By Grace Huff
Dr. Stefan Prokop, MD, an assistant professor at the University of Florida’s College of Medicine, director of the UF Neuromedicine Human Brain and Tissue Bank (UF HBTB) and leader for the Neuropathology core of the 1Florida Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, has been appointed to the prestigious Charlotte and Howard Zimmerman Rising Star Professorship. This professorship is endowed in recognition of the generous support of the Lauren and Lee Fixel Family Foundation, in honor of Charlotte and Howard Zimmerman.
Dr. Prokop’s journey is marked by his diverse training and international experience. Trained initially in Germany and Switzerland, he subsequently completed Anatomic Pathology and Neuropathology training at the University of Pennsylvania, becoming board-certified to practice pathology in Germany, Switzerland and the United States. His academic and professional achievements include numerous research grants and awards, such as the Excellence Award for Assistant Professors from the UF Provost Office in 2022.
“Being selected is a great honor. It reassures me that I am on the right track with my research and provides the motivation to continue pushing boundaries,” said Dr. Prokop. “This endowment goes back to that support aspect of here, where people really believe in me and this endowment gives me the freedom to pursue something out of the box.”
Prokop’s long-term vision for his role involves building a recognizable and respected brain bank that serves as a valuable resource for both his research and the broader scientific community. Over the past five years, he has made significant strides towards this goal, with plans to expand the brain bank to study a wider range of conditions, including the effects of COVID-19 and other severe infections on the brain. His immediate goals include using the brain bank to conduct benchmark studies that can be adapted to emerging research topics.
“Dr. Prokop has built an extraordinary brain bank and research program that will impact Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease research for this generation and the next,” said Kelly D. Foote, M.D., co-director of the Norman Fixel Institute and a professor of neurosurgery in UF’s Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery.
In addition to his research, Dr. Prokop is passionate about teaching and mentoring. He aims to break down societal norms and barriers related to pathology and autopsy. Making these fields more accessible and interesting to students. His hands-on approach to teaching has already inspired many students to pursue careers in neuroscience and neuropathology.
“Stefan is a gifted pathologist whose extraordinary leadership and commitment to collaborative science has blazed new trails while enriching the work of many across the UF landscape” said Matthew J. LaVoie, Director of the UF Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease.
The Charlotte and Howard Zimmerman Rising Star Professorship is a testament to Dr. Prokop’s achievements and his potential to make groundbreaking discoveries in the field of neuropathology. His work continues to inspire students, colleagues and the academic community, contributing to the advancement of science and improving the quality of life for individuals living with neurological disorders.
To honor this achievement, a recognition reception will be hosted in Dr. Prokop’s honor on Sep. 17.