“I am on the receiving end of care for this disease. I want to be part of improving care for all of us who deal with epilepsy.” — Julia Moras, student

Moras is part of new UCF research and educational opportunities created by Laura Brattain, a biomedical engineer by training who is integrating AI, medical ultrasound and surgical robotics to create healthcare innovations that improve patient care.

As an associate professor at UCF’s College of Medicine and a member ɫ����’s new Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Brattain holds secondary positions in the College of Engineering and Computer Science. She is offering a newly revitalized Introduction to Medical Robotics course that is part of a new master’s program in robotics and autonomous systems. Those educational opportunities are also expanding research opportunities.

During a recent gathering, Brattain and her students — UCF undergraduates, master’s and doctoral candidates — demonstrated the promise AI and medical robotics have for patient care.

“My hope is that students come away from this course with not only a solid understanding of how robotics and AI are transforming medicine, but also a sense of creativity and purpose — seeing themselves as future innovators who can bridge engineering and healthcare to improve patient outcomes,” Brattain says.

“With the advances in AI and hardware acceleration, medical robotics is going to be one of the next frontiers in healthcare innovation.” — Laura Brattain, associate professor

The Promise of Technology

As part of the new class, students are using AI to program a small medical robot to recognize anatomical structures in medical images. For example, the robot’s probe can recognize the difference between soft tissue and bone in the human body. With the probe, you can feel the softness of human tissue and the hardness of bone as the probe enters each.

Such robots could provide needed care in rural and isolated areas, Brattain explains. A surgeon miles or even countries away could direct the robot with his or her hands to perform surgery.

M. Iffat Hossain is a UCF graduate student studying computer engineering. He says Brattain’s class has opened his eyes to ways engineers and physicians can work together.

In another lab, UCF students and Brattain show the use of ultrasound technology to improve care. There, they are programming a small, handheld ultrasound machine that can provide medical imaging rather than rely on the large ultrasound machines used in hospital and established clinical settings.

One of her students uses a wireless ultrasound probe on his arm to track the median nerve using AI. Patients with carpal tunnel syndrome often require surgery or nerve blockers injected into that nerve to relieve their pain. AI-driven ultrasound technology can improve outcomes of such procedures and increase access to care, she says.

Her research is also studying the use of AI and ultrasound to better diagnose breast cancer with less invasive procedures for patients. Currently, a certain percentage of patients with a suspected tumor undergo surgical biopsies, where a piece of the tumor is surgically removed for testing.

What if AI and ultrasound imaging could better differentiate between benign vs. malignant tumors, thus reducing the need for surgical biopsies?

What if technology could provide a less invasive and more cost-effective way to keep track of breast cancer progression and reduce the reliance on mammograms and MRIs?

“If we could use AI and medical ultrasound technology to safely reduce surgical biopsies by even 20%, that would mean improved quality of life to many women, including younger women.”

UCF Students Are Inspired

Farhan Fuad Abir is a UCF computer engineering doctoral candidate working on the breast cancer AI research. His mother is a breast cancer survivor.

“I want to create technology that serves humankind.” — Daryl Docteur, computer science graduate student

“The opportunity to use my skills to create technology to help people like my mother is powerful,” he says.

Engineering and computer science students say the medical robotics course has inspired them on new ways to use their skills while simultaneously increasing the potential of job opportunities linking engineering, computer science and healthcare.

Daryl Docteur was inspired to return to school after what he saw firsthand while working as a nurse in assisted living centers in Miami. He says as a health provider, he became enthralled with the innovative technology being developed to improve patient care and decided to come to UCF to pursue his master’s degree in computer science to further his training.

“I want to be part of the solution,” he says. “I want to create technology that serves humankind.”

“This initiative reflects our broader commitment to grow research, scale our areas of excellence and prepare students to lead in a technology-driven future.” — Alexander N. Cartwright, UCF President

The institute will unite more than two dozen world-class faculty across multiple colleges who are advancing foundational and applied artificial intelligence (AI) in areas like computer vision, robotics, machine learning, healthcare, finance and mathematics. By bringing AI-related faculty, students, research, and partners together, the institute will serve as a nucleus for collaboration, driving education and discovery with real-world impact.

“AI is massively transforming how we live, work and learn. As Florida’s Premier Engineering and Technology University, UCF is uniquely positioned to lead in this critical space,” says UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright.

With focus on research, applications-translation partnerships and education-workforce talent development, the IAI will:

• Unite an initial 25 faculty across four colleges — the College of Business, College of Engineering and Computer Science, College of Medicine, and College of Sciences — leveraging UCF’s expertise and scale to promote a truly collaborative, multidisciplinary approach.
• Promote collaboration across industry, government and community stakeholders — enhanced by UCF’s location in a thriving metropolitan region.
• Strengthen the AI skillset of all students so they can have competitive advantages as they enter the workforce.
• Support collaboration in research and education for other UCF faculty who are doing research in AI and on its applications, opening doors learn about AI and contribute to the enhancing its applications across disciplines.

