Members of Au Lab
Lauren Au, PhD, RD
Assistant Professor
Department of Nutrition
University of California, Davis
Email: leau@ucdavis.edu
Education
2013, PhD Food Policy and Applied Nutrition, Tufts University, Boston MA
2009, MS Nutrition and Public Health, Columbia University, New York NY
2007, BS Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, University of California, Berkeley CA
Research Interest
Dr. Au’s research is centered on identifying effective behavior change interventions to improve nutrition education, dietary quality, and health behaviors in low-income mothers, infants, and children, as well as evaluate school-based nutrition policies and programs to reduce obesity in underserved populations. Primarily her research involves understanding how to promote healthier eating and prevent obesity through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children and the National School Lunch Program. The overall goal of her research is to provide evidence-based research to support strong nutrition policies for low-income populations.
Current Lab Members
Alana Chaney, MS
Ph.D Student
Graduate Group in Nutrition Biology
Email: amchaney@ucdavis.edu
Education
2021, Masters of Biotechnology, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA
2018, Masters of Healthcare Administration, Walden University, Minneapolis, MN
2016, BS Biology; Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA
Research Interests
Alana’s research interests are maternal and child nutrition, nutrition security strategies in low income populations, community nutrition program development and evaluation, and nutrition intervention programs.
Christabel Domfe, MS
Ph.D Student
Graduate Group in Nutrition Biology
Email: cadomfe@ucdavis.edu
Education
2023, Masters of Food and Nutrition, University of Georgia, Georgia
2018, BS Nutrition and Food Science, University of Ghana, Ghana
Research Interests
Christabel’s research interests center on the use of novel technology for dietary assessment in low- and middle-income countries, as well as addessing issues related to food insecurity in low-income populations
Citlalli Perez, MAS
Master’s Graduate
Email: cgarciap@ucdavis.edu
Education
Research Interests
Citlalli’s research interests include nutrition education during pregnancy and lactation to decrease the risk of pregnancy complications and promote optimal maternal and child nutrition. She is also passionate about promoting breastfeeding, for which, she is currently working towards becoming a certified lactation consultant.
Gayathri Pundi
Undergraduate Student
Email: gpundi@ucdavis.edu
Education
2025, B.S Biotechnology; University of California, Davis CA
Research Interests
Gayathri’s research interests focus on child nutrition, infant breastfeeding practices, and access to high-quality nutrition for low-income families
Sonnia Wallace
Undergraduate Student
Email: swalla11@wildcat.fvsu.edu
Education
2025, B.S Biology; Fort Valley State University
Research Interests
Sonnia’s research interests are learning the underlying principles and structure of research. She hopes to gain insight on how researchers reach their final monumental moment in their research. She specifically yearns to learn more about and help low-income populations, specifically African Americans.
Surya Ilango
Undergraduate Student
Email: skilango@ucdavis.edu
Education
2027, B.S Nutrition Science; University of California, Davis CA
Research Interests
Surya’s research interests are evaluating affordable dietary solutions for low-income families and child nutrition, along with learning how to write research papers, the process of research, and conducting sound data analysis.
Former Members
Sarina Lin
Undergraduate Student
Email: sarlin@ucdavis.edu
Education
2023, B.S Clinical Nutrition; University of California, Davis CA
Research Interests
Sarina’s research interests are maternal and child nutrition, nutrition education at schools, nutrition intervention programs, and school lunch programs.
Monica Zuercher; PhD, MS, Project Scientist, UC Nutrition Policy Institute