Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida Announces Largest Cohort in History with 50 New Members

Antoni Barrientos
Tenured Professor of Neurology and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine
University of Miami
Citation: For having uncovered a unique programmed ribosomal frameshifting mechanism that resolves long-standing questions about the translation of two overlapping open reading frames from a bicistronic transcript. These mt-mRNA folding maps now serve as a crucial reference for studying mt-mRNA.

Jessie Chen
Senior Research Scientist (ST) for Soldier Performance in Socio-Technical Systems
U.S. Army Research Lab
Citation: For groundbreaking contributions to human-autonomy teaming and agent transparency, advancing the design of intelligent systems for defense applications, and for sustained leadership in international research collaborations shaping human-machine interaction.

Robert Ferl
Distinguished Professor and Assistant Vice President for Research
University of Florida
Citation: For being a pioneer in understanding the responses of plants to environmental stresses incurred during spaceflight, paving the way for growing crops in space and for developing climate-resilient crops on Earth.

Robert Guralnick
Curator of Biodiversity Informatics
Florida Museum of Natural History
University of Florida
Citation: For integrating data science and biodiversity science to yield new approaches to understanding life on Earth and for developing platforms to engage the public in science.

Assefa Melesse
Distinguished University Professor, Department of Earth and Environment
Florida International University
Citation: For excellence in research, international leadership and bridging science and policy for global water security.

Jorge Piekarewicz
Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor, Physics
Florida State University
Citation: For seminal and sustained contributions on the impact of the nuclear equation of state on the physics of neutron stars.

Harrison Prosper
Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor, Kirby W. Kember Endowed Professor of Physics
Florida State University
Citation: For the application of Neural Networks and Bayesian statistics that played a crucial role in identifying the mass of the top quark.

Norman Schmidt
Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Research Professor and Chair, Department of Psychology
Florida State University
Citation: For being one of the world’s leading authorities on the nature, treatment, and prevention of anxiety and related disorders. He has changed the field with important theoretical contributions, important basic research, and development of numerous innovative clinical interventions.

Michael Shatruk
Distinguished Research Professor, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
Florida State University
Citation: For broad contributions to chemistry of materials and related areas, including research on interplay between chemistry and physics of metallic magnets, discovery of magneto-structural correlations in spin-state switching materials, and elaboration of chemical approaches to molecular spin qubits.

Brent Sumerlin
George Bergen Butler Professor of Chemistry
University of Florida
Citation: For transformative advances in polymer chemistry that enable clinically translated polymers, recyclable plastics, and self-healing materials to improve human health, environmental sustainability, and the design of custom smart materials.

Michal Toborek
Leonard M. Miller Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Vice-Chair for Research, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Associate Dean for Basic Science, Miller School of Medicine
University of Miami
Citation: For pioneering research on cerebral vascular biology in brain infection by HIV and neurotoxicity of environmental pollutants.

Marjana Tomic-Canic
Professor, Vice Chair of Research and Director of Wound Healing and Regenerative Medicine Research Program Dr Phillip Forst Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, Miller School of Medicine
University of Miami
Citation: For being an internationally recognized leader whose pioneering work transformed the field of wound healing and regenerative medicine by establishing the discipline of wound genomics and uncovering fundamental biological mechanisms that govern tissue repair, inflammation and host defense.

Leor Weinberger
Sylvester Professor, Founding Chair, Department of Cell & Systems Biology, Miller School of Medicine
University of Miami
Citation: For pioneering novel antiviral strategies such as Therapeutic Interfering Particles, TIPs, and for the fundamental discovery of transcriptional dither pathways — including the discovery of stochastic latency circuits in HIV and herpesviruses.

Associate Members:

Pavlo Antonenko
Professor of Educational Technology and Director of Institute for Advanced Learning Technologies
University of Florida
Citation: For pioneering research advancing AI and educational neuroscience, transformative STEM education initiatives, and inspiring thousands of teachers and students to engage with innovative, technology-rich learning in Florida and across the globe.

Christian Bleiholder
Professor, Chemistry
Florida State University
Citation: For pioneering the structural analysis of proteins and protein assemblies by ion mobility of mass spectrometry, including the development of Tandem Trapped Ion Mobility Spectrometry, and the creation of computational approaches that enable structural interpretation of these measurements.

Matthew Eddy
Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry
University of Florida
Citation: For pioneering work to advance understanding of drug receptor mechanisms and inspire new strategies for development of safer, more effective therapeutics.

