Category: Feature

Interdisciplinary AI research opportunities town hall Feb. 19

With one of the nation’s most powerful AI supercomputers and a cadre of information technology experts, UF researchers are well positioned to tackle big interdisciplinary projects that would have been nearly impossible 10 years ago.

Faculty are invited to participate in a town hall on Feb. 19 at 10:30 a.m. in Smathers 100 to discuss potential projects and possibilities for institutional support.

Can we create molecules of life?

Basic biology textbooks will tell you that all life on Earth is built from four types of molecules: proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids. And each group is vital for every living organism.

But what if humans could actually show that these “molecules of life,” such as amino acids and DNA bases, can be formed naturally in the right environment? Researchers at the University of Florida are using the HiPerGator – the fastest supercomputer in U.S. higher education – to test this experiment.

Explore ways to add to your retirement savings

With tax season upon us, now is a great time to review your savings plans to ensure you’re maximizing your contributions. In addition to the mandatory state retirement plans offered — including the voluntary State of Florida Deferred Compensation Plan, or 457(b) — as a UF employee you may also participate in a voluntary 403(b) plan to supplement your retirement via payroll deductions.

Both the 403(b) and 457(b) plans are voluntary savings plans available to faculty, TEAMS, USPS and OPS employees — including housestaff/residents, graduate assistants, postdocs and adjunct faculty. Read on for a breakdown of each plan.

Save the date for our Perk Up Your Summer event

It is not too early to start making plans for the summer. Join us Wednesday, Feb. 21, for Perk Up Your Summer — a GatorPerks and summer camps expo. Faculty, staff, postdocs and graduate assistants are invited to meet representatives from area youth summer camps and to learn more about UF’s year-round GatorPerks program.

Stop by the Reitz Union tabling area from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — no registration necessary. Stay tuned for more details or email questions to worklife@hr.ufl.edu.

Planet Money’s Jess Jiang to discuss how AI is transforming business

Jess Jiang, an Emmy-winning journalist and editor of NPR’s economics podcast Planet Money, will visit the University of Florida campus as the university’s inaugural Business Journalist in Residence Feb. 5–8.

Her visit will include a public panel discussion on Feb. 6 at 4 p.m. in the Pugh Hall Ocora. The event is free and open to the public and will be followed by a reception.

It’s tax time — be on the lookout for your W-2 and 1095-C forms

By now you should be able to access your Form W-2 in myUFL or the ONE.UF application, or you should soon be receiving it in the mail if you did not give consent to access it electronically. In addition to filing your W-2, the IRS requires reporting of health insurance coverage information for the 2023 federal income tax reporting year. While it is not necessary to include the Form 1095-C with your tax return, you’ll need to include your insurance information on your tax return.

Have you reviewed your 2024 paycheck statements?

While it’s always a good idea to look over your paycheck statement from time to time, it’s especially important at the beginning of the calendar year. By doing so, you can verify your benefits deductions and leave accruals are accurate and up-to-date.

Nominations open for 2024 Champions for Change Awards

Hosted by the UF Office of Sustainability and the Healthy Gators Coalition, the Champions for Change Awards celebrate those who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and dedication to driving positive change in sustainability or health and wellness while at the University of Florida.

The nomination period for the 2024 Champions for Change Awards runs now through March 18.

Faculty and staff basketball tickets now available

The Florida Gators are back in action, hitting the basketball court with games against LSU, Arkansas, Alabama and more scheduled now through March. UF faculty and staff have the opportunity to secure their tickets for either $5 or $10. Visit the Florida Gators website to purchase your tickets today.

Our resolution: To help make UF’s dreams come true

As we enter a new year and a new semester, there’s no question the University of Florida is on the move at an unprecedented pace — and our momentum truly is unstoppable.

The vision of UF becoming an AI University hatched just a few years ago is now a full-fledged reality, complete with groundbreaking new initiatives and a beautiful building in the heart of campus to bring our university’s AI dreams to fruition. A newly announced multidisciplinary strategic sports initiative is the latest in a mind-blowing series of proposed endeavors put into motion over the last several months through President Sasse’s strategic funding initiative. And that’s just scratching the surface…