Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ College of Medicine Associate Professor Claudia Andl, a throat and oral cancer researcher, is investigating how a simple probiotic could treat and prevent both conditions..

Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ College of Medicine Associate Professor Claudia Andl, a throat and oral cancer researcher, is investigating how a simple probiotic could treat and prevent both conditions. The research is funded by a one-year, more than $380,000 grant from the Florida Department of Health’s Florida Cancer Innovation Fund.

Probiotics are live microorganisms — usually bacteria or yeasts — that support and strengthen health by increasing the body’s population of healthy cells. Many people take probiotics to improve gut health and digestion. Andl’s research is focused on using a healthy bacteria called Lactobacillus spp. to treat esophageal damage caused by acid reflux and improve the microbial environment in the esophagus to reduce the risk of cancer.

In patients with acid reflux — as well as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a chronic and more severe form of the digestive condition — stomach acid burns through the lining of the esophagus, causing inflammation and DNA damage to surrounding cells. Over time, those cellular changes can create a condition called Barrett’s esophagus, which increases the risk for esophageal cancer. In addition, when the throat’s bacterial environment becomes dominated by stomach acids and salts, healthy bacteria struggle to survive. Harmful bacteria take their place, causing further cell damage and inflammation that increases cancer risk. Introducing Lactobacillus spp. into disease models has solved both issues.

“We all talk about how important it is to eat yogurt or drink kombucha so that we maintain a healthy bacterial residence in all your organs. And it’s the same in the esophagus.�

“The reintroduction of beneficial bacteria works two-fold,� Andl says. “It restores a normal environment again, but also these Lactobacilli are known to suppress inflammation and repair the DNA damage.�

“We all talk about how important it is to eat yogurt or drink kombucha so that we maintain a healthy bacterial residence in all your organs,� Andl continues. “And it’s the same in the esophagus.�

Early results have shown a reduction in Barrett’s esophagus, and if cancer develops at all, it occurs much later than in models not treated with the probiotic.

Andl says she hopes her research will inform new therapies and provide more information on how to keep the body’s microbial balance healthy to fight disease. She notes this is especially important as data also shows Barett’s esophagus and esophageal cancer are increasing in patients under ages 60-70, the average age for these patient populations.

“We aim to improve outcomes for the large number of reflux patients at risk for cancer,� Andl says. “Playing a role in that would be incredibly rewarding.�

Andl joined Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ in 2016 after receiving her Ph.D. in cell biology from the University Duisburg-Essen in Germany and conducting postdoctoral research at the University of Pennsylvania.

This research is sponsored by the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund and the Florida Department of Health.

±á±ð°ùÌýresearch, backed by a five-year $813,130 National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases grant, found that an antimicrobial peptide naturally found in cows weakens the biofilm defenses of Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria and destroys it.

Now in their fourth year of research, Fleeman and her lab have discovered exactly how the peptide works in findings published in PLOS Pathogens.

“Our research is very advantageous for healthcare because about 80% of bacterial infections being treated in the clinic are bacteria living in a biofilm state, which makes them resistant to virtually every antibiotic available,� she says.

The results represent a critical step to potentially applying this peptide as a therapy and eventually treating patients, as the findings show they can and kill biofilm-embedded bacteria in animal models.

Parsing out the Peptide

K. pneumoniae is found in the intestines and is usually harmless, however, the bacterium develops resistance over a person’s lifetime as they are exposed to antibiotics. The bacteria also can spread from the intestine to other parts of the body in immunocompromised patients and those who have internal ruptures or exposure to contaminated medical devices. That exposure can lead to pneumonia, urinary tract or wound infections.

“What happens is the bacteria infects the wound, proliferates, and then invades through the bloodstream where it travels to the liver, kidneys and spleen,� Fleeman says. “We found our peptide was able to decrease the bacteria at the source while limiting the bacteria’s ability to move through the blood.�

Fleeman and her lab’s most recent study found that the peptide triggers a dual stress response that tricks the bacteria to break out of their protective biofilm.

