Meetings

Wednesday morning meetings of RFUF are held at the Harn Museum of Art. Complimentary coffee and sweets are available at 9:30 am in the Camellia Café on the first level of the Harn for a brief social gathering before the speaker’s presentation. Talks begin at 10:00 and meetings end by 11:00. Members receive weekly email announcements with a Zoom link for those who will not be attending in person. These talks are open to the public, and interested members of the community are welcome to attend. A limited number of parking passes are available for non-RFUF Members and may be requested before the meetings from RFUF Officers.


Spring 2024 Schedule

January 10: Thomas Pearson, Professor of Epidemiology, Retired, UF College of Medicine and College of Public Health and Health Professions: “The Epidemiology of Chocolate.”

January 17: Paul Ortiz, Professor, UF Department of History: “From the Great Depression to A New Deal: How America Got its Groove Back in the 1930s.”

January 24: Tongyun Yin, Curator of Asian Art, the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art: “Gateway to Himalayan Art: Symbols, Meanings, and Functions.”

January 31: John Hardeman, Retired Associate Professor and Interim Chair, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, UF College of Dentistry: “Saving Face: The OMFS spectrum of changing faces and changing lives.”

February 7: Joann Mossa, Professor and Associate Chair, UF Department of Geography: “Some Secrets of Southern Rivers.”

February 14: Scott Rivkees, former Florida Surgeon General, now Vice-Chair and Professor, Brown University School of Public Health, Department of Health Services, Policy, and Practice: “Public Health in the Face of Denialism and Politics.”

February 21: Barbara Mennel, UF Professor of Film Studies: “The German Film “Girls in Uniform” (1931): Film Stars, Censorship, and the Rise of Fascism.”

February 28: Brian Phillips, Associate Professor, UF College of Engineering: “The Impact of Hurricanes on Civil Infrastructure.”

March 6: Andres Pumariega, Professor and Division Chief, UF Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: “From Immigrant Child to Child Mental Health Advocate: A Life Journey.”

March 20: Darby Guyn, Director, Sweetwater Wetlands Park: NB: Meet as usual at the Harn at 9:30 am, consolidate into as few vehicles as possible, and carpool to Sweetwater Park; entry fee $5 per vehicle.

March 27: Jason Alread, Professor, UF School of Architecture: “The UF Campus from Past to Future.”

April 3: Juan Gilbert, Endowed Professor and Chair and winner of the 2023 White House Presidential National Medal of Technology and Innovation, UF Department of Computer & Information Science & Engineering: “Computing for Social Good: Elections Technology and Traffic Stop Safety.”

April 10: Special Extended Meeting. Scott Angle, Provost of the University of Florida: “UF and its Role in Feeding a Hungry World” (10:00 am to 11:00 am). ILR-UF Aging Science Research Finals, UF Doctoral Candidate Presentations. Presentations and judging (11:30 am to 12:30 pm).

April 17: Barbara McDade Gordon, President: “Reflection over 50 years”; Rick D’Alli, President-Elect: “Moving forward in our 50th year, 24-25." (RFUF Annual Spring Luncheon at Oak Hammock).

Fall 2023 Schedule

September 6: Ben Sasse, President of the University of Florida: “UF: Big Challenges, Bigger Opportunities”

September 13: Amy J Williams, Assistant Professor, UF Department of Geological Sciences: The Curiosity to Explore and the Perseverance to Rove: A Decade of Discoveries on Mars”

September 20: Annual Fall Luncheon Meeting at Oak Hammock Maestro Evans Haile, Musical Director and Conductor, The Gainesville Orchestra: “Musical Droppings...a few thoughts on connecting the dots, the Arts, and late nights on a bike”

September 27: Norman Thagard, former NASA Space Shuttle astronaut and current Professor, FSU College of Engineering: My Life in Space 

October 4: Kaitlyn Hof-Mahoney, Executive Director, Matheson History Museum: “Gainesville and Alachua County: From Frontier to Mid-Century”

