About
The Tisch Food Center works to create a healthy, just, and sustainable food system. We conduct research that informs school food, child nutrition, and food access policies. We advocate for equitable, sustainable, healthy food and healthier school food environments, endorsing bills, submitting testimony, and leading campaigns. We build community and capacity, convening advocates, program leaders, school community members, and other stakeholders in our Food Ed Coalition, which supports NYC’s most vulnerable populations.
About Us
The Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education & Policy, in the Program in Nutrition, is a leader in nutrition education research and a hub for the intersection of food policy, nutrition education, and just, sustainable food systems. Our research studies have increased knowledge about the links between a just, sustainable food system and healthy eating and have put this knowledge to practice by developing recommendations and resources to support educators, policy makers, and community advocates in encouraging communities to make healthier choices.
The Tisch Food Center believes that food and nutrition education has a crucial role to play in empowering people to understand and navigate the food system, as well as to become advocates for change on personal and policy levels. To realize this vision, the Tisch Food Center has established a broad research and outreach agenda, which includes:
- Conducting research and evaluations with policy implications
- Promoting access to an education about healthy, just, sustainable food through strong policy, programs and funding
- Creating and supporting nutrition education in schools and communities
- Preparing the next generation of food and nutrition leaders
We value collaborative, interdisciplinary projects and are committed to producing useful and practical models, tools, and policy recommendations. Through our activities, we aim to train the next generation of leading nutrition professionals who are competent in both food and nutrition education and policy research and practice.
Additionally, Tisch Food Center and TC's Program in Nutrition is invested in the future of nutrition education and provides a space for hands-on training and opportunities within the Center. The Program in Nutrition doctoral and master’s students are at the forefront of our work, designing innovative studies, developing novel food and nutrition curricula, creating relevant and practical tools for our stakeholders, and engaging with schools, communities, and policy makers.
Mission & Vision
Our Mission
The mission of the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education & Policy, in the Program in Nutrition, is to conduct research on food and nutrition education practice and policy. We translate our research into resources for educators, policy makers, and advocates to demand a healthy, just, and sustainable food system.
Our Vision
Transforming the status quo through food and nutrition education.
Team
Faculty
Dr. Jennifer Cadenhead, PhD, RDN, is the Executive Director for the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education and Policy and Research Assistant Professor, Program in Nutrition, in the Department of Health and Behavioral Studies at Teachers College, Columbia University. Prior to serving as Executive Director she was the Center’s Goldberg Postdoctoral Scholar, Food Trauma in Children. She also has spent over 20 years volunteering, fundraising, and serving on the boards of numerous community non-profits, including the local school wellness committee, school garden, and food pantry, along with over a dozen years as an actuarial consultant, honing her database and financial skills. She decided to pursue nutrition after a health scare required a nuanced understanding of food to restore her own wellbeing. Dr. Cadenhead focuses on using large data and qualitative methods to study the impact of federal and local government food policies on children’s health and nutrition security. Her work’s primary aim is to understand and improve access to healthy and culturally acceptable foods for all people, particularly children from underserved groups. Dr. Cadenhead also studies the relationship between diet quality, ultra-processed food consumption, and health, including in individuals surviving cancer. She received her B.S. degree in mathematics and sociology from Duke University. She obtained clinical training at a variety of institutions including New York Presbyterian Hospital and research training at Kaiser Permanente Division of Research. She completed her 1,200 hr dietetic internship, as well as received her M.S., MPhil, and PhD degrees in behavioral nutrition with a specialization in nutritional epidemiology, from Teachers College, Columbia University. She lives with her family outside of New York City.
