USF Health faculty, staff and students are making an enduring impact across the state and nation through their commitment to research, education, patient care and community service. Congratulations to the outstanding Bulls recognized this quarter for their achievements.
Faculty
professor in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, received a USF 2026 Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentorship Award. The award recognizes faculty members who have made significant contributions to the development of undergraduate research skills and the mentorship of undergraduate researchers.
a research associate in the Morsani College of Medicine Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, received $25,000 from the for her project Translational Advancement of a Gene Therapy for Canine Cognitive Decline: Scalable AAV Production and Biomarker Development. The fund supports early-stage innovations and applied research with significant commercial potential.
senior associate vice president of USF Health and dean of the College of Nursing, was named a Election as an AAAS fellow recognizes individuals whose distinguished efforts have advanced science and its applications for the benefit of society.
a professor in the College of Public Health Department of Health Policy and Systems Management, wrote a textbook, Health Services Management: Competencies and Careers, that was named The book earned recognition for its practical, career-focused approach to preparing the next generation of health care professionals.
an associate professor at the College of Nursing, was accepted into the The free, in-person training program is designed for nurses interested in integrating molecular omics into research, teaching and clinical practice.
an assistant professor at the College of Nursing, earned a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator-Advanced (CHSE-A) credential. This is the highest educator credential offered by the It’s designed for experienced simulation leaders who have demonstrated scholarship, expertise and leadership in health care simulation.
received the The award recognizes APS members who have made outstanding contributions to physiological research and demonstrated exceptional dedication to mentoring and training young physiologists.
an assistant professor at the College of Nursing, was named the junior faculty recipient of the The award recognizes outstanding contributions in scholarship, leadership and service.
professor in the Morsani College of Medicine Department of Neurosurgery, Brain and Spine, and Taneja College of Pharmacy Graduate Programs, received a USF 2026 Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentorship Award. The award recognizes faculty members who have made significant contributions to the development of undergraduate research skills and the mentorship of undergraduate researchers.
an associate professor in the College of Nursing, was selected as a Fellowship in the AANA is one of the highest honors reserved for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, professional achievement, education and advocacy in nurse anesthesiology.
an associate professor at the College of Nursing, was selected as a Fellowship in the AANA is one of the highest honors reserved for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, professional achievement, education and advocacy in nurse anesthesiology.
associate professor in the Morsani College of Medicine Department of Neurosurgery, Brain and Spine, received a for her project Microbiome-based Neuromodulatory Therapeutics Targeting the Gut-Vagus-Autonomic Axis in Menopause-Associated Cardiovascular Dysfunction. The fund supports early-stage innovations and applied research with significant commercial potential.
Students
Alexie Alcantara, Gianina Rios and Benjamin Spoto, recent graduates of the Morsani College of Medicine School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, were inducted into the The society honors top-performing Doctor of Physical Therapy students for excellence in academics, leadership and service.
Natasa Billeci, a PhD student in the College of Nursing, received a The Grant Writing Workshop Award is an annual competitive opportunity for select trainees to gain advanced guidance in grant writing through an interactive, hands-on workshop held during the SLEEP Annual Meeting.
Judy Font, a fourth-year medical student in the Taneja College of Pharmacy, received the The award recognizes pharmacy students who make significant contributions to public health including advancing the objectives of Healthy People 2030, the U.S. Surgeon General’s priorities and the pharmacy profession.
Reva Gandhi, a recent graduate of the College of Public Health, received a The award recognizes students who embody the spirit and values of USF through outstanding leadership, academic excellence and a strong commitment to serving their communities.
Christina Hersh, a PhD student in the College of Nursing, was elected as the She was elected at the 2026 SBM Annual Conference in Chicago.
Janaki Menon, a student at the College of Public Health, was selected to the Fulbright U.S. Student Program for 2026. Co-sponsored by the USF Judy Genshaft Honors College and USF World, the program highlights USF’s commitment to international exchange and global engagement.
Chiara Micchelli, a graduate student at the Morsani College of Medicine, and Kevin Arase, a graduate from the USF College of Public Health, received a F31 grants are designed to support doctoral candidates conducting dissertation research in health-related fields.
Victoria Phan, a recent graduate from the College of Public Health, received a Golden Bull Award from the USF Office of Student Success. The award recognizes students who embody the spirit and values of USF through outstanding leadership, academic excellence and a strong commitment to service their communities.
Aisia Walden, a fourth-year student at the College of Nursing, received a Golden Bull Award from the USF Office of Student Success. The award recognizes students who embody the spirit and values of USF through outstanding leadership, academic excellence and a strong commitment to service their communities.
Mollie Walters, a fourth-year student at the Taneja College of Pharmacy, received a The scholarship recognizes pharmacy students with outstanding service and leadership within FSHP and student pharmacy organizations.
Award Recipients from the 2026 USF Health Student Awards Ceremony
Student Leaders of the Year:
Jennie Norton, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, College of Nursing
Brandon Lindemann, DNP, College of Nursing
Reva Gandhi, Bachelor of Science in Public Health, College of Public Health
Emily Walsh, Master of Public Health, College of Public Health
Maia Conybear, Physician Assistant Program
Lily Pohlenz, PhD, Graduate Programs, Morsani College of Medicine
Kaylee Stankiewicz, MD, Morsani College of Medicine
Sarah Merriwether, Athletic Training Program
Mackenzie Millett, DPT, School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences
Suguna Aishwarya Kuppa, Taneja College of Pharmacy
Tiffany Lai, PharmD, Taneja College of Pharmacy
USF Health Spirit Award Recipients:
Aisia Walden, College of Nursing
James Nickson, DNP, College of Nursing
Abeja Castro, College of Public Health
Sohil Purohit, College of Public Health
Madison Mulcahy, Physician Assistant Program
Alex Leake, PhD, Morsani College of Medicine
Enrique Trevino, MD, Morsani College of Medicine
Danielle White, Athletic Training Program
Morgan Caron, DPT, School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences
David Cooley, Taneja College of Pharmacy
Yasmine Helwa, PharmD, Taneja College of Pharmacy
Student InterCouncil Member of the Year – Naomi Presnall-Shvorin, College of Behavioral and Community Sciences
Excellence in Service Award – Tanie E. Chouloute, College of Nursing
Student Initiative Award – Angeline Saint Fleur, PhD candidate, College of Nursing
Trailblazer Award – Natasha Ram, MD-PhD candidate, Morsani College of Medicine
Excellence in Interprofessionalism Award: USF Health CLARION National Case Competition Team
Amtul Muskan, Taneja College of Pharmacy
Madison Burnstein, College of Public Health
Mary Elizabeth Slifer, College of Public Health
Christine McGuire-Wolfe, PhD, College of Public Health
Ken Wofford, PhD, College of Nursing
Community Engagement Project of the Year: Master of Science in Medical Sciences Students
Kiona Cobb, David Jacobsen, Katarina Konrad, Blake Vick
Outstanding Student Organization Award:
Global Health Research and Practice Award: School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences
Cameron Fitzgerald, Lauren Kuller, Bailey McQuarrie, Natalie Morlock, Carswell Norman
Program of the Year:
Well-Being Award: Andrea Zavalla, Physician Assistant Program
Advisor of the Year: Romina Dzikowski, College of Public Health
Mentor of the Year: Michael Lozano Jr., MD, associate professor and director of Research and Informatics,
Outstanding USF Health Employee: Dominique Williams, Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs, Morsani College of Medicine
USF Health Campus/Community Partner Award: Janice Zgibor, USF Health assistant vice president of Academic Affairs and dean of the Taneja College of Pharmacy.