CFAAR - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Assistant Professor
- MPP / Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine
Job Titles:
- Director of Clinical Research Operations
Job Titles:
- Medical Curriculum Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Assistant Professor
- Medical Curriculum Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Assistant Professor
- Medical Curriculum Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Assistant Registrar / Program Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Development & Alumni Relations
- Vice Dean for Development and Alumni Relations & Northwestern Medicine Executive for Development
Job Titles:
- Clerkship Director, Pediatrics
- Medical Curriculum Coordinator
Alexa attended the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, where she successfully obtained her BS in nursing. Currently, she is actively pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, with aspirations of becoming a skilled family nurse practitioner. Professionally, Alexa has cared for pediatric patients across a wide range of specialized units. She presently serves as a registered nurse within the Resource Team at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, where she cares for inpatient pediatric patients. Alexa frequently witnesses the profound effects that food allergies and asthma exert on pediatric patients and their families. This experience drives her commitment to reducing health disparities and enhancing health literacy, particularly in the context of conditions related to allergies and asthma.
Fun Fact: Alexa enjoys going to concerts in her free time and recently saw Taylor Swift.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Chairman
- Director
Job Titles:
- Medical Curriculum Coordinator
- Teamwork & Leadership Thread Leader
Job Titles:
- Student Support and Wellness Coordinator
Allison Matricaria serves as the Student Support and Wellness Coordinator. She works closely with medical students to provide assistance with personal and professional challenges that may arise during training. She helps facilitate opportunities for wellness, career exploration, and mental health support.
Alondra graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana, Champaign where she studied psychology with a concentration in cognitive neuroscience and molecular cellular biology. Her interest in allergy research stemmed from her own experiences with allergies and learning about the underlying biological process during an allergic reaction. Alondra's research and experience volunteering in hospitals fostered an interest in learning about health disparities that impact the quality of healthcare. She plans to pursue a career in healthcare as a nurse practitioner and hopes to have a positive impact by providing culturally-competent care for her future patients.
Fun Fact: Alondra has two turtles named Michelangelo and Donatello.
Job Titles:
- Director of Standardized Patient Programs
Job Titles:
- Clinical Research Associate
Anastasia Harris (she/her) is a clinical research associate with more than 5 years of research experience. She earned a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Maternal and Child Health and is passionate about health equity and improving perinatal health outcomes for Black birthing people. Before joining the team, she worked at NorthShore University HealthSystem on a perinatal mood and depression study and at the University of Chicago on the Monogenic Diabetes Registry. She is from St. Louis and loves running, traveling and movie-watching.
Job Titles:
- Memorial Lecturer, American Heart Association ( National ) ( 2010 )
Job Titles:
- Executive Director for Research Facilities
Job Titles:
- Deputy Chief
- Information Officer
Job Titles:
- Program Assistant
- Program Assistant, AWOME
Angela Artner is a Program Assistant in the Augusta Webster Office of Medical Education. She manages the non-clinical calendars of Drs. Gates and Brannigan. Additionally, she manages logistics and facility reservations for the Student Affairs team, scheduling for student events, and oversees supply acquisition for student affairs-sponsored activities. Angela is available to assist medical students in successfully navigating AWOME resources.
Angela is a certified physician assistant with 10 years of clinical practice experience in allergy, immunology and family medicine. As a provider, she is passionate about patient education, especially as it pertains to successfully managing food allergy and asthma. Prior to becoming a physician assistant, Angela obtained her Master of Public Health and was involved in food allergy and asthma research at the former Children's Memorial Hospital and University of Iowa.
Fun Fact: SCUBA diving is an old hobby that Angela hopes to resume with future travel.
Angie Li (she/her) is a health equity scholar who recently received her BA in Neuroscience from Northwestern University. Through the Chinatown Patient Navigation Program Study, Li is able to contribute and explore her interests in health equity and improved healthcare access for vulnerable populations, like immigrants facing language barriers. She is working toward her goal of becoming a physician who serves the underserved. In her free time, she enjoys trying out new restaurants and taking walks around various neighborhoods in Chicago.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Professor
- Medical Curriculum Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Associate Professor
- Medical Curriculum Coordinator
Ann Yau previously worked at Mercy Hospital for seven years and gained experience in a variety of positions, including as an oncology patient navigator. At CHET, she connects participants to cancer screening services, makes referrals for other heathcare needs (e.g., establishing a primary care physician, providing support in health insurance benefits), makes referrals for other social service needs (e.g., transportation, financial and legal assistance, support groups) and initiates communication with cancer patients to help them, their families and their caregivers in overcoming any barriers they may be facing in the healthcare system. She also helps facilitate timely and quality access to care through all phases of the cancer journey.
Job Titles:
- Marketing and Communications Manager
Annie previously led operations and marketing efforts for a non-profit and helped organize their annual conference. She holds a BS in integrated marketing communications from the University of Mississippi. Annie lives in Chicago and enjoys running on the lakefront, reading, and spending time with her friends and family.
Fun Fact: Annie loves to dance and takes ballet and bachata classes.
Ariane is a registered & licensed dietitian, nutrition coach, editor and online course creator with the following credentials:
MS with a concentration in clinical nutrition from New York University
BS in nutrition science from Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City
Certificate in weight management from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Diploma in sports nutrition
Ariane is working on earning a certificate in pediatric food allergy sponsored by Food Allergy Research and Education. Currently, she provides one-on-one nutrition counseling in her private practice "The Joy of Healthy Eating," where she sees many food allergy-related cases, as well other chronic degenerative diseases.
Fun Fact: Ariane recently discovered her love for gardening. She now has tomatoes, several herbs, guava, lemon and coconuts growing very happily in her backyard.
Job Titles:
- Co - Director
- Assistant Professor of Medicine ( Hospital Medicine ) and Medical Education
- Medical Curriculum Coordinator
Named after a prestigious woman in American medicine, the Augusta Webster, MD, Office of Medical Education (AWOME) is the heart of the medical school and a hub for many student activities. AWOME is charged with supporting students and faculty of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, including the academic, personal, and professional development of Feinberg medical students. Our faculty and staff provide guidance for achieving academic excellence and career development opportunities for medical student research programs, and serve as the liaison for a wide range of student support services, such as financial aid and student health services. For the centrally managed components of the curriculum, we provide logistical assistance to students and faculty, educational materials, and identification of resources for faculty development. We also support a wide range of extra-curricular programs and events to enhance the educational goals of our students. We strive to provide an open, caring and inviting environment where every medical student and faculty member is always welcome.
Ayla joined the CFAAR team as a Study Coach in August 2024. Prior to joining CFAAR, Ayla worked with the CARDIA study and Maternal Fetal Medicine research at Northwestern. Living with food allergies has deepened her passion for patient education and early food allergy prevention. Ayla studied Biology and Liberal Arts at Saint Xavier University. Her research interests include decreasing health disparities and improving healthcare access in underserved communities. She is excited to make meaningful contributions to food allergy research by joining the CFAAR team.
Fun Fact: Ayla once climbed a waterfall, and her most thrilling adventure was at Pai Canyon in Thailand!
Job Titles:
- Associate Director, Research Administration
Bonita is a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) who is passionate about working with children and families to help them obtain optimal nutrition in an environment that supports nurturing relationships. The importance of healthy nutrition is something that she learned firsthand growing up on a farm where whole foods were readily available and family meals were part of the daily routine. This foundation led her to work with children and families, helping children experience whole foods in creative ways, incorporating the importance of a nurturing environment. Bonita received her BS in home economics education and worked for the Vermont Cooperative Extension Service before receiving her master's in adult and occupational education and obtaining her certification as an RDN. She has worked in pediatric nutrition through programs such as early intervention, preschool special education and Head Start, as well as working with children and families in private practice. Recently, she earned a certificate in pediatric food allergy nutrition sponsored by Food Allergy Research and Education.
Fun Fact: Bonita enjoys going on pilgrimages. So far, these have been in the U.S., with future plans of overseas trips.
Job Titles:
- Manager, Education Operations
Job Titles:
- Assistant Dean for Assessment
- Medical Curriculum Coordinator
- Teamwork & Leadership Thread Leader
Brigid M Dolan, MD, MEd, is associate professor of Medicine (General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics) and Medical Education and AWOME's Assistant Dean for Assessment.
