Ephi Morphew-Lu, MS, Dip.C.N.

Co-Founder and Executive Director

Mrs. Lu received her B.S. in psychology from the University of Washington and MS in psychology from the University of Illinois in Champaign Urbana. She spent her first career as an aerospace psychologist working for NASA before turning her interests towards nutrition and related sciences. Ephi is the developer of the first university-level curriculum in Nutritional Psychology taught from 2008-2020 at JFK University. In 2015, Ephi and colleague Dr. Amanda Hull launched The Center for Nutritional Psychology (CNP), now a non-profit educational organization, designed to consolidate the world's research in the diet-mental health relationship and develop methodology for placement within the university environment. Her vision is to see a nutritional component incorporated into mental healthcare by 2030.

Ephi Morphew-Lu, MS, Dip.C.N.

Co-Founder and Executive Director

Shereen Behairy, M.Sc., Ph.D. Candidate

Conceptual Development Lead

Shereen F. Behairy is a dedicated Clinical Pharmacist specializing in Pharmacology and Toxicology, holding a Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Neuropharmacology, her research focuses on the intricate mechanisms by which drugs impact neurochemistry and cognitive function, aiming to advance therapies for mental health disorders. Shereen's academic journey includes foundational studies in both nutrition and psychology from Stanford University and Yale University. Her commitment to bridging these disciplines is underscored by her clinical research training at Harvard Medical School, where she refines her skills in advanced research methodologies and clinical study design. As an Associate Member of both the Harvard Medical Alumni Association (HMAA) and the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA), Shereen actively contributes to shaping the future of pharmacological and neuroscientific research, integrating diverse fields of study to uncover innovative approaches that enhance mental health outcomes.

Shereen Behairy, M.Sc., Ph.D. Candidate

Conceptual Development Lead

Nabila Pervaiz, MS/Mphil

Curriculum Development

Nabila is a Medical biotechnologist and currently doing her MS research in the Health Microbiology field at Kinnaird College for Women, Pakistan. She has always been fascinated by microbial interaction with human bodies and how it modulates individual health. Her research has focused on E.coli and reported the novel virulent E.coli genes responsible for causing UTIs in Pakistani Females. Through her research, she presents novel research findings to educate young girls and women on personal hygiene and recent trends in antibiotic resistance and how microbes influence physiological and psychological states.

Nabila Pervaiz, MS/Mphil

Curriculum Development

Vladimir Hedrih, PhD

Research and Academic Writing

Vladimir Hedrih is a full professor of psychology at the University of Niš in Serbia with more than two decades of research and teaching experience. His fields of research and expertise include organizational psychology, research methodology and the study of social trauma. He is the editor-in-chief of the scientific journal Psihologija. Professor Hedrih has joined CNP to support research article writing and reviewing.

Vladimir Hedrih, PhD

Research and Academic Writing

Youssef Soliman, MBChB (cand)

Medical sciences & biostatistics

Youssef is an aspiring physician-scientist and a Medical intern at Asyut University Hospital. His area of interest and research is in internal medicine and diseases related to neurocardiology. He has published numerous peer-reviewed studies and is also a reviewer at many high impact journals. Youssef has a nanodegree in data analysis from Udacity, and is interested in the application of R programming, data analysis and machine learning to improve patient care and diagnostics. Youssef supports CNP with science-based writing, statistics, and curriculum development.

Youssef Soliman, MBChB (cand)

Medical sciences & biostatistics

Karim Maghraby, M.B.B.Ch, M.Sc

Nutritional Psychology Research Library Director

Dr. Karim Magharaby is a Physician Scientist, holding a Medical Doctorate from Asyut University, Egypt, and a Masters’ degree in Nutritional Science from the University of Toronto, Canada. Dr. Maghraby’s thesis focused on the treatment of gut dysfunction in acute malnutrition using novel dietary interventions and produced award-winning publications describing the use of milk extracellular vesicles to induce stem cell proliferation, a first of its kind. Dr. Magharaby brings his expertise to CNP and serves as the Director of the Nutritional Psychology Research Library (NPRL)

Karim Maghraby, M.B.B.Ch, M.Sc

Nutritional Psychology Research Library Director

Cassidy Axelrod, MS, CNS

Director of Scholarship, and Communications

Cassidy earned a BA from the University of Oregon in Psychology and an MS in Nutrition and Integrative Health from Maryland University of Integrative Health. She is currently in the process of becoming a Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) and Licensed Dietician (LD) in the state of Oregon. Cassidy is an NP 110 graduate who is passionate about the complex and interconnected relationship existing between nutrition and psychology. Cassidy is excited to expand her role in educating, providing tools and awareness to others about this exciting field, and starting a private practice specializing in nutrition with a focus on mental and gut health.

