Our Team

  • Founder & Principal Investigator

    Joshua J. Joseph is an Associate Professor of Internal Medicine with Tenure and the Endowed Professor for Research in Internal Medicine in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (OSUWMC). He is Founder and Medical Director for The OSUWMC Healthy Community Center. Dr. Joseph’s National Institute of Health, American Heart Association, Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and U.S. Department of Defense funded research focuses on advancing prevention and treatment of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease through a health equity lense. He is the founder of, and Principal Investigator for, the ACCELERATE Research Group. Clinically, Dr. Joseph treats patients with diabetes and cardiovascular disease at a community-based clinic. Nationally, he is chair of the Endocrine Society Clinical Affairs Core Committee, Chair-Elect of the American Heart Association Council on Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health Diabetes committee and President of the Central Ohio American Heart Association Board

  • Medical Student & Trainee

    Bhavya Appana is a second-year medical student at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. She is interested in pursuing pediatrics or psychiatry as an academic physician-scientist. Bhavya is passionate about trauma-informed care and community engagement, informed by the several years she spent volunteering and interning for interpersonal violence advocacy organizations in Columbus, OH and New York City. Her research interests include childhood adversity, the connection between mental health and physical health, and community-based interventions. She loves cooking with friends, traveling, and playing the viola in her free time.

  • Assistant Professor

    Dr. Donya Nemati is a tenure-track Assistant Professor at The Ohio State University College of Nursing Center for Healthy Aging, Self-Management, and Complex Care. She studied her PhD in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences from Indiana University-Indianapolis. Dr. Nemati's research is dedicated to contributing to health equity using filed behavioral medicine. She employs theory-based methodology to identify psycho-social determinants that influence the adoption and maintenance of healthy behaviors among clinical and at-risk populations. Donya enjoys boxing as a workout, exploring and learning about different cultures, and creative cooking.

  • Emma Miller is a 1st year undergraduate student at The Ohio State University, Majoring in Business Administration with a specialization in Marketing. She is a student research assistant for the ACCELERATE Research group working on social media. She is passionate about using social media to connect with different communities, and helping others to see the impact ACCELERATE Research group has on the community. In her free time Emma enjoys reading, swimming, and playing with her dog.

  • Gabriella Umana Lemus is a first year student at The Ohio State University majoring in Business Administration with a specialization in Marketing, and a minor in Spanish for Business and Fashion and Retail Studies. She is a student research assistant for the ACCELERATE Research group working on social media and communications. Gabriella is passionate about using social media to share a companies mission and work, and helping others to see the impact ACCELERATE Research group has on the community. She spends her free time coloring, visiting local coffee shops, and spending time with her cat and dogs.

  • Deputy Director of Biomedical Informatics

    Dr. Guy Brock is a Professor in the Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine (OSU-COM). He has taken a leadership role in promoting team science and rigorous scientific conduct at OSU and Nationwide Children’s Hospital (NCH) as Associate Director of the Center for Biostatistics and Director of the Biostatistics Resource at NCH (BRANCH). He collaborates extensively with clinical, basic, and population science investigators including biostatistical oversight of multiple program project awards and multisite cooperative grants. Through his role as Director of the Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Research Design (BERD) Core of the Center for Clinical Translational Science (CCTS) he supports clinical trial development, secondary data research, and mentorship of junior investigators conducting clinical and translational research. This includes forming the Secondary Data Core (SDC) to leverage claims data, electronic medical records, ongoing prospective cohort studies, and registry data to conduct impactful research in surgical outcomes, suicide prevention, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. These collaborations motivate his methodological advances in biomedical informatics and clinical research including multistate transition models, competing risks, cluster validation, data integration, and missing value imputation.

