Eleven University of South Florida College of Engineering faculty members were honored during the Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida's (ASEMFL) 2026 Annual Meeting, held Nov. 6–7 at USF's Marshall Student Center on the Tampa campus.
The two-day event, themed "Advancing Resilience for Florida's Future," brought together leading scholars and researchers from across the state to share scientific advances and address challenges facing Florida. Four College of Engineering faculty members were inducted into the academy, while seven others received Rising Star honors for their contributions to science, engineering and medicine.
Founded in 2018, ASEMFL is a nonprofit organization comprising leading scholars and researchers from Florida's universities, public agencies and industries. The academy has grown to more than 300 members, including members of the National Academies and fellows of the National Academy of Inventors. Through research, collaboration and expert guidance, ASEMFL works to address issues affecting Florida while elevating the state's scientific achievements on a national and international stage.
"The 2026 ASEMFL Annual Meeting brought together global leaders in science, engineering, and medicine to engage in discussions on issues of profound significance to the State of Florida, the nation, and the world," said Yogi Goswami, president of ASEMFL and USF engineering professor. "The University of South Florida is proud to have hosted this distinguished gathering of thought leaders and experts."
Election to the academy acknowledges distinguished accomplishments in science, engineering and medicine. Its Rising Star program highlights early-career researchers whose work is making a significant impact in their fields, reflecting the academy's commitment to supporting the next generation of scientific leaders.
The annual meeting featured keynote speaker Monica Bertagnolli, president of the National Academy of Medicine and former director of the National Institutes of Health. Plenary speaker Nina Schor discussed the neurobiology of trustworthy communication with the public, while USF Provost Prasant Mohapatra co-chaired a session on artificial intelligence.
Other sessions addressed topics including Florida's aging population, agricultural innovation and the recovery of critical minerals, reflecting the meeting's focus on advancing research to address emerging challenges.
Throughout the event, USF students and faculty had opportunities to connect with researchers and members of the National Academies through technical sessions, research poster presentations and networking activities, fostering collaboration across disciplines and institutions.
College of Engineering faculty inducted into ASEMFL
- David Simmons - Professor, Department of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering; president of the USF Faculty Senate.
- Anna Pyayt - Associate professor, Department of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering.
- Kwang-Cheng Chen - Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
- Fred Mannering - Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering; director of the Center for Urban Transportation Research.
College of Engineering Rising Stars
- Andrew Tricker - Assistant professor, Department of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering.
- For advancing the understanding of reaction environments in chemical reactors driven by unconventional energy inputs to enable sustainable chemical processes.
- Katherine Alfredo - Associate professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
- For environmental engineering research that advances drinking water safety through interdisciplinary research linking treatment technology, human behavior, public health and policy.
- Babak Safa - Assistant professor, Department of Medical Engineering.
- For transformative research in ocular biomechanics, uncovering mechanical drivers of glaucoma and advancing innovative strategies for improved vision care.
- Nancy Diaz-Elsayed - Assistant professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.
- For pioneering data-driven approaches to the design of sustainable systems that advance resource efficiency and resilience.
- Trung Le - Assistant professor, Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering.
- For pioneering sensor-based, AI-driven methods that predict failures in complex systems - biological and engineered alike.
- Udit Halder - Assistant professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.
- For pioneering contributions to understanding and engineering embodied intelligence through modeling, sensing and control of bioinspired soft systems.
- Zachary Haber - Assistant professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
- For outstanding contributions to bridge engineering practice and education.