Our outstanding undergraduate students are redefining the boundaries of STEM through their high-impact research — and in doing so, placing the university among the nation’s top producers of Goldwater Scholars.
The prestigious Goldwater Scholarship identifies and supports the nation’s best student researchers in the fields of engineering, mathematics and natural sciences.
This year’s honorees, all expected to graduate next spring — Keanu Brayman, Kyle Coutray, Varun Nannuri and Trevor Overton — have propelled UCF into an elite tier of research institutions, surpassing several Ivy League institutions and tying for fourth in the nation in total Goldwater Scholars produced alongside Stanford University, the University of Notre Dame and the University of Chicago. Their impactful work reflects UCF’s commitment to building a high-level research environment that empowers students to lead projects addressing significant global and scientific challenges.
Learn more about the Goldwater Scholars from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Engineering the Brain
Goldwater Scholar: Kyle Coutray
Majors: Computer engineering and biomedical sciences
Ultimate Goal: To research ways to restore communication, movement and cognitive function to the brain through engineering methods.
Kyle Coutray is focused on the intersection of neuroscience and technology.
“I’m interested in building systems that interact directly with the brain,” Coutray says. “In the lab, … [I’m] blending [both majors] into one approach.”
He aims to pursue a doctoral degree in neural engineering to further his research on brain-computer interfaces that translate complex brain activity into useful functions.
A 2026 Order of Pegasus inductee and a Burnett Honors Scholar, Coutray credits his success to disciplined focus and strong mentorship, particularly from Charles N. Millican Professor of Computer Science Joseph LaViola and Associate Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Helen Huang.
Restoring Human Senses
Goldwater Scholar: Trevor Overton
Majors: Electrical engineering and biomedical sciences
Ultimate Goal: To improve the lives of people with disabilities through advanced robotic prostheses.
Burnett Honors Scholar Trevor Overton’s work centers on neuroengineering and next-generation prosthetics.
“I’ve always had a passion for building things, and I also love reading and watching sci-fi,” Overton says. “When UCF offered me the opportunity to join the MEDD [medicine-engineering double degree] program … I knew I had to take it.”
UCF’s MEDD program provides scientifically driven students like Overton with a unique opportunity to integrate engineering principles into medicine.
Much like the development of cochlear implants, Overton imagines similar breakthroughs with vision and touch.
“I envision a future where robotic prostheses are so advanced that they could completely replace or enhance the abilities of humans,” Overton says. “It’s not entirely impossible.”
After earning a doctoral degree in electrical engineering with a focus on neuroengineering, he hopes to inspire the next generation — just as his professors inspired him — emphasizing that UCF’s strength lies in professors who actively invest in their students.
A Growing Research Powerhouse
With four 2026 Goldwater Scholarship recipients, UCF continues to strengthen its position as a leader in undergraduate research. The achievement reflects both students’ immense dedication and a university-wide commitment to driving innovation, mentorship and hands-on discovery. As these Knights prepare for the next steps in their academic journeys, they carry forward a shared mission: to turn research into real-world impact.
Students interested in applying for the Goldwater Scholarship or other major national awards should contact the Office of Prestigious Awards at opa@ucf.edu.