Mark Finlayson
Associate Professor & Associate Director for Research and Academic Affairs, Knight Foundation School of Computing and Information Services
Florida International University
Citation: For important contributions to the computational modeling of narratives, which has advanced our understanding of the structure of cultural texts.

James Frederich
Werner Herz Associate Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Florida State University
Citation: For pioneering photochemical and biomimetic strategies enabling programmable polyene cyclizations and for translating synthetic organic chemistry innovations into therapeutic discovery and biotechnological applications.

Justin Kennemur
Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Florida State University
Citation: For breakthroughs in the fundamental science and technology of precision polymers.

Natalia Soares Quinete
Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Institute of Environment
Florida International University
Citation: For excellence in scientific and technological advances in Environmental Chemistry, especially with respect to newly discovered ‘Forever Chemicals’ such as PFAS.

Xiaohu Xia
Professor, Department of Chemistry
University of Central Florida
Citation: For pioneering artificial enzyme research, achieving unprecedented catalytic efficiencies and developing diagnostic technologies with substantial clinical and societal impact.

ENGINEERING

Full Members:

Kathleen Amm
Director
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Citation: For leadership in high magnet field science, superconducting magnet technology & engineering, in industry as well as at National Laboratories.

Kwang Chen
Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
University of South Florida
Citation: For significant innovation and commercialization of wireless communication technology that has advanced mobile Internet devices.

Suvranu De
Google Endowed Dean and Professor, College of Engineering
Florida A&M University-Florida State University
Citation: For visionary leadership in engineering education and research, advancing high-fidelity simulation, artificial intelligence, neuroimaging, and computational modeling to transform surgical training and patient safety.

Jayanta Kapat
Pegasus Professor and Trustee Chair Professor, College of Engineering; Director, Center for Advanced Turbomachinery & Energy Research
University of Central Florida
Citation: For innovative research and digital twin modeling and their impact on improved costs, efficiency and emissions in advanced turbines and energy systems.

Nasser Kutkut
Chief Executive Officer and Founder & Graduate Faculty Scholar, University of Central Florida
Smart Charging Technologies, LLC
Citation: For having pioneered high-efficiency and IoT-enabled battery charging systems, cloud-based energy management, and smart telematics platforms — technologies that cut costs, reduce emissions, and modernize industrial and electric vehicle power management worldwide.

Carlos Rinaldi-Ramos
Professor, J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering & Department of Chemical Engineering
University of Florida
Citation: For advancing the science and engineering of magnetic nanoparticles and their biomedical applications, including imaging, targeted therapies, and innovative technologies that have expanded knowledge and improved approaches to cancer treatment.

Damla Turgut
Pegasus Professor and Chair of Computer Science
University of Central Florida
Citation: For pioneering contributions to the application of value of information in wireless networks, and for outstanding leadership in advancing research and education at both the university and international professional society levels.

Associate Members:

Christine Angelini
Vice President, Environmental Advisory
AECOM
Citation: For significant and innovative advances in enhancing nature sustainability within coastal regions through scientific knowledge, emerging technologies, and community engagement.

Chen Chen
Associate Professor, Institute of Artificial Intelligence (IAI)
University of Central Florida
Citation: For pioneering contributions to multimodal and federated learning and real-time, privacy-preserving video analytics, advancing trustworthy and efficient AI systems for public safety, healthcare, and societal well-being.

Ivan Garibay
Professor, Industrial Engineering and Management Systems
University of Central Florida
Citation: For pioneering work in artificial intelligence for modeling complex human behavior, including the development of inverse generative social science, evolutionary model discovery, green technological innovation, and AI for social resilience against disinformation and polarization.

Gregory Hudalla
Professor and Integra Life Sciences Term Professor, J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering
University of Florida
Citation: For the development of biomaterials to advance the delivery of biotherapeutics and the deployment of clinical diagnostics, and for the fostering of social action within the field of biomedical engineering.

Anna Pyayt
Associate Professor, Chemical, Biological, and Materials Engineering
University of South Florida
Citation: For significant contributions to the field of sensing applications, artificial intelligence, assistive technology for individuals with blindness, and mobile health technologies.

Parisa Rashidi
Professor, J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering; Founding Co-Director, Intelligent Clinical Care Center (IC3)
University of Florida
Citation: For pioneering Medical AI systems that enable real-time monitoring and decision support in critical and perioperative care, and for national leadership ó recognized by the Presidential Early Career Award (PECASE) ó advancing research, education, and clinical translation of AI in healthcare.