Britney graduated from Northwestern University, where she majored in Cognitive Science and Global Health Studies and minored in Sociological Studies. Since the beginning of 2023, she has been volunteering at the Chicago Women's Health Center, which catalyzed her passion for health equity and promotion and motivated her to work on these health initiatives post-graduation. Through her previous research experiences, Britney developed a love for research and believed in the power of research to advance health outcomes and uplift the voices of underrepresented communities. She is excited about joining CFAAR and continuing to foster her curiosity to learn more about allergy prevention and its role in promoting healthy childhood development.
Fun Fact: Britney loves to bake and experiment with different recipes! So far, her favorite thing to make is a blueberry lemon cake with lemon curd buttercream.
Job Titles:
- Senior Research Data Analyst
Caglar received a bachelor's degree in economics from Istanbul University and earned a master's degree in economics from the University of Missouri. Currently, Caglar is finishing up his PhD in economics at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. His research is on developing and applying econometric and statistical methods to study the causal relationships between public policies and labor market outcomes.
Fun Fact: In his free time, Caglar enjoys making watercolor paintings
Caitlin supports and coordinates all aspects of the daily student and faculty activities related to the Phase 1a Science in Medicine element. She also coordinates Phase 1a Synthesis and Application Modules I and II, as well as Introduction to the Profession week for the incoming M1 class.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Coordinator
Carly graduated from Hope College with a BA in Communication and English with a Creative Writing Emphasis. She assists with daily office administration and communications at CFAAR.
Fun Fact: Carly loves reading, doing crossword puzzles and spending time along Chicago's lakeshore.
Job Titles:
- Associate Professor of Medical Education
- Medical Curriculum Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Clinical Research Project Manager
Cayla Iwaniuk (she/her) is a clinical research project manager for multiple projects. Prior to joining CHET, she worked as a research specialist at the University of Illinois Chicago supporting projects that investigated occupational lung disease in U.S. coal miners and supported initiatives to connect them to quality care in order to receive their federal black lung benefits. Cayla has received her Master of Public Health in Social Epidemiology and her BS in Health Sciences.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Dean for Program Evaluation and Accreditation
- Assistant Professor of Medical Education
- Director of Assessment and Program Evaluation
Celia O'Brien, PhD, is an assistant professor of Medical Education and the assistant dean for Program Evaluation and Accreditation.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Professor
- Medical Curriculum Coordinator
Chisom Chima (she/her) is a program assistant at CHET. She received her BS in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience at Loyola University Chicago, with the trajectory of medical school and becoming an obstetrician/gynecologist. Chisom coordinates administrative processes and prioritizes, directs and responds to matters involving administrative functions. She hopes to gather experiences and connections that will aid her in her journey to the medical field, where she hopes to bridge the gap in female health disparities, especially in the Nigerian community. In her free time, Chima immerses herself in her small business, where she cooks and caters homemade Nigerian dishes.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant
- Assistant
Chris has worked with CFAAR for over 10 years, filling a variety of roles on the team including research project coordinator, biostatistician, consultant and music video producer. He is an Assistant Professor of Preventive Medicine and serves as CFAAR's Director of Population Health Research. His research focuses on better understanding and ameliorating the public health burden of food allergy and other atopic diseases, both in the U.S. and abroad.
Claire is a 2021 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Science-Computing. For the past three years, Claire has worked as a Sustainability Strategist at Accenture, where she has honed her skills in strategic thinking and environmental stewardship. Currently, Claire is making a career shift into medicine, pursuing a post-baccalaureate pre-medicine program at Northwestern University. She is passionate about pediatrics and is eager to explore pediatric allergy research.
Fun Fact: Claire plays bass guitar in her free time and has performed with multiple bands in Chicago.
Job Titles:
- Vice Dean for Health Equity
Job Titles:
- Behavioral Research Associate
Corwin supports Waheeda Samady, MD, in her research and the iREACH study. Corwin graduated from Northern Illinois University, majoring in rehabilitation and disability services. Since graduating, he has worked in applied behavioral analysis therapy, working with young children who were diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. In the last year, he worked as a training specialist, teaching new employees how to implement behavioral corrective strategies. He is looking forward to learning more about food allergy, and asthma and healthcare in general.
Fun Fact: Corwin spends much of his time outside with his son and his dog Romo.
Job Titles:
- Senior Assistant Director of Financial Aid
Cynthia Gonzalez is the Senior Assistant Director of Financial Aid. She works closely with medical students to address financial aid and loan repayment options. She identifies scholarship opportunities and provides helpful resources to assist medical students in making educated financial decisions. Cynthia organizes ongoing seminars and outside speakers that focus on financial wellness through the Life $upport program, including sessions on financial planning, home mortgage, and identifying local annual tax preparation resources.
Job Titles:
- Medical Curriculum Coordinator
- Quality Assurance Specialist Associate
Job Titles:
- Manager of Research Operations
David has worked in the non-profit world for more than 20 years. He started at the Make-A-Wish Foundation and has spent much of his career working for HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ+ organizations. David was introduced to the world of research while working at the Howard Brown Health Center and has since worked as the finance operations manager for the Smith Child Health Outcomes, Research and Evaluation Center (SCHORE) at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.
Fun Fact: A few years ago, David went back to school at DePaul University to focus on non-profit management and art therapy. His goal is to someday open up his own non-profit that houses art therapy programs for children with autism and their families.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director, Institute for Public Health and Medicine ( IPHAM ) - Center for Patient - Centered Outcomes
- Professor of Medical Social Sciences, Has Been Named the Winner of the 2023 Tripartite Legacy Faculty Prize in Translational Science and Education
David Cella leads the following active clinical trials that are recruiting research participants/patients. Find all Feinberg Clinical Trials.
David Cella, PhD reported the external professional relationships noted below for calendar year 2023.
David Cella, PhD, professor of Medical Social Sciences, has been named the winner of the 2023 Tripartite Legacy Faculty Prize in Translational Science and Education.
Job Titles:
- Associate Dean for Research Operations
Job Titles:
- Director
- Abrams Research Center on Neurogenomics
Job Titles:
- Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine
- Director of Simulation for Undergraduate Medical Education, Phase 3 Director
David Salzman, MD, is an assistant professor of Emergency Medicine and Medical Education. He also serves as the director of simulation for undergraduate medical education and Phase 3 director.
Job Titles:
- Clinical Research Associate
Denisha Brown (she/her) has a background in clinical trial and project management specific to the implementation of oncology studies and programs. In her role as clinical research associate, she supports infrastructure development and research initiatives for various CHET projects. Her passion is to help facilitate equitable access to quality oncologic care and clinical trials for underrepresented communities. Brown obtained her Master of Public Health from DePaul University and BS in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. As a Chicago native, she enjoys maximizing patio season, playing with her pup, tending to her garden and crafting her woes away.
Job Titles:
- Clerkship Director, Education - Centered Medical Home
- Medical Curriculum Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Behavioral Research Assistant
Diana graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago where she studied Psychology with a minor in Biology and Spanish. Her passion for medicine began early, as she often translated for her parents during their doctor's appointments. While pursuing her undergraduate studies, she discovered a deep interest in research while working as a research office aide in the Infectious Disease department at UIC. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, walking, and spending time with her cat.
Fun Fact: Diana has a twin brother.
Job Titles:
- Chief Information Officer
- Information Technology
- Northwestern Medicine Chief Information Officer
Job Titles:
- Director of Communications
Elizabeth is the director of communications and outreach. She holds a BA in communications from Michigan State University and an MS in information Design from Northwestern University. On a personal note, she lives with asthma and a life-threatening allergy, and feels a deep commitment to making research accessible and purposeful for the people most-impacted by their medical diagnoses.
Chair; Paul B. Magnuson Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine
Job Titles:
- Research Data Analyst Associate
Emily joined the CFAAR team as a Research Data Analyst Associate in May 2024. She graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in Computer Science. Previously, she has contributed to the field of Alzheimer's research and breast cancer research. Emily is interested in furthering her knowledge of data science and analysis, in order to better contribute to the world of research. Outside of work, you can often find Emily baking desserts, going for walks along the lake shore, and exploring all that Chicago has to offer.
