UF scientist named fellow in national inventor’s group

A professor at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine has been elected as a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors in recognition of the broad impact his scientific work has had on society and for his support and enhancement of innovation.

Over a career spanning more than 50 years, Roy Curtiss, Ph.D., has made significant contributions to the disciplines of genetics, microbiology, biomedical sciences and vaccinology. His pioneering work in the areas of microbial pathogenesis, genetic manipulation and vaccine development has been used to address problems of world concern in animal, human and environmental health.

Vaccines that Curtiss has designed, constructed and evaluated have been used to protect agriculturally important animals as well as humans from a variety of infectious diseases. Curtiss recently developed several new ways of constructing vaccines for different strains of salmonella.

He holds 41 patents, has developed three licensed vaccines and has been a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences since 2001. Among his numerous career honors is the American Society for Microbiology’s Lifetime Achievement Award, which he received in 2014.

Curtiss joined UF’s faculty in 2015 as part of the university’s preeminence initiative. Previously, he served on the faculty in Arizona State University’s School of Life Sciences.

"Science excites me every day," Curtiss said. "It provides new highs through learning something new, discovering new ways to achieve solutions to significant problems and through the process of successfully organizing joint efforts to make contributions."

Although he refers to himself as a perpetual optimist, Curtiss said he has learned over time to put awards and acknowledgments, as well as scientific ups and downs, in perspective.

"I take successes as well as rejections and disappointments in stride so I don't miss any steps in this continual science journey," Curtiss said.

The University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine is supported through funding from UF Health and the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.