University of South Florida Research

08/31/2026

With an estimated 4 billion microplastic particles in Tampa Bay, microplastics are silently making their way through our environment and food chain, raising urgent questions about their impact on wildlife and human health.

USF College of Arts and Sciences graduate student Kate McLendon is exploring how these invisible pollutants accumulate in red mangrove ecosystems at popular sites like Gandy Beach, the TECO Manatee Viewing Center, Fort De Soto and Upper Tampa Bay Park.

Using advanced filtration and infrared microscopy, she has discovered hundreds of microplastic particles on areas as small as a pinhead. Leaves near Gandy Bridge are loaded with rubber, likely from tire wear, and larger plastic debris is often found alongside the microscopic fragments, showing how today’s litter becomes tomorrow’s microplastic pollution.

Curious to learn more about this innovative research and what it means for our environment? Read the full story: https://ow.ly/7IF450ZHirc

08/28/2026

We’re thrilled to welcome more than 200 new faculty members to the University of South Florida this fall! Their expertise, creativity and passion are driving USF’s momentum as we advance our strategic priorities and tackle global challenges. As Provost and Executive Vice President Prasant Mohapatra emphasizes, our faculty are at the heart of USF’s continued success.

This year’s incoming faculty bring diverse backgrounds and fresh perspectives, with over 20 joining us from prestigious Association of American Universities of institutions like Yale, Northwestern and Penn.

Our newest scholars are pioneering research in areas vital to Florida’s future, including emerging technologies, water quality, environmental resiliency, advanced materials and biomedical innovation. USF Health remains a top destination for academic medicine, attracting leaders eager to launch labs and elevate patient care.

Their work will strengthen USF’s research portfolio and make a lasting impact on our campus, our region and beyond.

Read more about our newest faculty members: https://ow.ly/7P5H50ZGwgf

08/27/2026

A USF research team has developed a groundbreaking laser-based technology that’s transforming maintenance at nuclear power plants. ⚡️ Successfully piloted at two Tennessee Valley Authority facilities, this innovation tackles a decades-old challenge with ice condensers, the critical systems that help keep reactors safe in the event of severe accidents. 🧊

Traditionally, plant operators must manually lift and inspect thousands of ice-filled baskets, a process complicated when baskets freeze together. USF College of Engineering Professor Ahmad Vaselbehagh and postdoctoral research associate Ty Hagan designed a custom laser de-icing system that operates more than 40 feet below the surface. It precisely cuts through ice to safely separate baskets without creating excess meltwater or risking equipment damage while meeting the rigorous standards of active nuclear facilities and dramatically reducing maintenance time.

Discover how USF Research is driving innovation in nuclear safety: https://ow.ly/nkM450ZG3UE

08/26/2026

Imagine a future where your own immune system is the ultimate weapon against cancer. Vincent Lok, an MD-PhD student at USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, is making that vision a reality through groundbreaking research at Moffitt Cancer Center.

Lok is advancing dendritic cell (DC) immunotherapy, a cutting-edge treatment developed by Moffitt researchers. DC immunotherapy trains the body’s cancer-fighting T cells to recognize and destroy tumors, offering hope for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer and beyond.

Lok is exploring how lipid antigens can supercharge DC therapy to target a wider range of cancers, including those that can’t be surgically removed. His research is helping launch compassionate-use programs, giving stage IV metastatic cancer patients access to experimental therapies before they become standard care.

Lok’s journey is proof that USF Health’s MD-PhD program empowers students to drive innovation and make a real difference in patients’ lives. Learn more

Discover how USF Research is changing the future of cancer care:

University of South Florida

08/25/2026

How does space travel impact women’s health? 🚀✨ As humanity sets its sights on longer missions and deep-space exploration, USF researchers are breaking new ground to ensure astronaut health, especially for women. 🧑‍🚀

Dr. Begum Mathyk, a physician-scientist at USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, is leading a pioneering study on how altered gravity affects the vaginal microbiome. Her team’s research, published in Frontiers in Microbiology, is the first to show that spaceflight-like conditions can trigger significant changes in the vaginal microbiome.

Why does this matter? The vaginal microbiome supports immune function and tissue health, and disruptions can increase the risk of inflammation, infection and disease. As more women join astronaut crews and missions grow longer, understanding these changes is vital for future space travelers.

This groundbreaking work is a collaboration between USF Health, the National Research Council Canada and the International Institute of Astronautical Sciences. It builds on Dr. Mathyk’s previous research, including the first gynecologic ultrasound studies in microgravity and NIH-funded projects on reproductive health in space.

