Florida Atlantic University’s Office of Technology Development within the Division of Research has announced the latest recipient of its Innovation Pilot Award Program, continuing a tradition of transforming promising early-stage research into technologies with market potential and societal benefit.

Established in 2024, the Innovation Pilot Award Program provides FAU researchers with seed funding to advance early-stage innovations, build prototypes and generate proof-of-concept data that attract industry partners and external funding. Awards, which range from $500 to $15,000, are designed to bridge the gap between university research and commercial application – a critical step in transforming discoveries into products and solutions that benefit the public.

Among this year’s awardees is Sarah E. Du, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering and the Department of Biomedical Engineering within the College of Engineering and Computer Science. Du received the award for her groundbreaking technology that can simultaneously measure the mechanical and electrical properties of single cells – a dual-function capability with transformative potential in biomedical research and clinical diagnostics.

With support from the Innovation Pilot Award, Du refined her prototype and presented her work at a major industry conference in Texas, where she connected with the CEO of NaMi Diagnostics, a company developing advanced diagnostic solutions. That connection led to a sponsored research collaboration at FAU exploring the use of Du’s technology to diagnose sepsis. The project has since evolved into a joint proposal to the National Institutes of Health’s Small Business Innovation Research program, and NaMi is considering opening a Florida-based office at the Research Park at Florida Atlantic University.

“The support the award provided allowed us to develop our initial concept further and establish a successful collaboration with NaMi,” said Du. “This program truly made the difference in moving my research closer to commercialization.”

The Innovation Pilot Award Program made its debut last year with two inaugural recipients whose projects exemplify FAU’s innovative spirit. Robert J. Stackman Jr., Ph.D., dean of the Graduate College, associate vice president for the John D. MacArthur Campus in Jupiter, and a professor in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, and Claire A. Rice, Ph.D., a post-doctoral researcher in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, received an award for developing a novel drug treatment to address cognitive impairments associated with schizophrenia. Their research repurposes an FDA-approved pharmaceutical to target small conductance calcium-activated potassium ion channels, potentially offering a new therapeutic pathway for millions of patients worldwide.

The second inaugural recipient, George Sklivanitis, Ph.D., the Schmidt Research Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and an FAU Sensing Institute (I-SENSE) fellow, received funding to advance his development of affordable, programmable underwater wireless modems. His innovation supports the creation of an “Internet of Floating Things,” enabling real-time communication in marine environments that were once beyond technological reach.

Together, these awardees represent the broad scope of FAU’s research enterprise – from neuroscience and biomedical innovation to ocean engineering and digital connectivity.

“The Innovation Pilot Award Program is more than a funding mechanism. It’s a launchpad for discovery,” said Dana Vouglitois, senior associate director of technology development at FAU. “By helping researchers validate their ideas and connect with industry early, we’re accelerating the journey from prototype to partnership. This program empowers our faculty to take bold steps toward solving real-world problems and positions Florida Atlantic University as a catalyst for innovation-driven economic growth.”

Among the sponsors of the Innovation Pilot Award Program is the Research Park at Florida Atlantic University, which contributed $5,000 that supported Du’s innovative technology to diagnose sepsis.

“We are incredibly excited to support programs like the Innovation Pilot Award that help turn FAU’s world-class research into real-world impact,” said Andrew Duffell, president of the Research Park at Florida Atlantic University. “Dr. Du’s technology exemplifies the kind of innovation that not only strengthens South Florida’s growing life sciences ecosystem but also holds tremendous promise for improving health outcomes far beyond our region. Supporting researchers like Dr. Du is central to our mission of fostering collaboration between academia and industry to drive economic growth and societal benefit.”  

Through the continued success of the Innovation Pilot Award Program, FAU remains committed to advancing its mission of translating university research into technologies that improve lives, strengthen industry partnerships and elevate Florida’s innovation ecosystem.

For more information about the Innovation Pilot Award Program or sponsorship opportunities, contact the Office of Technology Development at techdevelop@fau.edu.

From left: FAU graduate student Liliana Ponkratova; Dana Vouglitois; and Sarah E. Du, Ph.D.

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