Alaina Pearce is an Assistant Research Professor in the Social Science Research Institute and the Center for Childhood Obesity Research. She received her PhD in psychology with a concentration in lifespan cognitive neuroscience from Georgetown University. At Georgetown she worked with Dr. Chandan Vaidya to examine neurocognitive functioning in pediatric obesity. She joined the lab as a postdoc to examine cognitive and eating behavior factors that confer either risk or resilience for overconsumption and pediatric obesity. Her work on the lab continues to focused on understanding neurocognitive processes that support eating behaviors and resiliency to pediatric obesity. Outside of the lab, Alaina enjoys camping, hiking, and gardening, and hanging out with her cats Oskar and Stella.

Jonathan Bauman received his A.L.M in Psychology from Harvard Extension School in 2021, and is now the research coordinator for the Food and Brain Study that investigates the relation of susceptibility to the portion size effect, brain activity, and familial risk status. Jonathan previously served as a medic in the army and worked in inpatient mental health. His research interests include the relation between sleep and eating behavior, how people think about knowledge, and the perseverance of refuted beliefs about nutrition and other scientific disciplines. Jonathan plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Psychology and become a professor.

Ben graduated from Penn State with a B.A. in Communication concentrating in Journalism in 2006.   After a long and enjoyable time in the local hospitality industry, Ben has switched his career path towards scientific research.  Now working as the research coordinator for the Apple Study, Ben is helping the lab answer questions about food form and satiety in children.  He is interested in ways to bring academic research further into the mainstream and to make a positive impact on his community.  He lives in State College with his wife, Allie.

Kyle received his B.S. from Penn State University in 2021 and was a Research Coordinator for Project REACH. Kyle is starting the dual-title Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences and Social and Behavioral Neuroscience in the Fall of 2023. His research interests are using neuroimaging and brain monitoring (fMRI and fNIRS) to understand how children respond and make decisions to food. He is also interested in examining the role of cognitive function in overeating and obesity development. Outside of the lab, he enjoys watching movies, cooking and hanging out in State College. 

Bari Fuchs received her B.S in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology from Emory University in 2015 and is now a Ph.D. Candidate in Nutritional Sciences. Prior to joining the lab in 2017, she was a research assistant at the National Institute of Mental Health studying the effect of anxiety on reward processing and working memory. Her dissertation research aims to identify neurocognitive processes (e.g., decision-making processes, neural networks) that underlie children’s eating behaviors. Outside of the lab, Bari can be found training for weightlifting competitions or hanging out with her cats, Debbie and Susan.

Nick Neuwald received his M.S. in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology from the University of Miami in 2019 and is now a Ph.D. student in Nutritional Sciences. At Miami, he served as a graduate assistant studying the relationships of processed diets on fat patterning. Nick’s current research focuses on exploring the behavior of switching between foods within a meal and its relationship to sensory-specific satiation, intake, and appetitive traits. Nick’s ultimate goal is to become a professor of nutrition and run an eating behavior research lab.

Yashaswini earned her master’s degree in Biotechnology from the University of Pennsylvania and is now a Ph.D. student in Nutritional Sciences at Penn State. She has a background in Engineering and preclinical research in eating behavior and the neuroscience of obesity. Her current research interests lie in understanding the neurobiology involved in resilience and risk to pediatric obesity. She is also interested in data-driven approaches utilizing machine learning combining brain and behavioral data to predict real-world outcomes. Outside the lab, Yashaswini likes listening to podcasts, working out, and also taking up hobbies like baking and painting.

Rhea earned her bachelor’s degree in biotechnology and completed her MS in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. With a background as a research assistant, she’s adept at utilizing EEG techniques, evaluating skin carotenoids, and studying various aspects of human cognition. Currently, she is pursuing a doctoral degree in Nutritional Sciences with a keen interest in the Social and Behavioral Neuroscience dual title program. Her primary focus is on exploring the psychology of eating, investigating cognitive processes in feeding behavior and weight regulation from a neuroscience perspective. Beyond academia, Rhea enjoys engaging in discussions about fringe science and conspiracy theories. She also has a passion for dancing, singing, sketching, traveling, and maintaining an active lifestyle through gym workouts.

Viviana is an graduate student part of the IUG MPS Program in Nutritional Sciences. She is also completing a double major in Nutritional Sciences and Psychology, and a minor in Spanish. She aspires to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and specialize in eating disorders. Currently, she helps with the Apple Study, REACH and the Food and Brain Study. She is part of the Schreyer Honors College and is currently in the process of writing her thesis on maternal feeding practices and the impact these have in their children’s eating behaviors. Outside of the lab, she enjoys working out in the gym or outdoors, traveling, going to coffee shops and restaurants, spending time with her dog, Toby, and watching movies!

Marissa is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Chemistry and hoping to pursue a minor in Child Maltreatment and Advocacy Studies. She hopes to get her PhD. in chemistry and become a chemistry professor. She is currently a research assistant on the APPLE study and project REACH. She also helps in Dr. Pearce’s lab with BRAKE study. She got involved in the lab because of the PA Space Grant matching program in spring of 2022 and has continued to work in the lab since. Outside of the lab, she like to play tennis and piano, and read.

