Congratulations to Dr. Justin Sanchez, Director of DARPA’s Biological Technologies Office and graduate of the UF BME program, who was selected by the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering as a 2017 Outstanding Young Alumni (OYA) of the University of Florida.

The University of Florida Alumni Association (UFAA) established this award in 2006 to recognize alumni who have graduated within the past ten years whose achievements positively reflect the Gator Nation.

Before working for DARPA, Sanchez was an associate professor of biomedical engineering and neuroscience at the University of Miami, and a faculty member of the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. He directed the Neuroprosthetics Research Group, where he oversaw development of neural-interface medical treatments and neurotechnology for treating paralysis and stroke, and for deep brain stimulation for movement disorders, Tourette’s syndrome and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

Sanchez holds Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Engineering degrees in biomedical engineering, and a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering science, all from the University of Florida.

Recipients are selected annually by their college and honored during the UF Alumni Association’s Orange and Blue weekend activities. Criteria for the award include making a significant impact on their industry and having professional accomplishments at the State, National or International level.

Sanchez will be honored during the Orange & Blue weekend activities at a lunch on Friday, April 7, 2017, at Emerson Alumni Hall.

Congratulations, Dr. Sanchez!