Maryam Khojasteh, research support specialist in Growing Food Connections, has her focus on bridging the gap between vulnerable consumers and farmers.

Maryam holds a MUP from the University at Buffalo and a BA in Urban Planning from the University of Tehran, where she became interested in revitalizing low-income neighborhoods. After being introduced to the joint of public health and built environment, she tried to connect her initial interest in economic development with food systems planning. Her current research explores the role of immigrants in creating healthier food environments. Her research is focused on understanding the motivation of immigrants to engage in healthy food retail, the challenges they experience, and the reasoning behind their failure or success as healthy food retail entrepreneurs.

Maryam can be reached at mkhojast@buffalo.edu

Subhashni Raj is a Kauffman Fellow pursuing her doctoral studies in Urban and Regional Planning at the University at Buffalo. Subhashni first came to UB as a Fulbright from Fiji. Subhashni holds a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, a Post Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Development Practices in Public Policy from TERI University and a Bachelor’s degree from Bangalore University in Microbiology, Chemistry and Zoology.

Her research looks at the intersection between climate change and food systems, and more specifically at the impacts of climate change on food systems. She is also interested in food sovereignty and issues of justice and ethics in the food system.

Prior to her graduate studies at UB, Subhashni was a Project Technical Assistant at the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC). In this role, she worked on a wide variety of projects pertaining to Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and water governance. Subhashni is active in climate advocacy and has represented the pacific at climate negotiations and works at grassroots level to push for change.

Subhashni can be reached at subhashn@buffalo.edu 

Jenny is a Research Associate with the Food Lab. She received her Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from the University at Buffalo in 2015. Her work in the Food Systems Planning and Healthy Communities Lab has assisted in building the capacity of Western New York organizations to be successful in creating healthier food systems by providing research, planning, design, and training assistance. She has conducted innovative research on the role of local government policy and planning in facilitating sustainable food systems and healthy communities in rural America as part of the federally-funded Growing Food Connections project.  Jenny also co-authored the Buffalo-Niagara’s first regional food systems plan dedicated to ensuring healthy food, viable farms, and a prosperous region. Prior to joining the Food Lab, Jenny served as the Program and Outreach Coordinator for Grassroots Gardens of Buffalo.

Jenny can be reached at jrwhitta@buffalo.edu.