Page 15 - Abacoa Community News - June '22

Abacoa, Page 15

FAU Features from page 14 courses. We have such a in the fall. His next goal: to be a computational neuroscientist
better understanding of and work at Google as a research scientist to understand how
“Education and scientific training are key parts of the Max each other because of this the brain works and make better tools for AI.
Planck model and partnering with FAU High School has given experience.” “It will be extremely difficult when Aden leaves in the fall,
us the opportunity to expand our impact on the future generation It all started when similar to the first day I dropped him off at daycare,” Christine
of scientists,” said Fitzpatrick. “It has been inspiring to see the Aden achieved an said. “But I am very excited and proud of him. It’s going to
evolution of these students, who are now all well positioned impressive score in the be a hard transition and I will miss having him so close.”
to make important contributions to the world of science and Duke Talent Search ACT
beyond.” program. This caught FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain
FAU High seniors that successfully complete the program the eye of FAU High,
earn a high school diploma and Max Planck certificates, and at and they invited him to Institute’s Nicole Baganz
least two years of cost-free college credit, leading to unmatched join the school’s dual- Recognized For Outstanding
research experiences and outstanding distinction through the enrollment program. At
FAU Max Planck Honors program and accelerated bachelor’s the time, Aden and his parents lived in Sebring, but when the Community Service
degree at FAU. opportunity presented itself, his parents knew Aden could not
“These incredible students have worked countless hours pass it up. Nicole Baganz, Ph.D.,
in laboratories and field research sites to further scientific Once Aden and Christine, along with her husband of director of community
knowledge and our understanding of the world around us – and 30 years, William, settled in Boca Raton, Christine started engagement and
this is just the start for these world-changing minds,” Molly working in food and nutrition services at HCA Florida JFK programming with the FAU
Adam, Ph.D., associate director of FAU High School. North Hospital. She wanted to move into a leadership role Stiles-Nicholson Brain
To learn more about FAU High School – Jupiter Campus in and, inspired by her son’s perseverance and drive, decided Institute and research assistant
partnership with Max Planck Academy, visit fauhigh.fau.edu/ to apply to the master’s in health administration program at professor in Biomedical
jupiter-campus. FAU’s College of Business. Science, Charles E. Schmidt
“I was excited when my mom told me she was going back College of Medicine, was
Mother And Son Graduate to school,” said Aden. “I was very proud of her.” recently presented with
Aden’s goals and aspirations have led him to the field of

the President’s Award for
FAU On The Same Day artificial intelligence. As a Magar fellow at the Max Planck Outstanding Community
Academy at FAU’s John D. MacArthur campus in Jupiter, he Engaged Service for her unwavering dedication to creating and
By Brittany Sylvestri was one of a few FAU High students immersed in neuroscience developing programs that advance neuroscience and STEM
Eagles are majestic birds with powerful vision; are classes at Max Planck Florida Institute (MPFI) working in a lab education in the community. The award was presented by FAU
fearless and tenacious; are highflyers; and they nurture their with its scientists. Aden spent his days predicting the activity of President John Kelly at this year’s Honors Convocation, an
young. Owls are wise, thorough, detail-oriented, sequential, individual neurons to understand how the brain keeps track of annual ceremony recognizing the university’s most outstanding
analytical, methodical and orderly, and most importantly, the memories to help with artificial intelligence (AI) technology. students and faculty members.
proud mascot of Florida Atlantic University. The self-taught guitar player also spent his free time as “It is a huge honor to be able to bring neuroscience
But what do these two birds really have in common? Meet secretary of FAU’s Google Developers Club and president of into our community to teach people of all ages about brain
Christine and Aden Eagle. This mother and son both graduated the Science Olympiad Club at FAU High. These experiences function, current research, and new technologies, and
on Thursday, May 5 from FAU. led to great daily conversations between Christine and Aden ultimately eliminate stigma that remains attached to many
Christine, 53, received a Master of Science in Health as she drove him to and from school. They kept each other brain disorders,” said Baganz.
Administration at the 1 p.m. ceremony. At just 17 years old, motivated as they tackled assignments and classes. Baganz was nominated by Randy Blakely, Ph.D., executive
Aden graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in data “My time at FAU has been surprising in the best way director, FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, and received
analytics and a perfect 4.0 GPA at the 5 p.m. ceremony, eight possible,” said Aden. “I’ve had so many amazing opportunities. support from leaders of community organizations including
days prior to receiving his high school diploma from FAU I’ve been allowed the freedom to be independent and work NAMI Palm Beach County, Palm Health Foundation, Cox
High School. through things on my own. It wasn’t just about getting my Science Center and Aquarium, Stiles-Nicholson Foundation
“Aden was my inspiration to get through graduate degree; it was so much more than that.” and more.
school,” said Christine. “We would proofread each other’s Aden’s next chapter will lead him to Carnegie Mellon,
essays, and he constantly challenged me to excel in my where he will begin the neural computation Ph.D. program FAU Features on page 16

YOUR LOCAL EXPERTS!

REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE

NOW, MORE THAN EVER, ACHIEVE THE DREAM OF
WHO YOU WORK WITH MATTERS. HOME OWNERSHIP

TRACY M. WARD, PA MARK WHITAKER
Broker Associate | BK3209930 Producing Branch Manager | Retail | NMLS # 136993
M 561.909.7100 Cardinal Financial Company, Limited Partnership | NMLS 66247
Phone: (561) 225-4440
Tracy.Ward@Elliman.com mark.whitaker@cardinafinancial.com

MORTGAGE LENDING REIMAGINED

eklundgomes new york
california
the eklund gomes team at douglas elliman real estate florida