Cardiovascular and Applied Physiology Laboratory

02/27/2026

🎤 New episode of CAP Lab’s ‘Meet the Team’ Series: Undergraduate research intern Ella Ashley

In this interview:
🔹 Premed & Research: Gaining medical insight through hands-on participant interaction and lab involvement.
🔹 Culture of Mentorship: How a supportive, "no-judgment" environment empowers undergraduates to ask questions and learn.
🔹 Holistic Growth: Why an uplifting academic culture is key to both personal and professional development.

🔗 Video link in comments



Institute for Successful Longevity, Florida State University, FSU Anne's College, FSU Health

02/25/2026

Inside the laboratory, we study ways to keep the heart healthy. We monitor blood flow, test how the body responds to exercise, and study how the heart regulates blood pressure. FSU student Tom Bissen featured doing breathing exercises.

News story by WTXL Tallahassee

🔗 Links in comments



Institute for Successful Longevity, Florida State University, FSU Anne's College, FSU Health

02/24/2026

Can We Protect Our Hearts by Sweating Out Excess Sodium? A new article by PhD candidate Johnathan Hoch and Professor Joe Watso explains why losing sodium in sweat might help protect the heart.

🔗 Article link in comments



Institute for Successful Longevity, Florida State University, FSU Anne's College, FSU Health

02/20/2026

🎤 New episode of CAP Lab’s ‘Meet the Team’ Series: Undergraduate thesis student Sophia Vizoso

In this interview:
🔹Heart & Brain Connection: Sophia's honors thesis investigates the exciting intersection between neuroscience, cardiovascular health, and chronic disease prevention.
🔹The Beauty of Science: Moving beyond the microscope to hands-on participant research, and learning why unexpected results are the best part of the scientific process.
🔹Career Trajectory: How the CAP Lab’s mentorship and close-knit friendships inspired her future path in public health and cardiology.

🔗 Video link in comments



Institute for Successful Longevity, Florida State University, FSU Anne's College, FSU Health, FSU Department of Psychology

02/13/2026

🎤 New episode of CAP Lab’s ‘Meet the Team’ Series: PhD candidate Joseph (Joe) Vondrasek

🏆Joe is a finalist for FSU’s 2026 Graduate Leadership Award

In this interview:
🔹Brain Health: Joe’s research explores isometric handgrip training to improve brain blood flow in inactive adults.
🔹Curiosity to Career: From struggling in early physiology to finding passion through hands-on research and mentorship.
🔹Lab Culture: How the CAP Lab’s blend of fun, feedback, and excellence shapes scientific growth and collaboration.

🔗 Video link in comments



Institute for Successful Longevity, Florida State University, FSU Anne's College, FSU Health

02/11/2026

PhD candidate Thomas Bissen recently received a prestigious American Heart Association Predoctoral Fellowship, a highly competitive national award that supports promising doctoral students pursuing innovative cardiovascular research.

🔗 https://annescollege.fsu.edu/blog/bissen-aha-predoctoral-fellowship



Institute for Successful Longevity, Florida State University, FSU Anne's College, FSU Health

02/06/2026

🎤 New episode of CAP Lab’s ‘Meet the Team’ Series: Christin Domeier

🏆Christin holds the FSU Graduate School Legacy Fellowship for her exceptional academic performance.

In this interview:
🔹Clinical Roots: How being a PT in Germany shaped her focus on applied physiology.
🔹Global Lens: How her time in New Zealand and Cyprus influences her work.
🔹Team Growth: The importance of mutual trust and collaborative mentorship within the lab.

🔗 Video link in comments



Institute for Successful Longevity, Florida State University, FSU Anne's College, FSU Health

01/30/2026

🎤 New episode of CAP Lab’s ‘Meet the Team’ Series: Thomas (Tom) Bissen.

🏆 He was recently awarded a predoctoral fellowship from the American Heart Association to support his dissertation research on brain health in human obesity.

In this interview:
🔹Tom shares how a Mayo Clinic internship shifted his career path from medicine to scientific discovery.
🔹 His interest in lifestyle interventions for adults with obesity.
🔹 Why seeing tangible health improvements in participants is the most rewarding part of the scientific process.

🔗 Full interview link in comments



Institute for Successful Longevity, Florida State University, FSU Anne's College

01/28/2026

Congratulations to Undergraduate Research Assistant Sophia Vizoso for being selected to present at the 2026 Florida Undergraduate Research Posters at the Capitol.

Sophia was one of 3 students across FSU selected for this research showcase.

Institute for Successful Longevity Florida State University

01/23/2026

🎤 New episode of CAP Lab’s ‘Meet the Team’ Series: Mary Peck (a senior Exercise Physiology student and future physician)

Mary emphasizes “no role is too small” and discusses:
🔹Classroom to Clinic: Connecting academic theory to hands-on research.
🔹 Mastering Adaptability: Learning to pivot in a fast-paced lab and embrace the unexpected.
🔹 Taking the Leap: Why curiosity is the key to stepping out of your comfort zone.

🔗 Watch the full interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THO90OKUT3M



Institute for Successful Longevity Florida State University Institute of Sports Sciences and Medicine at FSU FSU Anne's College

Meet Mary Peck, a senior Exercise Physiology student at Florida State University, as she shares her journey as a clinical research assistant in the Cardiovas...

01/16/2026

🎤 New episode of CAP Lab’s ‘Meet the Team’ Series: Alexander Rivera (filmmaker and future physician)

Alex shares his perspective as an undergraduate research assistant in the lab. In this interview, he discusses:
🔹Bridging Theory and Practice: Why he chose an applied research lab to see how data influences real-world physiological factors.
🔹The Power of Curiosity: Embracing the "vast ocean of knowledge" and the excitement of uncovering the science behind human stressors.
🔹A Tight-Knit Community: How a collaborative, supportive environment turns a daunting research lab into a home for students.

🔗 Watch the full interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-j-BqREnsc

🎬🏆 Check out his upcoming Award-Winning Independent Feature Film "Retrospection": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clU-vcelNmM



Institute for Successful Longevity Florida State University

Meet Alexander Rivera in the Cardiovascular and Applied Physiology (CAP) Laboratory at Florida State University. Alex is a future physician and film director...