Category Archives: Past Lab Members

Mohammad Khurram Qureshi

Mohammad Khurram Qureshi is a passionate advocate for civil, political, and socio-economic rights. He is driven by the conviction that law is a powerful tool for fostering justice and equality. As a licensed attorney from Kashmir, Khurram has dedicated his career to legal aid and social litigation, beginning his advocacy journey during law school. His commitment to human rights and public accountability has seen him collaborate with prominent organizations such as the J&K Right to Information Movement, focused on social justice.

Khurram is the serving President of the Young Lawyers Forum, a non-profit legal organization dedicated to promoting legal awareness and social advocacy in Kashmir. He holds an integrated Bachelor in Arts and Law degree from the Central University of Kashmir. During his law school tenure, he demonstrated exceptional leadership as the Vice President of the Law Society. He is an admitted LL.M. candidate at the University of Wisconsin Law School and will begin his studies there in fall 2024. Khurram’s unwavering dedication to social advocacy continues to inspire his work, making him a formidable force in the pursuit of justice. In his free time, he likes to go hiking, camping, and kayaking.

Maheen Akram

Maheen Akram holds a Bachelor’s degree from Wellesley College, where she successfully pursued a double major in Economics and Political Science, setting the foundation for her academic and professional pursuits. Immediately after graduating from Wellesley, Maheen spent three years working at Goldman Sachs, Ayco Financial Management. Her experience at Goldman provided her with valuable insights into the complexities and inequities of the financial world and its impact on individuals and communities. Driven by a strong desire to contribute to the advancement of financial literacy and inclusion, Maheen aspires to pursue a Ph.D. to delve into the impact of financial education on individuals’ investment decisions. Her research interests focus on how targeted financial education initiatives can empower underserved communities and lead to improved financial decision-making. Currently, Maheen is serving as a board member and the Secretary for the Kashmir Education Initiative, a 503c non-profit organization that plays a crucial role in providing educational opportunities to underserved students in Kashmir. Her dedication to promoting education and empowerment underscores her strong belief in the transformative power of knowledge. Maheen enjoys camping, cooking, and playing team sports in her free time.

Matthew Tilly

Matthew Tilly graduated from Binghamton University (SUNY) with a dual Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies – Environmental Policy & Law, and Geography – Urban & Regional Planning. Since completing his undergraduate studies, he has worked for the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation in Albany, and is currently employed with the Warren County Government in Lake George, both positions utilizing Geographic Information Systems. Before going back to school, Matthew planned to acquire years of experience in the professional world. His career trajectory moving forward is to pursue a Master’s Degree in Sustainable Urban Planning. In the Food Lab, Matthew will be working alongside the GIS team to update and maintain the two dashboards for the CHEER project, in addition to completing data analysis tasks as needed. His hobbies include video and board games, playing tennis, and spending time with his family’s two labrador retrievers.

Faithwin Gbadamos

Faithwin Gbadamos is a PhD student in the Department of Geography. Her research is centered on the nexus of sustainability, health, and development. Her research seeks to answer questions about environmental degradation linked to food security, livelihood impacts, and adaptation strategies. She uses the power of geospatial analysis to gain insights into the relationship between spatial dynamics and social factors. At the Food lab, Faithwin is responsible for tasks involving geographic information.

Prior to starting her PhD, Faithwin explored diverse sectors, including energy and telecommunications, providing her with firsthand insights into these sectors and the critical need for sustainable practices. This experience solidified her unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability and health. Faithwin graduated from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria with a bachelor’s degree in Geography.

Mashood Ahmad Farooqi

Mashood Ahmad Farooqi is interested in the role of social and environmental determinants on physical and mental health clinical outcomes. As a trained physician, he is also interested in how medical students are trained in understanding the role of social and environmental determinants on clinical outcomes. In the Food Lab, Mashood is working with a team to explore the impact of structural determinants on mental health disorders and substance abuse. Prior to joining the UB Food Lab as a research fellow, Mashood completed his Bachelors in Medicine and Bachelors in Surgery (MBBS) from Government Medical College, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.

