Graduate Students
Kwadwo Abankroh Kumi
Degree program: M.S.
Advisor: Dr. Harriet Okronipa
Research interests: My research interest is around global nutrition. Specifically, Public health nutrition under nutritional epidemiology, maternal, infant and child nutrition, community nutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. I am working on how malnutrition in all its forms influences maternal and child health in low-income countries, and then develop interventions to address it.
| Degree | Institution | Area of Study |
| B.S. | University of Ghana | Nutritional and Food Science |
Safianu Aleboko
Degree program: M.S.
Advisor: Dr. Jill Joyce
Research interests: I am passionate about research in school nutrition, maternal nutrition, nutrition-related non-communicable diseases, and dietetics. My work focuses on using policy, systems, and environmental strategies to enhance nutritional outcomes.
| Degree | Institution | Area of Study |
| B.S. | University of Cape Coast | Clinical Nutritional and Dietetics |
Sydney Boersma
Degree program: M.S.
Advisor: Dr. Jill Joyce
Research interests: I am interested in research regarding maternal and child nutrition, as well as research on different breastfeeding practices and breastfeeding norms among various populations. I am also interested in research regarding the role that social media plays in child feeding practices.
| Degree | Institution | Area of Study |
| B.S. | Louisiana State University | Nutritional Sciences: Dietetics |
Marysol Brandon
Degree program: M.S.
Advisor: Dr. Jill Joyce
Research interests: My Research interests include diabetes management, understanding the nutrition on health, and exploring how physical activity can help prevent and manage diseases.
| Degree | Institution | Area of Study |
| B.S. | Oklahoma State University | Nutritional Sciences: Dietetics |
Cameron Cardona
Degree Program: Ph.D.
Advisor: Dr. McKale Montgomery
Research interest: My main research interest is the effect of genetic differences on cellular metabolism and the mechanisms by which these differences occur.
| Degree | Institution | Area of Study |
| B.S. | Texas A&M University-Kingsville | Human Nutrition |
Harmony Chen
Degree program: Ph.D.
Advisor: Dr. Jill Joyce
Research interests: My current research interest is to investigate whether and how carotenoids can alleviate the development of intestinal colitis, obesity, and diabetes by influencing the interplay of the host and gut microbiome.
| Degree | Institution | Area of Study |
| M.S. | Nanjing Agricultural University | Veterinary Medicine |
Halle Dugan
Degree program: M.S.
Advisor: Dr. Jill Joyce
Research interests: I'm passionate about sports nutrition because it combines my love for athletics with the science of optimal health. Understanding how nutrition affects performance, recovery and overall well-being drives me to explore how tailored diets can improve athletic outcomes and support long-term wellness. I'm excited about the potential to help athletes achieve peak performance through informed dietary choices.
| Degree | Institution | Area of Study |
| B.S. | Oklahoma State University | Nutritional Sciences- Dietetics |
Travis Eden
Degree Program: Ph.D.
Advisor:Dr. Sam Emerson
Research interest: My research interests include the impact metabolic disease (metabolic syndrome) has on the development of dementia (Alzheimer's) as well as cognitive decline. Are there interventions via lifestyle (diet, exercise, etc.) that may prevent Alzheimer altogether or delay the onset of developing Alzheimer disease.
| Degree | Institution | Area of Study |
| M.S. | Cox College | Nutrition Diagnostics and Dietetic Internship |
| B.S. | University of Arkansas | Nutrition Dietetics |
Dana Elmore
Degree program: M.S.
Advisor: Dr. Jill Joyce
Research interest: I am interested in the relationship within nutritional impact and chronic disease development, including specific conditions such as Alzheimer's and Cancer.
| Degree | Institution | Area of Study |
| B.S. | Oklahoma State University | Nutritional Sciences: Dietetics |
Ava Furman
Degree program: M.S.
Advisor: Dr. Jill Joyce
Research interests: I am currently interested in studying how gene regulation affects iron metabolism to find personalized dietary strategies for intervention. I am also strongly interested in gut microbiome and how changes in it can lead to disease development and affect overall health and wellness.
| Degree | Institution | Area of Study |
| A.S. | Texas Bioscience Institute, Temple College | General Science |
| B.S. | Texas Christian University | Didactic Program: Dietetics |
Savanah Gideon
Degree program: Ph.D.
