UCF alumna returns to Nemours as researcher
Gianna Santoni, who sustained severe burns at age nine, is now completing a biomedical sciences degree after a 10-week research stint.
By Eric Collins ·
Gianna Santoni sustained second- and third-degree burns in 2017 when the gas tank on her father’s four-wheeler overheated while she rode along. She was nine years old. The injury sent her to Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando, where she spent her childhood recovering.
Santoni is a 2026 graduate of the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences from the UCF College of Medicine. She also holds minors in medical anthropology and health sciences. Her academic record includes a Pegasus Gold Scholarship, two AP Scholar with Distinction awards, and an AP Capstone Diploma.
The path from patient to researcher solidified during UCF’s 2026 Student Research Week. Santoni attended the launch of the university’s Corporate Clubhouse, a new initiative connecting students with industry partners. Representatives from Nemours, Lockheed Martin, and Blue Origin were present. It was there that she met Jennifer Wolf, UCF’s executive director of partnerships.
Wolf encouraged Santoni to pursue her research interests in how medicine affects specific populations. Lloyd Werk, vice chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Nemours Children’s Health and a UCF professor, later refined Santoni’s proposal. He mentored her through the Nemours Summer Undergraduate Research Program, a 10-week biomedical experience focused on adverse childhood experiences and polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome.
Werk has been with UCF since 2007. He stated that undergraduate engagement in research programs helps students advance their careers. The Nemours-UCF partnership, established in April 2024, supports this work through the PedsAcademy internship and funded scholarships.
Santoni returned to Nemours as a Child Life volunteer in January 2023, logging over 200 hours. She now plans to attend medical school. Both of her parents are UCF alumni. Her mother, Martha Santoni, earned a health services administration degree and an MBA. Her father, Alberto Santoni, holds degrees in electrical and industrial engineering.
UCF’s Go For Launch campaign, a $3.5 billion collective effort, supports these partnerships to prepare students for future careers. Santoni’s experience illustrates how the university connects student ambition with professional mentorship and industry support.