Mashood is an avid football fan. In his spare time, Mashood enjoys reading fantasy and history, and spending time in the gym and in the wilderness.

Festus Adegbola

Festus Adegbola is a graduate student at the UB Geography Department. Festus’ research focuses on spatial ecology with the aim of monitoring degrading ecosystems using remote sensing techniques and proffering sustainable management approaches to ultimately restore such ecosystems.

At the Food Lab, Festus assumes the role of a GIS analyst, responsible for overseeing and processing all projects and tasks that involve geographic information. Festus enjoys playing musical instruments. Sax and piano are his favorites.

Food Lab Alum

An outstanding group of students have contributed to research in the Food Lab. Most, but not all, were students at the University at Buffalo when they trained with us. This alumni network continue to bring their talent and skill to new endeavors. We are proud of their hard work and accomplishments!

Nathan Attard, MUP, University at Buffalo
Sophia Bahati, BA Candidate, University at Buffalo
Solhyon Baek, PhD, Department of Geography ’12, University at Buffalo
William Becker, MUP/MArch, University at Buffalo
Madelaine Britt, BAED ’17, University at Buffalo; Awards: Truman Fellowship
Camile Brown, BAED ’18, University at Buffalo
Samantha Bulkillvish, MUP ’17, University at Buffalo
Cristina Delgado-Howard, MS Architecture ’15, MUP ’13, University at Buffalo; Awards in the MUP Program: Dean’s Award
Bree-Ana Dukes, BA ’13, University at Buffalo
Eliza Feero, BS, ’18, Brown University, Providence, RI
Patrick Gooch, MUP, JD ’13; Award in the MUP Program: Excellence in Studio; Current: Senior Planner, Chautauqua County Department of Planning and Economic Development, New York
Kelsey Gosch, BA/BS Candidate ’18, Wellesley College
Enjoli Hall, MUP ’17, University at Buffalo; Awards in the MUP Program: American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Award for Professional Excellence, Award for Academic Excellence (Highest GPA)
Jessica Hall, MUP ’13, University at Buffalo; Awards in the MUP Program: Chair’s Award for Excellence; Best MUP Thesis Award Winner; Strategy Analyst, Harris Health System, Houston TX
David Harary, BA ’15, University at Buffalo
Abdulrahman Ibrahim, BAED ’17, University at Buffalo
Alexandra Judelsohn, MUP, Doctoral Student, University of Michigan
Maryam Khojasteh, MUP ’14, Awards in the MUP Program: Chair’s Award for Excellence; Doctoral Candidate, University of Pennsylvania
Bhakti Kulkarni, MUP ’08, University at Buffalo
Elizabeth Machnica, MPH and MS ’16, RD, University at Buffalo
Sarah Miller, BS ’16, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT
Kelley Mosher, MUP ’18, University at Buffalo
Aye Bay Na Sa, BA Candidate ’19, University at Buffalo
Kailee Neuner, MUP ’10, University at Buffalo; Planner at LaBella Associates, P.C.
Travis Norton, MUP ’14, University at Buffalo; Awards in the MUP Program: American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Award for Professional Excellence, Award for Academic Excellence (Highest GPA)
Grace O’Connor, BAED ’18, University at Buffalo
Mara Pusateri, MPH MUP, ’15, University at Buffalo
Joseph Quinn, BAED Candidate ’18, University at Buffalo; Awards: UB Excellence in Research, Scholarship, and Creativity
Subhashni Raj, PhD ’18, Urban and Regional Planning, University at Buffalo
Alex Ruch, MPH ’13, University at Buffalo
Jessica Kozlowski Russell, MUP ’08, University at Buffalo
Sarah SanGiovanni, MUP ’14, University at Buffalo; Awards in the MUP Program: Chair’s Award for Academic Promise
Hailey Stern, MUP, University at Buffalo; Outreach Specialist and City Planner, Philadelphia Water Authority
Erin Sweeney, MUP ’18, University at Buffalo; Awards: Fulbright Scholarship; AICP Excellence Award
Thaint Thu, Hutchinson Central Technical High School Student
Alex Brian Ticoalu, Doctoral Student, University at Buffalo
Danielle Vazquez, MBA/MPH Candidate ’19, University at Buffalo
Kathryn (Katie) Veith, MUP, JD ’08, University at Buffalo; Attorney, Greater Buffalo Area, NY
Jennifer (Jenny) Whittaker, MUP, ’14; Awards: SUNY Chancellor’s Award; Clinical Research Coordinator, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and PhD student at University of Pennsylvania
Annette Wong, BS 2014, University at Buffalo, Marketing Associate, CoachMePlus, Buffalo, NY
Pavan Yadav, MUP ’08, University at Buffalo, Technical Lead, ESRI, Redlands, CA
Nirupama Stalin, MUP, ’20, University of Buffalo
Domonique Griffin, MUP ’19, University at Buffalo
Kristopher Walton, MUP ’20, University of Buffalo
Archana Mohan, School of Management
Gabriella Hall, Communication, University at Buffalo
Avery Sirwatka, Urban and Public Policy; Sociology, University at Buffalo
David Goldberg, Environmental Studies & Political Science and minor in Spanish,‘19 University at Buffalo
Sydney Jones, Public Health and Minor in Spanish ’20, University at Buffalo
Samendy Brice, Master of Architecture, University at Buffalo
Daniela Leon, MUP ’21, University at Buffalo
Micaela Lipman, Doctoral Student, University at Buffalo
Rosanna Valencia, BS in Architecture
Rachel Grandits, MS in Sustainability Leadership, University at Buffalo
Nathaniel Mich, MUP ‘ 22 ,Specialization in Community health and food systems, University at Buffalo

