The UF newsroom’s favorite stories from 2025

As 2025 comes to a close, University of Florida students, faculty and staff are looking back on an amazing year. The Wall Street Journal ranked UF No. 1 among top U.S. universities, the Hamilton School for Classical and Civic Education and College of Dentistry broke ground on their new homes and Gatorade celebrated its 60th. The UF newsroom revisited our favorite stories from the last 12 months. Here are our top 10:

UF secures land and capital support for campus in Jacksonville

UF took a major step forward for its planned campus in downtown Jacksonville, following a unanimous vote by the Jacksonville City Council to approve both the transfer of more than 20 acres of land to UF and provide an additional $50 million in funding to support campus construction.

Study finds COVID-19 mRNA vaccine sparks immune response to fight cancer

Patients with advanced lung or skin cancer who received a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine within 100 days of starting immunotherapy drugs lived significantly longer than those who did not get the vaccine. The observation is a defining moment in a decade-plus of research testing mRNA-based therapeutics designed to “wake up” the immune system against cancer.

UF unveils fastest supercomputer in higher education

Officially launching the next generation of the university’s supercomputer, HiPerGator received an upgrade, maintaining its status as the fastest university-owned supercomputer in higher education. This upgrade marked a major milestone was a highly anticipated step in a long-standing collaboration engagement between NVIDIA and UF.

Why fans feel like Taylor Swift’s best friend (even if she’s never met them)

A UF expert examined why fans feel close to Taylor Swift through parasocial relationships and how her engagement felt like a personal milestone to many.

Researchers explore breakthrough approach to combat devastating citrus greening disease

UF/IFAS scientists are testing a new citrus tree that can fight off the tiny insects responsible for citrus greening. While the genetically modified tree has only been tested so far in the lab and the greenhouse, it is one of the most promising discoveries to date in a challenge that has plagued growers, researchers and consumers.

Ghost sharks grow forehead teeth to help them have sex

Male “ghost sharks” — eerie deep-sea fish — have a strange rod jutting from their foreheads, studded with sharp, retractable teeth. Research reveals these are real rows of teeth that grow outside the mouth, which is likely used for mating. Found only in males, the forehead rod seems to be used to grasp females in much the same way sharks use their toothy mouths in mating.

AI in the classroom: What parents need to know

Artificial intelligence has changed how students are learning in the classroom. Maya Israel, professor of educational technology and computer science education, gave insight on best practices for AI use for students in K-12.

Beyond the field: New research highlights how NIL is reshaping college athlete identity

In an era of name, image and likeness, or NIL, many college athletes are thinking differently about who they are, viewing themselves not just as competitors but as influencers using NIL to promote causes, connect with communities and explore career paths.

Labubu success demonstrates the benefits of the ‘blind box’ business strategy

Labubu dolls took the world by storm in 2025. A UF expert compared the psychological experience of purchasing blind boxes of them to gambling, stating that some customers buy hundreds of boxes for the chance at winning big.

UF professor researching better monitoring practices for drones

Originally published in the Miami Herald, Interim Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering Dean Warren Dixon wrote about how common drone use is in 2025 and how we need to have more techniques to track drones for national and public security.