Ari Bond, B.S. | Graduate Research Assistant
Ari is a graduate student pursuing her MS in Human Nutrition. She completed her bachelor’s degree at Brigham Young University in Family Studies and worked as a physical education teacher in Columbus, Ohio. Ari is currently working on the Whole Wheat for Metabolic and Gut Health study where she assists in running a clinical trial to examine the relationship between whole wheat bread consumption and cardiometabolic biomarkers in persons with prediabetes. She hopes to work for a clinical research organization after graduation.
Avi Pokala, M.S., B.S. | Graduate Research Assistant
Avi Pokala is a graduate student pursuing his Ph.D. in Human Nutrition. He is aspiring to be a three-time Buckeye as he completed his bachelor’s and master’s degree at OSU in the Human Nutrition Department. Avi is currently investigating the potential role of milk fat globule membrane in alleviating metabolic endotexmia in adults with metabolic syndrome. He hopes to pursue a career as a research scientist after graduation.
Dorsin Chang, B.S. | Graduate Research Assistant
Dorsin Chang is a graduate student pursuing her PhD in the Interdisciplinary Nutrition Program (OSUN). She completed her bachelor’s degree at the University of Pittsburgh in molecular biology/biochemistry, with a minor in chemistry. Dorsin is currently working on defining early spinal cord injury (SCI)-induced neurogenic non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (nNASH) mechanisms contributing to liver dysfunction. Another important focus is the mechanistic interactions of SCI and obesity that contribute to nNASH pathology. Upon completing her Ph.D., Dorsin seeks further training and research opportunities to become an independent investigator.
Jillian Pierson, R.D., B.S. | Graduate Research Assistant
Jillian Pierson is a graduate student pursuing her MS in Human Nutrition. She earned her BS in Human Nutrition at The Ohio State University and completed her dietetic internship at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. After obtaining registration and licensure, Jillian practiced dietetics at Saint Vincent Mercy Hospital in Toledo, Ohio. Currently, Jillian is leading a clinical trial to investigate the relationship between whole wheat and gut microbiota on metabolic health in a cohort of people with pre-diabetes. After obtaining her Ph.D., Jillian aspires to become a professor and continue research in nutrition.
Maria Antonius, B.S. | Graduate Research Assistant
Maria Antonius is a graduate student pursuing her MS in Human Nutrition. She completed her bachelor’s degrees at The Ohio State University in biochemistry and Spanish. Maria is currently working on testing a treatment for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. She hopes to work as a research scientist after graduation.
Min Zeng, M.S., B.S. | Graduate Research Assistant
Min (Mina) Zeng is a graduate student pursuing her PhD in human nutrition. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degree in Tea Science at Southwest University, Chongqing, China. Mina is currently working on a clinical trial investigating the gut-level benefits of green tea extract in persons with metabolic syndrome. She is also interested and involving in pharmacokinetic research regarding the bioavailability of bioactive compounds. She plans to graduate in 2024 and pursue a research position in an industry setting after graduation.
Shahab Rezaei, M.S., B.S. | Graduate Research Assistant
Shahab Rezaei is a PhD candidate in the Nutrition Program. He completed his BS in Surgical Technology, MS in Nutrition Science and dietetic internship at Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Shahab is currently leading the clinical pharmacokinetic study to enhance the bioavailability of plant-based fat-soluble vitamins and carotenoids through a food pairing strategy. He hopes to pursue his career as a clinical scientist.
Allyson McHenry, B.S.| Research Assistant
Allyson is an undergraduate student pursuing her bachelor’s degree at Ohio State in Nutrition Sciences. She is currently working as the Bruno Lab manager and assisting with various projects. Allyson hopes to attend graduate school at Ohio State after graduation.
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Claire Khoury | Undergraduate Research Volunteer
Edward Son | Undergraduate Research volunteer
Katie Zamary | Undergraduate Research Assistant
Katie is an undergraduate student pursuing her bachelor’s degree at Ohio State in Dietetics. She is currently working on the Whole Wheat Bread Study, assisting with biological specimen processing and kitchen-related duties. She hopes to attend graduate school at Ohio State after graduation.
Morgan Harvey | Undergraduate Research Assistant
Morgan Harvey is an undergraduate student pursuing her bachelor’s degree at The Ohio State University in Biochemistry, with a minor in Pharmaceutical Sciences. She is currently working on developing a protocol to analyze protein expression by western blot. She hopes to find work centered in pharmaceutical research and development after graduation.
Ryan Pierce | Undergraduate Research volunteer
Savannah Steinkamp | Undergraduate Research volunteer
Sean McCabe | Undergraduate Research Assistant
Sean is an undergraduate student pursuing his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry with a minor in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Bachelor of Arts in Spanish at The Ohio State University. He is currently working on molecular and biological analysis of specimens collected across various projects within the lab. He will matriculate into The Ohio State University College of Dentistry after graduation to pursue his Doctorate in Dental Surgery.
Serenity Liebchen | Undergraduate Research Volunteer