Dr. Jennifer Cadenhead, PhD, RDN, is the Executive Director for the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education and Policy and Research Assistant Professor, Program in Nutrition, in the Department of Health and Behavioral Studies at Teachers College, Columbia University. Prior to serving as Executive Director she was the Center’s Goldberg Postdoctoral Scholar, Food Trauma in Children. She also has spent over 20 years volunteering, fundraising, and serving on the boards of numerous community non-profits, including the local school wellness committee, school garden, and food pantry, along with over a dozen years as an actuarial consultant, honing her database and financial skills. She decided to pursue nutrition after a health scare required a nuanced understanding of food to restore her own wellbeing. Dr. Cadenhead focuses on using large data and qualitative methods to study the impact of federal and local government food policies on children’s health and nutrition security. Her work’s primary aim is to understand and improve access to healthy and culturally acceptable foods for all people, particularly children from underserved groups. Dr. Cadenhead also studies the relationship between diet quality, ultra-processed food consumption, and health, including in individuals surviving cancer. She received her B.S. degree in mathematics and sociology from Duke University. She obtained clinical training at a variety of institutions including New York Presbyterian Hospital and research training at Kaiser Permanente Division of Research. She completed her 1,200 hr dietetic internship, as well as received her M.S., MPhil, and PhD degrees in behavioral nutrition with a specialization in nutritional epidemiology, from Teachers College, Columbia University. She lives with her family outside of New York City.
Dr. Pam Koch is the Faculty Director for the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education and Policy and Mary Swartz Rose Associate Professor of Nutrition and Education in the Program in Nutrition at Teachers College, Columbia University. Prior to her current role, she help to found the Center with Emerita Professor, Dr. Isobel Contento. Dr. Koch conducts research about the connections between a just, sustainable food system and healthy eating. She translates the results from her research into useful resources such as curricula for schoolteachers and recommendations for policy makers. Pam is the primary author of the three Linking Food and the Environment (LiFE) curriculum series books: Growing Food; Farm to Table & Beyond; and Choice, Control & Change and responsible for coordinating the development, evaluation, and dissemination of the curriculum. Pam frequently speaks about nutrition education and sustainable food systems at meetings and conferences across the country. Pam also collaborates with groups conducting food and nutrition education and working to increase access to healthy, sustainable food across New York City. She completed her BS and MS degrees in nutrition at Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, and her EdD and RD from Teachers College, Columbia University.
Dr. Pam Koch is the Faculty Director for the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education and Policy and Mary Swartz Rose Associate Professor of Nutrition and Education in the Program in Nutrition at Teachers College, Columbia University. Prior to her current role, she help to found the Center with Emerita Professor, Dr. Isobel Contento. Dr. Koch conducts research about the connections between a just, sustainable food system and healthy eating. She translates the results from her research into useful resources such as curricula for schoolteachers and recommendations for policy makers. Pam is the primary author of the three Linking Food and the Environment (LiFE) curriculum series books: Growing Food; Farm to Table & Beyond; and Choice, Control & Change and responsible for coordinating the development, evaluation, and dissemination of the curriculum. Pam frequently speaks about nutrition education and sustainable food systems at meetings and conferences across the country. Pam also collaborates with groups conducting food and nutrition education and working to increase access to healthy, sustainable food across New York City. She completed her BS and MS degrees in nutrition at Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, and her EdD and RD from Teachers College, Columbia University.
Dr. Randi Wolf, Director, Program in Nutrition, is the Associate Professor of Human Nutrition on the Ella McCollum Vahlteich Endowment. Her research focuses on celiac disease, with a specific interest in the utility of behaviorally-focused interventions to promote healthy dietary patterns and quality of life in children and adults. Randi's research also focuses on the development and validation of novel ways to assess diet, with specific interest in measuring school lunch consumption (K-12) using digital photography, observation, and survey methods, as well as measuring diet in pre-school age children at high risk for early childhood caries. Randi has a PhD in Nutritional Epidemiology and an MPH in Epidemiology from the University of Pittsburgh and a BS from Cornell University.
Dr. Randi Wolf, Director, Program in Nutrition, is the Associate Professor of Human Nutrition on the Ella McCollum Vahlteich Endowment. Her research focuses on celiac disease, with a specific interest in the utility of behaviorally-focused interventions to promote healthy dietary patterns and quality of life in children and adults. Randi's research also focuses on the development and validation of novel ways to assess diet, with specific interest in measuring school lunch consumption (K-12) using digital photography, observation, and survey methods, as well as measuring diet in pre-school age children at high risk for early childhood caries. Randi has a PhD in Nutritional Epidemiology and an MPH in Epidemiology from the University of Pittsburgh and a BS from Cornell University.
