Amaya Grace King

George Washington University / Public Health

Amaya Grace is a senior at The George Washington University pursuing a major in Public Health with a minor in Human Services & Social Justice and Health Equity. She is passionate about bringing health equity to her communities.

As a Reducetarian Fellow, Amaya aims to gain a deeper understanding of how food systems impact community health and health disparities. She hopes to apply this knowledge to support the development of affordable, sustainable, and nutritious food solutions in lower-income communities.   

In her free time, Amaya enjoys playing rugby, binging shows and movies, lifting, cooking, and quality time with her friends and family.

Darnese Joyner

Howard University / Psychology

Darnese is a sophomore at Howard University pursuing a major in psychology and a minor in biology. With aspirations of attending medical school, she is passionate about understanding the intersections between sustainability, science, health, and community.

As a Reducetarian Fellow, Darnese hopes to gain deeper insight into the impacts of sustainability on medicine—specifically how environmental and social factors influence medical practices and public health. She is also eager to uproot stigmas associating sustainability with privilege, and advocate for sustainable practices and systems in underserved communities.

In her free time, Darnese enjoys playing the guitar, practicing yoga, and finding balance between academics and creativity. She also loves discovering new ways to connect mindfulness with her personal and professional goals, often drawing inspiration from both music and wellness practices.

Diane Ndisebuye

George Washington University / Master’s of Public Health 

Diane is a second-year Master of Public Health student at George Washington University, concentrating in Community-Oriented Primary Care. Growing up in Southern Africa, she witnessed how people, animals, and the natural environment are interconnected within the food system. 

As a Reducetarian Fellow, she hopes to explore sustainable approaches to nutrition and agriculture. With farming and agriculture central to her home country’s economy, Diane is passionate about improving food systems to promote the health of people, animals, and the planet, making the world a better place one community at a time. 

Outside of academics, she enjoys music, concerts, cultural events, hiking, and time with loved ones.

Genieve Anokye

George Washington University / Public Health

Genieve is a senior majoring in public health at The George Washington University. Although she was born in the U.S., growing up in Ghana taught her resilience, adaptability, and the importance of service. This transition shaped her perspective and deepened her passion for uplifting others. She is dedicated to mentorship and self-improvement, and strives to be a light to others, even in the smallest ways, through encouragement and inspiration.

As a Reducetarian Fellow, Genieve hopes to learn more about the consequences of factory farming on both environmental and human health, and explore sustainable solutions to address these problems.

In her free time, Genieve loves reading and expanding her knowledge. She also loves spending time with loved ones, going on a walk and cooking.

Jessie Korang

University of Maryland / Nutrition and Food Science

Jessie is a sophomore at UMD studying Nutrition and Food science. His current career interests include nutrition, dietetics and epidemiology. He hopes to use his education to improve community health through research and practical applications.

As a Reducetarian Fellow, Jessie wants to gain a deeper understanding of the relationships between nutrition, sustainability, and public health. He also hopes to gain experience in community outreach and advocacy for the Reducetarian movement as well as learn to effectively communicate the benefits of plant-based alternatives in ways that are accessible and practical.

In his free time, Jessie likes to play basketball, shop, listen to music, hang out with friends, and spend time in nature. 

Julia Chen

University of Maryland / Nutrition and Food Science

Julia is a sophomore at the University of Maryland majoring in Nutrition and Food Science. She serves on the UMD Sustainability Fund Review Committee, evaluating grant proposals and funding sustainability projects for the university. Growing up with her ducks Sunflower and Amber shaped her view on the importance of animal welfare and the environment. 

As a Reducetarian Fellow, Julia aims to improve her science communication skills, promote plant-based nutrition, and learn more about the alternative protein industry. In the future, she intends to help build a more sustainable food system through a career in food.

Julia enjoys calligraphy, science reading, and going on absurdly long walks with her ducks. She’s always open to trying new restaurants and recipes.

Lauren
Ponce-Antelo

George Mason University / Global Affairs

Lauren is a recent graduate from George Mason University with career interests in international law, civil rights, and family law. She is passionate about using law and advocacy to create meaningful change. 

As a Reducetarian Fellow, Lauren hopes to learn more about animal welfare, food justice, and workers’ rights, and explore how these issues intersect with law and policy. She also hopes to further her dedication to advancing a sustainable and compassionate food system and connect with others in this space. 

In her free time, Lauren enjoys cozy movie nights or trips to the cinema with her family, getting lost in books of any genre, baking, writing, and going on long walks with her dog, Bella.

Omolola Adegbemileke

University of Maryland / Global Health

Lola is currently a senior studying Global Health at the University of Maryland, College Park. She also works part time as a pharmacy technician. She is deeply interested in women’s reproductive and maternal health, infectious disease, and health policy and plans to pursue further education in these fields. 

As a Reducetarian Fellow she hopes to explore how the food system and factory farming impact human and environmental health and to learn what policies are in place to regulate factory farming and protect the health of animals and workers. 

