Saralyn Foster, MS, RD, LD
I’m from San Antonio, TX, and I’m currently a third-year doctoral student as well as a registered and licensed dietitian. I hold a Master of Science in Health and Kinesiology from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a Bachelor of Science from Texas A&M University – College Station. My research interests focus on maternal, infant, and child nutrition. My ultimate career goal is to work in an academic setting where I can conduct research and educate future dietitians. I also hope to get involved in public policy to advocate for the health of mothers and children.
Right now, I’m working on two independent projects related to maternal and child health. The first project evaluates the association between breastfeeding duration and a mother’s long-term body mass index (BMI) as well as postpartum weight retention. I’m also stratifying the participants by socioeconomic status (SES) to see how these associations vary across different SES levels. For this project, I’m using data from the Geographical Research on Well-being (GROW) Study in collaboration with Dr. Catherine Cubbin and her doctoral student, Christian Vazquez, at the Steve Hicks School of Social Work.
The second project uses data from the Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health (CCCEH) at Columbia University. I’m assessing the associations between maternal obesity at child age seven and child growth, body composition, and cardiometabolic risk at child ages seven to nine. In addition to these projects, I’m assisting with the MINT and MAGIC studies and working as a Teaching Assistant for the Department of Nutritional Sciences.
Fun fact: I’m left-handed!
Marcela Abrego, MPH
I’m from Washington, DC, and I’m a third-year doctoral student in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at UT Austin. I earned a Master of Public Health in Nutrition and Health Quality from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where my capstone project focused on a nutrition intervention for cardiometabolic health in Cleveland County. My career goal is to become an independent researcher investigating the lifestyle determinants that contribute to metabolic syndrome in underserved populations.
Currently, I’m working on two independent projects that explore dietary intake and eating behaviors in the context of child development and metabolic health. The first project evaluates the associations between animal-source food consumption and motor development during the first year of life, using Peabody scales. This project draws on data from the Widen lab’s MAGIC study. The second project examines childhood eating behaviors in relation to 1) longitudinal growth through adolescence and 2) dysglycemia and insulin resistance during puberty. For this project, I’m collaborating with Dr. Dana Dabelea and using data from the Healthy Start study in Denver, Colorado.
I also serve as the president of the Nutrition Graduate Student Association and work as a graduate research assistant for the MAGIC study.
Fun fact: I’m a certified Lagree instructor!
Madilyn Bradley
I am a master’s student in the Widen Lab, where my research focuses on how features of the built environment, such as neighborhood walkability and the food environment, influence maternal and infant health outcomes. My work centers on nutritional epidemiology, examining exposures at the neighborhood and population levels to better understand their impact on health.
Originally from Houston, Texas, I am passionate about advancing maternal and infant health research to promote safer pregnancies and healthier children. I plan to pursue a PhD in the same field to continue building knowledge that improves health outcomes for mothers and their children.
In addition to my research, I serve as the Director of Programming for the Nutrition Graduate Student Organization.
Fun fact: Outside of the lab, I enjoy spending time with my emotional support lizard and baking delicious treats to share with friends.
Anahi Ramos-Gonzalez, MSc
I’m from Mexico City and in my second year as a doctoral student. I hold a Master of Science in Community Nutrition from the National Institute of Public Health in Mexico.
My academic journey and professional experiences have focused on understanding the critical first two years of life. I have explored how caregiver-infant interactions shape eating behaviors and how these behaviors influence weight gain trajectories, health outcomes, and long-term obesity risk. I am deeply committed to advancing maternal and child health.
My professional background includes clinical and public health roles, where I have supported vulnerable populations, particularly women and children. As a WIC Nutritionist, I provide tailored nutritional counseling, breastfeeding support, and education to vulnerable families. This hands-on experience informs my research and reinforces my commitment to addressing health disparities through evidence-based strategies.
In my doctoral training, I am expanding my expertise with advanced methodologies such as video-sensitive feedback and video coding to explore responsive feeding practices. These tools will allow me to design and evaluate interventions that empower caregivers and promote healthy developmental outcomes for infants and toddlers. My work aligns with my goal of bridging research and practice to foster sustainable, equitable health improvements in at-risk communities.
I aim to contribute to the growing knowledge of early childhood nutrition and health through applied research, direct service, and academic inquiry. I want to influence policies and programs that support healthy growth and development during this formative period.
Fun fact: Back in Mexico, I used to rescue cats and dogs from the street, and once, we had up to 8 at home!
Kayleen Whitley, MS, RD, LD
I am a first-year PhD student in the Widen Lab. I completed my undergraduate and master’s degrees, as well as a dietetic internship, at the University of Houston. I worked as a pediatric clinical dietitian for three years at top children’s hospitals, which solidified my drive to pursue a doctoral degree in nutrition with a focus on infant and early childhood nutrition. My specific interests in this area of nutrition are caregiver feeding types, caregiver-responsive feeding sensitivity, and hunger self-regulation in children.
