Fellows

Evidence Analysis Center Summer Research Fellow

Project: Academy Foundation 2023 Summer Evidence Analysis Center Fellowship

Funded by: Academy Foundation Research Endowment

Violeta Chacón, PhD is a dietitian from Guatemala interested in studying how nutrition policies and interventions can improve children's and adolescent’s diets. Her research aims to identify and understand factors that influence parents’ and children’s food choices. Violeta did her dietetic internship at Francisco Marroquín University, in Guatemala. She holds a Master in Food and Nutrition from the University of Chile and a PhD (2023) in Food and Nutrition Policy and Programs at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University.

Evidence Analysis Center Summer Research Fellow

Project: Academy Foundation 2022 Summer Evidence Analysis Center Fellowship

Funded by: Academy Foundation Research Endowment

Josie Dudzik is a PhD candidate in the Nutrition and Dietetics program at New York University and a Registered Dietitian at NYU Langone Hospital. She completed her Master of Science and supervised practice from Rutgers University’s Future Education Model program and her Bachelor of Science in nutrition and dietetics from Penn State University. Josie’s doctoral research focuses on protein dosing in critically ill patients and its’ effect on both short-term clinical and long-term functional outcomes. She is also evaluating barriers to implementation of nutrition support interventions by Registered Dietitians in the ICU setting.

Through the EAC Fellowship, Josie completed a mentored research program utilizing a systematic review and meta-analysis approach. The project sought to examine the effectiveness of medical nutrition therapy in individuals with prediabetes to reduce the instance of progression to type 2 diabetes. The effect of MNT on additional anthropometric and biochemical measurements in prediabetic individuals is being analyzed in conjunction. During the fellowship, Josie also attended the WHO/Cochrane/Cornell University Summer Institute for Systematic Reviews in Nutrition for Global Policy.

Evidence Analysis Center Summer Research Fellow

Project: Academy Foundation 2021 Summer Evidence Analysis Center Fellowship

Funded by: Academy Foundation Research Endowment

Cherine Hatem is a doctoral student at the University of Houston pursuing a PhD in kinesiology with a focus on obesity studies. She previously earned a Bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and a Master’s of science degree in Nutrition and completed a dietetic internship at the University of Houston.

Through her fellowship, Cherine completed a mentored, 12-week research experience with the Academy’s Evidence Analysis Center (EAC). The research team sought to examine the effectiveness of medical nutrition therapy on lipid outcomes in adults with dyslipidemia using a systematic review and meta-analysis approach. Specifically, the research question was: “In adults with dyslipidemia, what is the effectiveness of medical nutrition therapy interventions provided by a dietitian or international equivalent, compared to usual care or no intervention, on lipid outcomes?”

Her doctoral research is focused on understanding, preventing and correcting childhood obesity through the promotion of healthy eating behaviors. She has worked on several research projects, including ones that examined intervention studies aimed at testing strategies to reduce childhood obesity within a family setting, parental influences on eating behaviors, rapid weight gain in early infancy and toddlerhood, and challenges within the dietetic profession.

Evidence Analysis Center Summer Research Fellow

Project: Academy Foundation 2023 Summer Evidence Analysis Center Fellowship

Funded by: Academy Foundation Research Endowment

Sri Lakshmi Devarakonda, RD is a PhD candidate in the Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University. She completed her Master of Science from Case Western Reserve University and Dietetic Internship from University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio. Sri’s doctoral research focuses on the interactions between dietary intake, gut microbiota, and host genetics as a potential venue for formulating precision nutrition strategies to manage metabolic disorders. She is from Eluru, a small town in south India. Sri started her career as a clinical dietitian in a multi-specialty hospital in India, where she gained extensive experience providing care to liver and kidney transplantation patients, critically ill individuals as well as specializing in bariatric surgery nutrition. Sri is passionate about teaching nutrition to aspiring students alongside clinical and translational research.

Evidence Analysis Center Summer Research Fellow

Project: Academy Foundation 2021 Summer Evidence Analysis Center Fellowship

Funded by: Academy Foundation Research Endowment

Alex Mohr is a PhD candidate currently enrolled in the Exercise and Nutritional Sciences doctoral program at Arizona State University. He is also seeking his registered dietitian nutritionist credential from the ACEND-accredited ASU program.

