Page 14 - Abacoa Community News - June '21

Page 14, Abacoa

FAU Researchers Receive Grants from page 11 ventures or for ventures tailored to serve the mission of
the community partners. Community partners that have
are investigating whether sulindac will protect against A-Beta participated in the Kenan Social Engagement Program
aggregation and dysfunctional tau phosphorylation using an include the El Sol Neighborhood Resource Center, a day-
in vitro cell culture and an in vivo transgenic mouse model labor center founded to aid the local immigrant community
of AD. If successful, these studies will be the first to show in northern Palm Beach County; The Lord’s Place, a
the therapeutic potential of sulindac in slowing down the nonprofit, nonsectarian organization dedicated to breaking
progression of AD. the cycle of homelessness in Palm Beach County; the
“The Cellular Basis for Neurodegeneration in a Palm Beach County Food Bank, which provides food for
Drosophila Model of Alzheimer’s” (Alex Keene, Ph.D., a area food pantries and soup kitchens; the Town of Jupiter;
professor of biological sciences, FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt Easterseals Florida, a national organization that provides
College of Science): Powerful genetics in the fruit fly, community-based services for people with disabilities;
Drosophila melanogaster, allow for manipulating gene Mind and Melody, which implements uniquely designed
function in defined neural circuits. This project will directly music therapy programs for clients with neurological
address the mechanisms of neurodegeneration and will use impairments at healthcare facilities, nursing homes, day
genomic approaches and behavioral screening to identify life and having even basic knowledge of how to manipulate centers, and assisted living facilities; Path to College, a
novel genetic regulators of neurodegeneration in AD models. a problem into a profitable solution will come in handy mentoring program designed to help at-risk kids apply
Given the genetic conservation associated with aging and regardless of the nature of your degree.” to college; and Quantum House, a home that lessens the
plasticity between fruit flies and mammalian systems, these Each year, the Kenan Social Engagement Program burden for families whose children are receiving treatment
findings have potential to identify conserved regulators enters agreements with local area nonprofit community for severe medical conditions. Now in its ninth year, the
of AD-mediated neurodegeneration that can be further partners where students do academic service-learning. Kenan Social Engagement Program is funded by a grant and
investigated in mammalian models. The students write business plans either for their own endowment by the William R. Kenan Jr. Charitable Trust.
“Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Neuropsychology
and Brain Biomarkers of Abnormal Aging” (Idaly Velez-
Uribe, Ph.D., FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, La Posada Offers Something for Everyone
and Monica Roselli, Ph.D., a professor and associate chair
of psychology, FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of
Science): There is a scarcity of trained researchers in clinical with Five Star Everything
neuropsychology who can evaluate and diagnose Hispanics
in a culturally sensitive manner, including cognitively
normal individuals and those presenting early signs of As a resort-style
neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, standard clinical community, La Posada,
research trainings do not emphasize the role of cultural factors, a Kisco senior living
quality and level of education, and language experience community in the heart
(i.e., bilingualism) in assessments and interventions of the of Palm Beach Gardens,
progression of abnormal aging. Moreover, ethnic minorities specializes in providing a
are underrepresented as professionals within the field of full-service senior living
neuropsychology and as faculty in doctoral programs in community that provides
psychology. This FAU project has been designed to target an enriched lifestyle. With
this disparity. Velez-Uribe’s investigative work will focus on a unique approach and
the complex interplay between bilingualism, cultural factors, philosophy centered on
cognitive decline, and biological markers of dementia. giving residents peace of
mind, La Posada focuses
FAU’s Kenan Social on providing residents
Engagement Program with five-star service in
all areas. Residents have access to a variety of amenities,
Announces Scholarship from chef-prepared meals to concierge services, state-
of-the-art wellness programs and so much more. It’s this
Winners For 2021 commitment to five-star service that recently earned La
Posada three The Best of Palm Beach County awards.
