An Update for the Jupiter Life Science Community |    March 1, 2019

This newsletter will highlight activities of the Jupiter Life Science Initiative (JLSI), which unites scientists in research and training programs from FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt Colleges of Science and Medicine, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, FAU Brain Institute, The Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) and The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI). We plan to cover the local and national contributions of FAU Jupiter faculty and JLSI partners from collaborative institutions as the stories emerge. Dr. Rod Murphey, Director

News

FAU Jupiter Campus to Host BioFlorida The Palm Beach/Treasure Coast Chapter BioFlorida Event will be held on March 12, 2019 at FAU's John D. MacArthur Campus at Jupiter.  BioFlorida produces monthly events designed to showcase and connect each region's unique life sciences community. This event will highlight Scripps Florida’s significant impact on the industry and their vision of the future and FAU Tech Runway’s exciting expansion into Jupiter. Attend to connect with key stakeholders in Jupiter’s vibrant life sciences cluster. Read more here .

JLSI Neuroscientist Named Kavli Fellow Dr. Alex Keene , Associate Professor of Biology and JLSI researcher, has been named a Kavli Fellow by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and selected to participate in the 30th Annual U.S. Kavli Frontiers of Science symposium (KFoS) scheduled from Feb. 28 th - March 2 nd . Attendance at the KFoS symposium is by invitation only. Attendees are selected from among award winners for early career scientists in the U.S. and abroad. Keene, a neuroscientist who is focuses on the neural basis through which sleep and feeding state interact, is only the second FAU faculty member to be named a Kavli Fellow. Read more here .

Neuroinflammation Expert to Join FAU Brain Institute

The FAU Brain Institute and Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine is proud to announce the addition of Ning Quan, Ph.D., Professor of Biosciences and Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research at Ohio State. Quan will soon relocate his National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded laboratory to the FAU Jupiter campus. For more than 20 years, Quan has studied the impact of inflammatory signaling on brain structure and function and is well-known for the novel genetic approaches he uses to dissect the healthy and pathological consequences of inflammatory signaling. Read more  here .

Coordinated Effort to Improve Human Health Science is the best weapon against cancer. A number of labs across FAU have joined the fight, investigating aspects of the disease and potential means to prevent it. Now, the university is seeking to connect these independent efforts, an initial step in a longer-term plan to develop a center for research and cancer care. Dr. Gregg Fields , Professor and Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry whose research lab is located on the FAU Jupiter campus, is leading this effort. Read more here .

JLSI Post-Doctoral Fellow Invited To Speak at Sunposium 2019

Bethany A. Stahl, Ph.D., a post-doctoral fellow who works in the laboratory of Dr. Alex Keene , was selected to speak at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience Sunposium 2019 , the fourth Biennial Neural Circuits Research Conference. The three-day conference features world-renowned scientists from the Max Planck Society and research institutes and universities throughout the United States and Europe. This year’s event will be held at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach on March 4-6 th . Read more here .

In The Media

Neuron Kuo-Sheng Lee , IB PhD candidate who works in the lab of Dr. David Fitzpatrick at MPFI, published a paper that describes a high-throughput method to map the functional synaptic architecture in mouse primary visual cortex. Read more here . Cell Reports Kerriann Badal , IB PhD student who works in the lab of Dr. Sathya Puthanveettil at Scripps Florida, published in a paper and artwork related to their report was chosen for the cover image. Read more here .

The FAU Max Planck Academy: Opening Fall 2020

The Hechinger Report The FAU Max Planck Academy was featured as a new early-college high school that stands to redefine approaches to STEM (science-technology-engineering and math) education, not just in South Florida, but nationwide. This program will open the laboratories of Max Planck to high school students, allowing them to participate in world-class research as part of their curriculum. Read more here . MaryLynn Magar Fellowship FAU recently announced the launch of the MaryLynn Magar Fellowship. Six FAU High students currently are dual-enrolled in an Academy pilot program and are the first to be named Magar Fellows. An FAU Magar Fellow is a data science student from FAU High that is pursuing research at MPFI. The fellowship includes $3,000 to support research efforts. Read more here .

Events

Synapse 2019 The Jupiter Life Science Initiative (JLSI) hosted hosted “ SYNAPSE 2019 ,” an annual neuroscience networking event in collaboration with the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience and the Scripps Florida Research Institute. Some of the brightest research scientists and students from the three institutions located on the FAU Jupiter campus gathered to network and share their research findings. See more here . Brainy Days 2019 The FAU Brain Institute is proud to announce “ Brainy Days 2019 ,” a celebration of neuroscience throughout the month of March sponsored by Palm Heath Foundation . From understanding autism, addiction and Alzheimer’s disease to exploring how the brain processes violent behavior, researchers hope to engage, empower and educate the public on brain diseases, promote brain wellness and ultimately reduce the stigma associated with brain disorders. Read more here .

Meet the Jupiter Life Science Staff

Silvana Jaramillo , Budget Coordinator for the Jupiter Life Science Initiative. Please contact Silvana if you have questions about contracts, grants,or need budget support on the Jupiter campus.  Marjorie Cazeau , Program Assistant for the Jupiter Life Science Initiative. Please contact Marjorie if you need secretarial or general support on the Jupiter campus.

Devan Cinalli , Biology Fiscal Clerk. Please contact Devan if you have questions about the purchasing card program or financial data processing on the Jupiter campus.  Jana Boerner, Ph.D., Imaging Core Manager. Please contact Jana if you have questions about the Nikon Center of Excellence Core Facility on the Jupiter campus.

The Jupiter Life Science Initiative staff is here to serve students, faculty, and staff. We are always happy to assist as well as answer questions and provide general support during your visit to the FAU John D. MacArthur Campus. For general information, contact Marjorie at 561-799-8060 or mcazeau@fau.edu.

To feature exciting news and accomplishments in this newsletter, please contact  Dr. Stacee Caplan at scaplan4@fau.edu.