UNF chemistry chair earns prestigious Professor of the Year award

The University of North Florida named Dr. Bryan Knuckley, professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences, as the recipient of the 2025 Distinguished Professor Award.

Nominated by his peers, the prestigious honor recognizes not only academic excellence but also a commitment to mentorship, research and leadership.

"Personally, this honor means the world to me, and it is satisfying to know that all the dedication and effort I have put in over the years resulted in this recognition," said Knuckley. "It signifies that my colleagues believe I've made a meaningful impact at UNF, which I deeply appreciate."

Knuckley's recognition is a result of his exceptional contributions to the scientific community and breakthrough research highlighted both locally and nationally.

In 2020, Knuckley, along with UNF colleagues Dr. Corey Causey, associate professor, chemistry and biochemistry and Dr. Fatima Rehman, associate lecturer, biology, developed a compound capable of selectively targeting prostate and breast cancer cells while sparing healthy cells.

The three researchers were awarded a U.S. patent in 2024, for their promising discovery leading to better outcomes for patients by helping to "turn off" cancer, and they were awarded a second patent earlier this summer that helps protect the compound based on its chemical structure, which mimics natural proteins in the body.

"This breakthrough has been incredibly rewarding," said Knuckley. "Both Dr. Causey and Dr. Rehman deserve a lot of credit for this work as it wouldn't have been possible without both of them."

With a career spanning more than two decades -13 at UNF - Knuckley has received numerous awards and has mentored countless undergraduate students, many of whom have continued their academic and research careers.

He credits the selection of his graduate advisor at the University of South Carolina for his success.

"One of the most pivotal decisions in my career was selecting Dr. Paul Thompson as my graduate advisor," Knuckley said. "His mentorship has been instrumental to my growth, and I attribute much of my success to his guidance and support.

His leadership as chair of the department has fostered interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation, citing curiosity as key to staying inspired as a researcher/professor.

"For scientists, curiosity comes naturally as we are always asking questions and seeking answers through experimentation," Knuckley said. "Beyond that, impactful research requires the right environment and resources. Focus first on identifying the main issue and then working collaboratively to create innovative solutions. Once you identify a creative solution, you can advocate effectively for the resources."