Members

Education Members

From lab techs to world-class scientists, South Florida’s universities and colleges create the skilled workforce that drives the region’s life sciences industry. In addition, our education members work closely with life sciences companies on the development of new programs, updated curriculum development and internships while public school systems in each county put students on career paths for life sciences.

Learn more about our education members:

Barry University
In June 1940, a 40-acre tract of lush, tropical vegetation located in Miami Shores was transformed into one of the leading centers of education in South Florida. Today, the Barry University community is comprised of nearly 9,000 students, served by more than 2,100 administrators, faculty members and support staff from a wide range of religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
Life sciences programs include:
Broward College
Since opening its doors in 1960, Broward College has firmly stood by our mission to provide a high-quality education that is affordable and accessible to all. More than 120,000 students have graduated from Broward College over the years and have become community and business leaders, educators, health care experts and more. Its diverse student body represents more than 180 countries.
Life sciences programs include:
Florida Atlantic University
Florida Atlantic University was founded in 1961, in Boca Raton on an 850-acre conveniently located halfway between Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale. Our programs span the sciences and mathematics with major efforts in many fields ranging from biotechnology, bioinformatics and brain science to cryptology, developmental systems, dynamical systems, environmental sciences, geo-information science, marine science and space-time physics.
Life sciences programs include:
Florida Gulf Coast University
In less than 20 years, FGCU has made an indelible impact on Southwest Florida. We are a catalyst for the area’s economy and a cultural hub for the community. Our students enjoy one of the highest graduate employment rates among the state’s universities. Our campus and region serve as a living laboratory from which discoveries emanate. Since opening in 1997, FGCU research and sponsored programs have been awarded nearly $200 million.
Life sciences programs include:
Florida International University
Miami’s first and only public research university, FIU has earned the top-tier designation for research activity: Carnegie R1. A major creator of knowledge in the South Florida region, FIU has graduated more than 200,000 students since its founding. Through its research, FIU seeks to answer some of world’s toughest challenges: sea level rise, infrastructure development, mental health disorders, and more.
Life sciences programs include:
Florida Memorial University
Approaching 50 years in the City of Miami Gardens, Florida Memorial University is a private, historically Black institution. FMU is among the leading HBCUs in the nation, leveraging partnerships with public and corporate partners to develop programs in emerging markets such Energy and Environmental Science, Cybersecurity, Homeland Security, and Computer Information Technology.
Life sciences programs include:
Indian River State College
Linking Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie counties, Indian River State College offers a wide range of degree and certificate programs, including baccalaureate degrees; associate in arts, associate in science and associate in applied science degrees; as well as shorter term certificate and Adult Education programs. IRSC is recognized as a key partner in the continuing development of the Research Coast region.
Life Sciences programs include:
Miami Dade College
Miami Dade College changes lives through accessible, high-quality teaching and learning experiences that meet industry needs and are designed with a hands-on focus. MDC has the largest undergraduate enrollment of any college or university in the country, has awarded more than 311,000 degrees since opening its doors in 1960 and is a leading provider of education to minority students.
Life sciences programs include:
Nova Southeastern University
Nova Southeastern University is a nonprofit, independent research university with a main campus in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, offering undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. NSU’s scientists are engaged in exciting interdisciplinary research projects to make discoveries and produce new knowledge in healthcare, biotechnology, life sciences, environment and more.
Life sciences programs include:
Palm Beach State College
Founded in 1933 as Florida’s first public community college, Palm Beach State has grown from three classrooms and 41 local students to five campuses and 48,000 students from more than 165 countries. One of the top producers of associate degree graduates in the U.S., PBSC also offers baccalaureate degrees, professional certificates, career training, and corporate and continuing education.
Life sciences programs include:
University of Miami
An integral community partner since its founding in 1925, the University of Miami is one of America's top research universities, with more than 16,000 students from all 50 states and around the world focused on teaching and learning, the discovery of new knowledge and service to South Florida and beyond.
Life sciences programs include:
- Biology (BA, BS, MS, PhD)
- Chemistry (BA, BS, MS, PhD)
- Neuroscience (BS, PhD)
- Physics (BS, MS, PhD)
- Biomedical Engineering (BS, MS, PhD)
- Epidemiology (PhD)
- Microbiology (BS)
- Nursing (BSN, MSN, PhD, DNP)
- Medical (MD, MPH, PhD, MD/MBA, MD/JD)

Economic Development Members

Our region’s economic members work to ensure that companies considering expansion or relocation to South Florida find success. Offering a variety or resources – including site location, assistance with available tax incentives, and networking opportunities – our economic members include:

