Outstanding Research Scientist Awards

Outstanding Research Scientist Awards

These awards are given to researchers at the rank of Associate Professor or above whose discoveries have contributed to the understanding of the fundamental underlying principles of biology and medicine in the Basic or Translational Sciences, made significant impact in the fields of artificial intelligence/data science, or have significantly impacted patient care through Clinical, Artificial Intelligence or Data Sciences.

Seasoned researchers  changing biomedical science with their innovative, impactful work.

Clinical, Data Science, or Artificial Intelligence Winners

2025 OUTSTANDING RESEARCH SCIENTIST AWARD IN CLINICAL, DATA SCIENCE, OR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE WINNER

Kenneth Cusi, M.D.

Professor, Department of Medicine

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2024 OUTSTANDING RESEARCH SCIENTIST AWARD IN CLINICAL, DATA SCIENCE, OR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE WINNER

Brian Hoh, M.D., M.B.A.

Chair and James and Brigitte Marino Family Professor, Lillian S. Wells Department Of Neurosurgery

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2023 Outstanding Research Scientist Award in Clinical, Data or Artificial Intelligence Sciences Winner

Michael Haller, M.D.

Professor and Chief, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics

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2022 Clinical Science Research Award Winner

Duane Mitchell, M.D., Ph.D.

Phyllis Kottler Friedman Professor; UF Assistant Vice President for Research; Associate Dean for Clinical and Translational Sciences; Director of the UF Clinical Translational Science Institute; Co-Director of the Preston S. Wells, Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Therapy, Lillian S. Wells Department Of Neurosurgery

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Basic or Translational Sciences Winners

2025 OUTSTANDING RESEARCH SCIENTIST AWARD IN BASIC OR TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCES WINNER

Robert McKenna, Ph.D.

Professor and Director of the Center for Structural Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

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2024 OUTSTANDING RESEARCH SCIENTIST AWARD IN BASIC OR TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCES WINNER

Zhijian Qian, Ph.D.

Pierre Chagnon Professor of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine

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2023 recipient of the Outstanding Research Scientist Award in Basic or Translational Sciences Winner

Todd M. Brusko, Ph.D.

Professor and Assistant Dean of Basic Research, Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine

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Rising Star Researcher Awards

Rising Star Researcher Awards

Given to researchers at the assistant professor level, these awards recognize exceptional research achievements in the Basic or Translational Sciences and Clinical, Artificial Intelligence or Data Sciences.

Established in 2023, these awards recognize exceptional research achievements by assistant professors who have achieved early success on their paths to highly impactful research careers.

Clinical, Data Science, or Artificial Intelligence Winners

Basic or Translational Sciences Winners

2025 RISING STAR RESEARCHER AWARD IN CLINICAL, DATA SCIENCE, OR ARTIFICiAL INTELLIGENCE WINNER

Laura Jacobsen, M.D.

Assistant Professor and Pediatric Endocrinologist, Department of Pediatrics

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2025 RISING STAR RESEARCHER AWARD IN BASIC OR TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCES WINNER

Mark Moehle, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics

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2024 RISING STAR RESEARCHER AWARD IN BASIC OR TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCES WINNER

Erica Dale, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology and Aging

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Dr. Mavis Agbandje-McKenna Distinguished Research Mentoring Award

Dr. Mavis Agbandje-McKenna Distinguished Research Mentoring Award

This award recognizes a faculty member at least 10 years into their career for providing outstanding research mentoring to students, trainees, research associates and/or faculty.

Established in 2022, this award honors the late Dr. Agbandje-McKenna's life and commitment to mentorship.

2025 Dr. Mavis Agbandje-McKenna Distinguished Research Mentoring Award Winner

Nikolaus Gravenstein, M.D.

Jerome H. Modell, MD, Professor of Anesthesiology and Professor of Neurosurgery and Periodontology, Colleges of Medicine and Dentistry

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2024 Dr. Mavis Agbandje-McKenna Distinguished Research Mentoring Award Winner

Linda Bloom, Ph.D.

Professor & Associate Chair, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

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2022 Dr. Mavis Agbandje-McKenna Distinguished Research Mentoring Award Winner

Sara Burke, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Department of Neuroscience

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