Ephi Morphew-Lu

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

Co-Founder and Executive Director

Shereen Behairy, PhD (cand)

Conceptual Development Lead

Shereen F. Behairy is a Clinical Pharmacist with a solid foundation in the field of pharmaceutical sciences. With a Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, specializing in Pharmacology and Toxicology, Shereen possesses a profound comprehension of how drugs affect the human body. Currently engaged in her Ph.D. studies in Neuropharmacology, Shereen's primary focus is to advance the understanding of the intricate interplay between drugs, neurochemistry, and cognitive function. Through her research, she aspires to uncover innovative therapeutic approaches that can contribute to enhancing mental health outcomes. As a recent Harvard Alumni Association (HAA) member, Shereen participated in a comprehensive program that deepened her knowledge of advanced research methodologies and clinical study design, equipping her with the essential tools to conduct meticulous and impactful research.

Shereen Behairy, PhD (cand)

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 & biostats

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 & biostats

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 Cand)

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 Cand)

Director of Scholarship, and Communications

Chelsea Louise Doswell, BA

Organizational Administration

Ms. Doswell graduated with a degree in Strategic Communication from the University of South Alabama, and is currently pursuing her MS in Clinical Mental Health and Counseling at Adam’s State University. She has completed the original 7-course Certificate in Nutritional Psychology from JFK University, and is a CNP curriculum contributor assisting in the development of the Interoceptive element of NP. Her long-term goal is to one day incorporate her knowledge of the Diet-Mental Health Relationship into her graduate/clinical work, supporting those who suffer from various eating disorders. Chelsea supports continuing education and library membership development for CNP.

Chelsea Louise Doswell, BA

Organizational Administration

Olga Baryshnikova

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

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

Nanette Stroebel-Benschop, PhD

Chair, 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

Chair, Education Planning Committee

Nutritional Psychology

Kristine Lokken, PhD, AFMCP

Education Planning Committee

Dr. Lokken is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Neurobiology at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. She is a clinician and a researcher, and will be bringing her skills to CNP to assist in curriculum development in nutritional psychology.

Kristine Lokken, PhD, AFMCP

Education Planning Committee

Neuropsychology/Functional Medicine

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

Nutritional Psychology Translation

Dori Coetzee, MS, RD

Nutrition and Dietetics

Dori Coetzee is a registered dietitian who specializes in plant-based nutrition. Dori currently serves as the Chair for the Vegetarian Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group, which is a part of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Dori works with food systems that use plant-based diets to improve nutrition and to benefit the planet. Dori is glad to be part of the CNP team.

Dori Coetzee, MS, RD

Nutrition and Dietetics

Plant-Based Nutrition

Julia Vandergrift, RD, LDN

Registered Dietitian

Julia graduated with her Bachelors of Science in Dietetics at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, OH. She completed her last internship rotation with the Center for Nutritional Psychology before becoming a Registered Dietitian in June 2023. Julia became interested in the gut-brain axis after much research pointed to the gut microbiome as one of the most important factors in overall health. She plans to start her own private practice specializing in gut health.

Julia Vandergrift, RD, LDN

Registered Dietitian

Nutritional Psychology Internship

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

Eileen Santana, RD, CDN

CNP Article Reviewer

Eileen is a registered dietitian who completed her dietetic training at New York University and CUNY Hunter College. She specializes in community nutrition, public health and wellness nutrition. Eileen currently helps clients create sustainable dietary habits that support their mood, energy, and overall health.

Eileen Santana, RD, CDN

CNP Article Reviewer

Nutrition & Public Health

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