ASEMFL Annual Meeting, November 7 & 8, 2025

“Advancing Resilience: Science, Engineering, and Health Innovations for Florida’s Future”
Rosen College of Hospitality Management, 9907 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819

The Annual Meeting hotel is Rosen Centre, 9840 International Dr., Orlando, FL 32819. Shuttle service will be provided between the hotel and the meeting venue; parking will also be available at the meeting location.

The 2025 ASEMFL Meeting is organized by the ASEMFL Annual Meeting Planning Committee (Christine Schmidt (chair), Hortensia Amaro, Yogi Goswami, Gregory Boebinger, Sudipta Seal, Ann Salamone, Angela Laird, Norma Alcantar, Pamela Soltis)

We welcome all interested stakeholders (faculty, industry, government professionals, postdocs, students, and community members) to attend the 2025 Annual Meeting.

Day 1 (Friday, November 7, 2025)
9:00 – 10:00 am ASEMFL Board Meeting (ASEMFL board members only)
10:15 – 10:30 am Welcome and Opening Remarks
Christine Schmidt, Chair, Hortensia Amaro, ASEMFL President
10:30 – 11:30 am Induction Ceremony of Class of 2025 ASEMFL Full Members
Announcement of Other Awards/Honors
11:30 – 1:00 pm Networking Lunch (all attendees)
1:00 – 2:30 pm Forging Resilience in Space: Integrating Engineering, Health, and Science for Florida’s Future
Chairs: Yogi Goswami, USF, Pam Soltis, UF, Sudipta Seal, UCF

  • Dan Britt, UCF – “Lunar Geotechnical Engineering – You are Not in Kansas Anymore”
  • Ye Zhang, KSC-NASA – “Health Challenges for Human Interplanetary Explorations”
  • Rob Ferl and Anna-Lisa Paul, UF – “Plants: Enablers of Human Exploration”
2:30 – 3:15 pm Group Photo (promptly at 2:30 pm)
& BREAK
3:15 – 4:30 pm ASEMFL Rising Stars Awards and Presentations
Chairs: Angela Laird, FIU, Norma Alcantar, USF

  • Rising Stars recognized
  • Rapid Fire Presentations by all Rising Stars
4:30 – 4:45 pm BREAK
4:45 – 6:15 pm Magnetic Frontiers: Advancing Materials, Energy, and Health in Florida
Chairs: Greg Boebinger, FSU, Sudipta Seal, UCF

  • Greg Boebinger, FSU – “Inventing New Materials: The Role of Intense Magnetic Fields”
  • Yan-Yan Hu, FSU – “Advancing Energy Science and Technology with Insights from Magnetic Resonance”
  • Joanna Long, UF – “Tracking the Chemistry of Life using Magnetic Resonance”
6:15 – 8:00 pm Networking Reception & Poster Session I (all attendees)
Chairs: Pamela Soltis, UF, Sudipta Seal, UCF
Day 2 (Saturday, November 8, 2025)
8:00 – 9:00 am ASEMFL Business Meeting (all ASEMFL Members)
9:00 – 10:00 am Networking Breakfast (all attendees)
10:00 – 12:00 pm Navigating the Evolving Landscape in Higher Education Research
Chair: Hortensia Amaro, FIU

  • Keynote Speaker: Holden Thorp, AAAS/Science – “Sticking to our Values in Uncertain Times for Science”
  • Mary Woolley, Research!America – “Science in the Court of Public Opinion”
  • David Super, Georgetown University Law Center – “Rapid Changes in Federal Research Policy: What Does the Law Allow?”
12:00 – 1:30 pm Networking Lunch & Poster Session II (all attendees)
Chairs: Pamela Soltis, UF, Sudipta Seal, UCF
1:30 – 3:00 pm Water Resilience: Adapting to Changes in Florida’s Aquifers, Springs, and Coasts
Chair: Ann Salamone, Rochal Industries

  • Thomas Wahl, UCF – “Treading Water – Coastal Flooding and Adaptation in Florida”
  • Robert Knight, Howard T. Odum Florida Springs Institute – “Florida’s Imperiled Springs – A Clear Solution”
  • John Kominoski, FIU – “Lessons from 25 Years of Research in the Florida Everglades”
3:00 – 3:30 pm Closing Remarks (Christine Schmidt, Hortensia Amaro)
& BREAK
3:30 – 4:45 pm Fast-Forward to Success: Speed Mentoring for Building Your Network – Open to all!
Chair: Christine Schmidt, UF
ASEMFL and National Academies Members network with trainees, Poster Presenters, Rising Stars, and others in a fun, fast-paced session to “meet and greet” and learn “tips for success”.
5:00 – 6:00 pm Amplifying Florida’s Voice: Learn What the National Academies Do and How You Can Get Involved
Leads: NAE: Ann Salamone, Len Pinchuk; NAM: Hortensia Amaro, Martin Sepulveda; NAS: Pam Soltis, Doug Soltis, Laura Greene