Nuestro equipo

Tracy E. Crane, PhD, RDN

Associate Professor, Medical Oncology
Co-Lead, Cancer Control Research Program
Director, Digital Health and Lifestyle Medicine

tecrane@miami.edu
(305) 243-8255

Dr. Crane is an Associate Professor of Medical Oncology at the Miller School of Medicine. As the Director of Lifestyle Medicine and Digital Health at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, she is committed to building an evidence-based foundation for mobile health interventions to reach the greatest number of cancer survivors.

Loren Yavelberg, PhD, CEP

Post-Doctoral Associate

l.yavelberg@med.miami.edu

Dr. Loren Yavelberg is a graduate of the Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Science at York University. He completed his PhD on the effects of intermittent fasting and exercise.

Dr. Loren Yavelberg's master's research work revolved around wearable technology during varying intensities and modalities of physical activity, and artificial pancreas investigations for individuals with Type 1 Diabetes.

Dr. Yavelberg has had the opportunity to work with a range of persons across the health continuum, including elite and professional athletes, as well as individuals with chronic disease. In addition to his role in searching for ground-breaking weight loss techniques, Dr. Yavelberg has been extensively involved in a number of research projects such as the development of a National Fitness Standard for Canadian Wildland Firefighters and Police Officers, as well as, The Pre-diabetes Physical Activity Intervention Project.

Harleen Kaur, PhD

Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Cancer Control Training in Disparities and Equity Program (C-TIDE)

hxk629@med.miami.edu

Your brief, informal third-person bio – Harleen is a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her dissertation training encompassed the implementation of both digital and community-based diet and physical activity interventions tailored for cancer survivors. The focus of her dissertation was to elucidate the operative mediators of web-based interventions for cancer survivors, to advance the understanding and efficacy of lifestyle interventions to enhance dietary and physical activity behaviors. As a researcher, her ultimate aspiration is to improve the quality of life for cancer survivors through the provision of personalized diet and physical activity interventions across the cancer continuum.

Ross Johnston, BSc

Senior Software Developer

rxj574@miami.edu

I'm Ross Johnston, a full-stack software developer with a BSc in Computer Science and a minor in Software Engineering from Western University, Ontario Canada. My career has taken me through diverse industries, including financial services, food and beverage (Restaurant Brands International - Burger King & Tim Hortons), and gaming (Ubisoft). I have built and optimized high-traffic web and mobile applications used by millions, ensuring top-notch performance, stability, and user experience. Outside of coding, I'm passionate about playing guitar and running, drawing on my background as a varsity sprint hurdler.

Sandra Anciani-Beltran, BS

Believe in You Program Coordinator

sxa1298@med.miami.edu

Sandra is an experienced healthcare professional with a strong foundation in systems development and healthcare operations. She currently serve as the Project Coordinator for the Believe in You Program at the University of Miami, where she's been a proud and committed team member since 2018. In addition, she collaborates with the Food Pharmacy Project, supporting community-centered healthcare initiatives.

With over a decade of experience in administration, logistics, and operations within the healthcare sector, she brings both breadth and depth to my work. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Information Systems, an Associate of Science, and an Associate Degree in English Academic Writing. She's also completed several professional trainings, particularly in Healthcare Project Management.

Throughout her career, she's taken on a variety of responsibilities, including managing onboarding processes, departmental budgeting, and scheduling logistics. Her work has focused on optimizing provider templates, improving clinical access, ensuring compliance with healthcare standards, and supporting departmental leadership through high-level operational reporting.

Carolina Velasco, MS

Sr. Project Coordinator–Food Pharmacy

cxv646@miami.edu

Carolina earned both her Bachelor’s (2014) and Master’s (2019) degrees in Dietetics and Nutrition from Florida International University (FIU). She is passionate about preventive and functional nutrition, with a special interest in promoting nutrition education among underserved communities and using food as medicine as a tool for disease prevention and management. Carolina is currently working toward earning her Registered Dietitian (RD) credential by passing the CDR Boards.
Outside of her professional goals, Carolina enjoys traveling, reading, learning new languages, and spending quality time with her family and close friends.

Victoria Camacho, MS, RDN, LDN

Registered Dietitian, CRANE Lab

vcc27@miami.edu

Hello, I'm Victoria Camacho, a Registered Dietitian originally from Venezuela, holding both a bachelor's and master's degree in nutrition and Dietetics from Florida International University. Over the past three years, I've immersed myself in research across various nutrition topics, working with diverse populations. I find great joy in educating patients and assisting them in achieving their health goals. My long-term vision involves contributing to the continuous growth of the nutrition field, fueled by a genuine passion for expanding awareness and promoting overall well-being. Outside of my professional life, I enjoy film photography, collecting vinyl records, and staying active through regular workouts

Sylvia Lillquist, MPH, RDN

Registered Dietitian, CRANE Lab

sdl76@miami.edu

Sylvia Lillquist, MPH, RDN, is a registered dietitian with experience in academic, clinical, and research settings. She has worked with high-risk populations studying the effect diet has on prevention and treatment of chronic disease including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

Sylvia loves sharing her passion for food, nutrition, and culinary arts with her patients, showing them that the food they eat can be both incredibly healing and delicious. She has led clinical trials aimed at preventing and treating chronic disease by educating individuals through cooking classes, nutrition counseling, and initiatives that improve access to healthy food. She hopes to pursue a Ph.D. focused on the impact of integrative approaches on cancer survivorship and is committed to bridging the gap between lifestyle medicine and the current healthcare system.

