Learn about our research interest groups
As FAU’s research enterprise continues to grow, faculty and students have formed several research interest groups to advance initiatives in specific areas. To date, the following groups have formed:
Addiction Research Collaborative
The Addiction Research Collaborative is an interdisciplinary group that spans all colleges at Florida Atlantic University. The primary focus is to stimulate research and educational opportunities that particularly address the public health emergency of opioid addiction and overdose deaths, and also address the multiple biomedical, behavioral, clinical, and social challenges involved in all forms of substance use disorders, both here in South Florida and nationally.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence mimics aspects of human intelligence, like learning. It is generated by giving computers step-by-step instructions known as algorithms. Florida Atlantic already has significant expertise in place, and researchers across the university are developing and applying AI in many ways, even exploring its ethical implications.
Autonomous Systems Research
This interdisciplinary research group focuses on policies and research involving unmanned aerial vehicles and drones. Faculty and students from the Institute for Sensing and Embedded Network Systems Engineering, Florida Atlantic Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, the College of Engineering and Computer Science, College of Science, College of Education and A.D. Henderson schools participate in this group that seeks to put an administrative infrastructure around drone research.
Future Mind
Technological innovations of the 21st Century raise societal challenges that demand focused, interdisciplinary efforts. Florida Atlantic University recognizes this and brings philosophical and social considerations together with scientific innovations to help humans better navigate our brave new world. This effort considers both the science and social impact of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, with an emphasis on classic philosophical issues.
HSI Interest Group
The Hispanic Serving Institution interest group is focused on research and educational opportunities that particularly address challenges Hispanic students face as they prepare to enter the workforce. This group is co-directed by Andrés Ramírez, Ed.D., assistant professor and María Vásquez-Colina, Ph.D., associate professor, both in the College of Education. Participants include representatives from the College of Education, College of Engineering and Computer Science, College of Science and FAU’s Intercultural Communication and Student Affairs & Enrollment Management.
STEAM
Many of FAU’s colleges are represented in the science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics interest group. It actively seeks to integrate the arts into other STEM fields and is focused on educational opportunities, as well as exploring novel, innovative ways to bring the arts together with the sciences and engineering.