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Dr. Robert J. Ferl

Distinguished Professor and Assistant Vice President for Research

Mailing Address:
Fifield Hall
2550 Hull Road
PO Box 110690
Gainesville, Florida 32611

Office: 2109 Fifield Hall
Phone: (352) 273-4835
E-mail: robferl@ufl.edu
Lab: UF Space Plants

  • Areas of Research
    • Space biology
      • Transcriptomics
      • Epigenomics
      • Proteomics
    • Plant Imaging
    • Examination of 14-3-3 proteins
    • Examination of chromatin structure
  • Educational Background
    • Ph.D., M.A., Genetics and Biochemistry, Indiana University (1980)
    • B.A., Hiram College (1976)
  • Work Experience
    • Assistant Vice President for Research (2019-present)
    • Distinguished Professor, Horticultural Sciences Department (1990-present)
    • Director Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research (2006-2019)
    • Director Center for Exploration Life Sciences KSC (2001-present)
    • Director of UF ICBR DNA Sequencing Laboratory (1988-2005)
    • Assistant Director, UF Biotechnology Program (1994-2006)
    • Director of UF ICBR BEECS Genetics Laboratory (1992-1995)
    • Chairman, Institutional Biosafety Committee (1998-1995)
    • Administrative Council, Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research at UF (1990-1991)
    • Biological Sciences Teaching Program, University of Florida (1985-1987)
    • Acting Chairman, Department of Botany, University of Florida (1986-1987)
    • Associate Professor, Department of Vegetable Crops (1987-1990)
    • Associate Professor, Department of Botany, University of Florida (1986-1987)
    • Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, University of Florida (1980-1986)
  • Honors and Awards
    • NASA Exceptional Public Service Medal, 2022
    • The AIAA Jeffries Award, 2016
    • NASA Exception Scientific Achievement Medal, 2016
    • Co-recipient of NASA Award for Most Compelling Science on the ISS, awarded jointly with Dr. Anna-Lisa Paul, 2015
    • Member- National Academy of Sciences, National Research Council NASA Decadal Study, 2010
    • Chair- Science Council –Division of Space Life Sciences for USRA 2010-2013
    • UFRF Professorship 1999, 2005
    • CREES Recognition Award 1997
    • US Secretary of Agriculture Honor Award for Excellence 1997
    • Award of Excellence for Graduate Research, IFAS, University of Florida, 1994
    • Board of Examiners for GRE Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 1989 – 1996
    • Harper Collins Biology Texts
    • Faculty Research Achievement Award 1987, 1989, 1992
    • Distinguished Teaching Award, 1984 College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Florida
    • Teacher of the Year, Lambda Gamma Phi Honorary Society, University of Florida, 1984
    • Visiting Research Scientist: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Division of Plant Industry, Canberra, Australia 3/81 to 8/81

Publications

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