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.

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.

Benjamin Greenberg, BS

Sr. Project Coordinator - My Wellness Research

bxg666@med.miami.edu

Benjamin Greenberg is a Senior Project Coordinator on the My Wellness Research team at the CRANE Lab. He is a graduate of Cornell University with a BS in Hotel Administration and a minor in Performing and Media Arts. Prior to joining the CRANE Lab, Ben completed his Software Engineering Apprenticeship with Coding Temple where he built health-focused web and desktop applications using Python, JavaScript/TypeScript, React, and AWS.

Ben has a diverse professional background in technology, professional sports, and hospitality through his roles with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Cleveland Browns, and Walt Disney World. He is committed to strengthening and reinforcing the CRANE Lab engineering team’s culture of commitment to agile methodology development principles.

Ben believes strongly in giving back to the communities he is engaged in. Drawing on his experience as a Cornell Varsity Sprint Football student-athlete and as a former NFL scout, he has coached youth student-athletes as a football coach for the Harlem Jets youth football organization, About U Outreach (a New York City based sports and education focused non-profit), and at Christ The King Regional High School in Middle Village, NY. As he establishes roots in the Southeast Florida community, he looks forward to giving back and building a brighter future through his efforts to build more performant software for researchers as part of the CRANE Lab’s mission to advance cancer research, while additionally pursuing further opportunities to continue mentorship of local youth.

Outside of work, Ben enjoys spending time with his wife watching classic and international cinema, as well as anime (his favorites are Pokémon, Demon Slayer, and One Piece). He also enjoys playing the piano and participating in sports, especially partaking in less conventional games like Badminton and Curling. Ben is a lifelong collector of sports, anime, and trading card games with an extensive collection of Pokémon, Disney Lorcana, football, baseball, and basketball cards.

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.

David Gonzalez Rojas, MS, CEP, CSCS

Exercise Physiologist

dhg66@med.miami.edu

David is a graduate from the University of Central Florida School of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences. His master’s thesis work focused on the neuromuscular effects of blood flow restriction during sprint interval training.

David has worked with varying populations across different kinds of research, including clinical participants, student and professional athletes, and active-duty soldiers, during his master’s and his time at the United States of America Research Institute of Environmental Medicine.

In the future he hopes to be an Astronaut Strength, Conditioning, and Rehabilitation Specialist, training astronauts to be space-ready and aiding in the advancement of exercise protocols to combat the degeneration of muscle and bone in space.

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, MBA, LSSBB

Senior Clinical Research Coordinator

acruz7@med.miami.edu

Alexandra holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Healthcare Management. She has over 9 years of operations management experience and over 5 years of clinical research experience. She enjoys problem-solving, collaborating with others, and contributing to research that makes a meaningful impact on people’s lives. She is also passionate about lifestyle changes and the role healthy habits can play in improving overall well-being. Outside of work, Alexandra loves hiking, traveling, and exploring new places. She values continuous growth, trying new things, and making the most of every opportunity.

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.

Emory Neer, MS

Senior Clinical Research Coordinator

exn304@med.miami.edu

Emory is currently pursuing a Masters in Biostatistics at the University of Miami and holds a Bachelor of Science in community health promotion. Professionally, she is passionate about data integrity, as it is the foundation of the research used to inform so many factions of the systems we exist in. Policy is only as good as the research that informs it, and the research is only as good as the data's integrity. All of which manifests as the care received in a doctors office, the laws passed, or the resources allocated in our community — and it connects to each of our very real, vibrant lives. Outside of work she enjoys the most important things in this short life; spending time with family and loved ones, cooking with friends, nature, attending community craft nights and getting into all sorts of creative shenanigans. She is also a part of the Software Carpentries and assists with teaching free intro to programming workshops once a semester.

Valentina Muñoz, MSc

Clinical Research Coordinator

vxm851@miami.edu

Valentina is a Clinical Research Coordinator at the CRANE Lab, where she leads recruitment efforts for the lab's research studies. She earned her Master of Science in Psychology & Neuroscience of Mind-Body Interface from King's College London, where her dissertation examined the psychoneuroimmunological correlates of yoga nidra. She completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology at 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, culturally sensitive care. 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.

Mateo Uribe, BS

Clinical Research Coordinator

mxu171@miami.edu

Mateo graduated from the University of Miami, majoring in health science and minoring in public health, with future aspirations of attending medical school and becoming a physician. Mateo was raised in Miami but comes from a Colombian background and goes back to visit frequently. Mateo has always been a big supporter of fitness and wellbeing as he is someone who has always been very active and loves to play almost any type of sport with friends. His favorite sport though is soccer and his favorite soccer team, the best team in the world, is Real Madrid. In the future Mateo would love to travel more and plans on participating in humanitarian aid abroad. The field of oncology has always piqued Mateo's interest and he has learned more about the field after shadowing a clinical oncologist. Mateo is eager and excited to learn more about cancer research and see how it can affect the lives of patients.