The Kenan Social Engagement Program at the Harriet The annual awards, presented by the Palm Beach Post,
L. Wilkes Honors College of Florida Atlantic University is recognized the community as the best assisted living,
pleased to announce the selection of two 2021 scholarship retirement, and skilled nursing community. This impressive
recipients, or Kenan Scholars. Luis Henrique Pollon and achievement is a testament to the high-quality service that
Jessica Chomik have been chosen as part of a competitive residents, their families, and La Posada staff enjoy every day.
selection process to launch social ventures that they
conceptualized and planned in the Fall 2020 semester under
the tutelage of program codirectors Timothy Steigenga,
Ph.D., and Christopher Strain, Ph.D., professors at the
Wilkes Honors College. residents and associates comfortably safe and sound.
Luis Henrique Pollon is the winner of a $10,000 seed “We understand that there is much to be considered
grant for his venture designed to illuminate the path beyond in choosing a senior living community,” said Cadiere.
formal education by creating instructional content that saves “Our aim is to ensure daily that our residents know we
students’ time and provides practical academic and career are diligently focused on providing them with service that
success skills. Unsunk develops short digital courses that enables them to live and enjoy an independent lifestyle. As
are just as easy to consume as social media content while we begin the process of re-opening our community, we are
maintaining the integrity of educational legitimacy of the thrilled to offer tours and opportunities to showcase our
subject matter. Unsunk offers courses that teach learning beautiful community and the incredible individuals who
techniques, public speaking skills, time management call La Posada home.”
strategies, and many other skills designed to improve “We’re incredibly proud of the vast array of service and Featuring 193 luxurious independent living apartments
student success in the classroom and beyond. Luis will program offerings that we provide to make every day at La and 11 independent living cottages, in addition to assisted
graduate in May with a B.A. in economics and a minor in Posada distinctive,” said Brad Cadiere, executive director living apartments, memory care suites and private rooms
business, plans to dedicate himself to expanding his venture. of La Posada. “We’ve worked diligently to create a myriad for short-term rehabilitation and skilled nursing, the
“There is no better way of showing how much this of choices and opportunities for our residents to enjoy. Our community provides opportunities to strengthen the mind,
program has impacted me than saying that I will be working community offers the ability to thrive all while living on body and spirit at all levels of community life.
full-time on Unsunk for the next few years,” said Luis. one’s own terms.”
“Wherever in the world I decide to go next, I will continue to A key element to La Posada’s success is the community’s
work hard to make this company – and its vision – a success.” commitment to safety and security. These primary
Jessica Chomik received $2,500 in start-up funding initiatives have long been an integral aspect of La Posada’s
for her venture, Gradifind. Gradifind is a website and philosophy, and the communities’ team members are
mobile application that offers three tiers of personalized trained to ensure that all the worry is taken out of living an
use to undergraduate students and their advisors to independent lifestyle. At all levels, trust and transparency
manage academic career paths efficiently and effectively. are key components that provide residents and their loved
According to Jessica, the organization seeks to empower ones with confidence. La Posada continues to proactively
students to research and organize graduate schools for the prepare, plan, and protect against outside threats to ongoing
next step in their careers. service delivery. The community follows best-in-class
As a cellular neuroscience concentrator graduating in protocols and continues to set the standard for keeping its
May, Jessica plans to extend her research experience as a
post-baccalaureate researcher at a prestigious neuroscience
institution next year. After that, she will be pursuing her Special Invitation: Schedule a personal tour and experience La Posada for yourself. Now is the right time to
doctorate in clinical neuropsychology and hopes to open her consider the invigorating environment La Posada offers. Come experience La Posada for yourself on
practice in the future while maintaining her business venture.
“I think that it is important for young people to dabble June 24 when we host our Sip and Stroll Wine Tour. RSVP in advance: LaPosadaRSVP@kiscosl.com or
in entrepreneurship and business planning,” said Jessica. call (561) 277-0680.
“You never know what opportunities might arise later in