ISL Hosts Successful 2025 Student Poster Day Showcasing Aging Research

March 20, 2025

The Institute for Successful Longevity (ISL) at Florida State University hosted its annual Student Poster Day on March 18, 2025, bringing together students, faculty, and researchers to celebrate innovative studies on aging, health, and longevity. The event provided an invaluable platform for undergraduate, graduate students, and postdoctoral scholars to present their research, engage in discussions, and receive feedback from faculty and peers.

FSU Provost Jim Clark attended the event and delivered his remarks, underscoring the importance of student-led research in advancing knowledge on aging and its impact on society. “It is exciting to see such diverse and high-quality student research aimed at improving the health and well-being of older adults,” said Clark.

A key highlight of the event was the keynote address by Dr. Rui Zhang, Professor and Founding Chief of the Division of Computational Health Sciences at the University of Minnesota Medical School. Dr. Zhang shared insights into his pioneering work leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) for various health conditions. His talk covered AI-driven dietary supplement safety analysis, the repurposing of Complementary and Integrative Health (CIH) approaches for Alzheimer's disease, and AI applications in cancer research, including predicting treatment-related cardiotoxicity.

The student poster presentations featured 15 research projects spanning topics such as AI for lab test interpretation, the gut microbiome’s influence on cognitive health, and exercise interventions for postmenopausal women. This year’s award winners were:

First Place: Cole Patoine, Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Health, Nutrition, and Food Sciences – Distinct Gut Microbiome and Metabolomic Signatures Linked to Cognitive Improvement in Older Adults After Mediterranean and Modified Mediterranean Ketogenic Diets.
Second Place: Steven Medarev, Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Biomedical Sciences – Age-related Endothelial Dysfunction Reflects Disruption of Adiponectin-S1P Mediated Mechanotransduction.
Third Place: Victoria Valko, Undergraduate Student, School of Information – Optimizing Digital Health Tools: LabGenie’s Patient-Centered Visual Design.

Additionally, Steven Medarev was awarded the 2025 Esther & Del Grosser Scholarship, a $1,000 scholarship recognizing excellence in aging research. His work focuses on understanding how vascular dysfunction in aging is linked to changes in key protective proteins, with potential implications for cardiovascular disease prevention in older adults.

“The research presented today demonstrates the depth of talent and innovation in aging studies at FSU,” said Dr. Zhe He, Director of ISL. “It is inspiring to see students pushing the boundaries of knowledge, developing novel health solutions, and exploring new ways to enhance longevity and well-being.”

The ISL Student Poster Day continues to be a signature event for the institute, fostering collaboration across disciplines and providing a platform for students to contribute meaningfully to aging research. With advancements in AI, digital health, and precision medicine, the future of aging research at FSU looks brighter than ever.