During November, the University of Florida will shine a “blue” spotlight on diabetes with several events planned to raise awareness and promote prevention of the disease.

Discovery could lead to new preventative and curative treatments.

Upcoming events celebrate the opening of the Shands Cancer Hospital at the University of Florida located on the new South Campus.

UF will receive $29.6 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 funds to study mobility disabilities in seniors. Federal funding for the project will exceed $60 million over six years.

Students, faculty and staff are invited to attend presentations by McKnight Brain Institute faculty and researchers, focusing on aging and cognitive decline.

UF students, faculty, staff and alumni are invited to showcase their scientific research in the “Elegance of Science” contest.

Five internationally acclaimed genetics researchers will present findings at Florida Genetics 2009, the annual symposium of the UF Genetics Institute.

A discovery by McKnight Brain Institute scientists about the effects of cosmic radiation on stem cells has prompted development of new measures to protect astronauts.

On the eve of the new year 2009, Bill Hahn (left) received a kidney-pancreas transplant with help from members of the Renal Transplant Program at Shands at the University of Florida medical center. This week he and fellow surfer and transplant recipient Richard Salik are preparing for the 24th annual National Kidney Foundation Surf Festival, slated for Sept. 3 to Sept. 7 at Cocoa Beach.

Speaking as the Robert H. Hux, M.D., Visiting Professor, Michael Nussbaum, M.D., chair of surgery at the UF Jacksonville campus, will discuss robotic technology and minimally invasive surgery.