Meet Our Team!
The work of the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education & Policy is supported by faculty, staff, and graduate students. In addition, dietetic interns from the Teachers College Program in Nutrition frequently complete rotations at the Center, where they receive hands-on training and contribute to policy, research and education initiatives.
Interested in being a part of the team? Check out the Opportunities section below.
Faculty
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 helped 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 is 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 and internationally. 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 RDN 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 helped 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 is 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 and internationally. 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 RDN 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 fifth edition of her textbook, Nutrition Education, Linking Research, Theory and Practice was published in January 2025 with Dr. Pam Koch as co-author.
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 fifth edition of her textbook, Nutrition Education, Linking Research, Theory and Practice was published in January 2025 with Dr. Pam Koch as co-author.
Staff
Alison Rose is Director of the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education & Policy at Teachers College. She brings 20 years of experience working across disciplines to advance sustainable food systems. Her work has focused on building collaborative initiatives that connect research, policy, and practice. Most recently, she was at the Food for Humanity Initiative at the Columbia Climate School, where she supported an interdisciplinary network of researchers and helped advance collaborative research projects. She also mentored students through experiential learning opportunities and applied research projects.
Previously, she was based at Columbia’s International Research Institute for Climate and Society, where she contributed to major global efforts supporting climate-smart agriculture in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. She holds a master’s degree in public affairs from Princeton University.
Alison Rose is Director of the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education & Policy at Teachers College. She brings 20 years of experience working across disciplines to advance sustainable food systems. Her work has focused on building collaborative initiatives that connect research, policy, and practice. Most recently, she was at the Food for Humanity Initiative at the Columbia Climate School, where she supported an interdisciplinary network of researchers and helped advance collaborative research projects. She also mentored students through experiential learning opportunities and applied research projects.
Previously, she was based at Columbia’s International Research Institute for Climate and Society, where she contributed to major global efforts supporting climate-smart agriculture in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. She holds a master’s degree in public affairs from Princeton University.
Alison is Assistant Director of the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education and Policy. She 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. Alison received her Masters of Science in Nutrition & Public Health from Teachers College, Columbia University. Through TC's MS-RDN Program, she completed her training to become a registered dietitian. This included rotations at New York Presbyterian Hospital, the Public Health Institute, Harlem Hospital WIC Program, and other sites. 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 Assistant Director of the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education and Policy. She 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. Alison received her Masters of Science in Nutrition & Public Health from Teachers College, Columbia University. Through TC's MS-RDN Program, she completed her training to become a registered dietitian. This included rotations at New York Presbyterian Hospital, the Public Health Institute, Harlem Hospital WIC Program, and other sites. 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.
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 fourth-year doctoral student in Behavioral Nutrition at Teachers College. 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. She has demonstrated experience in both the dietetics and research fields, as well as two years of work in the humanitarian field within the Food Security sector. Sandra’s dissertation research examines the relationship between food insecurity, ultra-processed food intake, and diet quality among U.S. children aged 5 to 13 years, using evidence from NHANES datasets spanning 2001 to 2023.
Sandra is a Food Ed Scholar at the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education and Policy and a fourth-year doctoral student in Behavioral Nutrition at Teachers College. 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. She has demonstrated experience in both the dietetics and research fields, as well as two years of work in the humanitarian field within the Food Security sector. Sandra’s dissertation research examines the relationship between food insecurity, ultra-processed food intake, and diet quality among U.S. children aged 5 to 13 years, using evidence from NHANES datasets spanning 2001 to 2023.
Yibing is a Tisch Scholar at the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education, and Policy and a fourth-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 fourth-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 second-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 second-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.
Opportunities
There are many ways to get involved at the Tisch Food Center!
For master’s students, the Center frequently offers internship and volunteer positions. These are typically advertised in the weekly TC Nutrition newsletter. Depending on our needs, students can work in research, policy, education, event planning, and/or communications. We are happy to speak with you if you have an idea in research or practice that you would like to pursue. The Tisch Food Center also serves as a placement site for MS-RDN students during their dietetic rotations.
We welcome speaking with prospective doctoral students about their research interests and our current projects and support.
Employment opportunities with the Tisch Food Center can be found on the Teachers College HR site.
Opportunities come up throughout the year – sign up for our newsletter or keep an eye on our social media to stay up-to-date! Feel free to reach out to us at tischfoodcenter@tc.columbia.edu with any questions.