Three researchers from Florida Atlantic University—Randy Blakely, Ph.D., Gregg Fields, Ph.D., and Hari Kalva, Ph.D.—have been inducted into the 2025 class of the Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida (ASEMFL). The induction ceremony took place last month in Orlando.
The ASEMFL selects its members based on significant research achievements and innovations that have had a notable impact across science, engineering, and medicine. This year’s group includes 26 new inductees, bringing the academy’s total membership to over 250 leading researchers and innovators in Florida.
“Being inducted into the Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida is an incredible honor and a testament to the outstanding accomplishments of Drs. Blakely, Fields and Kalva,” said FAU President Adam Hasner. “This recognition highlights their exceptional contributions that are transforming their fields, and further underscores Florida Atlantic’s prestigious R1 top-tier research status and ongoing commitment to making a global impact.”
Hortensia Amaro, Ph.D., president of ASEMFL and professor at Florida International University, welcomed the new members by saying: “We welcome our new ASEMFL members. Their lifelong dedication, creativity and talent have resulted in critical and impactful advances in their fields with resulting benefits to society.”
Dr. Randy Blakely serves as executive director of the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute. He is also a professor at FAU’s Charles Schmidt College of Medicine. His research has focused on molecular neuroscience for more than thirty years, particularly studying synaptic transporters related to neurological conditions such as autism, ADHD, and Alzheimer’s disease. Blakely has published over 300 papers and reviews; his work has received continuous funding from national agencies like the National Institutes of Health.
Dr. Gregg Fields is vice president for research at FAU as well as a professor in chemistry and biochemistry at the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. He specializes in understanding protein function at the molecular level with applications to diseases including cancer and arthritis. Fields has contributed more than 300 scientific publications and delivered nearly 200 invited lectures globally.
Dr. Hari Kalva is professor and associate chair in electrical engineering at FAU’s College of Engineering and Computer Science. He directs the FAU Multimedia Lab where he leads work on video compression technologies used worldwide in digital media standards such as AVC/H.264, HEVC/H.265, and VVC/H.266. Kalva holds numerous U.S. and international patents.
ASEMFL was established in 2018 at the University of Central Florida as a not-for-profit organization comprising distinguished researchers across the state with a mission to address societal challenges through scientific advancement.