Fun Fact: Emily recreated the Flappy Bird game on PC as her first game project. She is currently working on a card game app with her childhood friend.
Job Titles:
- Lewis Landsberg Dean & Vice President for Medical Affairs
Job Titles:
- Medical Curriculum Coordinator
- Standardized Patient Trainer
Job Titles:
- Research Project Coordinator
Erin Chen is a research project coordinator who received his BA in History and Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Prior to working with CHET, Chen was working as an undergraduate Pre-Medical Intern at the Northwestern Hospital. There, he assisted in conducting research involving patients and their health-related social needs. He is passionate in researching and reducing health disparities and enjoys mentoring students and promoting their success within STEM. His future goal is to become an epidemiologist. In his free time, Chen loves to explore local restaurants and cafes while reading a good book or listening to podcasts.
Job Titles:
- Senior Coordinator of Assessment and Evaluation
Job Titles:
- Vice - Chair, Department of Pediatrics
Job Titles:
- Member of the Research Cores Committee
- Assistant Professor, Neurology
Job Titles:
- Medical Curriculum Coordinator
- Neurology
Job Titles:
- Vice Dean for Faculty Affairs
Job Titles:
- Member of the Research Cores Committee
- Associate Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology
Job Titles:
- Associate Director
- Director
Job Titles:
- Senior Project Coordinator
- Adviser to the Community Advisory Board
Fritzie joined CFAAR as an adviser to the Community Advisory Board and currently serves as CFAAR's Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) liaison. Prior to joining CFAAR, Fritzie was an active duty Air Force spouse for over 20 years, which allowed her to gain community building experiences and unique perspectives of the strategic vision that ensures unit and family readiness, resiliency and cohesion. Inspired by her children with multiple food allergies, she has worked in bringing food allergy awareness in the military community and building a network of support for families in various volunteer capacities. Fritzie is a doctor of pharmacy with a background in analytical chemistry. She completed her undergraduate education at Concordia University Irvine with a degree in biological sciences and a minor in chemistry. She also completed a master's degree in chemistry at Johns Hopkins University, a graduate certificate in biohazardous threat agents and emerging infectious diseases at Georgetown University and later proceeded in professional and graduate studies in pharmacy at Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University.
Fun Fact: Fritzie used to sing as a cantor for church. While she continues to share her island culture through hula, the passion for music is rekindled by her children who love to sing and play ukulele and piano.
Job Titles:
- Ruchi Coaches Basketball in Her Free Time
Job Titles:
- Senior Research Study Coordinator
Gail spent several years as a field interviewer on federal research studies that measured the impact of social service programs. She has traveled to communities across the country observing and collecting data in schools and private homes, engaging with people who are seeking solutions to their challenges. In her free time, she enjoys frisbee and cycling.
Fun Fact: Gail loves baking and is learning to decorate cookies.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Professor
- Medical Curriculum Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Senior Curriculum Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Administration
Job Titles:
- Cancer Center & Research Institute / ImmunoGen, Inc.
Job Titles:
- Manager of Research Communications
Hannah received a BS in animal science with a minor in environmental studies from Iowa State University and has since been an administrative professional in fields such as investment banking and veterinary health. Hannah has also served in AmeriCorps. She is excited to assist the team and learn more about food allergy and asthma research.
Fun Fact: In her free time, Hannah enjoys yoga, running, making ice cream, and spending time with her beloved cocker spaniel.
Dr. Greenland is the Harry W. Dingman Professor of Cardiology and Professor of Preventive Medicine at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine and a Senior Editor for JAMA. He held previous positions as Department Chair of Preventive Medicine at Northwestern, Executive Associate Dean for Clinical and Translational Research, and Director of Northwestern's Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute. His career in preventive cardiology and cardiovascular epidemiology includes re...[Read full text] Dr. Greenland is the Harry W. Dingman Professor of Cardiology and Professor of Preventive Medicine at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine and a Senior Editor for JAMA. He held previous positions as Department Chair of Preventive Medicine at Northwestern, Executive Associate Dean for Clinical and Translational Research, and Director of Northwestern's Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute. His career in preventive cardiology and cardiovascular epidemiology includes research in the MESA Study, the CARDIA Study, the Women's Health Initiative, the Chicago Heart Association Detection Project in Industry, and the Chicago Western Electric Study, among others. He is a longstanding member of the NHLBI Observational Study Monitoring Board for the Framingham Heart Study and was a long-term member of the Board of External Experts of the NHLBI. Dr. Greenland's research has helped to shape cardiovascular care guidelines around the world. His work, which has been cited thousands of times, was among the first to reveal that women are more likely to die from heart attacks than men, and his studies illustrated that major risk factors almost always precede heart attacks, overcoming the "50% myth." He has also contributed to enhanced diagnostic and preventive care, showing the importance of coronary calcium scanning for cardiovascular disease risk prediction. He has been recognized multiple times as a Thomson Reuters Highly Cited Researcher in clinical medicine. He is an elected member of the Association of American Physicians and an elected Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (London). He is also an elected Fellow of the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology, and the European Society of Cardiology. He has received distinguished national awards for his research, his teaching, and his mentoring from the Association of American Medical Colleges, American College of Physicians, National Institutes of Health, Society for Cardiovascular Computed Tomography, American Society for Preventive Cardiology, and the American Heart Association.[Shorten text]
Job Titles:
- Finance & Administration
- Vice Dean and Chief Operating Officer
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Program Assistant
Hope joined the CFAAR team as a program assistant in November 2022. Prior to joining CFAAR, she worked in development roles mainly within the nonprofit sector and has experience as a project coordinator for large-scale fundraising initiatives. In addition to development work, she also has experience providing administrative and executive support and assisting with database management. Hope attended Northern Illinois University with a major in nonprofit and NGO studies, where she studied a diverse range of topics encompassing philanthropy, nonprofit management and community engagement.
Fun Fact: Hope solo traveled through Europe and parts of the Middle East for three months. She also has a pet rabbit named Gizmo, named after Gizmo from the movie "Gremlins."
Job Titles:
- Medical Curriculum Coordinator
- Professor of Radiology and Surgery
Job Titles:
- Assistant Professor
- Assistant Dean of Medical Education Assistant Professor of Medicine ( Cardiology )
Ike Okwuosa, MD, is an assistant dean of Medical Education and assistant professor of Medicine in the Division of Cardiology.
After over a decade of working in community-based research, Ivy Leung is experienced in cancer health disparities and health equity. She has a proven track record of conducting research that has led to improved access to healthcare for underserved communities, particularly for immigrants facing language barriers. She is also a strong advocate for food justice and intimate partner violence (IPV). Leung is passionate about sustainable living and supporting the local food system. She volunteers at local food pantries, cancer organizations and an adaptive climbing group. She is also a certified Domestic Violence Professional and a certified Mental Health First Aider. She is always happy to provide support and resources for cancer, mental health, IPV and local farms.
Job Titles:
- Director of Learning and Educational Support
- Senior Assistant Director of Financial Aid
Job Titles:
- Associate Clerkship Director, Education - Centered Medical Home MDM Co - Director, Health System Clinician of Medicine ( General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics )
- Medical Curriculum Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Assistant Professor
- Medical Curriculum Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Standardized Patient Trainer
Job Titles:
- Graduate Research Assistant
Jiafeng (Jay) Zhu is currently a 3rd-year PhD student in Biostatistics at Northwestern University. He worked as a full-time Research Associate at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health for more than three years. His research interests include longitudinal data analysis, survival data analysis, machine learning, food allergy, aging, and heart disease. Jay looks forward to working with his colleagues on the CFAAR team!
Fun Fact: Jay has a Corgi called Buding!
Job Titles:
- Member of the Research Cores Committee
- Neurology
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Research Cores Committee
- Director of Research Core Planning Director of Research Analysis
Job Titles:
- Assistant Professor of Medicine ( General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics )
- Medical Curriculum Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Assistant Professor
- Medical Curriculum Coordinator
Jessica, a native Michigander, studied music performance and biology at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI during her undergraduate education, attended Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine for medical school, and completed her pediatric residency at Children's Hospital of Michigan in Detroit. She then continued her training at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX where she completed her allergy and immunology fellowship. Jessica joined the faculty at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine as an assistant professor and is an academic pediatric allergist and immunologist at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. Her primary clinical and research interests are in food allergy prevention and treatment and decreasing pediatric health disparities.
