Graduate Student Profiles

I received both my bachelor’s and Master of Philosophy degrees in botany (mycology, plant pathology and soil microbiology) from the University of Ghana. I worked with the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, evaluating fungicides for the control of cocoa diseases in Ghana. Here at UNH, I am working in the cucurbit breeding and genetics program (https://unhcucurbits.org/research/) on understanding the mechanisms of resistance to powdery mildew in Cucurbita spp. and breeding resistance against Phytophthora capsica fruit rot in Cucurbita spp.  My vision is to contribute to the development of cucurbit varieties with robust resistance to diseases, help reduce the reliance on chemical fungicides, promote environmentally friendly and sustainable agricultural practices and help maximize profits for farmers due to higher yields and reduced input costs.

The PhD program in Agricultural Sciences at UNH is an important opportunity for me to continue my education in plant pathology by having the opportunity to work in several top-notch teaching and research facilities.

MD ROBIUL ISLAM AKONDO
I am originally from Sirajganj, Bangladesh. Currently, I am doing my PhD in ‘Agricultural Sciences’ in the Agriculture, Nutrition, and Food Systems (ANFS) department under the supervision of Md Sazan Rahman. I received my Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Hons.) and Master of Science in Agronomy from the Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU). I worked as a plant research scientist at the Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), Ministry of Agriculture, Government of The People’s Republic of Bangladesh. My research interest is climate smart agriculture in controlled and semi-controlled environments. I have more than 6 years of research experience in Soil Science and Agronomy. At UNH, my research focuses on “Investigation and Development of Novel Substrate for Enhanced Plant Growth in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA)”. I am extremely grateful to be working on the project at hand at UNH.

I am from Punjab, Pakistan, and currently I am working in Andre Brito’s lab as a graduate research assistant. My research is strategically focused on ruminant nutrition with an emphasis on enhancing nitrogen utilization in lactating dairy cows through dietary manipulation to reduce the environmental impact of dairy systems. I am honored to be a part of such an amazing university and have the chance to work in a multicultural environment that would build my skills with cutting edge technologies.

OLIVA BURTON
I am a doctoral student in Dr. Analena Bruce's Food Systems Lab. I earned a BFA from Hampshire College and a Master of Food and Agriculture Law and Policy from Vermont Law School. Prior to my time at UNH, I worked with the Center for Agriculture and Food Systems at Vermont Law School developing literature and conducting legal research for the National Gleaning Project. My research interests are in food sovereignty, equity and justice with a focus on utilizing legal restorative justice frameworks in Indigenous and minority communities. My current dissertation project aims to explore issues of food sovereignty and equity through legal restorative justice frameworks for Indigenous Nations in Southern Arizona. 

Being a native of Punjab, I was always curious about crop cultivation. This led me to pursue Bachelor of Science in biotechnology from the best agricultural university in India, Punjab Agricultural University. I had 6 months in-house project training on tissue culture of fruits like date palm, pomegranate, mango, strawberry and citrus. I then got admitted to Master of Science in biotechnology program at the same university and did research on mapping of yellow vein mosaic virus disease resistance in okra. However, I was always eager to explore and learn new things and admired UNH for its good research. I joined UNH as an agricultural sciences doctoral student, and my research focuses on strawberry transgenics in the Davis lab. I am also thankful to the ANFS department for my graduate teaching assistantship.

I am currently a doctoral student at the University of New Hampshire. I hold a master's degree in dairy science and a bachelor's degree in animal science from Bangladesh Agricultural University, one of the oldest public universities in my country. Bangladesh, like some other nations, is grappling with climatic challenges, particularly the pressing issue of global warming. Greenhouse gases are responsible for global warming, and livestock contributes about 14.5% of global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. I'm proud to be part of a research team led by Dr. André Brito, where we are dedicated to reducing the greenhouse gas emissions from dairy cows through dietary modifications. We aim to contribute to the global effort to combat environmental changes by ruminants and mitigate the impact of climate change.

