Graduate Students

Elizabeth Acquah
Email: EFACQUAH@uncg.edu

Brief Bio

Elizabeth earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Midwifery from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana. She obtained her master’s in food and Nutritional Science from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. She is currently pursuing her doctorate degree in the Department of Nutrition at University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She is working in Dr. Dharod’s lab. Her research interests are in maternal and infant nutrition, food insecurity and Global Nutrition

Zac Agbala
Email: zlfisher@uncg.edu

Brief Bio

In May of 2023, Zac received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Nutrition with a minor in Spanish from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Currently working towards his Doctoral degree, he enjoys learning about Nutrition and applying what he learns to himself and others. 

Nour Alsakhita
Graduate Assistant
Email: nmalsakhita@uncg.edu

Brief Bio

Nour received her Bachelor of Science degree from Winston-Salem State University with a major in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Nutrition at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and working toward becoming a Registered Dietitian (RD). Nour serves as a Graduate Assistant in the Department of Nutrition, Vice President of the Nutrition Graduate Student Association (NGSA), and a Graduate Student Association (GSA) Senator. Her research interests focus on the nutrition transition among immigrant and refugee populations, with particular attention to food insecurity, dietary acculturation, and the associated risk of obesity and metabolic disorders. She is supervised by Dr. Haldeman.

Christanie Alston
Email: caalston2@uncg.edu

Brief Bio

Christanie graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a Bachelor of Science with a concentration in Human Nutrition and Dietetics. She is currently pursuing her Masters of Science in Dietetics with the goal to become a registered dietitian. She is interested in getting experience working with women and children, as well as working with underserved communities. 

Jaala Baker
Email: JJBAKER3@uncg.edu

Brief Bio

Jaala earned a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition with a concentration in Human Nutrition and  Dietetics from UNCG. She is continuing her studies at UNCG in the MS/DI program, to become a registered clinical dietitian. She is looking forward to gaining experience in a variety of settings during the supervised practiced. Her area of interests for future practice include the relationship between autoimmune disease symptom management and dietary patterns, women’s health and gut health. 

Brandon Bello

Email: bmbello@uncg.edu

Brief Bio

Brandon is a first-generation college graduate from UNCG who earned a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition with a concentration in Human Nutrition and Dietetics in May 2026. He is now a first-year grad student in the Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetic Internship program at UNCG. His career goal is to become a clinical registered dietitian, with particular interests in pediatrics, diabetes, and sports nutrition. Through the M.S./DI program, he hopes to gain diverse experiences across nutrition and dietetics and develop the knowledge and confidence to work in a variety of specialties. In the future, he aspires to establish his own private practice after gaining clinical experience in a hospital setting.

Laila Burk

Email: leburk@uncg.edu

Brief Bio

Laila earned her B.S. in Human Nutrition and Dietetics in May 2025 from UNC Greensboro. She is currently pursuing her M.S. in Nutrition and completing her dietetic internship through the MS/DI program. Laila hopes to become a Registered Dietitian and specialize in either sports nutrition or pediatric nutrition. She is looking forward to pursuing this degree and applying her knowledge in the field!

Maria Campuzano Rodriguez
Email: MDCAMPUZANO@uncg.edu

Brief Bio

Maria received a Bachelor of Science with a concentration in Human Nutrition and Dietetics from UNC Greensboro. She is continuing her education at UNCG as a graduate student in the MS/DI program with the goal to become a registered dietitian. She is eager to continue building upon the skills she developed as an undergraduate student in the MS/DI program.

Melodi Carder

Email: mrcarder@uncg.edu

Brief Bio

Melodi graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition. She is currently in the MS/DI program on the path towards becoming a Registered Dietitian. Her goal is to work in oncology helping veterans and their family members affected by cancer. 

Elena Carleo

Email: emcarleo@uncg.edu

Brief bio

Elena graduated from the University of North Carolina Greensboro in May 2026, earning a Bachelor of Science with a concentration in Human Nutrition and Dietetics. She is pursuing a Master of Science through the UNCG MS/DI program. Her passion is behavioral health nutrition with a focus on substance use disorder.

Jenna Clark
Email: JGCLARK3@uncg.edu

Brief bio

Jenna graduated with her Bachelor’s of Science in Nutrition with a concentration in Human Nutrition and Dietetics from UNCG. She is currently a student in UNCG’s MS/DI program pursuing a career as a registered dietitian. She is interested in sports nutrition, oncology nutrition, and nutrition education. She is excited to be furthering her education and learning more about nutrition. 

Lacie Clark
Email: LRCLARK2@uncg.edu

Brief Bio

Lacie graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Dietetics and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree through the MS/DI program. She has a strong interest in pediatric and maternal nutrition and plans to become a Registered Dietitian (RD) after completing her graduate studies.

Doreen Darko

Email: dodarko@uncg.edu

Brief bio

Doreen holds a Bachelor’s degree from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana, and a Master’s degree in Food and Nutritional Science from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. She is currently a doctoral student in the Department of Nutrition at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she conducts research under the mentorship of Dr. Allred. Her academic interests center on diet-host interactions, inflammation-related mechanisms, and how food-based compounds influence physiological responses relevant to metabolic health.

Adela Dimov

Email: a_dimov@uncg.edu

Brief Bio

Adela graduated from the University of Panama, where she earned her degree in Nutrition and Dietetics. She is currently in her first year of a Master of Science in Nutrition. Her goal is to become a Registered Dietitian in the USA and to further strengthen her knowledge, especially in pediatric nutrition.