Members
Jose Godoy-Lugo, Ph.D.
Role: Postdoctoral Fellow
Favorite Snack: American Bakery Madelines and Fruits (all of them!)
Research Interests: Effects of diet on brain aging
Email: cristalh@usc.edu
Cristal M. Hill, PhD
Assistant Professor of Gerontology
Role: Principal Investigator
Hometown: Birmingham, Alabama
Favorite Snack: Dark chocolate, 90% cocoa
Research Interests: Diet impact on endocrine systems during aging
Prerana Vaddi, M.S
Role: Doctoral Fellow (co-mentored Pike lab)
Hometown: Sunnyvale, California
Favorite Snack: Ritz veggie toasted chips
Research Interests: Effects of diet on brain aging
Future Goals: Becoming a professor!
Khristina E. Young, B.S
Role: Research Lab Technician
Hometown: Lancaster, California
Favorite Snack: Coffee and biscotti
Research Interests: Impact of diet on adipocyte signaling
Future Goals: To attend medical school and specialize in endocrinology.
Jolaiya Aldridge (GEMSTEM)
Major: Biotechnology
Minor: Geroscience
Favorite Snack: Cheez-its
Research Interests: Cancer therapies
Future Goals: My long-term future career goals are to pursue a PhD and enter the biotech field.
Anticipated date of Graduation: May 2025
Meghan Wong
Major: Human Development and Aging
Minor: Health Care Studies
Favorite Snack: Pop-corners and spicy cucumbers!
Research Interest: Diet impact on liver and kidney during aging
Future Goals: Attend medical school and become a nephrologist
Anticipated date of Graduation: May 2025
Yvann Batamack (GEMSTEM)
Major: Neuroscience
Minor: Business
Favorite Snack: Protein bars
Research Interest: Metabolic pathways involved in AD and other dementia- related diseases.
Future Goals: To attend medical school and specialize in ENT with a focus on immune responses.
Jordyn Roberson
Major: Human Development and Aging
Minor: Nutrition and Health Promotion
Favorite Snack: Sweet potato fries
Research Interest: Diet impact on adipose and liver function
Future Goals: Become a RDN & establish a non-profit organization specialized in medically tailored meals for older adults, diabetics and people with chronic illnesses.
Anticipated date of Graduation: May 2025
Micheal Donkor (GEMSTEM)
Major: Biological Sciences and Global Health
Minor: Health Care Studies and Hip-Hop, Street and Social Dance Forms
Favorite Snack: Plantain Chips
Research Interest: Diet impacts during aging
Future Goals: To pursue a career that intersects economy and health care Anticipated date of Graduation: May 2026
Ahvital Artison (COMPASS)
Major: Quantitative Biology
Favorite Snack: Mixed nuts
Research Interest: Impact of diet on hematopoietic cells
Future Goals: To attend medical school and become a neuroradiologist Anticipated date of Graduation: May 2026
Former Lab Members
Ashwini Achutharaman
Major: Human Biology
Major:Business Administration (Entrepreneurship)
Favorite Snack: Vegan cupcakes
Research Interest: Healthy diets
Date of Graduation: May 2024
Currently: Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development – New York University
Molly Easter, PhD
Role: Postdoctoral Fellow
Hometown: Sacramento, California
Favorite Snack: Pickles
Research Interests: Effects of diet on aging
Future Goals: Becoming a Principal Investigator focusing developing novel interventions to protect lung health during aging.