Travis Paradiso, BS

Clinical Research Coordinator

txp565@med.miami.edu

Travis Paradiso is a Clinical Research Coordinator in Dr. Tracy Crane’s lab with a strong interest in cancer research, wellness, and patient-centered care. His background in biochemistry, nutrition, and exercise physiology has shaped his passion for understanding health from a more holistic perspective, especially the roles that exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle can play in overall well-being. Prior to attending the University of Miami, Travis served five years in the U.S. Army as an Afghanistan veteran and sniper section leader, where he developed the leadership, precision, and attention to detail that he now brings to research. Travis values creating a positive environment for those around him and believes that uplifting others can make every experience more meaningful. Outside of research, he enjoys staying active, learning about health and fitness, playing board games, and spending time with friends and family. His long-term goal is to attend medical school and become a physician, combining his background in research with a career focused on improving patient care.

Cindy Bobadilla, BA

Research Support Specialist

cxb1531@miami.edu

Cindy is a healthcare professional with experience in clinical operations, patient coordination, and administrative support. She currently works at the University of Miami and has developed a strong interest in healthcare and clinical research. She is naturally curious, detail-oriented, and enjoys learning how different processes work while finding ways to stay organized and efficient.

Outside of work, Cindy enjoys reading, writing, spending time with her family, exploring new places, and discovering new interests. She enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants, collecting stationery, and learning about different cultures. She also loves spending time with her kitten, Fresa, who keeps her entertained and on her toes. Cindy enjoys creative activities that allow her to slow down, stay curious, and express herself.

Cindy’s career goal is to continue building a career in clinical research and healthcare while expanding her knowledge and taking on new challenges. She hopes to develop strong research and coordination skills and eventually take on roles with greater responsibility. She values continuous growth and is always looking for opportunities to learn, improve, and discover what she is capable of. She is excited to build meaningful professional relationships and contribute to work that makes a lasting difference.

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.

Madeline Schatz

Madeline is currently a junior at NYU studying data science and sociology. She is excited to learn!

James Brown-Urmeneta

As a Miami native and rising junior at Boston College, James is pursuing a major in Neuroscience with a minor in Hispanic studies while working toward his long-term goal of becoming a pediatrician. Passionate about both science and community, he is driven by a desire to make meaningful connections with others and create a positive impact through healthcare. Outside of academics, James is deeply interested in sports, especially basketball, where his love for the game extends beyond the court into the world of sports analytics. Whether breaking down player efficiency metrics or debating clutch performances, he enjoys reading into the numbers and strategy just as much as the game itself. James also enjoys cooking and experimenting in the kitchen, always looking for new recipes and flavors to try. He proudly considers himself a cereal connoisseur (yes, Cinnamon Toast Crunch is the greatest cereal of all time. In his free time, he likes to go to the movie theatre with his friends. This summer, he has promised himself to pick a new hobby: crocheting, and is always open to any tips!

Nathen Chen

Nathan Chen is an incoming student at Vanderbilt University pursuing a pre-medical track with interests in clinical research, preventative medicine, human performance, lifestyle interventions, and longevity science. He is passionate about understanding how exercise, nutrition, recovery, and evidence-based healthcare strategies can improve long-term health outcomes and overall quality of life.

Nathan has developed much of his passion for healthcare through hands-on experiences in both clinical and wellness settings. At BLU by ThriveWell, a performance and longevity-focused wellness center, he worked as a NASM-certified personal trainer and assisted with VO2 max testing, Lunar iDXA body composition scans, recovery protocols, and client wellness interventions. Through this experience, he saw firsthand how structured exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle changes could dramatically improve people’s health, confidence, and quality of life. He also shadowed an orthopedic surgeon both in clinic and in the operating room, where he enjoyed seeing patients recover mobility, reduce pain, and regain independence through medical care.

Since the age of five, Nathan has participated in medical mission trips to Nicaragua, helping support healthcare initiatives and serving underserved communities through rural clinics and outreach programs. Those experiences played a major role in shaping his desire to pursue medicine and continue serving others throughout his career.

Outside of academics and healthcare, Nathan enjoys strength training, skiing, climbing, wrestling, MMA, hiking, diving, spearfishing, and playing sports with friends. A former state finalist wrestler, he has always been drawn to discipline, competition, and personal growth. He also enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, and serving through his church and community. In the future, Nathan hopes to attend medical school and work within the longevity, health, and wellness space, combining medicine with preventative health and lifestyle-focused care to serve people and help them live healthier and more fulfilling lives.

Marin Nottingham

Marin Nottingham will be a rising freshman at Emory University. It has been her lifelong dream to pursue a career in medicine. Some areas she is interested in are orthopaedic surgery, ophthalmology, and dermatology. For her entire high school career Marin was the Boys Varsity coxswain of the crew team, participating at the state and national level. Some of her other hobbies include reading, scuba diving, and spending time with family and friends. Marin is eager to start this research opportunity and delve into the field of medicine.