Department of Nutrition
Meet the Students
The Department of Nutrition at UNCG has a very diverse group of graduate students. Below is a list of current students and a brief description of their interests. Students are grouped by areas of specialization (i.e. cellular and molecular nutrition, community nutrition and nutrition education, human/clinical nutrition, and master's non-thesis option). Please feel free to contact anyone for more information
Cellular and Molecular Nutrition
Huiyuan (Dennis) Chen
Dennis will be pursuing his PhD degree under the direction of Dr. Wai Jia.
Chia-Chi Chuang
Chia-Chi received a BS degree in Medical Technology from Taipei Medical University and a MS degree in Toxicology from National Taiwan University. She will be pursuing her PhD degree under the direction of Dr. Michael McIntosh.
Shatha Farah
Shatha received a BS degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences from Jordan University of Science and Technology, Jordan. She is seeking a MS degree in Cellular and Molecular Nutrition and is working under the direction of Dr. Keith Erikson.
Bradley Ferguson
Brad received a BS degree from Appalachian State University in 2003, and a MS degree from UNCG in Exercise and Sport Science in 2005. He is seeking a PhD degree and is working in Dr. Ron Morrison’s lab.
Steve Fordahl
Steve received his BS degree in Nutrition from UNCG. He is seeking an MS degree and is working with Dr. Keith Erikson.
Kristina B. Martinez
Kristina received a BS degree from UNCG in Nutrition and Dietetics in 2006 and is seeking a PhD degree in Dr. Michael McIntosh’s lab.
Jon Messer
Jon received a BS degree in Biology from UNCG. He is pursuing a PhD in Cellular and Molecular Nutrition under the direction of Dr. Deborah Kipp.
Colette Miller
Colette received her BS in Exercise Science from the Florida State University in 2007. Colette is pursuing an MS degree and will be working with Dr. Lynda Brown.
Hee Sun Nam
Hee Sun received a BS degree in Biology from UNCG. Hee Sun is pursuing a PhD degree and will be working with Dr. Ron Morrison.
Angel Overman
Angel received a BS degree from UNCG in Nutrition in 2008 and is seeking a MS degree in Dr. Michael McIntosh's lab.
Wan Shen Wan received a MS degree from Buffalo University in New York and is seeking a PhD degree in Dr. Michael McIntosh's lab.
Xeuqing (Heather) Zhao
Heather will be pursuing her PhD degree under the direction of Dr. Wai Jia.
Community Nutrition and Nutrition Education
Irene Acheampong
Irene has a BS in Nutrition Food Science from the University of Ghana in 2005. She is pursuing her MS degree under the leadership of Dr. Lauren Haldeman and plans to complete the Dietetic Internship program.
Anna Matteson
Anna received her BS degree from UNCG in Nutrition with a concentration in Human Nutrition and Dietetics and a minor in Chemistry. She is seeking a MS thesis degree under the direction of Dr. Haldeman.
Carinthia Cherry
Carinthia has a BS in Biology & Chemistry from Elizabeth City State University and a MS in Food and Nutritional Sciences from NC A&T University. She is pursuing a PhD under the direction of Dr. Martha Taylor.
Tara Lynn Flint
Tara has a BS degree in Mathematics from the College of William and Mary received in 2004 and since then has taken courses at the Northern Virginia Community College. She is seeking a MS degree and will be working with Dr. Margaret Savoca and plans to complete the Dietetic Internship program.
Sara Himmelrich
Sarah graduated in 2008 with a BS degree in Human Nutrition & Dietetics from UNCG. She is pursuing an MS degree, working under the direction of Dr. Lauren Haldeman.
Kandis P. Ingram
Kandis has a BS degree in Animal Science from the University of MO-Columbia in 2004. She is seeking an MS degree and will be working with Dr. Lauren Haldeman.
Tiffany Morton
Tiffany received her BS degree in Chemistry from UNC-Chapel Hill. She has also received her MS degree in Teaching Adolescent Education with a concentration in Chemistry from Pace University in New York. Tiffany is pursuing the MS degree and will be working with Dr. Margaret Savoca. Tiffany plans to complete the Dietetic Internship program.
Ioana Scripa
Ioana received a BS in Biology from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2006 and her MS in Nutrition from UNCG in 2008. She is pursuing a PhD degree under the direction of Dr. Martha Taylor.
Human/Clinical Nutrition
Anne Bowman
Anne received her BS in Chemistry from the University of Virginia. She is pursuing an MS degree and will be working with Dr. Cheryl Lovelady.
Gina Moening
Gina received her BS in Biology from Ohio State University. She is pursuing a MS-thesis degree, working with Dr. Cheryl Lovelady. She also plans to complete the dietetic internship.
Heather Colleran
Heather has a BS in Chemistry from UNCW and a BS in Exercise Science/Physical Education from the University of Massachusetts in Boston. She is an RD, certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS), as well as a health fitness specialist (HFS). Heather is completing her PhD under the direction of Dr. Cheryl Lovelady. Her research is examining the effects of exercise and weight loss on bone mineral density in overweight lactating women.
Mridul Datta
Mridul received her BS degree from the University of Delhi and a MS degree in Clinical Nutrition from East Tennessee State University. Mridul is a Registered and Licensed dietitian, working with Dr. Martha Taylor. Mridul is a PhD candidate, and her research is focused on inflammation in prostate cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy.
Marsha Kenner
Marsha has a MS degree from UNCG. She is currently pursuing a PhD degree under Dr. Martha Taylor’s guidance.
LaCrystal Strong
LaCrystal graduated in 2008 with a BS degree in Human Nutrition & Dietetics from UNCG. LaCrystal is pursuing an MS-Thesis degree, working under the direction of Dr. Cheryl Lovelady and plans to become credentialed as a Registered Dietitian.
Master's Non-Thesis Option
The following students are enrolled in the MS program non-thesis option:
Heather Baron
Virginia Willingham Beard
Gregory Donato Calone
Lauren Coon
Randy Gooch
Aleece Mihok Hoelscher
Michele Jernigan
Molly Marsh
Kacie Matthews
Monica Oakley
Kaci Pleasants
Sarah Starnes Rouse
Kathryn Erickson Thach
Rebecca Whitlow
Dietetic Interns
The following students are enrolled in the Dietetic Internship program:
Whitney L. Bloss
Anne E. Bowman*
Carinthia Cherry*
Tara L. Flynt*
Katerine E. Hamm Holder
Meghan McQuerry
Tiffany B. Morton*
Julie J. Persak
LaCrystal Strong*
Janice R. Swanson
E. Kathryn Erickson Thach*
Rebecca M. Whitlow*
*Current graduate students in Nutrition