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UCF Health Sciences @UCF_HS

The Department of Health Sciences

Joined February 2015
  • Tweets 1,376
  • Following 172
  • Followers 466
436 Photos and videos
Health Sciences alumnus Christopher Joji ’25 is preparing for a career in medicine through research on substance use and addiction and three years as an associate chief scribe. His work has led to publications, presentations, and strong mentorship.
Alumni Spotlight graphic featuring Christopher Joji, a smiling young man standing outdoors at night in front of a softly lit building. The text highlights his quote, “Don’t wait for opportunities – be proactive,” and identifies him as a 2025 Health Sciences (Pre-Clinical Track) graduate, Research Group Leader, and Associate Chief Medical Scribe.

ALT Alumni Spotlight graphic featuring Christopher Joji, a smiling young man standing outdoors at night in front of a softly lit building. The text highlights his quote, “Don’t wait for opportunities – be proactive,” and identifies him as a 2025 Health Sciences (Pre-Clinical Track) graduate, Research Group Leader, and Associate Chief Medical Scribe.
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Tamara Hollis is using her Health Sciences degree to pursue medicine and serve her community. As co-founder and President of Health Link Society, she launched “Taste of Wellness” and mentors peers—turning her passion for healthcare into action at UCF and beyond. 💛
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Freddy's path to med school shows the power of advising, mentorship, and community. A pivotal conversation at @UCF helped him find the right academic track, mentors kept him on course, and service shaped his purpose. Now, he’s ready to pay it forward as a future physician.
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Is childhood obesity missing a simple solution? With a new $453K NIH grant, @ucf_HS Associate Professor Keith Brazendale is studying whether free summer camp could help kids stay healthier. ucf.edu/news/could-this-be-a…

Could This Be a Simple Solution to Reducing Childhood Obesity?

A research team led by UCF’s Keith Brazendale will bring together pediatricians and summer camp leaders to explore an overlooked way to make more kids healthier.

ucf.edu
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Timothy Horanic is a standout scholar and servant leader—peer tutor, SI leader and teaching assistant. His passion for cardiology drives his honors research on diet and heart health, earning him a spot as a UCF 5ML finalist. He is a 2026 CHPS Founders’ Day awardee.
A student spotlight featuring Timothy Horanic, a UCF Health Sciences major in the pre-clinical track dressed in a suit and holding a microphone as he addresses attendees at a conference.  It includes a quote that says, "Stepping beyond your comfort zone is not a risk, it's an investment in who you're becoming."

ALT A student spotlight featuring Timothy Horanic, a UCF Health Sciences major in the pre-clinical track dressed in a suit and holding a microphone as he addresses attendees at a conference.  It includes a quote that says, "Stepping beyond your comfort zone is not a risk, it's an investment in who you're becoming."
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UCF Health Sciences retweeted
UCF@UCF
3 Nov 2025
Born from the space race. Built to reach for the stars. Still daring to go farther. Welcome to Space Week at #SpaceU.
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💪 Join us for our second speaker in the Research Seminar Series with a presentation from Professor Eduardo De Souza from The University of Tampa on Friday, October 17th at 12:00 p.m.! Find the link to join virtually here👇 events.ucf.edu/event/3909076…
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Health Sciences major Luis Torres Portillo moved from Caracas, Venezuela to the U.S. at 15. A UCF Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow, he studies Huntington disease and founded a sports nonprofit for kids. He aims to improve quality of life through health care and service.
This is an image of Luis Torres Portillo wearing a lab coat as he works on a laboratory experiment for his research.

ALT This is an image of Luis Torres Portillo wearing a lab coat as he works on a laboratory experiment for his research.
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Did you know it only takes 11 minutes a day to live a healthier lifestyle? 👟 Assistant Professor A'Naja Newsome met with WGEM to discuss how we can decrease health risks like cardiovascular disease, cancer and even early death. wgem.com/2025/08/03/supercha…

Supercharging your walk: 11 minutes to better health

A British study found that engaging in moderate-intensity exercise, or a brisk walk, can have some major health benefits.

wgem.com
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Congrats to Kamalie Thomas, Emily Carter, Ariana Valentin & Ashley Malvita who completed UCF’s Summer Mentoring Research Fellow Program last week! Their research topics ranged from evaluating nutrition and physical activity to examining youth cancer advocacy programs. 👏
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Health Sciences major Gabriela Facio's passion for medicine & people led her to UCF. After working with children at CECO, she's driven to become a pediatrician advocating for accessibility & empathy. VP of Students Care & TA, she mentors peers & leads with compassion.
A UCF Health Sciences student spotlight featuring Health Sciences major Gabriela Facio. Gabriela is shown standing next to a skeleton that she uses in her role as an anatomy lab teaching assistant.

