Florida Atlantic University has received two grants from the George T. Elmore Impact for Good Initiative, a fund established by philanthropist George Elmore through the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties. The initiative supports programs that aim to make a positive impact on the community.
The first grant of $200,000 will help launch the Program for Resilient Aging at the Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute. This program is one of four planned research efforts at the Center for the Resilient Mind and focuses on understanding how genetics, physical activity, social engagement, and community involvement contribute to healthy aging. The funding will be used to strengthen faculty leadership, support pilot research projects for emerging scientists, and provide financial assistance to graduate students.
George Elmore stated, “I am pleased to partner with the Community Foundation to support these two program areas that impact both the health and economic sustainability of our community. As our population ages, understanding brain health is key to a healthy and active lifestyle. Equally important is cultivating young minds and businesses to fuel our local economy and beyond.”
The Center for the Resilient Mind brings together experts from neuroscience, psychology, clinical practice, education, social work, and art to study resilience across all stages of life. Other focus areas include resilience during childhood and adolescence, how artistic engagement affects brain dynamics, and how environmental or social factors influence brain resiliency.
Randy Blakely, Ph.D., executive director of the Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute (SNBI) and professor at Florida Atlantic’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Science said: “We are so pleased to partner with the Community Foundation in this exciting and important new venture to seek a better understanding of the influences affecting healthy aging of the brain. Researchers will search for the early biomarkers and opportunities supported by evidence of brain changes to achieve resilient aging, whether through new diagnostics and treatments or practices beyond the clinic.”
The second $200,000 grant will benefit The Runway at Florida Atlantic within the College of Business. This venture accelerator program is part of broader entrepreneurial initiatives focused on research activities, teaching efforts, student competitions, as well as programs aimed at veterans. The funding will be used in part to create a leadership position intended to expand innovative business development in South Florida. It also aims to enhance operations supporting new entrepreneurs in translating scientific advances into products or services.
Kevin Cox, Ph.D., director of both Adams Center for Entrepreneurship and The Runway program commented: “We are honored to receive this donation to support our evolution as the Runway Accelerator Program rejoins the College of Business. This transition is not only an important unification in our ecosystem, but it also represents a transformative time in the accelerator program’s evolution. We are excited for the plans made possible through this generous donation.”
For more information about these programs at Florida Atlantic University’s Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute or The Runway accelerator program within its College of Business interested parties may contact Randy Blakely or Kevin Cox respectively.
