Mildred Acevedo-Duncan, Ph.D., is currently a Research Professor in the USF Department of Chemistry. She is also a member of the Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute-recently named by U.S. News & World Report as the top cancer hospital in Florida; and a member of the USF Neuroscience Institute -- an ambitious concept designed to accelerate progress in the neurosciences to better understand the connection between research, treatment and prevention. Dr. Acevedo-Duncan is internationally recognized for her pioneering advancements and contributions to science, especially in the area of cancer research: particularly breast cancer, brain cancer, prostate cancer, and colorectal cancer. Her research focuses on the causes of cancer at the cellular level. She has led more than two dozen grants, as PI/Co-PI, totaling more than $1.2 million. She is a charter member of the USF Chapter of the National Academy of Inventors, and has published 7 patents. Dr. Acevedo-Duncan has devoted much of both her career, and her personal time, to mentoring and encouraging young people, students, and future scientists. She was a member of the mentorship committee of the University of South Florida's National Science Foundation ADVANCE-PAID project-a statewide collaborative initiative for the advancement of academic women faculty in chemistry and engineering. She earned her Ph.D. and Master's degree from the University of California-Riverside, and received her bachelor's degree from University of California-San Diego.