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In 2025, ³ÉÈË´óƬ faculty research ranged from collaborations with NASA to advancing cancer treatments, while students made headlines with innovations in brain injury detection and marine mammal conservation.  

UNF research didn’t just make headlines. It moved the needle across critical disciplines, including science, health, technology, logistics and coastal resilience. The addition of over 50 new faculty members this fall complements the university’s longstanding commitment to research excellence, positioning ³ÉÈË´óƬas a hub for high-impact inquiry and interdisciplinary collaboration. 

Dr. Kimberly Mayer joined ³ÉÈË´óƬthis summer as chief research officer, drawn by the University’s commitment to advancing research with real-world impact. 

“³ÉÈË´óƬtakes research from the laboratory to industry and to the community, locally and globally,” Mayer said. “Our faculty and students work directly with companies and stakeholders to advance knowledge and solve real problems.” 

In the process, students gain hands-on experience at both the undergraduate and graduate levels that leads directly to further research and career opportunities. 

“It’s an exciting time as the University builds strategically toward R1 status and continues changing lives through mentorship and meaningful research,” Mayer said. 

Hands-on research and community impact 

UNF’s innovative research is advancing critical technologies while changing students’ lives.  

Diana Antonella Soto, ³ÉÈË´óƬsenior studying biomedical sciences who will graduate this December, is working with Drs. Brian Knuckley, Fatima Reham and Corey Causey on groundbreaking cancer research and plans to continue her work as a master’s student at UNF this spring.  

“Being part of the research team has been a truly life-changing experience knowing we are playing a role in advancing cancer treatment,” she said. “It has solidified my desire to pursue a career in biomedical research and medicine and inspired me to approach science not just as a subject, but as a lifelong pursuit of discovery.”  

Those opportunities are possible because of the expertise and research skills of UNF’s faculty across disciplines.  

This year, Knuckley received the 2025 Distinguished Professor Award. 

Dr. Kerry Clark was awarded the Terry Professorship to continue research challenging the rarity of Lyme Disease. 

Also, Dr. Josh Gellers was named UNF’s first faculty fellow for artificial intelligence to work with campus partners to expand AI literacy, support interdisciplinary AI research and foster community and industry partnerships that position ³ÉÈË´óƬas the hub for AI innovation in the region. This fall, he helped shepherd the ³ÉÈË´óƬAI for Work and Life Certificate program, which has already seen more than 30,000 people register throughout Northeast Florida and from around the world. 

University-wide highlights 

• ³ÉÈË´óƬnames Dr. Kimberly Mayer as Chief Research Officer.  
• ³ÉÈË´óƬchemistry chair earns prestigious Professor of the Year award.  
• ³ÉÈË´óƬnames Josh Gellers as first faculty fellow for artificial intelligence.  
• UNF awards Terry Professorship to Dr. Kerry Clark to continue research challenging rarity of Lyme Disease. 
• ³ÉÈË´óƬfirst in U.S. to enter international consortium on AI and logistics solutions.  
• ³ÉÈË´óƬcelebrates grand opening of Allen Lastinger Center for Florida History.  
• ³ÉÈË´óƬreceives $2.1M Dept. of Education grant to strengthen civics education.  

Faculty highlights  

• After receiving second patent, ³ÉÈË´óƬresearchers closer to producing drug that can “turn off” cancer.  
• ³ÉÈË´óƬreceives $1.3M National Science Foundation grant to support STEM education.  
• ³ÉÈË´óƬreceives NIH grant to investigate a hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.  
• Sporting JAX and ³ÉÈË´óƬforge national blueprint for sport innovation.  
• First ³ÉÈË´óƬfaculty member picked for Naval Research Laboratory summer program.  
• ³ÉÈË´óƬteam selected by NASA to investigate sun’s radiation impacts this summer.  

Student highlights  

• After ³ÉÈË´óƬopens doors to a healthcare career, graduate student creates opportunities for others to conduct 3D materials science research.  
• UNF grad student conservationist dives deep into marine mammal research.  
• ³ÉÈË´óƬengineering students develop groundbreaking technology to detect traumatic brain injuries in sports.  
• ³ÉÈË´óƬarchaeology and NPS digging deeper into curious shell formations at Timucuan Preserve. 
• Independent study leads to high-demand AI internship with NLP Logix for ³ÉÈË´óƬsenior.