Centers

Institutes and centers are established to carry out research, service and instructional activities which supplement and extend programs of instruction and research offered by Florida Atlantic University. FAU’s state centers and institutes typically have a state-wide mission, include two or more state universities, have been approved by the Florida Board of Governors and have an advisory board with membership. FAU’s University centers and institutes follow the same protocols as state centers but do not necessarily carry out a state-wide mission and are self-supporting.

The following are FAU’s state and University centers and institutes:

Adams Center for Entrepreneurship (ACE)

Director: Roland Kidwell, Ph.D.

The mission of the Adams Center for Entrepreneurship is to provide a set of academic and extracurricular activities that advance the theory and practice of entrepreneurship. The Adams Center aims to affect how new business ventures can be successfully started and how entrepreneurial efforts can be nurtured and managed in a variety of organizational settings.

Center for Acoustics and Vibrations

Director: Stewart Glegg, Ph.D.

The Center for Acoustics and Vibration is dedicated to the understanding of the generation, propagation, and reception of sound and vibration in a wide range of ocean and other acoustic environments. Of particular interest are the development of sonar systems, underwater acoustic communications, flow noise, sound radiation and vibration of flexible elastic structures.

Center for Autism & Related Disabilities (CARD)

Director: Maryellen Quinn-Lunny , Ph.D.

FAU Center for Autism and Related Disabilities provides expert consulting, training and support, at no charge, for people with autism and related disabilities, their families, employers, the professionals and community and governmental agencies serving them.

Center for Biomedical and Materials Physics

Director: Theodora Leventouri, Ph.D.

The Center for Biomedical and Materials Physics provides a focus for communications and forging collaborations to facilitate studies in Biological Physics, Biomedical Physics, and Materials Physics. These disciplines are closely related, and their scopes are defined by the American Physical Society (APS) and the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM).

Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences

Director: Gary W. Perry, Ph.D.

The mission of the Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences is to understand the principles and mechanisms underlying complex behaviors at all levels from molecules to people and their interactions. This is accomplished through research and education using multi-disciplinary.

Center for Cryptology and Information Security (CCIS)

Director: Edoardo Persichetti, Ph.D.

The mission of CCIS is to promote and advance the state of knowledge, methodology and training in Cryptology and Information Security. The center aims to train graduate students in cryptology, information security and related areas at the Masters and Ph.D. levels, taking into account our national needs, and to provide a stimulating research environment for post-doctoral and visiting researchers.

Center for Economic Education

Director: William D. Bosshardt, Ph.D.

The Center for Economic Education exists to familiarize students with free enterprise and instill an appreciation of the market economy by designing curriculum and offering economic education workshops for teachers in kindergarten through 12th grade levels.

Center of Excellence in Biomedical and Marine Biotechnology (CEBMB)

Director: Amy Wright, Ph.D.

The mission of the Center of Excellence in Biomedical and Marine Biotechnology is to establish a coordinated program involving academia and industry aimed at developing Florida’s marine biota as a pharmaceutical resource. The Center brings together groups with established expertise in ocean engineering, marine biotechnology, functional genomics and bioinformatics in a synergistic fashion with the overall goal of discovering and developing new medicines.

Center for Future Mind

Director: Susan Schneider, Ph.D.

Technology is rapidly changing the face of society. What awaits us in our technological future? For example, should there be an upper limit on technological innovations to extend our lifespans or redesign our minds? Could artificial intelligence (AI) surpass human-level intelligence? Should we merge with AI, as futurists like Elon Musk envision, and is that even scientifically possible?

The center seeks to answer important questions like these. The Center for the Future Mind is a multi-disciplinary hub located in the Gruber Sandbox where thought leaders in areas such as philosophy, complex systems, AI, and neuroscience come together to analyze vital scientific, societal, and ethical issues. With world-famous thought leaders, a major media profile, and regular presentations to Congress and their staff, the Center aims to enhance our understanding of the future of intelligence.

Center for Geographic Information Analysis and Modeling (CGIS)

Director: Caiyun Zhang, Ph.D.

Co-Director: James Gammack-Clark, Ph.D.

The Center for Geographic Information Analysis and Modeling (GIAM) serves as a synergetic avenue for the pursuit of excellence in research, education and services in geographic information technologies. Research at the center focuses on theoretical and applied research in the areas of GIS, remote sensing , hydrological modeling, etc.

Center for Holocaust and Human Rights Education

Director: Linda Medvin

The mission of the Center for Holocaust and Human Rights Education is to provide cutting-edge training and resources to educators and community organizations involved in Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights education in Broward, Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and St. Lucie Counties.

Center for Hydrodynamics and Physical Oceanography

Director: Oscar Curet, Ph.D.

The center aims to promote excellence in research and graduate education in the areas of hydrodynamics and physical oceanography. Focus will be on fluid mechanics pertaining to the ocean, air-sea interaction and to surface and sub-surface vehicles and structures.

Center for Infrastructure and Constructed Facilities (CICF)

Director: Madasamy Arockiasamy, Ph.D.

The mission of the Center for Infrastructure and Constructed Facilities is to achieve excellence in research and creative activities and will focus on ocean energy technology, offshore platforms and structures, effect of climate change on civil infrastructure systems, construction applications with emphasis on marine renewable energy development, and safety & security.

Center for Intermodal Transportation Safety and Security (CITSS)

Director: Yan Yong, Ph.D.

The mission of CITSS is to preserve the economic integrity of the United States in relation to intermodal transportation, planning and mobility. The center works to integrate transportation safety, security and logistics by air, land, seas, and space to reduce congestion and prevent terrorism.

