Carolyn Bauer
About Carolyn's Research & Interests:
In the Romero Lab, we study the effects of stress on vertebrate physiology. I'm interested in identifying accurate biomarkers for cumulative stress exposure in avian models. By measuring the life stress of animals, these biomarkers can help inform and influence wildlife conservation policies.

James Sims
About James' Research & Interests:
James Sims is a 1st year, Chemical Engineering PhD student. He recently received his B.S. from Northeastern University. Past research projects have included: studying drug precipitation in the GI tract, formulating and characterizing vaccine products, and optimizing process conditions for protein production via cell culture. He hasn't yet decided what he'll be working on at Tufts but he's excited about all the great opportunities.

Zinaida Miller
About Zinaida Miller's Research & Interests:
Zinaida Miller is a doctoral candidate in International Relations at the Fletcher School. Her work over the past several years has critically examined the enterprise and literature of transitional justice. In particular, her work has investigated the ways in which the field of transitional justice has systematically and persistently failed to address questions of inequality and structural violence.  She is currently working on an article on the role of international humanitarian aid in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as part of a larger project on the historical and legal role of international organizations in transitional contexts. She holds a JD from Harvard Law School and an MA in Law and Diplomacy from Fletcher.

Melissa Fuster
About Melissa Fuster's Research & Interests:
Melissa is interested in researching the link between identity and food choices, in particular the effect of culture and gender on the foods we choose to eat. I'm also interested in issues affecting nutrition intervention designs and their sustainability.

Erin W. Evans
About Erins's Research & Interests:
After working as an adolescent dietitian in the fields of eating disorders and obesity, I realized how limited individual nutrition counseling is in the fight against pediatric obesity.  Therefore, I am pursuing a PhD in Nutritional Epidemiology to learn the research and analytical skills needed to design and implement both observational and population-based intervention studies.

Sarah Pedersen
About Sarah's Research & Interests:

My research is focused on nutrition of athletes in developing countries.  This summer I collected baseline data about energy intake (foods eaten) and energy expenditure (all activities) to determine baseline energy balance.  At weekly training camps I collected information about height, weight, BMI, and body fat percentage. The cyclists of Team Rwanda are not performing to their potential in races due to nutritional inadequacy and preventable health issues. I hypothesize that improvements in nutrition and health will result in improved performance in races.  Factors contributing to the sub-par nutritional status of the riders include: lack of nutrition knowledge, costs associated with obtaining an appropriate diet, and Rwandan cultural eating practices.  Based on the data I collected this summer, I would like to plan nutrition interventions for athletes in developing countries.  To read more about my experiences this summer, go to: http://teamrwanda.org/blog/4.

Erin Umberg

About Erin's Research & Interests:

My research interests include the role of dopamine and other monoamine neurotransmitters in addiction.  Specifically, I would like to explore the neurochemical link between behavioral addiction, such as binge eating, and classic drug addiction seen in cocaine and heroine users.