David Simmons
Professor of Chemical, Biological, and Materials Engineering, and President of the Faculty Senate
University of South Florida
Citation: For transforming our understanding of how heterogeneities alter the properties of nanostructured polymers, with impacts on nanocomposites, commodity polymers, polymer films, and interfaces; and pioneering discoveries enabling emerging materials and reducing environmental impact.

Whitney Stoppel
Dr. and Mrs. Frederick C. Edie Associate Professor, Chemical Engineering, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering
University of Florida
Citation: For pioneering work combining engineering precision with biological complexity to enable reproducible, high-performance systems that address critical needs in regenerative medicine, controlled release, and soft tissue repair.

Thomas Wahl
Associate Professor, Department of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering and Center for Integrated Coastal Research
University of Central Florida
Citation: For pioneering work on flood risk analysis, coastal compound flooding, and assessment of coastal hazards at multiple scales under weather extremes.

Lakiesha Williams
Professor and Associate Chair for Graduate Studies, J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering; Affiliate Faculty, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
University of Florida
Citation: For pioneering contributions to injury biomechanics and translational neuro-technologies, and for national leadership in cultivating the next generation of engineering academicians.

Dazhong Wu
Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
University of Central Florida
Citation: For contributions to the development and implementation of machine learning-based techniques for part qualification and certification in advanced manufacturing.

Yang Yang
Professor
University of Central Florida
Citation: For being an accomplished scholar in developing energy materials using nanotechnology.

MEDICINE

Full Members:

Olveen Carrasquillo
Professor of Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Associate Dean for Clinical and Translational Research, Miller School of Medicine
University of Miami
Citation: For being a national leader in community-based research in underserved and vulnerable communities.

Michael Francis
Chief Executive Officer and Founder & Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine and Medical Engineering, Morsani College of Medicine at University of South Florida
Asante Bio
Citation: For revolutionizing regenerative orthopedics through patented biomaterials and implants, leading innovations like Tapestry‚ and ActiBraid‚ securing over $55M in funding, 25 granted US patents, and a $275M acquisition that advanced global musculoskeletal care.

Mark Padilla
Professor, Department of Global and Sociocultural Studies, School of International Public Affairs (SIPA)
Florida International University
Citation: For pioneering anthropological research on HIV, migration, and disaster recovery in the Caribbean and U.S. Latino communities, integrating ethnographic, visual, and policy-relevant methods to advance health equity and resilience.

Steven Safren
Professor and Director of Scholarship and Behavioral Sciences and the Humanities, Miller School of Medicine
University of Miami
Citation: For pioneering contributions to clinical psychology, advancing evidence-based interventions for HIV, chronic illness, and mental health, and for his dedication to research, education, and improving patient care outcomes.

Elias Sayour
Bonnie R. Freeman Professor for Pediatric Oncology Research
University of Florida
Citation: For discovering novel paradigm for cancer care leveraging universal mRNA formulations coupled with proprietary formulations under license to iOncologi, Inc (iONC101)

Mustafa Tekin
Professor and Chair, Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation, Department of Human Genetics, Miller School of Medicine
University of Miami
Citation: For being a global leader in human genetics, having identified 60+ novel disease genes, advancing diagnosis and therapy for rare disorders, leading high-impact research, training future genetics leaders, and strengthening genomic medicine worldwide.

Vladimir Uversky
Professor, Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine
University of South Florida
Citation: For discovery of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs), revealing that IDPs, lacking fixed 3D structures, are essential in cellular processes and contribute to the pathogenesis of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, transforming protein biology and disease research.

Richard Wagner
Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor of Psychology and W. Russell and Eugenia Morcom Endowed Chair
Florida State University
Citation: For contributions to science, policy, and practice on improving learning to read and on diagnosis and remediation of dyslexia.

Associate Members:

 Audrey Harkness
Associate Professor, School of Nursing and Health Studies
University of Miami
Citation: For being a nationally recognized expert who uses behavioral and implementation science to enhance the reach of evidence-based HIV and mental health interventions to communities experiencing disparities; her work has impacted clinical practice and advanced the field implementation science.

Mariana Sanchez
Associate Professor and Assistant Chair, Department of Health Promotion & Disease Prevention, College of Public Health
Florida International University
Citation: For pioneering research elucidating how sociocultural and immigration-related factors shape Latino health trajectories, and for national leadership in advancing culturally informed, community-driven approaches to public health equity.