Dr. Karina Lora's Behavioral Nutrition Group
Welcome!
The Lora Behavioral Nutrition Group focuses on social determinants of health as they relate to nutrition behaviors and the development of overweight/obesity and associated comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer in underserved populations.
Our group is invested in understanding and facilitating behavior change through nutrition knowledge, education and intervention.
Principal Investigator

Karina Lora, PhD, RD
Undergraduate Students

Mritika Rahman
Program:
Bachelors of Science in Public Health, Minor in Nutrition
Research Interests:
Food insecurity, chronic disease, obesity, childhood nutrition, health disparities
Personal Interests:
Dance, cooking, scenic walks, trying new outdoor activities
Favorite Foods:
My mom's biryani, açai bowls, strawberry shortcake

Roya Sakhizada
Program:
BS in Exercise Science, Minor in Human Anatomy
Research Interests:
The investigation of complex, unsolved medical cases, the Development of medical interventions aimed at preventing the sudden onset of heart disease, and environmental health.
Personal Interests:
Watching documentaries, maintaining an active lifestyle, and exploring Washington, D.C.
Favorite Foods:
Mantu, Beryani, and Fruit Salad

Lisbeth Vargas Ramos
Program:
BS in Biology, Minor in Chemistry
Research Interests:
Women's health, specifically the role nutrition plays in cancer prevention to improve clinical practices and contribute to prevention care.
Personal Interests:
Reading, working out, and traveling.
Favorite Foods:
Chile Rellenos
Affiliated Students

Tim O'Neal
Program:
PhD in Exercise Physiology and Applied Nutrition
Advisor:
Loretta DiPietro, PhD
Research Interests:
Increasing preventative wellness by developing communities and partnerships that promote healthy lifestyle behaviors that start in the formative years and last across the lifespan.
Lab Alumni
- Anna Bautista
- Karla Cordero
- Anthony Derosa
- Aishwarya Grandhe
- Lindsey Hughes
- Annie McFee
- Maia Medley
- Sarah Patton
- Zach Williams
The Infant Toddler Feeding Practices Study-2: Understanding WIC Participation and Nutrition Outcomes for Toddlers and Children.
Hispanic Men Study 2: A Mapping Approach to Understand Unhealthy Nutrition and Physical Activity Behaviors
Hispanic Men Study 1: Development of a Weight-Loss Behavioral Intervention
Caregivers Gendered Preferences for Content and Delivery Methods of Nutrition Education
Parenting Practices and Adolescents Food Preferences during Independent Eating Occasions
- 2025 Photos
2025 GWSPH Research Days
ImageSarah Patton presents, Female Partners' Influence on Adult Men's Engagement on Healthy Food and Physical Activity Behaviors to Maintain a Healthy Weight: A Scoping Review. GW American Medical Physiology Club
Zachary Williams and Karla Cordero present, Pilot Testing of the GW George Reads Food Evaluation Questionnaires with Preschool-aged Children from Low-Income Families. ImageLisbeth Vargas Ramos and Maia Medley present, Initial Review of the Literature on Facilitators and Barriers to Engaging in the American Cancer Society Guideline for Diet and Physical Activity for Colorectal Cancer Prevention among Hispanics. ImageZachary Williams, Lisbeth Vargas Ramos, Karina Lora, Karla Cordero, and Maia Medley at the AMPC 5th Annual Research Symposium. 2025 Research Group Gatherings
ImageSpring 2025 Research Group Gathering
- 2024 Photos
2024 GW Research Showcase
ImageJasmine Charter-Harris, MPH, presents Toward an Understanding of Healthy Physical Activity Behaviors Among Middle-aged Central American Immigrant Men: A Concept Mapping Application. 2024 GWSPH Research Days
ImageAmelia Morgan, Maria Hayes Navas, and Anthony Derosa present, Development and Process Evaluation of GW Nutrition Tips: A Nutrition Message Program for Parents of Preschoolers. ImageJasmine Charter-Harris, MPH, presents Toward an Understanding of Healthy Physical Activity Behaviors Among Middle-aged Central American Immigrant Men: A Concept Mapping Application. ImageSarah Patton presents, Influence of Live-In Female Partners on Adult African American and Hispanic Men's Engagement on Healthy Food and Physical Activity Behaviors: A Scoping Review. ImageAishwarya Grandhe presents, A Qualitative Exploration of Control, Structure, and Autonomy Support Food Parenting Practices that Hispanic Caregivers Use to Feed Their Preschoolers Healthy Foods.
- Lesson 1 - What I Like About Healthy Me!
- Lesson 2 - Filling MyPlate with Healthy Choices
- Lesson 3 - Fruit for ALL!
- Lesson 4 - Various Vegetables
- Lesson 5 - Dairy for Healthy Teeth and Bones
- Lesson 6 - Grains Help You Go!
- Lesson 7 - Power Up with Protein
- Lesson 8 - Let's Make MyPlate Healthy
- Lesson 9 - Taste a Rainbow of Color
- Lesson 10 - Taste Explorers
- 2025 Photos
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- 2024 & Before Photos
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Healthy Readers Newsletter

English | Spanish |
If you would like to access the nutrition newsletters, contact Dr. Lora at kloragwu [dot] edu (klora[at]gwu[dot]edu)
Karina Lora
Phone: 202-994-4226
Email: kloragwu [dot] edu (klora[at]gwu[dot]edu)