Network

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

• 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.

The 2025 Alumni Award recipients will be recognized at the annual in-person Reunion and Alumni Awards Ceremony.

Excellence in Nutrition Award: 

Sameera Talegawkar, NG06

Sameera A. Talegawkar completed her doctoral studies from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy in 2006. She is Professor and interim Chair of the Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University, Washington, DC. Dr. Talegawkar also holds an adjunct appointment within the Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health at the Johns Hopkins University, Maryland.

Dr. Talegawkar broadly works on better understanding the role of dietary patterns and other behavioral factors in physical function declines, including sarcopenia, frailty, mobility limitations and disability, among older individuals. A nutritional epidemiologist by training, she also focuses on the role of diet on health disparities experienced by under-served populations. Dr. Talegawkar served on the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans Advisory Committee where she chaired the cross-cutting Health Equity Working Group. A primary goal of centering health equity in its scientific review was to inform Dietary Guidelines that support U.S. individuals across racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds in achieving a healthy dietary pattern.

Dr. Talegawkar’s research has been supported by National Institutes of Health, the American Heart Association, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, HarvestPlus, the DC Department of Aging and Community Living and local non-profit organizations. 

Leah Horowitz Humanitarian Award: 

Ahmad Shakeb, F18, N18

Ahmad Shakeb is a dedicated humanitarian aid worker with a passion for making a positive impact in the world. Born and raised in Afghanistan. Shakeb always had a strong desire to help those in need and make a difference in their lives. Over the years, Shakeb has worked in various conflict and disaster-affected areas, providing emergency relief and long-term development assistance to vulnerable populations. He has a strong understanding of the complexities of humanitarian crises and is skilled in coordinating and implementing effective aid programs.

Currently, as a Humanitarian Funding and Finance Officer for Oxfam, he works with country teams in Asia, Africa, and central America to create proposal plans and budgets that meet program and financial objectives. He also provides guidance to project managers on the operational aspects of grant-making to ensure effective and transparent delivery of humanitarian aid to vulnerable communities.

In 2022, Shakeb transitioned to the United States, where he became a part of JVS, a Boston-based non-profit organization. At JVS, his role as a Lead Career Coach involved assisting immigrants and refugees in securing employment and achieving self-sufficiency, embodying his commitment to empowering marginalized communities. Before working with JVS, Shakeb worked as a Humanitarian Affairs Officer and Head of Monitoring at the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund (AHF) in UNOCHA, Afghanistan. He started working at UNOCHA in May 2015 to collaborate with humanitarian partners across the country in identifying the most urgent humanitarian needs, planning responses, and determining the necessary budgets to address them. Shakeb's primary expertise was in managing complex emergencies and coordinating effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors to alleviate human suffering.

He has also worked with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) as a Policy Development Officer and Head of Programme for the Southern Region of Afghanistan. In addition, he worked for the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) as an Education Programme Coordinator for the Eastern Region of Afghanistan. Additionally, he worked for DAI-USAID as a Private Sector Development Specialist, where he made significant contributions to the establishment of small and medium enterprises out of which five were women-owned and led textile companies in Nangarhar. Furthermore, he worked as a part-time Assistant Professor at Nangarhar University for six years. 

Shakeb holds a B.A in Economics from Nangarhar University, an M.B.A from Khurasan University and M.A in Humanitarian Assistance from Fletcher school of Law and Diplomacy and Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. 

Rising Star Award: 

Alison Brown, Ph.D., RDN, NG17

Alison G.M. Brown, PhD, RDN is a public health nutrition researcher committed to addressing diet-related health disparities through research, community empowerment, and systems change.  Dr. Brown’s past research explored immigrant health and diet and cardiovascular disease outcomes.  Currently, she serves as a Program Director at the National Heart Lung Blood Institute where her work centers on the social determinants of health and nutrition health disparities.  She serves as one of the Coordinators for the NIH Common Fund’s Community Partnerships to Advance Science for Society (ComPASS) Program and Co-Chairs the NIH Nutrition Health Disparities Working Group.  Dr. Brown currently serves as Director-at-Large for Food & Nutrition Policy on the American Society for Nutrition’s Board of Directors, and a member of the American Heart Association’s Nutrition Committee and Lifestyle Membership Committees. She also serves as an active member of the Interagency Committee on Human Nutrition Research alongside colleagues across various federal agencies.

Dr. Brown has published numerous peer-reviewed articles on the topics of nutrition health disparities, social determinants of health and diet, and community engagement and has been featured on national podcasts and radio media.  She is the Past Chair of the National Organization of Blacks in Dietetics and Nutrition and served as Adjunct Faculty at Prince George’s Community College.  She is a former AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Diversity Leader, American Society of Nutrition Science Policy Fellow, and Board Chair of a community-owned grocery store in Boston. In 2018, she was honored as a 40 under 40 Leader in Minority Health by the National Minority Quality Forum.  In 2020, she was acknowledged as one of the 100 inspiring Black Scientists in America.  Dr. Brown has a PhD from Tufts University’s Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, received her Master of Science degree from Columbia University, and Bachelor’s degree from Spelman College. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, spinning, running outdoors, and spending time with her friends, family, and her cavapoo, Onyx. 

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, M.D., Ph.D. 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, Ph.D., R.D., AG59, NG86, J92P