They discovered the genetics of a specific protein in the bacterium when turned on in the germ causes it to break from its own protective biofilm. The peptide, in effect, damages the protection and then stresses the bacterium into shedding its protection, making the germ more sensitive to antibiotics and the body’s immune system.

“By hitting the membrane as well as protein synthesis at the same time, it’s a double punch that triggers a genetic change in the cell to make it think it needs to break out of the biofilm as a response to our peptide,â€� Fleeman says.

The team says their sustained research aims to demonstrate that their peptide can work synergistically with existing antibiotics. They envision long-term applications could involve a topical cream that weakens the bacteria’s defenses and allows standard antibiotics to work more effectively.

“We’re moving our research forward and we’re very hopeful,� Fleeman says.

Preparing for the Post-Antibiotic Era

The first author of this new work is Robert Beckman ’23, who graduated from Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½Â with a bachelor’s degree in health sciences, managed Fleeman’s lab and is now on his way to the University of Michigan for his Ph.D.

His previous work as an EMT gave him firsthand exposure to infectious diseases and their impact on patients. He says helping to lead the study and working with Fleeman helped prepare him for a career in medical research.

“I have developed a strong foundation in research and gained insight into the many components that define an effective scientist,� he says. “My long-term goal is to remain in academia and eventually lead my own research lab. I plan to continue focusing on bacteriology, with a particular emphasis on pathogenic bacteria and drug discovery applications.�

Funding and Disclosure:

Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R00AI163295. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Globally, a total of 230 emerging inventors were named to the list this year, making it the largest cohort in NAI history. The inductees will be honored during the NAI 15^th annual conference in Los Angeles in June. Solihin says he feels honored to join this distinguished group of researchers.

“What sets the NAI senior member designation apart is that it focuses on innovations with real-world impact.�

“This induction means a lot to me,� he says. “What sets the NAI senior member designation apart is that it focuses on innovations with real-world impact.�

Solihin’s work has significantly impacted society and the way that our technology works. The Pegasus Professor and director of the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Cyber Security and Privacy faculty cluster initiative has made computing systems faster, more reliable and more secure.

Among his most influential inventios are a security mechanism known as the Bonsai Merkle Tree and a system called Cache Quality of Service. The former protects computer memory from unauthorized modifications at significantly lower cost than previous methods, while the latter addresses performance slowdowns that occur when multiple applications share processor resources.

Both innovations have influenced processors that are now widely used in data centers.

“My journey of making real-world impact from my research spanned many years ago, starting in 2012,� he says. “Since that time, my work has garnered 57 U.S. patents in the area of chip design.�

Solihin, who is also an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Association for Computing Machinery and Japan Society for Promotion of Science fellow, says his process for taking an invention from an idea to a tangible product starts with identifying a problem that is worth solving. From there, he analyzes literature and technical documents for solutions, identifies the key technical challenges to overcome and then works to refine the solution. He encourages young inventors to just start by “brainspilling,� or getting the idea out on paper.

“When I have an idea in my head, it is typically not very clear,� Solihin says. “It appears vague, like seeing it through fog. Translating this into an invention requires working the brain to conceptualize the solution, to visualize it in much deeper details, to enumerate all the cases in which it shows benefits and drawbacks and solves key technical challenges. This process, brainspilling, requires long hours with pencil and paper to remove the fog.�

Ultimately, he says, the motivation to continue innovating comes from the satisfaction of solving complex problems.

“It’s the good feeling of gaining clarity on something that was once unclear,� he says. “It’s similar to solving a puzzle but with open-ended problems and unpredictable timelines.�

At 16, he opened his first brokerage account in 2008, with his grandmother’s help, during the Great Recession because he saw a market that had no place to go but up.