October 11: Sean Adams, Professor, UF Department of History: Business History is Your History: The Inquire Capitalism Program at UF"

October 18: Stephanie Lynge, Artistic Director, Hippodrome Theater: “Spotlight on Hippodrome's New Season and Navigating Post-Pandemic Challenges of North Central Florida's Premier Professional Regional Theatre”

October 25: Michael Okun, Professor and Executive Director, UF Health Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases: “Ending Parkinson’s Disease”

November 1: Mary Wise, Head Coach, UF Women’s Volleyball: “Gator Volleyball: How it Started…How it’s Going”

November 8: Jon Miot, Professor and Director, Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo: “Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo: Community connections to a world of conservationNB: Meet at the Teaching Zoo for talk and guided tour

November 15: Bahar Armaghani, Associate Professor and Director, UF Green Building Learning Collaborative: “A post-Covid focus on sustainability with regard to human health and well-being”

November 29: Desmon Duncan-Walker, Gainesville Mayor Pro-Tem and City Commissioner, District I:  "Perspectives on City Governance"

December 6: Carol Lewis, Associate Professor, UF Department of Psychiatry: “The Art and Science of Mindfulness”


Spring 2023 Schedule

Jan. 11, 2023 Speaker: Joseph Meert, "When the Shields Go Down: The Importance of a Magnetic Field on Earth and Other Planets"  https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/Jnz_OC2A2urZkUKE00JPhxWMDBZX3xtazd6V6LGuWWRWRogpDuplGLxmilAdxzFZ.2mQ58e8P7FoE8pTn

Jan. 18, 2023 Speaker: Nicole Nesberg, "Indigenous Florida"  https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/4mfcEQZBB9eKe8tt0DnqFpebDex7sxwnhRz73k9aeZLI8Dka7IbFnhd2Pu7TPhM4.do2Q-6wnsU3mrT_S 

Jan. 25, 2023 Speaker: Hub Brown, “What’s New and What’s Next in Mass Communications”  https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/PAKEf0JYGeSPuq1jSZXJfRH8t9x8Y05ggmj7E_CE86IZFGGhRKJYB7iQ54fmRDjE.MTf1hAYtYYUYBPob 

Feb. 1, 2023 Speaker: Steve Spurrier, My Career and Coaching Highlights”  https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/a_VN6fMDphIR6Z3eEUOIABIcZfWWqBqMQ5g_MAZj-yelYy13wBMb4zATD_-sLw_5.uf_c89jELJNDfQez

Feb. 8, 2023 Speaker: Alyssa B. Cole, “Black Women’s Defense of Medical Facilities in Kansas City: 1900”

Feb. 15, 2023 Speaker: Shaney T. Livingston, “It’s Your Library”  https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/HJTgk6yuTISQaaEMuhYWLWKRAhgCEc4-ZdeCnfSi-Ovwvk3M-ZxDA084DjwEAgvj.l7kx6V-IHaFCd3eW

Feb, 22, 2023  Speaker: Harvey Ward, “The First 100 Days: Priorities as the New Mayor” https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/Y61A6fh2y_TewgEC0IFCd6CFWdGTMiro5LM4BKYSWuUc6Z2wvwBc7xbWNzmJ2im9.3wzudyTHuOgZEJFb

March 8, 2023 Speaker: Stefan Moss, “Saltwater Underground Railroad Experience”  https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/9EzEZvQe3qKUvMSAbybOcB_LJ4NGLdJJoPa920YLuI209ZQOoU40WIkgzdbdofW9.21IePljH8Ug4K7yY

March 22, 2023 Speaker:  Sarah Rockwell, “Improving our Public Schools: How you can help”  https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/9VGYoHltZ6-PvXIIeshzVA0FhaXwOrW1Ocz5aGU3H_bqntxlwwRd3YLEgbni09f0.R1MR_DaW1eotIGuS