Through his fellowship, Alex completed a mentored,12-week research experience with the Academy’s Evidence Analysis Center. The research team sought to examine the effectiveness of medical nutrition therapy on lipid outcomes in adults with dyslipidemia using a systematic review and meta-analysis approach. Specifically, the research question was: “In adults with dyslipidemia, what is the effectiveness of medical nutrition therapy interventions provided by a dietitian or international equivalent, compared to usual care or no intervention, on lipid outcomes?”

Alex’s doctoral research is focused on the impact of diet on overweight/obesity status, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease using both basic science and clinical approaches. His thesis work aims to provide a better understanding of how different calorie-restricted diet models impact the gut microbiome, fecal metabolome, and systemic inflammatory profile in obese individuals.

Evidence Analysis Center Summer Research Fellow

Project: Academy Foundation 2025 Summer Evidence Analysis Center Fellowship

Funded by: Academy Foundation Research Endowment

Leveraging over 15 years of experience in evidence-based practice and healthcare system operations management, Keiy brings creative and innovative ways to rethink food and nutrition ecosystems. Previously, at Johns Hopkins Medicine and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, his collaborative leadership enabled the successful implementation of strategic operational initiatives and nutrition care, thereby optimizing clinical practices.

Keiy is completing his Doctorate of Clinical Nutrition at Rutgers University, completed his Masters and dietetic internship at California State University, Northridge, and received his Bachelor’s from Pepperdine University.

Evidence Analysis Center Summer Research Fellow

Project: Academy Foundation 2024 Summer Evidence Analysis Center Fellowship

Funded by: Academy Foundation Research Endowment

Rachel Newman, PhD, MS, RD, LDN, is a registered dietitian and recent graduate from West Virginia University (WVU), where she completed her dietetic internship, bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees. She has significant experience teaching multiple undergraduate nutrition courses at WVU and holds a graduate certificate in university teaching.

As a clinical dietitian, Rachel has worked in various specialties including rehabilitation, cardiology, critical care, and long-term care. Her research endeavors span from basic laboratory sciences to translational research, with her doctoral dissertation focusing on the role of dietary supplements in post-stroke rehabilitation outcomes.

Throughout her academic and professional career, Rachel has been passionate about the interdependence and collective impact of nutrition practice, research, and education.

Evidence Analysis Center Summer Research Fellow

Project: Academy Foundation 2025 Summer Evidence Analysis Center Fellowship

Funded by: Academy Foundation Research Endowment

Shelly Palmer, MS, RDN, is a doctoral student at Colorado State University in the Food Science & Human Nutrition department. She completed her BS/MS degrees from Iowa State University in diet and exercise and her dietetic internship from the University of Wisconsin-Stout.

Shelly has experience as a retail RDN at two grocery stores, Research Specialist at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and project management at the Center for Nutrition & Health Impact. Her research focuses on implementing and evaluating a nutrition education curriculum for American Indian and Alaska Native adults with diabetes.

Evidence Analysis Center Summer Research Fellow

Project: Academy Foundation 2022 Summer Evidence Analysis Center Fellowship

Funded by: Academy Foundation Research Endowment

Katelyn Senkus is a PhD candidate in Human Nutrition at The University of Alabama. Her doctoral research supports cardiometabolic health by elucidating the relationships among dietary bioactive compounds, oxidative stress, and inflammation, as well as vascular function. Further, she investigates variables that may mediate the beneficial effects of nutrition interventions, such as obesity and the oral microbiome, on the aforementioned measures, permitting the differentiation between intervention responders and non-responders.

Through this Academy fellowship, Katelyn completed a 12-week mentored research experience with the Academy’s Evidence Analysis Center. She is conducted a systematic review/meta-analysis to investigate the effectiveness of medical nutrition therapy interventions provided by a dietitian, or international equivalent, on various health outcomes in individuals with pre-hypertension or hypertension.

Evidence Analysis Center Summer Research Fellow

Project: Academy Foundation 2024 Summer Evidence Analysis Center Fellowship

Funded by: Academy Foundation Research Endowment

Victoria Warren, MS, RD, is a doctoral student at the University of Houston pursuing a PhD in Kinesiology with a concentration in Community Health Promotion. She completed her Master of Science in Kinesiology and her Dietetic Internship, as well as her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Nutrition at Miami University. Her doctoral research explores intuitive eating, maladaptive eating, and physical activity behaviors.

Accelerating Food Security Fellow

Project: Accelerating Food Security: Food Supply Chain Innovation

Funded by: National Dairy Council

Dr. Betsy Anderson Steeves is a Senior Research Scientist with the Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition. Prior to this role, she was an Assistant Professor in the Public Health Nutrition program and Director of the HEALTHE Research Lab at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Through her fellowship, she led a research project focused on evaluating innovative solutions that increased the supply of nutritious food for food insecure individuals in rural, suburban, and urban communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of this work, Betsy led an advisory group of experts and worked closely with the Foundation and the Academy’s RISA team to conduct case study research on multiple food distribution sites that have utilized a variety of innovative distribution models to successfully provide nutritious foods to food insecure communities.

Betsy is a Registered Dietitian and holds a doctoral degree in Public Health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She completed her Master’s in Public Health Nutrition and Dietetic Internship at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Her research interests focus on the intersection of food access, food security, and health equity, with an emphasis on exploring strategies to increase healthy food acquisition through interventions and innovations in food retail settings, the charitable feeding system, and federal nutrition programs.

Food Security Solutions Fellow

Project: Food Security Solutions – Community-Based Pilot

Funded by: General Mills Foundation

Debra (Debbie) Petitpain is a registered dietitian nutritionist who currently serves as the Wellness Director for the Medical University of South Carolina. In her fellowship, she led the development and implementation of a robust communications, engagement, and dissemination plan to promote increased awareness and use of the Food Security Solutions guide and tools and the ANDHII Survey App in the public health community and to related stakeholders. In addition to her fellowship, Debbie represented the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and its members as a national Spokesperson.

Halal Research Fellowship: Food and Nutrition Security Among College Students

Project: Halal Research Fellowship: Food and Nutrition Security Among College Students

Funded by: Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America

Dr. Nida Shaikh is as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutrition at Georgia State University. She is a Registered Dietitian and holds a doctoral degree in Nutrition and Health Sciences from Emory University, two masters degrees (MSc in Dietetics from University of Pune, India and MS in Nutrition from Georgia State University), and an undergraduate degree in Foods and Nutrition from S.N.D.T. Women’s University, Mumbai, India. 

Through her fellowship, Dr. Shaikh worked with the Academy’s RISA team to lead research that evaluated barriers to food security among Muslim college students; the impact of food and nutrition insecurity on health and well-being of Muslim college students; inventory of halal food options on campuses; and potential cost-effective solutions to reduce food and nutrition insecurity among Muslim college students.

Dr. Shaikh is the recipient of two NIH Fogarty Global Health Fellowships and completed her post-doctoral training in nutrition and chronic disease at Emory University. Her research interests focus on the intersection between nutrition, food insecurity and chronic diseases and in developing and evaluating dietary assessment instruments to assess shifts in diets following globalization and development. When she is not working, you can find her reading and doing jigsaw puzzles. She lives in Atlanta with her husband and children.

Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems Fellow

Project: Foundation Future of Food Program

Funded by: National Dairy Council

Marie Spiker is a registered dietitian nutritionist who advocates for expanding the role of credentialed food and nutrition practitioners in shaping healthy and sustainable food systems. Through her fellowship, she is working to empower future food and nutrition professionals to be leaders in sustainable food systems, food and nutrition security, and global malnutrition. She has conducted a wide range of food systems research related to urban agriculture in Baltimore, food loss and waste in the United States, and vegetable supply chains and food security in India. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Public Health and her Bachelor of Arts in Medical Anthropology from the University of Washington. She also completed her dietetic internship at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center and her MSPH in Human Nutrition at the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She is currently a doctoral candidate in Human Nutrition at the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She has received the Abell Award in Urban Policy, served as the Gordis Teaching Fellow at John Hopkins University, and received multi-disciplinary training in public health nutrition, systems science, and medical anthropology.

Hunger Free Communities Fellow

Project: Hunger Free Communities (now the Food Security Solutions Project)

Funded by: General Mills Foundation

Lee Unangst is currently a consultant in nutrition and informatics, providing services in the areas standardized terminology, application and tool development, and nutrition counseling. In his role as a fellow and as part of the Foundation’s Hunger Free Communities project, he worked closely with the Academy’s Research team to plan, execute, and publish a modification to Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Health Informatics Infrastructure so that ANDHII can be used for public health nutrition projects. He completed his undergraduate work at the University of Maryland and his Master’s degree in Information Systems at the University of Maryland Baltimore County.

Agriculture, Nutrition and Health Fellow

Project: Agriculture, Food and Health Consensus Conference & Food Waste

Funded by: The Academy Foundation Research Endowment

Chris Vogliano is a registered dietitian with a passion for creating a sustainable and waste-free food system that is healthy for both people and the planet. During his fellowship, he was the primary member of a team that hosted an Agriculture, Nutrition and Health consensus conference at the Academy headquarters with nearly two dozen thought leaders and experts. Following the conference, he authored a proceedings paper that was published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, as well as a proceedings paper for the Foundation's 2015 FNCE Symposium, "The RDNs' Guide to Plentiful, Nutrient-Dense Food for the World."

Hunger Free Communities Fellow

Project: Hunger Free Communities (now the Food Security Solutions Project)

Funded by: General Mills Foundation

Elizabeth Yakes Jimenez is currently a research associate professor at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center in Albuquerque, NM. She also serves as the Director of the Dietetics Practice Based Research Network at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. During her time as a fellow, she developed and validated a food and nutrition security facilitation guide and tools to assist communities with identifying and prioritizing appropriate interventions to address hunger.

Prioritizing Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility in Nutrition and Dietetics Fellow

Project: Prioritizing Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility in Nutrition and Dietetics: Overcoming Obstacles to RDN and NDTR Recruitment, Education and Advancement

Funded by: The Nutrition and Dietetics Educators and Preceptors and member leader Diane Heller, MMSc, RDN, LD, FAND

Dr. Marie Allsopp is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Purdue University in the Department of Nutrition Science. Through her fellowship, she built on the important work of the Academy’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee to create a framework to identify and more fully understand barriers to success for students of diverse backgrounds and cultures. Her work included identifying barriers that students of diverse backgrounds and cultures face in becoming RDNs and NDTRs; identifying obstacles for RDNs and NDTRs of diverse backgrounds and cultures in advancing in the profession; and creating a framework with solutions to support students, RDNs, and NDTRs of diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Marie is passionate about pursuing pedagogical practices to increase undergraduate student engagement as well as diversity and inclusion. Her line of scholarship of teaching and learning includes using multi-media to engage students, collaborative learning, service-learning, and flipped classrooms. In fall of 2019, Marie was a fellow of Instruction Matters: Purdue Academic Course Transformation (IMPACT), which was a Chronicle of Higher Education 2018 Innovator for promoting classroom culture change. Prior to joining academia, she accrued over a decade of work experience as a registered dietitian in clinical, community, and customer service settings in in the South. Subsequent to completing her Doctor of Public Health degree in 2015, Marie held full-time posts at Miami University (OH) and later at Mississippi State University. Marie Allsopp has received recognition professionally as a practitioner, program (DPD) director, and assistant professor for her dedication and service and is a member of NDEP, NOBIDAN, and the DBC DPG.

Nutrition Education Research Fellow

Project: GENIE Development and Validation

Funded by: ConAgra Foods Foundation

In her role as the ConAgra Foods Foundation Nutrition Education Research Fellow at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Jenica Abram worked as a primary member of the project team responsible for the design and validation of the Guide for Effective Nutrition Interventions and Education.

Simulation Research Fellow

Project: Simulation Area Identification and Development

Funded by: Funded by the Commission on Dietetics Registration

Sandra Carpenter served as Simulation Research Fellow at Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Greater Pittsburgh Area Health, Wellness and Fitness. As a registered dietitian specializing in diabetes management, nutrition support, cardiovascular health and food service management, she is a passionate educator and worksite wellness professional who leads by example.

Communications and Research Dissemination Fellow

Project: Academy Foundation Communications and Dissemination Fellowship

Funded by: Academy Foundation Nutrition Education for the Public Fund

Sherry Coleman Collins is a Marietta, Gs. based registered dietitian nutritionist with more than 15 years of experience in food allergies, pediatric clinical nutrition, school foodservice and nutrition communications. She is a sought-after speaker and freelance writer, and serves as an expert to the media, including in her current role as Georgia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' State Media Representative. Through her fellowship, Sherry led the creation of an updated research dissemination plan for Foundation-funded research and supported the Foundation in increasing the visibility of the impact their programs have on credentialed nutrition and dietetics practitioners and students.

Sherry provides reliable and science-based information about food, nutrition and health, and food allergies for other healthcare professionals and consumers. A graduate of Georgia State University's undergraduate and coordinated masters and internship programs, Sherry wrote her first articles about nutrition for The Signal, the university newspaper. Since then, she has penned dozens of articles for print and online publications. She has been a podcast host and guest – and she's even enjoyed a few spots on local television. She maintains a consistent presence on social media at @DietitianSherry where she shares her love for cooking and shares nutrition and lifestyle tips. 

With her expertise in food allergies, Sherry spearheaded the development of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' Certificate of Training in Food Allergies and authored the Academy's Practice Paper on the Role of the RDN in Food Allergy Diagnosis and Management. She has completed the FARE Pediatric Food Allergy Certificate of Training. She is married to her favorite handyman, and is raising one video game-obsessed boy, a dog and six chickens.

Integrative and Functional Nutrition Microcertification Fellow

Project: Integrative and Functional Nutrition Microcertification Fellowship

Funded by: The Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine Dietetic Practice Group

Monique Richard, MS, RDN, LDN, FAND, IFNCP, RYT, is an award-winning RD with a Master of Science degree in Clinical Nutrition and a minor in Psychology, and she is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) and owner of Nutrition-In-Sight in Johnson City, Tennessee. Monique sees clients in her private practice using an integrative and functional medicine focused approach, and she offers nutrition communication, consulting, and counseling services virtually and in person. She has written numerous informative articles and presentations to students, colleagues, and clients on leadership, integrative and functional nutrition, private practice, telehealth, and the value of the dietitian's role in health care and public health and worked in outpatient primary care facilities, serving a broad and diverse patient population ranging from pediatrics to geriatrics with a variety of conditions and nutritional needs. 

Monique is an avid writer, leader, presenter, and educator, bringing an international health perspective to her work from having participated in teaching, fieldwork, and academic presentations in Haiti, Egypt, China, India, Italy, and Israel. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (FAND), is Past President of the International Affiliate of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (IAAND), has served as adjunct faculty at two local universities, and is regularly interviewed for a variety of media outlets. 

In her fellowship, Monique led a program of work focused on developing both the microcertification model for the Academy's Center for Lifelong Learning as well as a new Advanced Practice Certificate of Training focused on integrative and functional nutrition.

Advancing Practice in Nutrition and Dietetics Fellow

Project: Advancing the Practice in Nutrition and Dietetics

Funded by: The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics

Dr. Jody Vogelzang previously served as an assistant professor and program director at Grand Valley State University. Through her fellowship, she worked closely with the Foundation and ACEND® to lead a program of work that included:

• Supporting the creation of standards for an advanced practice doctorate in nutrition program
• Coordinating all aspects of a clinical skills workshop for program directors, faculty, and preceptors
• Providing additional resources and materials based on ACEND^® Future Education Model data

Jody is a registered dietitian and holds a doctoral degree from Walden University, completed her Master’s in Health Sciences degree from Grand Valley State University, and completed her undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. She is an experienced educator and has been an active volunteer leader of the Academy and Foundation throughout her career.

Nutrition in Food Retail Program Development Fellow

Project: Food as Medicine

Funded by: Walmart, the Academy Foundation Research Endowment, the Bell Institute and Topco

Allison Yoder is an award-winning registered dietitian nutritionist and leader in the retail health and wellness industry, specializing in the strategic development of wellness programming. Currently, she is the Nutrition Program Development Manager for Kroger Health's Food as Medicine team. Through her fellowship, she developed a concept and scope for how to leverage RDNs and the concept of Food as Medicine in the food retail environment, including creating a definition of Food as Medicine and creating numerous free resources on the topic as well as leading a pilot study that evaluated a Food as Medicine intervention in the retail setting.

Allison has a passion for improving the health of individuals and communities and utilizes data analytics and her extensive background in health promotion and retail nutrition to produce cost-effective and results-driven wellness strategies to improve nutrition and health outcomes. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Dietetics from Iowa State University and has a Master’s degree in Health Promotion from the University of Alabama. She is certified in adult weight management and is a trained lifestyle coach through the National Diabetes Prevention and Recognition program. Prior to the fellowship, she spent 13 years at Hy-Vee.

Grace L. Ostenso Nutrition in Public Policy Fellow

Project: Grace L. Ostenso Nutrition and Public Policy Fellowship

Funded by: The Academy Foundation Ostenso Fund

Lauren Au is an Assistant Researcher at University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Nutrition Policy Institute. The Foundation fellowship provided her the opportunity to serve one year as a Congressional fellow in Washington, D.C.

Grace L. Ostenso Nutrition in Public Policy Fellow

Project: Grace L. Ostenso Nutrition and Public Policy fellowship in partnership with the American Association for the Advancement of Science's Congressional Science and Engineering Fellows Program

Funded by: The estate of Dr. Grace L. Ostenso and Helen and Ed Hintz

Laura Bain, PhD, MBA, RDN received her doctorate in Nutritional Science at Kansas State University. Laura's doctoral research analyzed prison menus and surveyed corrections dietitians to assess the state of corrections menus. Her experience includes food and clinical nutrition services in corrections and school nutrition.

This fellowship is a collaboration with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and their Congressional Science and Engineering Fellows Program. Laura spent a year working in Washington, DC as a special assistant providing scientific input to U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's staff.

She worked in the Georgia and Utah prison systems as part of the medical and food service management teams providing nutrition support and over 150,000 daily meals. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from Brigham Young University and an MBA from the University of Utah. Laura enjoys volunteering with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and previously served as the Dietitians in Health Care Communities Corrections Sub-Unit Chair.

Grace L. Ostenso Nutrition in Public Policy Fellow

Project: Grace L. Ostenso Nutrition and Public Policy fellowship in partnership with the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s Congressional Science and Engineering Fellows Program

Funded by: The estate of Dr. Grace L. Ostenso and Helen and Ed Hintz

Dr. Amanda Berhaupt previously served as the Research & Engagement Advisor for the Access to Nutrition Initiative, a non-profit that benchmarks food and beverage manufacturers' nutrition commitments, practices, and disclosures.

This fellowship is a collaboration with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and their Congressional Science and Engineering Fellows Program. Amanda spent a year working in Washington, DC as a special assistant providing scientific input to U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s staff.

Amanda received her PhD in Applied & Community Nutrition from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, where her dissertation focused on, “Qualified Health Claims: Communicating the Scientific Certainty about Functional Food Relationships to Consumers.” She received her Masters of Science in Dietetics and Nutrition from and completed her dietetic internship at Florida International University, and completed her BA in Psychology at University at Albany.

Amanda is an active member of the Academy and its International affiliate. Additionally, she is the owner of her own consulting company, ABG Consulting, LLC, where she provides technical support to companies on a variety of research topics. Prior to these roles, she served as an ORISE Research Fellow for the US Food & Drug Administration from 2014-2015.

Grace L. Ostenso Nutrition in Public Policy Fellow

Project: Grace L. Ostenso Nutrition and Public Policy Fellowship

Funded by: The Academy Foundation Ostenso Fund

Leigh Gantner is an analyst at USDA in the Washington D.C. Metro Area. She completed a PhD in nutritional sciences from Cornell University, where her dissertation was entitled, “Building environments to promote healthy weights among childbearing women.” The Foundation fellowship provided her the opportunity to serve one year as a Congressional fellow in Washington, D.C.

Grace L. Ostenso Nutrition in Public Policy Fellow

Project: Grace L. Ostenso Nutrition and Public Policy fellowship in partnership with the American Association for the Advancement of Science's Congressional Science and Engineering Fellows Program

Funded by: The Grace L. Ostenso Nutrition and Public Policy Fund

Charlotte Griffith is a dedicated registered dietitian and nutrition scientist with extensive experience in translational nutrition research. She is passionate about applying her research expertise to shape public policy, ensuring that nutrition science is effectively translated into meaningful health initiatives.

This fellowship is a collaboration with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and their Congressional Science and Engineering Fellows Program. Charlotte spent a year working in Washington, DC as a special assistant providing scientific input to U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar's staff.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from Purdue University, a Master of Science in Nutrition Science and Policy from Tufts University, and a PhD in Nutritional Science from The University of Texas at Austin.

Grace L. Ostenso Nutrition in Public Policy Fellow

Project: Grace L. Ostenso Nutrition and Public Policy fellowship in partnership with the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s Congressional Science and Engineering Fellows Program

Funded by: The estate of Dr. Grace L. Ostenso and Helen and Ed Hintz

Dr. Uzogara is an interdisciplinary scientist with interests in STEM, food, nutrition, health, public policy and education. Prior to the fellowship, she worked as an epidemiologist at Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Adjunct Professor of Nutrition at Roxbury Community College (RCC), Boston, MA where she received the RCC Gateway Award for excellence in teaching and facilitating student learning. Previously, Dr. Uzogara worked overseas and provided visionary leadership as Head of the Biochemistry Department at University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. She has worked in the USA and internationally in biotechnology, academia and government public health.

This fellowship is a collaboration with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and their Congressional Science and Engineering Fellows Program. Stella is spending a year working in Washington, DC as a special assistant providing scientific input to congress.

Dr. Uzogara earned her PhD in Food Science from University of London, in the UK; MS degree in Nutrition and Food Science from Drexel University, Philadelphia PA; and BSc degree in Biochemistry from University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Dr Uzogara is a certified food scientist, RDN, and Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Dr. Uzogara has served as a mentor to multicultural students, minority youth and women, and is passionate about diversity, equity, inclusion and engagement. She is also the recipient of several awards, including the Academy’s “2021 Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Promotion Award” and “2019 Excellence in Public Health/Community Nutrition Award.” She also received the “2019 Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award” and “2018 NextGen Public Service Award.”

Malnutrition Clinical Characteristics Study – Pediatric Fellow

Project: Malnutrition Clinical Characteristics and Staffing Optimization Study (now the AAIM – Academy and ASPEN Indicators to Diagnose Malnutrition Study) – Pediatric Emphasis

Funded by: Pediatric Nutrition Practice Group

Courtney Bliss is a registered dietitian nutritionist who enjoys the challenge of ensuring growth and good nutritional status during metabolically stressed states. In her fellowship, she is working with primary investigators to plan, execute, and publish research conducted for the Malnutrition Clinical Characteristics and Staffing Optimization Study specific to the pediatric population. She completed her undergraduate work at Simmons College and completed both her dietetic internship and Master’s degree in nutrition at Arizona State University. She has prior experience as a PICU dietitian, Cardiac Transplant dietitian, and Research Coordinator at Phoenix Children’s Hospital in critical care.

Malnutrition Research Fellow

Project: Malnutrition Clinical Characteristics Pilot Trial

Funded by: Abbott Nutrition

Lindsey Field is a registered and licensed dietitian who holds a Master's of Science degree in Nutrition from Texas A&M University. She served as the Abbott Nutrition Malnutrition Research Fellow from 2014-2015. During the fellowship, she served as project coordinator for the Malnutrition Clinical Characteristics Validation Pilot Study. She assisted with data extraction and analysis and communicated regularly with dietitian participants at three study sites.

Malnutrition Clinical Characteristics Study – Pediatric Fellow

Project: Malnutrition Clinical Characteristics and Staffing Optimization Study (now the AAIM – Academy and ASPEN Indicators to Diagnose Malnutrition Study) – Pediatric Emphasis

Funded by: Pediatric Nutrition Practice Group

Julie Long is a registered dietitian nutritionist who is interested in improving the lives of children through helping provide access and resources to adequate and appropriate nutrition. In her fellowship, she is working with primary investigators to plan, execute, and publish research conducted for the Malnutrition Clinical Characteristics and Staffing Optimization Study specific to the pediatric population. Prior to beginning the fellowship, she was the Project Manager of a research study assessing micronutrient absorption of young children at risk for environmental enteric dysfunction in Bangladesh. She obtained her Bachelor’s in Nutrition from California Polytechnic State University and completed her dietetic internship, MS in Nutrition and Wellness, and MPH from Benedictine University.

Malnutrition Clinical Characteristics Study – Adult Fellow

Project: Malnutrition Clinical Characteristics and Staffing Optimization Study (now the AAIM – Academy and ASPEN Indicators to Diagnose Malnutrition Study) – Adult Emphasis

Funded by: Commission on Dietetics Registration

Lindsay Woodcock is a registered dietitian nutritionist with a background in clinical research. In her fellowship, she worked with primary investigators to plan, execute, and publish research conducted for the Malnutrition Clinical Characteristics and Staffing Optimization Study specific to the adult population. Lindsay completed her Bachelors of Arts in Mathematics and Religious studies at Lafayette College, her dietetic internship at Wellness Workdays, and her Masters of Science in Human Nutrition from Drexel University in 2013. Prior to her fellowship, she worked at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where she worked on a number of studies and diet trials related to the treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Global Research Fellow

Project: Maya Health Alliance/Wuqu' Kawoq

Funded by: The Academy Foundation Nutrition Education for the Public Fund

Stephen Alajajian is a registered dietitian nutritionist with a passion for serving culturally and linguistically diverse people. Through his fellowship, he is currently working with Maya Health Alliance/Wuqu' Kawoq in Tecpán, Guatemala. In this role, he is overseeing the implementation research and quality improvement aspects of a garden research project and participating in nutrition-related efforts for the organization. Prior to this fellowship year, he served as a Foundation Fellow with Gardens for Health International in Rwanda as Senior Nutrition Technical Adviser. He completed his undergraduate degree in dietetics at University of Vermont and his dietetic internship at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. Previously, he worked as a nutrition consultant for the Clinica Sanjuanerita in Guatemala and as a maternal-child nutritionist at the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center.

Global Research Fellow

Project: Central America Malnutrition – Policy Perspective

Funded by: The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation Wimpfheimer-Guggenheim Fund for International Exchange in Nutrition, Dietetics, and Management

Alice Figueroa is a registered dietitian nutritionist who is passionate about promoting universal access to nutrition support, health services, and wholesome foods for all. Through her fellowship, Alice conducted research to address chronic malnutrition and stunting in Central America. Her research focused on identifying gaps in nutrition services in Central America and vulnerable indigenous populations in Guatemala who are at increased risk for malnutrition and stunting. She earned a Master’s in Public Health from New York University, where she also completed her dietetic internship. She holds an honors degree in International Relations with a focus on healthcare policy from Tulane University and is a CDC’s National Diabetes Prevention Program Certified Lifestyle Coach. She is also a James Beard Foundation National Scholar Award Recipient and a Natural Foods Chef.

Gardens for Health International Fellow

Project: Gardens for Health International

Funded by: The Academy Foundation Nutrition Education for the Public Fund

Janice Giddens was the first Gardens for Health International Fellow in Rwanda. During her fellowship, she developed and implemented an antenatal nutrition pilot curriculum reaching hundreds of women and families and participated in Ministry of Health Technical Nutrition meetings.

Global Research Fellow

Project: Early Complementary Feeding of Eggs in Rural Guatemala

Funded by: Egg Nutrition Center

Gabriela Montenegro-Bethancourt is a Guatemalan nutritionist who is interested in improving the quality of life in children with fewer opportunities to develop their full potential through promoting adequate nutrition. Currently, she is a Research Manager with the Maya Health Alliance. 

In her fellowship, she served as study coordinator and worked with primary investigators and Maya Health Alliance/Wuqu’ Kawoq in Tecpán, Guatemala to conduct research that examined the impact of the daily provision of eggs on child development. She holds a PhD in Food Sciences and Human Nutrition from Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität (Bonn, Germany), a Masters of Science in International Public Health from Vrije Universteit (Amsterdam, Netherlands), and a Nutrition Degree from Universidad de San Carlos (Guatemala City, Guatemala). 

Prior to her fellowship, Gabriela served as a research methods teacher in various universities in her hometown (Quetzaltenango, Guatemala) and as an affiliated researcher at CeSSIAM (a research Institute in Guatemala), where she worked on a number of nutrition-related studies. She is member of the Nutrition Leaders Program for the Latin American region (IUNS) and the Guatemalan Academy of Medical, Physics and Natural Sciences.