ISL Hosts 2026 Student Poster Day, Showcasing Emerging Research in Aging and Longevity

The Institute for Successful Longevity (ISL) at Florida State University successfully hosted its 2026 Student Poster Day on March 23 at the Innovation Hub in the Louis Shores Building. The event brought together undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and faculty affiliates to celebrate innovative research advancing the science of aging and longevity.

The day began with a career development panel, featuring Dr. Amy Qing-Xiang Sang (Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry), Dr. Julia Sheffler (Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine), and Dr. Joseph Watso (Department of Health, Nutrition, and Food Sciences). Panelists shared valuable insights on navigating interdisciplinary research careers, securing funding, and building impactful research programs in aging-related fields. Their engaging discussion provided students with practical advice and inspiration for their academic and professional journeys.

Following the panel, students presented their research during a poster session that highlighted a wide range of topics, including biomedical engineering, health informatics, behavioral science, and clinical research. The event served as a platform for students to share their work in a supportive environment and receive feedback from faculty judges and peers. Click here for more images

Poster Award Winners

ISL recognized outstanding student contributions with the following poster awards:

• 1st Place: Faiza Mahmud

• 2nd Place: Tyson Nguyen

• 3rd Place: Roselynn Vargas and Daniel Leme 

These projects demonstrated excellence in scientific rigor, innovation, and relevance to aging research.

Esther & Del Grosser Scholarship

A highlight of the event was the announcement of the 2026 Esther & Del Grosser Scholarship, awarded to Justice Ene, a Ph.D. candidate in Biomedical Engineering at the FAMU–FSU College of Engineering.

Justice’s research exemplifies ISL’s mission by advancing interdisciplinary approaches to promote successful aging. His work focuses on developing novel extracellular vesicle (EV)-based therapeutics derived from human brain organoids to combat neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. By targeting key biological mechanisms of aging—including cellular senescence and neuroinflammation—his research aims to preserve cognitive function, enhance independence, and improve quality of life for older adults.

In addition to his strong alignment with ISL’s mission, Justice has demonstrated exceptional scholarly achievement, with multiple peer-reviewed publications, national conference presentations, and a patent application. His research addresses critical translational challenges by developing scalable and clinically feasible therapeutic strategies.

Justice is also recognized for his commitment to mentorship and collaboration, actively contributing to the training of undergraduate and graduate students and engaging in interdisciplinary research initiatives.

ISL also congratulates the scholarship finalists, Cole Patoine and Christin Domeier, both from Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, for their outstanding accomplishments.

Building the Next Generation of Aging Researchers

The 2026 ISL Student Poster Day reflects ISL’s continued commitment to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, supporting student research, and advancing knowledge that promotes healthy aging across the lifespan.

ISL extends its sincere thanks to all participants, faculty judges, panelists, and organizers who contributed to the success of this event.