2025 ISL Student Poster Day Winners
The Institute for Successful Longevity is excited to announce the ISL Student Poster Award winners of 2025 ISL Student Poster Day. These remarkable individuals have demonstrated exceptional research, and we are thrilled to feature their projects in the upcoming ISL 2025 Spring Newsletter and on our digital platforms.
1st Place: Cole Patoine
Cole is a second-year Ph.D. candidate focusing on gut microbiology and the gut microbiome. His research examines how specific dietary components from Mediterranean and Mediterranean-Ketogenic diets influence gut health and overall well-being. He collaborates with Dr. Julia Sheffler to study the impact of diet on cognition in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.
He was inspired by the powerful role diet plays in shaping gut health. His research investigates how dietary patterns affect the gut microbiome and, in turn, overall health. This work will deepen our understanding of the gut-brain axis and how diet can prevent neurocognitive decline.
2nd Place: Steven Medarev
Ph.D. candidate in Biomedical Sciences at the College of Medicine. His research focuses on adiponectin, a protein crucial to vascular health, especially under stress from aging or metabolic disease. His work aims to understand how adiponectin supports endothelial function, potentially leading to new strategies for preventing cardiovascular complications.
He was inspired to study adiponectin because of its critical role in maintaining vascular health, particularly under the stress of aging or metabolic disease. Understanding how this protein supports endothelial function could open the door to new strategies for preventing cardiovascular complications
3rd Place: Victoria Valko
Victoria is a second-year undergraduate student majoring in Public Health with a minor in Information Technology. She worked on the LabGenie project with Dr. Zhe He through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP). Her work aims to improve the understanding of lab test results for adults, making health information more accessible through technology. She continues her involvement with the project as a student research assistant.
She is grateful for the opportunity to have worked on the LabGenie project with Dr. Zhe He via the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program. Valko’s research focuses on improving how adults understand their lab test results. This is crucial for making health information more accessible through technology.
We congratulate Cole, Steven, and Victoria for their outstanding achievements in their research. Their work not only demonstrates academic excellence but also holds potential for real-world impact in public health and medical science. Keep an eye out for more details in the upcoming ISL Spring Newsletter and follow us on social media for more updates.