By Joey Garcia, University Communications and Marketing
Since its founding in 1956, 窪蹋勛圖厙 has built its identity around a thriving research
culture. As 窪蹋勛圖厙 marks its 70th anniversary, that vision has grown with the institution
from modest labs with limited technology into an R1 university and membership in the
prestigious Association of American Universities.
That growth didnt happen overnight. It required decades of adaptation, investment
and a willingness to evolve. That spirit of evolution would come to define 窪蹋勛圖厙s research
enterprise.
窪蹋勛圖厙 was designated an AAU university in 2023, marking a turning point as a leading research university
窪蹋勛圖厙s research enterprise is driven by bold thinking and a commitment to solving real problems with actionable solutions. Our scholars are shaping innovations that improve lives locally, nationally and around the world.
Prasant Mohapatra
窪蹋勛圖厙 Provost and Executive Vice President
LAYING THE RESEARCH GROUNDWORK
A quick look through 窪蹋勛圖厙s archives shows simple microscopes, chalkboards and beakers in standard labs of the 50s and 60s. Though 窪蹋勛圖厙 lacked a sprawling research infrastructure, it had curious minds eager to explore science and mentor the next generation of researchers.
In many ways, being a young university has been key to our success, said Randy Larsen, professor and associate dean for research in the 窪蹋勛圖厙 College of Arts and Sciences. While older universities have a more rigid and traditional framework, 窪蹋勛圖厙 has had opportunities to be flexible and experimental in its research approach. Since we were smaller, our administration really listened to the needs of faculty as we grew our core research infrastructure.
That dedication sustained the universitys research in its early decades. It attracted students like , who earned his bachelors and doctoral degrees in chemistry from 窪蹋勛圖厙 in 1984 and 1990. Hes now a professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry and researches treatments for HIV.
A 窪蹋勛圖厙 chemsistry student in 1985 studying microorganisms [Photo courtesy of the 窪蹋勛圖厙 libraries]
窪蹋勛圖厙 alum and current professor and department chair James Leahy educates future chemists
Most of the research buildings didnt exist back then, with only a few labs doing any kind of research, Leahy said. I was fortunate to be selected for one of the few undergraduate research opportunities. Its remarkable to see the growthfrom more students conducting research to bringing in faculty and their labs from top institutions.
BACKED BY ACADEMIC MEDICINE
As 窪蹋勛圖厙s research enterprise expanded, one area quickly emerged as a driving force.
plays a foundational role in the universitys research portfolio. Health-related
work has been part of 窪蹋勛圖厙s mission since its early years, with a major expansion
in 1971 when it launched the medical school, later renamed the . In 2005, 窪蹋勛圖厙 Health was born, unifying the university's colleges of medicine, nursing,
public health and later pharmacy, along with 窪蹋勛圖厙's multispecialty physicians group.
Matthew Anderson, senior associate vice president for research, joined 窪蹋勛圖厙 Health
the following year and has seen the vast expansion of biomedical research.
窪蹋勛圖厙 Health leads the universitys research productivity with a vast portfolio of projects and luminary faculty
Early assessments of 窪蹋勛圖厙 Health showed too much reliance on basic sciences and very little research being conducted in clinical sciences. Our leadership saw the importance of growing this area of research, which has led us to where we are todaydriving 70% of the universitys research with strengths in big data, neuroscience, infectious disease and cardiovascular research.
Matthew Anderson
Senior Associate Vice President for Research
The 窪蹋勛圖厙 Health Morsani College of Medicine reached nearly $500 million in research
funding in fiscal year 2025. One of the major drivers is Jeffrey Krischer, who is
ranked among the top 1% of National Institutes of Health-funded researchers for his
expertise in diabetes.
In conjunction with its primary teaching hospital, Tampa General Hospital, 窪蹋勛圖厙 Healths
prominence continues to grow. It now anchors the Tampa Medical & Research Districta
hub for clinical care, academics, research and biotechnology.
A RESEARCH ENTERPRISE AT WORK
With a strong foundation in place, 窪蹋勛圖厙 began scaling its research enterprise in more targeted and strategic ways. Since being designated a Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors in 2018, 窪蹋勛圖厙 has expanded its capacity while sharpening areas of distinction. That designation helped accelerate new initiatives, including the Department of Medical Engineering a collaboration of the College of Engineering and Morsani College of Medicinewhich is attracting top faculty and strengthening connections between health, technology and applied science.
