Black History Month: A triple Gator’s journey from curiosity to cell science

Joe Larkin didn’t always dream of being a microbiologist, unlocking secrets in our smallest cells. His journey took him from being an inquisitive child to a pioneering researcher at the University of Florida – a testament to the transformative power of curiosity and the profound impact of early cheerleaders.

The associate professor in UF/IFAS microbiology and cell science grew up in Savannah, Georgia, where his father worked in an energy-generating plant and his mother was a stay-at-home mom, he said. One trait left a clear mark on his childhood: his insatiable curiosity.

"Growing up, I just read about anything and everything," he said.

One of his earliest and most powerful touchstones to biological sciences was carrying around a Wildlife Treasury animal encyclopedia full of flash cards in a green lunchbox-like case, the cards bursting with descriptions of rhinoceroses, Proboscis moneys and platypuses.

"That was the first time I really thought about biology and the vast diversity," he reminisced.

Around the age of 9 or 10, Joe's career plans came into focus when a St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital telethon popped onto his television, interrupting his weekend morning of cereal and cartoons. He saw the faces of the little kids in need and realized that other children needed scientists and doctors to save their lives. This moment sparked a fire in him that with the right kind of work, he could make a difference in the world.

Larkin’s academic pursuits led him to the University of Florida for undergrad, where he fell in love with the campus. He received several scholarships, including becoming a National Merit Scholar and receiving a Cycle of Success need-based scholarship, which helped him pursue his education despite financial challenges. He said his mom was initially scared of him leaving home, but the support from UF leaders reassured her.

“Keith Legg, the director of the honor’s program then, told my mom ‘We’re going to take care of him,’” Larkin said. “It was really nice to have someone, to know they were looking out for us.”

His curiosity and passion for research were evident from a young age since he often took apart things without always knowing how to put them back together. This curiosity led him to the lab of Howard Johnson, a UF/IFAS researcher who studied the immune system, where he discovered his love for research.

“One of the things I loved going to the lab was that when I found an answer to the question, I was the only person in the world who knew the answer to that question, and in that moment, I knew how things worked,” he said.

Larkin’s dedication to research paid off, as he co-authored two papers as a graduate student and continued his UF studies in Johnson’s lab to earn a Ph.D. in 2000, becoming a ‘triple Gator.’ His dissertation focused on how the protein interferon gamma drives cell activation, a crucial aspect of the immune system's cell-to-cell communication. His work focused on understanding autoimmune diseases and how immune cells communicate to clear bacteria from the body.

During his post-doc work at the Wistar Institute and the University of Pennsylvania, he said he was struggling to find his place in the research world. A valued mentor, professor Yvonne Paterson, gave him words of wisdom he’ll never forget.

“She said that she was waiting for the day when I realized how great I could be,” he said. “That has stuck with me forever.”

He returned to UF in 2007, and has built an immense body of research on autoimmune diseases like uveitis and lupus, as well as cutting-edge research on how COVID-19 vaccines offer immune protection via breastmilk.

Family plays a significant role in his life, including his wife, Daphne, and a blended family of three daughters and two sons, ranging in age from 10 to 25. Their children are inspired by his work, with some of his daughters showing interest in science and research.

“I think my kids are fascinated by the job,” he said.

He said he hopes to be an inspiration to Black children who yearn to be scientists – who always want to be learning more and discovering new answers about the world.

“I think it’s always inspiring to have someone you can identify with doing science because it helps you realize that they can do it, as well,” Larkin said.