Former Mentees
Rami S. Najjar, PhD
Dr. Najjar earned a PhD in Chemistry with concentration in Nutritional Sciences from Georgia State University where he worked under Dr. Feresin’s Mentorship. Prior to joining Dr. Feresin’s lab, Dr. Najjar obtained his M.S. degree from Texas Woman’s University. His research interests reside in utilizing plant-based dietary approaches in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, with a particular focus on heart failure. Dr. Najjar graduated in the Spring of 2023 and is now a postdoctoral fellow funded by USDA-NIFA in Dr. Andrew Gewirtz’s lab at the Georgia State Institute for Biomedical Sciences.
Outside of research, Dr. Najjar is passionate about rock climbing and enjoys climbing indoors at Stone Summit and outdoors in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and the Red River Gorge in Kentucky.
Awards:
- 2023 Abstract of Distinction Award, American Physiology Summit, Long Beach, CA
- 2023 Al Baumstark Award in Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
- 2023 First Place Poster Presentation, Lewis College Graduate Research Conference, Georgia State University
- 2023 Dr. Mildred “Missy” Cody Travel Endowment in Nutrition Award, Department of Nutrition, Georgia State University
- 2022 Outstanding Poster Presentation Award, Chemistry Graduate Student Association Research Symposium, Georgia State University
- 2022 Second Place Award Poster Presentation, Lewis College Graduate Research Conference, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
- 2021 Outstanding Graduate Student Award, Department of Nutrition, Georgia State University
- 2021-2023 NIFA-USDA Predoctoral Fellow ($120,000 for two years)
- 2021 Finalist, American Society for Nutrition’s Graduate Student Research Award Competition
- 2021 Finalist, American Society for Nutrition’s Emerging Leaders in Nutrition Science Abstract Recognition Award Program
- 2020 Dr. Mildred “Missy” Cody Travel Endowment in Nutrition Award, Department of Nutrition, Georgia State University
- 2019 First Place Poster Presentation, Lewis College Graduate Research Conference, Georgia State University
- 2018 Selected to attend the Mary Frances Picciano Dietary Supplement Research Practicum Sponsored by the NIH-Office of Dietary Supplements.
- 2018 Second Place Poster Presentation, Lewis College Graduate Research Conference, Georgia State University
- 2018 Dr. Mildred “Missy” Cody Travel Endowment in Nutrition Award, Department of Nutrition, Georgia State University
- 2018-2023 Lewis College Ambassador, Georgia State University
Maureen L. Meister, PhD, RDN
Dr. Meister earned a PhD in Chemistry with concentration in Nutritional Sciences from Georgia State University where he worked under Dr. Feresin’s Mentorship. Dr. Meister completed her M.S. in Nutritional Sciences at Oklahoma State University where her research focused on the capacity of functional foods to treat chronic metabolic conditions. Dr. Meister joined the Feresin lab in 2020 as a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Nutrition. Her research interests have been investigating the beneficial effects of berry–derived polyphenols in chronic lung conditions, specifically those conditions originating from the use of e-cigarettes. Dr. Meister is also a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and has taught several courses at Georgia State including Survey of Chemistry and Principles of Nutrition. She graduated in the Spring of 2023 and is now a postdoctoral fellow at Chemical Insights, Atlanta, GA.
Outside of academia, Dr. Meister has two young children with big personalities to keep her constantly entertained and busy.
Awards:
- 2023 Dr. Mildred “Missy” Cody Travel Endowment in Nutrition Award, Department of Nutrition, Georgia State University
- 2022-2023 Student Representative for the ASN Dietary Bioactive Components RIS
- 2022 Janette Smith Memorial Scholarship, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation
- 2022 First Place Oral Presentation Award, Chemistry Graduate Student Association Research Symposium, Georgia State University
- 2022 Third Place Award Poster Presentation, Lewis College Graduate Research Conference, Georgia State University
- 2021-2023 NIFA-USDA Predoctoral Fellow ($120,000 for two years)
- 2021 Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship, Lewis College, Georgia State University
- 2020 Graduate Student Teaching Award, Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University
- 2020 Dr. Mildred “Missy” Cody Travel Endowment in Nutrition Award, Department of Nutrition, Georgia State University
- 2019 Second Place Poster Presentation, Lewis College Graduate Research Conference, Georgia State University
- 2019 Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship, Lewis College, Georgia State University
- 2019 Foundation’s Commission on Dietetic Registration Doctoral Scholarship, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
- 2018-2023 Lewis College Ambassador, Georgia State University
Alivia M. Setka, MS, RDN
Alivia completed an MS in Health Sciences with concentration in Nutrition and the Dietetics Coordinate Program at Georgia State in the Summer of 2023. She also earned a B.S. in Nutrition Science in Spring 2021 from Georgia State. Alivia was the lead farmer for Georgia State University’s hydroponic farm. Her responsibility was to grow leafy greens, such as lettuce, kale, and arugula, for the dining halls on campus. She was introduced to research to answer questions that she had about the nutritional composition of hydroponic leafy greens. As a research assistant, Alivia worked on an honors thesis comparing the phytochemical content and antioxidant capacity of hydroponic- and soil-grown kale. She presented her findings at Nutrition 2021, the scientific meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, 2021 GSURC, and the 2023 Lewis College Research Conference.