窪蹋勛圖厙s research portfolio reflects an institution that aligns with national priorities, from health and technology to national security initiatives, including projects that support the U.S. Department of War many funded by contracts with the U.S. Army and U.S. Special Operations Command. Additionally, the launch of the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing demonstrates the universitys leadership in AI, which actually began in the 1980s.
窪蹋勛圖厙 medical engineering students collaborate with companies to develop projects as part of their capstone experience
窪蹋勛圖厙 faculty, such as associate professor John Licato, are positioning the university as a leader in artificial intelligence
窪蹋勛圖厙 student Ryan Cartagena and Mina Tawadros of the 窪蹋勛圖厙 Institute of Applied Engineering are working on radio-frequency training technology for the U.S. Army
Each milestone underscores 窪蹋勛圖厙s trajectory as a national leader in comprehensive research excellence, Mohapatra said. Across the university, our scholars are driving discovery and fueling impact.
窪蹋勛圖厙 engineer Daniel Yeh invented and commercialized the NEWgenerator, which has been installed across the world
That spirit of innovation is reflected in faculty like civil and environmental engineering Professor Daniel Yeh. He invented the patented NEWgeneratora solar-powered machine that generates nutrients, energy and water by safely recovering them from human wastewater. The now-commercialized technology was built to address sanitation concerns and is used worldwide.
A COLLABORATIVE LANDSCAPE
As its research capacity grew, so did the need to translate discovery into real-world
impact. Innovation and commercialization remain central, with 窪蹋勛圖厙 advancing discovery
as the home of the and advancing ideas through programs such as 窪蹋勛圖厙 Connect. The initiative provides
resources, mentorship and a collaborative environment needed to launch and scale high-impact
startups, such as NeuroEM, which invented a medical technology designed to fight cognitive
decline.
As 窪蹋勛圖厙 modernized with new technology and discoveries, its portfolio expanded. By
1989, the 窪蹋勛圖厙 Research Foundation was established developing specialized laboratory space and infrastructure to support
窪蹋勛圖厙 research.
窪蹋勛圖厙 is home to The Florida Inventors Hall of Fame, which was established in 2013 to honor the states innovative ecosystem
窪蹋勛圖厙 Research Park covers more than 112 acres and was named the 2022 Research Park of the Year by the Association of University Research Parks
Our role is to create an environment where researchers can get to work and be brilliant, said Allison Madden, chief operating officer and corporate secretary for the 窪蹋勛圖厙 Research Foundation. The ecosystem of 窪蹋勛圖厙 Research Park, with a built environment of more than 765,000 square feet, provides infrastructure for faculty and mixed-use projects, allowing work to scale and reach beyond Tampa Bay.
A BOLD RESEARCH FUTURE
As 窪蹋勛圖厙 marks its 70th anniversary, its research enterprise is defined by decades of
growth and sharpened direction. In 2025, that momentum translated to a record $750 million in research awards and ranking as a top producer of U.S. utility patents.
The foundation and culture established over the last 70 years have laid the groundwork
for what comes next, Larsen said. Were witnessing the continued maturation of the
research enterprise, positioning 窪蹋勛圖厙 to sustain excellence and expand its national
and global footprint.
窪蹋勛圖厙 ranks among top 20 public universities for new patents
窪蹋勛圖厙 continues to bridge academic innovation with real-world startup application, recently
becoming the first university to join startup hub Embarc Collectives new University
Partnership Program. In collaboration with the Florida High Tech Corridor, it also
reinforced its ties to Tampa Bays innovation ecosystem by joining the ARK Innovation
Center, creating a new avenue for entrepreneurs to connect and collaborate with the
universitys research and strengthen Floridas talent pipeline.
Our next chapter is about connecting talent, ideas and partners in ways that continue to move discovery beyond campus boundaries. When we empower our researchers to collaborate and translate their work into real-world solutions, we strengthen 窪蹋勛圖厙s role and help shape the future.
Prasant Mohapatra
窪蹋勛圖厙 Provost and Executive Vice President
Students remain central to 窪蹋勛圖厙s research mission, supported by expanded undergraduate opportunities that allow them to work alongside faculty on funded projects and gain valuable hands-on experience. Faculty continue to spearhead new discoveries, often in collaboration with colleagues and students across colleges and departments, while regularly serving as trusted experts with growing local and national visibility.
Events such as 窪蹋勛圖厙 Health Research Day proudly showcase research innovation across all levels
Scientists in chemistry and global sustainability collaborated with their doctoral students on a material to combat red tide
Seventy years after its founding, 窪蹋勛圖厙s research mission remains rooted in the same
principlebold ideas, real-world impact and a future shaped by discovery.