The Department of Neuroscience is proud to share that Drs. Nancy Padilla-Coreano, Alfonso Martin-Pena, and Kimberly Alonge have been selected as recipients of the 2026 MBI Accelerator Program Award from the McKnight Brain Institute at the University of Florida.
This competitive funding program supports innovative, high-impact neuroscience research across UF and provides seed funding to advance new ideas with strong potential for future extramural support.
Dr. Padilla-Coreano’s team is recognized for research on the neural mechanisms underlying social behavior. Dr. Martin-Pena is advancing computational and experimental approaches to understanding cognitive behavior using Drosophila. Dr. Alonge’s work focuses on genetic models of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative conditions, contributing to improved understanding of brain function and disease.
Together, these projects reflect the strength of collaborative neuroscience research at UF and its commitment to advancing discovery across the lifespan of brain health.
Learn more about the 2026 MBI Accelerator Program awards.