Center for Marine Materials

Director: Richard Granata, Ph.D.

The Center for Marine Materials is dedicated to understanding the mechanisms whereby materials deteriorate in marine environments, as well as developing means for reducing and preventing such deterioration. Although corrosion of materials in marine environments has been estimated to cost approximately one percent of the GNP per annum, the Center is the only stand-alone academic unit in the country that focuses exclusively upon marine materials.

Center for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (CMBB)

Director: Shailaja K. Allani, Ph.D.

The Center for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology was established to develop training programs in molecular biology and biotechnology, build strong research programs in functional genomics and related fields, and to serve as a magnet to attract biotechnology industry to this geographic area.

Center for Services Marketing and Management

Director: James Gray, Ph.D.

The Center works to encourage and engage in knowledge development and dissemination in the scholarly and practical aspects of services marketing and management.

Center for the Study of Values and Violence after Auschwitz

Director: Alan L. Berger, Ph.D.

The mission of the Center for the Study of Values and Violence after Auschwitz is to stimulate dialogue that explores and defines issues of values and violence that influence contemporary society. Emphasizing Inter-faith dialogue and applying the contemporary lessons and legacies of the Holocaust, the Center strives to define ethical and moral guidelines that will strengthen leadership skills, facilitate communication among multi-ethnic cultures, and create greater harmony within our communities in the 21st century.

Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions (CUES)

Director: John Renne, Ph.D.

Associate Director: Serena Hoermann Ph.D., MBA

The Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions is dedicated to enhancing the sustainability, prosperity and quality-of-life of the South Florida region through applied research, education, and community engagement. CUES aspires to be the “trusted source” for solutions to the critical development, redevelopment and economic and environmental challenges confronting the region through the 21st century and beyond.

Center for Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WGSS)

Director: Barclay Barrios

The Center for Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies oversees the teaching and administration of an MA degree, a 15-hour interdisciplinary undergraduate certificate,a 12-hour interdisciplinary graduate certificate and elective courses open to students throughout the university.

Charles Stewart Mott Community Center

Director: Robert Shockley, Ph.D.

The Center provides South Florida school districts, community colleges and social service agency personnel with information regarding the concept of community education and a variety of parntership efforts to help address education needs.

Child Welfare Institute (CWI)

Director: Heather Thompson-Farineau, Ph.D.

The Child Welfare Institute's mission is to conduct research, service, training and education in child welfare. The institute partners with public and community-based child welfare agencies to discover, analyze, and document emerging child welfare trends at the national, state and local levels.

Community Health Center

Director: Eugenia Millender, Ph.D.

The mission of the FAU Community Health Center is to provide comprehensive, culturally sensitive, primary care services to the community based on the College of Nursing’s philosophy of caring and a commitment to health equity. As a part of Florida Atlantic University, the Center is a site to enrich student learning and faculty research and scholarship.

Center for Environmental Studies (CES)

Interim Director: Kimberly Vardeman

The mission of the Center is to collect, analyze, and promote the use of scientifically sound information concerning tropical and sub-tropical freshwater and estuary ecosystems. The center acts as a facilitator and coordinator of research and training related to the environment and as a locus for environmental information.

Florida-Israel Institute

Director, FAU Branch: Daniel Raviv

Director, BC Branch: David Moore

The Florida-Israel Institute was created by the State of Florida legislature, adminstered by Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and Broward College (BC). Its purpose is to promote direct Florida-Israel academic, commerce, education and cultural connections.

Institute for Ocean and Systems Engineering

Director: Manhar Dhanak, Ph.D.

The mission of the Institute for Ocean and Systems Engineering (IOSE) is to provide an environment for advanced engineering research and technology development aimed at solving problems in the ocean. IOSE builds on the academic programs of the department of Ocean Engineering and forms the means for technology advancement, collaboration with academia, industry, government and transition of research products to applications.

Intensive English Institute

Interim Director: Victoria Navarrete

The Institute provides students with a comprehensive knowledge of English to prepare them for study at a college or university in the United States. Students who wish to improve their English for business, professional or personal reasons are also welcome.

Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center

Director: María de los Ángeles Ordóñez

The Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center researches the treatment of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and their caregivers. The center also provides education to students, health care professionals, and caregivers. Acting in accord with the College's caring philosophy, the center works within the context of respect for each individual and concern for his/her family.

Pine Jog Environmental Research Center

Director: Ray Coleman

Pine Jog is an environmental education center with the purpose of developing, providing and modeling environmental education programs which foster an awareness and appreciation of the natural world. Pine Jog is a unit of the College of Education of Florida Atlantic University.

Student Accessibility Services (SAS)

Director: Michelle Shaw

The mission of SAS is to serve as a resource center for all related care, life-style adjustment and practical information needed to live comfortably with a disability. The center also works to expand multi-disciplinary research aimed at enhancing the quality of life for persons with disabilities.

Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center (SNMREC)

Director: Gabriel Alsenas

The Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center seeks to advance the science and technology of recovering energy from the oceans’ renewable resources, with special emphasis on those resources available to the southeastern US, initially focusing on ocean currents and offshore thermal resources. By playing a leadership role in helping implement new technologies for these marine renewable energy resources, the SNMREC helps promote economic development and energy independence for the nation.

Weppner Center for LEAD & Service-Learning

Assistant Dean: Katie Burke

The Mission of the Weppner Center for Civic Engagement & Service is to develop partnerships between the University and community by providing service opportunities to faculty, staff and students; and to promote the link between curriculum and service fostering civic awareness. The goal of the CCES is to inspire in all a greater appreciation for community service and the desire to continue working for the community beyond the college years.