When cloud accounting platforms were just starting to become viable in the early 2010s, he was an early adopter, eventually building a firm that served clients remotely.

Now as artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes the business landscape, Hubenthal decided to embrace this latest inflection point by enrolling in Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½â€™s .

“Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ is ready for every Knight who dares to lean in.â€�

“Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½Â doesn’t just educate you. It finds you. It amplifies who you are and prepares you to make a difference,â€� says Hubenthal, who is from Elon, North Carolina. “Sometimes I’m amazed that this small-town kid has ended up consulting with business leaders in boardrooms across the globe. Somewhere out there, another teenager is watching the world shift and feeling that pull. Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ is ready for every Knight who dares to lean in.â€�

Leading With a Spirit of Innovation

It’s Knights like Hubenthal who inspired Barry S. Miller ’95 to invest a transformational $50 million gift into the College of Business to further strengthen Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½â€™s reputation as a global leader in fintech, AI and business innovation.

A graduate of Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½â€™s  program in the , Hubenthal initially came to Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ to study Ìý²¹²Ô»åÌýengineering. But after witnessing the impact of the Great Recession on families, including his own, he switched to business and finance.

“I made it my mission to understand what happened, why it happened and how to help prevent it,� Hubenthal says.

Early in his career, Hubenthal worked in corporate finance, gaining hands-on experienceÌý²¹²Ô»åÌýlearning how established organizations manage their financial infrastructure.

In 2015, just two years after earning his bachelor’s degree, he co-founded a data analytics firm with fellow Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ graduates, bringing enterprise-grade big data and analytics services to local businesses at an accessible price point. That venture earned Hubenthal recognition as part of Business North Carolina magazine’s cover story on innovation in 2016.

Building on Success

He has since founded firms rooted in data analytics, accounting and finance — including his firm Bookscaping — started a financial literacy podcast to share his expertise with small businesses, and published a book, The Simple Fiscal Method: 17 Financial Lessons for Every Small Business Owner to Succeed in Life.

In 2022, he signed on as vice president of finance for ryco.io, an educational startup where he built and still leads the company’s financial strategy and operations.

He is currently beta testing an automated system for the company, which almost fully manages its payable function with safeguards, audit trails and authorizations built in. He envisions this empowering ryco.io to scale its financial operations.

Hubenthal wanted to fully immerse himself in this new era of business and tech, so he is turning to Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½â€™s fintech program to prepare him for what’s ahead.

“For me, the real world is the lab. And thanks to Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½, I’m just getting started.â€�

“The program put me in a room with nearly 30 students from four continents who felt like family within the first month,â€� Hubenthal says. “Just weeks ago, I built a portfolio optimization tool for my own retirement account — 1 million simulated market daysÌý²¹²Ô»åÌýalmost 4,000 years of data, solved by a supercomputer in under three seconds — using what I learned in this program.

“For me, the real world is the lab,â€� he continues. “And thanks to Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½, I’m just getting started.â€�

At Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½, researchers working in space and semiconductor reliability, including those affiliated with the university’s Center for Reliability Evaluation of Space and Semiconductor Technologies (CRESST), are helping address the challenge. Through a new collaboration with TAU Systems, they will evaluate and benchmark an emerging approach to radiation testing designed to make the process faster, more accessible and easier to scale.

“Academic partnerships are central to how we move this technology forward,â€� TAU Systems CEO Jerome Paye says. “Universities like Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ bring deep scientific expertise, world-class facilities and a culture of rigorous validation that complements everything we are doing on the commercial side. That is the real value of working closely with academia, it accelerates the path from breakthrough science to deployable technology.â€�

“Universities like Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ bring deep scientific expertise, world-class facilities and a culture of rigorous validation that complements everything we are doing on the commercial side. That is the real value of working closely with academia, it accelerates the path from breakthrough science to deployable technology.â€�—Jerome Paye, CEO of TAU Systems

Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½â€™s established strengths in microelectronics and radiation effects, combined with its legacy as America’s Space University, make it a natural partner as TAU Systems works to validate and scale accelerator technologies designed to reduce the size and cost of radiation testing systems.

Making Room for Beamtime

When a high-energy particle from space radiation strikes a microchip, it can cause it to malfunction, a phenomenon known as a single-event effect (SEE). These events are a major concern for satellites, spacecraft and defensive systems, where even small disruptions can have significant consequences.

Studying these effects requires access to specialized particle accelerator facilities. This access, known as “beamtime,� is limited and in high demand, often booked months in advance and creating delays that can slow research and development.

“Access to heavy-ion beam facilities is one of the major bottlenecks in radiation effects research today,� says , assistant professor in and lead of the Radiation Effects Exploration Laboratory (REEL). “These facilities are limited in number, heavily oversubscribed and often require long scheduling timelines. That makes it difficult to rapidly evaluate modern microelectronics technologies that are increasingly being deployed in space and defense systems.�

Researchers typically study these effects using heavy-ion accelerators, specialized facilities capable of simulating the radiation conditions electronics experience in space. While effective, these facilities are expensive to operate, limited in number and often booked months in advance creating delays for researchers and industry seeking access to beamtime.

An Alternative to Heavy Ion Testing

A collaboration between Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ and TAU Systems aims to change that by testing a new approach known as electron-based single-event effects, or eSEE. Instead of relying on heavy ions, the method uses laser-driven electron beams to reproduce similar radiation-induced effects observed in space electronics.

“Electron-based SEE approaches could significantly expand access to radiation testing by enabling more flexible and scalable experimental platforms,� Zhang says. “Our role is to rigorously evaluate how these electron-driven methods compare with established heavy-ion testing and determine where they can provide reliable and meaningful insight for real-world applications,� Zhang says.

The approach has the potential to reduce systems that traditionally span kilometers to setups that could fit within a laboratory, lowering barriers to entry and expanding access to radiation testing.

Through the partnership, researchers will work to validate the new method by comparing its results against established heavy-ion testing data to determine when and how reliably it can replicate real-world radiation effects. The collaboration will also support test execution, data analysis and the refinement of validation techniques.

“A key part of this collaboration is establishing confidence in the methodology through direct benchmarking against conventional heavy-ion data,� Zhang says. “If successful, these approaches could help accelerate qualification workflows for advanced semiconductor technologies used in space, aerospace and national security applications.

Forging a Future in Space

Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½â€™s work in space and semiconductor research, including efforts led through CRESST, positions the university as a contributor to advancing radiation testing capabilities. Located near Florida’s Space Coast and long connected to the nation’s aerospace industry, Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ supports research and workforce development tied to emerging space technologies.

If successful, the collaboration could lead to the deployment of a compact testing system at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½, expanding access to radiation testing and helping train the next generation of engineers and researchers. By expanding access to radiation testing infrastructure, the effort could help accelerate the development of more resilient electronics for space, defense and commercial applications.

Five years after Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ computer science students first helped the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) build a tech solution to enhance efficiency, Knights are still improving the platform — and the impact keeps growing.

Reserve Mercury, a mobile and web application designed to replace slow, paper-based administrative processes used by Army Reserve units, is now being used by thousands of reservists nationwide. What started as Project Mercury — a student-led effort to replace paper forms — has evolved into a long-running collaboration between student developers in Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½â€™s Senior Seminar Course, the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and the USAR.

Originally launched in 2023, the app digitized the Army Reserve’s DA 1380 submission process — a manual workflow that once required soldiers to print forms, physically route paperwork through chains of command and wait for approvals tied to compensation and service records.

Now, soldiers can digitally submit pay, absence and medical forms within the platform from any device. Leaders can then review and approve submissions instantly, helping reduce delays and ensure soldiers are paid on time.

But the momentum behind Project Mercury didn’t end at launch.

