UNF MedNexus Newsroom
2026
UNF MedNexus Expands Telescope Health Think Tank After Successful First Year
July 10, 2026
Following a successful inaugural year, UNF MedNexus, Hicks Honors College and Telescope Health are building on the momentum of the Social Innovation Think Tank, where interdisciplinary student teams develop real-world solutions for Northeast Florida nonprofits. The initiative continues to connect students, industry leaders and community organizations through hands-on innovation and meaningful community impact.
https://www.unf.edu/newsroom/2026/07/Social-Innovation-Think-Tank-expands.html
UNF earns 3rd consecutive Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement
January 12, 2026
The University of North Florida has once again been recognized for its sustained commitment to community partnership, earning the Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement for the third time. UNF is among only 277 schools nationwide to earn this prestigious distinction, awarded by the American Council of Education (ACE) and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
https://www.unf.edu/newsroom/2026/01/Carnegie-Elective-Classification-Communication-Engagement.html
2025
From cancer treatments advancements to NASA collaborations - UNF's year in research
December 3, 2025
The National Institutes of Health has recently granted $740K to the University of North Florida to investigate a hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s. This work could pave the way for future therapeutic breakthroughs.
https://www.unf.edu/newsroom/2025/12/research-in-review.html
UNF receives NIH grant to investigate a hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's
October 2, 2025
The National Institutes of Health has recently granted $740K to the University of North Florida to investigate a hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s. This work could pave the way for future therapeutic breakthroughs.
https://www.unf.edu/newsroom/2025/10/Ciesielski-NIH-Grant.html
New MedNexus challenge open to DCPS students; last year's winners presented to Congress
September 16, 2025
University of North Florida MedNexus, Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) and community partner Two Twelve Benefits are proud to launch the 2025 UNF MedNexus Innovation Challenge for DCPS students. The competition is designed to empower high school students to tackle pressing health and societal issues through creative solutions. This year’s challenge, “Break the Vape: Reclaiming teen health through community innovation,” calls on teams to address the growing crisis of adolescent vaping.
https://www.unf.edu/newsroom/2025/09/MedNexus-DCPS-Innovation.html
After receiving second patent, UNF researchers closer to producing drug that can "turn off" cancer
June 17, 2025
Three University of North Florida researchers recently received a second US patent for their cancer-fighting peptoid compound that can essentially “turn off” cancer. This new patent protects the compound based on its unique chemical structure, which mimics natural proteins in the body, but offers greater stability and a longer lifespan than traditional proteins. The first patent, which they received last year, covered the functional ability of the compound to kill cancer cells.
https://www.unf.edu/newsroom/2025/06/cancer-research-update.html
UNF MedNexus and Telescope Health launch collaboration to find healthcare solutions for nonprofits
June 3, 2025
University of North Florida MedNexus and Telescope Health proudly announce the launch of the MedNexus | Telescope Health Social Innovation Think Tank, an annual program which will connect teams of students with nonprofit healthcare organizations to tackle critical social and health challenges in Northeast Florida.
https://www.unf.edu/newsroom/2025/06/MedNexus-Telescope-Health-Collab.html
UNF MedNexus and HCA Healthcare partnership offers students a pathway to success
May 13, 2025
A transformative partnership between UNF MedNexus and HCA Healthcare provides students a pathway to successful careers in healthcare by removing financial and access barriers while addressing the critical shortage of healthcare professionals.
https://www.unf.edu/newsroom/2025/05/MedNexus-HCA-Pathway.html
UNF engineering students develop groundbreaking technology to detect traumatic brain injuries in sports
May 12, 2025
A team of University of North Florida mechanical engineering students is breaking new ground in sports safety with the development of an innovative, low-cost sensor designed to detect traumatic brain injuries.
