The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute

04/23/2026

The inaugural Progressive Pulmonary Fibrosis Symposium brought together lung disease researchers and clinicians at our Jupiter campus this week, sharing discoveries and research on a life-threatening condition that affects millions globally.

The symposium highlighted emerging science and fostered new connections aimed at accelerating the development of better therapies.

Event organizer Joe G.N. "Skip" Garcia, M.D., director of the Center for Inflammation Science and Systems Medicine at The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute, said his hope is that the conference will accelerate progress toward much-needed better treatments.

"There's massive unmet medical need in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and primary progressive fibrosis. There are treatments, but they are not well-tolerated by patients, and there is a lot of premature mortality," he said.

Speakers included some of the leading researchers and physicians in the field: Robert Kaner, M.D., from Weill Cornell Medicine; Jack Elias, M.D., from Brown University; Naftali Kaminski, M.D., of Yale School of Medicine; Takis Benos, Ph.D., from the University of Florida, and Ivan Rosas, M.D., from the Baylor College of Medicine.

Read more about the center and its work to address inflammatory lung and other diseases, here:

https://wertheim.scripps.ufl.edu/departments/centers-and-specialties/center-for-inflammation-science-and-systems-medicine/

The event was sponsored by Aqualung Therapeutics, a company founded by Dr. Garcia.

04/17/2026

Understanding biology requires advanced tools and great expertise.

Scientists at The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute work closely with our Genomics Core to gain the insights about gene expression and mutations needed to target incurable diseases.

From whole transcriptome sequencing to single-cell analysis, our Genomic Core experts use state-of-the-art tools to gather the data needed to accelerate discovery. They provide guidance on sample preparation, sequencing strategies and data generation.

Their expertise is available to outside researchers as well. Explore how you can access our Genomics Core for your next project:
https://wertheim.scripps.ufl.edu/cores-and-technologies/genomics-core/

04/10/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Herbert Wertheim, our namesake and honorary founding chairman, on being named to the Forbes 250, the Greatest Self-Made Americans list. He’s right there at No. 28, between the co-founders of Broadcom and Moderna.
Dr. Wertheim has shown how hard work and a love for learning can lead to a life of tremendous impact. After joining the U.S. Navy, he went on to found Brain Power Inc., and eventually became one of the most generous philanthropists in the nation. You’ll find more about his impact on higher education our website, Wertheim.scripps.ufl.edu.

Read the Forbes Greatest Self-Made Americans list at the link.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2026/04/09/forbes-self-made-250-the-greatest-living-self-made-americans/

04/08/2026

Dr. Liu is investing a new way to target cancer, read more at the link.

Congratulations to the nine UF Health Cancer Institute researchers who have been awarded pilot funding! Their innovative cancer research projects aim to advance our understanding of how cancer develops and resists treatment, as well develop novel strategies for preventing cancer and personalizing treatment.

Researchers will unravel cancer biology and disease mechanisms on the cellular and genetic levels, as well as explore novel strategies for drug delivery, cancer prevention and treatment. The projects address several types of prevalent and deadly cancers, including brain, colorectal, lung, pancreatic and pediatric cancers.

The pilot funding was awarded to researchers in all four of our research programs. The new projects are designed to collect preliminary data required to test novel ideas with the goal of creating a foundation for larger studies.

Learn about the research projects: https://go.ufl.edu/trbzk8c

04/07/2026

Advancing human health depends on advanced tools and technology.

Our Core Scientific Services provide researchers and biotech companies access to cutting-edge technologies that accelerate discovery at The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute.

Most services are available for a fee to outside researchers and companies, supporting Florida’s thriving life sciences industry.

Explore how we can support your research today: https://bit.ly/4dyhOPm

04/03/2026

In 2025, neuroscientist Ryoma Hattori, Ph.D., was named a recipient of the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award, recognizing early-career researchers pursuing high-impact science.

Hattori studies how the brain makes decisions and processes numbers, with a focus on the neural circuits behind “number sense," a critical ability for everyday life that is impaired in conditions such as dyscalculia. His work aims to uncover how neural circuits form and function, laying the groundwork for future therapies for number-related disorders.

His research also bridges neuroscience and artificial intelligence. Hattori is developing AI tools to accelerate discovery, while insights from brain circuitry may help inform more adaptive and intelligent AI systems.

Learn more about his research: https://bit.ly/4bRV6R2

03/13/2026

An inventor of nanomedicines and expansion microscopy tools has joined the faculty of The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute. Jinyoung Kang, Ph.D., hailing from MIT, devises new ways to understand and treat conditions involving dysregulated brain signaling. What are nanomedicines? Click to learn!

https://wertheim.scripps.ufl.edu/2026/03/13/neuroscientist-blends-engineering-and-chemistry-to-address-brain-disorders/

03/06/2026

Thirteen scientists have been recognized with named fellowships for the 2025-26 academic year at The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute.

