Four University of Miami faculty leaders have been inducted into the prestigious Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida (ASEMFL). Elected by their peers through a highly selective process, the new University academy members will provide a resource for scientific studies of statewide topics.
“It is a significant honor for the University of Miami to have four of the 15 new members of the academy’s class of 2021,” said Jeffrey Duerk, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost of the University of Miami.
“These awards reflect our deep commitment to exceptional medical research, clinical care, and public health sciences,” said Dr. Henri R. Ford, dean and chief academic officer of the Miller School of Medicine, noting the importance of the academy’s professional recognition.
To be inducted into the ASEMFL, academic leaders in science, engineering, and medicine must be nominated by a current member, supported by three references from current members, pass a screening by the academy’s membership committee, and receive a favorable vote from at least 80 percent of its 181 members, according to Michael Georgiopoulos, executive director of the academy.
The following University faculty members were honored for their vital contributions to science and medicine:
- Dr. Maria T. Abreu, professor of medicine and microbiology and immunology, and director of the Crohn’s & Colitis Center, was recognized for her research in advancing understanding of therapeutic drug monitoring genotype-phenotype associations in inflammatory bowel diseases.
- Dr. Stephen D. Nimer, director of Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, was honored for his groundbreaking discoveries, as well as leading major trials, mentoring many researchers, and obtaining National Cancer Institute designation for Sylvester.
- Guillermo Prado, vice provost for faculty affairs; dean of the Graduate School; and professor of nursing and health studies, public health sciences, and psychology; was recognized for creating science-based youth prevention interventions and taking them to scale nationally and internationally.
- Dr. Jeffery M. Vance, professor and founding chair of the Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics, professor of neurology, and director of the Center for Genomic Education and Outreach at the John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, was recognized as a neurogenetics research expert who has made outstanding contributions to gene discovery for major human diseases.
The ASEMFL was founded in 2018 at the University of Central Florida in Orlando and enrolled its first class of 22 later that year, followed by the 2021 class of 15. It also includes 140+ members of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine who work or live in Florida.
“We are an independent organization whose mission is aligned with the National Academies,” said Georgiopoulos. “Just as the National Academies provide a resource for the federal government, ASEMFL will play a similar role in Florida, contributing its collective wisdom to studies of issues like sea level rise, Everglades restoration, and healthy aging.”
He added that the ASEMFL will also increase Florida’s visibility in scientific, engineering, and medical circles. “We want to bring national and international attention to the state-of-the-art research and education conducted in Florida’s universities, industries, and other educational corporations.”
For more information, visit www.asemfl.org.
