University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine professor and chair of CVM’s Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology Clayton Mathews, Ph.D., was honored as one of the University of Florida Research Foundation’s 2026 UFRF Professors, announced by the university today.
Mathews joins 32 other UF faculty as 2026 honorees, recognized for their strong research excellence, advances in discovery, creativity and innovation at the university. The distinction marks the second of his career at UF after being bestowed the honor in 2016.
“UFRF Professors represent the depth and breadth of research excellence at the University of Florida,” said David Norton, UF’s vice president for research. “Their work reflects sustained scholarly achievement, leadership within their disciplines, and a commitment to pursuing new knowledge that benefits society.”
An expert in immune-mediated diseases, bolstered by National Institutes of Health funding, Mathews was appointed to his leadership role at the college in fall of 2024 and has spent nearly three decades in research and discovery on autoimmune diabetes, a disease that affects both humans and animals.
His work largely focuses on diabetes, genetics, inflammation and energy metabolism, with the primary goal of understanding how to protect new or existing beta cells from dysfunction and destruction that results in diabetes. Collaboration and interdisciplinary research are critical, including his work with the UF Diabetes Institute and campus partners in surgery, mechanical and aerospace engineering, and more at UF and throughout the country.
Mathews is the principal investigator for the UF Center for Cellular Reprogramming, which focuses on using cellular reprogramming research and induced Pluripotent Stem Cells – specialized cells capable of self-renewal – to model disease and determine pathobiology, as well as focus on drug discovery and cellular transplantation therapy.
Studying human beta cells as directly and accurately as possible is key to Clayton’s research, along with understanding the genetic factors behind immune failure; identifying means to stop the immune system from damaging beta cells and figuring out why beta cells themselves fail are important to human and dog diabetes.
In addition to his research portfolio, Mathews is a staunch advocate for mentorship, career development and training the next generation of biomedical scientists. He’s made academic leadership and stewardship a career-long priority, including developing a grant-writing course for graduate students, providing mentorship and guidance for junior faculty submitting grant applications, and serving as a doctoral committee member for many graduate students and fellows.
“Throughout my career I’ve seen firsthand how research can change lives, and the importance of understanding science’s role in human and animal health,” Mathews said. “I have felt a responsibility not only to advance science, but to create opportunities and lift those who will carry this important work forward. Supporting and mentoring the next generation of scientists has been one of the most meaningful parts of my work.”
Mathews completed his doctorate at the University of Georgia in 1997 in the field of foods and nutrition. After receiving his Ph.D., Mathews performed a postdoctoral fellowship at The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine. He was on faculty at the UF College of Medicine for 16 years before transitioning into his chair role at CVM.
UFRF Professors are selected through a peer‑driven process, with nominations submitted by department chairs and reviewed by college leadership. Evaluations consider recent research accomplishments, including publications, external funding, honors and awards; intellectual property development; and other indicators appropriate to each discipline.
Each professorship is for three years and includes a $5,000 annual salary supplement and a one‑time $3,000 research grant, funded through the university’s share of royalties and licensing revenue from UF‑generated innovations. UF Research will recognize the 2026 UFRF Professors at a university event later this year.
A complete list of this year’s recipients can be found online.