In her free time, you can almost always find her in the kitchen experimenting with new recipes, staying active outdoors, relaxing with a book in hand, or spending time with her family. She is very excited to be a part of the CRANE Lab!

Bryan Mejia, MS

CRANE Lab Health Coach

bxm971@miami.edu

Bryan Mejia, a Miami native with Honduran roots, earned his master’s degree in sport & exercise psychology from Minnesota State University, Mankato. During his adolescent years, he engaged in various sports, including football, basketball, track, and soccer. As an NCAA football and track & field athlete at Central College in Pella, Iowa, he not only excelled in sports but also delved into psychological research projects, presenting his findings at two research conferences hosted by the Midwestern Psychological Association.

Driven by a passion for psychological research and a desire to help others lead fulfilling lives, Bryan pursued a career in sport & exercise psychology. After graduating from his master’s program, he became a high school instructor at Miami SLAM Charter High School, teaching AP and dual enrollment psychology courses. Bryan also created the school’s first sport & exercise psychology elective class and collaborated with SLAM athletic teams to provide sport psychology workshops. After three years of teaching and coaching, Bryan transitioned into higher education as an academic advisor for the Miami Herbert Business School.

His research interests include human flourishing, positive psychology, and the psychological factors affecting happiness and motivation. Bryan is also an advocate for an active lifestyle, enjoying hobbies such as cycling, weightlifting, hiking, exploring museums and parks, and traveling. In his spare time, he works on his antique car project—a 1981 Chevrolet El Camino.

In addition to his professional commitments, Bryan serves as a freelance sport psychology practitioner. Through collaborations with local and national athletes, teams, and universities, he designs and implements tailored psychological skills programs, utilizing both in-person and remote platforms to maximize accessibility and impact."

Alexandra Cruz, BS, BA

Senior Clinical Research Coordinator

axc2609@med.miami.edu

Alexandra earned her BS in Biological Sciences and BA in Interdisciplinary Studies. She is currently working towards her MBA in Healthcare Management at Florida International University. She is passionate about preventative medicine and health equity amongst underserved populations. Her personal interests include traveling, learning new languages, sports, and weight training.

Valery Mardini, MPH, MBS

Senior Clinical Research Coordinator

vjm42@med.miami.edu

Valery Mardini is a Clinical Research Coordinator with a passion for oncology research and patient-centered care. Her role at the Crane lab has fueled her dedication to advancing cancer treatment and supporting patients and their families through meaningful, evidence-based care.
Outside of research, Valery enjoys exploring new coffee shops, traveling, and staying active through tennis, pilates and yoga. She also loves spending time with family and friends, and baking for her loved ones. Her long-term goal is to combine her research background with a career in medicine as a physician assistant, ultimately working in oncology where she can bridge compassionate patient care with innovative scientific discovery.

Nicole Saldarriaga Vargas, MPH

Clinical Research Coordinator

nxs1422@miami.edu

Nicole is a recent graduate student from the University of Miami in the Master of Public Health program, working toward a future career in health policy. She joined the CRANE Lab as a graduate research assistant, and has now transitioned into a fulltime employee for the lab to support the LIFE-L and OnPOINT studies. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, pilates, and attending concerts.

Valentina Muñoz, MSc

Research Support Specialist

vxm851@med.miami.edu

Valentina earned her Master of Science in Psychology & Neuroscience of Mind-Body Interface from King’s College London, where she specialized in exploring the neuroimaging correlates of stress-reducing pathways within a psychoneuroimmunological study. She previously graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Pepperdine University in California, where she coordinated an art therapy workshop aimed at reducing loneliness and fostering social connection within the community.

Drawing on her experience across academic and healthcare settings, Valentina is passionate about bridging interdisciplinary, evidence-based research with the delivery of compassionate and culturally sensitive care in the CRANE Lab. Her work reflects a deep commitment to understanding the mind-body connection and promoting holistic well-being among patients and research participants alike.

Outside the lab, Valentina enjoys practicing yoga, learning French, curling up with a good fiction book, and soaking in the warm Miami sunshine.

Madalyn Wheeler, MSEd

Doctoral Research Fellow
Exercise Physiology

mxw1071@miami.edu

Madalyn has her B.S. in Biochemistry and Biology from Roanoke College. She recently graduated at the University of Miami with an M.S.Ed. in Applied Physiology and began working toward a Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology. Madalyn has been an active contributor for a number of programs, including Believe in You, You Got This, and the clinical trial OnPoint within the lab.

Nuestros compañeros

Tenemos el privilegio de colaborar con un equipo diverso de profesionales de la salud de Sylvester Cancer Center. Nuestros esfuerzos de colaboración se extienden a médicos, dietistas, fisiólogos del ejercicio y muchos otros expertos en sus respectivos campos. Su experiencia y pasión nos permiten brindar atención integral y holística a los sobrevivientes de cáncer, y nos sentimos honrados de tenerlos como parte de nuestro equipo.