Category: Alumni

When famed scientist Tracy Fanara – the triple Gator known as Inspector Planet – heard about the horror movie “Cocaine Bear,” her reaction was simple: Oh, please. You think bears and cocaine are scary?

She studies sharks ingesting cocaine, and the “scary” part, Fanara said, is not stoned sharks “but rather the chemicals that are impacting us. That is scarier than a random bear in the forest finding a package of cocaine.”

This article was originally published on the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering’s New Engineer news site. We are thrilled to announce that five exceptional Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering alumni have been honored with the university’s “40 under 40” awards. These remarkable individuals exemplify the spirit of innovation and leadership, making significant contributions to their […]

Bryant Marshall (BSCE ’71) followed in his father’s footsteps. Literally. As a boy, Bryant tromped after his dad, Addison Marshall (BS ’27), through fields and ditches as the lauded city engineer for Tallahassee built roads and infrastructure. Watching the heavy equipment dig deep for new sewer lines, young Bryant was always amazed by what the […]

As part of efforts at the University of Florida (UF) Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure & Environment (ESSIE) to build relationships in Latin America and explore student and professional exchanges there, representatives from the school embarked on multiple visits to South America this past February. The team completed five site visits to Panama and two […]

Larry Smith Sr. paved the way for his son, Larry Smith Jr., to empower the next generation  Born and raised in Gainesville, Lawrence “Larry” Smith Jr. (BSCE, ’85) knew that he would one day be a Gator just like his father, Lawrence “Larry” Smith Sr. (BSCE, ‘55, MSCE, ‘66).   “My Dad was definitely one of […]

George L. Kirkland (BSCE’72, ME’74), an alumnus of the Department of Civil & Coastal Engineering, recently passed away at the age of 72. Kirkland received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1972 and a master’s in engineering in 1974, both from the University of Florida.   Kirkland’s philanthropic endeavors were vital to the success of […]

The University of Florida’s Association of Hispanic Alumni (AHA) recently selected Carlos A. Penin, PE, (CCE, ‘77) to receive the 2022 Gran Caimán of the Year award for his passion, commitment and leadership beyond engineering.  “I am humbled beyond words in receiving this honor. First, it recognizes my Cuban American heritage, and second, I join […]

Elliott White Jr., Ph.D., (Ph.D., EES ‘19) knows firsthand the powerful effects mentoring can have on student success, and he is determined to repeat it. Dr. White credits his mentor for being his biggest motivator, advocate and critic. Now, Dr. White has accepted a position as a tenure-track assistant professor at Stanford University and he […]

Christopher Pernicano (BSME ’89, ME Env. Eng. ’93, MBA ’93), an esteemed alumnus of the UF Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, was recently appointed to the North Florida Hospital District (Broward Health) Board of Commissioners by Governor Ron DeSantis. Pernicano currently serves as the chief technology officer at Tellus LLC, a leading provider of mobile […]

Alumni from the University of Florida have created and guided some of the most innovative and profitable businesses in the nation and the world. Each year, the UF Alumni Association, in partnership with the UF Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center recognizes these amazing entrepreneurs with the Gator100 Awards. Congratulations to our talented Herbert Wertheim College of […]