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PRESS RELEASE: September 23, 2003
FAU Receives $10 Million for Center of Excellence / Governor Jeb Bush Launches Center
BOCA RATON, FL - Florida Atlantic University welcomed Governor Jeb Bush as he and
FAU President Frank T. Brogan formally launched the Center of Excellence in Biomedical and Marine
Biotechnology at FAU's SeaTech campus on Tuesday morning. Funding for this Center was awarded earlier
this year by the state's Emerging Technology Commission (ETC) and will be used to develop a world-class
research center.
The Center of Excellence will combine the scientific expertise of several academic institutions, including lead institution FAU;
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution; Florida International University; Nova Southeastern University and the Smithsonian Marine
Station at Ft. Pierce; with biotechnological industries in South Florida.
The recommendation to fund this Center was made in February by the ETC, a group of leaders in the technology field appointed by
Governor Bush to identify cutting-edge research initiatives in Florida.
"The biomedical technology industry is one of the most viable, rapidly growing industry sectors in the world," said Governor Bush.
"The aim of the state grant for the Center of Excellence is to make a significant impact in stimulating the Florida economy and
training a highly skilled workforce that will help build Florida's future."
The funds will allow FAU's Center to propel the discovery, development and commercialization of new medicines and other bio-products
by utilizing unique marine resources along with cutting-edge technology aimed at combating diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular
and aging-related diseases.
"These potential discoveries are of great significance, especially to Florida's aging population," said Florida Atlantic University
President Frank T. Brogan. "As we aggressively pursue the search for new drugs, the Center will also benefit our students through
stronger academic programs and support of world-class research facilities."
FAU's proposal was one of three selected by the ETC for $10 million in funding, out of a total of 18 proposals from universities
throughout the state. The University of Central Florida was recommended for its proposed center for photonics (lasers and optics)
and The University of Florida, for its proposed center for regenerative health biotechnology.
The Center combines the expertise of marine biotechnology groups, pharmacologists and functional genomics researchers at FAU and
its partner institutions. "This grant will enable our biomedical faculty and graduate students to study organisms from the coastal
waters of southeast Florida and the Caribbean, and to work with researchers in other disciplines and at nearby institutions to develop
a truly world-class research center," says Dr. Larry Lemanski, FAU's Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies. "By bringing
scientists, engineers and businesses together to concentrate on finding new drugs, today we are much closer to realizing the ocean's
true potential to combat disease." View more pictures from the launch event.
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