TOYIN OSUOLALE
I graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Nigeria. My undergraduate research focused on Poultry health, specifically investigating the effect of  Lagenaria breviflora extracts on the hematological quality of broiler chicken. After graduation, I  attended Fort Valley State University, Georgia, and received my Master of Science degree by evaluating the Impact of Arachis Hypogaea (Peanut Skins) Dietary Supplementation on Beef Cattle Performance, Digestibility, and Rumen Fermentation. I am currently working on my doctoral degree under the guidance of Pete Erickson and Andre Brito, studying the assessment of calf and heifer management in New England. My goal is to improve calf and heifer management practices by developing strategies that enhance dairy farms'  sustainability. By improving management techniques, I aim to help dairy farmers reduce replacement costs, increase the quality of their livestock, and maximize profits through better herd performance and reduced input costs. The PhD program in Agricultural Sciences at UNH is an opportunity for me to continue my research in dairy nutrition through access to top-notch research facilities and teaching

FRANCESCA PHARO
 I am originally from Sonoma, California.  I received my BSc from Colorado State University in Animal Science, followed by a Master’s in Epidemiology at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada.  During my undergraduate degree, I worked on a research project looking at the effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) administration and its effects on Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) in commercial dairy calves. In my Master’s, I worked with dairy calves and Salmonella Dublin, looking at the transmission and health effects of the disease within a population of surplus calves.  I am now a PhD student in the ANFS department here at UNH, working under the supervision of Dr. Claira Seely.  My research will focus on precision technology, and how it relates to transition cow health and disease in dairy animals.  My hobbies include hiking, skiing, riding horses, playing volleyball, Irish dancing, traveling, and eating good food. 

MD Atikur RAHMAN

I graduated from Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) with a Bachelor of Science in animal husbandry. I also participated in the Community College Initiative Program, and studied animal science at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids Iowa. During my time at BAU as a research assistant I was involved with several research projects that investigated insect protein (earthworm meal, black soldier fly meal) as an alternative protein source for animal feed. Currently, I am a graduate research assistant under the supervision of Dr. André Brito, and I am working to complete my Ph.D. in agricultural science (dairy cow nutrition). My research is focused on the N utilization of dairy cows and comprehensive assessment of GHG mitigation strategies through dietary intervention. I am really excited to be a part of the agricultural science program and looking forward to helping the dairy farmers through my research.  

MD HAFIZUR RAHMAN
I am from Bangladesh. I received my Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering and Master of Science in Agricultural Construction and Environmental Engineering (ACEE) from Sylhet Agricultural University (SAU) in Bangladesh. While I was working on creating an early flash flood detection strategy for my master's degree, my undergraduate study was centered on waste management strategies. As a faculty member at SAU, I am involved with many courses related to environmental sciences, and these courses encouraged me to choose UNH’s Agricultural Sciences PhD program. I will be working under the supervision of Dr. Md Sazan Rahman and excited to work at the EAE lab. My research focuses will be aerobic digestion-based heating system 
development and assessment to energize the controlled environment of agricultural facilities as well as utilizing on-farm biomass to develop the aerobic digestion-based heating system. I hope I will be an integral part of the agricultural science program at UNH with my research in the forthcoming days.

UMAMA BEGUM RUBA
I am Umama Begum Ruba from Bangladesh. I did my Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Master of Science in Agroforestry from Sylhet Agricultural University. Being a Research Assistant at Climate Smart Agriculture and Geop-Spatial Lab, I focused on how agroforestry could be a viable approach to address climate resilience and food security issues. I believe, in the scenario of climate change, agroforestry has a wider spectrum to act as a potential Climate Smart Agriculture Technology for food security and sustainable rural development. Currently, I am working in the Food Systems Lab with Professor Analena Bruce and working on sustainable food systems in the social mainstream domain. I am looking forward to doing empirical research on sustainable livelihood strategies and community engagement fostered by adopting and practicing agroforestry systems. I am excited to be part of the PhD program in Agricultural Sciences. Besides my research and academic activities, I love swimming and traveling.  I am fortunate to be a part of University of New Hampshire.  

I was born and raised in Virginia and graduated with my Bachelor of Science degree from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. My undergraduate research focused on avian neurology, specifically exploring the function of insulin in poultry. After graduation, I attended the University of Georgia and received my Master of Science degree by assessing microclimatic modifications to mitigate heat stress in southeastern feedlot systems. I am currently working on my doctoral degree under the guidance of Andre Brito, studying nutritional strategies to improve dairy cow health in the face of climate change. I would like to bring to light the issues of heat stress in the Northeast, which is rarely explored or even acknowledged in the literature. I appreciate both the University of Vermont and University of New Hampshire for allowing me to continue my research.