Each semester, new student teams continue building on the work of those before them — refining features, fixing issues and expanding the platform based on direct user feedback from soldiers.

“As technology continues to advance, it’s important that critical systems like those used by the Army Reserve evolve as well,â€� says Shaun Gorllapati ’26, functional test and continuous improvement lead on the Fall 2025–Spring 2026 Senior Design II team. “Projects like this help bridge that gap by introducing more efficient, scalable and modern solutions that improve overall operations.â€�

Inheriting a Mission Already in Motion

Under the guidance of Associate Lecturers Matthew Gerber and Richard Leinecker in Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½â€™s College of Engineering and Computer Science, Project Mercury has become one of the university’s most ambitious long-term software projects since its inception in 2021.

Senior Design students work alongside Army Reserve subject matter experts led by Reserve Mercury Program Manager Lt. Col. Jonathan LacKamp while gaining experience in large-scale software engineering, testing and deployment management.

This year’s team included 15 students with expertise in data science, artificial intelligence and application and web-based development. Organized into three groups, they focused on backend development, bug fixes and maintenance, and new feature development.

At the start of the semester, the team inherited a nearly five-year-old codebase from previous students. Through documentation reviews, handoff meetings and collaboration with prior developers, they learned how to maintain and expand a living software system already serving military users nationwide.

New Features Focus on Speed, Security and Simplicity

For Spring 2026, 84 new users from the 6th Battalion, 52nd Aviation Regiment were onboarded and trained on the platform. Their feedback directly shaped several new improvements.

Among the latest updates was a Pay Type Limits feature that helps commanders monitor annual submission thresholds tied to DA 1380 compensation requests. Students also improved the app’s dental form process by adding required field validation, submission confirmation and better signature handling to help ensure medical documentation is completed accurately for deployment readiness.

Another major upgrade was a redesigned notification system.

“I’m especially proud of the notification system, which significantly improves how reservists stay informed and act within the application,� Gorllapati says. “Previously, … users had to rely on an activity log to view updates. Notifications were not actionable, lacked clear read and unread indicators, and did not guide users to the relevant part of the app.�

Additional enhancements currently in development include multi-factor authentication for stronger security and a large-scale user interface redesign to modernize the platform and improve accessibility.

The response from reservists has reinforced the project’s impact.

“We recently onboarded a unit that was struggling with an HR administrator shortage across multiple companies,� says Maj. Jeffrey Garner, Reserve Mercury onboarding and implementation lead. “After they started using Reserve Mercury, the feedback was immediate — they called it a ‘game changer’ and asked to onboard their additional units as soon as possible.�

Developing Career-Ready Skills Through Mission-Driven Work

For students, the experience goes far beyond the classroom.

“Working on a project with real-world, national-level impact while still a student has been a very meaningful experience,� Gorllapati says. “[It has] prepared me to handle real-world engineering challenges more effectively and has reinforced my goal of pursuing a career in software engineering, where I can contribute to large-scale, impactful systems.�

Senior Design team members build experience in frontend and backend development, AWS services, deployment management, software testing, and release cycles while collaborating directly with military stakeholders in an environment that mirrors professional software engineering teams.

But for many, the most rewarding part is knowing their work directly supports service members.

“Knowing that the end users are real service members adds purpose to every feature we build,� Gorllapati says. “It motivates us to learn new tools, improve our technical skills, and apply best practices to ensure the application is reliable, efficient, and easy to use.�

That purpose continues driving Reserve Mercury forward — one update, one deployment and one student at a time.

“What we’ve seen over the life of the project is the power of collaboration between reservists as both customers and subject matter experts, innovation sponsors like DIU and the incredible dedication of successive student teams,” LacKamp says. “The program is currently poised for wider adoption across USAR, but that wouldn’t be possible without the strong foundation built by our Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ partners.  At Reserve Mercury, we believe that administrative efficiency is directly related to both operational readiness and the retention of qualified soldiers. Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ is helping make this belief a reality.”