Dr. Isobel Contento, Emerita Faculty Director of the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education and Policy was formerly the Mary Swartz Rose Professor of Nutrition Education at Teachers College, Columbia University and Director, Program in Nutrition. She retired from Teachers College in Spring 2022. She helped to found the Center with Dr. Pam Koch. Her degrees include a BSc (Hons) from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and PhD from the University of California, Berkeley. Her research has focused on factors influencing food choices, particularly among children and adolescents, and the development and evaluation of school-based programs that link science education and nutrition literacy to an understanding of food and food systems. She is particularly interested in the use of theory and research evidence to design and evaluate nutrition education programs and the intersection of education and policy. Isobel has been active in the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior for many years and a member of several national advisory committees, including the committee of the Institute of Medicine that produced Nutritional Standards for Food in Schools and the Technical Expert Collaborative of the USDA Evidence Library for Nutrition Education. She has published numerous articles and book chapters, and has served on the editorial boards of several journals. The third edition of her textbook, Nutrition Education, Linking Research, Theory and Practice was published in August, 2015.
Dr. Isobel Contento, Emerita Faculty Director of the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education and Policy was formerly the Mary Swartz Rose Professor of Nutrition Education at Teachers College, Columbia University and Director, Program in Nutrition. She retired from Teachers College in Spring 2022. She helped to found the Center with Dr. Pam Koch. Her degrees include a BSc (Hons) from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and PhD from the University of California, Berkeley. Her research has focused on factors influencing food choices, particularly among children and adolescents, and the development and evaluation of school-based programs that link science education and nutrition literacy to an understanding of food and food systems. She is particularly interested in the use of theory and research evidence to design and evaluate nutrition education programs and the intersection of education and policy. Isobel has been active in the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior for many years and a member of several national advisory committees, including the committee of the Institute of Medicine that produced Nutritional Standards for Food in Schools and the Technical Expert Collaborative of the USDA Evidence Library for Nutrition Education. She has published numerous articles and book chapters, and has served on the editorial boards of several journals. The third edition of her textbook, Nutrition Education, Linking Research, Theory and Practice was published in August, 2015.
Staff
Gitit is a Research Associate at the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education and Policy, and a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with experience in childcare and pre-K school nutrition. Her previous research focused on factors impacting food choice of urban college students and her current research interests include the quality of food education programs and the impact of food advertising to children. Through her role at Tisch, she is excited to use her knowledge as an RD to study the impact of food education and the challenges to healthy eating. Gitit has a Masters degree in Nutrition from Hunter College, where she also interned at the NYC Food Policy Center during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gitit is a Research Associate at the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education and Policy, and a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with experience in childcare and pre-K school nutrition. Her previous research focused on factors impacting food choice of urban college students and her current research interests include the quality of food education programs and the impact of food advertising to children. Through her role at Tisch, she is excited to use her knowledge as an RD to study the impact of food education and the challenges to healthy eating. Gitit has a Masters degree in Nutrition from Hunter College, where she also interned at the NYC Food Policy Center during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Oliver is a Research Associate II at the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education, and Policy. He recently graduated with a Masters of Science in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology from Teachers College, Columbia University. Oliver is excited to join the team to combine his passions for nutrition, food, and sustainability. Originally from San Francisco, Oliver completed a Biology degree at Tufts University and gained valuable experience in the startup world in NYC before rediscovering his deep-rooted interest in health and wellness. As a future Registered Dietitian, Oliver strongly believes in the significance of a food-first approach, echoing the words of Joan Gussow: "people eat food, not nutrients." At Tisch, he is enthusiastic about integrating his scientific background with community-based initiatives that are culturally responsive and sustainable.
Oliver is a Research Associate II at the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education, and Policy. He recently graduated with a Masters of Science in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology from Teachers College, Columbia University. Oliver is excited to join the team to combine his passions for nutrition, food, and sustainability. Originally from San Francisco, Oliver completed a Biology degree at Tufts University and gained valuable experience in the startup world in NYC before rediscovering his deep-rooted interest in health and wellness. As a future Registered Dietitian, Oliver strongly believes in the significance of a food-first approach, echoing the words of Joan Gussow: "people eat food, not nutrients." At Tisch, he is enthusiastic about integrating his scientific background with community-based initiatives that are culturally responsive and sustainable.