Kahad Adamu

A doctoral student in urban and regional planning, Kahad Adamu is interested in the political ecology of gold mining in Sub-Saharan Africa and managing natural resources (land and water), land management and administration, and affordable housing.

At the Food Lab, Kahad works on a variety of analytical projects. He is currently investigating the racial disparities in the spatial distribution of retail food destinations in Erie County. He is also involved in the Healthy Corner Store Initiative (HCSI) project.

Before joining UB, Kahad earned an MSc in Urban Development Planning from University College London (UCL) and a BSc (Hons) in Land Economy from KNUST in Ghana. Kahad previously worked as an adjunct lecturer at Kumasi Technical University in Kumasi, Ghana, where he taught courses such as Land Use Planning and Administration and Property Rating and Taxation. He also worked with the Land Resources and Management Center (LRMC) on projects that examined urban governance and informal settlement in Ghana’s capital city.

Zane Longwell

Zane Longwell is a current Master of Urban Planning student at the University at Buffalo investigating how the City of Buffalo can support locally-owned food retail. He is interested in food systems equity, urban agriculture, climate justice, and affordable housing. He was recognized for his advocacy work as the Faculty Liaison with the Graduate Planning Student Association by receiving a Master of Urban Planning Service Award and was also nominated for a Pillars of Leadership Student Organization Officer of the Year award. In 2022, he completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Architectural Studies at Kent State University. Outside of school, Zane enjoys watching reality TV, reading, going to coffee shops, and hiking.

Liya Rachal Chandy

Liya Rachal Chandy is a fourth semester student in the Master of Architecture program with a focus on Inclusive Design and Urban Design. She oversees global projects within the lab setting and thinks of food systems as a level for positive social change. Prior to working at the lab, she worked as an Architect in India and strongly believes in the power of place making as well as the power of good design. For the school, she acts as a liaison for International students and advances conversations on equity, inclusion and diversity. She also enjoys cooking, drawing, painting, gardening, and all things creative in her spare time!