Last year, Spencer was promoted to his first leadership role as a performance coordinator with the Entertainment Events team at Universal Orlando Resort — guiding performers, maintaining show quality, and collaborating with creative and technical teams to deliver live events and immersive guest experiences. He credits Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ with helping him achieve a decades-long goal.

That dream started during his childhood in Virginia, when his parents went through a difficult divorce, and he found his happy place at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. He went on to become a theater student, and in high school he took a job at the park as a performer.

That’s when he knew he could turn his passion into a career.

“As a kid, I could immerse myself in a show and have a reprieve from difficult times at home. I knew that someday I wanted to create that happiness for others,� Spencer says. “Once I had the opportunity to work there, I was fascinated by what it took behind the scenes to bring a theme park experience to life. I wanted a career filled with days like those.�

To pursue this path, he set his sights on attending , where he went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in entertainment management in 2023. Just this week, Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½Â welcomed  as its first entertainment-sector Pegasus Partner and announced the creation of The Universal School of Experience Leadership and Innovation at Rosen College.

“When I found Rosen College, I knew it was the place for me,� he says. “On the first day of class, my professor talked about the joys of a career in the theme park industry. It was a dream I’d had for so long that it moved me to tears.�

He sent his mom a text that said, “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I’m exactly where I need to be.�

However, as an out-of-state student, tuition was a challenge for Spencer. His mom did all she could to help him, but he has worked hard to pay for his education. He became a resident assistant on campus and also received a Rosen College scholarship. Throughout school, he has worked as a performer in all three major Central Florida theme parks simultaneously.

He also became a leader on campus and in the industry, serving as vice president of Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½â€™s Future Theme Park Leaders Association while he was a Rosen College student.

He credits his professors with believing in him and supporting him throughout his journey, helping him to work toward his goal of becoming a show director in one of the local world-class theme parks.

The same professor who inspired him on day one later encouraged him to pursue a master’s degree in themed experience, part of Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½â€™s College of Arts and Humanities. This program is designed for the next generation of creators, artists and leaders who are redefining what it means to be entertained, and Spencer just graduated in early May.

“My Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ journey has been the experience of a lifetime,â€� he says. “And the best part is that I’ll spend my career creating experiences that are just as life-changing for others.â€�

Last year, Spencer received a Universal Orlando Impact Award recognizing his contributions to the grand opening celebration of Epic Universe, the resort’s newest theme park.

He shared his story on stage at , inspiring the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ communityÌý²¹²Ô»åÌýdemonstrating the power of a Knight education to reshape what it means to be entertained and what the future of experiences holds for people everywhere.

The Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½-Universal Pegasus Partnership is a significant early milestone of  — a $3.5 billion campaign to expand opportunity, advance discovery and drive impact across the university.

Spencer’s story shows why  is so important: Investments in Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ help students ignite meaningful careers, discover new frontiers and create a bold tomorrow. Students like him are launching a new era of innovation and making their mark across every industry.

The Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ baseball team learned it is headed to the NCAA Auburn Regional while at a team-bonding pool party, hosted by head coach Rich Wallace ’04’s uncle, who lives next door to the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ rowing facility on Lake Pickett.

“[We talked to the guys and thought] we’re in Orlando, might as well get out in the pool and sunshine and enjoy this thing, do it the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ way,â€� Wallace says. “I think the guys are excited for the challenge.â€�

The regional will run Friday, May 29 to Monday, June 1 at Auburn’s Plainsman Park in Auburn, Alabama.

Baseball is one of 10 Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ programs to compete at an NCAA postseason regional or championship event in 2025-26, joining ³¾±ð²Ô’sÌý²¹²Ô»åÌýwo³¾±ð²Ô’s soccer, indoor track & field, ³¾±ð²Ô’s basketball, ³¾±ð²Ô’s and wo³¾±ð²Ô’s tennis, wo³¾±ð²Ô’s golf, softball and rowing. The 10 NCAA appearances ties for the most in Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ history with the 2018-19 athletic year.

