Yifan Jia
Beijing, China
MS: University of Wisconsin-Madison 
Community Nutrition Rotation: 
Cornell Sports Nutrition
Clinical and Management Rotations:
University of Rochester Medical Center
 

Yifan Jia, originally from Beijing, China, graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison with dual degrees in Nutrition & Dietetics and Global Health, along with a certificate in Entrepreneurship. Her research interests include women’s reproductive health and the complex relationships between nutrients, the human gut microbiome, and metabolic diseases.

She is currently in the Lujan Lab, where she focuses on exploring the impact of hypocaloric diets on the quality of life of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). She is passionate about applying nutrition science to improve health outcomes and well-being for women affected by endocrine and metabolic disorders.

Beyond the lab, Yifan enjoys hiking, singing karaoke, and practicing Chinese calligraphy. She is also deeply committed to community engagement. Last semester, she participated in the GRASSHOPR, a graduate student outreach program. She taught nutrition lessons to elementary school students, sharing her enthusiasm for healthy eating and inspiring young minds to think critically about food and health.

Yue (Jo) Jia
Kenmore, WA 
MS: Bastyr University
Community Nutrition Rotation:
Foodnet Meals on Wheels
Clinical and Management Rotations:
University of Rochester Medical Center

Yue holds a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition from Bastyr University, where her training blended evidence- based practice with a holistic approach to health. In addition to the core nutrition curriculum, she pursued elective coursework in psychology, behavioral health, culinary skills, and integrative nutrition. Her hands-on experience includes clinical care at the Bastyr Center for Natural Health, food service and school nutrition at Forest Ridge School, and community-based nutrition work with Performance Kitchen Crafted.

Yue’s passion lies in the intersection of disordered eating, cultural identity, and food insecurity. Drawing from her lived experience and bicultural background, she is committed to inclusive, community-centered care. She values culturally responsive approaches that help individuals and communities build positive relationships with food and improve overall well-being.

In addition to her work in nutrition, Yue enjoys taking initiative on projects that combine creativity, sustainability, and public health. She has contributed to food waste reduction efforts in school nutrition and garden programs, and finds joy in hands-on problem solving and resourcefulness. These are the same values she brings to her personal interests, including upcycling, sustainable living, and creative projects in fashion and interior design. In her free time, she also enjoys traveling, hiking, singing, and playing piano.

Colette Strathman
Higginsville, MO 
MS: Cornell University
Community Nutrition Rotation: 
Ithaca City School District 
Clinical and Management Rotations:
University of Rochester Medical Center

Colette Strathman is a passionate and driven nutrition student with diverse experience spanning education, food service, leadership, and research. Her work as a teaching assistant for multiple nutrition courses reflects her commitment to mentorship and making complex health concepts accessible and meaningful for others. Through her role in the nutrition department at Cornell Dining, Colette gained firsthand experience translating nutrition theory into practice, navigating the systems that impact community health on a daily basis.

During her undergraduate years, Colette served as President of the Cornell Undergraduate Dietetics Association, where she fostered a welcoming, collaborative community and encouraged student engagement with practicing dietitians. She currently conducts nutrition research, furthering her understanding of evidence-based practice while strengthening skills in data analysis and critical inquiry. In 2024, she was honored with the Outstanding Dietetic Student Award from NYSAND.

Colette’s professional journey is grounded in a people-centered, systems-oriented philosophy. She believes that while individual education is vital, the most powerful way to improve public health is through transformative nutrition policy. With a growing focus on health equity and structural change, Colette is committed to using policy as a tool to create healthier, more equitable communities for all.
Outside of nutrition, Colette loves to spend time outdoors camping, hiking, and learning more about the natural world. As an adventurous home cook, she enjoys cooking new recipes each week. She’s recently rediscovered a childhood passion for reading and joined a book club with her friends.

Ruoqi (Cynthia) Su
Xi’an China
MS: Cornell University 
Community Nutrition Rotation: 
Cornell Dining
Clinical and Management Rotations:
University of Rochester Medical Center

Cynthia, originally from Xi’an, China, earned her BS in Nutrition and Food Studies from New York University, with minors in Psychology and Japanese. She is currently pursuing a second-year MS/DI student at Cornell. Cynthia’s academic journey sparked her interest in culturally sensitive dietary interventions and community nutrition, with a particular focus on how family dynamics influence the nutrition of children and adolescents. Her current research focuses on how online peer group discussions can support parents of preschoolers in low-income, rural areas as part of a digital health intervention designed to promote healthy family behaviors. In her free time, Cynthia enjoys watching anime, exploring new cuisines, baking, and traveling.