UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal: Submission #1084

Research Mentor Information
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Primary Research Mentor Name: Tom Bissen
Research Mentor Preferred Pronouns: {Empty}
When potential research assistants are reaching out via email, what is your preferred honorific?: Mr. 
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): tgb23@fsu.edu
Position Title: Graduate Student
Faculty Advisor Name: Joseph C. Watso
Faculty Advisor's FSU Email: jw22k@fsu.edu
FSU College (if applicable): Education, Health, and Human Sciences
FSU Department or Non-FSU Organization Affiliation: Health, Nutrition, & Food Sciences
Headshot (optional): https://cre.fsu.edu/system/files/webform/urop_project_proposal_portal/20016/headshotfsu.jpg

Additional Research Mentor(s)
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Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from above): {Empty}
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Pronouns: {Empty}
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Honorific?: {Empty}
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): {Empty}
Name of Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) (if applicable): {Empty}
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Pronouns: {Empty}
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Honorific?: {Empty}
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): {Empty}

Overall Project Details
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Title of the Project: Effects of Novel Respiratory Muscle Training on Cerebrovascular and Immune Function in adults with Obesity
Project Keywords: Obesity, Respiratory, Cerebrovascular health
Are you currently looking for research assistants?: Yes
Number of Research Assistants Needed : 2
Relevant Research Assistant Major(s):
Exercise physiology, Biology, Health sciences, Athletic training; we will also consider any major if student is on a pre-health track (pre-med, pre-PT, pre-PA, pre-OT,etc.)

Project Location:: On FSU Main Campus
If the project location is off campus, does the research assistant(s) need to provide their own transportation?: {Empty}
Please select the choice that most accurately describes your expectations for the research assistant(s):: In-person
Approximately how many hours a week would the research assistant(s) need to work?: 5-10 hours a week, During business hours
Roughly what time frame do you expect research assistant(s) to work?: During business hours
Overall Research Project Description:
This research is highly relevant to public health as it seeks to address the knowledge gap regarding the direct
impact of obesity on cerebrovascular function in younger adults without comorbidities or the effects of aging,
which is crucial for understanding stroke risk and prevention strategies. Additionally, it explores the potential of
Inspiratory Muscle Strength Training as a time-efficient and cost-effective intervention to improve
cerebrovascular function and mitigate inflammation-related immune dysfunction in adults with obesity, potentially
enhancing healthspan and lifespan. These findings could inform public health initiatives targeting approximately
40% of American adults with obesity, improving overall cerebrovascular function in the short term for adults with
obesity and reducing stroke incidence later in life.

Research Tasks:
Help perform literature reviews, recruit research participants, help generate/manage recruitment approaches, schedule/coordinate with study participants, help with data collection, help with exercise testing and other research procedures, provide data management support, data analysis, assist with IRB, help with equipment maintenance, perform equipment calibration, and/or other study-related tasks.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need::
Values: Diligence, ambition, curiosity, and integrity; Abilities: Effective and timely oral/written/etc. communication. Skills: Teamwork, professionalism.

Mentoring Philosophy:
As a mentor, my primary goal is to help my mentee develop their skills and abilities to get to the next professional stage. Ideally, with enough training, they become productive members in the laboratory. Networking will help mentees find their next mentor and get them engaged with the profession. I also have personal strength with networking and would like to use that to help foster mentees' feelings of belonging within our respective scientific communities.  
In addition to this, I will prioritize communication and cultivate safe spaces. I will be considerate in how I ask questions and mindful of giving opportunities to mentees. I think personally, when it comes to the psychosocial parts of a mentor/mentee relationship, it is a priority I have for my mentee that they are in a good place psychosocially. 
I expect my mentees to be open and honest with me about professional topics, and if they are comfortable, I do think I will lean towards being a nurturing mentor. I also expect mentees to always put their best foot forward and try new things. I think this goes with cultivating a safe place where mentees can try things or write things they are not sure about, and feel comfortable having their mentor provide feedback. I strive for my mentoring relationship to allow for the growth of the mentee, but also create a laboratory that is productive to keep funding and training mentees.  


Please provide a link to your publications, a video clip, or a website for your research project (if applicable):: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=y5zMq2kAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao, https://caplaboratory.com/
Please add any additional information here (if applicable)::
Please extensively review and consider all information on the laboratory website to prepare to apply for a UROP position. We will only consider applicants who complete the following web form (https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/Sz4xUU7DNg). After completing the web form, we will contact you if we have additional openings available based on the 'fit' of the lab needs and your application materials.


Are you interested in participating in the UROP Research Mentor Roundtable?: No
Roundtable times and Zoom links:
Not participating in the Roundtable

UROP Program Elements
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Mentor Handbook, FAQs, and Communication: Yes
UROP Performance Evaluation: Yes
Materials Grant: Yes
UROP Poster Presentation: Yes
Faculty Advisor Confirmation: Yes

Are you interested in attending in a UROP Research Mentor Workshop Series?: Yes
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Year: 2025
update url: https://cre.fsu.edu/urop-research-mentor-project-submission-portal?token=K9bRTuiqQ1-mBdtljGx9eVccW95MPqrfpCHNviyScOE