In her spare time, Alivia loves to garden, paddleboard, work on new crafts, and dance to her favorite albums.
Awards:
- 2021 Finalist, American Society for Nutrition’s Emerging Leaders in Nutrition Science Abstract Recognition Award Program
- 2021 First Place Poster Presentation Award, Natural & Computational Sciences Category, Georgia State Undergraduate Research Conference
- 2021 Outstanding Undergraduate Nutrition Research Student Award, Department of Nutrition, Georgia State University
- 2020-2021 Scholar, Georgia State University Assistantship Program
- 2020-2021 Honors College Student, Georgia State University
Kendahl Heckstall, BS
Kendahl earned a bachelor’s degree in Nutrition from Georgia State University. Kendahl joined the Feresin lab in 2021. Under Dr. Feresin’s mentorship, she conducted an honors thesis project exploring whether raspberries reduce hepatic oxidative stress in hypertensive rats.
In her free time, Kendahl loves to do yoga, dance, and play with her dog, Chloe.
Awards:
- 2023 Best Poster Presentation from Georgia State University, GA-AL Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Research Symposium
- 2023 Presenter at Nutrition 2023, the national scientific meeting for the American Society for Nutrition, Boston, MA
- 2023 Finalist, Honors College Thesis Pitch Competition, Georgia State University
- Presenter at 2023 Lewis College Research Conference, Georgia State University Undergraduate Research Conference, Atlanta, GA
- Presenter at 2023 Georgia State University Undergraduate Research Conference, Atlanta, GA.
- 2023 Alpha Eta Honors Society Inductee
- 2023 Nutrition & Dietetics Scholarship, Department of Nutrition, Georgia State University
- 2023 Max M. Cuba Scholarship, Georgia State University
- 2023 Just-in-Time Grant Award ($500), Honors College, Georgia State University.
- 2022-2023 Outstanding Undergraduate Nutrition Researcher, Department of Nutrition, Georgia State University
- 2022-2023 GA-AL Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Fellowship at Georgia State University
- 2022-2023 American Society for Nutrition’s Student Representative for the Experimental Animal Nutrition Research Interest Section
- 2022 Nutrition and Dietetics Scholarship, Department of Nutrition, Georgia State University
- 2022 Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship, Lewis College, Georgia State University
- 2021-2023 Scholar, Georgia State University Assistantship Program
- 2020 Honors College Inductee, Georgia State University
Lena M.T. Lear, MS, RDN
Lena was a graduate student in the Department of Nutrition where she earned her Master of Science degree in Health Sciences with concentration in Nutrition and completed the Dietetics Coordinated Program. She graduated Summa Cum Laude in May 2020 with a bachelor’s in Nutrition Science from Georgia State, and she was a research assistant in Dr. Feresin’s lab from summer 2019 to summer 2022. Her research interest is renal nutrition, and for her master’s thesis, she investigated the effects of polyphenol-rich berries on kidney inflammation and oxidative stress in vivo and in vitro.
When she was not in class or doing research, she was usually playing with her two rescue dogs or doing CrossFit.
Awards:
- 2020 Outstanding Nutrition Science Student Award, Department of Nutrition, Georgia State University
- 2019 Finalist, Honors College Thesis Pitch Competition, Georgia State University
- 2019-2020 Lewis College Ambassador, Georgia State University
Jasmynne N. Blacks, MS, RDN
Jasmynne graduated with a B.S. in Nutrition Science from Georgia State University. She then earned an MS in Health Sciences with concentration in Nutrition and completed the Dietetics Coordinate Program at Georgia State. For her master’s thesis, she examined the role of berries in mitigating angiotensin II-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain.