  • Clinical Research Assistant

    Jenna Hauben is a graduate of The Ohio State University with B.S. in Exercise Science. She is a Clinical Research Assistant in the ACCELERATE Research Group for the FASTER study, where she interacts with participants throughout the course of the study with the goal of determining the feasibility and acceptability of smartwatches in adults 65+ participating in the Exercise is Medicine program. In the future, she plans on pursuing a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Outside of work, Jenna loves playing card/board games, exercising, and reading.

  • Medical Student & Trainee

    Joseph Ballas is a graduate of The Ohio State University and is currently in his second year of medical school at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. He is interested in research at the intersection of sociology, social justice, and medicine. Joseph is working to better understand the biological mediators of psychosocial stress, particularly in the context of structural violence, discrimination, and social oppression. Outside of research, Joseph volunteers as the Data/EMR Coordinator for the Columbus Free Clinic, which provides medical care to underserved Columbus communities. During his free time, Joseph enjoys spending time with his girlfriend, friends & family, listening to music, exercising, playing sports, watching shows, and traveling.

  • Senior Project Manager

    Luiza Reopell is the Senior Project Manager for the ACCELERATE Research Group. She received her undergraduate degree in Public Health Sociology and a minor in Women’s Gender & Sexuality studies from The Ohio State University. Luiza started at OSU as a Clinical Research Coordinator in 2020, working on studies focused on improving health outcomes for people with prediabetes and diabetes. Shortly after starting at OSU, she began pursuing a Master’s degree in Business Administration at the Fisher College of Business and graduated with her MBA in May 2024. Shortly after, she accepted her new position with the ACCELERATE Research group as Senior Project Manager. In this role, she manages all the business operations of the group to help move the team forward and further their mission of promoting health equity in Columbus and beyond. Outside of work, Luiza enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, biking and exploring parks with her dogs and trying new restaurants in Columbus!

  • Endocrinology Fellow

    Melanie Rayan is an Endocrinology Fellow at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, she is concurrently pursing her MPH with a focus on Clinical and Translational Science to advance her research expertise. Prior to coming to tOSU, Melanie completed her MD at the Spartan Health Sciences University in St. Lucia, and her residency at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine. Her research interest encompass advancing diabetes management, cardiovascular risk reduction, and diabetes technology. She is passionate about enhancing health literacy and addressing disparities in healthcare delivery to improve patient outcomes and achieve greater equity in care.

  • Clinical Research Coordinator

    Nnanna Ojembe is a Clinical Research Coordinator for the Black Impact Study with the ACCELERATE Research Group. He is passionate about improving cardiovascular health amongst African American men and the population at large. His goal as a physician is to eventually become a cardiologist. Outside of work, he enjoys playing/watching basketball and football (soccer), and freestyling in front of his mirror!

  • Undergraduate Research Volunteer

    Raja Mohammed is a third-year Speech and Hearing Sciences major at OSU. She is an undergraduate research volunteer with the ACCELERATE research group on the LINK study. Raja is pursuing a career in medicine to become a physician, with a special interest in addressing health disparities and improving access to care. Her passion lies in bridging healthcare and social needs to improve patient outcomes. Outside of school, Raja enjoys shopping and spending time with her family and friends. A fun fact about her is that she loves to volunteer in a variety of different hospital departments. 

  • Clinical Research Assistant

    Shabrya Smith is a Clinical Research Assistant for the ACCELERATE Research Group on the ACHIEVE project. She is a recent graduate of The Ohio State University having majored in in Biology. She plans to pursue a career in medicine, specifically in pediatrics or women’s health. Her research interest lies in communal outreach and advocacy projects that promote better health outcomes for underrepresented groups. Outside of school, Shabrya loves to travel as it fuels her happiness and allows her to see different perspectives on life.

  • Student Research Assistant

    Zoe Somerville is a third year behavioral neuroscience and psychology major at The Ohio State University. She is a Student Research Assistant for the ACCELERATE Research Group on the American Heart Association Heart Failure project. Zoe is passionate about making change in underserved populations, and in the future, plans to become a physician to continue her goals of supporting the physical and mental wellbeing of communities in need. Outside of her academics, she enjoys music, dance, and traveling.

