The Office of Research
We foster bold collaborations, empower our resilient community, streamline and improve our research infrastructure, and transform research though our investigator-focused programs and services. This allows our amazing faculty to do what they do best – to accelerate science in ways that improve health for all.
About
Office Updates (Jan. 2025)
Read more about the office’s updates for 2025 as originally presented by Dr. Azra Bihorac at the College of Medicine Town Hall on Jan. 16.
Committees/Governance
A resilient research community relies on the engagement of faculty and staff in the leadership structure to support strategic initiatives, planning, and policy across our research enterprise. View a list of the office’s committees here.
Departments and Schools
View a comprehensive list of the departments and schools across the College of Medicine Gainesville and Jacksonville campuses.
STAFF DIRECTORY
Our Leadership
Senior Associate dean for research
Azra Bihorac, M.D., M.S., FCCM, FASN
Assistant Dean Of Innovation And Entrepreneurship
May Khanna, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean of Clinical Research
Elias Sayour, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant dean of basic research
Todd Brusko, Ph.D.
Director of Research strategy and operations
Marah Berry, Ph.D.
Assistant Director of finance
Jeremy Schmidt, MHA, CHFP
Research Administration Manager
Todd Barnash
project manager III
Melissa Layne
project manager I
Cassidy Pinner
Our staff
Excellence in Research Management
Associate Director of Research Strategy and Management
Katie Blackburn, MSPH
research administrator II
Hannah Fell
Research Administration Manager Pre-Award
Denise Carlton
Research Administration Manager Post-Award
Jackie Tucker
Research Administrator ii
Tim Moody
Research Administrator
Alexandra Vicini
Research Education & Development
Associate Director of Research Education and Workforce Development
Elizabeth Palmer, Ph.D.
Communications specialist
Manny Rea
Project manager I
Marcus Davis, Ph.D.
Project manager iii
TaJuana Chisholm
Clinical Research Hub
Associate Director of the Clinical Research Hub
Clare Martin
Assistant director of the clinical research hub
Mary Ellen Toombs
Associate director of industry engagement
Trey Womack
Clinical research analyst I
Devin Mercado
Clinical Research Analyst III
Nieci Black
Clinical research Analyst II
Amanda Slater
clinical research analyst II
Katie Barnes
financial analyst III
Kelsey Walter
Clinical research analyst I
Christopher James
financials team lead
Megan Wichman
administrative assistant II
Kelly Dickman
Research Intelligence
Associate director of research analytics
Ben Griffith, MBA
Assistant director of data management
Begum Unal
Research software engineer III
Aditya Subramanian
Student Assistant Technical Specialist
Daniel George
Student assistant technical specialist
Paige Reeves
data scientist ii
Sai Gangasani
app developer II
Sravya Kotwal
"Our office fosters research excellence, improves the environment for basic, translational and clinical sciences, and facilitates research discoveries that will ultimately lead to advances in health care outcomes."
– Azra Bihorac, M.D., MS FCCM, FASN
Research News
Jessie Barra, Ph.D., investigates stem cells that can replace beta cells lost in Type 1 diabetes patients.
The University of Florida recently hosted its inaugural Frontier Scholars in AI and Health program, featuring visiting scholar Dr. Chris Tignanelli…
The college’s 16th annual Celebration of Research on Feb. 9–10 brought the community together through science, art and music to mark another…
UF College of Medicine office of research
Events and Deadlines
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May 21
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CRH Hubtalk Series
11:00am to 12:00pm
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Jun 18
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CRH Hubtalk Series
11:00am to 12:00pm
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Jul 16
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CRH Hubtalk Series
11:00am to 12:00pm
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Aug 20
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CRH Hubtalk Series
11:00am to 12:00pm
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Sep 17
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CRH Hubtalk Series
11:00am to 12:00pm
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Oct 15
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CRH Hubtalk Series
11:00am to 12:00pm
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Nov 19
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CRH Hubtalk Series
11:00am to 12:00pm
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Dec 17
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CRH Hubtalk Series
11:00am to 12:00pm
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Jan 21
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CRH Hubtalk Series
11:00am to 12:00pm
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Feb 18
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CRH Hubtalk Series
11:00am to 12:00pm
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Upcoming HubTalk
February 19, 2026, 11 AM – 12 PM
