Ruogu Fang, Ph.D., associate professor and J. Crayton Pruitt Family Term Fellow in the J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Florida, has been selected as a 2026 Emerging Leaders in Health and Medicine Scholar by the National Academy of Medicine.
Fang will serve a three-year term from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029, as part of a highly competitive cohort of 10 scholars selected nationwide each year. The Emerging Leaders in Health and Medicine program recognizes exceptional early- to midcareer professionals across a broad range of disciplines and provides a platform for emerging leaders to collaborate on advancing science, improving health systems and addressing pressing challenges in medicine and health care.
Through the program, Fang will participate in meetings and collaborative activities organized by the National Academy of Medicine, including national forums, interdisciplinary convenings and scholarly initiatives focused on shaping the future of health and medicine. Scholars also engage with National Academy of Medicine leadership and members while contributing perspectives on emerging issues in science, technology, policy and health innovation.
Fang’s selection reflects her leadership in artificial intelligence and biomedical engineering, as well as her commitment to advancing technologies that improve human health. Her research focuses on developing AI-driven models to better understand brain function and neurological disorders, with applications in diagnosis, prediction and personalized treatment. Through her lab, she integrates machine learning, neuroscience and medical imaging to uncover patterns in complex brain data and translate them into clinically meaningful insights.
The National Academy of Medicine established the Emerging Leaders in Health and Medicine program to foster mentorship, collaboration and innovation among rising leaders in health and medicine.