The University of Florida partners with the National Institutes of Health to provide training opportunities for the next generation of scientists. As of April 2021, this partnership directly supports the training of 86 PhD students, 37 postdoctoral trainees, 20 medical students on short-term research rotations, and 7 undergraduates interested in health science research. Indirectly, it would be difficult to capture the intricate and profound impact of these programs on the overall training and research environment within the Health Science Center, as each program designs its resources to be available to all trainees in its research sphere.
MEET THE T TEAM!
The University of Florida and the National Institutes of Health jointly sponsor 24 training programs at the University of Florida's Health Science Center.
Not sure where to start? Have questions? Need to update information on the page? Email Audrey Natwick a.dickinson@ufl.edu or call (352) 294-8332 .
PhD Trainee Support:
Postdoctoral Trainee Support:
Other Support:
Basic Microbiology and Infectious Disease
Preparing PhD trainees in microbiology and infectious disease for exceptional and productive careers in biomedical research
Jasmine Ayers
Jasmine studies the immune response to dengue and Zika viruses in the Aedes aegypti gut
Jessica Brandwein
Jessie studies the genetic regulation of nitric oxide synthase (nos) in Staphylococcus aureus, as maintaining optimal nitric oxide levels is important for S. aureus respiration, stress resistance, and virulence
Joseph Dean
Joseph studies the transcriptional regulation of cytotoxic T cell differentiation and function in the context of cancer and mucosal immunology
Shanan emmanuel
Shanan studies the interactions of immune molecules, specifically antibodies and defensins with the viral capsids of Adeno-Associated Viruses (AAVs)
Tristan grams
Tristan examines differences in reactivation efficiencies between two herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) strains in a newly established in vitro model of latency
Breathing Research and Therapeutics (BREATHE)
Training PhDs and postdocs to be the next generation of scientists devoted to preserving and restoring breathing and airway defense in clinical disorders that end life by respiratory failure.
Emanuel Boutzoukas
Emanuel focuses on counteracting cognitive declines in aging using non-invasive brain stimulation paired with cognitive training
Claire DeLucia, phd
No research summary available
Andrew Dlugos, PhD
Dr. D’Lugos focuses on cancer cachexia, a metabolic condition characterized by progressive skeletal muscle loss and weakness
Mia Kelly
Mia studies circadian rhythms in cardiorespiratory control, including daily cycles of clock genes & genes associated with respiratory motor plasticity in the brainstem & spinal cord
Wendy Olsen, PhD
Dr. Olsen studies how sensory afferents lining the upper and lower airways of the aerodigestive track can elicit airway protective mechanisms
Jeremy Prieto
Decoding breathing dynamics and their associated physiological signals to predict patient outcome within the ICU
Chemistry-Biology Interface Training Program at the University of Florida
Developing and expanding a diverse and talented pool of professional researchers with the skills to pursue successful careers in the biomedical workforce
tyler alsup
Tyler’s research is aimed at the discovery of novel bacterial terpenoids and characterization of the key biosynthetic machinery responsible for their impressive chemical diversity
Matthew Burke
Matthew studies the development of the PROTAC molecule for the targeted degradation of proteins
michael goertzen ii
Michael studies ring cleavage and ring fusion methodologies to re-engineer the activity of indole alkaloids
Jessica Mamallapalli
Jessica studies the effects of kavalactones on norepinephrine-mediated signaling in cancer cells
Clinical and Translational Pre-Doctoral Training in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias
Equipping the next generation of AD researchers with the perspective & skills to make true advances in the treatment of this devastating and complex disease
Priscilla Amofa
Priscilla studies behavioral interventions as an alternative treatment to the delay and/or prevention of dementia among older adults with mild cognitive impairment, with a special focus on minority inclusion in clinical research
Cheshire Hardcastle
Cheshire studies functional brain changes related to cognitive interventions that reduce dementia risk in an aging population
Jessica Kraft
Jessica studies the neural correlates of cognition and the use of non-invasive interventions to improve cognition in older adults
Tristan Williams
Tristan studies the effect of APOE isoforms on tau and amyloid pathologies in regard to Alzheimer’s disease
Comprehensive Training Program in Oral Biology
Employing team science to advance the detection, prevention, treatment and cures of oral and craniofacial diseases and abnormalities
Beau Brummel, PhD
Dr. Brummel studies how novel small molecules act against oral pathogens
debra brunson
Debra studies the mechanisms of metal homeostasis of Enterococcus faecalis.
