Founding Director
Dr. Neil Charness served as the Founding Director of the Institute for Successful Longevity from 2014 to May 2024. He is the William G. Chase Professor of Psychology and FSU Distinguished Research Professor Emeritus. An internationally recognized scholar in aging and technology, Dr. Charness' research focuses on the aging process and its implications for technology use, health, work performance, expert performance, and transportation safety. Throughout his tenure as Founding Director, he played a pivotal role in establishing ISL as a leader in interdisciplinary aging research, fostering collaborations across Florida State University, supporting faculty and student research, and expanding community engagement initiatives that promote successful longevity.
Former Associate Director
Dr. Lynn Panton served as the Associate Director of the Institute for Successful Longevity from January 2024 to April 2026. She is a Professor in the Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology and a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine. Dr. Panton's research focuses on strength training and its effects on physiological measures such as strength, blood pressure, cholesterol, body composition, and functional outcomes in healthy older adults and individuals with chronic diseases. Her recent research has examined the effects of strength training in women who are breast cancer survivors. She received her B.S. from Emory University and her M.S.E.S.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Florida.
Former Staff
Victoria Valko served as the Outreach & Research Coordination Assistant for the Institute for Successful Longevity from March 2025 to April 2026. She pursued a degree in Public Health with a minor in Information Technology at Florida State University. Her experience included research in health informatics, data analysis, and organizational outreach. At ISL, she focused on expanding community engagement, managing outreach efforts, and supporting ISL events and initiatives.
Nehja Guillaume served as the Administrative Assistant for the Institute for Successful Longevity from June 2024 to June 2026. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Stetson University. During her undergraduate years, she was actively involved in her university's Peer Tutoring Program, Multicultural Student Council, Student Ambassadors, WISE Mentoring Program, and the literary magazine, Touchstone. At ISL, she provided administrative support for institute operations, events, and outreach activities.
