Research Students & Alumni
Russian minor student, Taylor Jenko, became a part of UCF’s Academic Advancement Program (AAP) as a scholar for the Research andMentoring Program (RAMP) for the 2018-2019 year. RAMP at UCF is designed to give undergraduate students research experience and prepare them for graduate school.
UCF alumni, Michael Martinez, has received both the Post-Secondary Russian Scholar Laureate by the American Council of Teachers of Russian and the Distinguished Undergraduate Research Award for his commitment to Russian and valuable research he has done.
Student Michelle Verbitskaya has participated in RAMP from 2017-2018 at UCF. She has also presented her research to large audiences.
Thomas Anchor participated in the LEAD Scholars mentoring program at UCF. This program is designed to foster leadership in undergraduate students.
In April of 2018, undergraduate student Scarletta Thomas received the Post-Secondary Russian Scholar Laureate by the American Council of Teachers of Russian (PSRSL). The PSRSL award is given to junior or senior level students who display dedication to studying Russian.
Student Jorge Nunez was also able to participate in UCF’s RAMP from 2016-2017 in addition to Ms. Verbitskaya and Ms. Jenko.
In November 2016, Marissa Hall received the Undergraduate Research Initiative Award from the University of Central Florida to honor her contribution to research.
As an undergraduate student, Gabriela Wolk received not only the Order of Pegasus (2016) award to honor her leadership ability, service, and dedication to her academics, but she also received a Summer Undergraduate Research Grant to continue her studies.
A second student of Dr. Kourova’s received the prestigious Order of Pegasus award. Shannon Payne received this award from UCF in 2015.
Irina Pidberejna achieved many things under Dr. Kourova’s tutelage. Ms. Pidberejna received the Founder’s Day Student Award (2015), became a RAMP participant, and became published in the University Undergraduate Research Journal in 2015 during her time in RAMP. Ms. Pidberejna also received the Florida Foreign Language Association Student Scholar Award.
Kerrianne Reilly received the Founder’s Day Student Award the year after Ms. Pidberejna for her research, assistance in publication, presentations at many conferences and festivals, and academic excellence.
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19th World Festival of Youth in Sochi, Russia Participants
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Eric Tangerife (Current Russian Club President)
Michael Martinez (Russian Researcher)
Scarletta Thomas (Russian Researcher
and former Russian Club President)
Sarah Swiersz (Current Researcher and former
Russian Club Vice President)
Daniel Bell
Luis Garcia
Tara Langford (Fulbright English Teaching
Assistant 2015)
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Research Student and Alumni Award links
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From left to right: Luis Garcia, Sarah Swiersz, Michael Martinez, Scarletta Thomas, and Eric Tangerife