What it’s Like Being Essential Personnel at UCF During COVID-19
Meet some of the people at UCF who hold everything together — even in the worst of times.
Sudipta Seal
Chair and Professor of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Chair for the NanoScience Technology Center and Advanced Materials Processing and Analysis Center
We’ve seen a shortage of masks, gloves, face shields, and PPE during this outbreak. So one question we’re looking at is, ‘How do we safety reuse protective equipment?’ We’re working, with support from the National Science Foundation and Professor Griffith Parks from the College of Medicine, to research if a nanoparticle coating can be applied to these supplies to capture and deactivate the virus so we can help alleviate the shortage. At the same time, we’re trying to understand how nanoparticles interact with pathogens.
“This is a time for scientists and researchers to use their expertise to see how they can really help communities.”
This is a time for scientists and researchers to use their expertise to see how they can really help communities and have a broader impact on society — and that feels good. Although most people are working remotely, in some ways we are even busier than we used to be because there are constant communication and planning, which is something positive in a way. But as a department chair and a professor, not seeing students, staff, and colleagues face-to-face is hard. We’re still helping and meeting through Zoom, and it’s great that I’m seeing more of my family now. But being in the Student Union and eating lunch with the people I’m used to seeing is something I miss.