Research Lab Team
Faculty Researchers
Annette Besnilian, EdD, MPH, RDN
Executive Director
Ed.D. Educational Leadership, California State University Northridge
M.P.H. Public Health Nutrition, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
B.S. Family and Consumer Sciences, California State University, Northridge
Karmen Ovsepyan, MS, RDN
Associate Director
M.S. FCS Nutrition & Dietetics, California State University, Northridge
B.S., FCS Nutrition & Dietetics, California State University, Northridge
Scott W. Plunkett, Ph.D
Ph.D. Human Environmental Sciences with a specialization in Family Relations and Child Development, Oklahoma State University
M.Ed. Education, Oklahoma State University
B.A. Psychology and Speech & Drama, Northwestern Oklahoma State University
Main areas of research
http://www.csun.edu/plunk/alab/index.html
- Investigating individual, family, peer, school, and neighborhood qualities related to adolescents’ and emerging adults’ mental health and academics
- Assessing psychometric properties of scales in various cultural/ethnic groups and investigating instrument and procedural threats to validity
- Evaluating university programs (e.g., peer/faculty mentoring, developing research infrastructure) and community programs (e.g., parenting education, sex education for individuals with developmental disabilities, book flood, youth volunteer).
Current research at the MMC
- Sodium Reduction
- MyPlate Musical
- Let’s Grow Healthy
- Let’s Eat Healthy
- Taste of Good Health
David Boyns, PhD
Ph.D. Sociology, University of California Riverside
M.A. Sociology, University of California Riverside
B.A. Anthropology, Psychology & Sociology, University of California Irvine
Main areas of research
Sociological Theory, Social Psychology, Sociology of Emotions, Sociology of Education, Community-Engaged Sociology, Sociology of Health & Wellbeing, Cultural Sociology, Media Studies, and Evaluation Research.
Current research at the MMC
- Sodium Reduction Initiative
- Champions for Change
- Let’s Eat Healthy
Claudia Toledo-Corral, PhD, MPH
PhD. Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California
MPH, Keck School of Medicine at University State University
M.S. Biology, California State University, Northridge
B.S. Biology, University of California, Los Angeles
Main areas of research
Dr. Toledo-Corral has a long-standing research agenda in the field of obesity and associated disease risk in underserved populations. Her past work includes the study of the biological underpinnings of pediatric obesity and diabetes, assessing the efficacy of clinical diagnostic methods of diabetes, and examining the physiological role of stress on obesity and cardiometabolic risk. With USC colleagues, Dr. Toledo-Corral’s most recent projects include the exploration of psychosocial and environmental stressors as determinants of obesity risk in mother-infant dyads.
Current research at the MMC
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Metabolic Stressors Assessment
Mirna Sawyer, PhD, MPH
PhD. Community Health Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles
MPH. Emory’s University’s Rollins School of Public Health
B.A. History, Stanford University
Main areas of research
Her research interests include family food decisions, food access, school lunch reform, and overweight and obesity in Latino and under-served communities.
Current research at the MMC
- Latino Food Decisions
- Nutrigenomics Risk Among Latinos with pre-diabetes
- School-based model of child and adolescent health
Nelida Duran, PhD, MS, RD
PhD. Community Health Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles
MS. Nutritional Sciences, California State University, Los Angeles
BS. Nutritional Sciences, California State University, Los Angeles
Main areas of research
Her research interests include arctic indigenous food systems, global environment change and its impact on food and nutrition security, the role of nutrition in eliminating health disparities, and the translation of nutrigenetics, nutrigenomics, and epigenetics in clinical and public health nutrition.
Current research at the MMC
- Latino Food Decisions
- Nutrigenomics Risk Among Latinos with pre-diabetes
- School-based model of child and adolescent health
Merav Efrat, Ed.D, MPH, IBCLC
Ed.D, University of Southern California
M.P.H, California State University Northridge
B.A., University of California Santa Cruz
Main areas of research
Research agenda focuses on developing and evaluating interventions that reduce childhood obesity particularly among disadvantaged communities through either the promotion of physical activity among elementary school-aged children or the promotion of breastfeeding.
Current projects with the MMC
- USDA Pathway to Success for Hispanic students as RDs
Douglas Kaback, M.F.A.
M.F.A. Drama University of Southern CA
B.F.A. Drama University of California Santa Barbara
Main areas of research
Theatre of the Oppressed; Classical Theatre; Theatre for Youth; Theatre for Social Justice
Current projects with the MMC
- Aqua- and Hydroponics
- My Plate the Musical
- Disordered Eating Theater
- Champions for Change
Research Assistants
- Alondra Valdez (BUILD PODER)
- Ilene Cruz (MARC)
Pathways Fellows
- Aneli G Torres
- Kellie Fernandez
- Briseyda Nunez
- Fernando Gonzalez
- Glenda Miranda
- Christina Castro
- Karina Valera
- Lorena Melendez
- Jesus Gonzalez
- Priscilla M. Macias
- Jasmine Martinez
- Diana Lugo Segovia
- Amy Contreras
- Hannah Ward
- Stephanie Reyes
- Kelly Nicole Rodriguez
- Jada Cantrell (Research Lab Coordinator)
Dietetic Interns
- Jake Batey
- Noelle Gozzarelli
- Laura Horwitz
- Jamillet Maldonado
- Sahar Tamari
- Lauren Zech
- Joselin Berdugo
- Erika Giroux
- Lihua Ma
- Vanessa Sanchez
Visit USDA Pathways to learn more information about our Pathways Fellows.