Preceptor

Tori graduated from UNC with her MPH in Health Behavior in 2024. With experience from her own Capstone and other food systems work, she is excited to mentor the student team as they complete their project!

Faculty Advisor

(Coming soon!)

Thea has a B.S. in political science with a minor in environmental studies from the University of Oregon. She grew up in Torrance, California. She is deeply passionate about food justice and security and have dedicated my work prior to coming to UNC to this passion. She has worked as an Americorp member in Colorado as a farm to school educator growing food in a school garden and providing environmental science lessons. She then worked as a garden educator in Los Angeles providing nutrition and environmental lessons. This summer she worked with Healthy Eating Research as an intern focusing on food policy.

I hold a B.A. in Public Health from Ohio and a B.E. in Safety Engineering from China. With hands-on experience in both hospital and community health settings in China, I am passionate about advancing patient-centered care, chronic disease prevention, and health equity through culturally tailored approaches.

My top interests lie in food justice and sustainable community nutrition. I believe that access to culturally relevant, nutritious food is foundational to health and well-being. My work in community outreach and patient education has deepened my commitment to bridging gaps in health literacy and resource access, especially for older adults and marginalized groups.

I am inspired by the “Food is Medicine” approach, which resonates with a well-known saying in Chinese medicine: “Medicines are not as nourishing as food.” This reflects the belief that a balanced diet is the most fundamental way to maintain health. Drawing from both Eastern and Western health traditions, I bring a cross-cultural perspective to understanding how food can serve as a bridge between medical care and community well-being.

Sabina has a bachelor's degree in psychology from Berea College and is currently earning their master's in public health degree concentrating in Health Behavior from the Gillings School of Global Public Health. Sabina has spent her early working years in the food service prioritizing food quality, proper food storage, and promoting ways to eat a plant-based food diet. Sabina loves exploring and learning about cultures through food, cooking new recipes, and learning new culinary techniques. It is her hope to work towards food security, access, and education for those most in need.

I hold a B.S. in Public Health: Health Promotion and am currently pursuing my Master of Public Health at UNC Gillings, concentrating in Health Behavior. I am interested in equitable food systems, early childhood health, health education, and health promotion. My background includes research with the UNC Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, where I supported nutrition and physical activity interventions in childcare centers, and an internship with the Fort Bragg & Cumberland County Food Policy Council focused on community collaboration and food access initiatives.