Community - About Us

Leadership

Nicole L. Baganz, Ph.D.

Assistant Director, Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute
Director of Community Engagement
Director, ASCEND
Research Assistant Professor, Biomedical Science (Secondary)

Bio: Nicole Baganz, Ph.D., earned her master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Midwest College of Oriental Medicine in Chicago. She went on to earn her doctorate in physiology from the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in San Antonio. Beginning with her doctoral studies, and continuing through her postdoctoral studies in the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Baganz has pursued research into the mechanisms by which chemical signaling in the brain can be impacted by the immune system and early-life stress, with a specific interest in alterations in the action of the chemical serotonin. In addition to her scientific interests, Baganz has engaged extensively in community outreach to educate the public as to the promise and progress of brain research. She is currently assistant director and director of community engagement and programming at the Florida Atlantic Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute.

David Cinalli, Ph.D.

Director, K-12 Education and
MobileMinds

Alexandra Paz, Ph.D.

Post-Doctoral Fellow, Community Engagement

Bio: Alexandra “Aly” Paz is a postdoctoral fellow working with the Advancing STEM-Community Engagement through Neuroscience Discovery (ASCEND) program at Florida Atlantic Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute. Paz earned her doctorate in Integrative Biology in Neuroscience from Florida Atlantic University. Her interest in neuroscience stems from a curiosity about the connection between neurological processes and animal behavior. Paz discovered her passion for neuroscience education while volunteering for the ASCEND program. Now a full-time member of the ASCEND team, Paz supports the program’s communication and community outreach efforts, unraveling the complexities of neuroscience to inspire young people to take an interest in STEM.

Talks and Tours

Cassio Loss, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow
Mentor: Henriette van Praag, Ph.D.

Bio: Cássio Morais Loss, Ph.D., is a postdoctoral fellow at Florida Atlantic Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute in the lab of Henriette van Praag, Ph.D., an associate professor, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine. A native of Brazil, Loss earned his doctorate in biological sciences from the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. His current research focuses on how neurogenesis, spontaneous or induced by physical activity, in the adult rodent brain affects cognitive behaviors.

Claudia Alvarez

GNTP Affiliate Program: Neuroscience Graduate Program (NGP)
Mentor: Henriette van Praag, Ph.D.

Daniel Nemeth, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow
Mentor: Ning Quan, Ph.D.
Thesis topic: Immune- to Neuro-Memory

Bio: Daniel Nemeth, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Fellow, Dr. Ning Quan. Bio: I am working with Dr. Ning Quan to dissect the functional mechanisms of cell type specific Interleukin-1 Receptor 1 (IL-1R1) in the central nervous system (CNS). My primary focus is determining if neurons can encode an immunological signal into changes in neuronal connectivity via IL-1R1, which we term as "Immune to Neural Memory". My line of research will dissect how neural encoding of immune signals can lead to the manifestation of either aberrant or beneficial behaviors. Ultimately, I aim to unveil neuro-immune related mechanisms of affective disorders and cognitive decline. Additionally, I am working with a model of sub-chronic peripheral inflammation that dynamically alters microglia, the resident tissues macrophages of the CNS.

Videos

Media

CBS12: Brainy Days 2020

Mar 4, 2020

Brain Institute's Nicole Baganz and Carrie Browne of Palm Health Foundation were on CBS 12 News to promote the events that will be held throughout the month of March. More info about CBS12: Brainy Days 2020

ASCEND Program to Hold 'Brain Sparks'

July 15, 2019

Neuroscientist Nicole Baganz, Ph.D., was featured on CBS 12 News to promote “Brain Sparks!” The mini-camp will be held at the STEM Studio in #Abacoa July 20 and Aug. 24. Read more: http://bit.ly/2lxkTHp

Your South Florida PBS: Brain Exhibit

June 21, 2019

Florida Atlantic University Brain Institute, Executive Director, Randy Blakley, Ph.D., showcased the new brain exhibit at the Cox Science Center on Your South FL and WPBT2.

CBS 12 Interview on "Brainy Days 2019"

March 7, 2019

CBS 12 News featured Florida Atlantic University Brain Institute Nicole Baganz, Ph.D. and Alina Alonso the MD Chair of the Palm Health Foundation Board of Trustees to discuss, "Brainy Days 2019." We are so excited to showcase the fantastic brain health-focused events that we are hosting with our community partners throughout March!

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Research

Advancing Brain Health Through Powerful Partnerships

Jan. 19, 2023

Palm Health Foundation celebrated the grand opening of the Brain Institute's new building on Florida Atlantic's John D. MacArthur Campus in Jupiter, heralding a new era in neuroscience research, education, and community engagement.

Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute Designated 'Nikon Center Of Excellence'

Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute in Jupiter becomes one of seven designated Nikon Center of Excellence locations in the United States.

Building the future of neuroscience at the Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute

At the BRAIN Institute at Florida Atlantic University, researchers are establishing a world-class environment for neuroscience research and education, ideal for training the next generation of brain scientists. With our partners, including Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience and Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute Florida, we're working to unravel the brain's complex signaling molecules and interconnections and to decode the dynamic messages transmitted in the dizzying crosstalk of nerve cells.

Translating the Heart's Language

Dr. Behnaz Ghoraani, a member of the Institute for Sensing and Embedded Network Systems Engineering and the Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, along with her team of physicians and mathematicians, are developing customized algorithms that will help pinpoint the source of Atrial Fibrillation or A Fib.

Serotonin Link to Autism

A team of scientists believe a brain chemical may play a big role that could lead to the treatment of autism.

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Community

In Her Words: Dr. Nicole Baganz

Nicole Baganz, Ph.D., director of community engagement and programming at the Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, tells the story of her journey into neuroscience.

A Journey Through the Human Brain

The South Florida Science Center in collaboration with the Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute unveiled the new permanent exhibit, that showcases the latest research and innovations in neuroscience.

Virtual Exhibit Tour - Journey Through the Human Brain

Although they are currently closed to the public, the Cox Science Center is taking their mission VIRTUAL! Enjoy this tour of the newest permanent exhibit, "Journey Through the Human Brain," created in partnership with Florida Atlantic's Brain Institute.

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Neuroscience Seminar Series

Remapping Your Mind: The Neuroscience of Self-Transformation Through Story

Lewis Mehl-Madrona, MD, Ph.D., Clinical Associate Professor of Family Medicine, University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bangor Executive Director, Coyote Institute, Faculty Physician, Northern Light Family Medicine Residency.