Cassidy Axelrod, MS, CNS

Director of Scholarship, and Communications

Olga Baryshnikova, MS

Secretary

Ms. Baryshnikova obtained a degree in psychology from Cal Poly SLO, and is currently pursuing her MS in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from SJSU. She works on all aspects of CNP's programs, organizational development, and course design and administration.

Olga Baryshnikova, MS

Secretary

Randi Clearfield

Treasurer

Mrs. Clearfield has dual graduate degrees in teaching from the University of Michigan and visual arts from Antioch University. She has assisted in the administrative, budgetary, and curriculum development for Columbia Visual Arts college, leading to the school’s accreditation by the state of Maryland. She has also assisted in the founding and development of a private middle school in Northern California through budget and fundraising management, curriculum development, and contributing to the school’s accreditation process. She presently serves as CNP's Treasurer.

Randi Clearfield

Treasurer

Travis Monson

Organizational Development

Travis brings to CNP his professional experience and expertise in business strategy and organizational development in both the education and mental health sectors. He is a globally recognized speaker, educator, and author. Travis is assisting with the development of CNP's educational and organizational infrastructure, and currently lives in Northern Utah with his wife Jessica. Travis and Jessica both enjoy long bike rides, hiking, goofing off, and quiet evenings curled up with a tv show or a good book.

Travis Monson

Organizational Development

Tahir Yasin

Senior Software Architect

As a Senior Developer at CNP, Tahir specializes in WordPress and Laravel. His dedication lies in enhancing our workflows by crafting user-centric web systems, ensuring security, and implementing innovative features for seamless user experiences. His holistic approach covers coding, security, server management, and infrastructure handling, enabling us to stay at the forefront of technology and make a meaningful impact in the field.

Tahir Yasin

Senior Software Architect

Hussain Ijaz

Web Developer

Hussain manages and the development of the CNP website and our Learning Management System. Hussain has been on our team for several years and is central to our work.

Hussain Ijaz

Web Developer

Nanette Stroebel-Benschop, PhD

Education Planning Committee

Dr. Stroebele-Benschop is a Full Professor in the Institute of Nutritional Medicine at the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart, Germany. She is a psychologist and researcher in the field of nutritional psychology with a focus on health behavior changes using a wide range of research methods from experimental settings to public health approaches.

Nanette Stroebel-Benschop, PhD

Education Planning Committee

Nutritional Psychology

Mihaela Beloreshka, PhD

Health Psychology

Dr. Mihaela Beloreshka is a health psychologist and nutritionist. For the past nine years she has been leading educational and experiential classes on nutrition, healthy cooking & eating, physical and mental health and well-being. She is passionate about developing a strong and healthy relationship with food and using it as a powerful tool for health, creativity and self-expression. Her doctoral research explores the effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on eating behaviours in adulthood.

Mihaela Beloreshka, PhD

Health Psychology

Applied Curriculum Development

Ellen Albertson, PhD, RDN, NBC-HWC

Psychology and Nutrition

Dr. Ellen is a Psychologist, Clinical Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach, and mindful Self-Compassion Teacher. She has more than 30 years of experience in counseling, coaching, and holistic healing. Dr. Ellen is a recognized expert in women's health and well-being, and serves on the National Menopause Foundation's medical board. She is a bestselling and award-winning author, and is assisting in the development of the NP 200 Clinical Applications Certificate in Nutritional Psychology.