ALT A UCF Health Sciences student spotlight featuring Health Sciences major Gabriela Facio. Gabriela is shown standing next to a skeleton that she uses in her role as an anatomy lab teaching assistant.
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Congratulations to Jillian Weathington for being a finalist for the American Society for Nutrition’s Emerging Leaders in Nutrition Science Poster Competition! We're thrilled to celebrate this accomplishment for Jillian & her mentor, Assistant Professor Shante Jeune. Congrats! 🙌
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Three of our CHPS alumni were recognized as part of the 2025 Class of 30 Under 30, including Brianna Laurenceau ’18 from @ucf_hs! Brianna works as the Volunteer Resource Manager at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, where she develops initiatives to empower local youth.⭐
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UCF Health Sciences retweeted
UCFCHPS@ucfchps
19 May 2025
The new dean of the College of Health Professions and Sciences, Matthew Theriot, will tell you what he’s most proud of professionally is not so much what he’s done, but how he’s collaborated with others to translate ideas into action. healthprofessions.ucf.edu/ne…
Matthew Theriot, dean of CHPS

ALT Matthew Theriot, dean of CHPS
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“The internship experience pushed me to my path and made me the person I am today,” says Jason Gagnier, who turned his health sciences internship into a job, an X-ray tech license and acceptance into med school.
A Department of Health Sciences alumni spotlight showing a photo of Jason Gagnier in scrubs holding a model of the bony structure of a foot. The spotlight includes a quote from Jason that says, Don't be afraid - take advantage of every opportunity.” Jason graduated from the Health Sciences Pre-clinical track in 2022 and starts medical school at Howard University in Fall 2025.

ALT A Department of Health Sciences alumni spotlight showing a photo of Jason Gagnier in scrubs holding a model of the bony structure of a foot. The spotlight includes a quote from Jason that says, Don't be afraid - take advantage of every opportunity.” Jason graduated from the Health Sciences Pre-clinical track in 2022 and starts medical school at Howard University in Fall 2025.
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At UCF, Priscilla Torres-Theobald found her path in Health Sciences. Now Executive Director of Harmony Healthcare Orlando, she says, “You don’t have to be a physician to impact health.” Her advice to grads: “Be patient and research your future employers.”
A photo of Priscilla Torres-Theobald, Execute Director of Harmony Healthcare, a  nonprofit healthcare organization in Orlando, FL, and a 2018 graduate of the UCF Department of Health Sciences. Priscilla is shown working at a community event to advertise the services provided by Harmony Health.

ALT A photo of Priscilla Torres-Theobald, Execute Director of Harmony Healthcare, a  nonprofit healthcare organization in Orlando, FL, and a 2018 graduate of the UCF Department of Health Sciences. Priscilla is shown working at a community event to advertise the services provided by Harmony Health.
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👩🏽‍🎓👨‍⚕️ Here’s to everything you’ve accomplished and everything that’s still ahead — and to the lives you'll change from here on out! The future of healthcare looks brighter because you are in it! Congratulations #Classof2025! The world is lucky to have you. #UCFGrad
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Meet Reeta Rabadi from @ucf_hs. 🎓 Rabadi is graduating with a bachelor's degree in health sciences and plans to continue her education at the University of Florida's College of Dentistry in August. Congratulations, Reeta. 🖤🌠 #Classof2025
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Meet Samantha Migliore from @ucf_hs. 🎓 Migliore is graduating with a bachelor's degree in health sciences and plans to start the @ucf_dpt program after crossing the graduation stage. Congratulations, Samantha. 🖤🌠 #Classof2025
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Sending out huge congratulations to Keith Brazendale on his promotion to Assoc Prof with tenure, Katia Ferdowsi on her promotion to Assoc Lecturer, Martha Garcia-Stout on her promotion to Assoc Lecturer and Humberto Lopez-Castillo on his promotion to Assoc Prof with tenure.
Congratulations to Keith Brazendale on his promotion to Associate Professor with tenure, Katia Ferdowsi on her promotion to Associate Lecturer, Martha Garcia-Stout on her promotion to Associate Lecturer and Humberto Lopez-Castillo on his promotion to Associate Professor with tenure. The appointments are effective August 8.

ALT Congratulations to Keith Brazendale on his promotion to Associate Professor with tenure, Katia Ferdowsi on her promotion to Associate Lecturer, Martha Garcia-Stout on her promotion to Associate Lecturer and Humberto Lopez-Castillo on his promotion to Associate Professor with tenure. The appointments are effective August 8.
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