UROP Leader Information Submission: Submission #233
Submission information
Submission Number: 233
Submission ID: 19391
Submission UUID: 79476298-c9af-4c80-a44e-a3e6fe7c29b4
Submission URI: /urop-leader-information-submission
Submission Update: /urop-leader-information-submission?token=_SHrWEQxKL13QljO3psfDAzci03T2HBmB5ssnATVrt0
Created: Mon, 04/21/2025 - 01:16 PM
Completed: Mon, 04/21/2025 - 01:16 PM
Changed: Mon, 04/21/2025 - 01:16 PM
Remote IP address: 166.199.139.19
Submitted by: Anonymous
Language: English
Is draft: No
Webform: UROP Leaders Information
Submitted to: UROP Leader Information Submission
| First Name | Sophia |
|---|---|
| Last Name | Vizoso |
| Full name as you would like it to appear on the website | Sophia Vizoso |
| Preferred Pronouns | |
| Hometown, State, and Country (ex: Tallahassee, FL, USA) | Miami, FL |
| FSU email | spv22@fsu.edu |
| Please check this box if you are willing to be contacted by students interested in UROP | Yes |
| LinkedIn URL (optional) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophia-vizoso/ |
| Major(s) | Cell and Molecular Neuroscience and Public Health |
| Minor(s) | Chemistry and International Affairs |
| Graduation Semester and Year (ex: Fall, 2022) | Spring 2026 |
| What is your current research focus? | My current research focuses lie at the intersection of cardiovascular physiology, obesity, and health disparities. As a research assistant in the Cardiovascular & Applied Physiology Lab under Dr. Joseph Watso, I study how obesity influences blood pressure reactivity, cardiac output, and other physiological markers using blood and urine samples. I'm particularly interested in how underlying conditions like obesity affect cardiovascular responses to stress and daily function. My broader academic interests include understanding how biological processes are shaped by genetics, disease, and lifestyle, especially in vulnerable populations. Through the Honors in the Major (HITM) program, I will be conducting an independent research thesis over the next academic year. For my thesis, I’m aiming to bridge my two majors, neuroscience and public health, by investigating how neural mechanisms may influence or be influenced by cardiovascular function. Specifically, I’m interested in exploring how stress-related brain activity may contribute to blood pressure regulation, or how altered cardiovascular function in obesity could affect neurovascular coupling. This interdisciplinary approach reflects my long-term goal of understanding the full-body connections between the brain, heart, and health outcomes, with a public health lens focused on equity and prevention. |
| Are there any other research related activities you participate(d) in? | In the past, I conducted research in a microbiology lab where I studied the effects of tiamulin, an antibiotic, on bacterial resistance. We focused on how bacterial populations evolved in response to different dosages of the drug, exploring mechanisms of resistance that could inform more effective treatment strategies. This early research experience sparked my curiosity about how the body responds to internal and external challenges, laying the foundation for my current interest in physiology and public health. |
| Answer one of the following two questions about being a UROP Leader or your UROP background. | How do you hope to impact your students as a UROP Leader? |
| Please answer the question you selected above in the area provided. | As a UROP Leader, I hope to create a space where students feel truly supported, heard, and empowered to grow, not just academically, but personally. I want my students to feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and exploring new ideas without fear of judgment. I remember how impactful my own UROP leaders were when I was a freshman, they were always there to encourage me, guide me, and remind me that I could do research. I hope to do the same by being present, sending, offering consistent feedback, and checking in with students individually. My goal is to build a classroom culture where every student feels valued, respected, and included. I also want to set clear expectations while remaining approachable and empathetic. I want my students to leave UROP feeling more confident in their abilities, more connected to the FSU community, and excited about research. |
| Please list any other hobbies or interests you would like to share | I like going to the gym, reading books, playing trivia games, and going to the beach! |
| Headshot |
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| 2025Year2025 | 2025 |
| Approved | No |
| Update URL UROP Leaders | https://cre.fsu.edu/urop-leader-information-submission?element_parents=elements/headshot&ajax_form=1&_wrapper_format=drupal_ajax&token=_SHrWEQxKL13QljO3psfDAzci03T2HBmB5ssnATVrt0 |
| Years as a UROP Leader | 2025-2026 |