The University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions’ PHHP Days is an annual celebration of research from the undergraduate to postdoctoral level, featuring oral and poster presentations from more than 200 students. Within the two-day event, the Pillar Talks series serves as a platform for faculty to share their research, insights, discoveries and innovations across the college’s mission areas of education, research, service and clinical work. These brief, TED Talk-style talks are an opportunity for every member of the college to come together, learn from each other and showcase the remarkable scholarship advancing public health and health science.
Ahead of PHHP Days 2026, taking place April 15 and 16, speakers will share sneak peeks of their talks and what they hope listeners will learn.
Emily Fox, Ph.D., D.P.T., associate professor in the Department of Physical Therapy, director of neuromuscular research at Brooks Rehabilitation
What is your primary focus in PHHP and why does it interest you?
I conduct neurologic rehabilitation research and direct the Brooks-UF PHHP Research Collaboration, so I’m always thinking about ways to grow collaborative research between our two institutions. I operate on the principle that through collaborative work together, our sum is greater than our parts. I’m always thinking about how I can bring together students, researchers, clinicians and patients to create that secret sauce. I was trained as a neurological physical therapist; that’s my expertise. Primarily I work with people with spinal cord injury and stroke. These are unexpected, catastrophic health events that stop someone’s life in their tracks. Being able to be part of their journey of recovery is inspiring and motivating, and an honor. As a researcher I have the opportunity to help advance their care and outcomes.
What is the theme of your pillar talk?
My pillar talk will focus on research and recovery after spinal cord injury, but the bigger picture is how research can be better and more impactful when you involve the input of patients, clinicians, basic scientists and academics when you bring that many voices and experts together. Also, the talk highlights the power of being able to pivot your focus or career. Initially I was trained in walking rehabilitation and thought that would be my focus. But I was seeing problems and collaborative opportunities in a different direction. Collaboration makes it possible to take a chance, pivot your direction unexpectedly and include others with diverse expertise and perspectives.
Why do you want to share this topic?
The impact of research can be so rewarding to all those involved. It’s a win-win-win. It’s important for patients to have their voices heard — they have value and often they don’t realize all that they can contribute to the process. In my world, I need to think about what is realistic and relevant for clinical populations in clinical environments. But I also need to make sure we’re still conducting top-level science, so I need to have strong partnerships, partnerships to help ensure we are considering patient and clinical factors and conducting the best science possible. It’s like a recipe; we need to bring all the right ingredients together!
What do you hope the audience takes away from your talk?
I think everybody can relate to the power of collaboration and learning from our colleagues — not only our great colleagues within PHHP, but others in relevant fields outside these walls, and those with lived experience. I hope the audience will appreciate the importance and impact of listening and learning from the people with the disorders or conditions we’re studying, and being willing and able to pivot your ideas or even your expertise to go in a new directions when you see that opportunity or need.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your work or your upcoming pillar talk?
I couldn’t do any of this alone. It takes a team of individuals with shared values and shared vision, and a positive culture to support this type of work.