About Our institute

Welcome to the Evelyn F. and William L. McKnight Brain Institute of the University of Florida, also known as the MBI.

The MBI offers a rich scientific and intellectual environment that facilitates multidisciplinary understanding of nervous system function and dysfunction. The institute's 250-plus investigators from across UF seek to enhance lives through neuroscience research and education.

More than just a building, the MBI unites these researchers, who work at all levels of translational science to advance fundamental discovery and revolutionize clinical impact. Their work has propelled UF to a Top 5 ranking among all universities in the U.S. for neuroscience and neuromedicine research with more than $115 million in NIH funding.

At the broadest level, our programs fit into three research areas:

• Acquired Neural Disorders: Our signature programs include neural control of respiration, spinal cord injury, stroke, and traumatic brain injury.

• Cognition, Behavior, and Sensation: Our signature programs include age-related cognitive decline, developmental disorders, pain, sensory dysfunction, and substance use disorders and other neuropsychiatric diseases.

• Neurological Diseases: Our signature programs include ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, brain tumor immunotherapy, and Parkinson’s disease, as well as other neurodegenerative disorders.

Our state-of-the-art, six-story building houses the laboratories of many of our researchers and physician-scientists and provides investigators from across UF access to a number of advanced technology facilities including the Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy Facility (AMRIS), a National MagLab facility with 12 MRI and nuclear magnetic resonance instruments.

We are committed to training the next generation of researchers through our innovative and forward-thinking programs such as the Summer Neuroscience Internship Program for undergraduates and the Gator NeuroScholars enhanced fellowship program for postdoctoral researchers.

Thank you for visiting our website. We invite you to explore and learn more about our mission to enhance lives through neuroscience research and education.

Jennifer Bizon, Ph.D.
Director, Evelyn F. and William L. McKnight Brain Institute of the University of Florida 

MBI Leadership