Strengthening Impact Through AI

“By bringing together leading faculty, motivated students and forward-thinking partners, the institute will unlock new possibilities across disciplines.” — Mubarak Shah, IAI director

UCF’s momentum in AI is already strong. The university’s computer vision research ranks No. 8 nationally, with affiliated faculty publishing dozens of papers in premier venues and securing millions in external funding, including major awards from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Intelligence Advanced Research Project (IARPA), U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and industry. In the past two years, UCF’s AI Initiative has hired 11 faculty members across multiple colleges, with eight more joining this fall. Additionally, the Center for Research in Computer Vision (CRCV) will also be joining IAI.

“The Institute of Artificial Intelligence unites UCF’s AI strengths under one roof, creating a platform for high-impact research and talent development,” says Trustee Chair of Computer Science Mubarak Shah, who has been named inaugural director of the institute.

The institute will also support UCF’s AI for All Initiative, which integrates AI into teaching and learning across disciplines. Led by Kevin Yee, special assistant to the provost for artificial intelligence, AI for All is helping to scale AI tools and curriculum across all disciplines so that students graduate with an understanding of how to effectively use AI in their careers.

About Our AI Faculty

At the core of the institute is a growing network of faculty whose excellence and expertise reflect the depth ɫ����’s interdisciplinary strength in AI. Their research and teaching are defining UCF’s approach to AI as collaborative and grounded in real-world impact.

These faculty include:

• Niels da Vitoria Lobo
  Associate professor of computer science
  His research focuses on computational vision, active vision and mobile robotics, and user interfaces and graphical modeling, which has contributed to advancements in object detection, curve detection, person tracking and obstacle detection.
• Laura Brattain
  Associate professor of medicine
  Her research integrates biomedical AI, medical ultrasound and surgical robotics, with recent contributions to real-time diagnostic assistants and advancements in minimally invasive procedures. She also mentored six College of Engineering and Computer Science seniors who developed the AIMS (AI for Medical Surgery) system with Pegasus Partner Orlando Health. The system keeps track of surgical staples, enabling surgical teams to operate more efficiently and reduce waste.
• Cuneyt Akcora
  Associate professor of finance
  His research examines data science on complex networks and large-scale graph analysis, with applications in social, biological, the internet of things and blockchain networks. UCF’s future fintech involvement includes developing an AI lab within the finance department. Researchers participating in the program are looking at having blockchain nodes within the department, allowing them to download and access blockchain data, such as Bitcoin prices and activity on the transaction network. It would enable students to more easily learn about fintech and access up-to-date cryptocurrency information as they conduct research.
• Aritra Dutta
  Assistant professor of mathematics
  College of Sciences
  His research focuses on making AI models and computer systems smarter, private, faster, and more efficient. He works on improving how machines learn from large amounts of data, especially in a distributed setting, and applications in areas like image and video analysis. His interests include advanced machine learning techniques, distributed computing, and mathematical tools that help simplify learning from complex data, giving a foundational aspect to the design of advanced neural network architectures. Dutta has collaborated with major organizations such as Lockheed Martin, 1QB Information Technology, and ExxonMobil.
  
• Amrit Singh Bedi
  Assistant professor of computer science
  His research explores AI for autonomous systems. At a time when AI is rapidly reshaping industries, economies, and daily life, Bedi leads the SAFERR AI (Safety and Fairness for Reliable and Responsible AI) Lab, which aims to develop and test safer, more robust and more reliable AI systems. The interdisciplinary research team addresses critical challenges in ensuring AI systems operate dependably in real-world settings. Bedi has published over 100 papers and received numerous awards for his work on robust AI systems.

Other IAI faculty are: 

• Chen Chen
  Associate professor of computer science
  College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Xinyu Chen
  Assistant professor of mathematics
  College of Sciences
• Shahana Ibrahim
  Assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering
  College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Shubhra Kanti Karmaker
  Assistant professor of computer science
  College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Christian Küemmerle
  Assistant professor of mathematics
  College of Sciences
• Wu Lin
  Assistant professor of computer science
  College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Jialin Liu
  Assistant professor of statistics and data science
  College of Sciences
• Yogesh Rawat
  Assistant professor of computer science
  College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Yuzhang Shang
  Assistant professor of computer science
  College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Ali Siahkoohi
  Assistant professor of computer science
  College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Shashank Sonkar
  Assistant professor of computer science
  College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Yu Tian
  Assistant professor of computer science
  College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Shruti Vyas
  Assistant professor of material science and engineering
  College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Song Wang
  Assistant professor of computer science
  College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Yue Wang
  Assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering
  College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Zhenyi Wang
  Assistant professor of computer engineering
  College of Engineering and Computer Science

What Our Partners Say About the Institute

“On behalf of Leidos, I am excited to hear that UCF is creating the Institute of AI, under the directorship of Professor Mubarak Shah. I would like to express our strong support as the AI Institute represents a significant and timely investment in national security and technological superiority. The proposed institute’s research focus — ranging the use of machine vision in multiple domains, human and AI coordination, and cyber-AI integration to develop robust security solutions is directly aligned with emerging operational challenges faced by many of Leidos’ customers.