Advisor:Dr. Jill Joyce
| Degree | Institution | Area of Study |
| M.S. | Texas State University | Nutrition |
| B.S. | Baylor University | Nutrition and Foods |
Kaylin Gilliam
Degree program: M.S.
Advisor:Dr. Jill Joyce
Research interests: My research interests are eating disorders among collegiate athletes and the effects of nutrition on cognitive function.
| Degree | Institution | Area of Study |
| A.S. | Tulsa Community College | Nutrition |
| B.S. | Oklahoma State University | Nutritional Sciences: Dietetics |
Tyler Godsey
Degree program: Ph.D.
Advisor: Dr. Sam Emerson
Research interests: Physiological and molecular effects of dietary interventions or changes on individuals, especially those with chronic diseases.
| Degree | Institution | Area of Study |
| B.S. | Oklahoma Christian University | Biology |
Pamela Gonzalez-Sanchez
Degree Program: M.S.
Advisor:Dr. Deana Hildebrand
Research interest: I’d like to continue the research path I started in Mexico on Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. I’m also interested in aging and age-associated diseases.
| Degree | Institution | Area of Study |
| B.S. | Universidad de las Américas Puebla | Clinical Biochemistry |
| M.S. | Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla | Clinical Nutrition |
Stacie Kelm
Degree program: M.S.
Advisor: Dr. Jill Joyce
Research interest: One of the research areas I'm most interested in is anti-diet/intuitive eating research.
| Degree | Institution | Area of Study |
| B.S. | Oklahoma State University | Nutritional Sciences |
Claire Knudtson
Degree program: M.S.
Advisor: Dr. Jill Joyce
| Degree | Institution | Area of Study |
| B.S. | Oklahoma State University | Nutritional Sciences: Dietetics |
Gopal Lamicchane
Degree program: Ph.D.
Advisor: Dr. Yoo Kim
Research interests: Passionate about investigating effect of food bioactive compounds on obesity, diabetes, Alzheimer's, and other metabolic diseases.
| Degree | Institution | Area of Study |
| B.S. | Pokhara University | Pharmaceutical Sciences |
| M.S. | Sejong University | Pharmaceutical Sciences |
Dayeon Lee
Degree program: Ph.D.
Advisor: Dr. Yoo Kim
Research interests: My research interest is the roles of functional foods on age-related diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s Disease by investigating nutrients-gene interactions. I am also interested in the development of therapeutic potential ‘senolytics’ from functional foods to delay or prevent aging process.
| Degree | Institution | Area of Study |
| B.S. | Sejong University | Food Science and Technology |
| M.S. | Sejong University | Food Science and Technology |
Kylie Love
Degree program: M.S.
Advisor: Dr. Jill Joyce
Research interests: I'm interested in community nutrition and currently I am a GRA for Dr. Hildebrand. The research is about if food pantries across part of Oklahoma are ready and able to distribute fresh produce grown by the OSU student farm, and if the neighbors who use the pantries are willing and able to use the fresh produce.
| Degree | Institution | Area of Study |
| B.S. | Oklahoma State University | Nutritional Sciences |
Savannah Mackey
Degree program: M.S.
Advisor: Dr. Jill Joyce
Research interest: I am interested in sports nutrition, functional nutrition, and how nutrition relates to chronic disease prevention.
| Degree | Institution | Area of Study |
| B.S. | Oklahoma State University | Nutritional Sciences: Dietetics |
Lily MacNaughton
Degree program: M.S.
Advisor: Dr. Jill Joyce
Research interests: I have always been interested in the role and impact of nutrition on women's fertility, as well as prenatal health and postpartum recovery. Maternal and infant nutrition is something I want to continue to learn more about.
| Degree | Institution | Area of Study |
| B.S. | Oklahoma State University | Nutritional Sciences- Dietetics |
Marah Martinez
Degree program: M.S.
