Over the past two years, Dr. Sharma and Dr. Rinaldi-Ramos have led an exciting initiative to connect the cancer research and engineering communities at the University of Florida. Recognizing that many investigators shared overlapping goals, but were siloed due to UF’s large campus and the breadth of its research enterprise, they set out to build stronger, more intentional collaborations across disciplines.
To address this gap, they launched a working group that is currently meeting once per semester. Each session focuses on a different theme, highlighting the current state of cancer care, unmet clinical needs, and the potential for engineering-driven innovation. These gatherings foster relationships, spark ideas, and identify opportunities where engineering tools can be applied to cancer challenges.
This past May, the initiative hosted a dinner event featuring eight rapid-fire research talks designed to inspire cross-disciplinary collaboration. Open to both faculty and trainees, the evening brought together approximately 40 attendees from across campus. By continuing to break down silos and promote collaboration, Dr. Sharma and Dr. Rinaldi-Ramos are helping to shape a more integrated approach to cancer research and technology development at UF.