Our Team

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.

Grey Freylersythe, NBC-HWC

Senior Manager, Research Support
CRANE Lab

g.freylersythe@miami.edu
(305) 243-9832

Grey is the Senior Manager in Research Support for Dr. Crane’s research lab. Grey is a board-certified health and wellness coach with eight years of experience in lifestyle and behavioral research.

Aylin Espinosa

Manager, Administrative Operations
CRANE Lab

abarrios6@miami.edu
(305) 243-5013

Aylin is Dr. Crane's executive assistant with a love for all things creative and cooking. Aylin is an professional entrepreneur with a degree in Health Information Technology from DeVry University's College of Health Sciences & Applied Sciences.

Paola Rossi, MD

Lifestyle Medicine Clinical Program Director

pxr495@miami.edu

Paola is the Lifestyle Medicine Clinical Program Director for Dr. Crane’s research lab, as well as an exercise physiologist and family and palliative care physician. She is spearheading the development of programs to meet the needs of cancer patients at Sylvester Cancer Center and the broader community.

Melissa Lopez-Pentecost, PhD, RDN

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

mlopez-pentecost@miami.edu

Melissa is a Registered Dietitian and Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. She received her Ph.D. in Clinical Translational Sciences at the University of Arizona.

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.

Mary Martos, MD, MPH

Post-Doctoral Research Fellow

mpm153@med.miami.edu

Mary is a general surgery resident and Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. A NIH T32 Training Grant recipient, she is focusing her research on the intersection of cancer outcomes and social determinants of health.

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.

Stefan Spee Erlandsen, MSEd

Exercise Physiologist, CRANE Lab

sns180@miami.edu

Stefan is a graduate kinesiology intern at CRANE lab. He is a M.S.Ed Applied Physiology major at the University of Miami. Stefan studied Kinesiology from Universidad Mayor in Santiago de Chile, and has over 8 years of experience in sports medicine and kinesiology.

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

Deborah Fortino, MS, ACSM-CPT, ACE

CRANE Lab Health Coach

dnf9@med.miami.edu

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."

Richard Ramos, MPH

Clinical Research Coordinator

r.ramos94@miami.edu

Richard is a Miami-born public health professional. He earned his BA in Biology and MPH degrees at the University of Miami. He began with the CRANE Lab as a Communications Intern. Since graduation, he has taken on the role of fulltime Clinical Research Coordinator to support the LIFE-L and now also FastER studies.

Alexandra Cruz, BS, BA

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.

Warda Chaudhary, BS, MPH

Clinical Research Coordinator

wxc526@med.miami.edu

Warda serves as a Clinical Research Coordinator at the CRANE Lab. She received her BS in Health Sciences, Psychological Research Methods from DePaul University and earned her MPH in Global Health from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Her research interests include cancer survivorship and mental health. In her spare time, Warda enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her family.

Rachel Kimble, MPH

Clinical Research Coordinator

rxk807@miami.edu

Rachel is a clinical research coordinator at the CRANE Lab with the LIFE-L study. She graduated with a Master in Public Health from the University of Miami in the spring of 2024 and transitioned from her role as a graduate research assistant into a fulltime position with the lab.

Juan Joly Perez, MD, MPH

Clinical Research Coordinator

jdj88@miami.edu

Juan is a doctor of medicine (MD) from Colombia and graduated with a Master of Public Health from the University of Miami. He is clinical research coordinator with the Life-L study and is also a certified respiratory therapist (RRT) with clinical experience in trauma, cardiac, and respiratory intensive care unit.

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.

LaShae Rolle, MPH, CPH

Doctoral Research Fellow
Prevention Science and Community Health

ldr84@miami.edu

LaShae is a Caribbean-born certified public health professional. She earned her BSc in Chemistry, and MPH in Epidemiology and Global Health. She is currently working toward her Ph.D. in Prevention Science and Community Health.

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.

Monica Gutierrez Paneque, BSEd

Doctoral Research Fellow in Counselling Psychology

monicagutierrez@miami.edu

Monica is a Doctoral Research Fellow in Counselling Psychology at the CRANE Lab, focusing mainly on the LIFE-L Study. Her area of interests include understanding the relationship between food, culture, and health disparities within underrepresented communities.

Kenna Hollander, BS

Graduate Research Assistant
Masters of Science in Education

kxh909@miami.edu

Kenna is a graduate research assistant at CRANE Lab. She has her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Georgia and is now a first-year graduate student at the University of Miami pursuing a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling. Kenna has hopes of pursuing a Ph.D. in psychology following her Master’s.

Anna Hernandez, BS

Graduate Research Assistant

avh58@miami.edu

Anna is a first-year student in the Master of Public Health program at the University of Miami. She recently graduated with a bachelor’s in political science and public health from Florida State University. Her career goals consist of creating and furthering research in many areas of the public health world. A few of her favorite things to do include spending time with friends, playing with dogs, and painting. She is very passionate about health and nutrition, which is what piqued her interest in joining the CRANE Lab team. A fun fact about Anna is that she has been a vegetarian for over 7 years.

Elle Mezzio

Undergraduate Research Intern

emm310@miami.edu

Elle is an undergraduate cross-country/track and field student-athlete at the University of Miami. Majoring in biology with a double minor in biological physics and sports medicine, Elle joined the CRANE Lab in February 2023 as a research intern. Elle's contribution to the lab include working on OnPOINT, NLP, TEAL, and the SMS Project.

Our Partners

We have the privilege of collaborating with a diverse team of healthcare professionals from Sylvester Cancer Center. Our collaborative efforts extend to physicians, dietitians, exercise physiologists, and many other experts in their respective fields. Their expertise and passion enable us to provide comprehensive and holistic care to cancer survivors, and we are honored to have them as part of our team.

Jessica MacIntyre, ARNP NP-C AOCNP

Executive Director, Clinical Operations, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center

Federika Garcia, MS RDN LDN CNSC

Oncology Dietitian/
Clinical Nutrition Manager, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center

Leslie Beth Klein, RD

Oncology Dietitian/Clinical Nutrition Manager, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center

Jessica Moya, MS, RD, CSO, LDN, CNSC

Oncology Dietitian,
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center

Joseph Gemellaro, M.S. Ed.

Exercise Physiologist, Cancer Support Services

Past Team Members

Reanna Clavon, MPH

Clinical Research Coordinator

rdc139@med.miami.edu

Reanna received her BS in public health and Japanese, and her Masters of Public Health in epidemiology from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. As a CRC in our lab, she leads the TEAL and ECuiPPP studies. Her research interests include the impact of health behaviors on chronic disease outcomes and maternal and child health, specifically how maternal mental health impacts child development. Her personal interests include learning languages, reading fiction novels, playing and watching video games, and baking or cooking.