leila casella
Dr. Casella characterizes the regulatory nucleotides in Enterococcus faecalis
Heba El-Ahmad
No research summary available
Vanessa Enriquez, phd
No research summary available
Zavier Eure
No research summary available
Lauren Gay
Dr. Gay examines the miRNA targetome of KSHV in vitro and in vivo, along with aspects of KSHV and oral cancer
Seung Jang
James (Seung Jin) studies immunoregulatory roles of the viral proteins of KSHV during oral infection.
Callahan Katrak
Callahan is pursuing her DMD before turning to PhD training and research activities.
Kyra Martin
No research summary available
Alexandra Peterson
No research summary available
Christina Rothenberger
Christina investigates the mechanisms that initiate surface translocation in Porphyromonas gingivalis.
lauren spires
Lauren studies the role of viral interferon regulatory factor 1 in facilitating HHV-8 lytic infection.
Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Type 1 Diabetes and Biomedical Engineering
Blending medical knowledge and engineering technology to produce innovative therapeutics that address T1D care, and methods that deliver the long held hope for a means to prevent/reverse the disease.
Mollie Huber
Mollie investigates T1D pathogenesis using live pancreas tissue slices from human organ donors.
Alexander Kwiatkowski
Alexander’s research involves an antigen-specific dual microparticle system to treat autoimmune diseases.
Leeana Peters
Leeana utilizes single cell transcriptomic and epigenomic data to research the genes and pathways involved in T cell behavior in T1D.
Anna Rushin
No research summary available
Interdisciplinary Training in Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration
Training the next generation of investigators with programs of basic, translational or clinical research to address movement disorders
Sidney Baudendistel
Sidney investigates the underlying mechanisms for prolonged and progressive mobility impairment in Parkinson’s Disease and explores novel interventions to improve gait function
Adithya Gopinath
No research description available
Franjo Ivankovic-Macgibbon
Franjo studies genetic underpinnings of psychiatric disorders, namely Tourette Syndrome and OCD
Noelle Jacobsen
Noelle investigates electrocortical activity during locomotor adaptation using mobile electroencephalography
Grace lloyd
No research summary available
adriana ratajska
No research summary available
Interdisciplinary Training in Neuromuscular Plasticity and Rehabilitation
Building a critical capacity of highly-trained rehabilitation scientists capable of conducting translational neuromuscular plasticity research.
Walter Barrutia
Walter studies the development of novel lower-limb exoskeleton designs to aid walking in healthy and disabled populations
vivian doerr
Vivian studies the detrimental effects of the chemotherapeutic doxorubicin on skeletal muscle health and function
vini mariani
Vini conducts biophysics experiments to study loss of skeletal muscle contractile function in disease and aging
Jamie Murbach
Jamie researches the electrochemical polymerization of conductive polymers for the improvement of neural interfaces
Alessanra norris
Alessandra studies how Hh signaling controls intramuscular fat formation and muscle regeneration
brandon parks
Brandon studies how to close the loop on essential tremor with deep brain stimulation, and connections within the brain during movement
nicole stafford
Nicole studies the biomechanical performance of lower limb amputees using a portable myoelectric prosthesis
Molecular Biology in Burns and Trauma
Training surgical residents in the science of inflammation & immunity
Erik Anderson, MD
Dr. Anderson studies the characteristics of inflammation biology in patients with vascular disease and renal insufficiency
Brittany fenner, MD
Dr. Fenner researches differing immune responses as a function of age using novel microfluidic technologies
lauren kelly, MD
Dr. Kelly studies the role of traumatic injury, inflammation, and stress on red blood cell development in the bone marrow
