Our Team

Principal Investigator

Tashara M. Leak, Ph.D., R.D.

Dr. Leak is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University. As a health disparities researcher, she conducts interventions that address socioeconomic and environmental influences on food choices, while drawing upon her expertise in mixed methods and community-based research. More specifically, Dr. Leak designs innovative and culturally relevant interventions that aim to improve dietary behaviors among minority adolescents that reside in urban, low-income communities. She is deeply committed to conducting research that informs public health programming and policy.

 

 

 

 

 

Doctoral Students

Jacqueline A. Futch, MPH

Jacqueline A. Futch is originally from Miami, Florida but a proud global citizen who chases postcard views and loves sports, coloring, HGTV, exploring the world, and of course food. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics and Sociology from The Florida State University. She went on to complete a Master of Public Health (Nutrition) degree from Tulane University’s School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine (SPHTM); where she also completed her Dietetic Internship. Jacqueline has been a public health nutrition practitioner in the anti-hunger system for six years, most recently directing nutrition-focused projects throughout food banks in Texas. Committed to equity and antiracism, Jacqueline’s interests’ range across the food system, across the diaspora, and across the public-private-academic sector. She looks forward to community-centered research that addresses barriers and facilitators to eating behaviors, improves access to healthy foods, and reduces food insecurity among vulnerable and historically marginalized population subgroups.

 

 

Lauren San Diego, MS RDN

Lauren San Diego completed her BS in Nutrition & Dietetics through Florida International University. She completed her dietetic internship through the University of Oklahoma then worked as a research assistant at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University before completing her MS in Food & Nutritional Sciences. Lauren aims to assist marginalized populations navigate the food environment through nutrition education, community and industry partnerships, and advocacy for improved social and corporate policies. In her free time, Lauren loves snuggling up with her dog, running, playing sand volleyball, and strumming her guitar or ukulele.

 

 

 

 

Research Assistants

Caitlin Potter, RDN

Caitlin Potter is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist based in New York City. She holds a BS in Food and Nutrition with a concentration in Dietetics from Montclair State University and completed her Dietetic Internship Program at Hunter College School of Urban Public Health. After experiencing food insecurity in her college years, Caitlin became passionate about building resilient, equitable, and sustainable food systems. Before moving to NYC, Caitlin was a SNAP-Ed NY Nutritionist – committed to removing barriers to health by working with the local public health network and providing nutrition education to community members of all ages. In her current role, she aims foster change and reduce health disparities through research-informed methods.

 

 

 

Evelyn Kluemper, BS

Evelyn Kluemper is a recent graduate from Cornell University with a BS in Biometry and Statistics. After working with the Leak Research Group as an undergraduate researcher conducting data analysis, she is excited to work with the team at ACE. In her position, Evelyn is passionate about helping to promote healthy attitudes towards nutrition and cooking among youths. In her free time, Evelyn is a musician and plays in a band, and loves to cook. 

 

 

 

 

Jasmine Roberts, BS

JasmineJasmine Roberts is a recent graduate from Brooklyn College with her BS in Health and Nutrition Science. She is more than eager to start working and making a difference in her community. With her current position, she hopes to improve people’s health in the underserved community by providing them with the educational tools they need. Health disparity is an issue Jasmine wishes to tackle going forward in her career and she believes that working with the amazing team at ACE, she will be able to do that. Some activities she enjoys doing is crocheting, learning new recipes, and listening music.

 

 

 

 

Marisah M. de Moll, BS

Marisah de Moll graduated from North Carolina State University in Raleigh NC with a BS in Applied Nutrition and a minor in Food Science and is now based in New York City. She believes in connecting people to their bodies and the land through healthy food and physical activity. In North Carolina she worked as a SNAP Educator and Policy Systems and Environmental Change Developer striving to make the healthy choice the easy choice in her community. Growing up with a single parent and taking the responsibility of food preparation in her early adolescence, she feels strongly aligned to the research conducted in Dr. Leak’s Lab. Marisah’s specific interests are in longevity, preventative healthcare, female’s hormone health, epigenetics, and nutrition. She is pursuing a career in preventative healthcare and believes in community healthcare interventions that empower the individual for the greatest health outcome. Marisah is excited to collaborate with Dr. Leak’s Team to develop interventions that positively impact the lives of individuals in her community. For fun, Marisah enjoys music and dancing, practicing yoga, cooking, and spending time with loved ones outdoors.

 

 

 

 

Undergraduate Research Assistants

Bryant Kye

bryantBryant is a junior majoring in Food Science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He is from Bergen County, New Jersey and is passionate about all things related to food. From baking brownies in the dorm kitchen and sharing them with his suitemates to recipe testing with his product development team, Bryant hopes to pursue a career in the food industry. Outside of class, he enjoys playing the traditional Korean drums as a member of Shimtah and reading graphic novels. 

 

 

 

 

 

Hena Sofia Interiano

Hena

Hena is a third-year student majoring in Food Science at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell. From a young age, she discovered her passion for food and cooking in her home country, Honduras. In 2015, she founded CookingwithHena a cooking blog and entrepreneurial project, in which she shares with others her love for food. Hena is interested in pursuing a career in the food industry. She looks forward to helping bridge the hunger and malnourishment gaps that exist in the world, especially in Honduras and other Latin American countries.

 

 

 

 

Jada Vyphuis

Jada Vyphuis is a junior majoring in Human Biology, Health, and Society in the College of Human Ecology. She is interested in the ways nutrition can impact an individual’s life, specifically those belonging to historically underserved populations. She seeks to help her community back in the Bronx through nutrition education to bridge the gap in health and food insecurity. On campus, Jada is a peer mentor with the Office of Academic Diversity Initiatives and volunteers with Big Red Buddies in Head Start programs in Ithaca.

 

 

 

 

Jasmine Guarin

Jasmine Guarin is a senior majoring in Nutritional Sciences and minoring in Inequality Studies on the Health Equity Track. She is from Toms River, New Jersey, where she founded her youth development/mentorship program, Community Ambassadors Club, to bridge the gap between students and their community by providing leadership and volunteer opportunities in the areas of healthcare, immigration, and hate/bias crimes. She is passionate about making healthcare/nutrition accessible and relatable while also being sensitive to cultural and ethnic needs. After college, she plans to become a Registered Dietitian and collaborate with food pantries/banks to create nutrition education programs for underrepresented families. 

 

 

 

 

 

Mariam Lawal

Mariam Lawal is a junior majoring in Global and Public Health Sciences at the College of Human Ecology. Mariam Lawal is an aspiring physician and dedicated advocate for health equity and nutrition education in minority communities. Mariam’s commitment to serving minority communities extends beyond her research pursuits. She actively volunteers in community health programs and engages in outreach initiatives aimed at promoting health awareness and education. Outside of classes, Mariam enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.