Ellen Albertson, PhD, RDN, NBC-HWC

Psychology and Nutrition

Clinical Applications

Amanda Hull, PhD, Post-Masters in Nutrition and Integrative Health

Consultancy

Dr. Hull's career has been dedicated to driving innovation and transformation in healthcare, with a deep focus on integrative health approaches and the whole health paradigm. She has been a leader in the whole health movement, building new models for healthcare both at the local medical center level and at the national policy level. She is trained as a clinical psychologist in addition to a wider range of whole health approaches, including integrative nutrition and functional medicine. She has led the development of more than 30 Continuing Education courses rooted in these nutritional and integrative approaches. Dr. Hull is a cofounder of The Center for Nutritional Psychology when it began in 2015 and now returns to support the inclusion of nutritional psychology within the whole health paradigm.

Amanda Hull, PhD, Post-Masters in Nutrition and Integrative Health

Consultancy

Discipline Integration into Whole Health

David Wiss, PhD, MS, RDN

Mental Health Sciences

Dr. David Wiss is a mental health scientist and registered dietitian nutritionist. As a clinician and researcher, David has over a decade of experience working one-on-one with patients and has authored more than 20 peer-reviewed journal articles on topics related to Nutritional Psychology. He is passionate about recovery from disordered eating and is a pioneer in harm reduction approaches for ultra-processed food use disorders. Dr. Wiss is dedicated to being a part of the solution to the mental health crisis and serves as the Director of Mental Health Communications for CNP.

David Wiss, PhD, MS, RDN

Mental Health Sciences

Dir, Mental Health Communication

Vika Gallich, PhD

Clinical Health Psychology

Dr. Gallich is a Clinical Health Psychological Associate specializing in treating individuals with chronic pain syndrome, posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. She is certified in Nutrition and Mental Health through Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital Psychiatry Academy. She integrates nutritional interventions in her clinical practice and explores how psychological factors such as stress, mood, motivation, and cognitive function influence dietary choices, eating behaviors, pain, and nutritional status. Her doctoral research explored the effects of anti-inflammatory diet on chronic pain and mental health in individuals with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Vika Gallich, PhD

Clinical Health Psychology

Eating Disorders and Chronic Pain

Sofia Segal

Director of Social Media

Ms. Segal is an Argentine psychologist currently training as a Health Coach at the Center for Integrative Nutrition. Sofia is joining the CNP team with the intention of bringing nutritional psychology to Spanish-speaking populations worldwide, working on content translation. She has been interested in nutritional psychology for several years since she first heard about the gut-brain-microbiota axis during her university studies and began researching. She hopes that all health professionals and patients around the globe can access relevant, evidence-based information without language barriers.

Sofia Segal

Director of Social Media

Public Outreach

Talia Daneshrad, MA

The Faces of Nutritional Psychology

Talia is a second-year graduate at New York University, getting her master’s in Food Studies. With a deep passion for nutritional psychology, she has spent the last three years researching the profound impact food can have on mental health in her free time. Talia aims to educate individuals on how dietary choices can enhance mood and overall well-being, drawing from her personal experiences and research. She is committed to spreading awareness about the vital connection between diet and mental health and how food can transform lives for the better. Talia is supporting the Faces of Nutritional Psychology Program for CNP during her internship.

Talia Daneshrad, MA

The Faces of Nutritional Psychology

Contributor

Eileen Santana, RD, CDN

Dietetics & Public Health

Eileen holds a BSc in Nutrition and Dietetics from New York University and completed the ACEND-accredited Didactic Program at the City University of New York Hunter College. In her career as a nutrition professional, Eileen has supported the nutrition education of countless individuals as part of leading public health organizations throughout New York City. Fascinated by the emerging science linking diet and mental health, she came across the Center for Nutritional Psychology and completed NP110. Eileen now lends her nutrition expertise to assist in the development of CNP course materials in hopes of furthering the access to the subject of nutrition psychology.

Eileen Santana, RD, CDN

Dietetics & Public Health

Curriculum Review

Lindsey Kiskinis, BS

Psychology

Lindsey is a 2024 graduate of Florida State University, where she earned her B.S. in Psychology. While completing her undergraduate studies, she enjoyed exploring various areas of psychology and worked as a research assistant studying post-traumatic stress syndrome. As an aspiring mental health counselor, she is particularly interested in how nutrition intersects with our thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Lindsey is excited to support the CNP team and the development of nutrition as a key component in mental health care.

