Air Force scientists coalesce with UCF professors, students

  • Published
  • By Susan A. Romano
  • AFTAC Public Affairs
Scientists from the Air Force Technical Applications Center here spent time with professors and students from the University of Central Florida in Orlando during the Fall 2025 semester to discuss the Educational Partnership Agreement the two organizations share.

Jonathan Holton, AFTAC’s R&D Relationships branch chief, and 1st Lt. Piper Gray, a nuclear physicist and chemistry team lead at the center’s Radiochemistry Laboratory, gave an in-depth presentation to chemistry students studying under Associate Professor Dr. Vasileios Anagnostopoulos, UCF’s Director of Nuclear Regulatory Commission Fellowships, about AFTAC’s role in global nuclear forensics and radiochemistry lab practices in the role of nuclear treaty monitoring.

Immediately following their briefings, a robust question-and-answer session took place, with students eagerly wanting to learn more about the center’s mission and how they can play an active role in the partnership.

Students queried the presenters on topics varying from hazards and safety procedures when working with radiological materials to sample analysis technology and challenges the scientists face on a day-to-day basis.  Many wanted to know more about what it’s like to work for the Air Force as a civilian.

An EPA is a formal agreement between a defense laboratory and an educational institution to transfer and/or enhance technology applications and to provide technology assistance for all levels of education.

These partnerships lay the foundation for a long-term partnership with scientists who also support the National Nuclear Security Administration-sponsored Consortia for Nuclear Forensics. Indirectly supporting the treaty monitoring mission, the university-led consortia network facilitates education, training, and research opportunities in the field of nuclear forensics.

The benefits to the institution of higher learning include opportunities for students and faculty to work on important defense projects, exposing the participants to real-world problems and providing them the opportunity to work with subject matter experts in a variety of STEM fields.

“The intent is to continue to cultivate the students’ interest in hard science technologies and hopefully encourage them to pursue a professional career within the federal government,” said Dr. Matthew Loving, AFTAC’s Scientific Technology Information Officer, and member of the team that visited the university. “This collaboration allows our center to leverage the cutting-edge research and expertise of academic institutions, while providing universities with the advantage to work on real-world challenges and access unique government facilities and resources.”

After the student seminar, Anagnostopoulos treated the visitors to a tour of UCF’s Radiochemistry Lab, Mass Spectrometry Facility, and their Materials Characterization Center.

This partnership with the Air Force Technical Applications Center represents more than collaboration – it is a strategic investment in the future of national security,” said Anagnostopoulos.  “At UCF Chemistry, our radiochemistry program is uniquely positioned to prepare students to become leaders in this critical field and not only advance fundamental science, but also address real-world challenges critical to global security.”

Additional benefits of a partnership of this nature include:

For Military Organizations:
  • Develop a future pool of scientists and engineers
  • Increase awareness of defense technologies
For the Universities:
  • Receive equipment outside the budget
  • Opportunities for students and faculty to work on defense research projects
  • Improve student and faculty interest in math, science, and technology
“R&D efforts through EPAs and Cooperative Research and Development Agreements are valuable tools that promote job growth, national security endeavors, and leadership skills while strengthening our innovation base – all essential in today’s climate of emerging technologies,” said Holton.  “Working together with our counterparts at UCF been a force multiplier, leveraging scientific workforce development and promoting basic research needs that support AFTAC’s global mission.”