Dear alumni and friends,

I am delighted to share the 2026 edition of CrossLink, highlighting another remarkable year of discovery, achievement and impact across the J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering.

This year’s cover story, “The Future of Discovery,” highlights new approach methodologies, or NAMs, and the ways our faculty are developing increasingly human-relevant approaches to understanding health and disease. From engineered tissues and biomaterials to computational models, artificial intelligence, advanced imaging and other emerging technologies, these approaches are helping researchers ask better questions, build better models and move promising discoveries closer to clinical translation. The work featured in these pages reflects one of UF BME’s greatest strengths: bringing engineering, biology and medicine together to address complex challenges in human health.

That spirit of innovation extends throughout this issue. We highlight advances in cancer research, celebrate the achievements of our students and showcase the many ways they are gaining hands-on experience through research, design and collaboration.

We are especially grateful for the generosity of Jerry Chang, David Szalay and Virginia “Ginny” Szalay, co-founders of Samaritan Biologics, whose support established the Chang & Szalay Samaritan Biologics Endowed Professorship in Biomedical Engineering. Dr. Wesley Bolch was named its inaugural recipient. This investment in our faculty reflects a shared commitment to excellence in research, education, mentorship, leadership and service, values that strengthen our department and extend its impact well beyond the university.

As I reflect on the stories in this issue, I am struck by how closely connected these accomplishments are. Faculty discovery creates new opportunities for students. Alumni and friends help create pathways for education, mentorship and innovation. Collaborations across disciplines move ideas from fundamental research toward meaningful applications. Together, these efforts continue to strengthen the environment that makes UF BME such a dynamic place to learn, discover and lead.

We are also beginning to look ahead to an important milestone. In 2027, the department will celebrate its 25th anniversary, offering an opportunity to reflect on the deep roots of our department and the transformative support of the Pruitt family, whose generosity helped shape the department we know today. As we look to the next 25 years, I am deeply grateful to the faculty, students, alumni, staff, partners and friends who continue to shape our future.

Thank you for being part of the UF BME community. I hope you enjoy this year’s CrossLink and the stories of people and ideas moving biomedical engineering forward.

Sincerely,

Cherie Stabler
J. Crayton Pruitt Family & UF Foundation Preeminence Professor and Department Chair