Our Team
Suzanne Phelan, Ph. D.
Education
- MCP Hahnemann University
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, 2001 - MCP Hahnemann University
M. A. in Clinical Psychology, 1999 - University of Colorado
B. A. in French, 1989 - University of Colorado
B.S. in Journalism, 1989
Research Interests
My specialization is in the behavioral treatment of obesity and methods to promote long-term successful weight control. Currently, my research is studying effective interventions to treat and prevent obesity and related comorbidities in the time surrounding pregnancy.
Todd Hagobian, Ph. D.
Education
- University of Massachusetts Amherst
Ph.D. in Kinesiology, 2008 - San Francisco State University
M.A. in Kinesiology, 2002 - University of Southern California
B.A. in Economics, 1991
Research Interests:
My research area is focused on obesity prevention and treatment, with an emphasis on the biological and physiological mechanisms underlining weight and health changes. Currently, my research is centered on lifestyle interventions to improve weight and health outcomes in fathers and family members in the time surrounding pregnancy.
Alison Ventura, Ph. D.
Education:
- Monell Chemical Senses Center
Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2008-2011 - The Pennsylvania State University
Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies, 2008 - The Pennsylvania State University
M. S. in Human Development and Family Studies, 2005 - The Pennsylvania State University
M.S. in Nutrition Sciences, 2005 - University of California, Davis
B.S. Psychology with a Biology Emphasis, Minor in Community Nutrition, 2003
Research Interests:
My research aims to understand how feeding experiences and growth trajectories during early childhood affect the development of eating behaviors and weight status across the life course. A key focus of my research is on the bidirectional influences between children and parents, and how child characteristics influence, and are influenced by, parent characteristics and behaviors. The overarching goal of my current research is to identify potential targets for obesity prevention programs.
Peggy Papathakis, Ph. D., RD
Education:
- University of California, Davis
Ph.D. in International Nutrition, 2005, - University of California, Davis
M.S. in Nutrition, 2000 - California Polytechnic State University
B.S. in Dietetics/Food Administration, 1977
Research Interests:
My current research is focused on identifying ways to support appropriate weight gain and to optimize birth weight in moderately malnourished pregnant women in Africa. Other work includes systematic reviews of literature on combined impact of pregnancy/lactation and malnutrition in HIV infected women on maternal and infant outcomes; meta-analysis of resting energy expenditure in HIV-infected persons; diet and infant/young child feeding practices and their effect on the development of overweight and obesity in low income Latino populations in the central Coast (CA);
Andrew Schaffner, Ph. D.
Education:
- University of Washington,
Ph.D. in Statistics, 1997 - University of Washington
M.S. in Statistics, 1994 - California Polytechnic State University
B.S. in Mathematics, 1992
Research Interests:
As an applied statistician, my research objectives are to support the ongoing investigations of my colleagues across many disciplines and empower them to make meaningful inference from experimental and observational data. My particular interest is in multivariate and longitudinal health and environmental data.
Karen Muñoz-Christian, Ph. D.
Education:
- University of California Irvine; Ph.D. in Spanish, 1994
- Wichita State University; M.A. in Spanish, 1985
- Iowa State University; B.S. in Food and Nutrition, 1981
Research Interests:
My research interests include U.S. Latina/o literature, service-learning in Latino immigrant communities, and Latin American narrative and theatre. My current research projects focus on language, memory, and identity in contemporary Cuban and Latina/o fiction, as well as racial discourse and identity in the cultures of the Americas.
Elaine Yin, M.D.
Education:
- Temple University Medical School
Residency, Obstetrics/Gynecology, 1992 - Temple University Medical School
M.D., 1988 - University California Los Angeles
M. PH. epidemiology, 1984 - University of California Davis
B.S. in Physiology, 1981
Research/Medical Interests:
My research interests include pregnancy and obesity and how to impact pregnancy favorably. Also ways to improve population health globally and individually.
Family Health Research Staff
Adilene Quintana
Research Assistant
Jessica Avalos
Research Assistant
Leticia Perez Grover
Study Materials Translator,
Tilde Translations
Maria Legato
Behavioral Interventionist
Maria Teresa Sanchez
Research Assistant
Martha La Spina
Research Assistant
Meredith Rubin
Behavioral Interventionist
Michaela Clauss
Project Coordinator
Noemi Alcaron
