Prandial Lab

Alison Adams, PhD. Emeritus Professor of Biology, Northern Arizona University. Dr. Adams is an NAU Emeritus Professor of Biology with extensive training in Classical and Molecular Genetics, and a broad interest in the diversity of factors that can cause disease, having also trained and conducted research in Complementary and Alternative Medicine, as well as in Nutrition. She is actively providing support and consultation to the PRANDIALLab research team.

Kaitlyn Benally, Executive Assistant, TribeAwaken. Kaitlyn is a member of the Navajo Nation. She was born and raised in Tuba City, Arizona. She has completed her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biomedical Science with a minor in Chemistry at Northern Arizona University. Her hobbies include working in her garden, cooking, baking, reading, hiking, fishing, and camping. Kaitlyn tries her best to live by the Navajo saying, “T’áá hwó’ ají t’éego t’eyá” which basically means “You can do it. It just depends on yourself.” Your efforts, how hard you work, your ambitions, it is all up to you to determine what you will achieve in life.

Roger Bounds, PhD, CCD. Professor & Vice Provost for Academic Personnel, Northern Arizona University. Roger Bounds has been a member of the Northern Arizona University Health Sciences faculty since 2001. Roger earned his Ph.D. from Texas A&M University with an emphasis in Allied Health Education. His general research and practice interests lie primarily in promoting physical activity across the lifespan to include both community-based interventions and facilitating individual sport performance and wellness. He has additional degrees in Exercise Physiology (Master of Science) and Sport Management/Outdoor Education (Bachelor of Science). 

Dierdra Bycura, Ed.D. Northern Arizona University. Dr. Bycura has been a member of the Northern Arizona University Health Sciences faculty since 2006 and currently serves as the lead faculty for the Fitness Wellness program.  She earned her B.S. in Exercise Science and M.P.E. in Secondary Physical Education and Doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Exercise Psychology. She is certified by the American College of Sports Medicine as a Certified Exercise Physiologist and a Certified Personal Trainer. Additionally, she serves as chair of a national committee with the American College of Sports Medicine for Credentialing (2004 - present).

Mary Jo Carnot, PhD. Professor of Psychological Sciences, Chadron State College. Mary Jo Carnot has a Ph.D. in Cognitive Experimental Psychology from The Ohio State University. She is currently a professor at Chadron State College, and teaches many courses within the psychological science program, with a focus on research methods and statistics.

Sarah Chatter, Undergraduate Researcher at Northern Arizona University. Sarah Chatter is an undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a double minor in Applied Indigenous Studies and Indigenous Health Studies from Northern Arizona University. She hopes to finish her undergraduate studies and pursue a Master's of Public Health under the Indigenous Health Track at NAU. Professionally, she plans to help improve health and mitigate the impacts of colonization in Indigenous communities by implementing aspects of traditional lifestyles and revitalizing culture to prevent disease and illness.

Tricia Fortin, MPH, Health Educator and Wellness Program Coordinator, Employee Assistance and Wellness (EAW) @ Northern Arizona University (NAU). Tricia promotes health and wellness among university employees and their families and is honored to be a co-investigator with the Community Chronic Disease Prevention (CCDP) nutrition studies @ NAU. Her professional interests include public health, international nutrition, and plant-based eating and cooking.

Joel Fuhrman, MD. President & Research Director of the Nutritional Research Foundation. Dr. Fuhrman is a board-certified family physician, best-selling author, and nutritional researcher, who specializes in preventing and reversing disease through nutritional methods. He has been an active family medicine clinician for over 30 years. Dr. Fuhrman has been involved professionally with sports medical committees, advised professional and Olympic athletes, and lectures to athletic trainers and world-class athletes to maximize performance and prevent injury. Today, he devotes considerable time to educating other physicians at medical conferences for CME credit and operating his Eat to Live Retreat, near San Diego, CA

Julia Gardner, MPH, CHES. Assistant Clinical Professor in Health Sciences, Northern Arizona University. Julia earned her B.S. in Public health from NAU & her MPH from the University of Arizona. She teaches in the Allied Health and Public Health programs at NAU. She is a Certified Health Education Specialist, a DPP Diabetes Prevention Lifestyle Coach, and a trained health coach. She is currently enrolled in the Interdisciplinary Health Ph.D. program at Northern Arizona University. Her interest in nutrition research started with encouraging a plant-rich diet among University and Hospital employees.

Michelle Gorman, RD. Program Manager, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona. Michelle Gorman currently works as a program manager.  She is a Primary Investigator on the Community Chronic Disease Prevention Study with Northern Arizona Healthcare and Northern Arizona University. Michelle earned a bachelor’s degree in food science nutrition from Northern Arizona University. She received her Plant-Based Nutrition Certification from eCornell and is passionate about sharing the benefits of a whole-food, plant-based diet.

Gigi Lopez, PhD, RD. Assistant Professor of Health Sciences at Northern Arizona University. Prior to joining the faculty, she was a T32 post-doctoral fellow at the University of Southern California. She is a graduate of the Joint Doctoral Program in Public Health at the University of California, San Diego and San Diego State University.  She has a dual M.S. in Nutritional Sciences and Exercise Physiology from San Diego State University. She has 10 years of experience in health promotion research, much of which has focused on chronic disease prevention in the Latino community. Her research interests include the behavioral and social determinants of obesity and related diseases. In particular, Dr. Lopez examines the relationships among parenting behaviors within the family social unit, the home environment, and children’s dietary, physical activity, and sedentary behaviors (i.e., energy-balance behaviors).

