Graduate Students

Kassie Perry

Email: keperry2@uncg.edu

Brief Bio

Kassie is a first-year M.S. Nutrition Non-Thesis graduate student focused on the medical applications of nutrition in the prevention of chronic disease. Her interests include how varying levels of metabolites and coenzymes influence metabolism, individual relationships between diet and overall human health, and how the body adapts to and maintains chronic disease as a new homeostatic state. She hopes to study these mechanisms to identify opportunities for nutritional intervention before chronic disease becomes established. Ultimately, her goal is to contribute to preventative health research that shifts the focus of healthcare from managing disease to preventing it.

Ebony Reynolds
Email: efreynolds@uncg.edu

Brief Bio

Ebony is excited to begin the Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetic Internship (MS/DI) program at UNCG fall 2025. She is passionate about hormone health, autoimmune nutrition, and performance-based fueling strategies. Her goal is to become a registered dietitian and make a meaningful impact through evidence-based, individualized care. She’s especially grateful to be learning under such strong leadership and alongside a community of like-minded future professionals

Jessica Romero

Email: jyromero@uncg.edu

Brief bio

In December of 2023, Jessica earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a concentration in Criminology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She is continuing her education at UNCG as a graduate student in the MS non-thesis program to transition to the dietetic internship. She is working in Dr. Dharod’s lab, investigating whether support and incentives will help with the continuation of exclusive breastfeeding and how it is related to infant growth. She aspires to be a registered dietitian working with athletes or disadvantaged families.

Maryssa Rorrer
Email: MGDAUGHERTY@uncg.edu

Brief Bio

Maryssa earned her B.S. in Nutrition with a concentration in dietetics and a minor in communication from UNC Greensboro. She is currently pursuing her M.S. in Nutrition and completing her dietetic internship through the MS/DI program, working towards becoming a registered dietitian. Maryssa is also a certified personal trainer and leads group fitness classes at a local gym. Her professional interests include women’s and maternal health, where she hopes to make a meaningful impact as an RDN.  

Hannah Sherwood

Email: hgsherwood@uncg.edu

Brief Bio

Hannah earned her Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Human Nutrition with a concentration in Human Nutrition from the University of Maine. She is currently a first-year student in UNC Greensboro’s MS/DI program, where she is working toward becoming a registered dietitian. She is particularly interested in sports nutrition and women’s and children’s health, but is excited to explore all areas of dietetics through her internship. Hannah looks forward to expanding her knowledge, gaining hands-on experience, and discovering where her passion and career interests will ultimately lead.

Anastassia Skarlinski
Email: amskarlinski@uncg.edu

Brief Bio

Anastassia received a BS from Appalachian State University in foods and nutrition and an MPH and DI from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a concentration in nutrition and dietetics. Prior to coming to UNCG, she worked as a clinical dietitian at Central Regional Hospital. Her research interests include poverty and eating behaviors, rural health, and behavioral health (including substance use disorders). 

London Soles
Email: lmsoles@uncg.edu

Brief bio

London received her Bachelor of Science with a concentration in Exercise Science.  She is currently in the MS/DI program working towards becoming a registered dietitian.  Her interests include geriatrics and combating malnutrition. 

Ashlyn Stone
Email: akstone@uncg.edu

brief bio

Ashlyn received her undergraduate degree at Wake Forest University in 2021, where she earned a BA in Psychology, with minors in Neuroscience and Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies. After graduating, she worked in two preclinical labs studying addiction and substance use disorders. She is currently a Nutrition PhD student working with Dr. Fordahl. Their lab observes the impact of different diets on the brain, with a current focus on how the brain utilizes metabolic pathways to promote dopamine neurotransmission within preclinical models.

Brandon Stroud
Email: bjstroud@uncg.edu

brief bio

Brandon received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Public Health and recently completed his dietetic internship at East Carolina University. He is a Certified Health Education Specialist and currently works as a Social Clinical Research Specialist at East Carolina University and develops/evaluates community-based nutrition programming for uninsured patients. His research interests include examining different nutrition/culinary education strategies aimed at improving food literacy and how these approaches can impact nutrition-related behaviors, health outcomes, and healthcare utilization. 

Dayana Wagemans

Email: D_WAGEMANS@uncg.edu

Brief Bio

Dayana earned a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition with a concentration in Human Dietetics from UNCG and is continuing her education in the MS/DI program to become a registered dietitian nutritionist. She is passionate about sports nutrition, holistic health, and international nutrition, and is excited to apply her knowledge in settings that promote wellness across cultures and communities.

Cathy Walker

Email: CSWALKE3@uncg.edu

Brief Bio

Cathy is a graduate student in UNC-Greensboro’s M.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics program. Her focus is culinary medicine, and her ambition is to counsel individuals in the prevention and treatment of disease as a registered dietitian.

Leah Wehrly

Email: lawehrly@uncg.edu

Brief bio

Leah earned a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition with a concentration in Human Nutrition and Dietetics from UNCG. She is continuing her education at UNCG in the Master of Science in Nutrition/Dietetic Internship (MS/DI) program to become a registered dietitian. She is looking forward to expanding her knowledge, developing her clinical skills, and exploring different areas of dietetics through her internship experience.

Kiera Williams
Email: krwilliams2@uncg.edu

brief bio

Kiera is a High Point, NC native who received her Bachelor of Science from William Peace University in Raleigh, NC. At WPU she was inducted into the Tri-Beta Biological Society and served as the Student Body President. After graduation, she worked as a Research Technician at UNC Chapel Hill Center for AIDS/HIV research. During her time at UNC Chapel Hill, Kiera was able to hone-in on her passion and decided to continue her education within the Nutrition program at UNC Greensboro. She is very excited to pursue this degree and become a registered dietician.