Award Recognizes MPFI’s Commitment to Helping Students Succeed, Industry Grow
Miami, FL – The Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) recently received the Life Sciences South Florida (LSSF) Lifees Award at eMerge Americas in Miami, which brings together the top government officials and business leaders from around the world to explore how public-private partnerships can leverage technologies to transform our communities. The Lifees Award honors organizations, like MPFI, that are leaders in the life sciences and have demonstrated a commitment to furthering the industry through education and collaboration.
“Enriching science education is an important component of the Max Planck Society philosophy around the world,” said Dr. David Fitzpatrick, MPFI CEO and Scientific Director. “The Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience is committed to offering programs and activities to enhance interest in and foster understanding of bioscience research at all levels of education. We also seek opportunities, like taking part in Florida Atlantic University’s Jupiter Life Science Initiative, where we can collaborate with higher education and other life science institutions to further the industry’s efforts both locally and worldwide. The pioneering basic research performed at MPFI is laying the framework for tomorrow’s great discoveries, and we are proud to have been recognized as a leader among our peers. We look forward to continuing to cultivate this culture of education and collaboration within the life sciences in South Florida.”
MPFI was nominated for the Lifees Award by Raquel Rodriguez with McDonald Hopkins, LLC. Categories for the award include demonstration of student training and research activities, benefit to the scientific community and demonstration of community partnership.
MPFI has demonstrated an immense commitment to the development of our South Florida life sciences industry,” said Saif Ishoof, Vice President for Engagement at Florida International University (FIU), who oversees the LSSF consortium on behalf of the Executive Committee of LSSF and Chair, President Mark B. Rosenberg of FIU. “The opportunities MPFI provides our local students and the research they conduct sets them apart, creating a large impact on our community.”
The institute is among only five recipients honored with the inaugural award, which was presented by LSSF, whose members include leaders of the top educational, economic development and research institutions in the region. LSSF seeks to establish an industry cluster in South Florida focused on life sciences, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics and information technology.
Among the programs listed during MPFI’s recognition is its partnership with Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in the creation of doctoral program in Integrative Biology with a concentration in Neuroscience. The program, known as IBAN (Integrative Biology and Neuroscience), provides students the opportunity to explore cutting-edge questions in neuroscience through the integration of multiple disciplines, different model systems and a broad spectrum of technologies. In addition, the award recognized MPFI and FAU’s collaboration with University of Bonn (Bonn, Germany), and the Center for Advanced European Studies and Research (Bonn, Germany), to globalize education in brain research with an all-new International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Brain & Behavior.
Finally, MPFI’s community engagement through events, like the Brain Bee Challenge and public lectures at local high schools, were highlighted as examples of how the institute is sharing its wealth of knowledge and furthering scientific education among even the youngest aspiring scientists.
Pictured above: Dr. Matthias Haury, MPFI COO, and Mark Rosenberg, LSSF Chair and FIU President
Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience
