Concordia Alumni Publish Trailblazing Research on Hydration and Cardiovascular Health

A Research Journey Rooted in Faith and Curiosity

Jacob, a biology major with a business minor, has always been fascinated by the complexity of the human body. “God is a magnificent Creator of something we may never fully comprehend,” he says. That passion led him to Dr. Nathan Meier, an associate professor in the Kinesiology department, whose research interests aligned with his own. Together, they brainstormed ideas before teaming up with Maddie, an exercise and sports science major.

Their study explored the link between hydration and central blood pressure, a topic with limited research but important implications for heart health. “We discovered our study could help fill gaps in literature and contribute to positive changes in healthcare,” Maddie explains. While they expected dehydration to put added strain on the cardiovascular system, their findings showed no significant effect in young, healthy adults. Their work highlights the need for further research and deepens our understanding of how hydration impacts the body.

Mentorship and Community

Concordia’s supportive community played a key role in their success. “Where I saw barriers, my professors and peers saw opportunities,” Maddie reflects. 

Jacob echoes this, crediting Dr. Meier not only for his guidance in the lab but also for his personal and spiritual mentorship. “We bonded over our faith, and outside research, we cycled, ran trails, and trained together,” Jacob says. “Dr. Meier and Maddie are bright, intelligent, and incredible teammates. I still keep in touch with them.” 

Overcoming Challenges 

That foundation of mentorship and perseverance became even more important when the COVID-19 pandemic forced Concordia’s campus to close just weeks after they completed data collection in early 2020. Transitioning to remote collaboration added another layer of difficulty, requiring frequent virtual meetings, shared files, and constant communication to keep the project on track. Despite the challenges, they remained focused on the goal of seeing their research through to completion. 

Even after graduation, the road to publication was demanding. The peer-review process required multiple revisions and refinements, testing their patience and attention to detail. Looking back, Maddie and Jacob see it as a challenging but rewarding testament to perseverance, teamwork, and the support they received from Concordia, which will shape their future endeavors. 

Making an Impact 

Now that their research has been published, Maddie and Jacob hope it serves as a foundation for future studies. “We hope this study inspires more research on the relationship between hydration status and central blood pressure,” Jacob says. “Maybe even by Concordia students!” 

Maddie envisions a future where non-invasive central blood pressure measurements become the norm in healthcare. “We just need more research,” she says. “I hope this study sparks that interest.” 

Life After Concordia 

Since graduating, Maddie has earned 1,500 direct patient care hours and is preparing to continue her education at the graduate level. Jacob has worked for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in San Jose, CA, before transitioning to Commercial Sales in the St. Louis, MO area. As they move forward in their careers, both Maddie and Jacob credit their research experience at Concordia for shaping their critical thinking, resilience, and passion for lifelong learning that will continue to influence their work.