Raynika Trent has conducted community-based research and education research with K-12 populations in formal and informal learning environments. She received a BA from the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University, an EdM in Human Resource Education and Organizational Development from the University of Illinois, and a Master's in Food Studies from New York University.
Raynika Trent has conducted community-based research and education research with K-12 populations in formal and informal learning environments. She received a BA from the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University, an EdM in Human Resource Education and Organizational Development from the University of Illinois, and a Master's in Food Studies from New York University.
Master & Doctoral Students
Sandra is a Food Ed Scholar at the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education and Policy and a first-year doctoral student in Behavioral Nutrition at Teachers College and the Food Ed Newsletter Editor at Tisch Food Center. She is from Lebanon, Beirut, and holds a B.S. in Human Nutrition and Dietetics and a Masters in Public Health with a concentration in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. Sandra has demonstrated experience in the Dietetic and Research fields. Additionally, she worked for two years in the humanitarian field within the Food Security sector. Sandra's primary research interest includes Emergency School Feeding Programs in Low to Middle-income contexts.
Sandra is a Food Ed Scholar at the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education and Policy and a first-year doctoral student in Behavioral Nutrition at Teachers College and the Food Ed Newsletter Editor at Tisch Food Center. She is from Lebanon, Beirut, and holds a B.S. in Human Nutrition and Dietetics and a Masters in Public Health with a concentration in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. Sandra has demonstrated experience in the Dietetic and Research fields. Additionally, she worked for two years in the humanitarian field within the Food Security sector. Sandra's primary research interest includes Emergency School Feeding Programs in Low to Middle-income contexts.
Yibing is a Tisch Scholar at the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education, and Policy and a third-year doctoral student in Behavioral Nutrition at Teachers College, Columbia University. She is originally from Henan, China. Yibing received a Master of Science in Nutrition from Case Western Reserve University and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Fordham University. She completed her Dietetic Internship with Cornell University and became a registered dietitian in 2022. Yibing’s dissertation research focuses on studying the dietary pattern and diet quality of breast cancer survivors, and how these factors are associated with health outcomes such as breast cancer recurrence, breast cancer mortality rates, and other co-morbidities. She is also interested in learning the impact of social determinants of health and acculturation status on the overall diet quality of the Asian descent within the breast cancer survivor population.
Yibing is a Tisch Scholar at the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education, and Policy and a third-year doctoral student in Behavioral Nutrition at Teachers College, Columbia University. She is originally from Henan, China. Yibing received a Master of Science in Nutrition from Case Western Reserve University and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Fordham University. She completed her Dietetic Internship with Cornell University and became a registered dietitian in 2022. Yibing’s dissertation research focuses on studying the dietary pattern and diet quality of breast cancer survivors, and how these factors are associated with health outcomes such as breast cancer recurrence, breast cancer mortality rates, and other co-morbidities. She is also interested in learning the impact of social determinants of health and acculturation status on the overall diet quality of the Asian descent within the breast cancer survivor population.
Stephanie Lim, MS, RDN, is a first-year doctoral student in Behavioral Nutrition at Teachers College, Columbia University. Though she originally hails from the East Coast, she grew up in Michigan and holds a Bachelors of Business Administration in Marketing from Grand Valley State University. After several years in the marketing world, her love of nutrition and health prompted a career change. She earned her Master of Science in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology from Teachers College in 2023 and is excited to be back at TC for her doctoral studies. Stephanie’s broad research interests center around the role of nutrition in promoting healthspan and preventing Alzheimer’s, with a particular emphasis on women's health. In addition to her academic work, Stephanie provides nutrition counseling in a private practice, specializing in women's and gastrointestinal health.
Stephanie Lim, MS, RDN, is a first-year doctoral student in Behavioral Nutrition at Teachers College, Columbia University. Though she originally hails from the East Coast, she grew up in Michigan and holds a Bachelors of Business Administration in Marketing from Grand Valley State University. After several years in the marketing world, her love of nutrition and health prompted a career change. She earned her Master of Science in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology from Teachers College in 2023 and is excited to be back at TC for her doctoral studies. Stephanie’s broad research interests center around the role of nutrition in promoting healthspan and preventing Alzheimer’s, with a particular emphasis on women's health. In addition to her academic work, Stephanie provides nutrition counseling in a private practice, specializing in women's and gastrointestinal health.
Isaac Kwabena Ayereka is a Research Assistant at the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education, and Policy. He is currently pursuing a doctoral program in Health Promotion and Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Integrated Development Studies from Ghana and has over ten years of experience with several international development organizations such as UNICEF, World Vision International, MAP International, Global Communities, etc. He worked on projects such as Malaria, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Child Nutrition, and Adolescent and Reproductive Health. He also obtained an MS in Community Health and Development, an MS in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, and a Master’s in International Development Administration. He is currently the Co-Chair of the Student Committee of the International Health Section of the American Public Health Association. A Research Affiliate at the Center for Health Policy, School of Nursing, Columbia University. Isaac has been selected to be a Trainee Associate Member at the Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination Core of the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University.
He is also in a mentorship program with the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). He is particularly interested in child malnutrition and is collaborating with community health nurses in rural Ghana to identify malnourished children and provide them with nutrient-rich foods.
Isaac Kwabena Ayereka is a Research Assistant at the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education, and Policy. He is currently pursuing a doctoral program in Health Promotion and Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Integrated Development Studies from Ghana and has over ten years of experience with several international development organizations such as UNICEF, World Vision International, MAP International, Global Communities, etc. He worked on projects such as Malaria, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Child Nutrition, and Adolescent and Reproductive Health. He also obtained an MS in Community Health and Development, an MS in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, and a Master’s in International Development Administration. He is currently the Co-Chair of the Student Committee of the International Health Section of the American Public Health Association. A Research Affiliate at the Center for Health Policy, School of Nursing, Columbia University. Isaac has been selected to be a Trainee Associate Member at the Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination Core of the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University.
He is also in a mentorship program with the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). He is particularly interested in child malnutrition and is collaborating with community health nurses in rural Ghana to identify malnourished children and provide them with nutrient-rich foods.
Postdoctoral Researchers
Dr. Natalie Greaves-Peters has been part of the Tisch Food Center since 2020, contributing as both a Food Ed Scholar and editor of the Food Ed Weekly Digest. She earned her Ph.D. in behavioral nutrition from Teachers College, Columbia University, focusing on practical ways to improve school-based food and nutrition education so that it makes a real difference in kids’ dietary habits. Her dissertation mapped out key educational and programmatic components that help kids make positive changes. She used this data to develop and test tools that evaluate K-12 food and nutrition curricula in U.S. urban schools.
Natalie also collaborates with the Columbia Climate School and the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture on their L.E.A.F. project (Leading An Ecological and Accessible Food System), which focuses on climate-smart agricultural practices to boost food security for communities with fewer resources.
Natalie’s goal is to continue finding ways to link food and nutrition education with environmental sustainability, focusing on the impact food systems have on health equity and climate. She is committed to making research more actionable, providing tools and insights that educators, communities, and policymakers can use to support healthier, more sustainable food systems.
Dr. Natalie Greaves-Peters has been part of the Tisch Food Center since 2020, contributing as both a Food Ed Scholar and editor of the Food Ed Weekly Digest. She earned her Ph.D. in behavioral nutrition from Teachers College, Columbia University, focusing on practical ways to improve school-based food and nutrition education so that it makes a real difference in kids’ dietary habits. Her dissertation mapped out key educational and programmatic components that help kids make positive changes. She used this data to develop and test tools that evaluate K-12 food and nutrition curricula in U.S. urban schools.
Natalie also collaborates with the Columbia Climate School and the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture on their L.E.A.F. project (Leading An Ecological and Accessible Food System), which focuses on climate-smart agricultural practices to boost food security for communities with fewer resources.
Natalie’s goal is to continue finding ways to link food and nutrition education with environmental sustainability, focusing on the impact food systems have on health equity and climate. She is committed to making research more actionable, providing tools and insights that educators, communities, and policymakers can use to support healthier, more sustainable food systems.
Research Assistants
Malik is a master’s student in nutrition and public health at Teachers College, Columbia University. After receiving undergraduate degrees in medical anthropology and nutrition science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he pursued additional training to better understand how food bridges clinical environments with broader social and structural conditions. He eventually hopes to investigate how culturally-sensitive, equitable nutrition services can be better integrated into primary and specialty care, particularly regarding the prevention and management of chronic disease.
Malik is a master’s student in nutrition and public health at Teachers College, Columbia University. After receiving undergraduate degrees in medical anthropology and nutrition science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he pursued additional training to better understand how food bridges clinical environments with broader social and structural conditions. He eventually hopes to investigate how culturally-sensitive, equitable nutrition services can be better integrated into primary and specialty care, particularly regarding the prevention and management of chronic disease.
Alison is a Research Assistant at the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education and Policy. She recently graduated with a Masters of Science in Nutrition & Public Health from Teachers College, Columbia University. Previously, Alison attended Cornell University, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences and Biological Sciences, as well as a minor in Psychology. Alison is passionate about nutrition research, and has previously been involved in studies in a variety of areas, including: diabetes, the gut microbiome, intermittent fasting, and higher education students’ use of on-campus food pantries. She is excited to further delve into the realm of food and nutrition policy while contributing to the research done at the Tisch Food Center.
Alison is a Research Assistant at the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education and Policy. She recently graduated with a Masters of Science in Nutrition & Public Health from Teachers College, Columbia University. Previously, Alison attended Cornell University, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences and Biological Sciences, as well as a minor in Psychology. Alison is passionate about nutrition research, and has previously been involved in studies in a variety of areas, including: diabetes, the gut microbiome, intermittent fasting, and higher education students’ use of on-campus food pantries. She is excited to further delve into the realm of food and nutrition policy while contributing to the research done at the Tisch Food Center.
Catalina is a Research Assistant for NYC Chefs in the Schools II at the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education, and Policy. She is currently a Masters of Science candidate in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology at Teachers College, Columbia University. Originally from Medellin, Colombia, she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Universidad de Antioquia. Catalina has been focused on nutrition, exercise, and wellness from an early age, in part due to her own health journey and challenges. She founded a wellness nutrition coaching business based in NYC and has taught exercise and fitness for over ten years. Additionally, she has been involved in numerous public and private research and education initiatives related to nutrition and health, particularly related to underserved, at-risk communities. As a mom, she is acutely aware of the importance and impact of nutrition on children's health and development and is looking forward to making a contribution in this role.
Catalina is a Research Assistant for NYC Chefs in the Schools II at the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education, and Policy. She is currently a Masters of Science candidate in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology at Teachers College, Columbia University. Originally from Medellin, Colombia, she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Universidad de Antioquia. Catalina has been focused on nutrition, exercise, and wellness from an early age, in part due to her own health journey and challenges. She founded a wellness nutrition coaching business based in NYC and has taught exercise and fitness for over ten years. Additionally, she has been involved in numerous public and private research and education initiatives related to nutrition and health, particularly related to underserved, at-risk communities. As a mom, she is acutely aware of the importance and impact of nutrition on children's health and development and is looking forward to making a contribution in this role.
Chelsea is a Research Assistant at Tisch and a Teachers College graduate student in the English Education Department! They have a background in Philosophy at UCLA where they started to develop a deep interest in food justice and education. With a commitment to these values, they worked as a carpenter building food pantries and as a mentor for low-income students in Portland, OR. They hope to continue the work towards creating a more equal and healthful world alongside the Tisch team! They also enjoy camping, dancing, reading, and playing tennis.
Chelsea is a Research Assistant at Tisch and a Teachers College graduate student in the English Education Department! They have a background in Philosophy at UCLA where they started to develop a deep interest in food justice and education. With a commitment to these values, they worked as a carpenter building food pantries and as a mentor for low-income students in Portland, OR. They hope to continue the work towards creating a more equal and healthful world alongside the Tisch team! They also enjoy camping, dancing, reading, and playing tennis.
