Laura M. Bohn, PhD, vice dean for Research at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, is an NIH-funded neuroscientist advancing safer, non-addictive pain therapies.

Her team is pioneering new classes of opioid compounds designed to deliver powerful pain relief while minimizing respiratory suppression and overdose risk.

By uncovering how opioids interact with specialized nerve-cell proteins, her work is redefining pain pharmacology and attracting significant federal support. Dr. Bohn’s leadership strengthens USF’s national research profile while positioning Florida at the forefront of efforts to address the opioid crisis through innovation rather than dependency.