Five faculty honored with awards during 2025 Celebration of Research events
The awards recognize rising and established researchers in their fields, along with an influential mentor
Feb. 24, 2025 — During this year’s two-day Celebration of Research event, four University of Florida College of Medicine faculty members received recognition for their contributions as outstanding or rising star researchers in their respective fields. An additional faculty member was also honored with an award that acknowledges the crucial role mentors play in research achievements.
Congratulations to the following winners honored with 2025 UF Medicine faculty research awards:
Robert McKenna, Ph.D.
Robert McKenna, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and director of the Center for Structural Biology, studies adeno-associated virus, or AAV, to understand its molecular mechanisms, modulate the virus, and improve targeted gene therapy treatments. McKenna, who has been a faculty member at UF since 1999, is the winner of the 2025 UF College of Medicine Outstanding Research Scientist Award in Basic or Translational Sciences.
Kenneth Cusi, M.D.
Kenneth Cusi, M.D., a professor in the Department of Medicine, became interested in studying the impact of Type 2 diabetes after witnessing its growing global impact. Since devoting his career to researching this epidemic, his work has been integral to discovering that both diabetes and obesity contribute to life-threatening liver damage. He has helped pen new screening and testing guidelines for early detection that can improve quality of life for patients. Cusi is the winner of the 2025 College of Medicine Outstanding Research Scientist Award in Clinical, Data, or Artificial Intelligence Sciences.
Mark Moehle, Ph.D.
Mark Moehle, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, studies the physiological circuitry and behavioral underpinnings of the motor and non-motor symptoms of movement disorders, including Parkinson’s disease and dystonia. By translating these findings into novel therapeutics, his work is instrumental in advancing treatment for these disorders and driving discovery worldwide. Moehle is the winner of the 2025 UF College of Medicine Rising Star Researcher Award in Basic or Translational Sciences.
Laura Jacobsen, M.D.
Laura Jacobsen, M.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics and UF Health pediatric endocrinologist, kickstarted her career in helping patients with Type 1 diabetes after volunteering at the Florida Diabetes Camp during her training. Now, the clinician-scientist is exploring therapies that will better help patients manage this chronic autoimmune disease. Jacobsen is the winner of the 2025 College of Medicine Rising Star Researcher Award in Clinical, Data, or Artificial Intelligence Sciences.
Nikolaus Gravenstein, M.D.
Nikolaus Gravenstein, M.D., the Jerome H. Modell, M.D., Professor of Anesthesiology in the Department of Anesthesiology and dual-appointed professor of neurosurgery and periodontology, holds a lasting impact as a clinician, educator, and mentor at UF for over 40 years. Since joining the College of Medicine in 1983, Gravenstein has served the scientific and national communities through collaboration with NASA, development of an NFL- and NCAA-adopted football uniform ventilation and cooling system, and more than 40 registered patents. He has also held numerous leadership positions, including department chair, lead clinical advisor for the Center for Safety, Simulation, and Learning Techniques, and director of the North American Malignant Hyperthermia Registry. Gravenstein is the winner of the 2025 College of Medicine Dr. Mavis Agbandje-McKenna Distinguished Research Mentoring Award.
