Project Team

Dr. Anastasia Snelling
Lab Director

Dr. Anastasia Snelling is a professor and Chair of the Department of Health Studies at American University. Her research focuses on different methods of behavior change in nutrition education to manage risk factors related to chronic disease including improving access, establishing policies, and implementing programs. These projects are done primarily in vulnerable communities using a health equity lense to improve health outcomes.

Robin McClaveProgram Director

Robin McClave is the Program Director for the Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities research in the Department of Health Studies. Her work is focused on improving health for children and adults in DC communities by increasing healthy options and reducing barriers. Robin is striving to support changes in social contexts as well as systems that promote health and empower individuals in a variety of settings, including schools, churches, and corner stores.

Dr. Sarah Irvine Belson

Dr. Sarah Irvine Belson currently serves as the interim Vice Provost for Research at American University. Her research explores educational opportunity and applied interventions for children at risk, including holistic, community-based programs and teacher education policy and practice. This work includes research on policy in health and wellness for students and teachers, special education and education reform.

Dr. Elizabeth Cotter

Dr. Elizabeth Cotter is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Studies at American University and the Director of the Behavioral Health and Well-being Lab. She is a licensed psychologist who conducts research in the areas of: 1) the prevention and treatment of eating and weight-related concerns; and 2) mindfulness-based approaches to improving health behaviors. 

Bria Hamlet
Program Manager

Bria Hamlet is a Program Manager for the Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities research lab in the Department of Health Studies. Her work is focused on improving health for children and adults in DC communities by supporting the expansion and cohesion of an equitable food system. Bria is committed to comprehensively addressing social determinants of health, as well as empowering individuals to play an active role in reclaiming their well-being.

Jackie Rumeld
Program Manager

Jackie Rumeld is the Program Manager for the Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities research lab in the Department of Health Studies. Her work focuses on advancing health literacy for priority populations in DC, evaluating the impact of fall prevention programs for older adults, and supporting Research and Graduate Assistants in implementation and evaluation of health promotion programs. Jackie is passionate about promoting health and supporting all types of communities in living the healthiest lives possible.

Charis Edwards
Evaluation Coordinator

Charis Edwards is an Evaluation Coordinator for the Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities Lab. Her current projects focus on evaluating interventions to reduce fall risk in older adults and implementing and evaluating interventions to reduce household food waste. Charis concentrated in Public Health at Brown University, writing her honors thesis about strategies for Medicaid expansion in purple states. She's excited to be working on health issues in her new city, DC, and when she's not at American you'll probably find her trying a new restaurant or hiking up something tall!

Brogan Madden
Evaluation Coordinator

Brogan Madden is an Evaluation Coordinator in the Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities Lab working on the SNAP-Ed ‘Food Matters’ Program funded by DC Health. Having completed both her BS in Public Health and MS in Health Promotion Management at AU, she is passionate about promoting health at the individual and community level while working alongside the individuals our programs serve. As someone who has worked in restaurants for over 7 years, Brogan loves to find new ways to cook and eat delicious food (especially when a healthier “swaption” can be incorporated in a dish to boost its nutritional value).

Kaitlyn Kelley
Research Coordinator

Kaitlyn Kelley is a Research Coordinator in the Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities Lab. Her current projects focus on fostering an equitable food system and assessing community needs to enhance access to and consumption of fresh produce for all members of the DC community, with a particular emphasis on DC Wards 7 and 8. Having earned her BS in Neuroscience, Kaitlyn is currently pursuing a MS in Health Promotion Management at AU. She is dedicated to advancing health equity and advocating for a food system that meets the needs of all and promotes optimal health.