Micaela F. Lipman is a PhD student in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at the University at Buffalo.  Prior to joining the Food Lab, Micaela graduated from Cornell University with a BA in Development Sociology with minors in International Development and Applied Economics.  Micaela has worked in academia and the nonprofit sector to explore creative solutions at the nexus of adolescent development, food policy, economic equality, and community organizing.  She has also worked on county-level projects with food policy councils, regional projects in upstate New York, and international projects while studying abroad in East Africa and the Andes region of South America. Micaela’s research interests lie in food sovereignty, the unique food system experiences of adolescents, and exploring best practices across disciplines to secure food justice. Micaela can be reached at micaelal@buffalo.edu.