Dr. Karina Lora's Behavioral Nutrition Group
More information coming soon!
Principal Investigator
Karina Lora, PhD, RD
Undergraduate Students
Maia Medley
Research Interests:
Implementing and curating culturally competent frameworks into multidisciplinary research with a focus on improving community and global health through increased accessibility.
Personal Interests:
Running and staying active, watching runway shows/fashion designers, and trying new restaurants around the city!
Favorite Foods:
Chickpea Caesar Salad with Bruschetta Toast
Sarah Patton
Program:
BS/MPH Public Health Nutrition
Research Interests:
Eating disorders among female athletes and the impact of a plant-based diet for weight loss strategies.
Personal Interests:
Soccer, cooking, traveling.
Favorite Foods:
Vegan Salad
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
Zachary Williams
Program:
BS in Public Health
Research Interests:
Focus on closing gaps related to the key determinants of health, addressing the diverse factors that contribute to health disparities, and health equitability across different communities.
Personal Interests:
Exploring new places, traveling, and learning new things.
Favorite Foods:
Oxtail with Rice and Peas
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
Program:
BA in Communication, Minor in Nutrition
Aishwarya Grandhe
Lindsey Hughes
Annie McFee
Amelia Morgan
Program:
BS in Nutrition
Maria Hayes Navas
Program:
BS in Nutrition, Concentration in Pre-Med
Jessica Tran
Program:
BA in Political Science and Psychology, Minor in Business
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
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Sarah 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. Image
Lisbeth 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. Image
Zachary Williams, Lisbeth Vargas Ramos, Karina Lora, Karla Cordero, and Maia Medley at the AMPC 5th Annual Research Symposium. 2025 Research Group Gatherings
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Spring 2025 Research Group Gathering
- 2024 Photos
2024 GW Research Showcase
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Jasmine 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
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Amelia Morgan, Maria Hayes Navas, and Anthony Derosa present, Development and Process Evaluation of GW Nutrition Tips: A Nutrition Message Program for Parents of Preschoolers. Image
Jasmine Charter-Harris, MPH, presents Toward an Understanding of Healthy Physical Activity Behaviors Among Middle-aged Central American Immigrant Men: A Concept Mapping Application. Image
Sarah 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. Image
Aishwarya 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 klora
gwu [dot] edu (klora[at]gwu[dot]edu)
The mission of the GW Master of Public Health (MPH) Public Health Nutrition program is to train the next generation of health professionals to integrate nutrition into all aspects of public health practice. Graduates will contribute to the development and improved efficacy of health programs related to nutrition, health promotion, and disease prevention. In addition, the MPH in Public Health Nutrition degree coursework helps professionals to evaluate the best nutrition-related interventions to use at the community, national, and global levels.
The MPH in Public Health Nutrition at GW is a 45-credit program that full time students can complete in five semesters. The program provides flexible course offerings, which allows students to take up to 15 credits online.
Please visit the Master of Public Health in Public Health Nutrition website.
For further information, please contact the program director, 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)