Jennifer Munley, MD
Dr. Munley studies microbiome alterations after trauma
Regenerative Medicine Training Grant
Training PhD students in the molecular and cellular aspects of stem cell biology and the use of stem cell products in patient care
elnaz ebrahimi
No research summary available
alexander ligocki
No research summary available
Gabriel Prado
No research summary available
daniil shabashvili, phd
No research summary available
Justin Varholick
Justin investigates how the external environment modifies structural and functional recovery during regenerative healing in the African spiny mouse
Augustine Vinson
Augustine studies hematopoietic stem cell behavior directly following transplant using intravital imaging techniques
Renal Training and Retention (RETAIN) Program
Providing a collaborative research and training environment for research clinicians learning to reduce the burden of kidney disease
Jermaine Johnston
Dr. Johnston examines mechanisms through which the renal H,K-ATPase HKa1 subunit regulates ENaC
Research Training in Non-Pharmacological Interventions for Cognition in Aging, MCI, and Alzheimer’s Disease
Training PhD students in non-pharmacological interventions for cognitive aging (CA), mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease
Alejandro Albizu
Alejandro investigates novel computational modeling and machine learning techniques to develop individualized neuromodulatory interventions
Tara Cooper
Tara’s interest is the mechanisms of learning & memory and neurodegeneration such as Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia
Nicole Evangelista
Nicole employs machine learning methods to determine the best predictive model of working memory performance, using multimodal measures of whole-brain structure and function
Kailey Langer
Kailey aims to conduct research that adds to an understanding of the efficacy of interventions and the factors that contribute to inter-individual differences in observed improvements
Andrea Mejia
Andrea researches the mechanisms that delay and/or prevent the progression of cognitive decline among Spanish and English-speaking populations
Rebecca Polk
Rebecca investigates the neural activation and connectivity changes in the temporoparietal junction (TPJ) after a 4-week oxytocin administration intervention in older adults
Brad TAylor
No research summary available
Research Training in Vision Science
Training PhD students to become independent investigators in the vision sciences since 1991.
William Ruddick
No research summary available
Integrative and Multidisciplinary Pain and Aging Research Training
Addressing the biopsychosocial mechanisms underlying age-related changes in the experience of pain
benjamin chapin, phd
No research summary available
Joshua Crow, PhD
Dr. Crow studies central nervous system contributions to age-related physical decline
Soamy Montesino Goicolea, PhD
Dr. Montesino Goicolea focuses on mechanisms contributing to pain and sleep disturbances in older adults
folly patterson, phd
No research summary available
Steven Pratscher, PhD
Dr. Pratscher focuses on efficacy and mechanisms of breathing interventions for musculoskeletal pain in older adults
Team-based interdisciplinary cancer research training program
Transdisciplinary approaches to cancer research for PhD and postdoctoral trainees
Eric Cooks, PhD and andrew maxim
Tailoring virtual human voice and character customization as part of a telehealth intervention to promote colorectal screening among Black adults
Bayli Divita Dean, PhD and rachel newsome
Studying the role of the human gut microbiome in combinatorial cancer therapy response in pan-solid tumors
Nicholas Hiers and daniel stribling
Identifying miRNA-associated therapeutic targets in colorectal cancer through cutting-edge biochemical and bioinformatics methods
Derek Leas, phD and peter dib
Discovering and developing novel cancer therapies
Together: Transforming and Translating Discovery to Improve Health
Led by Wayne McCormack, PhD, this training program supports 10 PhD trainees and runs on principles of team science.