Learn more about this innovative research: https://ow.ly/MQOs50ZFabW

University of South Florida

08/24/2026

Prof. Barnali Dixon and her team at USF St. Petersburg St. Petersburg have created a “WAZE for flooding” to keep Pinellas County residents safe and informed during storms. 🌧️

With CRIS-HAZARD, a community-powered flood monitoring system, neighbors can instantly share real-time updates on flooded roads using the free Flood Report app. This innovative project, launched with a $1.5 million National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, combines crowdsourced photos and AI with a network of 40 solar-powered cameras to track flooding across the region.

Reflective markers help estimate water depth, while a new public dashboard will soon make it even easier for everyone to see conditions across neighborhoods. Thanks to community partners like Storm Squad and support from the City of St. Petersburg, the network is expanding to cover more vulnerable areas.

But technology is just one part of the solution. By empowering residents to report, connect, and prepare together, USF Research is building a more resilient community—neighbors helping neighbors before, during and after the storm.

Learn how you can get involved, stay informed, and help your community weather the next storm. Read more: https://ow.ly/PP9S50ZELs3

08/21/2026

👨‍🎨 Visitors to the The Dalí Museum are helping shape the future of art exhibitions and advancing research in cognitive psychology through a groundbreaking eye-tracking study led by USF St. Petersburg psychology faculty.

Using cutting-edge technology developed with Dartmouth University, participants view Dalí’s surreal masterpieces while their gaze patterns are tracked. Some receive details about the artwork, others learn about Dalí’s life and some simply observe. After a second viewing, participants share how the art made them feel. 💚

This research aims to uncover how different types of information influence our emotional responses and appreciation of art, paving the way for more meaningful museum experiences.

Discover how USF Research is transforming the way we experience art: https://ow.ly/Co7y50ZCoHi

08/20/2026

Ready to take your humanities research to the next level? 📚 Don’t miss “Funding Now, Success Later,” a hands-on grant development workshop led by Russell Wyland, a nationally recognized leader in humanities research and grantmaking.

🔍 Discover the latest trends in humanities funding, learn how to position your project for success and get expert tips on crafting compelling proposals. This interactive 2.5-hour session includes a Q&A and practical strategies you can use right away.

📅 Two chances to attend:
• USF Tampa campus – Oak View Room (3720 Spectrum Blvd.)
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 | 1:00–4:00 PM
• USF St. Pete campus – SLC 2100
Wednesday, September 23, 2026 | 1:00–4:00 PM

With 35 years at the National Endowment for the Humanities, Wyland has delivered 70+ grant writing workshops and led major collaborations with the Mellon Foundation, Library of Congress, and NSF. He’s the principal author of "Research Fellowships: An Evaluation of 2002–2004 Awards" and is currently writing an open-access Field Guide to Humanities Grant Writing, supported by USF.

This workshop is co-sponsored by the Research Development Institute and the Humanities Institute at USF. Learn more & register: https://ow.ly/8mnq50ZC2JT

08/20/2026

We’re excited to announce that four outstanding USF researchers have been awarded the latest Early Stage Innovation Fund Awards! 🎉 Each recipient will receive up to $25,000 in seed funding to help bring their groundbreaking ideas closer to real-world impact. These projects are set to transform healthcare training, medical technology and veterinary medicine.

🌟 Meet the innovators and their projects:
🔹 **CaseyMD** – Led by USF College of Behavioral & Community Sciences Prof. Gerald Imaezue, this AI-powered clinical simulation platform is revolutionizing how healthcare students learn, offering realistic virtual patients, adaptive scenarios and personalized feedback to build essential skills before entering the field.

🔹 **NeuTrode** – Dr. Nate Schilaty and Prof. Albert Kim are developing a flexible, dry EEG electrode that promises more comfortable, reliable and cost-effective brainwave testing for both clinics and research labs.

🔹 **Gene Therapy for Canine Cognitive Decline** – Research scientist Aurelie Joly-Amado is advancing a novel gene therapy to treat cognitive dysfunction in aging dogs, with the potential to pave the way for future treatments in humans.

The Early Stage Innovation Fund, a partnership between the Florida High Tech Corridor and USF Research, supports promising research at a pivotal moment, helping ideas move from the lab to the marketplace.

Join us in celebrating these innovators who are shaping the future of health and science! Learn more about their work: https://ow.ly/eyMc50ZBCBV

08/19/2026

USF Research Development Institute Director Sandy Justice was recently interviewed by Society of Research Administrators International - SRAI Catalyst Feature Editor Kimberly Read for a story on how universities can build or redesign a research development program: https://ow.ly/UYn650ZBEeF