Select Morsani College of Medicine faculty members were recognized for their outstanding achievements at the 2015 USF Outstanding Faculty Awards held in March.
The annual event honors those who have achieved significant career milestones and professional recognitions by many of the world’s top scholarly and research organizations. All have contributed greatly to their fields of study through their research and teaching, as well as played a leading role in helping build USF’s national and international reputation.
Along with their peers across USF, the following MCOM faculty members were acknowledged by USF President Judy Genshaft and Provost and Executive Vice President Ralph Wilcox, PhD:
American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellows
The Association of American Universities recognizes AAAS Fellows as one of the indicators of the distinction of an institution’s faculty.
Barbara Hansen, PhD, (elected 2014) director of Obesity, Diabetes and Aging Research Center and a professor of internal medicine and pediatrics.
Stephen Liggett, MD, (elected 2014) vice dean for research and a professor of both internal medicine and molecular pharmacology and physiology in the Morsani College of Medicine. Dr. Liggett studies the molecular and genetic basis of signaling by G-protein coupled receptors, represented in half of all prescribed drugs. He pioneered the shift in recognizing these receptors, not as simple switches, but rather as complex, interactive signaling networks. He was also the first to discover common genetic variants within this superfamily and to develop tests to predict the response to therapy in human disease.
Dave Morgan, PhD, (elected 2014) chief executive officer and executive director of the USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute and Distinguished Professor of molecular pharmacology and physiology. Dr. Morgan’s research interests are aging and brain function, and focusing on drugs to treat Alzheimer’s dementia. He is testing safer NSAID drugs, amyloid dissolving agents, amyloid immunotherapy and gene therapy to treat the Alzheimer-like changes in transgenic mouse models of the disease.
American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellows -Lemelson Invention Ambassador
The inaugural class of AAAS-Lemelson Invention Ambassadors were chosen to cultivate a new and diverse generation of inventors, as well as increase the global importance of research, discovery and innovation.
Paul Sanberg, PhD, DSc, (elected 2014) Distinguished University Professor at USF, senior vice president for Research, Innovation and Economic Development, executive director of the Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, and president of USF Research Foundation. Dr. Sanberg has been instrumental in understanding and developing new pharmaceutical and cellular therapies for Tourette syndrome, stroke, ALS, Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s and Parkinson’s disease.
Core Fulbright U.S. Scholars
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Fulbright Program provides awardees with the opportunity to study, teach, conduct research, and find solutions to shared international concerns.
Eric Storch, PhD, (2014 award recipient) professor of pediatrics and psychiatry in the Morsani College of Medicine and professor of health policy and management in the College of Public Health. Dr. Storch was awarded the Fulbright Scholar grant to train and consult with clinicians in El Salvador to develop their expertise in providing cognitive behavioral therapy. He specializes in the nature and treatment of childhood and adult obsessive-compulsive disorder and related conditions, anxiety disorders, and anxiety among youth with autism.
Florida Inventors Hall of Fame
Recognizes and commends Florida inventors whose achievement have advanced the quality of life for Floridians, the state and the nation.
Shyam Mohapatra, PhD, (2014 award recipient) Distinguished USF Health Professor, associate dean in the USF College of Pharmacy, and professor of pediatrics and molecular medicine in the Morsani College of Medicine. Dr. Mohapatra was a member of the inaugural group inducted in 2014 into the Florida Inventors’ Hall of Fame. He was also inducted in 2015 into the Florida Academy of Inventors for his many inventions in the field of nanoscale biomedical diagnostics and therapeutics in cancers, asthma, viral infections and traumatic brain injury.
