The University of South Florida is a preeminent public research university in the University of South Florida System and one of the most productive research universities in the United States, classified as a Carnegie R1 doctoral research institution. Founded in 1956, USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU) — an elite group of 71 research universities — making it one of the youngest universities ever to earn AAU membership. USF has exceptional programs in public health, medicine, nursing, engineering, global studies, and business, and hosts major research institutes in…