Fun Fact: Jessica studied oboe performance in undergrad and performed in orchestras throughout medical school and residency. She plans to continue her oboe playing in Chicago.
Jessika graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a BS in biology, where she helped initiate a Planned Parenthood organization on campus. She derived a passion for health sciences after her own experience in a long-term hospital stay. During that time, she grew to appreciate the many components required to aid someone back to health. Jessika has spent time interning at Claude Mendel Medical Center learning the basic components of research studies, with a focus on gastroenterology. She is excited to join this team where she will continue to learn about research and healthcare pertaining to asthma and food allergy. Fun Fact: Jessika loves the card game UNO. She has collected 12 variations of the game and counting. Hometown: Chicago, IL
Jia is the research project manager for the iREACH study. She also supports the FORWARD study, FACE India studies, the Food Allergy Prevalence study, and more. Her research interests include early food allergy prevention, the role of microbiome in food allergy development, and food allergy in a global context. Jia received a BA in sociology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she also underwent the pre-medicine track and minored in Spanish.
Job Titles:
- Research Assistant
- Research Assistant at CHET
Joana Salievska, a research assistant at CHET, received her BA in Anthropology from Middlebury College. She has worked at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools in a preschool classroom and hopes to one day work as a pediatrician or an OB-GYN. She is passionate about reproductive justice, specifically contraceptive access and use in historically underrepresented communities. She's excited to contribute to CHET's various projects and research and is motivated by its mission.
Joanna works on the iREACH project study, looking to improve physician adherence to the Pediatric Pharmacy Association guidelines regarding the early introduction of peanuts to infants. Previously, Joanna was a rental and office manager and worked in finance and administration. She loves to travel as much as time will allow, and lived in the U.K. before moving to the U.S. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, watching movies and spending time with her family.
Fun Fact: Joanna enjoyed dancing in a folk group when she was a teenager.
Job Titles:
- Research Project Coordinator
- Research Project Coordinator for the NIH
Joanna Mendoza (she/her) is the research project coordinator for the NIH-funded, Northwestern University Recruitment to Transform Under-Representation and achieve Equity (NURTURE) grant. She earned a BA in Psychology and Neuroscience from Texas A&M University and an MA in Social Sciences from The University of Chicago. Mendoza has a diverse research background spanning child developmental psychology, attention and behavior, moral development, workforce development, and substance abuse. She is a born-and-raised Texan and looks forward to embracing the vibrant city of Chicago.
Job Titles:
- Associate Dean for Health Equity and Student Support
John Franklin, MD, MSc, MA, is a professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences with secondary appointments in Surgery and Medical Humanities and Bioethics. He also serves as associate dean for Health Equity and Student Support.
Job Titles:
- Medical Curriculum Coordinator
John has a PhD in environmental health from Indiana University-Bloomington, focusing on investigative toxicology. His interest in food allergy started during his undergraduate studies, working as a research assistant in an immunology laboratory studying food allergy sensitization. John went on to obtain an MS in nutrition science before pursuing his doctorate. John is excited to evaluate the impact of environmental contaminants on food allergy, asthma and other atopic diseases. Fun Fact: John spends much of his free time coaching his sons' soccer and basketball teams. Hometown: Cary, IL
Job Titles:
- Medical Curriculum Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Director, Professional Development Element and College Mentor, and Associate Professor of Medicine ( Palliative Care )
- Medical Curriculum Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Graduate Medical Education ( GME )
- Senior Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education
Kassidy attended the University of Kentucky and graduated with a BA in health, society and populations. Due to her own environmental and severe food allergies, she has always had an interest in food allergy safety and early allergy prevention.
Job Titles:
- Associate Professor
- Associate Dean, Curriculum
Kathryn Hufmeyer, MD
Kathryn Hufmeyer MD, is Associate Dean for Curriculum and Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of General Internal Medicine.
Job Titles:
- Associate Dean for Curriculum
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Finance
Job Titles:
- Research Data Analyst Senior
Khalid holds a master's degree in epidemiology from Michigan State University, where he spent the past ten years supporting in-field and remote research on bacteremic infections in Nigeria and cerebral malaria in Malawi. His graduate fieldwork explored how physicians diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorder in Karachi, Pakistan, which became the first published study on this topic in Pakistan in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. While his work centers on quantitative analysis, in 2018, he helped launch a project that utilized photography and audio interviews to better understand issues regarding home healthcare aids in Michigan; this project is now part of the Library of Congress.
Fun Fact: Khalid loves bicycling, and in the winter, you might see him in a head-to-toe waterproof outfit biking around Chicago.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Dean of Medical Education Assistant Professor of Medicine ( Pulmonary and Critical Care ) and Medical Education
Khalilah Latrece Gates, MD, is an assistant dean of Medical Education and assistant professor of Medicine (Pulmonary and Critical Care) and Medical Education.
Job Titles:
- Research Study Coordinator
Kimberly graduated from Texas Tech University with a B.S. in Microbiology. During her undergraduate studies, she worked with plant-parasitic nematodes, focusing on the role of nematode-associated microbes in pest management. After graduation, Kimberly continued her research with nematodes at the Arey Lab, examining the behavioral and molecular effects of PFAS on cognitive aging. In 2022, Kimberly traded her cowboy boots for snow boots and moved to the Windy City, where she worked in the Transplant Lab at Northwestern, processing clinical samples. With a passion for research and public health, Kimberly is excited to join CFAAR.
Fun Fact: Kimberly was part of the bowling team in high school and college.
Kofi Sarkodie joined CHET after two years of collaborating with the San Antonio Spurs' (NBA) chief impact officer to drive societal impact and support community initiatives. At CHET, Kofi first served as a health equity scholar before transitioning to a full-time program coordinator role, where he contributes to the CUSP2CT SUPPORT Trial. This research study, funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), aims to increase diversity in enrollment for NCI-supported clinical trials. Through his research, Kofi seeks to identify factors influencing participation in these trials and raise awareness within Black and Latino communities. He graduated from the University of Akron in 2017 with a BA in Natural Sciences, along with minors in Chemistry and Psychology. In Ghana, it is customary for names to be given based on the day of the week a person is born. Kofi means "born on Friday."
Kristin is a primary care pediatrician and health services and health policy researcher. She completed her pediatric residency at Seattle Children's Hospital and University of Washington and the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Fellowship at University of Michigan. As a physician-investigator at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and Northwestern University, Kristin aims to inform the design of health policies and programs that optimize health care access and quality of care for children with chronic diseases, in particular asthma. Her current research is on the population health management of pediatric asthma by leveraging digital technology in outpatient care.
Job Titles:
- Health Sciences Editor and Video Producer
Job Titles:
- Assistant Professor of Pediatrics ( Hospital - Based Medicine )
Kyle joined the CFAAR team following a gap year in which he spent nine months traveling solo to nine different countries around the globe. This gap year came after the completion of his undergraduate studies at Wake Forest University, where he majored in environment and sustainability studies and minored in Spanish and anthropology. Kyle has a deep interest in solving issues at the crossroads of class, race and public health. He is thrilled to be a part of the CFAAR team on the FORWARD study where he will have the opportunity to learn more about food allergy broadly and, more specifically, the problems and potential solutions concerning quality of and access to care.
Job Titles:
- Medical Curriculum Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Senior Clinical Research Associate
Laura Tom is a senior clinical research associate who oversees the day-to-day scientific operations of CHET. For over a decade, she has contributed to research studies led by Dr. Simon in the areas of cancer, women's health, and implementation science. Prior to joining Northwestern in 2013, she supported cancer prevention and control research projects at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, and UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center. She holds an MS in social and behavioral sciences and a BA in sociology from Harvard University.
Job Titles:
- Medical Curriculum Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Lewis Landsberg Dean & Vice President for Medical Affairs
Job Titles:
- Coordinator for Student Compliance
- Coordinator for Student Support Services
Linda Daniels is the Coordinator for Student Compliance and Support Services. She serves as the administrative manager for medical students at affiliated clinical sites and oversees and maintains the health and drug screening records. She monitors the certification training compliance process and serves as the appointed liaison for NM and NU facilities: student health services, student health insurance and NM corporate health. Linda assists with housing resources and manages vendor contracted services for the CTA U-pass program, student disability insurance policy, uniforms/scrubs and student paging services. She is available to assist students seeking resolution for campus services challenges.
