James Andrews
James E. Andrews has been named the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee’s
first William W. & Judith A. Gaunt Professor in Library and Information Science. The
endowed professorship was made possible by a generous gift from the
Gaunt family of Bradenton.
Andrews, who has a PhD from the University of Missouri – Columbia, has been part of the School of Information (at USF for 20 years, including 12 years as director. This endowed professorship enables him to be the first faculty member from the School of Information to engage in a cross-campus collaboration with USF Sarasota- Manatee that will support the school’s mission and increase research and educational opportunities.
Andrews, whose research focuses on information behaviors in the context of cancer and health clinical informatics, said his appointment is “a manifestation of the spirit of One USF.”
“A goal of mine is to use the position to continue building a stronger School of Information presence at USF Sarasota-Manatee,” he said. “Our school has served many students from this region in all our programs, and this endowed professorship allows me to develop more direct interactions with our colleagues and students there, as well as potential partners in the Sarasota-Manatee area.”
Tingting Zhang
Tingting Zhang joined the USF Sarasota-Manatee faculty this fall in the Muma College of Business School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. She came to USF from the University of Central Florida and brings a wealth of experience in the field of hospitality and tourism.
“I am eager to collaborate with and learn from the talented researchers and scientists at USF whose expertise and innovative approaches are invaluable. I believe that working together will not only enhance the impact of these projects, but also foster new interdisciplinary opportunities that can further advance our understanding and application of technology in business and hospitality.”
Zhang has over 10 years of teaching experience, including courses on digital marketing and big data management for hospitality professionals, and AI and robotics in hospitality and tourism services. She is also an accomplished researcher, with an h-index of 38 and over 6,400 citations of her publications.
Zhang's research interests focus on the intersection of technology and business, with a particular emphasis on enhancing business success through innovative technological applications while promoting sustainability and human wellbeing.
Zhang has received research funding totaling over $9 million from agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Justice.
Laura Curran
Laura Curran, a distinguished scholar and advocate in the field of mental health law and policy, joined the faculty this fall as an assistant professor after completing a postdoctoral research fellowship at Tulane University School of Social Work.
Curran is no stranger to USF. She earned a master's degree in counselor education in 2013. She is also a licensed mental health counselor with experience working as a substance use counselor and family therapist in the Tampa area.
“I knew I wanted to pursue a career as faculty at USF because of its reputation as an excellent research university,” Curran said. “I wanted to work for a university that was striving for excellence and prestigious standing in the research world.”
Curran has actively engaged with policymakers, stakeholders and community organizations.
Her efforts have contributed to meaningful policy reforms that prioritize maternal
mental health and treatment access, equity and justice. As an author and researcher,
Curran has published extensively on topics such as treatment for opioid use disorder,
prenatal substance use policy and access to behavioral healthcare services. She has
a particular interest in innovative technology-based interventions for substance use
and mental health.
Curran’s dedication to advancing mental health law and policy promises to elevate the academic community at USF Sarasota-Manatee.