Lindsey Kiskinis, BS

Psychology

CNP Intern (Jan-Jun 2025)

Dr. Riccardo Gurrieri

Psychology and Nutrition

Dr. Riccardo Gurrieri earned a Master’s degree in Clinical and Health Psychology from the University of Pisa and a Master’s degree in Human Nutrition Sciences from San Raffaele University in Rome. He is currently pursuing a postgraduate program in Applied Nutrition and Dietetics. Riccardo has developed a strong interest in the relationship between mental health and nutrition, focusing on the microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA) and its role in psychological well-being. By advancing awareness of nutrition's crucial role in shaping thoughts, emotions, and overall psychological resilience, he strives to deepen the understanding of the MGBA and its mechanisms, contributing to integrating nutrition into mental health practices and actively supporting the CNP team in their mission.

Dr. Riccardo Gurrieri

Psychology and Nutrition

Research Translation

Dr. Emilia Vassilopoulou

PhD, BSc

Dr. Emilia Vassilopoulou is an Assistant Diet and Nutrition Professor at the International Hellenic University. She worked as an Assistant Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Nicosia, Cyprus (2011-2018). She is a Visiting Research member of the University of Milan (Italy) and worked as a Clinical Research Fellow at the Pediatric Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico in Milan, Italy. She holds a Doctor of Medicine degree in Allergology and Clinical Immunology from the Medical School of Athens (Greece), a BSc in Diet and Nutrition from Harokopio University (Greece) and a BSc in Psychology from Neapolis University (Cyprus). She is a Registered Dietitian licensed from HCPC since 2016.

Dr. Emilia Vassilopoulou

PhD, BSc

NP-Greece and Cyprus

Dr. Dimitris Efthymiou

Psychiatrist, Psychotherapist

Dimitris Efthymiou is a Psychiatrist and certified Psychotherapist who now works privately in Thessaloniki, Greece. He has also completed Master's programs in Business Administration and Health Administration at the Universities of Phoenix, US and Brighton, UK. His practice quickly focused on psychotherapeutic interventions and he specialized in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Schema therapy. He strongly believes in interdisciplinarity and collaboration between specialists. Currently, he is the Managing Director of NOUS THERAPY CENTER which is a Mental Health Center bringing together psychiatrists, psychologists, and nutritionists to provide a holistic approach to clients’ treatment.

Dr. Dimitris Efthymiou

Psychiatrist, Psychotherapist

NP-Greece and Cyprus

Dr. Anastasos Papalazarou

PhD, Dietitian

Dr. Papalazarou has been a dietitian since 1996 and has his own private, clinical practice in Athens, Greece. He specializes in weight management and his approach to weight control focuses on cognitive behavioural modification techniques as opposed to a model of following a strict diet. Being Greek, he believes in the great value of the Mediterranean diet/lifestyle, values of which he tries to pass on to his clients as well. He is a spokesperson for brands that are aligned with his nutrition philosophy. He frequently makes guest appearances on TV and radio and writes articles for print and web media. He also has a strong academic background holding two MSc and a PhD degree in nutrition. He has been a scientific associate of the Harokopio University of Athens since 2011.

Dr. Anastasos Papalazarou

PhD, Dietitian

NP-Greece and Cyprus

Anthony Todd Nichols, PhD

CNP Article Reviewer

Dr. Nichols is a licensed psychologist in Minnesota. He provides therapy services in a clinic and teaches graduate students in a counseling program at a state university. Dr. Nichols specializes in providing clinical services to adults and children with histories of physical and sexual trauma and specializes in work with individuals with attachment disorders, anxiety, depression, and related diagnoses.

Anthony Todd Nichols, PhD

CNP Article Reviewer

Clinical Psychology

Deb Orlick-Levy, MS, RDN

Dietetics Article Reviewer

Deborah is a registered dietitian who specializes in eating disorders, disordered eating, weight management, food allergies and sports nutrition. She completed her Master’s in Clinical Nutrition at New York Medical College and takes a research-backed approach to health and wellness. She started her career in the medical nutrition industry and has since built a successful private practice while working as a consultant and spokesperson for food companies and senior living communities. Her passions include helping individuals achieve their goals and supporting fact-based health messaging to reach larger audiences. Deborah is committed to providing accurate nutrition information and providing resources to help people make informed choices for their own health and well-being.

Deb Orlick-Levy, MS, RDN

Dietetics Article Reviewer

Disordered Eating