By Althea Johnson, University Communications and Marketing
Three highly accomplished University of South Florida faculty members are among the 2025 class of the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame, announced today. USF professors Michael Francis, Sumita Mitra and Subhra Mohapatra are receiving the prestigious honor for their groundbreaking research and contributions to science and society. Their work has led to important advancements in health care, dental technology and cancer treatment.
“The 2025 inductees reflect the extraordinary breadth and depth of innovation flourishing in Florida and beyond,” said Sylvia Wilson Thomas, vice president for research and innovation at the University of South Florida and chair of the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame Advisory Board. “These individuals have not only advanced their fields but have created real-world solutions that make an impact for our state and our nation. We are proud to celebrate their vision, perseverance and ingenuity – the true hallmarks of innovation.”
Michael Francis
Francis, CEO of Asante Bio and associate professor of orthopedic surgery and sports medicine at USF, is a pioneering biomedical engineer and inventor whose innovations have helped transform regenerative medicine, orthopedics and biomanufacturing. He has developed dozens of advanced medical technologies, including electrospun implants and collagen microfiber sutures used in orthopedic and spinal procedures. His inventions are commonly used in rotator cuff repair, ACL regeneration, spinal fusion and other musculoskeletal conditions. A leader in his field, Francis holds 25 U.S. patents and is a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering.
"It’s a tremendous honor to be inducted into the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame. I’m deeply grateful for the recognition of my medical device patents and the relentless effort to bring these innovations from concept to clinical and commercial reality," Francis said. "Through my startups and entrepreneurial endeavors, these technologies have helped restore motion and improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of patients in spine, orthopedic and sports medicine. It’s a privilege to contribute to something greater than myself."
Sumita Mitra
Mitra, partner and co-owner of Mitra Chemical Consulting, retired corporate scientist at 3M Dental Products Division and professor in the Institute for Advanced Discovery & Innovation at USF, is a renowned materials scientist who revolutionized dental materials. As the first inventor to incorporate nanoparticles into dental composites, she developed 3M™ Filtek™ Supreme Universal Restorative, which has been used in more than a one billion restorations worldwide. This breakthrough technology improved strength, durability and aesthetic quality in dental fillings. Mitra’s work has led to the development of additional groundbreaking dental technologies, including nanocomposites, resin-modified glass ionomers and dental adhesives. Mitra holds more than 100 U.S. patents, is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors and an inductee to the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
"It was a pleasant surprise to learn of my selection into the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame class of 2025. I am thrilled and truly humbled for this momentous honor. To be recognized alongside visionary pioneers whose inventions have driven transformative advancements for society is both a profound privilege and a moving experience,” said Mitra. “I am deeply appreciative of my sponsors and the many colleagues and collaborators who have helped me in my innovation journey.”
Subhra Mohapatra
Mohapatra, professor of molecular medicine at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, research career scientist at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital and co-founder of TransGenex Nanobiotech Inc., is a pioneering researcher recognized for her groundbreaking discoveries in targeted cancer diagnosis and treatment. She holds numerous patents that have been commercialized based on her novel nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems that selectively attack tumor cells while sparing healthy tissue. Mohapatra’s innovations have helped pave the way for more effective and less toxic nanotherapy options for patients with aggressive forms of cancer, including lung and colorectal cancers. Mohapatra holds 27 U.S. patents and is a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering.
“It is a great privilege to be inducted into the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame,” Mohapatra said. “Over the past decade, I have had the opportunity to work with dedicated students and faculty at the University of South Florida and James A. Haley VA Hospital. This profound recognition not only reflects my efforts at USF and VA, but also highlights the contributions of the students, faculty and administrators who have fostered a positive environment for discovery and research. I am deeply grateful for the support and collaborations that have made this journey so rewarding. Together, we have pushed the boundaries of innovation and made significant strides in our field.”
The 10 members of the 2025 class of inductees collectively hold more than 460 U.S. patents showcasing academic excellence, ingenuity and scientific leadership.
Since its beginning in 2013, the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame, located on the USF Tampa campus, has inducted 87 inventors who collectively hold more than 5,700 U.S. patents.
The 2025 class of inventors will be officially inducted Oct. 31 at the Induction Ceremony and Gala in Tampa.