Florida Atlantic University Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute announced today it has received $1 million from the Palm Health Foundation to launch and support its new Program in Computational Brain Science and Health (PCBSH). The gift is awarded through Palm Health Foundation’s Brain Health Innovation Fund, supporting new technologies, treatments, resources and educational tools to advance brain health in the community. 



           “Palm Health Foundation’s gift supporting the launch of the program will be transformative, attracting distinguished neuroscientists and the neuroscientists of tomorrow to Palm Beach County,” said Randy D. Blakely, Ph.D., executive director, FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute. “This phenomenal opportunity will showcase Palm Beach County as a leader in advanced neuroscience research that can enhance the lives of our citizens and the health of our communities, bringing hope to those diagnosed with brain health challenges.”

This gift will accelerate FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute’s drive toward a new era of neuroscience research, education and community engagement, supporting the recruitment of a nationally prominent computational neuroscientist to lead the PCBSH, as well as PCBSH program activities, including the computational training of Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute neuroscience graduate students; the procurement of advanced technologies needed for faculty research; and resources to foster collaborative research among computer scientists, neuroscientists and brain health specialists appointed across multiple FAU colleges, research institutes and FAU campuses.

           “FAU and Palm Health Foundation have a long standing partnership in promoting better brain health and wellness in the community through the ‘Brainy Days’ series, ‘Train the Brain’ campaign events, and ‘Research in Motion’ lectures,” said Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation. “The foundation’s support of the Program in Computational Brain Science and Health will ignite additional innovation in research, education and community engagement in the brain health field, and will inspire those beyond.” 

Palm Health Foundation is a fundraising and grantmaking organization that exists to improve health in Palm Beach County. The foundation’s vision is to see all community residents have opportunities to thrive and reach their full health potential.

“Palm Health Foundation is widely recognized as a leader in advancing research, innovative technologies and community inclusion to improve the health of Palm Beach County residents,” said Chris Delisio, vice president of institutional advancement and CEO of the FAU Foundation. “We’re honored and privileged to be the beneficiary of this most recent example of leadership in action. The Palm Health Foundation is a valued partner to FAU.”

Funding and naming opportunities are available for all levels of FAU’s Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute facility, which is set to open in spring 2022. For more information, visit www.fau.edu/ibrain. For more information on Palm Health Foundation, visit www.palmhealthfoundation.org. 

About Florida Atlantic University:

Florida Atlantic University, established in 1961, officially opened its doors in 1964 as the fifth public university in Florida. Today, the University serves more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across six campuses located along the southeast Florida coast. In recent years, the University has doubled its research expenditures and outpaced its peers in student achievement rates. Through the coexistence of access and excellence, FAU embodies an innovative model where traditional achievement gaps vanish. FAU is designated a Hispanic-serving institution, ranked as a top public university by U.S. News & World Report and a High Research Activity institution by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. For more information, visit www.fau.edu.  

About the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute:

Inaugurated in 2016 on the John D. MacArthur Campus in Jupiter, Fla., the newly named FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, supports research, education and community outreach among more than 100 faculty level researchers at FAU and its affiliate research centers. One of FAU’s four pillars that guide the University’s goals and strategic actions, the Institute seeks to unlock the secrets of brain development, function and plasticity and how the mechanisms uncovered can be compromised to drive devastating brain disorders. From the study of neuronal development and signaling to investigations of brain diseases including addiction, autism, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, researchers from FAU’s Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute seek to generate knowledge that benefits society. For more information about the Institute and its members, visit http://fau.edu/ibrain/.

About Palm Health Foundation:

Palm Health Foundation is Palm Beach County’s community foundation for health. With the support of donors and a focus on results, the foundation builds strong community partnerships, respects diverse opinions, advocates for its most vulnerable neighbors and inspires innovative solutions to lead change for better health now and for generations to come. The foundation supports health equity for Palm Beach County residents of all backgrounds, heritage, education, incomes and states of well-being. Palm Health Foundation has invested more than $85 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.