Episode 4 of The Chip Frontier: Florida’s Semiconductor Edge is here!
Posted on: November 12, 2025
How Florida’s Academic Partners Are Shaping the Semiconductor Industry
Higher education isn’t just a pipeline; it’s a power source. In Episode 4 | The Product: Advancing Innovation and Research & Development in Florida of The Chip Frontier: Florida’s Semiconductor Edge, we explore how key academic partners of the Florida Semiconductor Engine are driving innovation, research, and workforce development that directly fuel Florida’s growing semiconductor ecosystem.
This episode showcases how the University of Central Florida, University of Florida, and University of South Florida are contributing to the semiconductor industry. Through flagship programs like the UCF Institute for Simulation & Training, UF’s Florida Semiconductor Institute and USF Research & Innovation, these institutions are turning research into real-world impact. Their work is accelerating advancements in microelectronics, advanced packaging, and workforce development, laying the foundation for Florida’s leadership in the semiconductor space.
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Dr. Carolina Cruz-Neira
Dr. Carolina Cruz-Neira is a globally recognized pioneer in virtual reality and immersive visualization, best known for inventing the CAVE system—a breakthrough that transformed simulation across industries. Her career spans leadership roles at Iowa State, Louisiana Immersive Technologies Enterprise, and the University of Arkansas, where she founded applied research centers focused on VR and interdisciplinary innovation. Today, she serves as Interim Executive Director of the Institute for Simulation & Training and Agere Chair Professor at the University of Central Florida, where she leads efforts in digital twins and simulation technologies that support semiconductor R&D.
Dr. David Arnold
Dr. David Arnold has built a career at the intersection of microelectronics, magnetic microsystems, and advanced packaging. With a background in electrical engineering and a track record of federally funded research, he’s known for his work in energy harvesting and magnetic materials. He received the PECASE award and is a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors. As Director of the Florida Semiconductor Institute and George Kirkland Engineering Leadership Professor at the University of Florida, Dr. Arnold is helping position UF as a key player in reshoring semiconductor manufacturing and bridging academia with industry.
Dr. Sylvia Thomas
Dr. Sylvia Thomas brings over three decades of experience in both industry and academia, including roles at Bell Labs, IBM, and Procter & Gamble. Her research focuses on nanoelectronics, biomedical integration, and advanced materials, and she’s a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors and AIMBE. At the University of South Florida, she serves as Vice President for Research & Innovation and President & CEO of the USF Research Foundation, where she leads efforts to commercialize research and build strategic partnerships that connect USF’s innovation ecosystem to the semiconductor industry.