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Emerging Pathogens Institute University of Florida
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EPI Research Day 2026

April 17, 2026

EPI Research Day 2026

EPI Research Day 2026 occurred on April 17, 2026, at the Exactech Arena at the University of Florida Stephen C. O’Connell Center. The event had over 100 posters from nine UF colleges and 15 UF departments, as well as from external affiliates. Maria Elena Bottazzi, Ph.D., an esteemed vaccinologist and Nobel Peace Prize nominee, presented an engaging keynote talk on the intersections of vaccine development and socioeconomic global dynamics.

EPI member Norman Beatty, M.D., and his team confirm the presence of the Chagas disease-spreading vector in Florida, the kissing bug.

Event Highlights

Gallery

Woman at a podium speaking into a microphone in an arena with a large alligator statue nearby.
Two women sit at a table displaying 'UF Innovate' branding and NSF I-Corps program information at an event.
Event space with banners for the University of Florida's Emerging Pathogens Institute, a Pepper robot, and a woman in green.
Two people shake hands at a conference, with posters visible in the background. One person wears a 'JUDGE' lanyard.
A woman in a blazer presents a research poster on dengue in South India to an older man wearing glasses.
Crowd at a conference or trade show, viewing poster presentations along a wide hallway.
People stand around poster boards at an indoor convention or trade show. Several are engaged in conversation.
Indoor arena with rows of empty seating and a job fair in progress on the floor with people at tables.
Indoor arena with rows of black folding chairs, a stage with a podium, and informational banners.
Man in yellow jacket looking at a poster at a crowded event with people in the background.
Man pointing at a scientific poster at a conference, with attendees looking on.
People view research posters displayed on stands at a conference or exhibition.
A crowded convention hall with people viewing scientific research posters displayed on freestanding boards.
People view scientific research posters at an indoor event in an arena with tiered seating.
Man with short hair and goatee pointing to the right, wearing a lanyard at a table with a drink and phone.
People at a catered event with a buffet table in the foreground and attendees conversing in the background.
Two women talking at a conference, one holding a plate of food. Others are blurred in the background.
People seated at tables in a room, engaged in conversation during a meal. A man in a plaid shirt is visible in the foreground.
Large black cat statue wearing a blue collar with "Pepper" on it, standing on a platform with logos.
Four students stand beside a research poster display at an event, with charts and images on the blue board.
Three women sit at a table with a blue UF Health Science Center Libraries banner. Each wears a name tag.
Two people sit at a table with a University of Florida Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research banner.
Two young women stand on either side of a table displaying a poster for the Wildlife Disease Association student chapter.
Woman speaking at a podium with a University of Florida logo in a stadium setting.
Close-up of several green plush alligators wearing orange shirts with a university logo.
Woman speaking into a microphone at a University of Florida branded podium in an arena.
Indoor event with tables displaying food and information; people are standing and seated nearby.
Students at a table with university branding at an indoor event in a gymnasium.
Large inflatable black cat with a red collar labeled "Pepper" stands in an empty arena. A woman with a tablet faces it.
Interior view of the Tom & Jane Johnson Family Atrium with people entering and exiting through glass doors.
Two men sit at a table displaying 'Research Computing' signage at an event with rows of empty seats in the background.
Audience members looking forward at a speaker; a man in glasses and a purple plaid shirt is in focus.
Woman speaking into a microphone at a conference, facing an audience.
Crowded cafeteria with people seated at tables and standing in lines, likely during an event or mealtime.
A crowded convention hall with people viewing scientific research posters displayed on freestanding boards.
Indoor stadium with rows of empty seats facing a stage. A podium with a university logo is centered on the stage.
Conference attendees view research posters. A man in a light blue shirt holds a coffee cup while looking at a poster.
Five young adults posing for a photo at an event with bleachers and robotics equipment in the background.
A large indoor arena with rows of blue seats. People gather near a refreshment table on the floor.
Indoor stadium with rows of black chairs facing a stage with a University of Florida branded podium and banners.

