Speaker Introduction

Dr. Crespo's research interests include the use of simulation and technology in medical education, and the development of integrated curricula. In addition, she is involved in community health research focused on understanding the influence of genetic and environmental factors in childhood diseases. She is the Orange County Co-Investigator for the National Children's Study, and on the steering committee for the consortium to Reduce Obesity in Central Florida Kids (ROCK).

Dr. Crespo is the Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Medical Education and Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from the Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, and her Ph.D. in Pharmacology from SUNY Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, New York. Following several years of post-doctoral training, she focused her career on Medical Education. As Professor and Chair of Pharmacology at Nova-Southeastern University, she worked to develop curricula and obtain accreditation for the many colleges within the Health Professions Division. Prior to joining the UCF College of Medicine, she served as Faculty Leader for the Year 2 Medical Curriculum, and Director of Pharmacology Education at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. Dr. Crespo has received numerous awards throughout her career for teaching excellence at all levels, including undergraduate, graduate, medical and other professional programs. In addition, she has authored publications on medical education as well as several chapters in the medical textbook, Brody's Human Pharmacology. Most recently she served as an Associate Editor for the newly released 5th edition of Brody's Human Pharmacology. Dr. Crespo is a member of the Executive Committee for the Education Division of the American Society for Pharmacology and Therapeutics (ASPET), as well as a member of the Graduate Education and Recruitment Committee for ASPET. She has chaired several national symposia on Graduate and Medical Education, and was responsible for organizing and chairing the educational symposia for the ASPET centennial celebration in May, 2008. She is also a member of the Pharmacology Test Materials Development Committee for the National Board of Medical Examiners.