Postseason Outlook

Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ earned the No. 2 seed in the four-team regional and will open play against the No. 3 seed NC State Wolfpack on Friday at 6 p.m. ET. The winner of the game will advance to meet the winner of Friday’s earlier matchup between the No. 4-national seed Auburn and Milwaukee.

All games of the 64-team field are available on the ESPN family of networks.

The final eight teams to advance out of the Super Regional round will head to Omaha, Nebraska, for the 79th Men’s College World Series at Charles Schwab Field Omaha. The Men’s College World Series starts Friday, June 12.

Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½â€™s Road to the NCAA Tournament

For the second time in three years, the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ baseball team has earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA appearance will mark Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½â€™s second under third-year head coach  and the program’s 14th NCAA Regional appearance in program history.

Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ is one of six Big 12 programs to be selected to the tournament. The Knights head into the postseason with a 31-21 overall record and set Big 12 era records in both conference wins with 19 (19-11) and league series wins with seven.

The Knights’ 19 league wins mark the most since 2005 when Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ was a member of the Atlantic Sun Conference.

The qualification marks the first time the Knights have advanced to the NCAA Championship in back‑to‑back years since making five straight appearances from 2015-2019 thanks to their dynasty of American Athletic Conference titles.

Rowing is one of 10 Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ programs to compete at an NCAA postseason regional or championship event in 2025-26, joining ³¾±ð²Ô’sÌý²¹²Ô»åÌýwo³¾±ð²Ô’s soccer, indoor track & field, ³¾±ð²Ô’s basketball, ³¾±ð²Ô’s and wo³¾±ð²Ô’s tennis, wo³¾±ð²Ô’s golf, softball and baseball. The 10 NCAA appearances ties for the most in Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ history with the 2018-19 athletic year.

Postseason Outlook

The Knights are looking to build off their Top 15 finish last year — the highest in program history.

The NCAA Division I Wo³¾±ð²Ô’s Rowing Championships are comprised of 22 teams and provides three events (I Eights, II Eights and Fours), each covering a 2,000-meter course. Each team is required to field two boats of eight rowers each and one boat of four rowers.

The event opens with heats on Friday, May 29, followed by semifinals on Saturday and finals on Sunday. Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½â€™s boat seedings and heat sheets for day one are:

• First 4+: Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½â€™s highest‑seeded crew enters at eight. The Knights will race in Heat 1 against No. 17 Columbia, No. 9 Brown, No. 2 Stanford and No. 13 Miami, competing out of lane four.
• First 8+: Seeded 10th, the Knights line up in Heat 2 with Boston, No. 3 Texas, No. 8 California and No. 14 Ohio State, racing from lane two.
• Second 8+: Slotted as the 17-seed, Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ will face No. 11 Syracuse, No. 2 Stanford, No. 1 Tennessee and No. 14 Ohio State, launching from lane one.

Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½â€™s Road to the NCAA Championship

Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ has been ranked in the top 25 all season, climbing as high as No. 11 on the road to repeating as Big 12 champions.

In her third season at the helm of the program, Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ head coach Mara Allen was named the Big 12 Coach of the Year for the second year in a row. She has led the Knights to first-place finishes in all but one race this season.

Junior kinesiology major Brigitte Kappler was named Big 12 Rower of the year, keeping the honor in Orlando after senior Hannah Lovejoy claimed the distinction last year. Lovejoy, who graduated with her accounting degree earlier this month, went on to be recognized with Order of Pegasus this year.

Freshman mechanical engineering major Madison Lovejoy was named Big 12 Newcomer of the Year after competing in the Black and Gold’s top two boats for the entirety of the spring season.

Whether you are taking a full class schedule, interning or enjoying a much-needed breather, staying engaged on campus is key to making the most of your summer semester. Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ offers a wide selection of resources specifically to help you keep the momentum.

