Graduate Students
2011-2021
| Name | Degree | Years in Training | Thesis/Dissertation Title | Current Position |
| Victoria Daniels | M.S. | 2019-2021 | The effects of 2’-fucosyllactose and Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis supplementation on growth, intestinal development and immune and development and function in piglets | Research Analyst in Preclinical Oncology, Labcorp Drug Development, Ann Arbor, MI |
| Meera Patel (w/ Soo Lee) | M.S. | 2019-2021 | Longitudinal assessment of factors associated with picky eating in the first 3 years of life | Senior Technologist, Global Sensory, Ingredion Corporation, Bridgewater, NJ |
| Andrew Dinsmoor (w/ Naiman Khan) | M.S., R.D. | 2018-2021 | The impact of early life dietary patterns on weight status, fecal microbiota and volatile fatty acid composition in 2-year-old children enrolled in the STRONG Kids 2 cohort | Clinical Dietitian, Distinctive Home Care, Offut Air Force Base, Omaha, NE |
| Miriam Aguilar | Ph.D. | 2017-2021 | Dietary factors and early life development of the gut microbiota of preterm infants during hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit | Postdoctoral Fellow, with Dr. Ruth Ann Luna, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX |
| Erin Davis | Ph.D., R.D. | 2015-2020 | Immune components of human milk and effects on the infant microbiome and early infant health | Postdoctoral Fellow with Dr. Kirsi Jarvinen-Seppo, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, NY |
| Julia Kim | Ph.D., M.P.H, (I-TOPP Scholar) | 2013-2018 | Development and evaluation of a breastfeeding intervention and the infant feeding subjective norm scale | Nutrition Consultant, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, Office of Nutrition Guidance and Analysis, USDA |
| Kirsten Berding Harold | Ph.D., R.D. | 2013-2018 | Nutrition and the GI microbiota in children with autism spectrum disorder and impact on symptom severity | Scientist, Team Science Infant Formula, HIPP-Gruppe, Berlin, Germany |
| Natasha Chong Cole (w/ Soo Lee) | Ph.D., (I-TOPP Scholar) | 2013-2018 | Nature and nurture on picky eating behavior in early childhood | Nutrition Consultant, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, Office of Nutrition Guidance and Analysis, USDA |
| Katie Robinson (w/ Margarita Teran-Garcia) | Ph.D., R.D., M.P.H. (I-TOPP Scholar) | 2012-2017 | Fetuin-A: A novel marker for obesity and associated comorbidities. | Medical Science Liaison, Abbott Nutrition |
| Julia Marsiglio Emad | M.S., R.D. | 2013-2016 | Non-thesis, Graduate Dietetic Internship | Family leave |
| Anthony Wang (w/ Margarita Teran-Garcia) | M.D., Ph.D. (Medical Scholars Program | 2012-2015 | Microbial and genetic influences on childhood obesity. | Pediatric Resident, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO |
| Virginia (Luchini) Dosz (w/ Soo Lee) | M.S., R.D. | 2012-2015 | Mealtime strategies for picky eating behaviors at home and daycare | Chief of Staff, Curion, Deerfield, IL |
| Debra Liu | M.S., R.D. | 2012-2014 | Non-thesis, Graduate Dietetic Internship | Registered Dietitian, Santa Monica, CA |
| Kilia Yun Liu | M.S. | 2010-2012 | Effect of bovine lactoferrin on T-cell and natural killer cell populations and NK cell cytotoxicity in piglets. | Postdoctoral Fellow, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL |
| Jill (Shunk) Ducker | M.S., R.D. | 2010-2012 | Effect of bovine lactoferrin on T-lymphocyte cell phenotype and function and the response to vaccination in the neonatal piglet. | Sales Associate, Avantor, East Central Illinois |
| Amy (MacInnes) Podlesak (w/ Soo Lee) | M.S. | 2010-2012 | Creating healthy independent eaters: Parent and environment influences on toddler mealtime behaviors | Community Relations manager. Land O’Lakes, Arden Hills, MN |
2001-2010
| Name & Previous Training | Degree | Years in Training | Thesis/Dissertation Title | Current Position |
| Dipti Dev (w/Brent Mcbride) |
Ph.D. | 2009-2013 | Head start and child care providers’ feeding practices: A potential avenue for obesity prevention in young children | Betti and Richard Robinson Endowed Professorship Associate Professor and Extension Specialist Child, Youth and Family Students, Univ. Nebraska, Linclon |
| Elizabeth Reznikov | Ph.D. | 2009-2014 | Lactoferrin in neonatal development: Effects on intestinal structure and intestinal function and immune response in a piglet model of systemic Staphylococcus aureus infection | Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellow, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, WA |
| Naiman Khan | Ph.D., R.D. | 2008-2012 | Diet and media components related to central adiposity in prepubertal children | Associate Professor, Department Kinesiology,Univ. Illinois. Urbana |
| Shelly Hester | Ph.D., R.D. | 2008-2012 | Impact of formula additives on immune and gastrointestinal development in the piglet. | Senior Scientist, Nu Skin Enterprises, Provo, UT |
| Emily Radlowski | Ph.D., R.D. | 2007-2012 | Early nutrition affects intestinal development and immune response in the neonatal piglet. | Associate Professor, Dominican University, River Forest, IL |
| Jin Lu | M.S. | 2009-2011 | Effects of osteopontin on intestinal development and serum antibody response to rotavirus vaccination in piglets. | Associate Manager, Regulatory Affairs Strategy, Regeneron, New York |
| Dimitri Kashtanov (w/ Mike Miller) | Did not complete | 2008-2011 | Impact of a novel polysaccharide on bacterial translocation in the neonatal piglet. | EPIC Systems Corporation, Madison, WI |
