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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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, MD/MPH Candidate

Graduate Research Assistant

emm310@miami.edu

Elle is a first year MD/MPH Candidate at Miller School of Medicine. She graduated in May 2025 from the University of Miami, majoring in biology and double minoring in biological physics and sports medicine. Through her time on the cross-country/track and field team, she was Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) President, made history in XC breaking into top 10 lists and placing the highest team finish at the ACC conference in 2022, and helped secure the 2024 NCAA DI Teamworks Community Service Challenge Championship. Elle joined the CRANE Lab in February 2023 as an undergraduate research intern. Elle's contribution to the lab includes working on the BWEL NLP Secondary Analysis, OnPOINT, the LIVES NLP Secondary Analysis, TEAL, and the SMS Project.

Coral Levkovitz, MD/MBA Candidate

Graduate Research Assistant

corallevkovitz@med.miami.edu

Coral is a first year MD/MBA student at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine. She attended UNC Chapel Hill for her undergraduate studies, where she balanced her academics with teaching group fitness classes to students, faculty, and eventually cancer survivors through a program she helped pilot.

Coral is a dedicated advocate for health and wellness, sharing her passion through diverse platforms. She regularly posts workouts and nutritional advice on her social media to inspire and educate her audience. Additionally, she delivers engaging lectures at local Miami-Dade high schools, teaching students about human anatomy and the impact of different lifestyles on the body.

While she is not studying, she is most likely training for the Miami Marathon with her friends, playing pickleball, or volunteering at clinics around Dade County. She is profoundly committed to medical education and envisions a career where she not only provides excellent medical care to her patients but also empowers others to prioritize their health and well-being. By combining patient care with teaching, she hopes to inspire individuals to understand the importance to taking care of themselves and to foster a broader appreciation for health and wellness

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.