Our Team

Suzanne Phelan, Ph. D.

Suzanne Phelan

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.

Todd Hagobian

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.


Alison Ventura

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

Peggy Papathakis

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.

Andrew Schaffner

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.

Karen Muñoz-Christian

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

Adilene Quitana

Research Assistant


 

Jessica Avalos 

Jessica Avalos
Research Assistant


 

Leticia Perez Grover

Leticia Perez Grover

Study Materials Translator,
Tilde Translations


 

Maria Legato

Maria Legato
Behavioral Interventionist


 

Maria Teresa Sanchez

Maria Teresa Sanchez

Research Assistant


 

Martha La Spina

Martha La Spina
Research Assistant


 

Meredith Rubin

Meredith Rubin
Behavioral Interventionist


 

Michaela Clauss

Michaela Clauss

Project Coordinator
 


 

Noemi Alcaron

Noemi Alcaron

Research Assistant

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