Job Titles:
- Program Manager of Medical Student Research
Lucy has successfully coordinated a number of CFAAR's research projects as co-investigator, including: The Medicaid project The Peanut Allergy Guidelines Assessment Clinician, Pediatrician, and Parent Surveys project Understanding Preferred Precautionary Allergen Labeling Language Among Food Allergy Stakeholders project She also assists with analysis of the Natural History study's severity and family history data. Lucy earned a PhD from the University of Chicago's School of Social Service Administration and completed her post-doctoral training in health services research through an integrated fellowship at Feinberg. As an assistant professor of pediatrics at Northwestern Medicine, her research program on child health services spans several health care needs including autism, asthma, obesity and food allergy. Fun Fact: Lucy's home away from home is Croatia. Hometown: Wauwatosa, WI
Madeleine is a first-generation college graduate from the University of Cincinnati, where she earned her degree in Medical Sciences with a minor in Public Health. As an undergraduate, Madeleine contributed to breast cancer and pancreatic cancer research. She volunteered in multiple capacities at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and interned at an OBGYN center, working to improve nutritional education for patients. Her interest in food allergies developed when several of her close family members were diagnosed with life-threatening food allergies. Madeleine is passionate about improving healthcare access and quality, reducing health disparities, and hopes to attend medical school in the future..
Fun Fact: Madeleine has a beautiful Samoyed named Ollie!
Madeleine helps oversee CFAAR's portfolio of more than 20 epidemiological, clinical and community-engaged research studies. Her particular expertise on the team includes research project management, grant administration, food allergen labeling policy, school-based asthma and food allergy interventions and educational programming.
Madeleine completed her Master's in Public Health at Northwestern University with a concentration in community health research. She is passionate about creating accessible resources and informing equitable policies to improve the health and well-being of individuals with atopic conditions through every stage of their lives.
Job Titles:
- Clinical Research Associate
Maggie Nava is a clinical research associate who oversees various activities related to community engagement and underserved and underrepresented communities facing health disparities. Nava has more than 25 years of experience in the public health sector working within various communities in Chicago such as Pilsen, Little Village, Humboldt Park and Lakeview. Her work has been in the spheres of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, AIDS/HIV, domestic violence and cancer. She also has experience across several research studies, as she served as both a research coordinator and research assistant at Rush University Medical Center, as part of an NIH-funded study on community health workers where she assisted with the supervision of community health workers. Nava has research interests in health research coordination and training of community health; community engagement; health education; and the development of bilingual health program materials for Latinos. She obtained her Master's in Public Health from DePaul University. When she is not working on making a tiny difference in the health of individuals living in underserved and underrepresented communities, she is spending time with her lovely daughter Bellie, Snowie (the dog) and Maya (the cat).
Job Titles:
- Senior Project Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology
Job Titles:
- Program Administrator
- Medical Curriculum Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Co - Director
- Education
- Vice Dean for Education
Job Titles:
- Senior Research Data Analyst
Mark's background is in computer programming and software engineering. He received his bachelor's degree from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, and a master's degree in software engineering from Depaul University in 2018. Previously, Mark worked in the financial industry in database management and in interpreting information flow for high-frequency trading. He is eager to take those skills and translate them into working with electronic health records and patient data. Mark started with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in 2020 working primarily on the Food Allergy Data Commons project and is working to design the Data Commons Database as well as working to translate the Food Allergy Data Dictionary into the OMOP Common Data Model. In addition, he is also helping design a database for the FORWARD study.
Fun Fact: Mark is an avid practitioner of Historical European Martial Arts and a member of the Chicago Swordplay Guild.
Job Titles:
- Health Sciences Editor
- Media Inquiries
Job Titles:
- Behavioral Research Associate
Mayra is a first-generation college graduate, born and raised in Chicago. Her interest in research stems from contributing to research projects during her undergraduate studies, as well as providing legal-interpretation services for Spanish-speaking communities. Her work addresses contemporary health and political topics including disparities in adolescent health, homelessness and immigration policy. Through this bilingual role, Mayra aspires to be a resource for impacted communities and is excited to continue learning more about food allergy and asthma.
Fun Fact: Mayra has studied abroad in Ecuador and South Korea.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Member of the Board
Melissa A. Simon, MD, MPH is the George H. Gardner Professor of Clinical Gynecology and full tenured professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Preventive Medicine and Medical Social Sciences at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. She is the founder/director of the Center for Health Equity Transformation and serves as the vice chair of Research in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and the associate director of Community Outreach & Engagement at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University. Simon is an internationally recognized expert in implementation science, health services research, health equity, community-engaged research and science workforce development. Her diverse portfolio of research encompasses over $50 million dollars in funding over 17 years as the principal, co-principal investigator or senior scientist across eight NIH Institutes (NCI, NIA, NIMHD, NICHD, NLM, NIMH, NIDDK, NHLBI). In 2021, she was ranked first in the Blue Ridge rankings for OB-GYNs with NIH funding in the country. Simon has first-authored or co-authored over 300 peer-reviewed publications. She has participated in over a dozen National Academy of Medicine reports and discussion papers. Trained in clinical obstetrics and gynecology at Yale University, Simon is a graduate of Rush Medical College and received fellowship training in family medicine and reproductive health at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
Simon has dedicated her entire career to health equity scholarship and health justice and has been recognized for these contributions through election to the National Academy of Medicine in October 2021 and the Association of American Physicians in January 2022. As a physician-scientist, Dr. Simon is a recognized thought leader and participates in various national advisory boards and review committees that have allowed her to help shape the direction of minority and women's health and community engagement. She currently serves on the Community Preventive Services Task Force and previously served as a member of the U.S. Preventive Services Taskforce, where she helped lead the efforts to address social determinants of health and racism in the task force's recommendations and in the recommendation-making processes. She has given long and extensive service to NIH by chairing several NIH study sections, including chair of a NIH Standing Study Section (Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health, or DIRH, now called SIHH) and special emphasis panels, including large-scale center grants review, trainee and k-award study sections and NCI comprehensive cancer center site visit review committees. Additionally, Simon is a member of the NIH Advisory Committee on Research on Women's Health, is chair of the Health Equity Committee for the NCI NCORP cancer cooperative trials group ECOG-ACRIN and serves on several activities through the National Academy of Medicine, including the Board of Population Health and Public Health Practice, the Roundtable on the Promotion of Health Equity and the NAM Leadership Consortium's Care, Culture and Decision-Making Innovation Collaborative.
Simon is a board member of several key health policy-shaping entities in Chicago. She helped write legislation for the Illinois Breast Cancer Quality Screening and Treatment Act that led to a funded Illinois law focused on improving breast cancer quality and treatment. Simon was appointed by the governor to help lead the implementation of this statewide law. Simon also had a role in other health policy efforts, including the National Elder Justice Act. Thus, Simon's work has directly impacted state and federal policies that have improved the health of thousands of low-income individuals.
As an educator, Simon has a highly successful, sustained teaching and mentoring track record. She has mentored over 200 students from high school through postdoctoral fellows and early-career faculty in health equity, implementation science and community-engaged research. More than two-thirds of her mentees are from underrepresented groups. In 2016, she received the highest recognition from the White House and the National Science Foundation with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentorship. Simon's current faculty development and research education and training programs include the NIH FIRST Northwestern University Recruitment to Transform Under-Representation and achieve Equity (NURTURE) Program, the ChicagoCHEC Fellows Program, Career 911: Your Future Job in Medicine and Healthcare, the Health Equity Scholars Program, the Uterine Leiomyoma Research Center Lab Immersion Program and the Women's Reproductive Health Research Career Development Program.
Melissa is a Psychology Postdoctoral Fellow with a concentration in Allergy and Asthma in the Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. She earned her PhD and MA in Clinical Psychology from Emory University, as well as an MA in Developmental Psychology from the University of Minnesota, and completed her predoctoral psychology internship at Texas Children's Hospital/Baylor College of Medicine. Clinically, Melissa works with a variety of pediatric populations, with a focus on children and adolescents with chronic medical conditions. Her research at CFAAR focuses on identifying and addressing the unique psychosocial challenges faced by youth with food allergies. Melissa has published in several academic journals and enjoys presenting her work at both allergy and psychology conferences. In her spare time, she serves as FARE's Lead Programming Developer of Teen Outreach. In this role, she developed and leads monthly Teen Talks and Child Chats, virtual peer support programs for youth with food allergies, and leads teen programming at the annual FARE Summit.
