Principal Investigator
Kimberly O. O’Brien, Ph.D.
Professor, Cornell University, Division of Nutritional Sciences
Adjunct Professor, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rochester, NY
Lab Manager
Mary Parsons
Degree: B.S., Zoology
Background: Mary is originally from Rochester, NY. She completed her undergraduate degree at the State University of New York at Oswego
Human Subject Research Coordinator
Sara Bird
Degrees: B.S., Health Science and Sociology; M.P.H., Public Health
Background: Sara completed her bachelor's degree at SUNY Brockport in 2016. She then went on to complete her master's in public health at the University of Rochester and recently graduated in 2021. Sara has been working at the University of Rochester since 2017. She recently joined the O'Brien Lab as a team member studying ethnic differences in iron absorption.
Wanhui Kang
Degrees: B.S., Nutritional Sciences; B.E., Food Science
Year Entered: 2017
Background: Wanhui received a bachelor of science degree in nutritional sciences at Cornell and a bachelor of engineering degree in food science at China Agricultural University. Her research focuses on understanding how genetic components influence iron homeostasis in different racial groups.
Alexa Barad, MS, RD
Degrees: B.S., Nutritional Science; M.S., Nutritional Science; R.D.
Year Entered: 2019
Background: Alexa is originally from Costa Rica. She completed her undergraduate degree at Texas A&M University and her Master of Science and Dietetic Internship at the University of Florida. Her doctoral research aims to improve understanding of genetic and biochemical variations in iron absorption and how these differences affect iron homeostasis across different ethnicities.
Julia Caldropoli | College of Human Ecology | Human Biology, Health, and Society | Class of 2023
Clara Deley | College of Human Ecology | Nutritional Sciences | Class of 2022
Chloe Hasund | College of Human Ecology | Global and Public Health Sciences | Class of 2022
Hunter Hitchens | College of Human Ecology | Human Biology, Health, and Society | Class of 2022
Hannah Lee | College of Human Ecology | Biological Sciences | Class of 2022
DeeDee Maizes | College of Human Ecology | Human Biology, Health, and Society | Class of 2022
Brendan Parent | College of Arts and Sciences | Chemistry | Class of 2022
Aurora Basnet | College of Human Ecology | Global and Public Health Sciences | Class of 2023
Audrey Lewis | College of Human Ecology | Global and Public Health Sciences | Class of 2023
Katherine Delaney | Biochemistry | Class of 2021
Youri Jung | College of Human Ecology | Human Biology, Health, and Society | Class of 2021
Jessica Leipman | College of Arts and Sciences | Biological Sciences (Nutrition) | Class of 2020
Fernanda Nunes | College of Human Ecology | Nutritional Sciences | Class of 2021
Abhirami Ramakrishnan | College of Arts and Sciences | Biology and Society & Chemistry | Class of 2020
Julie Thompson | College of Arts and Sciences | Biological Sciences | Class of 2020
|
|
 Oreo |
|
 Coco |
 Sesame Sauce |
Teddy
Gus
Our summer lab team in Dr. O'Brien's tree house!