Florida Atlantic University has expanded its NeuroInnovate Center, becoming the first institution globally to integrate advanced MRI and focused ultrasound technologies into a single, unified platform for both preclinical and clinical research. This breakthrough will accelerate the development of non-invasive treatments for neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and more.

Spanning Florida Atlantic’s Boca Raton and Jupiter campuses, the enhanced system allows researchers to move seamlessly from lab-based studies to real-time human trials—dramatically shortening the path from discovery to patient care. In collaboration with regional hospitals and world-renowned research partners, Florida Atlantic is also leveraging this technology to train the next generation of health and science professionals. This milestone further establishes Florida Atlantic, an R1 research institution, as a national leader in neuroscience, innovation and translational medicine.

BOCA RATON, Fla. (Oct. 13, 2025) – In a global first, Florida Atlantic University has unveiled an unprecedented research initiative uniting advanced MRI and focused ultrasound technologies into a single, preclinical and clinical research platform that promises to accelerate the pathway from scientific discovery to patient care. This state-of-the-art initiative at the Florida Atlantic NeuroInnovate Center empowers scientists to explore the brain and body with exceptional precision, advancing the understanding of complex neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and more. Integrating a comprehensive “bench-to-bedside” approach, the initiative will significantly accelerate the discovery, development and delivery of new treatments, ultimately transforming patient care.

        “Never before has a single institution integrated preclinical and clinical imaging with focused ultrasound capabilities within one comprehensive, unified research environment,” said FAU President Adam Hasner. “This is far more than just a milestone for Florida Atlantic University. This groundbreaking initiative positions our region and state at the forefront of innovation in research, education and health care delivery. We are excited to lead the way in bringing revolutionary research and technologies to the frontlines of medicine.”

        Researchers will now have access to a fully integrated system that allows them to study disease mechanisms, test treatments in real time, and apply those therapies directly to patients. It begins with the preclinical MRI, designed for research using translational models. Once a treatment shows promise, it can move seamlessly to human trials using the clinical MRI system that guides and monitors therapies in a safe, controlled setting.

        “These machines are more than just high-tech – they represent some of the most advanced tools available to modern science and medicine,” said Gregg Fields, Ph.D., vice president for research at FAU. “What we’ve built is a truly integrated research platform – one that enables us to examine everything from molecular changes in clinical models to real-time treatment responses in human patients. The impact this will have on fast-tracking discoveries across disciplines is hard to overstate. This is not just the next step in medical innovation – it’s the future, and it’s happening right here at Florida Atlantic University.”

        Focused ultrasound uses precise acoustic energy, like sunlight through a magnifying glass, to target tissues safely. Multiple beams converge at one point, producing mechanical or thermal effects. This non-invasive, rapidly advancing therapy has growing clinical uses in a wide range of diseases including neurological disorders, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, and pain management.

        Through strategic partnerships with Delray Medical Center, Boca Raton Regional Hospital – part of Baptist Health – and the Thomas H. Corey VA Medical