Fun Fact: Melissa loves health and fitness and is great at discovering the best conference hotel gyms. She is obsessed with Peloton, enjoys playing tennis, and is a certified yoga teacher.
Job Titles:
- Clerkship Co - Director, M4 ICU Clerkship
- Medical Curriculum Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Research Study Coordinator
Michael studied Molecular Biology at Tulane University and recently graduated with an MSc in Nutrition and Food Science from the University of Reading as a US-UK Fulbright Scholar. Passionate about the intersection of food and medicine, Michael is the founder of the Culinary Medicine Initiative, a cooking and STEM education program for New Orleans youth, and he recently received certification as a Registered Associate Nutritionist by the Association for Nutrition. A past CFAAR Summer Scholar, Michael is excited to return to CFAAR before attending medical school this Fall.
Fun Fact: Michael lived in England for the past 15 months! He also loves cooking and basketball and competed on Reading's varsity basketball team.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Professor of Medicine
- Medical Curriculum Coordinator
Mo Yan Leung joins the team as a patient navigator for the Chinatown project. Working in a group home of unaccompanied immigrant minors, she encountered children from around the world who suffered with atypical medical conditions. She work experience in a Chinatown clinic aroused her interest in patient advocacy, particularly for the under-resourced community. This passion was strengthened by the IBCCP team in Mercy Hospital while she worked as a data control specialist in the team. Leung graduated from Chinese University of Hong Kong with a bachelor's degree in Geography and obtained her MS in Administration of Justice from SIUC. She enjoys spending time with her turtle family, Carl the dad, General Tso the mom and their baby turtle Max, who is just two years old.
Natalie studied biology at James Madison University and earned her master's in nursing from DePaul University. Natalie worked in the NICU at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago for six years before joining Sai Nimmagadda, MD, in the allergy world in 2020. Natalie also works part-time for Bumblebaby, a company that supports new parents through feeding, sleeping, safety and mental health consulting. She lives in Libertyville with her husband and three boys. They love to travel and spend as much time outdoors as possible.
Neeha brings over 10 years of project management and institutional review board support experience to her role. Prior to joining CFAAR, she managed research projects that focused on health literacy, health communication and medication safety at the Center for Communications and Health at Northwestern. Neeha graduated from Knox College with a BA in environmental studies and received her MPH degree from DePaul University. Fun Fact: Neeha attended an international boarding school in India for high school where she made friends from all over the world. Hometown: Kathmandu, Nepal
Job Titles:
- Research Project Manager, Co - Director of Clinical Research
Pamela recruits patients for research studies at CFAAR. Her role as the primary recruiter for The Natural History of Food Allergy study was the springboard to her role as the project manager for the multi-site FORWARD Study. She also recruited and educated patients for the iTRACC Study. Additionally, she coordinates CFAAR's food allergy conference, Food Allergy Conference for Education and Science and the Conference for Asthma Research and Education. Pamela received a BA in communications from University of Wisconsin. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, watching movies and spending time with her family.
Fun Fact: Pamela was once featured on "The Today Show".
Job Titles:
- Chief Research Officer
- President
Job Titles:
- Member of the Research Cores Committee
- Associate Professor, Pharmacology
Job Titles:
- Senior Research Study Coordinator
Paulina attained her bachelor's degree in integrative biology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, followed by the completion of her master's degree in biomedical sciences at Saint Xavier University. She has a background in clinical research stem cell projects and a keen interest in managing teams. Motivated by a commitment to improve the healthcare of underserved and underrepresented communities, Paulina is enthusiastic about contributing her expertise to CFAAR.
Fun Fact: Outside of her professional pursuits, Paulina indulges her passion for dance during her leisure time. Notably, she has showcased her talents in competitions in Puerto Rico and Florida, as well as having performed at esteemed venues including Disneyworld and Universal Studios.
Perry is CFAAR's inaugural dissertation fellow for the 2023-2024 year and supports the FORWARD study. Perry began working with the FORWARD team in 2017 as a clinical research coordinator at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. He is now in his fifth year of the Clinical Psychology PhD program at Marquette University. Perry researches the psychosocial aspects of managing pediatric chronic illness and identifying factors that influence shared decision-making processes and outcomes. Perry previously collaborated with the FORWARD team to explore how caregiver attitudes affect health management behaviors and outcomes. For his dissertation, he will further characterize the shared decision-making process for caregivers of children and adolescents with food allergy.
Priyanka earned a doctorate in the field of allergy and asthma from King George Medical University, Lucknow, India and completed her Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) postdoctoral fellowship program in the area of food allergy from ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition in Hyderabad, India. Priyanka has great acumen for research and teaching; her expertise includes dietetics, clinical and community nutrition, nutrigenomics, and food allergy related investigations and research. She has delivered guest lectures as an invited speaker at various institutes and colleges and is a life member of the Indian Science Congress, National Dietetic Association and Nutrition Society of India. She is a recipient of the Young Scientist Award from Indian College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology for presenting the best paper and has been working on multiple food allergy related research projects. Fun Fact: Priyanka likes to travel and explore new horizons. Hometown: Lucknow, India
Job Titles:
- Clinical Research Associate
Rabih Dahdouh manages multiple research projects focused on reducing health disparities across the spectrum of disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment. He is also the Northwestern University site director for the Chicago Cancer Health Equity Collaborative, a National Cancer Institute comprehensive cancer partnership led by the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Northeastern Illinois University and the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has an extensive background in brain and behavioral science, innovative health interventions and community/preventive medicine. Previously he worked in the Department of Preventive Medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine as research project manager for the Keep Your Heart Healthy program and as director of Communications and Engagement with the All of Us Research Program at Northwestern Medicine. At CHET, he also works with the Chicago Public Library in co-designing a digital health learning tool focused on preventive services and increasing diversity in clinical trials. He also manages the massive open online course (Career 911: Your Future Job in Medicine and Healthcare) and co-hosts CHET's podcast Skinny Trees: Lift Health for All. Dahdouh completed his bachelors in Child Learning and Development and master's in Psychological Sciences at the University of Texas at Dallas.
Job Titles:
- Medical Curriculum Coordinator
- Standardized Patient Trainer
Reema joined the CFAAR team in April 2023. She has extensive experience as a patient service supervisor and food production and diet supervisor at institutions including Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, DuPage County Jail and Lahey Hospital. She has a vast knowledge of modified diets, allergens and therapeutic diets. Reema received her BS in nutrition from Benedictine University.
Fun Fact: Reema has lived in three countries: India, Australia and the United States. She has run 15 full marathons, 25 half marathons and two ultra-marathons around the world. She has lived in the Chicago area for over 20 years, and her son is currently a junior at Northwestern University.
Job Titles:
- Chairman and Professor Emeritus of Preventive Medicine, Passed Away on January 26. He Was 102 Years Old.
- Founding Chair and Professor Emeritus of Preventive Medicine
Jeremiah Stamler, MD, founding chair and professor emeritus of Preventive Medicine, passed away on January 26. He was 102 years old.
Philip Greenland, MD reported the external professional relationships noted below for calendar year 2023.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Research Cores Committee
- Scientific Affairs & Graduate Education
- Vice Dean for Scientific Affairs and Graduate Studies
- Vice Dean Scientific Affairs & Graduate Education
- Vice Dean, Scientific Affairs & Graduate Education, Feinberg School of Medicine Associate Vice President for Research
Job Titles:
- Director
- Clinical & Translational Research
- Senior Associate Dean for Clinical & Translational Research
- Senior Associate Dean for Clinical & Translational Research, the Howard Taylor Ricketts Professor of Medicine - Infectious Diseases
Job Titles:
- Associate Dean for Faculty Recruitment & Professional Development
- Faculty Recruitment & Professional Development
Job Titles:
- Associate Professor
- Medical Curriculum Coordinator
Riya joined the CFAAR team after taking part in the 2024 Summer Scholars Program and is excited to be working on the FORWARD study. Riya graduated from Washington University, majoring in biology and minoring in anthropology global health. As an undergraduate, she volunteered with patients and families at the St. Louis Children's Hospital and helped rebuild WashU's Food Recovery Network, which recovers safe and nutritious food items from campus dining halls and delivers to St. Louis community organizations. Riya has grown passionate about addressing inequities in health to improve outcomes for patients and hopes to attend medical school in the future.
