Dr. Naiman Khan, PhD, RD, Lab Director
Ph.D., Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
M.S., Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
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.
Ginger Reeser, MS, RDN, Research Co-ordinator
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.
Christopher Kinder, PhD, Post-doctoral Research Associate
Christopher Kinder received his Ph.D. in Kinesiology in 2022 from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. His research interests include examining the influence of child physical activity, body composition, and arterial health on cognitive functioning. More recently, he has explored the relationship between arterial stiffness indices and cognitive control in preadolescents and adolescents. Chris is also working to develop and implement interdisciplinary, community-based interventions for underserved children (e.g., those with low socioeconomic status or low school attendance, social or emotional concerns). His primary project is iPALS.
Ajla Bristina, Graduate Student
Ajla received a B.S. in Behavioral Neuroscience from Grand Valley State University in 2023. During her time as an undergraduate, she worked as a chemical analyst, nutrition tech, and conducted research in the lab of Dr. Mario Fific. Her research consisted of cognitive decision making and mathematical psychology. She also spent time working in a neuropsychiatric clinic in northern Florida partnered with the Mayo Clinic, evaluating Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other patients experiencing rare neurodegenerative disorders. Ajla is currently pursuing a PhD in Neuroscience. Her primary research interests are nutritional neuroscience, specifically looking at the effects of soy isoflavones on neurocognitive health, body composition, and the gut microbiome in children. Outside of the lab, Ajla enjoys lifting weights, going for walks, cooking dinner, and spending time outdoors!
Emma McCabe, Graduate Student
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.
Shreya Verma, Graduate Student
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!
Jin Kuang, PhD Student
Jin Kuang received a Master of Philosophy in Psychology from Shenzhen University, China, in 2024. She joined the NHB Lab in 2025 and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Kinesiology. Jin’s research investigates the relationships between movement behaviors (e.g., physical activity and sedentary behavior) and cognitive functions across developmental stages. In her free time, Jin enjoys watching movies, writing novels, practicing photography, developing massage skills, cooking and swimming.