In her free time she likes to travel, hang out with friends, and work out. 

Malachi Floyd

University of Maryland / Master’s in Health Administration, Public Health

Malachi is a healthcare administration graduate student at the University of Maryland with a background in coordinating health initiatives and driving system-level improvements. His professional experience spans healthcare operations, performance improvement, and population health, with a focus on reducing disparities and advancing patient safety.

As a Reducetarian Fellow, Malachi hopes to explore how diet can influence public health outcomes and long-term wellness. He’s also excited to explore the intersections of food systems, equity, and sustainability. 

Outside of academics, Malachi teaches music, actively volunteers, and pursues creative projects that connect community, health, and the arts. He is committed to building healthier, more sustainable futures.

Marah Sparks

Howard University / Chemistry

Marah is a senior at Howard University majoring in chemistry with a minor in biology. She is on the pre-med track and aspires to become a cardiothoracic surgeon. Her academic and professional interests include biochemistry, sustainability in healthcare, and expanding access to medical resources. 

As a Reducetarian Fellow, Marah hopes to explore the connections between food systems, sustainability, and our healthcare systems. She also hopes to explore how factory farming, particularly in minority and low-income communities, contributes to environmental injustice and public health disparities. 

In her free time, she enjoys volunteering, practicing ceramics, taking Solidcore classes, and reading literature.  

Naomi Jumah

Moi University / Microbiology

George Washington University / Master’s of Public Health

Naomi is a recent graduate from George Washington University with a Master of Public Health in Global Health. She is deeply passionate about the power of policy and advocacy to transform health outcomes, particularly at the intersection of nutrition and the prevention of non-communicable diseases.

As a Reducetarian Fellow, Naomi is eager to explore how sustainable food systems, evidence-based policies, and nutrition-as-medicine approaches  can be synthesized to create healthier and more equitable communities.

Outside of her professional interests, Naomi loves exploring new museums and parks, sampling cuisines from around the world, hiking scenic trails, and, most recently, perfecting her crochet skills. 

Peyton McGowan

American University / Anthropology

Peyton is a recent graduate from American University with a B.A. in Anthropology and minor in Spanish Language. Her research expertise and interests lie in food security, community-based agricultural solutions and alternative food networks. While Peyton has always been passionate about social justice and community organizing, her research helped her find her love for food justice more specifically. 

As a Reducetarian Fellow, she is excited to engage with a variety of actors working on food-related issues to understand how she can contribute to this work in her career. 

In her free time, Peyton enjoys yoga, art, reading and caring for her plants.

Tori Trotter

Howard University / Psychology

Tori Trotter is a third year senior at Howard University pursuing a major in psychology and a minor in biology. She plans to pursue a Ph.D in Clinical Psychology and work with young adults through the use of psychological interventions. 

As a Reducetarian Fellow, Tori hopes to learn more about industrial farming and its consequences on our environment and health, and more specifically, the psychological impacts of factory farming on various populations. Through this opportunity, she also hopes to continue to grow her professional network and focus on creating realistic solutions to reform our food systems. 

In her free time Tori enjoys spending time with friends, watching and playing sports, and giving back to her community. She also enjoys trying new things and is a huge lover of the arts.

Vincent Karam

George Washington University / Biology and Data Science

Vincent is a senior at George Washington University majoring in Biology and Data Science, with a concentration in biotechnology. He is currently engaged in ecological research at GW, where he studies insect-plant interactions and their broader environmental implications. His passion for nature and sustainability has long shaped both his academic and personal pursuits.

As a Reducetarian Fellow, Vincent is eager to deepen his understanding of sustainable food systems and explore how ecological research can drive more conscious solutions to environmental challenges. Beyond that, he is excited to learn from interdisciplinary perspectives, strengthen his research skills, and apply scientific insights to advance sustainability in human and animal health.

In his free time, Vincent enjoys playing bass and guitar, photography, reading, going on hikes, and rock climbing.

Adisha Pritha

Georgia Institute of Technology / Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Adisha is a sophomore international student from Bangladesh, a country where agriculture is the backbone of the economy. At Georgia Tech, Adisha studies the intersection of chemical engineering, cellular and molecular biology, and agricultural technology, with specific interests in hydroponics, aquaponics, and bioreactor design. She is interested in finding ways to make farming more efficient, sustainable, and affordable and believes that food is both a necessity and a right. 

As a Reducetarian Fellow, Adisha hopes to deepen her understanding of innovative food systems and learn how to apply engineering approaches to create scalable, sustainable solutions for global agriculture.

In her free time, she enjoys reading webcomics, watching psychological thrillers and sitcoms, exploring fashion through thrifting, and trying cuisines from around the world.

Ameer Alnasser

Emory University / Political Science

Ameer is a junior at Emory University studying Political Science on the Pre-law track. He is planning to work in public interest law and wants to protect the rights of the vulnerable, including those who do not have a voice to represent themselves.

