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Current Nutrition Fellows


Michelle kubicki, PhD

Michelle Kubicki, PhD

Nutrition T32 Research Fellowship: July 2025–present 
Mentors: Nancy Krebs, MD, Minghua Tang, PhD  
Research Topic: My current work aims to assess the impact of different diet types in a complementary feeding regimen on infant gut microbiota, microbiota-derived metabolites, neurodevelopment, sleep and growth. My broad research goal is to improve lifelong health outcomes through early life interventions. 
Prior Institution: University of Utah
William Patterson, PhD

William Patterson, PhD

Nutrition T32 Research Fellowship: July 2024–present
Mentors: Joanne B. Cole, PhD, and Susan Johnson, PhD
Research Topic: My research is investigating the interplay of genetics, dietary behaviors and socioeconomic status.
Prior Institutions: PhD – University of Colorado Boulder, MS – Tufts University

 

Elizabeth Vargas, DO

Elizabeth Vargas, DO

Pediatric Clinical Nutrition Fellowship: November 2025–present
Mentors: Matt Haemer, MD, and Stephanie Gilley, MD, PhD
Clinical interests: General endocrinology, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, obesity, health disparities with a special interest in Spanish-speaking patients/families
Medical Education: 2019 New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: 2022 Connecticut School of Medicine
Major working experience: Children's Hospital Colorado Pediatric Endocrinology Fellowship 2022–25
Children's Hospital Colorado Pediatric Clinical Nutrition and Obesity Fellowship 2025–26

 

Tyler Cook, PhD

Tyler Cook, PhD

Nutrition T32 Research Fellowship: July 2023–present
Postdoctoral Fellowship: 
November 2022–June 2023
Mentor:
Darleen Sandoval, PhD
Research Topic
: Investigating neuronal mechanisms of post-bariatric hypoglycemia
Prior Institution: Loyola University Chicago

Meifawn Cooley DO

Meifawn Cooley, DO

Pediatric Clinical Obesity and Nutrition Fellowship: November 2024–present
Mentors:
  Matt Haemer, MD, and Stephanie Gilley, MD, PhD
Clinical Interests: 
Micronutrient requirements and deficiencies, breastfeeding medicine, feeding dynamics and eating behaviors
Prior Institutions: Residency – Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; Medical School – Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine
Synneva Hagen-Lillevik

Synneva Hagen-Lillevik, PhD

Mentor: Teri Hernandez, PhD
Research Topic
: Achieving optimal outcomes for women experiencing gestational diabetes and promoting lifelong health through nutrition.
Prior Institution: University of Utah

Manoel Lixandrao, PhD

Manoel Lixandrao, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellowship:  October 2021–present
Mento
r:  Kristen Boyle, PhD
Research Topic:  My research focuses on obesity, inflammation, cellular senescence, nutrition and, exercise physiology. I am interested in molecular biology, particularly RNA sequencing, immunohistochemistry, cell culture, protein and, gene expression.
Prior Institution:
University of São Paulo

Anthony Wang, MD, PhD

Nutrition T32 Fellowship: July 2023–present
Mentor:
Kristen Boyle, PhD, and Kartik Shankar, PhD
Clinical Fellowship:
July 2022–June 2023
Mentor: Darcy Thompson, MD, MP
Research Topic: My research interests are to investigate epigenetic mechanisms that may predispose an individual to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and excess adiposity early in life including perinatal exposures.

Residency: Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Medical School: University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine

*Each year faculty select a fellow who demonstrates exceptional leadership and dedication to nutrition research to promote collegiality and additional learning opportunities for the Section of Nutrition.

Past Lead Fellows:

  • Kristen J. Sutton, PhD, 2024–25
  • Brandon Osborn, PhD, 2023–24
  • Emily Hill, PhD, RDN, 2022–23
  • Meghan Ruebel, PhD, 2021–22
  • Madeline Keleher, PhD, 2020–21
  • Jayne Martin Carli, PhD, 2019–20
  • Traci Bekelman, PhD, 2018–19

Past Nutrition Fellows

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