Eleven graduate students and two postdoctoral researchers received donor-funded awards that provide critical support for early-career scientists pursuing innovative research in cancer, neuroscience, chemistry and more. These fellowships give researchers the time and resources to focus on discoveries that have the potential to transform human health.

We are grateful to the generous foundations and donors who make these opportunities possible, including Dr. Herbert Wertheim, OD. DSc. M.D. (hc), The Glenn W. Bailey Foundation, Ed and Jane Greenberg, George T. Elmore, and the BallenIsles Country Club Men’s Golf Association.

Read the full story and meet the fellows:
https://wertheim.scripps.ufl.edu/2026/02/24/thirteen-emerging-scientists-recognized-with-named-fellowships/

Congratulations fellows! Elizabeth Lekah, Ryan Mitchell, Allison Goss, Matthew Mann, Wan Gi Byun, Ph.D., Takahiro Ishii, Ph.D. Cameron Douglas, Anthony Hans, Yilin Jia, Ulas Kaplan, Andrew McAuley, Soichiro Mori and Changran Niu.

02/19/2026

On Gator Nation Giving Day, your support fuels discovery and mentorship at The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology.

Fellowships empower graduate students to focus on groundbreaking research without financial stress while training the next generation of scientists. Kuang-Ting (Tony) Kuo, a doctoral candidate in the lab of Scientific Director Patrick Griffin, Ph.D., spent his final year mentoring a local high school Kenan Fellow, Shivangi Saxena, while completing his own research.

“The mentorship was beneficial for both of us,” Kuo said. “I felt it was important that Shivangi learned the why behind each experiment.”

Gifts to fellowship programs create opportunities for students at every stage: strengthening mentorship, advancing discovery and shaping the future of human health.

Support the next generation of scientists this Gator Giving Day by making a donation by Thursday, 2/19 at 11:59 PM.

https://givingday.ufl.edu/pages/wertheim-uf-scripps-institute

02/13/2026

Could PTSD be treated at the molecular level?

Courtney Miller, Ph.D., and her team at The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute investigate the role of molecular motors called myosins. They find these tiny cellular motors play a role in many diseases and conditions, including cancer, addiction and even the brain changes seen in post-traumatic stress disorder, known as PTSD. At The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, Miller and her team are developing potential medications for all of these conditions.

From PTSD to cancer, their discoveries are helping decode how memory, stress and cell motor movement intertwine, and offering new hope for a group of conditions with few options.

Learn how Miller's foundational research could lead to safer, smarter therapies:
https://wertheim.scripps.ufl.edu/the-machinery-of-disease-scientist-invents-a-molecular-wrench-that-thwarts-cancer/

02/11/2026

Congratulations to the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County for hosting another outstanding Quarterly Luncheon, this one highlighting Palm Beach County's growing place as Wall Street South, a hub for investment banking, finance and wealth management.

We were honored to serve as the event's presenting sponsor, introducing new members of our community to the world-class research happening in Jupiter at The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute, part of UF Health.

During the program, Patrick Griffin, Ph.D., Scientific Director and Professor at the institute, shared exciting news about a new investigational therapy for glioblastoma developed in collaboration with colleagues and spun out into Jupiter-based biotech company, Myosin Therapeutics. The drug candidate, MT-125, recently received fast-track status and orphan drug designation from the FDA, a promising step forward in treating this aggressive form of brain cancer.

Our scientists are working every day to build a healthier future for Palm Beach County at The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology.

02/10/2026

Despite the winter chill, competition heated up on the links during the Bruce A. Rendina Memorial Golf Tournament, hosted by the Rendina Family Foundation on Friday, Jan. 30, at The Park in West Palm Beach.

The tournament raised an impressive $125,000 in support of cancer research at The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology. Seventeen scientists from the institute are members of the UF Health Cancer Institute, where they are advancing safer, more effective treatments for cancer and other serious diseases.

Neuroscientists Courtney Miller, Ph.D., and Gavin Rumbaugh, Ph.D., thanked the Rendina Family Foundation during brief remarks, highlighting how the institute’s research is focused on challenging and underserved conditions, including glioblastoma and autism.

Bruce Rendina, whose life was cut short by glioblastoma, was one of the earliest champions of the institute. Today, his legacy lives on through the support of the Rendina Family Foundation and his son, David Rendina, who serves on the institute’s Ambassador Council. “When philanthropy and science come together, real progress is possible.” David Rendina said.

Thank you to All for One Creations for capturing the day and to all who attended and made this event such a success.

Learn more about the tournament here: https://wertheim.scripps.ufl.edu/2026/02/03/golf-tournament-raises-funds-for-research/

View the full photo album here: https://allforonecreations.pic-time.com/-rendinafoundation/gallery