Vicki Penna, RDH, MS. Associate Clinical Professor of Dental Hygiene at Northern Arizona University. Vicki has been a dental hygienist for 25 years.  She is an associate professor at NAU, teaching dental hygiene since 2009.  Vicki serves on the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners.  She has her master’s degree in Nutrition and incorporates the impact of nutrition on oral health into her classes.  Vicki’s hobbies include cooking, hiking, and knitting.

Tony Skrelunas, MBA. Tribe Awaken. Tony was raised in the Dine Traditions by his grandparents. He followed their teachings of resilience to attain B.A. and M.B.A. Business Degrees from NAU and a fulfilling career. Mr. Skrelunas conducts high level business development services through the brand TribeAwaken.Com and is an owner and founder of the Navajo Power PBC, where he works in developing a utility-scale solar development company that provides breakthrough dialogue and benefits to local land permittees and communities. Under TribeAwaken.Com he advises community leaders, entrepreneurs, and executives with senior strategy to deal with today’s challenges and forge a path towards opportunities.

Chloe Bewley Sutliffe, BS, LMT, CHWC. Chloe knows her way around the kitchen. She is Rouxbe Culinary Certified chef who has owned and operated three plant-based restaurants, taught many cooking classes, and has a passion for health. Chloe continues to assist in local interventions by guiding participants in the practical application of dietary change and adherence. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Natural Health from Clayton College of Natural Health, is a licensed massage therapist, and is a Wellcoach certified health and wellness coach. She has carefully saved the many recipes she has used in her restaurants and cooking classes that were loved by her customers and cooking class students. These have been compiled into a cookbook that is hot off the presses, “Cooking with Chloe” sold on Amazon. She continues to educate herself in the natural health field.

Caroline Trapp, DNP, ANP-BC, CDCES, DipACLM, FAANP, Consultant. Dr. Trapp is a nurse practitioner who is board-certified in adult primary care, diabetes education, and lifestyle medicine. She has assisted with employee wellness programs at the Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President, Gallup Indian Medical Center, and Tsehootsooi Medical Center; community education programs at the Navajo Nation Museum and with Native Americans for Community Action; and helped to create online professional development programs with the American Indian Institute. She is an active member of the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists.

Grace Tracy. Dine Culture Instructor, Traditional Food Specialist and Plant-Based Culinary Educator. Grace Tracy, a Dine Culture instructor from the southwestern part of the Navajo reservation. She is a member of the Manygoats (Tlizilani) born to Tobacco people (Natoh Dine Tachine, maternal grandfather Coyote Pass (Maiideshgeznii) and paternal grandfather Towering House (Kinyaanii) Clans. She grew up in a home with a medicine man family who inspired her to reclaim her heritage through the voice of the Dine language. To read more about Grace, please see: Grace Tracy Extended Bio

Chadleo Webb, RDH, MDH. Assistant Clinical Professor of Dental Hygiene at Northern Arizona University. Chadleo graduated from The Ohio State University in 2013 and has been a practicing dental hygienist ever since. His passion for oral health and patient-centered care are evident in the courses he teaches and the clients he treats. 

Wendy Wetzel, RN, MSN, FNP, AHN-BC. Northern Arizona University. Wendy concluded a 45 year career as a Registered Nurse and Family Nurse Practitioner in 2016.   She now brings her passion for plant based nutrition to the research arena.  She is a co-investigator of Nutritarian Women's Health Study, and participates in Community Chronic Disease Prevention and Lumberjack Performance Nutrition studies as well.  She is a Registered Yoga Teacher, avid quilter, and grandmother of twins. 

Sharon Crawford, BS, MA, brings over 15 years experience in adult education, as well as a life-time passion for health and wellness. She cultivated a love of fresh, local food during a year-long teaching position at a university in rural Thailand. She is currently completing a post-baccalaureate degree in public health so that she can better serve her community's needs for health, nutrition, and food justice. Sharon is a mother of three children and enjoys practicing yoga, hiking in nearby forests, and spending time with family (usually in the kitchen!). Pending graduation: Spring 2021

Ciara Heath is in the Master of Public Health and Nutrition program at NAU. As a first-generation college student, she obtained her B.S. in Nutrition from the University of Arizona and a minor in Spanish while studying abroad in Chile. She is passionate about promoting healthy eating, staying active, and overall wellness. To continue to follow her dreams, after graduation she plans to become a Registered Dietitian, helping to promote overall health and wellness in the community.

Ashley Maurer, Major: Exercise Science with minors in Chemistry & Nutrition
Bio: She plans to become a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and specialize in Lifestyle Medicine to help people take control of their health. She volunteers at Christ's Church of Flagstaff. She is a huge book nerd, and loves to practice yoga and lift weights. Class: 2021

Alec Poppenwimer is an undergraduate nutrition student at NAU and has an Associate degree in psychology from CCC. He plans to further his education in nutrition after graduation and become a registered dietitian. He owns the website popsplate.com that gives recipes and nutrition information for athletes and the fitness community. He loves cooking, lifting, swimming, running, and reading.

Valerie Seeton is a Master of Public Health Nutrition student at NAU. Her passion is improving the well-being of the community through holistic public health and nutrition approaches to enhance longevity. She has managed a Healthy Parks Healthy People initiative called ParkRx. She also coordinated a Let’s Move! program which was a public health campaign under Michelle Obama called Connecting Kids to Parks. She loves cooking cuisines from around the world, dancing (especially bachata), and a plethora of outdoor sports.