Thu Thu is a Research Assistant at the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education, and Policy. She studied Nutrition Education and completed a dietetic internship at Teachers College, Columbia University. Thu Thu holds a Bachelor's degree in Medical Anthropology and Global Health with a minor in Nutrition Sciences from the University of Washington, Seattle. Her interests include emergency nutrition and international health policy, and she has previously worked in community nutrition, food justice, and food sovereignty-centered work and advocacy. Originally from Myanmar (Burma), Thu Thu hopes to work in the humanitarian sector to assist displaced individuals and communities with food security and nutrition education and help revitalize indigenous food knowledge to promote health equity and community resilience.
Thu Thu is a Research Assistant at the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education, and Policy. She studied Nutrition Education and completed a dietetic internship at Teachers College, Columbia University. Thu Thu holds a Bachelor's degree in Medical Anthropology and Global Health with a minor in Nutrition Sciences from the University of Washington, Seattle. Her interests include emergency nutrition and international health policy, and she has previously worked in community nutrition, food justice, and food sovereignty-centered work and advocacy. Originally from Myanmar (Burma), Thu Thu hopes to work in the humanitarian sector to assist displaced individuals and communities with food security and nutrition education and help revitalize indigenous food knowledge to promote health equity and community resilience.
Esther Lau is an Undergraduate Research Assistant at Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education and Policy. She is currently studying Political Science and Urban Studies at Barnard College, and is excited to further her interest in food policy at Tisch. Previously, she has conducted research on AAPI relations to food assistance, food accessibility in the Bronx, and NYC Green Carts through the CUNY Urban Food Policy Institute. Outside of Barnard, Esther is the Co-Executive Director of What We All Deserve (WWAD), a youth-led movement for basic needs and economic justice. Through WWAD, she’s led youth-written policies supporting menstrual equity, food justice, and higher education accessibility. She envisions a career that bridges policy advocacy, research, and litigation to further community-centered urban policy.
Esther Lau is an Undergraduate Research Assistant at Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education and Policy. She is currently studying Political Science and Urban Studies at Barnard College, and is excited to further her interest in food policy at Tisch. Previously, she has conducted research on AAPI relations to food assistance, food accessibility in the Bronx, and NYC Green Carts through the CUNY Urban Food Policy Institute. Outside of Barnard, Esther is the Co-Executive Director of What We All Deserve (WWAD), a youth-led movement for basic needs and economic justice. Through WWAD, she’s led youth-written policies supporting menstrual equity, food justice, and higher education accessibility. She envisions a career that bridges policy advocacy, research, and litigation to further community-centered urban policy.
History
The Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education & Policy is under the auspices of the Program in Nutrition at Teachers College, Columbia University. The Program in Nutrition, founded in 1909 by Mary Swartz Rose, PhD, is the oldest university-based nutrition program in the country and established the field of nutrition education. The Program has always had a broad, inclusive focus on food and nutrition issues, conducting cutting edge research and promoting policies and practices that support ecological sustainability and personal health.
Joan Gussow, EdD, who was chair of the Program from 1975-1985, added the focus of food system sustainability and continues to emphasize this important aspect in her transformative course Nutritional Ecology, which she co-instructes with Pam Koch, EdD, RD. Emerita Professor, Dr. Isobel Contento, PhD, CDN, was chair of the Program from 1985 - 2020, added a focus of behavioral nutrition to the Program to promote nutrition education that increases awareness, inspiration, skills, knowledge, and environmental supports. Currently, Dr. Randi Wolf, who brings a depth of experience in population dietary evaluation and nutritional epidemiology, is the Program chair.
The Center was launched in 2006 as the Center for Food & Environment. In 2013, the Center was renamed to recognize a generous gift from the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund and to highlight the Center’s focus on policy under the leadership of Drs. Pam Koch and Isobel Contento. Today, Dr. Pam Koch continues to support the Center as Faculty Director and Mary Swartz Rose Associate Professor of Nutrition and Education. Dr. Jen Cadenhead, PhD, RDN, as the Center's Executive Director, and the Tisch Food Center’s faculty, staff, and students build on the strong foundation laid by Drs. Swartz Rose, Gussow, Contento, Koch and Wolf to work at the intersection of food systems, nutrition education, and public health.
The Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education & Policy, in the Program in Nutrition conducts research on food and nutrition education practice and policy. We translate our research into resources for educators, policy makers, and advocates to demand a healthy, just, and sustainable food system. Our vision is transforming the status quo through food and nutrition education.