ALEX HUFFORD
Hello, my name is Alex Hufford, and after graduating from UNH in May 2024 with a BS degree in Nutrition and Wellness, there was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to come back and complete higher education here. I am currently a first-year master’s student pursuing an accelerated master’s in nutrition. While in grad school, I have been given the opportunity to be a Graduate Teaching Assistant for two classes along with my course load. I am looking forward to gaining clinical nutrition experience this semester at Concord Hospital through a program in one of the classes I’m taking. After obtaining my master’s degree, I will be looking for a dietetic internship with the goal of becoming a Registered Dietitian. Outside of school, I enjoy staying active whether that’s working out or playing sports. During undergrad, I played for the men’s club soccer team and helped it become a  recognized club sport on campus. I also love to cook, which is one of the reasons I wanted to study nutrition on campus

Selina Awinbisa Agandaa

I am from Ghana, West Africa. I received my bachelor’s degree in public health from the University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana, in 2020. I am currently pursuing a master’s in nutritional science , a graduate teaching assistant and working on my research in Assistant Professor Mena Noereem’s lab. Prior to coming to UNH, I spent two years working as a junior policy analyst with the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations in Ghana, where my team mostly focused on monitoring and analyzing food and agricultural policies. Specifically, I worked on analyzing price incentives data for commodities, public expenditure data and policy reforms in Ghana.

During my undergraduate program, I gained substantial working experience through internships at two District Health Directorates of the Ghana Health Service. I managed micronutrient deficiencies such as iron, zinc and vitamin A, and wasting among vulnerable groups such as children and mothers while working with the nutrition unit. Individuals with underlying health issues such as diabetes, hypertension and anemia, among others, were targeted for these health education programs.

My graduate research focuses on child and maternal nutrition and well-being and chronic disease prevention. I am a strong believer that what we consume has an immediate and long-term impact on our nutritional status and health and well-being and that most of the health problems in the world are centered on dietary habits and individual lifestyles

Nicholas ClaRke

I graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in nutritional sciences. During my time in undergrad, I joined Assistant Professor Carlota Dao's research lab and found a passion for nutrition research. I decided to continue my journey in academia after being accepted into UNH's nutritional sciences master's program. I'm now a graduate research assistant in the Dao Research Lab, acting as a supporting member on various projects looking at things like fiber consumption and food insecurity in the New Hampshire Hispanic population, all while developing a thesis of my own. My passions outside of UNH include promoting exercise as a certified personal trainer.

WHITNEY FITZGERALD
I am a graduate student in the Nutritional Sciences program working towards my master's degree under Assistant Professor Maria Carlota Dao. I graduated from the University of Virginia in May 2023, where I received my B.A. in Spanish. My research focuses on food assistance programs, nutritional education interventions, and chronic disease, with an emphasis on minority and low-income populations. As a New Hampshire native, I am excited to focus my research on my community and explore the interplays of health and nutrition. Outside of my research, I enjoy skiing, hot yoga, and spending quality time with friends and family.

ALEXANDRA OLD

I graduated from the University of New Hampshire in May of 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science. I am currently pursuing a Master’s in nutritional sciences and am fortunate to have the opportunity to work in the Bigornia Research Lab as a graduate research assistant. I am excited to work alongside Dr. Sherman Bigornia because of the similarities between his research goals and my academic interests, some of which being nutrition access, healthcare access, nutritional epidemiology, and chronic illness. One of the projects I will be working on is focused on the barriers and facilitators to seafood and dairy consumption in New Hampshire adults. I developed a passion for nutrition throughout undergrad as I became more educated on the impact of nutrition on health. In the future, I hope to achieve my lifelong goal of becoming an M.D. I also hope to work throughout my career to increase both nutrition and healthcare access for the communities around me. I’m really looking forward to applying what I learn in my current program to my future career in the healthcare field. Aside from my academic and professional pursuits, I love hiking, skiing, reading, art, and live music.

MADISON ARNO
I recently graduated from the University of Maine in May of 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Human Nutrition. I am continuing my education in the Master of Nutrition and Dietetics with a combined Dietetic Internship. I decided to come to the University of New Hampshire because of the strong sense of community and their pride in academics. After  graduation, my goal is to become a registered dietitian in the clinical setting and work with patients in areas such as oncology or renal. In my free time I enjoy being active, cooking, and spending time with my friends and family.

JULIA BELIVEAU
I attended Keene State College and earned a Bachelor Of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics as well as a minor in data analytics in May of 2024. Right now, I am a graduate student in the Master of Nutritional Science and Dietetic Internship program at the University of New Hampshire. I chose this path because food is such a diverse subject and there is always something new to learn! In my professional career, I want to become a Registered Dietitian and use my research based background to help patients make informed decisions. Outside of academics, I love to cook for my family, garden, and eat charcuterie boards with loved ones.

