Office of Community Relations
UF Government and Community Relations
We present  UF in the Community  to spotlight the positive impact of UF in our region. Across our 16 colleges and numerous institutes and health care facilities, our shared mission includes outreach and service to improve and enrich our community, nation and the world.   

Although UF has students and employees throughout the state, North Central Florida is home to much of our faculty and staff and to our 50,000+ students . Like all area residents,   we seek to create a vibrant, safe, healthy and equitable place in which to live and thrive. Here are some of the ways in which we are enhancing our shared community.​
Update on Reopening
By now, you’ve likely heard about or seen  UF’s Reopening Plan  for the fall semester, which lays out how the university will move forward amid the ongoing pandemic.   Our Plan Forward  is a comprehensive guide for students, faculty, staff and our community on what the fall semester will entail. It is a living and flexible document as our understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic and best practices to address the virus evolve.
UF Neuroscientists study impact of COVID-19 and social isolation on mental health of seniors
University of Florida neuroscientists are embarking on a new study to understand the impact of COVID-19 on the cognitive, mental and brain health of older adults, as well as the impact of social isolation on them.

The new study will investigate the impact of COVID-19 and social isolation on trial participants, who range in age from 65 to 89, with two-thirds of participants at UF and one-third at the University of Arizona.
Adam Woods, Ph.D., associate director of UF’s Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, and associate professor of clinical and health psychology in the College of Public Health and Health Professions
Harnessing genome editing for COVID-19 drug discovery
By taking advantage of high-containment labs in UF’s Emerging Pathogens Institute—especially designed for studying highly contagious and virulent pathogens—the UF research team is using CRISPR genome editing techniques to screen human cell lines. Their goal is to discover genetic factors that either hasten or thwart infection by SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes COVID-19.
UF named as national coordinating center for drug abuse surveillance
The  University of Florida  will lead nationwide efforts to identify emerging drug abuse trends as the coordinating center for the National Drug Early Warning System, or  NDEWS . The surveillance network is critical for monitoring the ongoing opioid crisis and identifying new public health threats, such as the rise in new psychoactive substances.
The NDEWS coordinating center team includes (top row, from left): Dr. Elan Barenholtz, Dr. Linda Cottler, Nicole Fitzgerald, (middle row) Dr. Bruce Goldberger, Tamara Millay, Dr. Sara Jo Nixon, (bottom row) Dr. Joseph Palamar, Dr. Catherine Striley and Sean Taylor
A Conversation that Matters with Florida Gators Head Coaches
As a part of the Listen, Learn & Act Initiative, various Florida Gators teams are sharing their experiences with racism and social injustice. Episode 2 features many of the Florida Gators Head Coaches.
UF involved in landmark study to measure molecular changes due to exercise
It’s so obvious that exercise is a healthy habit that it almost goes without saying. Scientists have known for years that physical activity lowers the risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke and diabetes, among other benefits.

What might come as a surprise is that researchers still don’t know why being physically fit is beneficial, especially on a molecular level.
Physical activity has many health benefits. But what changes does it cause on a molecular level? (Photo by Hannah Pietrick.)
Digital Worlds Institute researcher creates experiential online learning app
In partnership with the UF Literacy Institute, Digital Worlds Institute Associate Professor Angelos Barmpoutis is addressing the world-wide need for online educational engagement through an innovative virtual platform solution.
2020 Heat, Heart & Head Sports Injury Prevention VIRTUAL Symposium for coaches, parents and bystanders  
Join physicians and athletic trainers from the UF Health Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Institute as we discuss how to develop a "game plan" for sports emergencies as well as return-to-play considerations during the pandemic. Wednesday, July 15, at 06:30 p.m.  
  • UF Updates on COVID-19
  • UF Health COVID-19 Site
UF Resources for Kids:
  • Check out the Florida Museum of Natural History Discovery Time video series for kids
  • Virtual summer camps are coming to the Florida Museum of Natural History
  • Florida Museum of Natural History: Scientist in Every School
  • IFAS: Bite-Sized Science Webinar Series
Community Resources:
  • Florida Department of Health: COVID-19 data and surveillance dashboard
  • Alachua County
  • City of Gainesville
  • Santa Fe College
  • City of Alachua
  • Greater Gainesville Chamber
  • United Way of North Central Florida
Stay Well.
Susan Crowley
Assistant Vice President, Community Relations