Our 2,400+ alumni are working in the community and around the world, propelling the Friedman School mission to advance the nutritional well-being of people everywhere. Stay connected with the alumni network via your alumni association.
The alumni association has an active Executive Council which recognizes distinguished alumni via the Alumni Awards program that culminates at the annual Reunion and Awards Ceremony. Explore all the details and how to get involved below.
Alumni Association
Are you a graduate of the Friedman School? Congratulations, you're part of the Friedman School Alumni Association! Our Alumni Association's mission is to develop and maintain an active community of engaged alumni. The Association is committed to assisting members of the community achieve their professional and personal goals, as well as supporting the Friedman School’s mission and objectives.
Executive Council
The Friedman School Alumni Association is led by a volunteer Executive Council focused on the following key initiatives:
- Organizing networking and social events for alumni from conference receptions to Reunion
- Partnering with the Block Career Center to assist with career initiatives for students and alumni
- Fundraising to increase alumni participation in the Annual Fund a crucial source of dollars for the school’s top priorities
- Hosting programs that build stronger connections among our alumni community
If you would like to reach an executive council member, assist with programs, or have questions about nominations, please contact Meghan Barrasso, Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement.
Executive Council Nominations
Are you interested in joining the Executive Council or would like to nominate someone to join?
Toni Maraglino
Toni Maraglino is a Registered Dietitian and a Certified Specialist in Pediatric Nutrition. Toni started her career as a Neonatal Dietitian having worked at Johns Hopkins Hospital Children's Center, Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center, and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). In 2019, she transitioned into the role of Manager of Enteral Feeding Preparation at CHOP and in July 2021 became the Clinical Nutrition Manager at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. Toni also consulted for America's Test Kitchen as the pediatric nutrition content expert for The Complete Baby and Toddler Cookbook. Toni is very involved in promoting the dietetics profession through her involvement in the Pediatric Nutrition Practice Group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, where she is currently serving as Chair-Elect and previously served as Secretary and Building Block for Life editor.
Education
- Tufts University, Boston, MA
Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy
2009 Master of Science in Nutrition - University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
2007 Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences - University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
2007 Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cell Biology
Zoe Schweitzer
Zoe Schweitzer is the Director of Programs at Swipe Out Hunger. She has a unique strategic approach due to her experience at the intersection of nutrition, sustainability, program management, outreach, and marketing and a passion for making delicious and healthy food accessible to all. Prior to joining Swipe Out Hunger, Zoe led educational food programming for Compass at Google. Earlier, she managed programs and grants across public agencies to improve nutrition, food access, and health equity across Los Angeles County. She has multi-sector experience with government agencies, nonprofits, school districts, and community groups.
Zoe holds a M.S. in Food Policy and Applied Nutrition from Tufts University’s Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. She received a B.A. in Art and the Urban Environment from New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study that derived from her interest and experience in design, the built environment, and communications. Zoe enjoys exploring foods across the globe and from her kitchen.
Erin E. Child
Erin is a Clinical Dietitian working in outpatient nutrition at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). While at the Friedman School, Erin also completed her Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) at Simmons University and went on to the Dietetic Internship at MGH. Prior to Friedman, Erin was a lab manager for a Neurobiology Lab at Boston Children's Hospital. Her experience in bench research spurred her into seeking a career in communication, with the goal of translating research into functional, actionable information for individuals, communities, and institutions. While at Friedman, Erin interned for FoodMinds, Adeo Health Science (Inspired Start), and Danone. These experiences were invaluable, with each position she was able to grow her communication skills and better her understanding of the interplay between the food industry and nutrition and medical research.
Erin joined the AAEC right after graduation and serves on the Awards Committee. She is always happy to make time for Friedman students (or applicants) that have questions about the NICBC program or are considering the DPD path.
Friedman Activities
- Research Coordinator, Dietary Assessment Unit, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging
- Social Media Editor/Writer, The Friedman Sprout
- Logistics Chair, 10th and 11th Annual Future of Food & Nutrition Conference
- Teacher, Dig In! Nutrition Education (DINE)
- Teaching Assistant & Research Assistant for Dr. Sarah Amin, PhD, MPH
- Dolapo Anyanwu, N18, NG23
- Dianna Bartone, N18
- Wendy Behr, N16
- Abby Usen Berner, N03
- Divina Chandiramani, N24
- Silvina Choumenkovitch, NG01
- Eric Ciappio, NG11
- Sai Krupa Das, NG02
- Grace Durant, N25
- Amy Elvidge, N14
- Julie Gervis, N19, NG23
- Susan Gilbert, AG05, N22
- Liz Hatzenbuehler, N20, MG20
- Noel Moulaison Henrich, J82, N25
- Laura Lara Castor, N24
- Jessica Larson, N11
- Ana Maafs-Rodriguez, N20
- Corey O’Hara, N08, NG19
- Meghan O'Hearn, NG23
- Barbara Patterson, N14
- Grace Phelan, N05
- Jennifer Pustz, N19
- Renee Reynolds, N11
- Camila Sanchez-Gonzalez, N25, MG25
- Andrew Shao, N96, NG00
- Shveta Taparia, NG04
- Rachel Wilkinson-Bartlett, N16
Alumni Awards
Alumni awards recognize the meaningful and enduring impact Friedman School alumni are making in the field of nutrition science and policy.