Fun Fact: Riya has a pet turtle!
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of Student Affairs
- Professor of Urology
Robert Brannigan, MD, professor of Urology, is the assistant director of Student Affairs. He works closely with Sandra Sanguino to address issues medical students face and help with career planning.
Dr. Brannigan serves as the Assistant Director of Student Affairs. He works with medical students at all levels of training in the areas of professional development and career advising. He serves as an important resource for the Safe and Healthy Learning Environment, and runs multiple faculty development sessions in this area each year. Dr. Brannigan is available to meet with students to discuss wellness, career mentorship and residency application strategies.
Job Titles:
- Chief of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine in the Department of Pediatrics
Robert Garofalo MD, MPH is a Professor of Pediatrics at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. He is the founding Chief of the Division Adolescent & Young Adult Medicine at Lurie Children's Hospital and previously served as the hospital's director of adolescent HIV services. Dr. Garofalo founded and co-directs the Lurie Children's Gender and Sexual Development Program. He received a B.S. from Duke University (1988), his M.D. from New York University S...[Read full text]
Robert Garofalo MD, MPH is a Professor of Pediatrics at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. He is the founding Chief of the Division Adolescent & Young Adult Medicine at Lurie Children's Hospital and previously served as the hospital's director of adolescent HIV services. Dr. Garofalo founded and co-directs the Lurie Children's Gender and Sexual Development Program. He received a B.S. from Duke University (1988), his M.D. from New York University School of Medicine (1992) and a M.P.H. from the Harvard School of Public Health. Dr. Garofalo has >25 years of clinical and research experience in global health, HIV, HIV prevention and sexual and gender minority health. In 2010, he was appointed to the National Academy of Science/Institute of Medicine Committee on LGBT Health Issues and Research Gaps and Opportunities. In 2011 he was elected to the City of Chicago's LGBT Hall of Fame. In 2019 he was awarded the Ellen Perrin Lifetime Achievement Award in LGBTQ Health by the American Academy of Pediatrics. In 2024, he was awarded the Equality Award for community service by the Human Rights Campaign of Chicago. Dr. Garofalo's research has been generously funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as multiple institutes of the National Institutes of Health (NICHD, NIDA, NINR, NIAID, NIMH, NIDA, NIAAA, NIMHD). He has been Principal Investigator or MPI on 20 NIH-funded research grants and a Co-Investigator on >30 additional federally funded research projects focused on HIV prevention and care outcomes and/or on the health of sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations in the U.S. and globally. Dr. Garofalo is a member of several professional organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Society for Adolescent Medicine, the American Medical Association, and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. During his time in Chicago, he served as the Deputy Director of Howard Brown Health and was a founder of the Broadway Youth Center. Dr. Garofalo is the founding Editor-in-Chief of the journal Transgender Health. In 2021 he co-authored the book, When Dogs Heal: Powerful Stories of People Living with HIV and the Dogs That Saved Them (Lerner Publishers). He has >220 publications in peer-reviewed scholarly journals. In addition to academic work, Dr. Garofalo founded and serves as President of Fred Says (www.fredsays.org) - named after his dog - a grassroots, non-profit charitable foundation that has raised and given back >$1,000,000 to the community organizations that provide care and services for transgender youth and young people impacted by HIV in the U.S. and around the world.
Job Titles:
- Institute for Global Health
- Institute for Global Health ( IGH ) Stanley Manne Children 's Research Institute
Honors and Awards
Human Rights Campaign Chicago Equality Award, Human Rights Campaign (2024)
Silver Award for Achievement in Pediatric HIV/AIDS Research, University of Pennsylvania Center for AIDS Research (2022)
The Ellen Perrin Lifetime Achievement Award in LGBT Health, American Academy of Pediatrics (2019)
Lorrie Lane Brenneman Lifetime Achievement Award, Youth Outlook (2017)
Community Partner Award, Youth Outlook (2017)
Leadership Award, Equality Illinios (2017)
Merle C. Cunninghham Community Service Award, Callen-Lorde Health Center - NYC (2016)
2016 HIV Advocates to Watch, PLUS Magazine (2016)
Top Doctor, Chicago Magazine (2016)
Top Doctor, Chicago Magazine (2015)
LGBT Hall of Fame, City of Chicago (2011)
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Job Titles:
- Medical Curriculum Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Regulatory Affairs
- Vice Dean for Regulatory Affairs & Chief Compliance Officer
Job Titles:
- Medical Curriculum Coordinator
Robyn Bockrath, ME, MEd am an assistant professor of Pediatrics (Hospital-Based Medicine) and Medical Education, as well as the Phase 1A director.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Senior Associate Dean for Public Health
Job Titles:
- Medical Curriculum Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Associate Dean for Admissions
Job Titles:
- Medical Curriculum Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Director
- Founding Director
Ruchi Gupta, MD, MPH, is a professor of Pediatrics and Medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Gupta is an attending clinician at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and is the founding director of the Center for Food Allergy & Asthma Research.
Ruchi has 19 years of experience as a board-certified pediatrician and health researcher. She completed her undergraduate and medical education at the University of Louisville and her medical residency at Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center, University of Washington in Seattle. She completed her pediatric health services research fellowship at Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School and received her Master of Public Health from the Harvard School of Public Health.
Ruchi is world-renowned for her groundbreaking research in food allergy and asthma epidemiology, most notably for her research on the prevalence of pediatric and adult food allergy in the United States. She has contributed to impactful academic research in food allergy prevention, socioeconomic disparities in care and the daily management of these conditions. To reduce the burden of these conditions and improve health equity, she and her team develop, evaluate and disseminate interventions for families and work to inform local, national and international health policy.
Ruchi is the author of "The Food Allergy Experience" and "Food Without Fear," has written and co-authored over 180 peer-reviewed research manuscripts and has had her work featured on television and print media. She shares her research with a global audience of experts and families. And as a physician, food allergy researcher and food allergy mom, her driving passion is to improve the lives of children and their families through discovery, clinical care, outreach and education.
Fun Fact: Ruchi coaches basketball in her free time.
Job Titles:
- Associate Professor, Director Medical Student Education in Ophthalmology
- Medical Curriculum Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Allergy Research Specialist
Sai is a board certified allergist with nearly 30 years of clinical experience. For the past twenty years, he has been a Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Sai practices allergy and immunology with Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and serves as a member of the executive committee of the Illinois Society for Allergy, Asthma and Immunology as well as a committee member in the section on food allergy for the American Academy and American College of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology. During his career, he has seen over 15,000 food allergy patients and has designed and implemented several food allergy studies.
Job Titles:
- Registration and Student Records Assistant
Samantha graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a BS in psychology, community health and a Master of Public Health. She was drawn to CFAAR due to her own life-threatening food allergy and her passion for food allergy education, advocacy, and research. Samantha's other public health interests involve food insecurity, mental health, children's health and environmental health. Fun Fact: Samantha loves gymnastics and used to be a competitive gymnast, her favorite movie is "The Wizard of Oz" and she loves doing puzzles. Hometown: Deerfield, IL
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate
- Medical Education
- Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education
Sandra Sanguino, MD, MPH, is senior associate dean for Medical Education and associate professor of Pediatrics. She is a general pediatrician and sees patients with pediatric residents in their primary care clinic.
Sanjitha Boobalan (she/her) joins CHET as a health equity scholar. She is a junior at Loyola University Chicago working towards a BS in Molecular/Cellular Neuroscience. By contributing to the OPTIMIZE and Well Mama study, she is able to apply her passion for health equity into her work and learn more about maternal health disparities. She is working toward her long-time goal of becoming a physician and increasing health equity. In her free time, you can find her reading, singing and taking walks in nature.