Advisor: Dr. Jill Joyce
| Degree | Institution | Area of Study |
| B.S. | Oklahoma State University | Nutritional Sciences- Dietetics |
Grace Mbroh
Degree program: M.S.
Advisor: Dr. Harriet Okronipa
Research interests:My research interests are; community or public health nutrition, food systems and food environments impact on food behaviors and health, maternal, adolescent and child nutrition and food and nutrition assistance programs.
| Degree | Institution | Area of Study |
| B.S. | University of Cape Coast | Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics |
Kathryn McNally
Degree program: M.S.
Advisor: Dr. Jill Joyce
| Degree | Institution | Area of Study |
| Associate's Degree | Tulsa Community College | Religious Studies |
| B.S. | Oklahoma State University | Nutritional Sciences- Dietetics |
Femi Olawale
Degree program: Ph.D.
Advisor: Dr. Edralin Lucas
Research interests: My research focuses on how dietary nutraceuticals and phytochemicals, such as curcumin and pinto beans, impact gut health. As a PhD student in Nutritional Science at Oklahoma State University, I investigate how these plant-based compounds modulate gut microbiota and improve gut barrier function, with potential implications for preventing inflammation, obesity and estrogen deficiency. By combining expertise in biochemistry and molecular biology, I explore how these dietary interventions influence gut-tissue interactions, reduce inflammation, and improve metabolic function. Ultimately, my goal is to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind how diet can promote overall health and prevent disease.
| Degree | Institution | Area of Study |
| B.S | Ekiti State University | Biochemistry |
| M.S. | University of Ibadan | Nutritional Biochemistry |
Atziry Palomares
Degree program: M.S.
Advisor: Dr. Jill Joyce
| Degree | Institution | Area of Study |
| B.S. | University of Arizona | Nutritional Sciences |
Hailu Reda
Degree program: Ph.D.
Advisor: Dr. Barbara Stoecker
Research interests: Early childhood development, child under-nutrition, stunting
| Degree | Institution | Area of Study |
| B.S. | Addis Ababa University | Nursing |
| M.S. | Hawassa University | Human Nutrition |
Melina Rooks
Degree program: M.S.
Advisor: Dr. Jill Joyce
Research interest: I am interested in investigating the impact of specific dietary patterns on disease prevention and management in marginalized populations. Additionally, I am interested in how public policy can shape eating patterns and affect access to healthy foods in these communities.
| Degree | Institution | Area of Study |
| B.S. | Oklahoma State University | Nutritional Sciences: Dietetics |
Lilly Ruark
Degree program: M.S.
Advisor: Dr. Jill Joyce
Research interests: My research interests revolve around the world of sports and the effects nutrition can play on not only the performance of athletes but also how a lack of nutrition can impact an athlete's mental health.
| Degree | Institution | Area of Study |
| B.S. | Oklahoma State University | Nutritional Sciences- Dietetics |
Riju Sigdel
Degree program: Ph.D.
Advisor:Dr. Winyoo Chowanadisa
Research interests: Study of nutrient-gene interactions and their impacts on chronic diseases; Precision nutrition.
| Degree | Institution | Area of Study |
| B.S. | Kathmandu University | Human Biology |
| M.S. | Mahidol University | Nutrition and Dietetics |
Yashu Tang
Degree program: Ph.D.
Advisor: Dr. Daniel Lin
Research interests: The roles of carotenoid metabolism in regulating gut microbiome and reshaping gut immunity as well as its effects on lipid metabolism in type 2 diabetes.
| Degree | Institution | Area of Study |
| B.S. | Sichuan Agricultural University | Veterinary Medicine |
| M.S. | China Agricultural University | Veterinary Medicine |
Sydney Toburen
Degree program: M.S.
Advisor: Dr. Jill Joyce
Research interests: My area of interest includes diabetes education, juvenile diabetes and nutrition infographics. I am passionate about all things diabetes and communicating complex nutritional information in a visually engaging way, to make it accessible to a wider audience.
| Degree | Institution | Area of Study |
| B.S. | Oklahoma State University | Nutritional Sciences |
| M.S. | Oklahoma State University | Nutrition and Dietetics Practice Track |