Keynote Speaker

Headshot of Maria Elena Bottazzi.

"Integrating the vaccine sciences within social, economic and policy perspectives."

Maria Elena Bottazzi, Ph.D., FASTMH

Maria Elena Bottazzi, Ph.D., is the Senior Associate Dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine, Professor of Pediatrics and Co-director of Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. She is an internationally-recognized vaccinologist, global health advocate for neglected tropical diseases and University of Florida alumnus. As a global thought-leader, Bottazzi has received national and international highly regarded awards, has more than 120 scientific papers and participated in more than 200 conferences worldwide. She is a Fellow of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, the Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine, the Leshner Leadership Institute Public Engagement (Infectious Diseases) of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and a Senior Fellow of the American Leadership Forum.

Poster Competition Winners

Undergraduate Research Poster Competition

  • First Place 
    • Sarah Acra, Department of Health Science, UF Genetics Institute, College of Public Health and Health Professions 
      • Abstract title: Developmental exposure to PFAS mixture suppresses genes associated with neural cell development in adulthood: NEUROD1 as a predicted transcriptional regulator 
  • Second Place 
    • Neha Senthilkumar, Department of Geography, One Health Center for Excellence, Emerging Pathogens Institute, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences 
      • Abstract title: Intervention capacity assessment & readiness evaluator (ICARE): A case study of dengue in South India 
  • Third Place 
    • Rebecca L. Rollins, Department of Biology, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences 
      • Abstract title: Investigating loop primer designs and their effects on loop-mediated isothermal amplification assays for pathogen detection 

Pre-doctoral Research Poster Competition

  • First Place 
    • Nimra Khalid, College of Veterinary Medicine 
      • Abstract title: Turning off bacterial energy: Mechanistic insights into a novel antimicrobial
  • Second Place 
    • Javier Rosero, Department of Microbiology & Cell Science, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences 
      • Abstract title: CD63+ vesicles are critical for the intracellular trafficking of Leishmania donovani derived molecules in infected cells and the biogenesis of small extracellular vesicles 
  • Third Place 
    • Angely Galvez, Department of Entomology and Nematology, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences 
      • Abstract title: Evaluating habitat type, height, and month effects on mosquito diversity and abundance at Silver Springs State Park 

Post-doctoral Research Poster Competition

  • First Place 
    • Pamela Suellen Salvador Dutra, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences 
      • Abstract title: Monitoring Phyllosticta citricarpa vertical movement in citrus groves using rotating-arm spore traps 
  • Second Place 
    • Yehia Elgammal, College of Dentistry 
      • Abstract title: Development of Q134R as a novel therapeutic for Cryptococcal infections 
  • Third Place 
    • Yuting Zhai, Department of Animal Sciences, Emerging Pathogens Institute, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences 
      • Abstract title: Application of biological soil amendments of animal origin and environmental factors alter soil microbiome and pathogen persistence 

Early-stage Investigator Research Poster Competition

  • First Place 
    • Luke Trimmer-Smith, Emerging Pathogens Institute 
      • Abstract title: Antigenic relationships of dengue viruses from 1975-2016 reveal early convergence and subsequent divergence in antigenic space
  • Second Place 
    • Jeff M. Gruntmeir, Emerging Pathogens Institute 
      • Abstract title: Leveraging wildlife networks to strengthen surveillance and early detection of HPAI
  • Third Place 
    • Marie Nancy Séraphin, Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, College of Medicine, Emerging Pathogens Institute 
      • Abstract title: Empirically derived variant-level filtering criteria from biological replicates are transportable to retrospective surveillance data: Evidence from two tuberculosis settings 

Past Research Days

A gator lies in a green field with a cooter beside its back leg.

Event Recap

EPI Research Day 2025

Missed the last research day? Want to know what the event is like? Visit our event recap page for recordings of the keynote talks, event highlight articles and more.