I'm Oliver! I’ve recently joined the Tisch Food Center as a Research Associate II and I am thrilled to make my official introduction.
Originally from San Francisco, I graduated from Tufts University with a degree in Biology before moving to New York City to work at Casper (yes, the mattress company, and yes, they're very comfortable). However, somewhere between the pandemic and a minor quarter-life epiphany, I realized I needed to find more meaningful work. I was given the opportunity to reflect and ultimately pivot toward a field that better reflects my values.
When exploring graduate programs in nutrition, Teachers College stood out head and shoulders above the rest. Through the blended MS in Nutrition & Exercise Physiology and RDN track, both my coursework and rotations underscored that people eat food, not nutrients. Our goal, as nutrition professionals, is to increase both access and consumption of the foods we all know to be healthy. During my studies, my role as a Zankel Fellow, working under the mentorship of Dr. Carol Garber, took me to the Teachers College Community School. There, as a Movement Fellow, I led classes and structured play, gaining firsthand understanding of how both food and movement play a critical part in fueling our youngest minds.
During my internship at the Tisch Food Center in early spring, I learned how RDs can play a pivotal role in impacting the lives of young eaters in the heart of New York City. The Tisch Food Center believes, like I do, that health is not something that needs to be fixed; it's something that can, and should, be safeguarded from the start. I’m absolutely elated to join such a passionate and driven team where my values are celebrated.
Beyond the world of nutrition, you can find me in a dance class at Broadway Dance Center, engaging in spirited dodgeball matches with Big Apple Rec Sports, and plotting my next escapade in a National Park.
As a Research Associate at TFC, I will help gather and analyze data about recent initiatives in NYC Public School lunch programs and explore the effects of the de-implementation of the COVID waivers for free meals. I will also continue to collaborate with countless NYC Nutrition Education providers through the Food Ed Hub Coalition to best support the food and nutrition curriculum within our school system.
Join me as I navigate the exciting crossroads of nutrition, education, and the vibrant city life of New York, working to make a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of generations to come!