Tel Aviv, Israel – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced a new research collaboration between Florida International University (FIU) and Tel Aviv University (TAU) aimed at testing anxiety disorders in children.

FIU was awarded a $5.2 million research grant from the National Institute of Mental Health to test a novel treatment for Child Social Anxiety Disorder. A portion of this amount will be awarded to Yale University, a secondary site in this study. The study is expected to provide a new, effective treatment for an impacted population, addressing a critical unmet mental health need.

Dr. Jeremy Pettit from FIU and Dr. Yair Bar-Haim from TAU both collaborated on the development of the grant proposal. Dr. Bar-Haim developed a computer-based treatment of social anxiety disorder which will be utilized for the research study. The research will be performed at FIU and Yale, with ongoing involvement and consultation from TAU. Dr. Bar-Haim will be a principal member of the research team during implementation of the study and interpretation of the results. The study lays the groundwork for additional research and training collaborations between FIU and TAU.

“A major goal of this business development mission is to bring academic institutions together to find innovative solutions to issues facing both Florida and Israel,” said Governor DeSantis. “I am proud to announce this collaboration between Florida International University and Tel Aviv University to address child anxiety. This partnership will hopefully lead to the development of additional treatment options for our children.”

“This trip to Israel headed by Governor DeSantis promises to be key in helping us at FIU create and deepen important partnerships in a number of strategic areas,” said FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg. “For example, FIU researchers are working with colleagues at Tel Aviv University, and in collaboration with researchers at Yale University, to develop innovative ways to treat children and adolescents with anxiety disorders.”


Photo Credit: Governor’s Press Office

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