UROP Leader Information Submission: Submission #248

First Name: Matthew
Last Name: Cabrera
Full name as you would like it to appear on the website: Matthew Cabrera
Preferred Pronouns: {Empty}
Hometown, State, and Country (ex: Tallahassee, FL, USA): Ocala, FL, USA
FSU email : mc22dz@fsu.edu
Please check this box if you are willing to be contacted by students interested in UROP: Yes
LinkedIn URL (optional): https://www.linkedin.com/in/mc2027/
Major(s): Mechanical Engineering
Minor(s): Computer Science, Physics, Astrophysics
Graduation Semester and Year (ex: Fall, 2022): Spring, 2027
What is your current research focus?:
I am a research assistant for Dr. Rebekah Downes at the High Performance Materials Institute (HPMI), working with Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and PEEK reinforced carbon fiber. PEEK is a high-performance thermoplastic that is used in aerospace and defense industries, which can withstand high temperatures and substantial mechanical stress. I am testing PEEK and PEEK reinforced carbon fiber under different environmental conditions, analyzing how their material properties change. This project is my main focus right now, but I also assist in other material science research throughout HPMI.

Are there any other research related activities you participate(d) in?:
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Answer one of the following two questions about being a UROP Leader or your UROP background. : How has UROP impacted your time at FSU?
Please answer the question you selected above in the area provided.:
Being in UROP started a domino chain in my life that I never would have expected. Thanks to UROP, I met my closest friend in college, I spent a year working on a NASA-related research project, and then I was able to move to HPMI. At HPMI, I have met some amazing people and countless opportunities have presented themselves, which I am extremely fortunate for. Without UROP, I have no idea what I would be doing right now in my undergraduate career. If taken advantage of correctly, UROP is an extremely beneficial program and one I am glad to be a part of. Being a UROP Leader lets me continue to spread the advantages of UROP to others, so maybe they too can receive the amazing benefits I have been lucky enough to receive.

Please list any other hobbies or interests you would like to share:
I have a passion for music, specifically Latin music, food, and video games. You get me started on any of those, and I might never stop talking.

Headshot: https://cre.fsu.edu/system/files/webform/urop_leaders_information/19486/0423_headshot.jpg
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2025Year2025: 2025
Approved: No
Update URL UROP Leaders: https://cre.fsu.edu/urop-leader-information-submission?element_parents=elements/headshot&ajax_form=1&_wrapper_format=drupal_ajax&token=D2P-RFYBr-dqtSF3PRYfjtJ0HePAbpLRUW0wH_fT38Y
Years as a UROP Leader: 2025-2026