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
Joel G. Anderson
Joel received his BS degree in Biology from UNC-Wilmington. He has worked for several years
as a research laboratory technician at Wake Forest University Health Sciences.
He is pursuing his PhD under the direction of Dr. Keith Erikson.
Olcay Boyaclioglu
Olcay received his BS degree in Biology from Ege University in the Republic of Turkey
and his MS degree in Biology from UNCG. He is pursuing his PhD degree under the direction of
Vince Henrich (Biology). He is examining the molecular mechanisms regulating vitamin
D metabolism in the gut.
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
under the direction of Dr. Michael McIntosh.
Bradley Ferguson
Brad receiveds a BS 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.
Arion Kennedy
Arion returned to Greensboro after completing her BS and MS degrees in Chemistry from
Florida A&M University. Prior to returning to Greensboro, Arion completed a fellowship at
NIH in the NHLBI/MD branch working in cardiovascular research (removal of sterols from liver).
Arion is completing her PhD under the direction of
Dr. Michael McIntosh, her research involves adipocyte differentiation and fat metabolism.
Chengzhi Lai
Chengzi received a BS degree in Medicine at Jiangxi Medical College in China. Chengzhi is
pursuing a PhD degree and will be working with Dr. George Loo.
Jennifer M. Longpre
Jennifer was awarded a BA degree in Liberal Studies with a minor in Biology from Mansfield
University of Pennsylvania in 2006. She is seeking a MS degree and is working
with Dr. George Loo.
Kristina B. Martinez
Kristina received a BS degree from UNCG in Nutrition in 2006 and is seeking a PhD degree in
Dr. Michael McIntosh’s lab.
Hee Sun Nam
Hee Sun received a BS degree in Biology from UNCG. Hee Sun is pursuing a
MS degree and will be working with Dr. Ron Morrison.
Kristen A. Phillips
Kristen got her BS degree in Biology from Pennsylvania State University in 2005. Kristen plans to get a
MS and and will be working with Dr. Keith Erikson.
Community Nutrition and Nutrition Education
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.
Sarah E. Hazelgrove
Sarah has a BS degree from Wake Forest University in Health and Exercise Science from 2004.
She has since taken additional classes at Forsyth Tech CC and WS State University.
Sarah is seeking a MS degree and will be working with 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 a MS degree and will be working with Dr. Lauren Haldeman.
Meghan McQuerry
Meghan received her BS degree in Nutrition at UNCG. She is pursuing her
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
Ioana Scripa
Ioana received a BS in Biology from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2006. She is pursuing a MS
degree and will be working with Dr. Martha Taylor.
Human/Clinical Nutrition
Anne Bowman
Anne received her BS in Chemistry from the University of Virginia.
She is pursuing a MS degree and will be working with Dr. Cheryl Lovelady.
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. Heather is a PhD student working with Dr. Cheryl
Lovelady, looking at the effects of exercise and weight loss on bone mineral density in lactating women.
She is also in the Dietetic Internship program at UNCG for the 2007-08 academic year.
Mridul Datta
Mri received her BA degree from the University of Delhi in 1989 in Home Sciences and a
MS in Clinical Nutrition from East Tennessee State University in 1994. She is seeking a
PhD and plans to work with Dr. Taylor.
Holiday Durham
Holiday completed her BS in Food Science and Technology with an emphasis in Nutrition from
Clemson University. She then completed the Dietetic Internship at Vanderbilt University Medical
Center. She finished her MS in Nutrition Science at the University of Tennessee at
Knoxville. Holiday is working with Dr. Cheryl Lovelady on obesity prevention in postpartum women.
Rachel Miller
Rachel received a BS degree in Nutrition and a BA degree in Psychology at UNCG.
She is pursuing a PhD degree and will be working with Dr. Cheryl Lovelady.
Erin Street
Erin was awarded a BS degree in Biology from Binghamton University in New York in 2006.
Erin is seeking a MS degree and will be working with Dr. Cheryl Lovelady.
Travis Thomas
Travis earned both his BS and MS degrees in Nutrition from East Carolina University. Travis is an
RD with several years of work experience as a clinical dietitian. Travis will complete his PhD
research under the direction of Dr. Cheryl Lovelady.
Master's Non-Thesis Option
Irene Acheampong
Irene has a BS in Nutrition Food Science from the University of Ghana in 2005.
She is seeking the MS degree.
Allison Bradfield
Allison has a BA in psychology from Florida International University in 1998. She is seeking the MS
degree and plans to
complete the Dietetic Internship program.
Gregory Donato Calone
Gregory was awarded a BS in Sports Medicine from Elon University in 1999 and received a MS in
2001 in Sports Heath Careers from NC A.T. State University. He is seeking
to complete both the MS degree and the Dietetic Internship program.
Stephanie Leigh Carriker
Stephanie received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education in 1997 from Appalachian
State University and a BS in Nutrition from UNCG in 2006. She is seeking to a MS and plans to
complete the Dietetic Internship program.
E. Kathryn Erickson
Kathryn received a BS degree in Psychology from the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill. Kathryn is seeking a MS degree.
Betsy Fisher
Betsy has a BS in Psychology from UNC-CH. Betsy plans to complete both the MS and the
Dietetic Internship program.
Rebecca Joy Frazier
Rebecca received a BA degree in Exercise & Sport Science from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2006.
She is seeking
an MS degree and plans to complete the Dietetic Internship program.
Sarah D. Holdren
Sarah received a BS in Nutrition from UNCG in 2006. She is completing the MS program.
She also plans to complete the Dietetic Internship program.
Michele Jernigan
Michele recieved her AA degree at Rockingham CC and went on to earn her BS in Human
Nutrition and Dietetics here at UNCG. She began the Masters Non-Thesis program in
January of 2007 and plans to go on to complete the Dietetic Internship before begining
clinical practice.
Tricia G. Kauffman
Tricia received a BA degree in Foreign Languages and Literature (French) from Whitman College in 2004
and then a BS degree in Biology from UNCG in 2006. She is seeking a MS degree and plans to
complete the Dietetic Internship program as well.
Rani Laha
Rani received her BS in Medicine in 2001 from Kuvempu University in India and received a
Doctor of Medicine degree from Windsor University (Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies) in 2005.
She has since been attending classes at Community Colleges in Jamestown, NY. Rani is seeking a
MS degree in Nutrition.
Jodi Lyn Meier
Jodi received a BS degree in Biology from UNCG in 1999. She seeks a MS degree
and plans to complete the Dietetic Internship program.
Thomas Rodgers
Tommy completed a BA in Human Relationships/Business Administration at High Point University.
He plans to complete both the MS and the Dietetic Internship programs.
Gabriel Staub
Gabe got his BS degree from Guilford College in Exercise and Sport Science. He is seeking the
M.S. degree and plans to complete the Dietetic Internship program.
W. Lynne Weisner
Lynne completed her BS in Human Nutrition & Dietetics at UNCG and began the MS
program in January 2005. Lynne plans to complete the Dietetic Internship program at
UNCG in addition to the MS degree requirements.
Rebecca Whitlow
Rebecca received a BS degree in Zoology at North Carolina State University. She is pursuing a MS degree.
Virginia Willingham
Virginia received her BA degree in Human Biology from Stanford University. She is pursuing a MS degree.