DANIELLE BRAZEAU
I graduated from The Pennsylvania State University with a B.S. in Nutritional Sciences, focusing on Nutrition and Dietetics, and I am currently pursuing my Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of New Hampshire. During undergrad, I worked as a research assistant at the Center for Childhood Obesity Research and participated in community programs like SnapEd, teaching kids about nutrition. I also held leadership roles, including president of Penn State’s Student Nutrition Association and was a member of the Leadership Initiative Program.  Shadowing at UMass Memorial Medical Center, where I observed both inpatient and outpatient  settings, sparked my passion for clinical nutrition. While I’m open to various areas within the dietetics profession, my goal is to become a registered dietitian in a clinical setting, specializing in an area I’m particularly passionate about. In my free time, I enjoy working out, nature walks, trying new restaurants, and spending time with friends and family.

SOPHIE CALLAHAN
I recently earned my Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Science with a Dietetics Concentration from the University of Vermont, and I’m currently enrolled in the Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetic Internship (MSDI) program at UNH. During my time at UVM, I participated in several extracurricular activities related to nutrition, including an internship with Common Roots, where I developed nutrition education activities focused on local produce and culinary skills for elementary students. I also interned with a private practice dietitian, creating nutrition content and reviewing client case studies, which gave me valuable insights into private practice operations. Additionally, I was involved with a non-profit club on campus dedicated to ending world hunger, where I managed food prep operations, sourced local produce, and emphasized food safety and sustainability. 

As I continue my education through the UNH MSDI program, I’m excited to explore different areas of nutrition, such as pediatric nutrition, sports nutrition, intuitive eating, and nutrition education. My goal is to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and eventually open a private practice to provide inclusive, personalized nutrition care to a diverse patient population. 

ELIZABETH CARSTENSEN
I am a graduate of the University of Vermont, where I earned a Bachelor of Science in nutrition and food science, with a concentration in dietetics. Through an internship with the organization Common Roots, I furthered my passion for sustainable food systems while teaching middle schoolers about nutrition and how to cook with fresh, seasonal produce. Currently, I am a graduate student at the University of New Hampshire, where I am pursuing a Master of Science in nutrition and dietetics with a dietetic internship. Upon my completion of the program, my goal is to become a registered dietitian working within a community setting. I am excited by event planning, project management, and forming connections with different community members. In my spare time, I enjoy trying new restaurants, as well as spending time with my family and friends.

JULIA DEPUY
Inspired by a life-long passion for food, I traded a corporate office job for a career in health and nutrition. Earning a bachelor's degree in science from the University of New Hampshire, I was fortunate enough to continue at UNH; joining the UNH Master of Science with Dietetic Internship (MSDI) program this fall.  

As a graduate student liaison, I’ve had the opportunity to work with several inspiring members of the New Hampshire Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (NHAND). This organization is dedicated to creating legislation in support of practicing dietitians, partnering with local organizations to spread nutrition education, and bringing awareness and support to the thousands of New Hampshire residents seeking reliable access to healthy food. 

I believe that health and nutrition are basic human rights. Through the confidence, education, and experience I’ve gained as a student, I intend to further the efforts of organizations like NHAND through education, policy, community, and clinical nutrition work.  

ZOE DUMAIS
I earned my Bachelor of Science in Dietetics, Nutrition, and Food Sciences from the University of Vermont and am working towards my Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics here at UNH. Between my undergraduate and graduate studies, I worked at WIC (the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children,) in Providence, RI. There, I gained formative experiences helping low-income families set their young children up for a healthy future. I am passionate about the anti-diet and weight-inclusive approaches to nutrition which are based on the principle that lifestyle behaviors are a better indicator of health than weight. After graduating, I am looking forward to earning my registered dietitian credential and I hope to work in an outpatient counseling setting.

SAE MATSUMOTO
I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition: Dietetics at the University of New Hampshire, where I also completed an undergraduate thesis through the Honors program based on an independent research project. Though originally from California, I loved living in New England during my undergraduate years, and I decided to stay at UNH to pursue a Master’s of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics and Dietetic Internship. Currently, my passions are in clinical dietetics, with a focus on maternal and child populations. I believe that food can be preventative medicine, and I am excited to continue learning about this application of nutrition in our lives.  

