Twenty-one researchers in areas ranging from optics, medicine, psychology and education are new inductees into the UCF Millionaires Club. Established in 2000, the club recognizes researchers who have received external sponsored funding of $1 million or more in the last fiscal year.

In addition to the millionaires, 95 innovators— researchers who have taken the first step in the patenting process by filing invention disclosures—were acknowledged.

In a ceremony at UCF’s Morgridge International Reading Center, MJ Soileau, vice president for UCF research and commercialization saluted the group by noting the “entire Florida economy counts on your work.”

Soileau started the event shortly after he became vice president to celebrate the accomplishments of highly funded researchers much in the same manner that universities traditionally celebrate the success of sports teams.