Faculty honored with awards during 2026 Celebration of Research
The awards recognize rising, established researchers and pioneers in their fields
Photo by Emily Mavrakis
Feb. 9, 2026 — During this year’s two-day Celebration of Research event, seven University of Florida College of Medicine faculty members received recognition for their contributions as outstanding, rising star and pioneering researchers in their respective fields. An additional faculty member was honored with an award that acknowledges the crucial role mentors play in research achievements.
Congratulations to the following winners honored with 2026 UF Medicine faculty research awards:
Philip Efron, M.D.
Philip Efron, M.D., FACS, FCCM, the Cracchiolo Family Professor of Surgery in the Department of Surgery, studies inflammation and immunology in severe injury and infection, and how they contribute to poor long-term outcomes for patients in the intensive care unit. Efron received the 2026 UF College of Medicine Outstanding Research Scientist in Clinical Science award.
H. Lee Sweeney, Ph.D.
A professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, H. Lee Sweeney, Ph.D., studies the mechanisms around muscle movement and muscle weakness related to aging and inherited diseases. Sweeney received the 2026 UF College of Medicine Outstanding Research Scientist in Basic Science award.
Todd Manini, Ph.D.
Todd Manini, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics, studies mobility loss among elderly populations. Manini received the 2026 UF College of Medicine Outstanding Research Scientist in Data Science or Artificial Intelligence award.
Qianqian Song, Ph.D.
An assistant professor in the Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics, Qianqian Song, Ph.D., specializes in developing advanced computational and AI models to decipher disease mechanisms and identify novel therapeutic targets to advance precision medicine. Song received the 2026 UF College of Medicine Rising Star Researcher in Data Science or Artificial Intelligence award.
John Ligon, M.D.
John Ligon, M.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics, studies immunotherapies to treat pediatric cancer. Ligon received the 2026 UF College of Medicine Rising Star Researcher in Clinical Science award.
Nancy Padilla-Coreano, Ph.D.
Nancy Padilla-Coreano, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Neuroscience, studies how the brain enables people to navigate complex social dynamics and how this ability is disrupted in neuropsychiatric disease states. Padilla-Coreano received the 2026 UF College of Medicine Rising Star Researcher in Basic Science award.
Maurice Swanson, Ph.D.
Maurice Swanson, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, studies the role RNA plays in the development of neurological and neuromuscular diseases. Swanson received the 2026 UF College of Medicine Dr. Mavis Agbandje-McKenna Distinguished Research Mentoring Award.
Ramon Sun, Ph.D.
An associate professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ramon Sun, Ph.D., studies the mechanisms underlying cancer and neurological and age-related disorders in the brain, integrating spatial biology with AI-driven analysis. Sun was named the 2026 UF College of Medicine Research Innovator and Pioneer.