  • Assistant Professor

    Amaris Williams is a PhD-trained nutrition scientist. Her career journey has been, and will continue to be, guided by 5 values: servant leadership, collegial collaboration, life-long learning, excellence in mentorship, and innovative research. Her research interests lie at the intersection of nutrition, culinary arts, data science, and artificial intelligence, and the goal of her research is to eliminate health disparities.

  • Exercise Physiologist

    Braxton Wilson is a two time graduate of the University of Akron, where he earned his bachelors and masters degrees in Exercise Physiology/Adult Fitness. He is currently working with the Exercise is Medicine program through The Ohio State University as an Exercise Physiologist. Braxton is deeply committed to empowering individuals to lead active and fulfilling lives, both in and out of the workplace, by encouraging them to integrate movement and activity seamlessly into their daily routines. Outside of work, he loves to spend time with his newborn daughter, watch movies, and play sports.

  • Undergraduate Volunteer

    Ella Lindsey is a third year Health Sciences major with a minor in Human Nutrition at OSU. She is a student research collaborator for the ACCELERATE research group on the LINK study. Ella plans to pursue a career in medicine, with an interest in serving rural communities. Her passion lies in exploring the role of nutrition in chronic disease prevention and management. She is excited to work with patients and help set them up with resources to help them better manage their diabetes. Outside of school, Ella enjoys reading, baking, and traveling. A fun fact about her is that she has a twin brother who also goes to OSU! 

  • Graduate Student & Trainee

    Jacsen Luthy began working with the ACCELERATE Research Group as a research volunteer while attending Davidson College (‘24). After earning his B.S., he is now completing a Master of Public Health degree concentrated in epidemiology at The Ohio State University. His research interests are concentrated in physical activity and cardiovascular health. Jacsen is currently developing his own original research, investigating the association of exercise with cardiovascular health among Black men. Outside of the office, he enjoys exercising and playing sports such as soccer, golf, and tennis.

  • Registered Dietitian & Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist

    Jenny C. Shrodes is a highly experienced registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist at the Ohio State University (OSU) Wexner Medical Center. She holds degrees in Television Broadcast Journalism and Medical Dietetics from The Ohio State University. With over 20 years of expertise in outpatient counseling, teaching, programming, curriculum development, public speaking, and research, Jenny is well-versed in her field. With a particular interest in culinary medicine, Jenny is driven to explore innovative lifestyle interventions that empower people to make informed choices about accessing and consuming high-quality meals that aid in disease prevention, treatment, and overall well-being. As a team member in the Accelerate Research group, Jenny is proud to work alongside colleagues with shared stewardship that engages academic, community, government, and industry leaders in collaborative work.

  • Student Research Assistant

    Kezia Duah is a graduate of The Ohio State University. She majored in Biology and minored in social psychology. She was a student research assistant with the Accelerate Research Group on the LINK study. In the future, she plans to attend medical school and become a physician. Outside of school, she enjoys reading books of all genres, volunteering at the Nnemap food pantry, putting together Lego sets, and spending time with family and friends.

  • Clinical Research Assistant

    Kwame Lartey graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.S. in Biology. He is currently a Clinical Research Assistant for the ACCELERATE Research Group on the Black Impact study. Kwame plans on attending medical school in the Fall of 2025. In the future, he plans on becoming a physician and promoting equitable access to healthcare worldwide, while also improving the quality of healthcare. Outside of academia and research, his major interests and hobbies include traveling, playing sports, and trying new foods. A fun fact about Kwame is that he has traveled to 9 countries!