- All alums of the Frances Stern Nutrition Center Dietetic internship/M.S. program
- All alums of the Friedman School of Nutrition programs (M.S. & Ph.D.)
- Alums working domestically or abroad.
- Alums engaged in any aspect of the nutrition field (e.g., agriculture, applied science, basic science, business and industry, clinical dietetics, communication, community outreach, education, policy, public health, media, non-profit organization, research, sustainability, or other fields.)
- You! Please feel free to self-nominate for any of these awards.
This award is presented to an individual who has conducted cutting-edge or high-impact work in their field. The recipient will be a strong leader, a respected expert in their profession, and have made outstanding contributions throughout their career.
This award is presented to an individual who demonstrates a substantial commitment to community impact in the United States or internationally. The recipient must strive to bridge cultures and achieve lasting change by empowering individuals in their local communities with skills, leadership opportunities and/or education.
This award is presented to an individual who is making a significant impact on the field of nutrition science and policy and has graduated within the past 10 years. The recipient must be making a considerable contribution to their respective career field and demonstrate a continued commitment to effect change in their area(s) of expertise.
Leah Horowitz Humanitarian Award - Hasangani Edema, F21, N21
Hasangani is a humanitarian and development professional whose work centers on accountability, conflict sensitivity, localization of aid, and equity in crisis-affected settings. A graduate of the MA in Humanitarian Assistance (MAHA) program at Tufts University’s Friedman School, she combines rigorous academic training with extensive field and applied experience. She currently serves as Program Manager at CDA Collaborative Learning Projects, where she contributes to global initiatives shaping more ethical, locally led humanitarian and development practice. Hasangani is a co-author of Responding Amid Uncertainty and Managing Risk in Humanitarian Settings and regularly amplifies community voices through learning platforms and thought leadership. Her work reflects a sustained commitment to empowering local communities and strengthening humanitarian systems worldwide.
Rising Star Award - Dr. Kenny Westerman, E14, N16, NG19
Dr. Kenneth Westerman is a rising leader in precision nutrition and genetic epidemiology, internationally recognized for his contributions to the study of gene–environment interactions in cardiometabolic disease. He is currently an Instructor at Massachusetts General Hospital, the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, and Harvard Medical School, where he leads methodologically innovative research using large-scale biobanks and global consortia to understand how genetics modify responses to diet, lifestyle, and environmental exposures.
A graduate of the Tufts Friedman School, Dr. Westerman rapidly advanced from postdoctoral fellow to faculty, reflecting exceptional research productivity and leadership potential. In 2022, he was awarded an NIH K01 Research Scientist Development Award, positioning him on a clear trajectory toward an independent research career. He has published extensively in high-impact journals including Nature Communications, Nature Medicine, Diabetes, Diabetologia, and the American Journal of Human Genetics, with seminal work introducing scalable, exposome-wide approaches to gene–environment interaction analysis.
Dr. Westerman is deeply committed to advancing his field through open and reproducible science. He has developed and shared widely used open-source software tools, cloud-based workflows, and training resources that support researchers worldwide. An active member of the international CHARGE Consortium, the American Society for Nutrition, and the American Society of Human Genetics, he has received multiple early-career awards and presents regularly at national and international meetings. He also contributes to education and mentorship through guest lectures at the Friedman School and Harvard Medical School, reflecting a sustained commitment to translating cutting-edge science into meaningful public health impact.
Excellence in Nutrition Award - Dr. Sung Nim Han, NG99
Dr. Han received her PhD degree in Human Nutrition from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University in 1999 and completed a dietetic internship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. She continued her research in the field of nutritional immunology as Scientist and Assistant Professor at JM USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University until 2007. Then, she moved to Seoul National University, where she is a professor at the department of Food and Nutrition.
Dr. Han is a founding member of the Korean Society of Clinical Nutrition, where served as Vice President (2018-2019) and President (2021). She also served as Vice President (2021-2022) and President (2023) of the Korean Nutrition Society. She is serving as Vice President of the Korean Society of Lipid and Atherosclerosis in 2026. In addition, she contributed to the revision of the 2020 and 2025 Korean Dietary Reference Intakes, and served as the advisory committee for policies related to upcycled foods.
Dr. Han received several awards in recognition of her achievements in the field of nutrition. In 2019, she was awarded by the Korea Ministry of Health and Welfare for her outstanding contributions. She is also the recipient of NRP the most cited paper award from the Korean Nutrition Society (2019), the JLA award from the Korean Society of Lipid and Atherosclerosis (2023).
Dr. Han has authored more than 110 original and review papers and over 25 book chapters. Her research focuses on alterations in vitamin and mineral metabolisms in chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes; regulation of immune and inflammatory responses by vitamins and dietary lipids; changes in immunometabolism associated with chronic diseases; and the effects of genetic information disclosure on dietary intake and health related behaviors.
