Hello again, and thank you for following along on my research journey! I’m excited to share some updates on my study exploring the sleep quality of postmenopausal women. After months of planning and preparation, we’ve finally reached the data collection phase. So far, we’ve successfully recruited four women into the study, and they are currently participating in our structured exercise training program. My research partner, Ella Vizzini, and I will soon begin analyzing their baseline data, which includes sleep metrics from Oura ring technology and detailed survey responses about their sleep habits, quality of rest, and overall well-being.
While we initially planned to collect data from ten participants before our presentation, delays in receiving Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval shortened our recruitment timeline. As a result, we will present preliminary findings from four to five participants at the President’s Showcase of Undergraduate Research Excellence in October and continue the study afterward to reach our original goal.
I truly believe our research has the potential to help many women. Menopause is a natural life stage experienced by all biological women, yet it remains underrepresented in research, especially in studies focused on lifestyle interventions. Many women report experiencing much discomfort during menopause, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and mood changes, which significantly disrupt their ability to sleep. Poor sleep not only affects day-to-day functioning but also impacts long-term health, including cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes. Our study seeks to answer whether or not an exercise program can improve both the physiological and psychological aspects of sleep quality for postmenopausal women. If so, this could offer an accessible, non-pharmacological option for improving the quality of life for these women.
Looking beyond this project, I am preparing to enter an exciting new chapter in my academic and professional life. This fall, I will complete my final semester at Florida State University, graduating with a degree in Cell and Molecular Neuroscience. I am currently in the process of applying to medical schools. Since I am graduating a semester early, I will have a gap period before starting medical school. During that time, I plan to continue working as a Patient Care Assistant at Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare, assist in the lab, and help train incoming research assistants.
Research has been one of the most formative parts of my undergraduate experience. It has taught me the importance of curiosity, the persistence required to navigate setbacks, and the joy of contributing, even in a small way, to the body of knowledge that drives science and medicine forward. Most importantly, it has shown me that behind every data point is a person whose life could be improved by the work we do. As I prepare for the next steps in my career, I’m excited to carry this perspective with me into medical school and beyond, continuing to ask questions, seek solutions, and strive toward making a tangible difference in people’s lives.
Thanks for reading!
-Hayley Schermer
HSF House Blogs 