Ameer’s work with the Food Recovery Network at Emory inspired him to give back to food-insecure families in Georgia, reduce food waste, and provide a more collaborative, community-based environment. His passion for supporting the environment while creating positive friendships is

Ameer’s motivation for being a Reducetarian Fellow.
In his free time, Ameer enjoys the new experience of learning to cook. Ameer also enjoys taking nice strolls, and he has recently gotten into running. 

Baatsheba Poitier

Clark Atlanta University / Political Science

Baatsheba is a junior at Clark Atlanta University majoring in Political Science on the Pre-law track with a minor in History. She plans to pursue a JD in Civil and Human Rights with a goal of becoming a Liberation Lawyer. She hopes to dedicate her career to protecting and advancing the rights of marginalized communities and continuing the legacy of Black Liberation Movement legal activists.

As a Reducetarian Fellow, Baatsheba is eager to deepen her understanding of systemic food system issues like the environmental consequences of factory farming, food waste, and food accessibility. Baatsheba hopes to bridge the gap between low-income and minority communities and access to holistic, nutritious diets that address racial health disparities.

Baatsheba enjoys oil painting, sightseeing, and taking nature walks. She also loves listening to music, spending time with friends and family, and watching psychological thrillers and horror films.

Bria Tidwell

Clark Atlanta University / Biology

Bria is a sophomore Biology major at Clark Atlanta University who aspires to become a pediatrician. Bria has a passion for science and helping others which drives her to connect health, community, and the environment to improve people’s lives. Through volunteer work supporting youth development, nutrition education, and mentorship, she learned the power of combining compassion with knowledge to create impact.

As a Reducetarian Fellow, Bria is eager to explore innovative ways to build healthier, more accessible, and more sustainable food systems while inspiring others to make mindful food choices.

Beyond academics, Bria enjoys creating welcoming spaces where people feel comfortable and valued, embracing new experiences, listening to music, and building genuine connections. 

Janessa Montilla

Georgia Institute of Technology / Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Janessa is a sophomore at the Georgia Institute of Technology majoring in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and minoring in Environmental Science. She intends to use her degree to develop sustainable hair care products and to educate others about the importance of sustainability.

As a Reducetarian Fellow, Janessa hopes to deepen her understanding of the impacts of factory farming and discover new ways to incorporate sustainable practices into her life. Janessa is eager to ask questions and learn from those around her. 

In her free time, Janessa loves singing, writing poetry, coloring, and spending time with friends, family, and her Quaker parrot, Melo. 

Mariana Seijas Lopez

Georgia State University / Geoscience

Mariana is a junior at Georgia State University majoring in Geoscience. Mariana was born and raised in Venezuela. Her passion for the environment began early in her life while watching National Geographic documentaries with her grandfather. Through a year abroad program in Germany, Mariana learned about environmental activism and urban planning and decided to pursue a degree in Geoscience. 

Through the Reducetarian Fellowship, Mariana hopes to learn more about managing environmental resources sustainably to support urban development. She sees factory farming as a pressing issue that impacts many communities, and she hopes to use the knowledge she gains to promote more sustainable practices in future city planning.

In her free time, Mariana volunteers at the Georgia Aquarium.

McKaley Yost

Emory University / B.S. Environmental Science, Master’s of Public Health

McKaley is a second year graduate student at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health pursuing her Master’s of Public Health in Environmental Health. She attended Emory University for her undergraduate degree and majored in Environmental Science. McKaley’s main career interests include climate change and health, epidemiology, and sustainable food systems.

As a Reducatarian Fellow, McKaley hopes to learn more about the impacts of factory farming on public health and the benefits of reducing meat in human diets.

In her free time, McKaley enjoys a variety of crafts, going for walks on the Beltline, visiting farmer’s markets around Atlanta, and reading.

Sophia Rivers

Georgia State University / Nutrition and Wellness

Sophia is a senior at Georgia State University majoring in Nutrition and Wellness and minoring in Art. Sophia plans to pursue a Master's in Dietetics and become a Registered Dietitian. 

Sophia has a special place in her heart for animals inspired by her family’s support for the Beagle Freedom Project. Through the fellowship, she hopes to learn more about protecting animals and creating more ethical farming practices.

Sophia is passionate about all things wellness. Outside of academics, she enjoys teaching yoga and pilates classes, trying new recipes with natural ingredients, and exploring art and photography. 

Wendy Song

Emory University / Human Health

Wendy is a junior at Emory University pursuing a major in Human Health on the Pre-dental track with a minor in Nutrition. Wendy is passionate about dentistry and is particularly interested in exploring how processed foods impact oral health. 

As a Reducetarian Fellow, Wendy hopes to learn more about the processed foods we eat, their nutritional consequences, and their disproportionate harm to low-income families. She is committed to sharing accurate, accessible information about how our diets contribute to chronic disease and oral health disparities. 

In her free time, Wendy likes to cook, read, and go to the gym. As an animal lover, Wendy can often be found searching for Emory's campus cats.