  • Undergraduate Volunteer

    Madison Griffin is a 2nd year undergraduate student at The Ohio State University majoring in Biomedical Science, with a minor in Spanish. She is an undergraduate volunteer with the ACCELERATE Research Group on the Black Impact project. She is interested in studying social determinants and racial disparities as they relate to medicine. In the future, she plans to obtain a MPH and MD, and is specifically interested in a career in obstetrics or neonatology. A fun fact about Madison is that she has danced competitively for 13 years, and is continuing her dancing career through college as a part of Dance Connection at OSU.

  • Undergraduate Volunteer

    Mohamed Omar is a 2nd year undergraduate student at The Ohio State University majoring in Biology.  He is an undergraduate volunteer with the ACCELERATE Research Group on the FASTER project. He is excited to work with participants from the project and make an impact on the community. Mohamed is interested in studying social determents of health and looking at the role nutrition plays in medicine. In the future, he plans on going to medical school and becoming a physician. Outside of school he is interested in fashion, playing basketball, and traveling. A fun fact about Mohamed is that he grew up in Egypt.   

  • Internal Medicine Resident

  • Clinical Research Assistant

    Olivia Moyler is a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University. She is currently a Clinical Research Assistant for the LINK and SUSTAIN studies, within the ACCELERATE Research Group. She is passionate about community support and engagement, with her research interest lying in making dietary intervention more racially equitable with a focus on underserved chronic disease and cancer patients. Olivia considers herself a lifetime learner and is always looking to try new activities. Her passions include trying new recipes to expand her palate, and swimming.

  • Assistant Professor

    Dr. Ruth-Alma Turkson-Ocran is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Endocrinology at The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center. She is a nurse practitioner by training sees patients with cardiovascular disease and diabetes at a community-based clinic.

     

    Dr. Turkson-Ocran’s research interests are centered around cardiometabolic health and community-engaged research, particularly lifestyle interventions to prevent and manage obesity, hypertension, and diabetes and their complications. Dr. Turkson-Ocran’s research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, American Heart Association, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

     

    She has published more than 70 papers in peer-reviewed journals, is on the Editorial Board of the Journal of the American Heart Association, and is a member of the American Nurses Association, American Heart Association, and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

  • Clinical Research Assistant

    Sean Matambo is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a degree in psychology. He is the Clinical Research Assistant on the Black Impact project. He is interested in studying health disparities, and working within underserved communities to provide better health outcomes. Sean wants to pursue an MD and continue to use community-based research to help serve within the same communities and provide equitable healthcare. Outside of school, Sean likes to watch sports (soccer and basketball); cook new dishes, karaoke with friends and watch animal documentaries.

  • Senior Biostatistician

    Sonia is a Senior Biostatistician at the Center for Biostatistics at The Ohio State University, with 14 years of experience collaborating extensively with clinical, basic, and population science investigators. Her methodological expertise includes regression modeling (linear, logistic, Cox, Poisson, negative binomial), as well as, mixed models for longitudinal data and repeated measurements. She previously served as a Statistician at both the Health Effects Laboratory Division at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and the Injury Control Research Center at West Virginia University. She provides expertise in study design, data analysis, and data management for the ACCELERATE Research Group on numerous projects.

Previous ACCELERATE Research Group Members

  • Medical Student & Trainee

    Aryn Hubbard is a rising second year medical student at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. He graduated from The Ohio State University in 2022 with a B.S. in Biology. During his gap year, he taught physical science and coached football at Mifflin High School in Columbus, Ohio. He joined the ACCELERATE Research Group as a trainee, during the Summer of 2024 and is specifically interested in the potential interplay between social isolation and cardiovascular health. His speciality interest are currently broad, but include family medicine, emergency medicine and cardiology. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, hiking, and spending time with his friends and family.

  • Clinical Research Coordinator

    Carlos R. Leiva is a Honduras-born physician who is deeply committed to addressing health inequities and empowering marginalized communities. His passion lies at the intersection of integrative medicine, clinical research, and pharmacogenomics. With a strong foundation in primary care and functional medicine, Carlos is dedicated to bridging healthcare disparities through research, education, and clinical practice. His goal is to translate research findings into improved patient outcomes, particularly for those affected by chronic diseases and food insecurity.

