Director
Christina A. Roberto, PH.D.
Christina A. Roberto, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Medical Ethics & Health Policy at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. She is a psychologist and epidemiologist whose research aims to identify and understand factors that promote unhealthy eating behaviors and design interventions to improve eating habits. In her work, she draws upon the fields of psychology, behavioral economics, epidemiology, and public health to answer research questions that can provide policymakers and institutions with science-based guidance.
Deputy Director
Laura Gibson, PH.D.
Laura Gibson joined the PEACH Lab at the Perelman School of Medicine in 2018. Her research interests focus on how to make effective public health interventions with the capacity to improve the health of large numbers of people. She has primarily been involved in the development and evaluation of anti-tobacco mass media campaigns.
Program Manager
Kristen Daskilewicz M.P.H.
Kristen holds a BA in Women’s and Gender Studies from The College of New Jersey and a Master’s in Public Health from the University of Cape Town (UCT). Kristen comes from a background in sexual and reproductive health and justice. She previously worked with the Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, the Women’s Health Research Unit, and the Gender Health and Justice Research Unit at UCT. Outside of work, Kristen enjoys reading, participating in intersectional feminist activism, volunteering with the Women’s Medical Fund, and spending time with her family and friends locally and abroad.
Project Coordinator
Marsha Trego, M.P.H.
Marsha received her BS in Food Science and Nutrition from Penn State and her MPH at Arcadia University. Her research interests include the relationship between food insecurity and chronic disease, food and nutrition policy, and obesity prevention through a supportive food environment. In her free time, Marsha enjoys hot yoga, reading, baking, and traveling.
Project Coordinator
Jennifer Orr, M.S.P.H.
Jennifer received her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Health Studies from Bryn Mawr College. She is an MSPH Candidate in the Department of Health Policy and Management at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She is interested in the intersection of policy and research with a focus on translational research. Her research interests include examining the impact of poor nutrition, food insecurity, and poverty on health, with a focus on health equity for vulnerable populations. Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys hiking, photography, and exploring new cafes and restaurants.
Biostatistician
JIALI (HELEN) YAN, M.S.
Helen received her B.S. in Statistics from Nankai University School of Mathematical Sciences in China and her M.S. in Biostatistics from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. She also works on randomized controlled trials designed by Behavioral Economics principles and uses Machine Learning in Health Services Research. When she’s off from work, she enjoys cooking with her cast-iron Dutch oven and biking along the Schuylkill River.
.
AVIVA MUSICUS
Aviva is a doctoral student in Nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. She is interested in research that focuses on evaluating proposed policies to combat obesity and diabetes, including food marketing and labeling. She previously worked at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, advocating for policies to curb consumption of sugary drinks, reduce sodium in the food supply, eliminate trans fats, and strengthen agricultural biotechnology regulations. In her free time, Aviva enjoys backpacking, carving fruit sculptures, and playing with other people’s puppies.
.
Hedy Ludwig
Hedy received her BA in Public Health and Anthropology from the University of Rochester. Her research interests include food access, understanding how food systems impact the environment, and the relationship between culture and health outcomes. Outside of work, Hedy enjoys cooking, going to the movies, and spending time with animals.
.
Makenzie Koval M.S.W.
Mackenzie is a recent graduate of Temple University, where she received her Master’s degree in Social Work. She attended Pace University for her BA in Sociology/Anthropology. Her research interests include food insecurity, food access and nutrition. In her free time, Mackenzie enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, and trying new restaurants.
Students and research assistants
CLAIRE MCKEOWN
Claire is an MPH student at the University of Pennsylvania. She received her Bachelor in Social Work, with a minor in Psychology, from the University of Kutztown. She is interested in nutrition, food systems, and the influence of environmental exposures on disease development. In her free time Claire enjoys cooking, yoga, and live music.
CHRISTINE KIM
Christine graduated with a B.A. in psychology from Columbia University and is currently an M.S.Ed. student in the Counseling and Mental Health Services program at Penn GSE. Her professional interests lie in both research and clinical work, particularly in understanding the preventative effects of exercise on psychopathology and developing novel treatment methods for eating and weight disorders. In her free time, she enjoys museum-hopping and exploring new restaurants in the city.
Beau Staso
Beau is an undergraduate research assistant from Hermosa Beach, California. He studies at the Wharton School and College of Arts and Sciences at Penn, pursuing degrees in Economics, International Relations, and Russian. He works mainly on PEACH’s Food Pantry study with the Russian-speaking population in the area.
Jada White
Jada is a senior at Temple University pursuing a Bachelor of Liberal Arts in Psychology and will graduate in May 2020. Prior to attending Temple, she attended Philadelphia High for Girls where she first fell in love with psychology and decided to pursue a career in healthcare. She's a native to the state of Pennsylvania and plans on staying to pursue her future endeavors in psychology. Jada aspires to receive a Master's in Behavioral Health and Healthcare following graduation. She has a deep passion for helping people and making a difference in the lives of others.
Jenna Muller
Jenna received her BA in Psychology with minors in Spanish and Neuroscience from University of Portland. She is currently a Master’s in Public Health Candidate at the University of Pennsylvania. Her research interests include the impacts of food policy on stigma, food insecurity and social justice, and the intersection between nutrition and mental health. Outside of work, you'll often find Jenna dancing, traveling, or curling up with a good book in a quaint cafe.
Matt Andres
Matt received his BS in Neuroscience, with a double major in Philosophy, from The University of Scranton. His research interests include neuroscience, behavior, and ecology and evolution. In his free time, Matt likes hiking, camping, cooking, watching movies, and going to museums.
Megan Smith
Megan graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a BS in Nutrition Science. Her research interests include maternal nutrition, the psychology of eating and weight regulation, weight stigma in healthcare, and food insecurity. Outside of work, Megan enjoys cooking, thrifting, and spending time with her cats.
Miranda Bradley
Miranda received her BFA in dance performance with a minor in psychology, from SUNY Purchase College. She is interested in criminal justice reform and evidence based programming for families impacted by incarceration. In her free time she enjoys eating ramen and spending time with her dogs.
Sabrina Peltier
Sabrina is a candidate for a BA in Economics at the University of Pennsylvania with minors in Statistics and American Sign Language. She is interested in studying the economic relationship between consumers and food choices. In her free time, she enjoys musical theater, travelling, and spending time with her roommate's dog.
