The University of Florida Research Foundation (UFRF) recently named 34 of the university’s most productive and promising faculty members as UFRF Professors for 2026.
“UFRF Professors represent the depth and breadth of research excellence at the University of Florida,” said David Norton, UF’s vice president for research. “Their work reflects sustained scholarly achievement, leadership within their disciplines and a commitment to pursuing new knowledge that benefits society.”
The UFRF Professors were recommended by their college deans based on nominations from department chairs, personal statements, research evaluations, accomplishments as evidenced by publications in scholarly journals, external funding, honors and awards and, among other qualifications, development of intellectual property.
The three-year award includes a $5,000 annual salary supplement and a one-time $3,000 grant. The professorships are funded from the university’s share of royalty and licensing income on UF-generated products.
Congratulations to the following faculty from the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering:
Wesley Bolch, Ph.D.
Distinguished Professor Biomedical Engineering
Bolch is an internationally recognized leader in biomedical engineering whose career has focused on making radiation in medicine safer, smarter and more precise. A UF alumnus at every degree level, Bolch has spent decades advancing how scientists and clinicians measure, model and manage radiation exposure—work that has reshaped medical imaging, cancer therapy and public health worldwide.
Bolch directs UF’s Advanced Laboratory for Radiation Dosimetry Studies, where his research team develops highly detailed digital models of the human body to better understand how radiation interacts with organs and tissues. These “computational phantoms” allow researchers and clinicians to estimate radiation doses with remarkable accuracy for patients of different ages, sizes and medical conditions. His work has been especially influential in pediatric imaging, helping physicians balance diagnostic benefits with long-term safety for children.
Bolch has authored more than 300 peer‑reviewed journal articles and dozens of book chapters and technical reports. His research has been widely cited and adopted by professional organizations and regulatory bodies, including the International Commission on Radiological Protection and the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation. Through these roles, he has helped shape global standards for radiation protection in medicine.
Bolch is a deeply committed educator and mentor, having guided dozens of doctoral and master’s students—many of whom now hold academic, clinical and leadership positions around the world. He has held administrative roles at UF, including associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Engineering, where he helped strengthen graduate education, faculty development and interdisciplinary collaboration.
“Our mission is to advance patient safety and precision in radiation medicine through innovation in computational modeling and dosimetry,” Bolch noted. That commitment to real‑world impact has earned him fellowship status in multiple professional societies and numerous teaching and research awards.
In her nomination, department chair Cherie Stabler highlighted his scientific reach and service to the university, describing Bolch as “an internationally respected scholar whose pioneering work in radiation dosimetry has set global standards, while his teaching and mentoring have profoundly shaped biomedical engineering at UF.”
Saeed Moghaddam, Ph.D.
William F. Powers Professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
As computing systems scale toward unprecedented power densities — driven by artificial intelligence and data-centric technologies — thermal management has emerged as a fundamental limiter to performance, energy efficiency and the ability to scale computing systems to higher power densities.
Moghaddam has built an influential research career focused on overcoming this challenge. His work has uncovered key physical mechanisms governing high heat flux dissipation and enabled the development of novel cooling technologies.
The technologies developed in his laboratory are positioned to play a significant role in the future of high-performance computing.
Moghaddam’s research focuses on phase-change heat transfer at solid–liquid interfaces, with an emphasis on evaporation-driven heat removal. Building on this foundation, his work translates fundamental understanding into engineered cooling architectures that reduce thermal resistance and sustain efficient heat transport at high heat fluxes. Among his most impactful contributions are membrane-based two-phase cooling systems that dramatically increase heat removal while reducing energy consumption.
These platforms represent a shift from conventional cooling technologies and are being advanced through industry partnerships and a startup company he co-founded to translate research into practice.
“My research focuses on overcoming thermal barriers at solid–fluid interfaces and engineering the associated systems,” Moghaddam explained, “by leveraging phase-change heat transfer to enable power-dense, energy-efficient technologies for computing, energy, and defense applications.”
His work has attracted more than $25 million in external funding from agencies including the U.S. Department of Energy, ARPA E, the National Science Foundation and the Office of Naval Research. His discoveries have garnered international attention and are shaping new directions in thermal management and sustainable energy systems.
Moghaddam is a committed educator and mentor. He has graduated more than two dozen doctoral students. Through professional societies and national advisory roles, he contributes to future research priorities in heat transfer and energy systems.
