The Institute for Successful Longevity (ISL) made a strong presence at the FSU Health Expo held on September 11, 2024, at the Tallahassee Senior Center. The Expo, which brought together Florida State University, the Tallahassee Senior Center, L3X, UPSLIDE, and numerous community partners, provided a vibrant platform for attendees to engage with FSU's innovative research initiatives in health, technology, and aging.
ISL showcased several of its groundbreaking research projects at the Expo, providing insights into the ways technology and research can enhance the quality of life for older adults. One of the featured projects was Dr. Zhe He’s LabGenie project initially funded by ISL planning grant and recently by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, where researchers are developing an AI-powered patient-facing portal to help older adults better understand their lab results. LabGenie uses tailored questions and visualizations to ensure that patients are fully informed about their health, empowering them to take an active role in their care.

Another key highlight was Dr. Fengfeng Ke’s project funded by ISL with a planning grant, titled "Develop and Study AI-powered Culturally Diverse Virtual Standardized Patient for Training Healthcare Professional Students." This study aims to develop AI-powered virtual standardized patients representing diverse cultural backgrounds, integrating advanced AI and virtual reality (VR) technologies. This project addresses the significant limitations of current physical standardized patient models and the need for scalable and culturally sensitive training tools in healthcare education. By enhancing training effectiveness, access, and cultural sensitivity, the project promises to transform the landscape of healthcare professional training.

ISL's booth attracted a large number of participants, with approximately 40 older adults signing up to participate in various research projects sponsored by the Institute. This level of community engagement highlights the enthusiasm among older adults to contribute to advancing scientific research aimed at improving health outcomes and quality of life.

Photo courtesy of Michael Walsh

“We are thrilled with the response from the community,” said Zhe He, Interim Director of the Institute for Successful Longevity. “The Expo provided a fantastic opportunity for us to connect directly with older adults and share how our research can impact their lives in meaningful ways. We look forward to continuing this momentum and advancing our mission to promote successful aging.”

Photo courtesy of Michael Walsh

The FSU Health Expo was a resounding success, offering attendees the opportunity to interact with researchers, explore new technologies, and gain valuable knowledge about improving physical and mental health. ISL remains committed to advancing the frontiers of aging research and engaging the community in meaningful and impactful ways.

For more information about ongoing research and opportunities to get involved, please visit here.

For more information about FSU Health Expo, please visit here.