Dr. Neda Latifi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medical Engineering at the University of South Florida, where she leads the Translational Tissue Engineering and Biofabrication Laboratory (TTEB Lab). She joined USF in Fall 2023, bringing extensive expertise in tissue engineering, biomaterials, and translational biomedical research. Before USF, Dr. Latifi served as an NSERC Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Mechanical & Industrial Engineering and the Ted Roger Center for Heart Research at the University of Toronto. Her academic journey includes aB.Sc. with distinction in Mechanical Engineering and anM.Sc. in Applied Solid Mechanics from Isfahan University of Technology, as well as a Ph.D. in Tissue Engineering from McGill University. Dr. Latifis research is focused on developing functional, living engineered tissues capable of growth, remodeling, and repair to meet the bodys demands across a patients lifetime. She has been recognized with numerous awards, including the NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship, TERMIS-Americas Student Scientist Award, and selection as one of Columbia Universitys 2020 Rising Stars in Engineering in Health. At USF, Dr. Latifi collaborates directly with cardiothoracic surgeons at Tampa General Hospital to ensure that her labs engineered tissues align with clinical needs, enhancing their readiness for real-world applications. Beyond her research, Dr. Latifi is committed to cultivating a dynamic learning environment. She organizes a weekly journal club for her students to discuss pioneering research, fostering critical thinking and engagement. An advocate for diversity and inclusion, she serves on the Biomedical Engineering Society Diversity Committee, where she promotes accessible mentorship for individuals with disabilities in STEM fields. Dr. Latifis dedication to mentorship and innovative research makes her a valued leader in biomedical engineering and a strong asset to USF.