Navigating career success: How UNF guarantees experiential learning for students
April 25, 2025
At the University of North Florida, collaboration and community partnerships are at the heart of student success. Starting this fall, that is growing even stronger as UNF guarantees experiential learning for all incoming students, ensuring they have at least one hands-on experience such as an internship, research or leadership opportunity before they graduate.
https://www.unf.edu/newsroom/2025/04/experiential-learning-guarantee.html
UNF MedNexus and UFHealth Jacksonville launch clinical research coordination program
April 7, 2025
University of North Florida MedNexus and UF Health Jacksonville are offering a new program that prepares students for careers in clinical research with a focus on research coordination skills. All students in the Clinical Research Coordination Badge program complete internships with either UF Health Jacksonville or Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida.
https://www.unf.edu/newsroom/2025/04/MedNexus-UF-Health-Badge.html
UNF nursing student to graduate at the top of her class
April 1, 2025
As a child, University of North Florida senior Katie Lewis wanted to follow in her father’s footsteps and become a veterinarian. Healthcare was an interest in part because her mom was a nurse. Today, Lewis works as a certified nursing assistant (CNA), her twin sister is a combat medic in the Army and two other siblings have careers in healthcare.
After UNF opens doors to a healthcare career, graduate student creates opportunities for others to conduct 3D materials science research
January 30, 2025
As an undergraduate student at the University of North Florida, Carleigh Eagle set her sights on becoming a doctor. She wanted to work with innovative technologies at the forefront of medicine and believed medical school was how she would get there.
2024
MedNexus and CSI challenge students to combat physician burnout
November 1, 2024
MedNexus, in collaboration with CSI Companies and Blackstone LaunchPad, recently hosted the 2024 Innovation Challenge. This dynamic, team-based competition invited undergraduate and graduate students to develop and pitch innovative solutions to critical healthcare challenges facing the region.
https://www.unf.edu/newsroom/2024/11/MedNexus-CSI-Innovation-Challenge.html
UNF faculty receive patent for discovering cancer-fighting compound that could 'turn off' cancer
June 12, 2024
Three University of North Florida (UNF) researchers have been awarded a U.S. patent for a targeted cancer-fighting compound, or peptoid, that the team has discovered targets certain breast, colon and lung cancers and stops them from progressing. This promising discovery could lead to significantly better patient outcomes for difficult to treat cancers.
https://www.unf.edu/newsroom/2024/06/Cancer-Fighting-Compound-Patent.html
UNF MedNexus announces research innovation fund winners
May 20, 2024
Six University of North Florida faculty members have been awarded grants from the UNF MedNexus Research Innovation Fund to work on innovative research studies.
https://www.unf.edu/newsroom/2024/05/MedNexus-Research-Innovation.html
UNF MedNexus expands academic programs in Palm Coast
May 13, 2024
MedNexus, a University of North Florida initiative that offers innovative learning and research experiences to prepare future healthcare providers and leaders, is proud to highlight three innovative healthcare academic programs in Palm Coast, Florida. These programs mark a significant expansion of UNF MedNexus' commitment to providing cutting-edge healthcare education and training opportunities in Flagler County.
https://www.unf.edu/newsroom/2024/05/New-MedNexus-Programs.html
UNF and Mayo Clinic collaborate on innovative 3D anatomy printing course
April 23, 2024
The University of North Florida has teamed up with the 3D Anatomic Modeling Laboratory at Mayo Clinic in Florida to create an innovative undergraduate course at UNF.
https://www.unf.edu/newsroom/2024/04/Mayo-Collab-3D-Anatomy-Printing.html
UNF MedNexus expands personal health monitoring for veterans in Flagler county
February 27, 2024
UNF MedNexus is expanding a program to help veterans in Flagler County monitor their fitness and wellness using a Fitbit wearable device and is now accepting additional participants in the study.
https://www.unf.edu/newsroom/2024/02/MedNexus-Expands-Veterans-Program.html
UNF presents 2024 MedNexus innovation challenge
January 29, 2024
The University of North Florida, in partnership with the City of Palm Coast and Flagler Schools, has opened applications for the 2024 MedNexus Innovation Challenge. The Challenge is a team-based competition that will showcase regional high school students selected to pitch their solutions to address social media addiction in teenagers. The Innovation Challenge is open to all Flagler, St. Johns, Volusia and surrounding county high school students.
https://www.unf.edu/newsroom/2024/01/MedNexus-Innovation-Challenge.html