Ariana M. Chao, PhD, CRNP, RN
Principal Investigator
Ariana M. Chao, PhD, CRNP, RN is an Associate Professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing. She is internationally recognized for her leadership in obesity treatment. Her program of research is focused on the development of innovative treatments for obesity and related eating behaviors that improve physical and mental health. She has over a decade of experience as a family nurse practitioner. She has published over 100 articles. Her work has been supported by the National Institutes of Health as well as foundation and industry sponsors. Dr. Chao received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing (Family Nurse Practitioner) from Boston College. She earned her PhD in nursing science at Yale University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania.
Ashley Cooper
PhD Student
Ashley Cooper is a third year PhD student at UPenn. She completed her master’s degree in Nursing with a dual concentration in Adult and Women’s Health from the MGH Institute of Health Professions in 2013. She received her bachelor’s degree from Mount Holyoke College, with a double major in American Studies and Spanish. Ashley’s research focuses on inflammatory markers in obese adults as predictors of cardiometabolic disease outcomes. In the future, Ashley hopes to apply her research to specifically address disparities in cardiometabolic disease in Black American women. In her spare time, Ashley enjoys cheering for the US Women’s Soccer Team.
Alexandra Peary
PhD Student
Allie is a PhD student at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The University of Maine in 2022 and practiced as a registered nurse in Washington D.C. before returning to school in the fall of 2024. Her research interests include clinical obesity treatment and musculoskeletal health. In her free time, Allie enjoys weightlifting, traveling home to New England, and spending time with her friends, family, and beagle mix rescue, Ducky.
Nainika Vaidya
Clinical Research Coordinator
Nainika is a clinical research coordinator at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Public Health with a concentration in Social and Behavioral Interventions from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in May of 2024. She received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Northeastern University in May of 2020. She has experience in social and behavioral clinical research, public health, and is interested in mental health intersectionality with public health. In her free time, Nainika enjoys swimming, ballet, attending concerts, and spending time in nature with her friends and family.
Abigail Bisson
Clinical Research Coordinator
Abby is a Clinical Research Coordinator at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the Pennsylvania State University and a Master’s in Clinical Psychological Science at the University of Maryland. Her research interests focus on clinical psychology, with particular interest in eating disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and anxiety disorders. Abby plans to continue her education through a PhD program, where she hopes to contribute to research in these areas. Outside of her academic work, she enjoys working out, traveling, and reading psychological thrillers.
Michelle Adutwum
Clinical Research Coordinator
Michelle is a Clinical Research Coordinator at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. She received her Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology, along with a minor in Africana Studies, from Johns Hopkins University in December 2025. Her research interests include community health, reproductive and sexual health, and structural determinants of health. In her free time, Michelle enjoys reading, baking, and spending time with her family and friends.
Carmen Roberts, MS, RD, LDN
Registered and Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist
Carmen received her undergraduate degree in dietetics from James Madison University and her master’s degree in health education and administration from Towson University. She is a certified specialist in adult weight management and has over 25 years of experience in nutritional counseling, education, research, and program management with a focus on obesity treatment. As the previous Director of Clinical Nutrition at Johns Hopkins Bayview, Carmen coordinated all nutrition education and research programs within the medical center. She has won several awards at the state and national level for her approach to nutrition education and public health promotion, including the Maryland Outstanding Dietitian of the Year Award. Carmen has been featured in multiple media publications and appeared on several local newscasts.
Christine McKinney, MS, RDN, LDN, CDCES
Registered and Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist
Christine is a dietitian and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist with a master’s degree in nutritional sciences from University of Wisconsin-Stout and undergraduate degree in dietetics from Messiah University. Christine has a strong clinical background in nutrition counseling focusing on prenatal nutrition, diabetes management, and weight management. Her research interests are in behavioral health interventions for weight management, and she has contributed to several studies. Outside of work, Christine enjoys time with family, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, and a good book.
Ashli Greenwald MS, RD, LDN
Registered and Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist
Ashli received her undergraduate degree in Dietetics from Syracuse University and her Master’s Degree in Health Education and Administration from Towson University. She has over 25 years of experience in counseling and education, with a focus on obesity and metabolic disease and the role of nutrition in the prevention and management of these conditions. She is a certified specialist in Integrative and Functional Nutrition, Obesity Interventions for Adults, as well as Gastrointestinal Nutrition.
In addition to counseling patients in clinic, Ashli currently serves as a preceptor within the Johns Hopkins Health System, where she trains dietetic and medical students, subspecialty trainees and clinical fellows, as well as nurse practitioners and physician assistants, across all areas of nutrition and patient focused counseling.
Throughout her career, Ashli has contributed to numerous media publications and has delivered professional presentations. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, reading, and pursuing her newest passion—pickleball.