2025
- Excellence in Nutrition Award: Sameera Talegawkar, PhD NG06
- Leah Horowitz Humanitarian Award: Ahmad Shakeb, F18, N18
- Rising Star Award: Alison Brown, PhD, RDN, NG17
2024
- Excellence in Nutrition Award: Laura Carroll, N13, MG13
- Leah Horowitz Humanitarian Award: Jessica Jones-Hughes, N09
- Rising Star Award: Zachary Conrad, PhD, N11, MG11, NG15
2023
- Excellence in Nutrition Award: Rebecca Seguin-Fowler, PhD, RDN, N04, NG08
- Leah Horowitz Award: Sabina Carlson Robillard, A10, N17 (posthumous)
- Rising Star Award: Rebecca Nemec Boehm, PhD, N12, NG17
2022
- Excellence in Nutrition Award: Shirley Chao, PhD, NG08
- Rising Star Award: Alana Davidson, N19
2021
- Excellence in Nutrition Award: Joshua W. Miller, PhD, N90, NG93
- Leah Horowitz Award: Chris Hillbruner, N07
- Rising Star Award: Hassan S. Dashti, PhD, RD, N12, NG15
2020
- Excellence in Nutrition Award: Patricia Kearney, N78, AG81
- Leah Horowitz Award: Corey O'Hara PhD, F08, N08, NG19
- Rising Star Award: Lauren Au, PhD, NG13
2019
- Excellence in Nutrition Award: Lu Qi, NG04
- Leah Horowitz Award: Amelia LoDolce, N08
- Rising Star Award: Tawanda Muzhingi, N08, NG14
2018
- Leadership and Expertise Award: Punam Ohri-Vachaspati, N91, NG94
- Nutrition Impact Award: Elanor Starmer, F07, N07
- Leah Horowitz Humanitarian Award: Cristiana Falcone Sorrell, F01, N01
2017
- Leadership and Expertise Award: Danielle Nierenberg, N01
- Nutrition Impact Award: Miriam Nelson PhD, N85, NG87
- Leah Horowitz Humanitarian Award: Molly Uebele, N12
2016
- Leadership and Expertise Award: Anna Herforth, PhD, N05
- Nutrition Impact Award: Simon Barquera, PhD, N96, NG05
- Leah Horowitz Humanitarian Award: Ratna Megawangi, PhD, N88, NG91
2015
- Leadership and Expertise Award: Ka He, MD, MPH, ScD, N99, MG99
- Nutrition Impact Award: Roger A. Fielding, PhD, NG93
- Leah Horowitz Humanitarian Award: Tatyana El-Kour, MS, RDN, N05
2014
- Leadership and Expertise Award: Sai Krupa Das, PhD, NG02
- Nutrition Impact Award: Amy Myrdal Miller, MS RDN, N97
- Leah Horowitz Humanitarian Award: Linda Eckerbom Cole, N06
2013
- Leadership and Expertise Award: Mary Kay Fox, MEd, N79
- Innovation/Up and Coming Award: Andrew Halpner, PhD, NG98
- Leah Horowitz Humanitarian Award: Christina D. Economos, PhD, NG96
2012
- Leadership and Expertise Award: Xiang Gao, NG05
- Innovation/Up and Coming Award: Karen Weikel, N08
- Leah Horowitz Humanitarian Award: Randa Wilkinson-Bouvier, N85
2011
- Leadership and Expertise Award: Carole Palmer, EdD, RD, AG69
- Innovation/Up and Coming Award: Gabrielle Serra, MS, N05
- Leah Horowitz Humanitarian Award: Sasha Chanoff, MA, N04, F04
2010
- Leadership and Expertise Award: Andrew Shao, PhD, N00
- Expertise/Innovation Award: Daniel Hoffman, PhD, N00
- Leah Horowitz Humanitarian Award: Courtney Anderson, MS, MPH, N09, M09
2009
- Leadership and Expertise Award: Aviva Must, N87, NG92, J01P, A03P
- Expertise/Innovation Award: Marguerite Evans Klein, N84
2008
- Frontline Award: Xiang-Dong Wang, MD, PhD, N92
- Service to the Profession Award: Melinda Downie-Maryniuk, AG79
2007
- Frontline Award: ZhiYong “Sam” Sun, NG99
- Service to the Profession Award: Virginia Chomitz, N85, NG99
2006
- Frontline Award: Ram Shrestha, N90
- Service to the Profession Award: Susan Holman, N83
2005
- Alumni Award for Service to the Profession and the Community: Jeanne Goldberg, PhD, RD, AG59, NG86, J92P
Alumni Award Nominations
We welcome nominations throughout the year. Please initiate your alumni award nomination by submitting our form. We will follow up with you to gather additional details.
Class Notes
If you have an announcement that you’d like to share with the Friedman School community, submit it as a class note. Write to us about what you’ve been up to—seeing fellow alumni, traveling, getting married, having a baby, or changing jobs—we love to hear from you.