Ivana Parker, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Florida, has been selected as a participant in the U.S.-Africa Frontiers of Science, Engineering, and Medicine Symposium, a competitive program organized by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. She will present her work using artificial intelligence to identify population-specific vaginal microbial profiles in women with bacterial vaginosis and in women living with HIV.

The 2026 symposium will take place February 2–4, 2026, in Dakar, Senegal, and brings together emerging leaders in science, engineering, and medicine from the United States and African Union member countries. Participants engage in cross-disciplinary discussions on cutting-edge research, global challenges, and opportunities for international collaboration. Selection is based on research accomplishments, leadership potential, and interest in interdisciplinary engagement.

Parker’s research focuses on understanding interactions between biological systems and engineered platforms to advance biomedical solutions with broad societal and global impact. Her selection reflects her growing leadership in biomedical engineering and her commitment to internationally relevant research.