Beacon Council
Miami-Dade County's official economic development partnership, The Beacon Council offers economic and business development services to businesses of all sizes to ensure success in an entrepreneurial climate that includes industry leaders such as:
- Beckman Coulter
- BD Biosciences
- Cordis (a Johnson & Johnson Company)
- Merck
Greater Ft. Lauderdale Alliance
The Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance focuses on creating, attracting, expanding and retaining high-wage jobs and capital investment in high value targeted industries in a South Florida region that includes major Life Sciences companies such as:
- Allergan
- Stryker
- Lupin
- Teva
Palm Beach County's Business Development Board
Palm Beach County’s the official public/private economic development organization, the Business Development Board’s primary purpose is to attract and retain new industry, business investment, high-quality jobs to a region that includes life-sciences leaders such as:
- DePuySynthes, a Johnson & Johnson Company
- GE Medical Systems
- OPKO Health
- Cardinal Health

Research Institute Members

South Florida is home to a variety life sciences research parks that provide incubator/accelerator space, laboratories, offices and manufacturing spaces for companies of all sizes. Our Research Members include the following:

Baptist Health South Florida
With more than 1.5 million patient visits every year, Baptist Health South Florida receives rave reviews from the people they serve. In fact, patients and their families from around the world travel to Miami for medical expertise from Baptist Health South Florida. Baptist Health South Florida is extremely proud of its team: more than 24,000 employees and more than 4,000 physicians in virtually all specialties — many with national and international reputations. All of this and more makes Baptist Health South Florida's world-class healthcare organization.
Their success comes from a culture of quality and dedication that is instilled into every member of the Baptist Health family. It is because of their generosity, compassion, and commitment to clinical and service excellence that Baptist Health South Florida has a stellar reputation for quality.
For more information on Baptist Health South Florida's membership with Life Sciences South Florida, please contact Mark Coticchia (Corporate Vice President) and Nila Bhakuni (Assistant Vice President).
Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience
Max Planck scientists conduct basic research in the service of the general public. They make groundbreaking discoveries with worldwide impact; create new medical applications; unearth the basic materials of the future, and advise politics, business and society on urgent questions concerning the development of the world. The interdisciplinary research areas provide many opportunities to work with universities and other research organizations.
Max Planck Institutes focus on research fields that are particularly innovative, or that are especially demanding in terms of funding or time requirements. And their research spectrum is continually evolving: new institutes are established to find answers to seminal, forward-looking scientific questions, while others are closed when, for example, their research field has been widely established at universities. This continuous renewal preserves the scope the Max Planck Society needs to react quickly to pioneering scientific developments.
Nicklaus Children's Hospital
Nicklaus Children’s Health System, is the region’s only healthcare system exclusively for children. In addition to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and a growing number of outpatient centers located throughout the tri-county area, the health system includes Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Foundation, the organization’s fundraising arm; Pediatric Specialists of America Inc., a nonprofit physician practice subsidiary; a management services organization, an ambulatory surgery center and a line of children’s wellness products branded KidzStuff™.
FIU Center for Translational Science
A non-profit research center dedicated to conducting research to advance the understanding of human disease and the improvement of human health, the center has become internationally recognized for its scientific contributions in a wide range of fields, including:
- Chemistry
- Multiple sclerosis
- Diabetes
- Immunology
- Infectious disease
- Heart disease
- Cancer vaccines
- Pain management
- and more
Research Park at FAU
Home to more than 20 high-tech, high-wage companies and the premier Technology Business Incubator in the South Florida region, Research Park at Florida Atlantic University provides a supportive environment in which companies engaged in research and development can thrive. Tapping into Florida Atlantic University’s talents and resources, Research Park offers:
- Sales tax exemption on R&D Equipment
- Exclusive Research Park and TBI technology-related events
- Partnership with FAU faculty on joint research grants
- Shared equipment with FAU
- Immediate access to talented and motivated workforce
- Strategic location in the center of South Florida
- Opportunity to access Florida LambdaRail/Internet 2
- On-site Palm Tran bus stop for easy access to Tri-Rail
- Personalized orientation and relationship with the FAU Career Development Center to access interns
- Opportunity to become adjunct faculty at FAU

Research Parks & Institutions

South Florida is home to many research institutions, either independent or linked to one of the many local universities. In recent years, South Florida has seen the establishment of world-renowned research institutions that include:

Miami Project to Cure Paralysis
Diabetes Research Institute
John P. Hussman Institute of Human Genomics
The Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute
Nova Southeastern University’s Center for Collaborative Research

A Home for Research

There are several life sciences research parks in South Florida that provide a range of facility options, including incubator/accelerator space, laboratories, offices, and manufacturing spaces for companies of all sizes:

The University of Miami has the UM Life Sciences & Technology Park – Which includes more than a million square feet of space for labs, offices, and retail.
The Research Park at Florida Atlantic University – Home to 19 high-tech companies and its Technology Business Incubator houses 17 startup companies.
Tradition Center for Innovation in St. Lucie County – Includes FIU Center for Translational Science, Mann Research One, Martin Health System, and other analytical laboratory testing companies.

Life Sciences Associates

The South Florida region is also home to many other research institutions, either independent or linked to one of our many local universities, and include:

Miami Project to Cure Paralysis
Diabetes Research Institute
John P. Hussman Institute of Human Genomics
The Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute
Nova Southeastern University’s Center for Collaborative Research
The University of Miami Life Sciences and Technology Park
Tradition Center for Innovation in St. Lucie County

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