March 29, 2023 Speaker:  Angela Melidosian, “From Students to Early Career Professionals: UF’s active learning program”   https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/HCPy-irXuvHJOWJkRdsly0UIhb_kn8DavozLhis3hutp_47ATq_Ic8UL_3NSeTg.Sm_N_j0qJ0QerzDd 


Fall 2022 Schedule

Sept 7, 2022 Speaker: Curtis A. Reynolds, "UF's Hidden World of Operational Excellence"  https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/XUSkE5XthkdCcd6mbRI5pTUNMYUOxFMkWjk0vY74fOdGh76FB-D8zpWFhGysEFF8.YMB3BUuywPUL_RF6

Sept 14, 2022 Speaker: Diana Boxer, "Discourse, Politics, and Women as Global Leaders" https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/lFnhrI1tFBGwzjHN8Y3H2uXQFjBWdVdQ9QJUpjFzoxqhVBt0DjAISa3LjAqV1tgA.VsjwYKoG54rvCLal

Sept. 21, 2022 Speaker: Rhonda Wilson, "An Artist's Journey"

Oct, 5, 2022 Speaker: Dulce Roman, "Picturing the Sunshine State: The Florida Art Collection at the Harn Museum of Art"

Oct. 12, 2022 Speaker: Jon Rehm, "Social Studies and Its Role within the Alachua County Public Schools"

Oct. 19, 2022 Speaker: Fatimah Tuggar, "Hybrid Encounters: West African Expertise and Digital Expression"

Oct. 26, 2022 Speaker: Willie J. Wright, "On Geographies of Race and Revanchism" https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/EiCHKxYXdIQOhPhENM6VaH8ofyhBXJ22XdlRga55Do3k10Bl3_uru2EohtyhtFgr.hdJYDvcapCsVRQIv

Nov. 2, 2022 Speaker: My T. Thai, "Explainable AI: The Art of Explanation" https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/I2HkkSxpB0jj-1Uhn_cBVDjlizcHhzyRpgKbwkUTA2lzcUHMRN8PvSIhrvp_P0nK.bcAN9X9_6U2mHoNP

Nov. 9, 2022 Speaker: Robin Lewy, "30 Years of Health Justice in North Central Florida" 

https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/08jyczgQX39p-2_VRXKMZWqnO9Ew4lGTSYxy5T5FXt1PB-5P6CYmIRZvlyrzQV4C.y_oq3_zKwOUSmPjG

Nov. 16, 2022 Speaker: Beth Virnig, "How Patient Factors and System Factors Influence Care and Outcomes" https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/GK9v3_mBdJc2lT3EnWNr9-CGcCanlNRo9XZjWKEO8CHEWMFSUmFVjfo37_MIGmvf.gsZeSbqU43cJvoQK

Nov. 30, 2022 Speaker: Joe Glover, "Building an AI University" https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/M81EQ2n-6qoxMHU3Fp4w3-h-EjsXtnn1wVVGpeWM-5tYbLBqfJyy5TZhUgNU_0q1.QzSjHfVxO1DJF5S9

Dec. 7, 2022 Speaker: Anita Spring, "The Explorers Club: Exploration and Discovery"  https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/bl0qZ1LASWiNeHFQ6cRHbgO9lHjSoPojzbUXEmdYjFA9dPy2TlMDx69-wYnx62C7.GxwKcgxawQqF_EOu


Spring 2022 Schedule

Jan 12, 2022 Speaker: William Winter "What is Blood and What is the Function of Blood in Our Bodies?" https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/mzs0M00ySWvrV7ru4G8FoTimX6DeS0F59OHcBc0_xpYHLRWsFqxmRQ27alSd2hfv.OBpLnAdx2TUBzxIQ 

Jan 19, 2022 Speaker: Carl Van Ness "Why is University of Florida in Gainesville?" https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/d5K6Cq3WzodRVJI4pwixC6V3N0Vkd7b7EqoZCN0WjuNLzA_1zVOakmyCn96lk5pe.JS2PA0HbNMjCb83M 

