Florida Atlantic University (FAU) has announced the latest recipient of its Innovation Pilot Award Program, which aims to support faculty in advancing early-stage research toward market-ready technologies.
The Innovation Pilot Award Program, established in 2024 by FAU’s Office of Technology Development within the Division of Research, provides seed funding between $500 and $15,000. The program helps researchers build prototypes and gather proof-of-concept data to attract industry partners and external funding. Its goal is to bridge the gap between university discoveries and commercial applications.
This year, Sarah E. Du, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering and the Department of Biomedical Engineering at FAU’s College of Engineering and Computer Science, received an award for developing technology that measures both mechanical and electrical properties of single cells. This dual-function device has potential uses in biomedical research and clinical diagnostics.
With support from the award, Du refined her prototype and presented it at a major industry conference in Texas. There she met with NaMi Diagnostics’ CEO, leading to a sponsored research collaboration at FAU focused on diagnosing sepsis using her technology. This partnership resulted in a joint proposal to the National Institutes of Health’s Small Business Innovation Research program. NaMi Diagnostics is also considering opening a Florida office at FAU’s Research Park.
“The support the award provided allowed us to develop our initial concept further and establish a successful collaboration with NaMi,” said Du. “This program truly made the difference in moving my research closer to commercialization.”
Last year’s inaugural recipients included Robert J. Stackman Jr., Ph.D., dean of the Graduate College; Claire A. Rice, Ph.D., post-doctoral researcher; both from the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science; and George Sklivanitis, Ph.D., Schmidt Research Associate Professor in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science as well as an I-SENSE fellow. Stackman Jr. and Rice developed a drug treatment targeting cognitive impairments associated with schizophrenia by repurposing an FDA-approved pharmaceutical for new therapeutic use. Sklivanitis worked on affordable underwater wireless modems supporting real-time communication for marine environments through what he calls an “Internet of Floating Things.”
Dana Vouglitois, senior associate director of technology development at FAU, said: “The Innovation Pilot Award Program is more than a funding mechanism. It’s a launchpad for discovery… By helping researchers validate their ideas and connect with industry early, we’re accelerating the journey from prototype to partnership. This program empowers our faculty to take bold steps toward solving real-world problems and positions Florida Atlantic University as a catalyst for innovation-driven economic growth.”
The Research Park at Florida Atlantic University is among the sponsors contributing funds to these awards; it provided $5,000 specifically supporting Dr. Du’s work on sepsis diagnostics.
Andrew Duffell, president of the Research Park at Florida Atlantic University commented: “We are incredibly excited to support programs like the Innovation Pilot Award that help turn FAU’s world-class research into real-world impact… Dr. Du’s technology exemplifies the kind of innovation that not only strengthens South Florida’s growing life sciences ecosystem but also holds tremendous promise for improving health outcomes far beyond our region. Supporting researchers like Dr. Du is central to our mission of fostering collaboration between academia and industry to drive economic growth and societal benefit.”
FAU continues its commitment through this program by promoting technologies aimed at improving lives while strengthening partnerships between academia and industry.
