience.

"You just have to try a bunch of things,” she says. “College is really the perfect place to do it."

07/01/2026

Through the Health Tech Innovators Adaptive Clothing Hackathon, students across disciplines including physical therapy, health sciences, medicine, health services administration, and engineering partnered with patient volunteers to redesign everyday clothing for people facing medical, mobility and sensory challenges. From garments designed around medical devices to adaptive features that make dressing easier and more comfortable, each solution was created with one goal in mind: helping people live more independently.

The project gave students hands-on experience in human-centered design while reminding them that impactful healthcare innovation begins by listening to the people you hope to help.

Learn more at: https://www.ucf.edu/news/ucf-students-reimagine-clothing-through-adaptive-design/

06/22/2026

Toni-Ann Stampp graduated from UCF in Spring 2026 with a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (Pre-Clinical Track). Originally from Jamaica, Stampp chose UCF for its strong health sciences program, supportive environment and opportunities for hands-on learning.

Throughout her time at UCF, Stampp embraced experiences that strengthened her commitment to serving underserved populations. During an internship at the Conductive Education Center of Orlando (CECO), she worked with children and adults living with cerebral palsy and other neurological conditions. “Helping others made me more well-rounded and gave me more empathy for people from all different walks of life,” Stampp says.

Stampp also participated in a study abroad program in Jamaica, supporting children with autism through literacy-focused therapy sessions and community outreach efforts. “It was really eye-opening because I was able to go back home as an adult, in a position where I could help people,” Stampp says.

These learning experiences reinforced Stampp’s passion for advocacy, service and inclusive healthcare. She plans to continue her education at UCF by pursuing a Master of Social Work, with the goal of becoming a licensed clinical social worker helping individuals and families in healthcare and community settings.

06/10/2026

Help people live healthier lives and build the skills to create lasting change. 💛

The Master of Science in Health Promotion and Behavioral Science prepares future health professionals to design evidence-based wellness programs and translate them into real-world solutions through coaching, communication, prevention and education.

Apply by July 1 for fall admission: https://healthprofessions.ucf.edu/healthsciences/masters/

06/08/2026

Health sciences alumnus Robert Beckman '23 recently made his mark as the first author on a new publication highlighting his research findings co-authored with College of Medicine Assistant Professor Renee Fleeman. Drawing on his experience as an EMT, Beckman gained hands-on insight into infectious diseases while managing Fleeman’s lab during her research on how to combat some of the strongest and most harmful bacteria to humans.
Beckman will be headed to the University of Michigan to pursue his Ph.D., where he plans to focus on bacteriology, pathogenic bacteria, and drug discovery, with the long-term goal of leading his own research lab.
Read more at https://www.ucf.edu/news/ucf-scientist-leads-research-to-break-through-harmful-bacterial-fortresses/

Address

4000 Central Florida Boulevard HPA/II Room 210
Orlando, FL
32816

Telephone

+14078230946

Website

http://healthprofessions.ucf.edu/healthsciences

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