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Research Areas

UCF School of Modeling, Simulation and Training

Research Areas

The faculty in the UCF School of Modeling, Simulation and Training aim to advance modern technologies — and create new ones — through their work. Explore their research areas below.

person digital twin research

Bioinformation and Systems Biology

Our faculty use advanced computational and statistical methods to solve various biological problems including:

  • Gene protein interactions
  • Gene regulation
  • RNA genomics
  • Drug design
  • Metabolic networks
person at computer

Computer Architecture

Improving the performance and efficiency of computers is the focus of our computer architecture researchers. These are a few topics they cover:

  • Design of processors, memory systems and networks
  • Modern file system design
  • Energy efficient architectures
engineers with simulation of an airplane

Computer Graphics

Pushing the boundaries of animation and simulation, our faculty figure out how to produce images from mathematical descriptions. Their research includes:

  • How to render realistic objects
  • How to animate objects
  • Computer vision and image processing
people in futuristic campus

Computer Security and Digital Forensics

Our faculty design new mechanisms to keep data safe from the threat of cybercriminals, and address the problem of evidence recovery when a digital attack occurs. These are just a few of the issues they tackle:

  • Intrusion prevention and detection
  • Malware propagation modeling and analysis
  • Wireless network security
  • Cloud security
student at computer

Computer Vision

Our faculty develop innovative ways to help computers “see” by processing visual information, including photos and videos. Problems they cover include:

  • Recognition and detection of objects or people
  • Segmentation of videos
  • Using image or video data in computational processes
extended reality

Database

Information must be stored efficiently and conveniently, and our faculty figure out how to make data retrieval easier for the end user. Here are some topics they cover:

  • Processing large data sets
  • Database management as a service
  • Moving object databases for mobile computing
  • Querying multimedia databases
  • Database management in the Internet of Things

Image and Video Processing

Our researchers aim to make the acquisition, storage and retrieval of data easy for humans, robots and autonomous systems. Their research covers:

  • Design and analysis of imaging sensors
  • Compression methods
  • 3D sensing and modeling
  • Space imaging
  • Medical imaging
people in front of screens

Machine Learning and AI

In the cutting-edge areas of machine learning and artificial intelligence, our researchers solve problems related to:

  • Complex systems
  • Data mining
  • Natural language processing
  • Neural networks
  • Robotics
  • Multi-agent systems

Networking and Mobile Computing

Our faculty design efficient communications protocols and architectures for exchanging data among computers and mobile devices. These research areas include:

  • Intruder tracking in sensor networks
  • Underwater tracking
  • Intelligent sharing of wired and wireless bandwidth
  • Real time transmission of audio and video

Parallel Computation

Our researchers aim to provide the fundamental tools and techniques for understanding how to design applications and algorithms for the rapidly evolving massively parallel chip architectures. Areas include:

  • Design of parallel algorithms
  • Models of parallelism
  • Creating and adapting parallel software applications
software engineering

Software Engineering and Systems

It’s important to develop quality software on time and in budget. Our researchers are investigating these areas to help software engineers complete their work efficiently:

  • Software system specification
  • Computational system verification
  • Model checking of hardware and software

Theory of Computing, Algorithms and Quantum Computing

Our faculty strive to understand the fundamental nature and limitations of computing. Areas they study include:

  • Finding algorithms for computing problems
  • Proving that a given problem requires specific resources
  • Using algorithms to solve problems efficiently with quantum information
man with AR/VR goggles on

Virtual Reality and Human-Computer Interaction

Our faculty bridge the gap between reality and fantasy through their work in virtual reality, augmented reality and human-computer interaction. Here are a few topics they cover:

  • Computer graphics
  • Multi-modal systems
  • 3D interactions
  • Human factors
  • Illusions of presence and telepresence

Faculty Clusters and Initiatives

The faculty in the Department of Computer Science not only manage their own labs but collaborate with researchers across the university through faculty clusters and research initiatives. Learn more below. 

Cyber Security and Privacy Cluster

The Cybersecurity and Privacy Faculty Cluster, led by Professor Yan Solihin, explores and develops new methods to keep our data secure. It also studies the social implications of new technologies and the Internet of Things. 

Genomics and Bioinformatics Cluster

UCF’s Genomics and Bioinformatics Faculty Cluster, led by Professor Shaojie Wang, uses genomic tools to address a variety of questions in the biological domain. 

Learning Sciences Cluster

UCF’s Learning Sciences Faculty Cluster explores the use of technology to improve learning outcomes. The group also explores how we interact and learn from machines. 

vr goggles

Synthetic Reality Lab

SREAL is an interdisciplinary lab that is part of the Institute for Simulation and Training as well as the UCF Department of Computer Science. Research covers robotics, mixed reality experiences and digital avatar technology.

UCF RISES Center

UCF’s Resilient, Intelligent and Sustainable Energy Systems Center, or RISES, works to develop sustainable and resilient energy systems and storage to make sure we have power and stay connected when disasters strike.