IVPL Lab Members

Graduate Students

Michael Simon: I am a 3rd year medical student and the Charles. E. Schmidt College of Medicine at FAU. I completed my undergraduate degree in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology at the University of Florida where my interest in vascular physiology research began. I am interested in pursuing cardiology as a career in the future. In my free time I enjoy hiking, skiing, and running.

Alexandre Hamaïde: Alex is currently completing a Master’s Degree in Exercise Science and Health Promotion at Florida Atlantic University. Born in Plano, Texas, Alex has a French father and a Peruvian mother, and speaks English, Spanish, and French. He lived in France during his Middle and High School years from 2015-2020. He completed his Bachelor’s Degree at FAU in the Summer semester of 2024, with degrees in Neuroscience and Psychology.

Alex is working in the Integrative Vascular Physiology Lab, led by Dr. Brandon Fico. He is performing data collection to explore the impacts that aging, obesity, and exercise can have on important cardiovascular markers, including: arterial stiffness, vascular function, and cerebrovascular reactivity. He also assists with data collection at the Skeletal Muscle Physiology Lab, led by Dr. Michael Zourdos, where research is focused on identifying specific resistance training methodologies to maximize skeletal muscle hypertrophy and strength gains. Additionally, Alex is a Teaching Assistant and instructor in the Department of Exercise Science and Health Promotion, co-teaching a course alongside his colleague Maguire Lindisch.

While in the program, Alex seeks to gain valuable experience and knowledge on how to appropriately run research studies, as well as effectively communicate scientific literature to both fellow students, and people who are not involved in research.

Outside of academia, he enjoys resistance training, learning about zoology, exotic animal husbandry, cosplaying, and is an avid movie memorabilia collector/enthusiast. Alex is also a proud member of the 501st Legion, an international Star Wars charity costuming group.

Ameera Juman: My background in cancer research sparked a broader interest in how complex diseases develop and interact across organ systems. I am particularly interested in exploring the connections between vascular function and neuroscience, with a focus on how changes in the vascular system may contribute to neurological disorders. My long-term goal is to integrate insights from oncology, vascular biology, and neuroscience to better understand the biological underpinnings of brain health. As Journal Club Organizer for the IVPL, I lead weekly discussions on current scientific literature, helping to foster a collaborative and intellectually engaged research environment. In addition to this leadership role, I work as a research assistant studying arterial stiffness and its potential links to systemic and brain health.

Chase Rowedder:

Hector Nevarez Anguiano: I am a master’s student in Exercise Science and Health Promotion at Florida Atlantic University, where I also completed my undergraduate degree in Exercise Science. My current research experience is in the Muscle Physiology Laboratory at FAU, where I have assisted with projects examining resistance training dose-response, proximity to failure, and the effects of training volume and frequency. I am interested in how resistance training and exercise neuroscience intersect to influence muscular and cognitive adaptations. In my free time I enjoy weightlifting, throwing events, playing soccer, and coaching.

Undergraduate Students

Matthew Schallipp: Matthew is an undergraduate senior at Florida Atlantic University pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences. Originally from New York City, he moved down to South Florida to begin his college career. Matthew plans on attending medical school after graduation with a strong interest in the field of sports medicine. Outside of the classroom, he enjoys going to the gym, taking flying lessons, and spending time with friends and family. Matthew hopes to gain more knowledge in vascular exercise physiology while getting to experience the full workflow of hands-on clinical research.

Leila Nau:

 Research Assistant Opportunities

Research Assistants get hands-on experience with research-related tasks including data collection with research participants, lab experiments (including biochemical assays, ultrasound, arterial tonometers), maintenance of research lab and equipment, transportation and storage of samples, generation of lab reports, data entry and statistical analysis.

Undergraduate Students are encouraged to present their work at the Undergraduate Research Symposium and National Conferences.

Graduate Students are encouraged to present their work at Regional and National Conferences and publish findings in peer-reviewed journals. 

Graduate Teaching Assistantships may be available!