Fewer than 2% of the world’s population holds a doctoral degree, and those who pursue it are driven by a relentless passion to change the world.
Amanda Bernard ’22, a first-year materials science and engineering doctoral student with a mission to improve patient care, is one of the elite few working toward this degree. She has been rewarded for her drive and exceptional academic achievements with the UCF Graduate Dean’s Fellowship, an award that includes one year of tuition support for a graduate education and a $5,000 stipend.
“I learned about the fellowship while on my way to an experiment,” she says. “I had to sit in my car for a moment to let it sink in, and I immediately called my parents and family to share the news. It was an emotional moment for me; I even shed a few happy tears.”
A Puerto Rico native, Bernard grew up in South America before moving to Orlando to attend UCF.
“I enjoy UCF’s lively campus, the welcoming community and the perks of living in Orlando — the weather, nearby theme parks and endless opportunities to meet new people,” she says.
Bernard graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology in 2022. She spent two years working in industry after she graduated, then decided the biomaterials field was a better fit for her career, presenting an amazing opportunity to advance patient care and recovery.
“Materials science allows me to combine my biology background with engineering principles,” she says. “The field’s potential to directly improve people’s lives, especially through biomaterials, resonated deeply with me.”
A search of UCF labs took Bernard to the KM Group, led by Assistant Professor Kausik Mukhopadhyay, which focuses on hybrid materials for surface and bio applications. She originally intended to pursue a master’s degree in materials science and engineering, but when she met with Mukhopadhyay, he encouraged her to consider pursuing a doctoral degree instead.
“I began volunteering in his lab and took additional coursework in materials science to build my foundation before starting the program officially,” Bernard says. “I chose to stay at UCF because I found both the research and the mentorship to be a perfect fit.”
Bernard has been a member of the KM Group for the last year, pursuing the life-saving work that she envisioned before starting graduate school. She says her research can be used for applications such as wound dressings, implants, grafts or engineering tissues, all designed to improve patient outcomes in everyday and clinical settings.
“My work focuses on developing polymer-based biomaterials that can promote wound healing and could eventually be applied in tissue engineering,” Bernard says. “I work on creating hydrogels and films that mimic the body’s natural environment to help wounds heal faster and better.”
Bernard’s doctoral degree in materials science and engineering will give her unlimited possibilities for a future career. Her ultimate goal is to contribute to the biomaterials field as an entrepreneur, building a business with her sisters.
She says she’s grateful for the many experiences that have successfully allowed her to pursue this path.
“I want to thank my PI, Dr. Mukhopadhyay, for always setting me up for success, my lab group for their support, my family and friends for encouraging me to go to graduate school, and UCF for providing me with this incredible opportunity.”
- Written by Bel Huston