Meet Our Team
Gabriella McLoughlin, PhD – Director
Gabriella McLoughlin is an Assistant Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the Temple University College of Public Health and director of the RISE lab. Her research uses implementation science and health equity approaches to improve delivery of health-promoting policies with a focus on socially and economically marginalized populations. She collaborates with researchers and practitioners within the U.S and internationally. Outside of work, she loves to travel and hike with her husky.
Our Graduate Students
Molly Kerstetter – Research Coordinator
Molly Kerstetter completed her Bachelors and her Masters in Public Health, Social and Behavioral Sciences. This project caught her attention because of its equity and community-based approach to health inequities within youth. Molly has always been drawn to working with children and nutrition-based research. In her free time, Molly enjoys Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and cooking.
Yerusalem Yohannes – Research Coordinator
Yerusalem Yohannes completed her Bachelors and her Masters in Public Health, Social and Behavioral Sciences. Yerusalem applied her own experiences of growing up in Philadelphia, benefiting from programs such as the free school meals, and the education she received on public health to something that will benefit the city. Outside of work, she enjoys car karaoke followed by exploring the city.
Divya Kulkarni – Research Assistant
Divya Kulkarni is a first year pharmacy student at Temple University School of Pharmacy. After working with the Philadelphia School District for a couple years and observing health inequity and food insecurity in her students, improving healthcare access and knowledge within the Philadelphia community is a personal mission of Divya’s. Dr. Mcloughlin’s lab is an ideal synergy of her two passions: working with children and community-based health. Divya enjoys biking on a nice day or attending spin class.
Angel Smith – Research Assistant
Angel Smith is pursuing a Master of Public Health, Health Policy and Management at Temple University. She believes that all people deserve the right to a healthful and fulfilling life, and her passion for public health is fueled by her desire to create healthy and equitable communities. She was driven to Dr. McLoughlin’s because it aligned with her passion to work with children, nutrition, and health policy. In her free time, she enjoys reading, collecting plants, and trying new recipes.
Our Undergraduate Students
Garima Adhikari – Research Assistant
Garima Adhikari is pursuing a Bachelors of Neuroscience on the pre-med track at the Temple University College of Liberal Arts. She was inspired by Dr. Mcloughlin’s genuine interest in bettering the community around her and believes the work that the team is doing is vital in creating a healthier community, which is something she wants to be a part of. Garima likes to cook in her free time.