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Our Research Laboratory

The primary objectives of HEAL, through our program of scientific research, are the following:

  1. Explore the relationship between eating, activity, and sedentary behaviors to better understand factors that impact on energy balance.

  2. Develop innovative and effective treatments for children and adults that lead to eating and activity habits that meet current recommendations.

  3. Improve the effect of state-of-the-art lifestyle interventions on weight gain prevention, weight loss, and weight loss maintenance in children and adults.

  4. Translate evidence-based lifestyle interventions into community and practice-based settings.

  5. Provide training to students interested in applied obesity research.

  • Develop client-centered counseling skills.

  • Implement behavior modification strategies to assist with changing energy­ balance behaviors.

  • Refine dietary, physical activity, and sedentary behaviors assessment skills.

  • Acquire skills, such as the ability to manage and statistically analyze data, important for conducting evaluations.

  • Understand how evidence-based guidelines are developed and implemented in practice-based settings.

  • Improve writing skills for developing materials, and proposal/grant and manuscript submissions.

The Team

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Hollie Raynor, PhD, RD, LDN

Executive Associate Dean of Research and Operations

Hollie Raynor is the Director of the Healthy Eating and Activity Laboratory. She has training in the fields of nutrition and clinical psychology. She received her master’s degree in Public Health Nutrition from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University at Buffalo, and completed her pre-doctoral internship and her post-doctoral fellowship, both with an emphasis in obesity research, at Brown Medical School. Following her fellowship she was promoted to an assistant professor of research in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Brown Medical School and was based in the Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center (http://www.weightresearch.org/) . She joined the Department of Nutrition at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, as an assistant professor in 2007. She also has an adjunct appointment in the psychology department (http://psychology.utk.edu/) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She is currently a full professor and the Executive Associate Dean of Research and Operations for the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences. She has published over 150 peer-reviewed articles, and has received funding from the National Institutes of Health, American Diabetes Association, and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation for her research. She served as a member of the National Committee for Clinical Guidelines for Obesity for the American Psychological Association and as a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Prediabetes and Adult Obesity Treatment Evidence Analysis Library Committee. She is currently a member of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. Her research interests are on identifying best methods to implement behavioral dietary factors that improve outcomes in obesity treatment (i.e., limiting variety, reducing energy density, shifting distribution of energy intake earlier in the day), and translating lifestyle intervention into practice-based settings (i.e., integrated primary care).

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Chelsi Cardoso, MS, RD, LDN

Lab Manager

Chelsi Cardoso is the research associate of the Healthy Eating and Activity Laboratory. She completed her bachelor’s of science in nutrition, as well as her master’s of science in Public Health Nutrition at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. In addition, Chelsi is a registered dietitian and has extensive experience in implementing behaviorally-intensive nutrition counseling, for both weight and diabetes care. In the past, Chelsi has been an adjunct lecturer teaching Nutrition Counseling at the undergraduate level in the Department of Nutrition at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Currently, she is managing two National Institutes of Health grants, both of which are behaviorally-intensive treatment programs for overweight and obesity. Her research interests include weight loss, weight loss maintenance, and obesity prevention in both children and adults.

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Lauren Griffiths León

Graduate Research Assistant

Lauren Griffiths is a graduate research assistant in the Healthy Eating and Activity Laboratory. She received her master’s of public health in Behavioral & Community Health Science at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC) in 2015. After graduation, she worked as a research associate at the LSUHSC School of Public Health where she coordinated a National Institutes of Health (NIH)­ funded study investigating the social and molecular determinants of obesity in youth. In 2017, Lauren joined the LSUHSC Human Development Center where she designed, implemented, and evaluated a number of nutrition- and health-related programs. She was also a core faculty member for the Louisiana Leadership Education in Neuro-developmental and Related Disabilities (LA LEND) training program funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau from 2017-2019. Lauren is currently pursuing a PhD in community nutrition at the University of Tennessee.

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Lauren Griffiths León

Graduate Research Assistant

Lauren Griffiths is a graduate research assistant in the Healthy Eating and Activity Laboratory. She received her master’s of public health in Behavioral & Community Health Science at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC) in 2015. After graduation, she worked as a research associate at the LSUHSC School of Public Health where she coordinated a National Institutes of Health (NIH)­ funded study investigating the social and molecular determinants of obesity in youth. In 2017, Lauren joined the LSUHSC Human Development Center where she designed, implemented, and evaluated a number of nutrition- and health-related programs. She was also a core faculty member for the Louisiana Leadership Education in Neuro-developmental and Related Disabilities (LA LEND) training program funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau from 2017-2019. Lauren is currently pursuing a PhD in community nutrition at the University of Tennessee.

