Faculty recognized for their contributions to science
This year, the Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida has inducted four FIU professors, recognizing them as leading national scholars whose research has benefited society. The inductees are Adam W. Carrico, Dr. Juan C. Cendan, Todd A. Crowl and Jeremy Pettit. This cohort reflects the width and breadth of FIU’s research in areas of the environment, health and tech and innovation.
“This recognition by the Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida not only capstones the rigorous, dedicated and productive careers of these scholars, but also highlights the community of academic excellence that FIU continues to cultivate,” said Elizabeth M. Béjar, provost, executive vice president and chief operating officer of FIU.
Adam W. Carrico is a professor at the Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work. He was admitted to the academy for “being a dynamic psychologist leading the integration of biomedical and behavioral approaches targeting the intersection of methamphetamine use and HIV.”
Dr. Juan C. Cendan is senior vice president for health affairs and dean of the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. He was inducted into the academy for “scientific innovations in virtual patient simulation for medical education, invention of surgical devices and techniques and leadership in forging the South Florida Health Alliance.”
Todd A. Crowl is director of the Institute of Environment and a professor in the department of biology. He was recognized by the academy for “establishing FIU’s Institute of Environment that unites 209 faculty from all colleges in problem-solving environmental research.”
Jeremy Pettit is executive director of the Center for Children and Families and a professor of psychology. The academy distinguished him for “transformative contributions to child and adolescent mental health, advancing understanding and evidence-based treatments for depression, anxiety and suicidal behaviors.”
The Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida was founded to prioritize the science of key issues and challenges impacting Florida. The academy provides expert advice and helps shape sound policies, inform public opinion and advance developments in science, environmental resilience, healthcare and more.
The inductees were selected based on their unique potential for future admission to the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Medicine.
“We welcome our new ASEMFL members. Their lifelong dedication, creativity and talent have resulted in critical and impactful advances in their fields with resulting benefits to society,” said ASEMFL President Hortensia Amaro, a member of the National Academy of Medicine. Amaro is a distinguished university professor and senior scholar on community health at the Wertheim College of Medicine and Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work.
The latest class of FIU inductees join FIU faculty members:
- Mario De La Rosa, director of the Center for Research on US Latino HIV/AIDS and Drug Abuse and endowed university professor in health equity.
- James W. Fourqurean, associate director of the Institute of Environment, director of the Coastlines and Oceans Division.
- Kenneth G. Furton, executive director of the Global Forensic and Justice Center.
- Evelyn Gaiser, the endowed George Barley eminent scholars chair and an aquatic ecologist in the FIU Institute of Environment.
- Tomás R. Guilarte, dean of the Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work.
- Michael Heithaus, vice provost for environmental resilience and for the Biscayne Bay Campus and executive dean of the College of Arts, Sciences & Education.
- Angela Laird, director of the Center for Imaging Science.
- William E. Pelham Jr., the late founding director of FIU’s Center for Children and Families.
- Dr. Martín-José Sepúlveda, distinguished university professor in the Office of Research and Economic Development.
- Yuk-Ching Tse-Dinh, distinguished university professor in the Biomolecular Sciences Institute.
The following faculty members have been selected as “Rising Stars” by the academy:
- Ahmed S. Ibrahim, associate professor, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering.
- Mariana Sanchez, director of FIU Population Health Initiative, director of FIU Health Disparities Initiative, assistant chair of the Department of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and associate director of CRUSADA.
- Diana Sheehan, associate professor, Department of Epidemiology.
- Matthew Sutherland, associate professor, Department of Psychology.