Meet the Team
Dr. Ann Skulas-Ray
Dr. Chesney Richter
Dr. Chesney Richter
Dr. Skulas-Ray is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Arizona. Her research focuses on identifying and refining nutritional strategies for reducing chronic inflammation and cardiovascular disease risk. She specializes in clinical studies that investigate effects of omega-3 fatty acids and
Dr. Skulas-Ray is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Arizona. Her research focuses on identifying and refining nutritional strategies for reducing chronic inflammation and cardiovascular disease risk. She specializes in clinical studies that investigate effects of omega-3 fatty acids and plant bioactives on lipids/lipoproteins, inflammation, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, brachial and central blood pressure, indices of arterial stiffness, and other cardiovascular disease risk factors. She has been an investigator on 15 clinical studies and has 37 publications in the areas of inflammation, nutrition, and cardiovascular research, including 4 book chapters and 2 encyclopedia entries.
Dr. Chesney Richter
Dr. Chesney Richter
Dr. Chesney Richter
Dr. Chesney Richter is a Research Scientist in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Arizona. She began working with Dr. Skulas-Ray while she was a graduate student at Penn State University. She and Dr. Skulas-Ray share an interest in clinical studies that investigate the health effects of omega-3 fatty acids and pla
Dr. Chesney Richter is a Research Scientist in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Arizona. She began working with Dr. Skulas-Ray while she was a graduate student at Penn State University. She and Dr. Skulas-Ray share an interest in clinical studies that investigate the health effects of omega-3 fatty acids and plant bioactives. Outside of the lab, Chesney loves running, hiking, reading, and politics.
Dina Albayati
Danielle Cummings
Danielle Cummings
Dina is the Director of Research Operations within the FBH lab. She graduated with a degree in Public Health and Biochemistry, and currently pursuing a Master’s in Healthcare Management. Her passions lie in automating processes and increasing efficiency. Her professional experience is focused on Clinical Research, rural medicine, and increasing accessibility in healthcare.
Danielle Cummings
Danielle Cummings
Danielle Cummings
Danielle is the Consulting Research Coordinator in the FBH Lab. She is a graduate of the Molecular and Cellular Biology and Nutritional Science Departments at the University of Arizona. She currently serves as the Co-Advisor for Mortar Board Senior Honorary. While at the UofA, she was the Community Outreach Coordinator for Women in Medic
Danielle is the Consulting Research Coordinator in the FBH Lab. She is a graduate of the Molecular and Cellular Biology and Nutritional Science Departments at the University of Arizona. She currently serves as the Co-Advisor for Mortar Board Senior Honorary. While at the UofA, she was the Community Outreach Coordinator for Women in Medicine and Science. Danielle was an undergraduate student in the FBH lab where she worked closely with Ann on multiple studies. Additionally, she was a Patient Experience Intern at Banner Health. She has a passion for medicine and helping others and is planning on pursuing medical school. Danielle loves staying active by competing in triathlon, hiking, and skiing. She is also a wedding cake baker, artist, and a photographer.
Kenna McMahan
McKinley Severson
McKinley Severson
Kenna is a third-year undergraduate student pursuing a degree in the Nutritional Sciences Program for a career and a graduate degree in the dietetics field. She is involved as a nutrition intern for the University of Arizona Football program and a member of the sports nutrition club on campus. Kenna hopes to expand her knowledge and experience with hands-on learning in the field of research.
McKinley Severson
McKinley Severson
McKinley Severson
McKinley is a junior at the University of Arizona studying Nutritional Sciences. She hopes to be a Physician Assistant in the future to utilize her knowledge of nutrition and medicine in developing nations. McKinley is an active member of her sorority, Pi Beta Phi, after previously serving as the health advocate, she is now a director on
McKinley is a junior at the University of Arizona studying Nutritional Sciences. She hopes to be a Physician Assistant in the future to utilize her knowledge of nutrition and medicine in developing nations. McKinley is an active member of her sorority, Pi Beta Phi, after previously serving as the health advocate, she is now a director on her chapter’s leadership team. Sophomore year, McKinley worked closely with the Yavapai Cooperative extension program providing feedback for educational initiatives and created graphics to better communicate policies regarding the Cottage Food Program. This sparked her passion for wanting to improve health and wellbeing around the world. Outside of school, she enjoys hiking, working out, traveling, and playing the guitar.
Lacey Cigan
Victoria Lopez
Victoria Lopez
Lacey is a senior studying Nutritional Sciences with a minor in Biochemistry. She is currently in the process of applying to graduate school and hopes to enter the research field focusing on metabolism, inflammation and chronic diseases. At the UA she works with Dr. Susan Schembre as a research intern studying the feasibility of glucose-g
Lacey is a senior studying Nutritional Sciences with a minor in Biochemistry. She is currently in the process of applying to graduate school and hopes to enter the research field focusing on metabolism, inflammation and chronic diseases. At the UA she works with Dr. Susan Schembre as a research intern studying the feasibility of glucose-guided eating in type 2 diabetics. In the past she has been a preceptor for the Department of Nutritional Sciences grading students' assignments. Lacey has also been a supplemental instructor for organic chemistry and tutored biochemistry. Her hobbies include cycling, reading, yoga, traveling, studying French and learning about different topics.
Victoria Lopez
Victoria Lopez
Victoria Lopez
Victoria is a senior at the University of Arizona majoring in Nutritional Sciences with a minor in Sports Nutrition. She hopes to become a Registered Dietitian in the future. She is an intern for the UA Sports Nutrition Internship Program, providing nutritional support for UA Athletics. She is also in the Multicultural Scholars Program in
Victoria is a senior at the University of Arizona majoring in Nutritional Sciences with a minor in Sports Nutrition. She hopes to become a Registered Dietitian in the future. She is an intern for the UA Sports Nutrition Internship Program, providing nutritional support for UA Athletics. She is also in the Multicultural Scholars Program in Culinary Medicine and the ASEMS Scholars Program, where she is developing the necessary skills for a successful career in dietetics and STEM as a Hispanic woman. Victoria’s goal is to work with athletes to improve their performance and help underrepresented communities develop a healthy relationship with food to improve their conditions and target food insecurity.