“Leidos has collaborated with UCF researchers on computer vision, autonomous operations, remote sensing, and other related technologies needed to further the advancement of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies. The establishment of the IAI enables a deeper relationship between UCF and Leidos to accelerate development and deployment of next-generation AI technologies. It would be a privilege to serve in an advisory capacity for the institute and contribute to aligning the complex challenges faced by industry with emerging AI research produced by the IAI. This ecosystem will also nurture the next wave of AI-enabled systems and train a pipeline of engineers and technologists who are essential to the future workforce.”

-Corey Hendricks, vice president and chief engineer commercial and international, Leidos

“The National Center for Simulation was founded in 1994 to promote dual-use modeling and simulation technology and is the cornerstone for the $7 billion military modeling and simulation enterprise in the Central Florida Research Park. The military’s latest objectives depend highly on AI technology, and UCF must be utilizing leading-edge AI technology to compete for valuable research funding projects. This new technology is not only important to UCF’s Institute for Modeling and Simulation and the National Center for Simulation, but its development is critical for ensuring national security and we are thrilled to be a partner with the new UCF Institute of AI.”

-George Cheros, president and CEO, National Center for Simulation

“At Mitsubishi Power Americas, we view AI as a transformative force — one that is essential for driving innovation, national competitiveness and societal impact. As this technology reshapes industries and redefines capabilities, the creation of this institute represents a timely and critical step toward advancing responsible, high-impact AI research and education. We look forward to the ways these advancements will revolutionize the power generation industry — through predictive maintenance, energy optimization and strengthened cybersecurity.”

“Mitsubishi Power Americas is excited to support the UCF Institute of AI through collaborative research initiatives, helping translate innovations into real-world applications, and advancing education through internships and mentorship opportunities. By working together, we hope to contribute to a vibrant ecosystem that empowers the next generation of talent and delivers solutions to the pressing challenges faced by our organization and the global workforce.”

–Shane Mickey, senior vice president of strategic initiatives, Mitsubishi Power Americas

“UCF has been a consistent and capable partner in helping us explore advanced simulation, synthetic training environments and emerging digital capabilities. The Institute of AI directly supports our efforts to modernize and scale training through technologies like generative Al and machine learning. We appreciate the leadership role UCF continues to play in advancing technology and talent in Central Florida, and across the nation.”

-Col. Marcus Reynolds, program manager for training systems, U.S. Marines

“The launch of the UCF AI Institute under Dr. Shah’s leadership signals a defining moment for Central Florida and the nation. AI will shape the next era of medicine, mobility, security and society. AdventHealth is proud to stand alongside UCF to unlock the full potential of this technology through trusted partnerships, shared innovation, and a commitment to preparing the next generation of AI leaders.”

-Rob Purinton, chief AI officer, AdventHealth

“Siemens Energy is using artificial intelligence in every aspect of our work, including expanding our Innovation Center Orlando to create a new laboratory that will use AI to analyze the electric grid. The education and workforce development that will take place at the UCF Institute of AI will prepare students for this work and many other opportunities in our 21st century economy.”

-Rich Voorberg, president, Siemens Energy North America

“L3Harris is thrilled that UCF is creating the Institute of AI, under the directorship of Professor Mubarak Shah. As a leading aerospace and defense technology company, L3Harris is actively advancing AI/ML (machine learning) capabilities to support national security across domains such as space systems, resilient communications and edge computing. We see strong alignment between the IAI’s research and transition goals and our interest in accelerating innovation, supporting IP (intellectual property) generation and transitioning foundational Al advances into deployable defense technologies. L3Harris looks forward to exploring future collaboration opportunities with UCF and the new Institute of AI to help shape the next generation of AI technologies that will enhance the security, resilience and sustainability of our nation.”

-Chad Wingate, space and airborne systems AI chief scientist, L3Harris

Laura Brattain, a UCF biomedical engineer, mentored six College of Engineering and Computer Science seniors, who developed the AIMS (AI for Medical Surgery) system that keeps track of surgical staples, enabling surgical teams to operate more efficiently, reduce waste and improve sustainability. The new technology was developed as part of the college’s Senior Design capstone course that encourages students to create a usable product before they graduate.