Sruthi is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Nutritional Sciences, with a minor in Health Policy and Administration. She is part of the Schreyer Honors College and will be completing her honors thesis in the lab. After graduating, Sruthi hopes to work in healthcare consulting and pursue a Master’s of Public Health. In the lab, she is a research assistant on the APPLE Study and the REACH Study. Outside of the lab, she enjoys traveling, playing pickleball, and baking.

Eliana Wong is an undergraduate student majoring in nutrition on the dietetics track and minoring in international agriculture. She is currently a research assistant on the REACH Study. After she graduates, she hopes to pursue a career in nutrition counseling. Outside of the lab, she enjoys her free time reading, going to coffee shops, listening to music and doing the daily NYT crossword.

Di Yang is a senior at Penn State majoring in Nutritional Sciences in the Dietetics track who hopes to become a RD in the future. She is currently a research intern in summer 2023 to complete her field experience in nutrition. After her experiences in food service, clinical setting, and volunteer in food bank, she decided to begin her research journey in Keller’s Lab. Di is on the Apple Study and REACH Study now. Outside of the lab, Di loves playing golf, snowboarding, and spending time with her cat and dog.

Hi there! I’m Yash Adroja. I graduated from George Washington University in the Spring of 2021 with a BA in Criminal Justice and minor in Chemistry. After undergrad, I completed a Masters in Biomedical Sciences at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. I have a keen interest in nutrition science as well as cardiometabolic health and have spent a lot of time reading about these subjects. In my free time, I enjoy resistance training, watching the Phillies/Steelers, and eating sushi.

Yusrat is a first-year student majoring in Mathematics and minoring in Diversity and Inclusion in Health and Human Development. She hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in hopes of applying her mathematical knowledge in health and human development research. She is passionate about health disparities and bridging the gap between the majority and marginalized groups. She is also a member of the Millennium Scholars Program and a research assistant in both the Apple Study Project REACH and the Food and Brain Study. Outside of the lab, she enjoys exploring art through makeup, playing with her nieces and nephews, and crocheting. 

Tianhong Zhang is a senior at Penn State majoring in Nutritional Sciences in the Dietetics track who hopes to become a Registered Dietitian (RD) in the future. Before coming to the US, he was a coaching assistant and nutritionist assistant of a varsity volleyball team and a fitness company. He is currently a research assistant on the REACH and Apple study.  In the future, Tianhong hopes to pursue a career in clinical nutrition.  Outside of the lab, he enjoys cooking, billiard, and music.

Alexandra Nesi is an undergraduate student majoring in Biological Sciences and Health Professions. She is currently a training research assistant. In the future, Alex hopes to continue working in the lab and eventually apply to medical school. Outside of the lab, Alex enjoys baking, reading, going to the gym, and hanging out with friends.

My name is Mallory Hampton, I am currently a 3rd year undergraduate student here at Penn State studying nutrition on the dietetics path. This is my first year starting in the lab as a research assistant and I am very excited for this awesome learning opportunity. I’m very passionate about nutrition and the science behind it as well so I am grateful to be utilizing that passion in the lab!

Harley Rahuba is an undergraduate student in the Nursing Program. She has been involved with the research team for two years now. She has been working on multiple studies and background data. Once she graduates, she plans on becoming a pediatric nurse. She is interested in this lab to understand more about children’s behaviors and further her research experience. Her goal once graduating, is to travel to different places as a nurse and do clinical research in underdeveloped areas.

Anna Smithwick is an undergraduate student studying Nutritional Sciences, on the Dietetics path. In the future, she hopes to become a Registered Dietician (RD), and pursue a career in a more research-centered field within nutrition. She is currently a training research assistant on the REACH and Apple study. Outside of the lab, she enjoys yoga, traveling, and reading.

Emily Franklin is a 1st year undergraduate student majoring in Biobehavioral Health. She is currently a training research assistant on the REACH and APPLE studies. In the future, Emily hopes to continue working in the lab and eventually become an Occupational Therapist. Outside the lab, she enjoys traveling, watching movies, and going on walks.

Ashmit Verma is an undergraduate student who is majoring in Biological Sciences and Health Professions. Ashmit is in his first semester working as a research assistant in REACH and Apple Study. Eventually, Ashmit wants to go to medical school and become a pedriatician. Outside of the lab, Ashmit enjoys to workout, play basketball, listen to music and travel.

Rachael is a fourth-year student from State College, PA, majoring in Nutritional Sciences on the Dietetics path. She is also dually enrolled in the B.S./MPS Nutritional Sciences Accelerated Master’s Program here at Penn State with hopes to become a Registered Dietitian. She will be completing her field experience in the lab this summer as a research assistant on the REACH and Apple study. Outside of the lab, she enjoys cooking, exercising, and traveling.