Miller School of Medicine Faculty Elected to Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida
A cohort of University of Miami Miller School of Medicine faculty has been elected to the Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida, honoring groundbreaking research and leadership across disciplines.
A distinguished group of University of Miami Miller School of Medicine faculty members has been elected to the Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida (ASEMFL), one of the state’s highest honors recognizing scientific achievement, innovation and leadership.
The 2026 class includes a record number of inductees, with 28 full members and 22 associate members, bringing the organization’s total membership to more than 300. Membership in ASEMFL recognizes individuals whose work has made “significant and lasting contributions” across science, engineering and medicine, with honorees selected through a rigorous, peer-reviewed nomination process that evaluates achievement, innovation and leadership.
Induction into ASEMFL signals recognition at the highest levels of professional accomplishment. For the Miller School members, the honor highlights groundbreaking discovery and sustained impact in their respective scientific fields.
Advancing Discovery Across Disciplines
The Miller School’s newest ASEMFL members represent a wide range of disciplines, from molecular biology and genetics to public health and behavioral science, reflecting the institution’s broad research footprint and commitment to innovation.
Antoni Barrientos, Ph.D.
Antoni Barrientos, Ph.D., professor of neurology and biochemistry and molecular biology, was recognized for his international contributions to mitochondrial biology and gene expression. His research has revealed fundamental mechanisms by which mitochondria regulate the production of proteins required for cellular energy generation, including the discovery of a unique, programmed ribosomal frameshifting mechanism that resolved longstanding questions about the translation of overlapping mitochondrial genes. His laboratory also produced the first comprehensive maps of mitochondrial mRNA structure, creating widely used resources that have transformed the study of gene expression within mitochondria. Together, these advances have significantly expanded understanding of mitochondrial function in health, aging and disease.
Olveen Carrasquillo, M.D., M.P.H.
Olveen Carrasquillo, M.D., M.P.H., professor of medicine and public health sciences, associate dean for clinical and translational research and co-director and multiple principal investigator at the Miami Clinical and Translational Science Institute, was honored for his national leadership in community-based research focused on underserved and vulnerable populations. His work has improved understanding of health gaps and helped develop strategies to enhance health care delivery effectively across communities.
Steven Safren, Ph.D.
Steven Safren, Ph.D., professor and director of the University of Miami Center for HIV and Research in Mental Health (CHARM), was recognized for pioneering contributions to clinical psychology. His research has advanced evidence-based interventions addressing HIV, chronic illness and mental health, improving patient outcomes through integrated psychological, behavioral, medical and public health approaches.
Mustafa Tekin, M.D.
Mustafa Tekin, M.D., professor and chair of the Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics, was recognized as a global leader in human genetics whose research has identified more than 60 novel disease genes. His contributions have significantly advanced the diagnosis and treatment of rare genetic disorders, while also strengthening genomic medicine and training future leaders in the field.
Michal Toborek, M.D., Ph.D.
Michal Toborek, M.D., Ph.D., Leonard M. Miller Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and associate dean for basic science, was honored for pioneering research in cerebral vascular biology, particularly in the context of HIV-related brain infection and the neurotoxic effects of environmental pollutants. His work has helped define how external and infectious factors influence brain health at the vascular level.
Marjana Tomic-Canic, Ph.D.
Marjana Tomic-Canic, Ph.D., professor in the Dr. Phillip Frost Deparment of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, William H. Eaglstein, M.D. Chair in Wound Healing and director of the Wound Healing and Regenerative Medicine Research Program, was recognized as an international leader whose research transformed understanding of tissue repair. By establishing the field of wound genomics, she has uncovered key biological mechanisms governing inflammation, host defense and healing, reshaping clinical approaches to chronic wounds and regenerative medicine.
Leor Weinberger, Ph.D.
Leor Weinberger, Ph.D., Sylvester professor and founding chair of the Department of Cell and Systems Biology and a member of Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the Miller School, was honored for the discovery of transcriptional “dither” pathways and developing novel antiviral strategies, including Therapeutic Interfering Particles (TIPs). His work revealed stochastic latency circuits in HIV and herpes viruses, offering new insights into viral persistence and leading to new classes of antiviral medicines now entering clinical trials.
A Commitment to Excellence and Impact
Collectively, these faculty members exemplify the mission of ASEMFL to recognize scholars whose work improves lives and strengthens communities. As ASEMFL President Yogi Goswami, Ph.D., noted in announcing the new class, inductees are individuals whose “dedication and creativity have led to transformational advances in their fields.”
The new members will be formally inducted at the organization’s annual meeting on November 6 and 7 at the University of South Florida.
For the Miller School, the honor underscores the institution’s role as a hub for high-impact research spanning basic science, translational discovery and community health.
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Tags: biochemistry and molecular biology, CHARM, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Cell and Systems Biology, Department of Neurology, Dr. Antoni Barrientos, Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics, Dr. Leor Weinberger, Dr. Marjana Tomic-Canic, Dr. Michal Toborek, Dr. Olveen Carrasquillo, Dr. Philip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, Dr. Steven Safren, Engineering and Medicine of Florida, HIV, Miami CTSI, neuroscience, Newsroom, public health sciences