Academic Support

Shorter summer sessions are fast paced and demanding, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Support services are available in person and virtually to keep your GPA on track.

• Private Coaching: The Student Academic Resource Center continues to provide for over 30 subjects. Visit the SARC office in Trevor Colbourn Hall Room 117 or the Engineering II atrium for assistance.
• Math Tutoring: Located in the Mathematical Science Building, the Math Success Center offers for students enrolled in undergraduate math courses, providing a focused environment to master challenging concepts.
• Writing Center: From complex research papers and resume polishes to creative writing hobbies, the University Writing Center offers specialized to help you make tangible progress on all kinds of written projects.
• Study Spaces: Use the university’s to book a private study room in advance at the John C. Hitt and Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Downtown libraries to ensure you have a safe, quiet place to study during finals.

Wellness Resources

Taking care of yourself is just as important during finals week as it is during a semester off. Fewer students on campus during the summer semester allows you more access to these wellness perks.

• Mental Health: Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides students with around-the-clock at no extra cost. Students also have free access to the anonymous peer-to-peer support community and teletherapy sessions throughout the entire summer.
• Physical Wellness: The gym remains open with full summer hours to help you maintain your fitness routine. For a brain break and an extra dose of sunshine, head over to the for free kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding.
• Meeting Basic Needs: If your budget gets tight between semesters, you don’t have to worry. The Knights Helping Knights Pantry remains stocked and open during the summer to , toiletries and clothing to any Knight in need.

Professional Development

Summer is the perfect time to refine your professional brand. Career Services offers a series of Workshop Wednesdays and drop-in sessions to help you prepare for your next interview, internship or first day on the job.

• Career Readiness: Get quick, expert feedback on your resume, LinkedIn profile, practice interview or Handshake account with Critiques & Career Express. in-person or virtually throughout July 31.
• Workshop Wednesdays: throughout June and July to sharpen specific skills, including how to utilize AI in the job search, career exploration and the do’s and don’ts of networking online.
• Free Headshots: Stop by the Headshot Booth located in the Student Government office of the Student Union for . The booth is open and free for all students and produces professional, high-quality headshots same day.

Summer Events Around Campus

Stay engaged with these social and cultural opportunities that span the entire term.

• Socialize with Grad Students: Head to the Graduate Student Center in Trevor Colbourn Hall, Room 213 on the first Wednesday of each summer month for First Wednesday Cafe. Hosted by Graduate Student Life, it’s a , meet fellow students, and grab free bagels and coffee.
• Interactive Play Festival: Pegasus PlayLab is a festival hosted every summer by the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ School of Performing Arts and is dedicated to helping develop the work of emerging playwrights across the country. for the workshop showings of Offshoot (May 29 – 30), Eight-Hand Jig (June 5 – 6), Between Shadows and Lightness (June 12 – 13), and the developmental production of Raccoon Play(June 11 – 14).
• Art Exhibition: Take a quiet culture break at the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Art Gallery (located in the Visual Arts Building) to experience The Carlos Malamud Prize. Running all summer long, with Rollins Museum of Art features striking works from six emerging Florida artists competing for a $10,000 prize.
• Therapy Dogs: If you need a serious mood boost, head over to CAPS to spend some time with certified therapy dogs during the It’s a proven, relaxing way to take a mid-semester breather and destress between your Summer A and Summer B classes.

Transportation and Parking

Summer is the best time to find a “prime” parking spot, but shuttles are still a reliable way to get around.

• Summer Shuttle Schedules: Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ shuttles operate on a modified summer schedule. Be sure to check the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Mobile app or the website for the most current route times, as frequency may differ from the fall/spring semesters.

Whether you are catching a sunset by the Reflecting Pond or grinding through a summer lab, remember that the Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ community is here to support you. Take advantage of the shorter lines and the specialized attention available this term and keep charging on!