| Shannon Cope | M.S., R.D. | 2008-2011 | Effect of novel nutritional ingredients on piglet response to vaccination. | Registered Dietitian, Boise, Idaho |
| Mandy Boquin (w/ Soo Lee) | M.S. | 2008-2010 | Defining perceptions of picky eating: a qualitative and quantitative investigation of early childhood mealtime behaviors | Sensory Scientist, Bush Brothers, Chestnut Hill TN |
| Allyson Bares | M.S. | 2008-2010 | Effects of early nutrition on the Wnt and bone morphogenic protein pathways in the developing intestine | Family leave |
| Brooke Schantz Fosco | M.S., R.D. | 2006-2009 | Soy formula components and adipocyte development in piglets. | Assistant Director, Coordinated Programs in Dietetics and Individualized Supervised Practice, Dominican University, River Forest, IL |
| Rose Ann Mathai | M.S. | 2006-2009 | Soy formula components and intestinal function in health and disease. | Associate Professor and Department Chair, Dominican University, River Forest, IL |
| Pascasie Adedze (w/ Robin Orr) | Ph.D. | 2002-2009 | Childhood obesity prevention program for children enrolled in Head Start. | Program Analyst, USDA Food and Nutrition Services, Washington, DC |
| Aline Andres | Ph.D. | 2003-2007 | Effect of soy isoflavones on rotavirus infectivity in vitro and in vivo. |
Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas, Little Rock 2025 Dietary Guidelines Scientific Advisory Committee |
| Jessica Hartke | Ph.D. | 2001-2006 | Intestinal development and gene expression of piglets suckling sows transgenic for human IGF-I. | Associate Director, Division of Nutritional Sciences, Univ. Illinois, Urbana, IL |
1991-2000
| Name & Previous Training | Degree | Years in Training | Thesis/Dissertation Title | Current Position |
| Megan (McCarthy) Carrington | M.S. | 1998-2000 | Dietary LCPUFA alter intestinal fatty acid profiles, but do not impact the digestive function of neonatal piglets. | Principal, Interval Advisors LLC, Denver, CO |
| Nikki Baechler | M.S. | 1997-1999 | Non-thesis | Pediatric ICU Dietitian, Order of St Francis Hospital, Peoria IL |
| Deshanie (Ganessunker) Rai | Ph.D. | 1995-1999 | Route of nutrient administration alters intestinal immune cell composition in neonatal piglets. | Vice President, Global Scientific Medical and Regulatory Affairs| OmniActive Health Technologies Inc, Morristown, NJ |
| Yoo Kyoung Park | Ph.D. | 1994-1999 | IGF-I combined with partial enteral nutrition alters intestinal morphology and disaccharidase activity during parenteral nutrition in piglets | Assistant Professor, Kyung-Hee University, Seoul, South Korea |
| Vicki Houle | Ph.D. | 1993-1997 | Oral insulin-like growth factor-I and development of the small intestine in the neonatal piglet | Manager II (Sr Mgr), Scientific Communications, Boston Scientific, Marlborough, MA |
| Lisa (Mangione) Osowski | M.S. | 1992-1995 | Development of a breastfeeding education program for teen mothers. | RD, Condell Medical Center, Chicago, IL |
| Marcia (Monaco) Siegel | Ph.D. | 1991-1995 | Characterization of the IGF system in food-restricted pregnant and lactating rats: role of IGF-I in nutrient partitioning. | Assistant Research Professor, Department Food Science & Human Nutrition, University of Illinois, Urbana |
| Xiaohui (Sheila) Zhao | Ph.D. | 1991-1995 | Hormonal therapies during recovery from neonatal malnutrition in rats. | Clinical Professor, Dept of Pathology;Director of Hematopathology, UC Irvine, CA |
Postdocs
1991-2021
| Name | Training Period | Current Position |
| Heejin Kim Ph.D. | 2018- 2021 | Development Scientist, New England Biolabs, Boston, MA |
| Min Li Ph.D. | 2009-2013 | Senior Scientist, Colgate, New Brunswick, NJ |
| Sarah Comstock Ph.D. | 2008-2012 | Assistant Professor, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI |
| Mei Wang Ph.D. | 2007-2012 | Research Specialist, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, UIUC |
| Marcia Monaco Ph.D. | 1995-1999 | Assistant Research Professor, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, UIUC |
| Jane (Chen-Hui) Chao Ph.D. | 1993-1995 | Dean, College of Nutrition; Professor, School of Nutrition and Health Sciences; Adjunct Professor, Master Program in Global Health and Development; Adjunct Professor, School of Health Care Administration Taipei Medical University |
Visiting Scholars
2001-2021
| Name | Title | Duration | Institution |
| Ashok Pattanaik, MVSc, PhD (Fulbright Fellow) | Principal Scientist | 8/2016-1/2017 | Clinical & Pet Nutrition Laboratory, Division of Animal Nutrition, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, INDIA |
| Ping Dong, MD, MPH | Pediatrician | 6/2016-5/2017 | Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, CHINA |
| Miriam Aguilar | Masters Student | 1/2015-7/2015 | National Institute of Medical Science and Nutrition. Salvador Zubiran, MEXICO |
| Julie Bettinger | Masters Student | 3/2013-5/2013 | Department of Biotechnology, Food and Nutrition, University of Nancy, FRANCE |
| Xin Chen | Doctoral Student | 9/2009-9/2010 | Dept of Animal Nutrition & Feed Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, P.R. CHINA |
| Yao Li, Ph.D. | Professor | 9/2008-12/2009 | Dept of Animal Nutrition & Feed Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, P.R. CHINA |
| Nevin Atkas, Ph.D. | Professor & Dept Head | 8/2001-5/2002 | Department Foods & Nutrition, Harran University, TURKEY |