Jasmynne enjoys playing volleyball, watching the latest horror film, or taking long drives through Atlanta with her sister.
Awards:
- 2021 Second Place Oral Presentation Award, Lewis College Graduate Research Conference, Georgia State University
- 2020 First Place Oral Presentation Award, Lewis College Graduate Research Conference, Georgia State University
Samuel Bullard, MS, RDN
Samuel Bullard graduated from Georgia Gwinnett College in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Exercise Science. He then completed a Master of Health Science with concentration in Nutrition and the Dietetics Coordinated Program at Georgia State University. For his master’s thesis, he explored the effects of CBD oil vaping on cardiorespiratory function.
In his free time, Sam enjoys spending time with his wife, playing with their miniature dachshund Maximus and hanging out with family.
Rafaela Todd, BS
Rafaela graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a concentration in medicine at Georgia State University with honors in the fall of 2022. She has over three years of experience in multiple hospital departments as a volunteer in Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s college program. Rafaela joined the Feresin lab in 2021 and conducted an honors thesis on the effect of raspberries in reducing aortic oxidative stress in an animal model of hypertension under Dr. Feresin’s mentorship. She is particularly interested in how the specifics of a healthy diet can reduce precursors for cardiovascular disease. Rafaela is a pharmacy technician and will be applying to medical school during the 2023 cycle.
Outside of her academics, Rafaela loves to watch movies, read books, and listen to podcasts. She also loves visiting theme parks and exhibitions and spending time with family and friends.
Awards:
- 2023 Third Place Award for Oral Presentation, Lewis College Graduate Research Conference, Georgia State University
- 2022-2023 Programming Director, Minority Association Of Pre-Medical Students (MAPS)
- 2021-2023 Scholar, Georgia State University Assistantship Program Scholar
- 2019 Most Outstanding Student in Microbiology Award, Georgia State University
- 2019-2022 President’s List, Georgia State University
Roya Nabavi, BS
Roya completed her bachelor’s degree in Biology with honors at Georgia State University in December 2021. She joined the Feresin lab in 2021 and assisted predoctoral fellow students in their nutrition research projects. Whether it was aiding in rodent blood collection or assisting with surgical procedures, she enjoyed the new challenges the lab offered. Currently, Roya works at WellStar North Fulton Hospital and will be matriculating to medical school in the summer of 2023.
In her free time, she enjoys volunteering at the humane society, reading for fun, and learning how to ice skate!
Awards:
- 2021 Level 3 CRLA (College Reading and Learning Association) Award, Georgia State University-Learning and Tutoring Center
- 2019 Summer Health Professions Education Program Award, University of Alabama at Birmingham
- 2018-2021 Honors College Student, Georgia State University
Justina S. Kim, BS
Justina earned a bachelor’s degree in Nutrition Science from Georgia State University. She was at the Feresin Lab from the spring of 2019-2021. Under Dr. Feresin’s mentorship, she studied the impact of nutritional interventions on the hepatic tissue. She presented her findings at Nutrition 2021, the scientific meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, and the 2021 GSURC.
In her free time, Justina loves to paint and play the piano.
Awards:
- 2021 Nutrition and Dietetics Scholarship, Department of Nutrition, Georgia State University
- 2020 Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship Recipient, Lewis College, Georgia State University
Emily S. Carmichael, BS
Emily completed her bachelor’s in Nutrition Science at Georgia State University in the spring of 2021. She plans to continue her education to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist in the near future. Emily joined Dr. Feresin’s lab in the summer of 2020 to gain a deeper understanding of the effects of phytochemicals on cardiovascular health and to explore opportunities within the research field. She conducted an honors thesis project on the polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity of commonly consumed berries. She presented her findings at Nutrition 2021, the scientific meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, and the 2021 GSURC.
In her spare time, Emily enjoys cooking new foods, being outdoors, and spending time with loved ones.
Awards:
- 2021 Outstanding Nutrition Science Student Award, Department of Nutrition, Georgia State University
- 2020-2021 Scholar, Georgia State University Assistantship Program
- 2020-2021 Honors College Student, Georgia State University