“As a Florida native, I knew I wanted to continue my education at a university that gave me the comforts of home while still providing new and enriching experiences, and FSU gave me just that.”
Fast Facts
- Health-Centered: Incorporates the gym or yoga into her everyday schedule
- Former Figure Skater: Grew up in the sport and was a coach for four years
- Study Abroad: Participated in FSU's International Program in Valencia, Spain, during the Summer of 2024
- Favorite FSU building: The Health and Wellness Center
- Chef: Loves to cook and has followed a primarily plant-based diet for 10 years
As a Florida native, Ella Vizzini was searching for a university experience that could offer her the familiar feelings of home while simultaneously pushing her to grow in new directions — both of which she found at Florida State University. Her passion for health and fitness coupled with her love of science meant that FSU’s innovative exercise physiology program was another determining factor in her decision to attend.
Vizzini is both an Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) participant and a 2025 IDEA Grant recipient, dedicating a significant portion of her time at FSU to metabolic and vascular research. She has also served as the Director of Philanthropy for the Alpha Phi International Fraternity, raising more than $77,000 supporting the Tallahassee Memorial Hospital Heart and Vascular Center and the Alpha Phi Foundation.
With a family history of heart disease, Vizzini has used her personal experiences as a driving force in her commitment to community service. She is a member of the FSU Medical Response Unit, where she has gained real-world experience responding to emergency medical situations on campus. Taking advantage of the opportunities presented to her at Florida State University, Vizzini will be applying to medical school this summer.
Why did you choose to attend FSU?
I chose to attend Florida State University for its stellar academics, breathtaking campus and unwavering school spirit. As a Florida native, I knew I wanted to continue my education at a university that gave me the comforts of home while still providing new and enriching experiences, and FSU gave me just that. While browsing FSU’s catalog of prospective majors, I came across exercise physiology and was immediately intrigued. It combined my passion for health and fitness with my strong interest in the sciences. Seeing all this program had to offer, I knew it would be one of my primary motivating factors in gaining acceptance to FSU.
What academic achievements are you most proud of?
Through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP), I joined the Lab of Integrative Vascular and Metabolic Physiology under the mentorship of doctoral candidate Paul Baker. There I assisted in studying the effects of creatine monohydrate on vascular health in overweight and obese individuals. This experience was incredibly rewarding and deepened my passion for vascular and metabolic research. I had the opportunity to present our findings at both the FSU Undergraduate Research Symposium (URS) and the Florida Undergraduate Research Conference (FURC). This experience gave me the knowledge and confidence to apply for the 2025 IDEA Grant alongside my lab mate. We aimed to further explore the relationship between exercise interventions and metabolic health — specifically in women. With a shared interest in women’s health, we designed a study on the effects of exercise interventions on menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women. We conducted our research and presented our findings at the President’s Showcase of Undergraduate Research Excellence in October 2025.
How have you impacted your community?
I have a deep passion for giving back to the community in ways that are personally meaningful. With a family history of heart disease, I’ve pursued opportunities that allow me to make a tangible impact on this cause. During my time in Alpha Phi, the funds I helped raise have gone on to support research advancements, purchase critical technology and fund programs that positively impact not only the Tallahassee community but others across the country. Through my involvement with Who We Play For, an organization that provides free or low-cost electrocardiogram screenings to help prevent Sudden Cardiac Arrest and raise awareness for heart health, I’ve been able to make a direct impact by providing affordable, potentially life-saving care to individuals in the community. As a researcher, the work we do in our lab contributes valuable scientific knowledge and informs interventions that can help individuals improve their overall health. Additionally, as a member of the FSU Medical Response Unit, I’ve had the opportunity to provide hands-on emergency medical care to those on campus.
All in all, my work at FSU and in the broader community is driven by my passion to help others and to positively impact their health and quality of life.