WHITNEY ROBINSON
I graduated from the UNH DPD program in 2024 where I earned my Bachelor of Science and I am now working towards my Master of Science in Nutrition as a member of the UNH MSDI class of 2026.  Nutrition is a vital part of the healthcare field as well as everyday life, and I hope to use my education to work in an outpatient setting working with adolescents who suffer from disordered eating patterns.  Food plays a special role in everyone’s lives and I want to help young adults develop a healthy relationship with food so they can reach their potential.  Outside of school, I love spending time with my wife and two kids as well as reading.   

CAROLINE WILLIAMS
My name is Caroline Williams, and I am in the MSDI program. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition: Dietetics from UNH in the spring of 2024 and I am thrilled to be able to continue my academic journey here. My career goal is to become a Registered Dietitian and a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) to help individuals with diabetes live their happiest and healthiest lives. My passions outside of academics include endurance running, hiking, lounging at the beach, spending time with my friends and family, and reading.

Rawan AlsarraF

I earned a bachelor's degree in nutrition and dietetics from Drexel University, followed by a master's degree in nutrition and metabolism from Boston University. Originally, my interests revolved around athletic performance and maximizing an athlete's potential through nutrition. My interests have since expanded to include nutrition epidemiology and public health perspectives regarding nutrition and global health. I am honored to join the Dao Research Lab as a doctoral student in the nutritional sciences program at UNH, in which I hope to research culturally sensitive approaches to nutrition to make achieving health accessible to all. 

In my free time, I enjoy being physically active and connecting with nature. I am a national weightlifter for my country, Kuwait, and spend most of my time training for upcoming competitions or coaching athletes in my sport.

RYAN ANDREWS
I completed my education and training at the University of Northern Colorado, Kent State University, Johns Hopkins Medicine, and Columbia University. I have experience in nutritional counseling, teaching, writing, school lunch programs, trauma-informed yoga, and have worked with Precision Nutrition, Equinox, Insider, Allergic to Salad, Silver Hill Hospital, Purchase College, and Regis College. I have authored/co-authored multiple books, been quoted in 50+ popular publications, and have 1000+ hours of experience volunteering with farms/food recovery. I am honored to join Dr. Noereem Mena at UNH in the nutritional sciences doctoral program. My research interests include exploring the intersection between sustainable/equitable food systems and chronic disease prevention. For more, click here.

Anne Bodenrader

I earned my first Bachelor of Arts in English from Dartmouth College in 1995 but it wasn’t until later as a parent that I discovered a passion for nutrition. I returned to the academic world to pursue an education in nutrition science at the University of New Hampshire and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in nutrition: didactic program in dietetics in May 2022. I am continuing my education in pursuit of a doctoral degree in nutritional sciences here at UNH. I work as a research assistant in Sherman Bigornia’s lab investigating the impact of dairy fats on cognitive function in the Hispanic community and serve as a teaching assistant in the nutrition department. I hope to continue pursuing and contributing to the research and education fields in nutritional sciences for many years to come.

SUSANNA HENRY
I graduated from Case Western Reserve University with a bachelor’s in human nutrition, master’s in public health nutrition, and a certificate in maternal and child nutrition. After working in school food service and farm to school programs during a dietetic internship, I’m excited to study parental and child nutrition in Dr. Noereem Mena’s Lab, to help families experiencing food  insecurity. In my free time, I love walking, cooking and watching baseball.

I graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor of Science in nutrition, a Bachelor of Arts in biochemistry and molecular biology, and a minor in public health. With 5 years of organic farming experience, I felt the interdisciplinary nature of the ANFS department at UNH would be the perfect fit. I am currently pursuing a doctoral degree in nutritional science and completing the dietetics graduate certificate. My research in the Dao lab is focused on analyzing fiber intake, the human microbiome and the gut-brain axis. When I am not at UNH you’ll find me hiking, cooking or on a farm.

CINDY (LUYUE) ZHENG

I grew up in China, and I hold a master’s in nutrition and exercise physiology from Teachers College, Columbia University. In 2022, I completed my 10-month dietetic internship in New York City and becomes a registered dietitian (RD). My academic interests lie in food insecurity, nutrition/food equity and food system transformation. I am excited to join Analena Bruce’s Food Systems Lab and receive interdisciplinary training at UNH. My previous work experience includes China Action Hub of the United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) 2021, online nutrition course design and food system course design for middle school students in Beijing. In my spare time, I love cooking from scratch (and sharing!), hosting my podcast in Mandarin and yoga.