courtney wilkinson and phil mackie
We investigate the relationship between immune-brain communications in Parkinson’s disease and post-traumatic stress disorder
natalie koskela-staples and jacqlyn yourell
We use mixed methods to examine parent-level barriers to and facilitators of physical activity among adolescents with comorbid asthma and obesity
Jennifer Applebaum and Carlyn Ellison
We use sequential mixed methods to research the potential barriers to aging in place faced by older adults with companion animals
Osama dasa, MD and yara skaf
No research description available
Lisa Emerson and Andrew Rainey
We isolate diverse NTS strains, compare the virulence of laboratory and community NTS, and investigate the potential of a novel exosome-derived vaccine strategy against NTS community isolates
Karen Coker and Tyler Nesbit
We’re establishing steps towards reconciliation and trust among Black women toward reproductive health providers
Training Program for Applied Research and Development in Genomic Medicine
Kelly Herremans, MD
Dr. Herremans explores the role of the oral microbiome in pancreatic cancer and how it relates to cancer health disparities
Andrea Riner, MD, MPH
Dr. Riner investigates pancreatic cancer health disparities utilizing ‘omics and ancestry informative markers
Lilian Shen, DVM
Dr. Shen investigates the use of gene editing for treatment of inherited feline and canine cardiomyopathies
Alexandra Ladd, MD
No research description available
Training Program in Chemosensory Science
The TPCS supports 4 predoctoral trainees focused on study of the chemical senses
Caitlin Baumer Harrison
Caitlin examines AT1aR-containing sensory afferents in the regulation of blood pressure, sodium intake, and taste
Natalie Johnson
Natalie investigates how the chemosensory components of flavored e-cigarette juices contribute to nicotine reinforcement and reward in adolescents
Brian Lee
Brian studies the effects of pathological Tau on primary cilia leading to olfactory dysfunction
Kayli Sieber
No research summary available
Translational Research Training on Aging and Mobility (TRAM)
Addressing the multi-factorial causes and consequences of age-related changes in mobility and/or designing multi-modal interventions to prevent and rehabilitate mobility impairments in older adults
Brianne Borgia, phd
No research summary available
taylor mcelroy, phd
No research summary available
Valay shah, PhD
Dr. Valay Shah uses MRI techniques to capture brain deficits that relate to mobility impairment in older adults
Emily smail, phd
No research summary available
Translational Science Training to Reduce the Impact of Alcohol on HIV Infection
Improving health outcomes for people affected by HIV and alcohol in Florida
Seungjun Ahn
Seungjun is devising a statistical method to enable differential network analysis in a regression setting based on a pseudovalue technique
mark britton
Mark studies the “dynamic range” of localized brain activation/deactivation during task performance and the relationship to HIV serostatus and alcohol.
Caroline Deaterly
Caroline studies substance abuse and health outcomes in reproductive age women living with HIV
jason defelice
Jason studies HIV pathophysiology and the consequences associated with chronic substance use, particularly alcohol and marijuana
christina parisi
Christina studies changes in health outcomes and marijuana use among persons living with HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic
Bethany stennet
Dr. Stennet assesses the functional neural correlates of alcohol intoxication on pain processing and behaviors associated with alcohol use for self-medicating pain
University of Florida Substance Abuse Training Center in Public Health
Training diverse predocs and postdocs for careers in drug use, addiction, and consequences of addiction through a population science and public health lens
Alyssa Falise
Alyssa studies mental health, prescription misuse, and polysubstance use among older adults
Nicole Fitzgerald
Nicole studies psychiatric epidemiology with a focus on substance use disorders
Carolin Hoeflich, PhD
Dr. Hoeflich studies psychiatric epidemiology, focusing on disparities associated with substance use
Marilyn Horta, phd
Dr. Horta studies social cognition, decision-making, and substance use in chronic pain and aging
andrew mccabe
No research description available
Jillian Rung, PhD
Dr. Rung studies behavioral pharmacology and behavioral economics, with an emphasis on manipulations of abuse liability
Vinita Sharma, phd
Dr. Sharma focuses on the intersection of substance abuse, HIV/AIDS and mental health
enya vroom, phd
No research description available
Anna Wang
Anna focuses on substance use epidemiology research
Nae Won
No research description available
Short-Term Training for Medical Students in Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Research
Providing intensive, short-term (2.5 month) training in research for 20 first year medical students (MS1s) whose projects focus on heart, lung, and blood topics
GatorStar: A New Marc U*Star Program at the University of Florida
Promoting the early entry of students into research by focusing on curricular reforms and activities that increase the students’ preparedness for foundational science and mathematics courses, and by increasing their awareness of scientific research as a profession