Hadi Abbas (MFA, Wichita State University) is a Professor of Art and coordinator of the ceramics program in SVAD at the University of Central Florida. His research as an artist and educator concentrate on atmospheric kiln firing. In addition to his firing expertise, Hadi has designed and built a variety of different kilns, including gas, salt, wood, luster, and stained glass. In 1997, Hadi designed and built the first Anagama wood kiln in Central Florida. His work is included in the permanent collection of Huntsville Museum of Art in Huntsville, Alabama, Orlando City Hall in Orlando, Florida, and of renowned collectors Gary and Barbara Sorensen. His work has been exhibited regionally, nationally, and internationally in solo and group exhibitions. He has been published in Studio Potter (1998) and Ceramic Technical (1999, 2002) and is featured in Wood-Fired Ceramics: 100 Contemporary Artists (2012). Hadi has been awarded numerous financial awards, including UCF’s Teaching Incentive Program and Research Incentive Award.