Shaan was first inspired to pursue a career in medicine from having a younger brother with peanut and tree allergies. As a Northwestern undergraduate student, he spent a summer working as a research intern in Dr. Gupta's lab studying food allergy epidemiology. Shaan joined CFAAR in 2022 and assists with various advocacy and research projects related to food allergy labeling. His current research is on the incorporation of reference doses into precautionary allergen labels. Shaan is currently completing his Internal Medicine residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin and intends to pursue a career in allergy & immunology.
Fun Fact: Shaan is an Eagle Scout. He has camped over 150 nights in his lifetime and has gone on several week-long backpacking trips."
Job Titles:
- Member of the Research Cores Committee
- Associate Professor, Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics
Job Titles:
- Research Associate, Communications
Sharon focuses on the work of the communications team to bridge the gap between research and decision makers, patients, the community and food allergy and asthma advocates. She is the founder of nutfreewok.com, the author of Chinese Instant Pot Cookbook and is an active food allergy and asthma advocate, which includes impacting policy, legislation and the food industry. She is passionate about advocacy, food allergy research and cooking. Sharon earned her BA in molecular biology at UC Berkeley and her Master of Education and teaching credential at UCLA.
Fun Fact: Sharon's first TV interview was about "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade."
Job Titles:
- Assistant Professor
- Assistant Professor of Pediatrics ( Hospital - Based Medicine )
Job Titles:
- Director
- Continuing Medical Education ( CME )
Job Titles:
- Research Study Coordinator
Shiva attained his bachelor's degree from Johns Hopkins University, where he majored in Molecular and Cellular Biology and minored in Psychology. His passion for research began during his undergraduate work on projects focusing on improving the efficiency of radiation therapy in lung cancer cells. He has since cultivated a genuine commitment to patient-centered care, addressing healthcare disparities and serving vulnerable populations through volunteering at a free health clinic in Pennsylvania and working with patients with dementia. Coupled with his living experience dealing with tree nut allergies and asthma since childhood, Shiva is thrilled to be a part of the CFAAR team where he can contribute to advancements in food allergy research and further learn about preventive medicine.
Fun Fact: Shiva has been singing since the age of 5 and has sung at events ranging from community festivals, to competitions as a member of an a cappella team!
Shruti focuses on the FAREDATA study with the long-term goal of building a comprehensive food allergy data commons. She is also assisting the team with writing research publications. Previously, Shruti worked at the Central Research Institute as a senior research fellow for the Ministry of Ayush's Homoeopathy for Healthy Child program. She also worked toward early diagnosis and management of common diseases of children and adolescents. As a business project manager for a chain of clinics, she executed clinical training workshops on a complementary system of medicine, with a focus on chronic diseases and lifestyle disorders for improving patient outcomes. Shruti completed her education in homoeopathic medicine from the University of Delhi, India. With an analytical mind and passion to add value to the healthcare delivery system through technology, she graduated from the University of Chicago with a Master of Science in biomedical informatics. She strives to apply informatics principles to healthcare research for promoting patient-centered care.
Fun Fact: Shruti is a Kathak dance scholarship holder and has performed at numerous stage presentations and classical dance festivals in solo capacity.
Job Titles:
- Children 's Research Institute
Job Titles:
- Associate Professor
- Medical Curriculum Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Member of the Research Cores Committee
- Associate Professor, Cell & Developmental Biology
Job Titles:
- Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology ( General Obstetrics and Gynecology ) and Medical Education
- Medical Curriculum Coordinator
- Student Affairs
Sydney Alairys is a research assistant who earned her BA in Chemistry with a minor in English from UCLA. During her undergrad, she worked as an organic synthetic chemist researching diagnostic and therapeutic options for Parkinson's disease and general oncology. Later, she worked as a consultant for Ernst & Young implementing DEI strategies, managing a Life Sciences Community and proposing organization designs for hospitals and healthcare organizations. Alairys is particularly interested in chronic diseases, the gap between community needs and academic research and genuinely helpful implementation. She hopes to obtain her MPH and continue researching health disparities and working with communities. In her free time, she loves to visit cafes, throw pottery and play cozy video games.
Job Titles:
- Director of Health Equity Initiatives
Tami has worked as a scientific writer for over 20 years and has served as an editor on over 100 scholarly manuscripts that have appeared in peer-reviewed academic journals. Over the summer, she served as a coach for the CFAAR Summer Scholars to conduct literature reviews, engage in manuscript writing and think like scientists. Tami received an MPH in community health sciences from DePaul University in 2017.
Fun Fact: Tami once read her poetry on the Gwendolyn Brooks Poetry Stage at the Printers Row Book Fair.
Job Titles:
- Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology ( Reproductive Endo and Infertility )
- Reported the External Professional Relationships Noted below for Calendar Year 2023
Tarun Jain, MD, MSc is a Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine & Medical Director of Fertility & Reproductive Medicine-West Region. He completed his Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility (REI) fellowship at Brigham & Women's Hospital and his Ob/Gyn residency at the University of Washington. He holds dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Biomedical & Electrical Engineering from the University of Southern California, a ...[Read full text] Tarun Jain, MD, MSc is a Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine & Medical Director of Fertility & Reproductive Medicine-West Region. He completed his Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility (REI) fellowship at Brigham & Women's Hospital and his Ob/Gyn residency at the University of Washington. He holds dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Biomedical & Electrical Engineering from the University of Southern California, a Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, and an MD from the University of Southern California. Dr. Jain is actively involved on the Executive Council of SART as Chair of the Practice Committee, and is a Section & Social Media Editor of Reproductive Biology & Endocrinology (RBE) Journal. He has over 60 peer-reviewed publications (including 3 in the NEJM) and has authored the book ‘The Infertility Journey'. He is a health services researcher who is recognized for his work on the impact of mandated insurance coverage on IVF utilization and outcomes, and on identifying and better understanding racial and socioeconomic disparities in the care of infertility patients.[Shorten text]
Tarun Jain, MD reported the external professional relationships noted below for calendar year 2023.
Job Titles:
- Medical Curriculum Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Associate Dean for Graduate Studies
Job Titles:
- Medical Director of Clinical Education Center
Tracy Kwan (she/hers) comes to CHET with a background in community organizing and public service in the underserved immigrant communities in Chicago. In her role as a patient navigator for the Chinatown Patient Navigation Program, she assists participants with accessing healthcare resources according to their needs, including resolving their health insurance issues and providing in-person medical interpretation services. Kwan volunteered as an interpreter after moving from Hong Kong to the U.S. in 2019, and her work allows her to continue giving back to the community that raised her family. She has a bachelor's degree with honors in English for Business and Professional Communication from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. In her free time, you can find Kwan traveling, hiking and doing yoga.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Research Cores Committee
- Professor, Medicine ( Cardiology )
Valerie holds a BS in psychology from Bradley University and a certificate in UX/UI design from Northwestern University. Valerie is passionate about creating functional designs that put people first. She loves traveling, art and music festivals, but she especially loves French Bulldogs.
Fun Fact: Valerie rescued a French Bulldog from Puerto Rico in August 2022. She is now a proud dog mom of two adorable French Bulldogs named Mason and Mailo. Valerie and her fiancé recently moved from the city to a new home in the Northwest suburbs and are enjoying having a yard for their dogs.
Job Titles:
- Researcher
- Faculty Researcher, Co - Director of Clinical Research
Waheeda is a faculty researcher at CFAAR. She completed her pediatric residency and hospital medicine fellowship at University of California San Diego before joining Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in 2013. As a junior faculty member at Feinberg, she completed a master's in clinical investigation and began work in the areas of inpatient asthma and infant anaphylaxis. Waheeda has published on the low-severity of infant anaphylaxis, early peanut feeding introduction guidelines and the importance of early diagnosis of eczema in relation to food allergy prevention. She hopes to study these further with support from an NIH Career Development Award. At CFAAR, she is involved in evaluating food allergy prevention approaches, the prevalence of eczema and other associations in children with food allergy and developing supportive tools to help families and medical providers prevent and manage food allergies.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Research Cores Committee
- Professor, Pathology
Job Titles:
- Co - Director, Abraham Harris Professor of Anthropology & Global Health
Job Titles:
- Research Science & Engineering Editor
Job Titles:
- Medical Curriculum Coordinator
Yusra R Cheema, MD, is an assistant professor of Medicine (Nephrology and Hypertension) and Phase 1B director.