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The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute
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Photos from Outsmarting Cancer 2026

On February 5, 2026, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology hosted Outsmarting Cancer: Lessons from Nature, a community lecture. Speakers included Cora Best, Ph.D., Patrick Griffin, Ph.D. Ben Shen, Ph.D., and Donna Zhang, Ph.D. The Institute’s namesake, Dr. Herbert Wertheim, introduced the topic with remarks highlighting the power of curiosity-driven science and the importance of looking to nature for solutions to complex diseases like cancer. His introduction set the tone for an engaging discussion on leveraging natural biological systems to inform innovative cancer therapies. Attendees engaged in thoughtful dialogue around translational research, prevention strategies, and the future of nature-inspired drug discovery.

Three men stand together talking.
James Lapple, Joe G.N. Garcia, MD, UF Associate Vice President for Research, and Dr. Herbert…
A man in a navy sweater and a woman in a brown sweater hold glasses and smile for a photo.
William Ja, Ph.D., and Pat Cococcia attending the Outsmarting Cancer Innovation Lecture at The Wertheim…
A man in a gray suit and a woman in a blue sweater smile at a table.
Dr. Myles Krieger and Dr. Marsha Fishbane attending the Outsmarting Cancer Innovation Lecture at The…
Man in blue jacket and woman in white jacket smile for a photo.
Dr. Charles Brenner and Zara Brenner attending
A man in a red suit and a red hat holds a coffee cup and talks to a man in a gray vest.
Dr. Herbert Wertheim, OD., D.Sc., MD. (hc) and Matthew Disney, Ph.D., attending the Outsmarting Cancer…
A man holds a microphone in an auditorium with red chairs. There is a woman with brown hair next to him.
Dr. Myles Krieger asked a question while attending the Outsmarting Cancer Innovation Lecture at The…
Four people stand together for a photo.
Marcella Scherer, Sheril Jalm, Gina Kearney, and Mark Scherer attending at the Outsmarting Cancer Innovation…
A man in a navy suit and glasses speaks at a podium.
Patrick Griffin, Ph.D., introduces his research at the Outsmarting Cancer Innovation Lecture at The Wertheim…
Thomas Kodadek, Ph.D., Ofelia Utset, and Carmela Wyatt
Man in suit smiles while holding microphone.
Ben Shen, Ph.D., introduces his research at the Outsmarting Cancer Innovation Lecture at The Wertheim…
A woman holds a microphone in an auditorium with red seating.
Dr. Stephanie Knuppenburg asks a question at the Outsmarting Cancer Innovation Lecture at The Wertheim UF…
Four people stand together for a photo in front of a blue backdrop.
Chelsea Reed, former Mayor of Palm Beach Gardens, and Dana Middleton, Vice Mayor of Palm…
A woman with dark hair stands at a podium holding a microphone.
Donna Zhang introduces her research at the Outsmarting Cancer Innovation Lecture at The Wertheim UF…
A woman stands at a podium with a microphone and a projected screen next to her.
Cora Best, Ph.D., M.H.S., R.D.N., introduces her research at the Outsmarting Cancer Innovation Lecture at…
A man in a red suit and a red hat stands with a microphone.
Dr. Herbert Wertheim gives an introduction at Outsmarting Cancer Innovation Lecture at The Wertheim UF…
A woman stands at a podium with a microphone.
Alexa Kelleher, Interim Director of Development, concludes the lecture at Outsmarting Cancer Innovation Lecture at…

Read more about cancer research at The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute.

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