Jan 26, 2022 Speaker: Lisa J. Merlo "Increasing Resilience with Cognitive Restructuring and Mindfulness" https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/ThnCSu-RBbueSHHWISMjERC3CKDpz29VJNxb1bzGqfE8aPM4g5EEWmwn7nExe9Aq.-NBvju3azQeFCEUa 

Feb 2, 2022 Speaker: Robin Poynor "50 Years Later: Spirit Bodyguards of Owe Big Men" https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/JGLGgpuTCiRpwZIq6M9xrBTIyLhRGzagLmKDpwmfYRQ7ZAGDpkoh-LeqmD22rDwe.A6GCbIVyTWnxN8nw 

Feb 9, 2022 Speaker: Samuel Stafford "Critically Speaking: The Path to Responsible Citizenship" https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/QR0ux17Q2ZS8AzT8cZqzTseeq9nErdwng8U3R0mqU-lTcg5ixXclmIxjLYHOZxj1.LrZ8Bl8HqRaU5sPI 

Feb 16, 2022 Speaker: Kim Tanzer "The Design of Our City" The Design of OUR City  

Feb 23, 2022 Speaker: Samantha Brooks "Genomics for the Horse: Galloping into the Future" https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/9hvTWE04ykfA5b5gZLgkzt0Duldq25vH4YEVUmm32wnB9tCvcn8zizMCsXkGUQh1.PR44A1gLnEj4jfhS 

March 2, 2022 Speaker: Wendell Porter "UF and its Central Energy Plant Future" https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/zgFptt1T_axPWuUB1TcAk4fF67kp__5eGBELAbdVYMxoF77z9Aq-KoiwVJVjMlbp.yTDW4OyZnL0TMgv4 

March 16, 2022 Speaker: Irene M. Estores "The Academic Life: Becoming an Integral and Integrative Physician" https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/cJABwH6zEtUvATvYC9pMH4IeqV5CG1ZH4Rv2lyDJ3KIQrDxmWxV-QyULRxnkYJMM.4lZOgdiO6yI1-u1F

March 23, 2022 Speaker: Benjamin Soares "Islam & Muslim Youth Culture in Mali" https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/lI3V2UbOb_gqE8YMUvFGSqxc_KuCSgH3rbjDLj8pycGdViad1z6ct28yJB8Y7zaF.xWUk6RMMjG5KKym_ 

March 30, 2022 Speaker: Bruce A. Goldberger "Emerging Drug Tests: Morbidity and Mortality" https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/ID39TJ0GnzsV6Eomiw79_Bt1h-M39ZjYnDmFOme4Vs_AIj_Vh-eCcwMmDxSgDIx9.O5H1cgSDcbZu9OvG 

April 6, 2022 Speaker: Lizzie Robinson Jenkins "Real Rosewood Forever" https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/y0VBeQSCMglUdrMj42YtzkE33IefSJKsmkxIQgnyeR1so2gQM95RxFAATtJDwoXd.TgiD-tOQEJvF5aAp 

April 13, 2022 Speaker: Gwendolyn Simmons "From Freedom Now to Black Lives Matter" https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/QxxhPaqY-Mtu8Fy8oE7W5kDGn-7gEk0TIEHloB8_0LnrbxjPRIpfynei6lq5k5Ip.Mzh4tlBW7EHdtP9z 

April 20, 2022 Speaker: Karim Oweiss "From Biological Intelligence to Artificial Intelligence and Back: Interrogation of Neural Circuit Function and Dysfunction" https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/_uGTeTM4TI5zYiAaHn_CKANe8jenee-6iJeBdB4F--8-nBwFP931pzDNAwpJAOud.imeUO_l_v-qZCKQ3 

April 28, 2022 Speaker: Bryon Moraski "Russia's War on Ukraine: its Origins and Consequences" https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/bkICWlnhx-6PCUwdazsgVoXn15kLCj97pxuXu0ZqX8k-qk86i5iCJ7AmZ84wKGpz.neZBvgRmNH5YOjl4 