Students built an end-to-end application and tested it in an operating room at Orlando Health several times to improve the application. Alexis Sanchez, robotic surgery program director at Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center (ORMC), participated in the project and is now using the system in his surgeries.

As Florida’s Premier Engineering and Technology University, UCF is focused on leveraging technology to strengthen the health of communities. That is Brattain’s research focus — integrating biomedical AI, medical ultrasound and surgical robotics to create healthcare innovations that improve care. An associate professor at UCF’s College of Medicine and a faculty member of the , she holds secondary positions in the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

Sanchez says the technology can be applied to many other processes in the future, such as keeping track of instrument usage during non-robotic surgeries.

“We work in a very fast-paced environment, so having this to be able to detect waste has incredible potential to improve both efficiency and sustainability,” he says. “This is just the beginning. And this collaboration underscores both Orlando Health and UCF’s commitment to innovation to improve healthcare for our community.”

How the System Works

Many of the new medical tools developed for the operating room are disposable. Once they have been removed from their sterile containers and placed on the operating room table, they must be discarded — even if unused — because they are no longer considered sterile. During robotic surgeries, the robot cuts and staples tissues at the same time to reduce bleeding. But no one is sure how many staples a particular surgery will take.

During a visit to the hospital, Brattain joined Sanchez in observing the entire process of performing a robotic surgery, from preparation to completion. After evaluating potential areas for improvement, they suggested that students develop an AI system to track how many staples are placed on the surgical table versus how many are actually used.

“I wanted the students to know that while they can all create a computer program, they can also make an impact in healthcare,” she says. “To avoid developing technologies that end up collecting dust on the shelf, we should work with clinical experts to solve problems that can ultimately improve the care of patients.”

AIMS has a camera feed linked to a computer in the operating room. During surgery, their AI software directs the camera to record each staple that comes into the operating room and track its use. That data can then be analyzed to determine exactly how many staples are used to avoid opening unnecessary staples for surgery.

Life in the real world of surgery offered unique challenges to the young scientists. They went through multiple iterations with Sanchez and his team at Orlando Health. Initially they didn’t account for the low light conditions in operating rooms, so they had to change the camera’s angles and settings to better capture photos of the staples. They had to address other issues: What happened if someone placed a tool in front of the staples during surgery? What happened if someone moved the staples or stepped in front of the camera?

“We are thankful that Dr. Sanchez and his team provided the students with the opportunities to test AIMS in real-world scenarios where a regular robotic procedure is happening in the operating room and the medical team is moving around as usual,” Brattain says. “You can’t imagine these things in a classroom. Students need to see their science through a medical provider’s eyes.”

Creating Real-World Technologies

The goal of the Senior Design capstone is to “give students the opportunity to say, ‘I actually made something,’” during their education, says Matthew Gerber, a faculty member who helps lead the module. “We love it when the project turns into an application that’s being used in the real world. We wish it would happen more often.”

To further engineering-medicine partnerships, Brattain offered an Introduction to Medical Robotics course to engineering majors this semester — the first time the course has been offered in a decade. Students learned about how medical robots are designed and manipulated. As part of the class, they visited Sanchez’s team and saw the hospital’s Da Vinci robot in action. Students had a unique chance to interact with robotic surgeons, who have been generous with sharing their knowledge and answering questions. All these visits were coordinated by Lillian Aguirre, a clinical nurse specialist on Sanchez’s team and a UCF College of Nursing alum. The students and Brattain are grateful for her dedicated assistance.

Sanchez was at UCF when the students presented their Senior Design project and says he was proud of what they had accomplished together.

“One of the students came up to me and there were tears in his eyes,” Sanchez says. “He said, ‘I always hoped my skills would help humanity one day, and now I have.’”

Gerber sees plenty of future opportunities to create UCF engineering-medicine systems that impact patient care.

“Doctors are faced with so much information,” he says. “With AI, we can quickly and objectively analyze all that information to help give doctors better, cleaner information. AI can say to doctors, ‘Don’t worry about that. Focus on this.’”

Orlando Health is a UCF Pegasus Partner, a program that offers opportunities for select partners to engage across the university in ways that create meaningful value for both organizations. That engagement includes talent development and recruitment, shared research projects, joint ventures and collaborations, and strategic philanthropy.

Working together on projects like this creates synergy and provides the potential for advances in the science of medicine in Central Florida.

Rachel Leiner ’25, who graduated from UCF this spring, was the student leader for the AI project.

“Coming into a project that’s for a grade and seeing that we made something that can help improve the hospital workflow makes me very proud,” she says. “We started this project by developing AI to track cafeteria forks. We had nothing, and in eight months we had a working software app and a usable AI model to track surgical staples in an operating room.”