In his nomination, Newton C. Ebaugh Professor and Interim Department Chair Douglas E. Spearot wrote, “Saeed’s contributions consist of landmark studies that have greatly advanced the field and exemplify the highest levels of research excellence and impact.”
Carlos Rinaldi‑Ramos, Ph.D.
Professor, J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering and Department of Chemical Engineering
Whether guiding magnetic nanoparticles through the human body or building new tools to visualize disease in real time, Rinaldi‑Ramos works at the intersection of engineering and medicine. His research has helped establish new ways to design, measure and deploy nanomaterials for medical imaging and therapy, making UF a global hub for innovation in magnetic particle–based technologies.
Rinaldi‑Ramos is an internationally recognized leader in biomedical engineering whose work centers on magnetic nanoparticles — materials thousands of times smaller than a human hair that can be precisely controlled using magnetic fields. His early research transformed scientific understanding of how these particles behave in fluids and under dynamic magnetic forces, laying the groundwork for today’s nanomedicine applications. Building on that foundation, his laboratory developed new methods to synthesize nearly defect free nanoparticles with exceptional stability in biological environments, a key advance for medical safety and effectiveness.
A major research thrust is magnetic particle imaging (MPI), a cutting‑edge, noninvasive imaging technology that allows researchers and clinicians to track cells, drugs and therapies inside the body in real time. Rinaldi‑Ramos has played a central role in positioning UF as a global leader in MPI by advancing its core science and its clinical applications, including image guided thermal therapies and tracking cancer immunotherapies.
“Our work in magnetic particle imaging is transforming how we visualize and track therapies,” he said, “and it positions UF at the forefront of biomedical innovation.”
Over his career, Rinaldi‑Ramos has guided more than 150 undergraduate students and dozens of doctoral and postdoctoral researchers, many from historically underrepresented groups. His former trainees now hold positions across academia, industry, medicine and government, extending the influence of his work well beyond his own laboratory.
Rinaldi‑Ramos has also provided significant academic leadership, including service as chair of UF’s Department of Chemical Engineering and in national advisory roles with the National Institutes of Health. He is a Fellow of multiple professional societies, including the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering.
In her nomination, department chair Cherie Stabler wrote, “Dr. Rinaldi‑Ramos’s leadership and groundbreaking research have elevated UF’s global reputation in nanomedicine and imaging, while his dedication to mentoring has strengthened the future of the field.”
Shuo Wang, Ph.D.
Professor Michael Hsing Faculty Fellow, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
In an increasingly electrified world, invisible electrical noise can determine whether a system performs flawlessly or fails. Wang is a leading authority on understanding and controlling those hidden forces. His work has fundamentally changed how engineers design power electronics to be efficient, reliable and secure, with far‑reaching implications for modern technology.
Wang’s research addresses electromagnetic interference (EMI), an often‑overlooked challenge that can disrupt electronic systems from electric vehicles and renewable energy infrastructure to AI data centers and medical devices. As power electronics become faster and more compact, managing EMI has become increasingly complex. Wang’s contributions transformed EMI from a trial‑and‑error engineering obstacle into a predictive, science‑based discipline.
His work has been especially influential in the adoption of wide‑bandgap semiconductor technologies such as silicon carbide and gallium nitride. These materials enable higher efficiency and power density but also introduce new electromagnetic challenges. By developing accurate models, measurement techniques, design strategies and EMI suppression solutions, Wang has enabled safer and more reliable deployment of next‑generation power electronics and electrical power systems.
Wang has emerged as a leader in electromagnetic security, demonstrating how unintended emissions can be exploited for cyber and hardware attacks—and how systems can be engineered to resist them.
“Our work transforms EMI from a barrier into an enabler for the next generation of electrified, sustainable and resilient systems,” Wang said.
His research has attracted millions of dollars in funding from federal agencies and industry partners and has produced numerous patents with applications in transportation, defense and energy systems. He has authored hundreds of scholarly publications and is a frequent keynote speaker at international conferences.
Wang has supervised dozens of doctoral students and received multiple awards for excellence in teaching, advising and research leadership. His work consistently bridges theory and practice, preparing engineers to design systems that meet the demands of an electrified future.
In nominating him, Sachio Semmoto Endowed Department Chair Mark Tehranipoor, Ph.D., noted, “Dr. Wang’s sustained excellence and transformative impact in power electronics and electromagnetic research have elevated UF’s global standing and advanced the field in lasting ways.”