  • Undergraduate Volunteer

    Ella Otu-Danquah is a 4th year psychology major currently attending The Ohio State University. She is an undergraduate volunteer with the ACCELERATE Research Group on the Black Impact study. In the future, she hopes to become a medical doctor and continue to make a difference in her community. In her free time, Ella enjoys baking, reading, crocheting, photography and traveling.

  • Medical Student & Trainee

    Fakhtah Abdulla is a second-year medical student at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. She graduated from The Ohio State University in 2022 with a B.S. in Biomedical Science and African American and African Studies. Her primary research interests include improving maternal health outcomes through a culturally competent lens and improving quality of life measures for chronic cough patients. Outside of research, Fakhtah serves as the Specialty Clinic Coordinator for the Women’s Health Clinic at Noor Community Clinic. Her current specialties of interest are endocrinology, neurology, obstetrics and gynecology, and otolaryngology. During her free time, Fakhtah enjoys reading, trying new restaurants in Columbus, and spending time with her cat.

  • Internal Medicine Resident

    Esime Agbloyor is a Ghanaian-trained physician and is currently an Internal Medicine resident at the Sinai Hospital of Baltimore. She is also a trained bioethicist who holds a Master of Bioethics degree from the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics. After completely her master’s degree, she pursued a Clinical Ethics Fellowship at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, which she completed in May 2024. Her research interests include the ethics of xenotransplantation, Life's Essential 8 and Chronic Kidney Disease.

  • Postdoctoral Scholar

    Victor Baylon-Valdez is a postdoctoral scholar at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. His research examines how inflammation shapes cardiometabolic and kidney disease and how barriers to diagnosis and treatment affect outcomes in vulnerable and socially marginalized populations. He integrates clinical, behavioral, and biomarker data to map disparities and inform interventions. He earned his MD from Tecnológico de Monterrey (’23) and an MPH in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (’25). His long-term goal is to become a physician–scientist cardiologist who translates population evidence into equitable prevention and care. On the weekends, you can find him at the park playing fetch with his dog, Mia.

  • Associate Professor of Biostatistics

  • Clinical Research Coordinator

    Jillian Tatro is a Clinical Research Coordinator for the LINK & SUSTAIN studies with the ACCELERATE Research Group. She has an Associates Degree in Medical Assisting and has worked with Endocrinology and Diabetes Education for 9 years, and 2.5 years respectively. Jillian loves to learn and gain knowledge and plans on eventually completing her Bachelors degree. She is a mother and a wife, with four children and a husband at home. Jillian and her family are heavily involved in 4-H (rabbits and horses) and she is currently an officer with her counties Horse Committee!

  • Administration

    Maggie Juarez is a graduate of New York University (‘24) where she earned her B.A. in Urban Design and Architecture Studies and Social and Cultural Analysis. She is the Administrative Assistant for the ACCELERATE Research Group. In this position she is able to combine her administrative expertise and passion for equity. She is passionate about community-centered design and equitable and dignified cities with particular interests in public transportation and historic preservation. Maggie enjoys reading, drawing, and live music. On the weekends, you can probably catch her riding the bus to the nearest antique shop.

  • Medical Student & Trainee

    William Schwartzman is a medical student at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. He obtained a B.S.E in Biomedical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University. He is currently on a two-year Sarnoff Cardiovascular Research Fellowship studying cardiovascular genetics at Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Broad Institute. Will is passionate about improving acute, chronic, and preventative healthcare access for marginalized individuals through programs built on, and informed by, community partnerships. He believes in leveraging these programs to expose young people in these communities to careers in the medical field and providing resources and mentorship. Will enjoys learning about the design and utility of long-term population studies to improve quality of life in all communities. Outside of the lab, he likes to play soccer and hike long trails in national parks.