Laboratory Director
Naiman Khan, Ph.D., RD
Naiman Khan’s research interest is in the area of Nutritional Neuroscience. Our laboratory utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to integrate knowledge in the disciplines of dietetics, body composition, and cognitive neuroscience to understand the interactions between lifestyle behaviors (e.g., diet and physical activity), abdominal adiposity, and cognitive and brain health in the pediatric and adult population. The knowledge gained from this work is used to develop effective behavioral or environmental strategies of mitigating the detrimental effects of obesity and metabolic risk on measures of physical and mental health.
Ph.D., Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
M.S., Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Research Coordinators
Lexi Fifield
Lexi completed a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Eastern Illinois University in 2021. She plans to pursue a nursing career. Lexi’s primary studies are the ELIAS and iCONS studies, which examine the importance of nutrition on child health. In her free time, Lexi enjoys being outside and baking.
Ginger Reeser, MS, RDN
Ginger Reeser received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Mobile and completed a Master of Science in Nutritional Science degree along with the dietetic internship at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2010. Ginger is a research coordinator for the laboratory. She works with Naiman Khan and his staff to support, facilitate, and coordinate daily research activities. Her primary project is the ICONS study.
Postdoctoral Research Associates
Corinne Cannavale, Ph.D.
Corinne Cannavale received a Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cell Biology degree with a minor in Chemistry in 2017 and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience in 2021 from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Corinne’s main research interests are in learning and memory, specifically, how memory can be enhanced through diet and exercise. Her first main research project is investigating cognitive function in preschool aged children. Her second main project is understanding how probiotics affect memory and cognition in adults. In her free time, Corinne enjoys reading and cooking.
Chris Kinder, Ph.D.
Graduate Students
Ajla Bristina
Tori Holthaus
Tori joined the NHB lab in 2021 and is completing a Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences. Her research interests include examining dietary patterns and the role of the food matrix for the promotion of cognitive function. Tori received her Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from the University of Wisconsin in 2016 and has been practicing clinical dietetics for several years. Tori’s hobbies include weightlifting, travel, and spending time with her husband, friends, and her two cats, Topaz & Aurora.
John Kim
John Kim received a Bachelor of Science in Life Science and Biotechnology degree from Yonsei University, South Korea. During his time as an undergraduate student, he conducted in vitro research examining the effects of FK-506 derivatives on neurogenesis in mice. In 2016, he took a brief break from his studies to fulfill his obligatory military conscription where he served as a member of the Republic of Korea’s Naval Special Warfare program. John is currently pursuing a M.S. in Kinesiology. His main research interested focuses on examining the mechanism behind the relationship between physical activity and cognitive function. Outside of the lab, John enjoys lifting, BJJ, swimming, and running.
Ilber Manavbasi
Shelby Martell
Shelby Martell received a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience with a minor in Psychology in 2021 from Eastern Illinois University. Shelby joined the lab in 2021 and is completing a Ph.D. in Neuroscience. Shelby’s research focuses on cognitive and visual function in persons with multiple sclerosis and the potential role of nutrition to improve these deficits. In her free time Shelby enjoys coaching softball, watching sports, and cooking.
Emma McCabe
Emma McCabe received her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science with minors in Biology and Neuroscience from Elon University in NC. During her undergraduate career she conducted several original studies concerning student-athlete cognition and mental health in the BrainCARE concussion lab with Dr. Caroline Ketcham and Dr. Eric Hall. She spent two years as a research fellow at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism with Dr. Vijay Ramchandani, studying genetic, environmental, neurobiological, and lifestyle factors that contribute to alcohol use and misuse. For her PhD in Kinesiology, she is interested in studying how biological and psychosocial factors influence mental, cognitive, and cardiometabolic health outcomes of developing populations in the Neurocognitive Health Behavior Lab. Emma enjoys playing sports, lifting and running, and indulging in movies, both good and bad.
Charlotte Roman
Laura Rosok
Laura Rosok received a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Jazz Performance from the University of Miami in 2020. As an undergraduate research assistant in the Brain Connectivity and Cognition Lab, Laura examined brain connectivity in children with autism using fMRI, as well as the relations between major depressive disorder and the default-mode network. Currently pursuing a PhD in Neuroscience, Laura’s research investigates the links between cognitive development and nutritional status in children via MRI, EEG, cognitive batteries, reflection spectroscopy, heterochromatic flicker photometry, blood markers, and dietary recalls. In her free time, Laura enjoys singing, listening to live music, reading, going to coffee shops, and working out.
Shreya Verma
Shreya received her Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from India in 2017. She joined the healthcare product manufacturing and automation team at Schneider Electric after her undergraduate program. Her experience led her to pursue a Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering in 2021 where she developed an interest in using machine learning approaches to improve brain health. She worked on projects focused on individualized treatment outcome prediction and conversion of mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s using multimodal Artificial intelligence (AI) during the program. She joined the NHB lab in Spring 2023 and is interested in understanding the vascular underpinnings of brain health as well as developing AI empowered precision diet/physical activity interventions to improve brain function. Beyond her research, Shreya enjoys practicing Hatha and Kundalini yoga, listening to podcasts, spending time with friends, and absolutely loves her dogs AND the mountains!
Laboratory Technicians
Melannie Pascual-Abreu