Four Miller School Faculty Members Elected to Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida
ASEMFL recognizes leaders who strive for excellence and elevate Florida as a national leader in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Since 2018, the Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida (ASEMFL) has elected leaders who strive for excellence in their respective fields and elevate Florida as a national leader in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). This year’s cohort includes four standout University of Miami Miller School of Medicine faculty members:
• Dipen Parekh, M.D., founding director of the Desai Sethi Urology Institute (DSUI) and the Victor A. Politano Endowed Chair in Urology
• Eduardo Alfonso, M.D., director of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and the Kathleen and Stanley J. Glaser Endowed Professor in Ophthalmology
• Sylvia Daunert, Pharm.D., M.S., Ph.D., the Lucille P. Markey Chair of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Carlos Moraes, Ph.D., the Esther Lichtenstein Professor in Neurology
Leadership in Urological Excellence
Dr. Parekh stood out for “leadership in advancing genitourinary surgery excellence, establishing that robotic cystectomy was not inferior to open abdomen cystectomy surgery and bringing more women into a male-dominated field,” according to the ASEMFL letter announcing the honor.
“Being elected to the ASEMFL is an honor close to home, as it puts me in a group of other amazing Florida leaders in STEM,” Dr. Parekh said. “While we all may have different research interests, we aim to advance our specific Florida institutions nationally and globally.”
Dr. Parekh’s leadership continues to take DSUI to new heights. DSUI risen to number 15 in its National Institutes of Health rankings and Dr. Parekh recently joined the prestigious Clinical Society of Genitourinary Surgeons. Dr. Parekh also received the coveted Gold Cystoscope Award from the American Urology Association.
DSUI is a place of growth and progress, especially for junior faculty, as Dr. Parekh provides viable pathways for grants and mentorships. He also prioritizes gender equity, ensuring women have a seat at the table as faculty and in conferences and research enterprises.
Brilliance in Ophthalmology
Dr. Alfonso, an esteemed physician, endowed professor and leader in health care administration, has led Bascom Palmer to a sustained success. Under his directorship since 2007, Bascom Palmer has been ranked the number one eye hospital in the United States each year by U.S. News & World Report and has continually been recognized as having the best ophthalmic residency program in the nation.
An internationally recognized expert on eye diseases and ocular microbiology, Dr. Alfonso is a consummate advocate for ophthalmology and achieving the best eye and vision care for all Americans through advocacy, public education, vision research and discovery.
ASEMFL membership is one of Dr. Alfonso’s many achievements, in addition to inclusion in The Ophthalmologist Power List of the world’s 100 most influential people shaping the future of eye care.
“I am honored to be elected to the ASEMFL and to proudly represent the Miller School and our health system,” Dr. Alfonso said. “Each of us brings a unique perspective into the organization as we focus on elevating STEM in Florida, which will have long-lasting benefits for our community.”
Addressing Clinical Problems Through Chemistry
Dr. Daunert’s name is known internationally in the field of chemistry as part of three European royal academies. She was elected to the ASEMFL “for using chemistry and understanding of biological processes to develop biosensors and nanotechnology delivery systems to address diverse clinical problems,” according to the ASEMFL letter announcing the honor.
“I am very grateful and humbled that our Florida home academy has recognized me,” Dr. Daunert said. “My research and contributions to science and technology address global biomedical and environmental challenges by developing technologies employing bionanotechnology. It is an honor to be amongst the great group of scientists, engineers and physician-scientists of Florida.”
Dr. Daunert and her lab pioneered the field of whole-cell biosensors by engineering microbial cells that can emit a signal in response to a compound/substance of interest. The lab also pioneered the development of detecting quorum-sensing molecules — the chemical signals that the bacteria in our microbiome utilize to communicate.
Dr. Dauner and her team have more than 50 patents in the field and have projects in the works focusing on microplastic inflammation, hypothermia nano-drugs and breath sensors to monitor fatigue in drivers and workers, as well as diagnose the early onset of diseases in intensive care patients.
Identifying and Treating Mitochondrial Mutations
Since 1993, Dr. Moraes has developed genetic treatment approaches to mitochondrial diseases, a series of disorders characterized by cells not producing energy. His ASEMFL induction recognized his work “identifying multiple mitochondrial mutations leading to disease and developing novel therapies to treat them,” according to the ASEMFL letter announcing the honor.
“It is an honor, particularly because I was nominated by the late Dr. Ralph Sacco, chairman of neurology,” Dr. Moraes said. “I will have new opportunities to interact with prominent scientists in Florida and find additional ways to serve the community.”
Dr. Moraes’ research pioneered the approach of destroying the mutant mitochondrial genome as a correction mechanism. He and his team have published two papers on the topic and are submitting two more. His latest research is in mitochondrial DNA base editing.
Tags: Dr. Carlos Moraes, Dr. Dipen Parekh, Dr. Eduardo Alfonso, Dr. Sylvia Daunert, Engineering and Medicine of Florida