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Emilie Holloway

Graduate Research Assistant

Emilie Holloway is a graduate research assistant in the Healthy Eating and Activity Laboratory. She received her bachelor's degree in human biology from North Carolina State University, her master's degree from Meredith College in human nutrition with a concentration in clinical dietetics, and completed her dietetic internship to become a registered dietitian. Emilie is currently pursuing a PhD in implementation science and community nutrition at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Her research interests are focused on nutrition interventions to improve early childhood nutrition (i.e. complementary feeding, early food exposure, improving fruit and vegetable consumption). Additionally, she is interested in improving dietary assessment methodology for use in children. After completing her PhD, Emilie hopes to complete a postdoctoral position before starting a career in academia.

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Iyanuoluwa Oyetunji

Graduate Research Assistant

Hi! My name is Iyanuoluwa Oyetunji, from Nigeria. I am a doctoral student in community nutrition, concurrently pursuing a graduate certificate in Health Policy. My research focuses on evaluating the interplay of diet and lifestyle in relation to the risks of chronic diseases, such as obesity, hypertension, and colorectal cancers. I am a student member of the American Public Health Association (APHA) and have been chosen for the 2024 cohort of the esteemed American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) Student Think Tank Fellowship. At UTK, I represent the Nutrition Department in the Graduate Student Senate and I am part of the leadership team of the Nigerian Student Association. In my leisure time, I enjoy singing, playing the guitar, board games, and hiking. Post my Ph.D., I aspire to channel my future research and teaching towards modifying diet and lifestyle to shape policies that address the escalating prevalence of chronic diseases.

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Rosemary Hamsley

Graduate Research Assistant

Rosemary Hamsley is a graduate research assistant in the Healthy Eating and Activity Laboratory. She received her master’s in exercise science from Tennessee Technological University. Throughout her studies and work experience, she has been amazed at the impact that physical activity and proper nutrition could have on the body. Rosemary decided to continue her studies in community nutrition as a MS student. After her time at UT, she plans to complete a dietetic internship.

Chigozie Chukwuemeka

Graduate Research Assistant

Chigozie Prisca Chukwuemeka is a graduate research assistant in the Healthy Eating and Activity Laboratory.  She is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, holding a degree in Neuroscience with minors in Public Health and Africana Studies. Currently pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH) with a focus on Nutrition at the University of Tennessee, Chigozie is deeply passionate about addressing health disparities, particularly in underserved communities in both the U.S. and Africa. For two years, she served as a N.E.A.T. educator, where she educated children by promoting nutrition and physical activity, deepening her commitment to public health. She also gained valuable research experience as a research assistant at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, contributing to a study on the prevalence of gestational diabetes. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, shopping, reading, and watching amazing T.V. series. Chigozie is pursuing a career in medicine, aspiring to become a medical doctor with the goal of addressing health disparities and improving global health outcomes. Her long-term focus is on creating positive change in the health and wellness of communities worldwide. Chigozie’s research interests lie in cardiovascular and maternal health.

Addy Mench

Research Aide

​Addy Mench is a research assistant at HEAL and a recent Auburn University graduate, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Counseling. Currently in the interim between undergraduate and graduate studies, Addy is exploring the intersection of nutrition and psychology. Her focus is on how nutrition-based lifestyle interventions might address low-grade mental health crises. With aspirations to conduct groundbreaking research in this field, she aims to clarify the role of functional nutrition in mental health.
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Mohammed Hashim Abukari

Graduate Research Assistant

Mohammed Hashim Abukari is a dedicated public health professional committed to advancing programs and policies that improve individual and community health. He holds a Master’s degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics and has extensive academic experience as a faculty member at the University for Development Studies in Ghana, where he taught various nutrition courses at the undergraduate level.
 

Currently pursuing a PhD in Implementation Science in Community Nutrition at the University of Tennessee, Hashim serves as a research assistant in Dr. Hollie Raynor's HEAL lab. His research focuses on an NIH-funded project investigating the role of chrononutrition in lifestyle obesity interventions. His broader interests include exploring the interactions between diet, lifestyle, food environments, and obesity prevention, particularly in underserved populations. Hashim is dedicated to addressing public health challenges through evidence-based, community-focused solutions.

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