The Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida, or ASEMFL, has elected Thomas P. Burris, Ph.D., as one of its newest members. Burris serves as a professor and associate chair in the Department of Cellular and Systems Pharmacology in the University of Florida College of Pharmacy and director of the UF Genetics Institute.
This prestigious honor recognizes Burris for his innovative research in nuclear receptor biology and its impact on therapeutic development. He was elected to ASEMFL “for pioneering discoveries in development of drugs targeting nuclear receptors for treatment of human diseases — heart disease, cancer, autoimmune, metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders,” according to ASEMFL Executive Director Michael Georgiopoulos, Ph.D., M.S.
ASEMFL serves as Florida’s counterpart to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, reflecting their mission at the state level. Membership includes individuals who either live or work in Florida and have demonstrated exceptional achievement in their fields. Some are automatically included based on prior election to one of the national academies, while others are selected through a competitive nomination and review process based on significant contributions to science, engineering or medicine and broader societal impact.
The 2025 ASEMFL Annual Meeting and Induction Ceremony will take place Nov. 7-8, 2025, at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management in Orlando. Burris will be formally inducted during a ceremony on the morning of Nov. 7.
An internationally recognized leader in biomedical science, Burris has spearheaded the development of first-in-class compounds that target nuclear receptors central to human health. His research has advanced therapeutic strategies for a wide range of conditions, including metabolic, cardiovascular, cancer, autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases. He has authored over 220 peer-reviewed publications, is an elected fellow of both the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Heart Association and has twice been recognized as a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher — a distinction awarded to the top 1% of researchers worldwide by citations in their field. Prior to joining UF, he held senior leadership roles at several prominent research institutions. For more information about ASEMFL membership and the 2025 ASEMFL Annual Meeting, visit: www.asemfl.org.