Third International Kratom Symposium Draws Experts From Across the Globe
Faculty from the University of Florida joined kratom scientists from around the world the Third International Kratom Symposium held in Orlando from Feb. 14-15. Hosted by the UF College of Pharmacy, the symposium featured botanists, chemists, pharmacologists, and public health experts as they exchanged ideas and discussed the most pressing issues concerning kratom's use internationally and in the West.
Oliver Grundmann, Ph.D., professor of medicinal chemistry and co-director of the symposium, said this event provides a unique opportunity to tackle the challenges around research and regulation of kratom.
Oragenics CEO Stepping Down
UF Innovate | Accelerate Sid Martin graduate company Oragenics announced on Monday that their CEO, Kimberly Murphy, would be stepping down. Murphy and the company said they had come to a mutual separation agreement. The board appointed Michael Redmond, company president, as interim "principal executive officer".
Murphy served as CEO since June 2022, and the company said the decision was not the result of a disagreement. She has been on the board for Oragenics since 2020 and previously served as vice president of GSK, where she helped develop vaccines for influenza and shingles.
Bin Gao Named Fulbright Scholar
Bin Gao, a professor in the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, has been named as a Fulbright Scholar and will carry out his Fulbright duties focusing on agricultural and biological engineering in Brazil.
Gao's research focuses on water quality and environmental sustainability, encompassing a broad range of topics including environmental and water resources engineering, environmental nanotechnology, biochar technology, contaminant hydrology, and hydrologic modeling.
Tech Tuesday – Gainesville Tech Week
In this week’s Tech Tuesday for WCJB TV20, UF Innovate’s Loren Miranda speaks with Justis Mendez, co-founder of venture capital firm OneSixOne ventures as he gives insight into Gainesville Tech Week. The week is a time to celebrate the tech startup ecosystem in Gainesville.
Michael S. Okun, M.D., Receives Honor for Leadership and Lasting Impact in Neurology
Michael S. Okun, M.D., has been named a University of Florida Distinguished Professor. This is the highest faculty honor awarded at UF and represents Okun's dedication to leadership and his lasting impact on the field of neurology.
Okun joins seven other faculty across campus selected for the designation this year. He is only the fifth faculty member from the College of Medicine to receive this honor.
University of Florida To Strengthen Its Sports Program Through AI-Powered Athletics
A partnership between the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering and the University Athletic Association is undertaking a groundbreaking AI-Powered Athletics project at the University of Florida.
The project is one of five components of the newly funded UF & Sport Collaborative that was announced in December. This multi-faceted initiative aims to make UF a global leader in sports performance, healthcare, and communication, while highlighting world-class sports facilities and partnerships.
Pheronym Inc. Is Making Advancements in Pheromone-Based Nematode Research
Pheronym Inc., a company started by former UF researcher Fatma Kaplan, Ph.D., has developed technology to create pheromones that can control the actions of nematodes, one of the most abundant creatures on Earth.
Over 20 years ago, Kaplan began researching ways to use pheromones, which are external chemical triggers that influence mating and other behaviors. According to Kaplan, there are both good and bad nematodes, with the good ones attacking other insect pests in the soil to kill them or keep them from mating.
UF Uses Artificial Intelligence To Detect Poison Ivy
Researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Gulf Coast Research Center are using AI to identify poison ivy, which causes rashes on up to 50 million people each year.
Nathan Boyd, researcher and professor of horticultural sciences, led the research alongside post-doctoral researcher Renato Herrig, who designed the mobile app. Designed as a tool for hikers and those working outdoors, the app uses a camera to identify poison ivy in real time and works without an internet connection.
Check Out These Catchy New Caladium Cultivars, Courtesy of UF/IFAS
Researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences have released three new caladium varieties called 'Pinky Swear', 'Wonderland' and 'Salsa'. 'Pinky Swear' and 'Salsa' are now available, with 'Wonderland' ready for purchase next year.
Zhanao Deng, a plant breeder and professor of environmental horticulture with the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC), works with caladium growers in Florida to develop new cultivars like this on commercial farms in the area. He recently published his research findings on these three new types, exploring their characteristics and yield potential.
UF To Play Key Role in Groundbreaking Laser Interferometer Space Antenna Mission
The University of Florida's Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering has partnered with NASA to develop hardware that will fly on the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission being led by the European Space Agency (ESA).
UF is the only academic institution in the United States to be awarded a contract to develop hardware to fly on the LISA mission, which is set to launch in the mid-2030s.
The mission will see three spacecraft orbit the sun with the goal of advancing the understanding of the universe and explore the origin and evolution of black holes. UF's Precision Space Systems Laboratory will develop the Charge Management Device for the mission.