Fall 2021 Schedule

Sept 8, 2021 Speaker: Win Phillips "UF in Year 2 of the Pandemic: A Discussion" video not available

Sept 15, 2021 Speaker: Lauren Poe "Building a City Rooted in Equity" https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/vb-m3HE7NE6woht6FtMIP8KUvrAxXy_46sAO7w34TCGikUfO_U6YABfcvoANaPcf.hDFHGszRo6K14KMh 

Sept 22, Speaker: Jeff Huffman "Hurricanes are Complicated" https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/Lm5YUlk1_usmteaitiI5fPxmCu-_MPUrxahSjiPSt_D0LpCuD4KAvdVRjiRplSv8.JEthj_6i_1UGdsv2 

Sept 29, Speaker: Maya Stanfield-Mazzi "Indigenous Textiles for the Catholic Church in Colonial Latin America: Tradition and Innovation" https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/6D0RIwL1XHoq_wciIS4Ccb-sbv_NgNob7Alsaqw6rvMD_2TCqin8pXsMSww2HJVb.q0qL--wOw5_51k9H 

Oct 6, Speaker: Cathy Aull "Affordable Housing in Alachua County" https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/jopWXAJWs4iplUt7CKeyBxgmmBPdDKSdyfJdjub6CK3n_c6CG2bvzxkK0uBy9X3w.a4YByqcotJd8VJJz 

Oct 13, Speaker: Jennifer Hunt "How Perfectionism is Stifling Progress in Medicine" https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/S0UWNy7gQSWdu-o09gNppI38z4RXl7-Kk1ankIgFzd6qcaXySmfmc4mmYQpv2w5O.xqYRHrHc_FhgvC-m 

Oct 20, Speaker: Jacob U'Mofe Gordon "Reimagining the United Nations: Challenges and Prospects" https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/mjFeaJyGw5A2iJo6uHGFoEUu1i2Sitt_n7UEKL-VDfaA1MkUJ9N3mkVYP8Iw-m3n.fQRx8QnuC1PhzLKi 

Oct 27, Speaker: Nancy Hardt "SWAG (Southwest Advocacy Group) 10 years later: Lessons learned and next steps" https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/j5ZEh_Df6I8leJsyzuxDzpVjoekotuiIlhdIE1xHbgEYZBooYDU0ZsLZrp2iPYfN.Gf_Rqi7zvFChg0h5 

Nov 3, 2021 Speaker: Michelle Jacobs "Socrates and Critical Race Theory: Philosophy is Still Dangerous" https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/RSFpr0GayDwup-3L4YPPwOolUuA1_L6ir9-fMQt6NH1omWIM02Y2lZa4fAf8hScE.Fgm_pJ6Tw7lofkVp 

Nov 10, 2021 Speaker: Kevin Jones "Materials for Mitigating Climate Change"  https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/7ngpuLbaqnZZGXyYiUWgCJXiQLn4DYBeXg9GDGTgvKWmaYt76v4BaTKeUe8l8ghh.MHdj4jhVi7yN5xOd 

Nov 17, 2021 Speaker: David P. Norton "Research at the University of Florida: Discoveries to Change the World" https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/DlqHT3RRUWT4mxXPfbUObXXm4lcH0dOCJWgJFPYfqVh35nDs2e1m-BEhINgyHP9b.8iz0HIDzEyc_h1A1 

Dec 1, 2021 Speaker: Carol McCusker "On the Exhibition 'Shadow to Substance'" https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/1LA9QVSpGV6mQ1xqNTD6EXUftnxqkmdu5ZXpJ5f7lRIFuRRz-oCS_uVlVuJkKts.dn_Bnh_PwJrk217j 

Dec 8, 2021 Speaker: Jim Lawrence "Why We Need Systemic Change in Our Community https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/6BTR_J4QvRoG4dR4LLv_5V162FnKOzr4fK-CHSU575lb-6Uq7XCfJ3jrZX_Hekw.4yl--IToRJz_NJW8