Alexandra Paul
Research Assistant
Alex is a research assistant in the Chao Lab. She received a B.A. in English (primary major) and Nutrition Science (secondary major) from the University of Pennsylvania in 2022. She previously worked as a clinical research coordinator at the Center for Weight and Eating Disorders at the University of Pennsylvania from 2022-2024. Her interests include obesity management and social determinants of health. Alex is currently in the University of Pennsylvania’s MPN/MSN program, intending to become a family nurse practitioner. In her free time, Alex loves recipe creation, photography, and visiting national parks.
Aleena Ghanta
Undergraduate Researcher
Aleena Ghanta is a junior at the University of Pennsylvania, majoring in Public Health and minoring in Nutrition, with aspirations to attend medical school. Her interests include studying food insecurity, obesity, eating disorders, and weight management. In her free time, Aleena enjoys running, golfing, and perfecting her chocolate chip cookie recipe. She believes everything in moderation!
Elizabeth Witte
MSN Student
Liz is a first-year Master of Science in Nursing student at Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing. She hopes to work as an adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner. Liz graduated from the University of Georgia in 2017 with bachelor’s degrees in Anthropology and Communication Studies. She has experience teaching yoga and health coaching. In her free time, Liz loves cooking, running, and DIY home projects.
Megan Nicklay
MSN Student
Megan is a Master of Science in Nursing student at Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Systems Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis in 2017. She is passionate about preventive health strategies and has experience in healthcare operations, data analytics, patient care, and clinical research. Outside of work and school, Megan enjoys cooking new recipes and watching women’s soccer.
Amy Li
Undergraduate Researcher
Amy is an undergraduate student at Johns Hopkins University, majoring in Public Health Studies. Her passion lies in exploring the intersection of public health and digestive health through learning more about the complex dynamics of nutrition, mental health, and current and emerging treatments. In her free time, Amy likes baking, scrapbooking, putting Taylor Swift on loop, and cafe-hopping in Baltimore.
Colleen Curto
MSN Student– Research Honors Program
Colleen is pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. In 2024, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Sociology at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA. Her research during her undergraduate studies focused on the physical and physiological effects of childhood snacking on the development of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Colleen’s interests include the gut-brain axis; physiological, individual, and social determinants of nutrition, weight management, and exercise; and successful aging. Colleen enjoys figure skating, working out, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.
Sydney Lopez
Undergraduate Researcher
Sydney is an undergraduate student at Johns Hopkins University majoring in Public Health Studies with a minor in Economics. She aspires to attend medical school and is particularly passionate about addressing socioeconomic disparities in healthcare access and their impact on early disease detection. Outside of academics and research, Sydney enjoys long-distance running, journaling, spending time with friends, and reading a good book.
Diana Pena
Undergraduate Researcher
Diana is a junior undergraduate student at John’s Hopkins University majoring in both biology and psychology with aspirations to attend medical school. She is deeply committed to preventive health and brings a strong background in patient care and clinical research. Outside of academics, she likes to go to the gym and read mystery novels.
Booseong Eric Seo
Undergraduate Researcher
Booseong Eric Seo is an undergraduate student at Johns Hopkins, majoring in Public Health and Molecular & Cellular Biology, with plans to attend medical school. Eric is passionate about the intersection of translational science and community health in advancing health equity. Outside of academics, Eric enjoys rock climbing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and reading
Courtney Sexton
PhD Student
Courtney Sexton is a first-year PhD student at UPenn. She completed her master’s degree in nursing with a concentration in pediatrics at Ohio State in 2020. She received her bachelor’s degree in behavioral neuroscience from Ohio State in 2016. Courtney’s research interests include pediatric obesity mitigation strategies and how the human microbiota impacts our health and well-being. In the future, she hopes to utilize her knowledge of breastfeeding to improve preventative health strategies and health outcomes in children. In her free time, Courtney enjoys cooking and spending time with her dog.
Carolina Santos
MSN Student
Carolina Santos is an MSN student at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, aspiring to further her education with a DNP/PhD. She aims to specialize in research focusing on GLP-1 and peptides, leveraging her extensive knowledge in exercise science to develop strategies that minimize muscle loss during weight loss. Carolina holds a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and a Master’s in Kinesiology from the University of Central Florida. Her academic journey reflects a deep commitment to integrating health sciences and practical application to improve patient outcomes. Outside of her academic pursuits, Carolina is passionate about weightlifting, enjoys immersing herself in a good book, and cherishes quality time with her family.
Amaiah McIntosh
Undergraduate Researcher
Amaiah is a senior at Johns Hopkins University, pursuing a major in Public Health, with ambitions of becoming a nurse practitioner. After graduation, she plans to return to her home state of California to work as an EMT and volunteer in her community during her gap year. Amaiah is passionate about chronic care management, mental health, and health behavior. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, cooking, running, and learning Chinese.
- Rheanna Milardo, Research Honors Student
Chao Lab 