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.
UF Neuro Research Ranks No. 2 Nationally in NIH Funding
Neuroscience and neuromedicine research at the University of Florida ranked No. 2 in NIH funding among all public universities in the U.S., according to the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research’s 2023 rankings. With $31.8 million in NIH funding, UF neurosciences — a combined ranking of the departments of neuroscience and neurology — ranked No. 2 among public universities and No. 3 overall. In 2022, UF neurosciences ranked No. 3 among public universities and No. 5 overall.
Decoding the Genes Behind Dolastatin 10 Paves the Way for New Cancer Therapeutics
Researchers at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy have identified the genes responsible for the creation of dolastatin 10, a marine natural product that has led to six FDA-approved cancer drugs since 2011. The research team used genomic library screening and genome sequencing to identify the genes responsible for producing the marine natural product.
Novel Compound Opens New Avenue in Immunotherapy Treatment for Cancers
Researchers at the UF Health Cancer Center have developed a first-of-it-kind compound that may reveal a new way to treat cancer using immunotherapy. Currently, immunotherapy is among the most groundbreaking cancer treatments, but only about 20% to 40% of patients respond to it. It works by first identifying a target protein that contributes to tumor development and then developing a compound that will target that protein specifically, slowing tumor growth and boosting the body's immune system to fight off the cancer.
Dr. Castillo Caro Accepted into Early Investigator Advancement Program
Paul Castillo, M.D., was recently accepted into the National Cancer Institute's Early Investigator Advancement Program. The program aims to bolster expertise and offer guidance for investigators to create competitive grant applications.
Tech Tuesday – Barry Byrne
In this week’s Tech Tuesday for WCJB TV20, UF Innovate’s Loren Miranda speaks with Dr. Barry Byrne, Associate Chair of Pediatrics and Director of the UF Powell Gene Therapy Center.
University of Florida Researchers Unlock New Frontiers in Brain Tumor Treatments
Researchers at the University of Florida's are making breakthroughs in the treatment of malignant brain tumors. Duane Mitchell, M.D., Ph.D., co-directs the teams conducting this research at the Preston A. Well Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Therapy at UF Health. Over the past ten years, the center has received FDA approval on 12 therapeutics and launched 13 novel immunotherapy clinical trials.
UF Health Cancer Center to Launch Mobile Mammography Unit and Expand Access to Care
With a $1.5-million grant awarded through University of Florida President Ben Sasse’s strategic funding initiative, the UF Health Cancer Center will launch an initiative called Expanding Access to Breast Cancer Screening in North Central Florida. A mobile mammography unit will be outfitted with leading-edge technology to bring services directly to the community. The unit will be the first of its kind in North Central Florida – a region larger than Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut combined.
Genetic Score Advances Personalized Treatment Strategies With Promising AML Drug
In the latest development in precision medicine approaches to treating pediatric leukemia, UF Health researchers have developed a genetic score to predict patient outcomes with a promising targeted drug treatment.
Novel ‘Chimera’ Drug Targets the ‘Undruggable’ Parkinson’s Protein
Researchers at The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute in Jupiter, FL have created a "two-headed" drug nicknamed Chimera due to its ability to target RNA machinery as well as the toxic protein that causes Parkinson's disease.
