FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute Opens Heralding a New Era in Neuroscience and Education

Florida Atlantic University celebrated the opening of the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute at FAU’s John D. MacArthur Campus in Jupiter today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The official launch of the institute heralds a new era in neuroscience research, education and community engagement. The multimillion-dollar, 58,000-square-foot facility will serve as a “beacon of hope” for the study and amelioration of numerous brain and behavioral disorders.

“A vibrant neuroscience ecosystem continues to grow and flourish on Florida Atlantic University’s Jupiter campus,” said FAU Interim President Stacy Volnick. “The state-of-the-art FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute was designed as a collaborative hub for neuroscience to foster connections and serve as a global destination for the world’s brightest scientists and students. We are extremely grateful to David J.S. Nicholson, the state of Florida and our many research partners, including the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, for their vision and support.”

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The FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute was made possible by a transformative $10 million gift from Nicholson, who championed the idea of a new brain research, education and community engagement institute. The $35-million research space represents a significant investment by the state of Florida, FAU and its research partners.

Nicholson and the Stiles-Nicholson Foundation have long had their finger on the pulse of the health sciences and education fields, as well as the needs of FAU’s faculty, researchers and students, working in various capacities with the University for nearly 15 years.

“This is a remarkable time for neuroscience as we push the frontier of what we know about the brain as it develops, ages and responds to injury or disease. For the first time, computer speeds, big data sciences and optical technologies have advanced to the point where meaningful big data brain discoveries are possible. The next decade of discovery belongs to neuroscience. I am incredibly proud to partner with FAU to realize our joint vision today,” said Nicholson. “As we officially open the doors to the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, we are poised to accelerate the discovery and translation of novel therapies and treatments that will provide new hope for patients within our communities and worldwide. Importantly, the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute will invigorate interest among young people to pursue STEM as a career and ultimately improve our nation’s rankings in science and math education.”

The first floor of the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute is home to the Center for Brain Disease Modeling, a facility designed to develop and advance approaches to study brain disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, autism, addiction and brain cancer. The center will more than double FAU’s current capacity for physiological and behavioral analyses. Activities supported by the center draw from advanced behavioral research infrastructure; non-invasive recording approaches to map and activate brain circuits; tools to test the effects of early-stage medications; and opportunities to evaluate the impact of genetic and environmental changes on learning, memory, addiction, anxiety and social behavior.

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Within the Center for Brain Disease Modeling, the Neurobehavioral Core Laboratory specializes in neurobehavioral research while providing state-of-the-art educational experiences for undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral fellows. The first floor also offers a public area that features a reception space, lobby and a two-story, interactive auditorium designed to be quickly reconfigured for lectures, symposia and community events. In this area, visitors not only hear from world-class neuroscientists on recent advances in brain science and health but also enjoy theater-in-the-round style performances or join community champions in banquet-style gatherings. The lobby area flows to a patio where visitors can meet with scholars, artists and students to enjoy sunsets over a fountained lake.

“Conceiving, building and launching the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute has been a labor of love for us and we are ecstatic to showcase our outstanding research facility today,” said Randy Blakely, Ph.D., executive director of the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, the David J.S. Nicholson Distinguished Professor in Neuroscience, and a professor of biomedical science within FAU’s Schmidt College of Medicine. “We are incredibly thankful to David for his support and for everyone’s hard work and dedication to make the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute a reality. We believe that the impact from bringing together the brightest minds within this facility to unravel the secrets of the brain will improve the quality of people’s lives for decades to come.”

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