Research Team

Catherine BrinkleyDr. Catherine Brinkley is an Associate Professor in Human Ecology, Community and Regional Development at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. With a PhD in city and regional planning, a veterinary medical degree, and a masters in virology, her research focuses on health equity and One Health, a concept that considers health shared between humans, animals and the environment. She is a former Fulbright Scholar, Watson Fellow, and National Science Foundation Career Award Winner.

She advances scholarship and practice on local governance, food systems, and sustainable development. Dr. Brinkley currently serves as the Faculty Director for the UC Davis Center for Regional Change, with a 16-year history of fostering community-engaged research that centers social equity and environmental justice. Her work is used internationally by the United National Food Agriculture Organization as well as local communities to guide plans. Dr. Brinkley’s CV /  GoogleScholar

Past Lab Members

Charlotte Glennie, Sociology PhD focused on urban agriculture, food security, and urban development. Accepted a tenure track position in 2023 at Providence College
Charlotte Glennie, Sociology PhD focused on urban agriculture, food security, and urban development. Accepted a tenure track position in 2023 at Providence College
Alyx Volzer, Geography PhD student working on community economic development theory and studying the role of economic development institutions to foster an adequate community-based social foundation for stable mental health. Their research includes the Yolo Basic Income Project.
Alyx Volzer, Geography PhD student working on community economic development theory and studying the role of economic development institutions to foster an adequate community-based social foundation for stable mental health. Their research includes the Yolo Basic Income Project.
Zoee Tanner, pursuing a B.S. in Clinical Nutrition with a minor in Community Development. Interested in the intersection of nutrition and equitable food systems, food justice, and sustainable agriculture.
Zoee Tanner, pursuing a B.S. in Clinical Nutrition with a minor in Community Development. Interested in the intersection of nutrition and equitable food systems, food justice, and sustainable agriculture.
Rachel Lane, a former vegetable farmer pursuing a B.S. in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems, with an interest in policy, equitable food systems, and environmental justice.
Rachel Lane, a former vegetable farmer pursuing a B.S. in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems, with an interest in policy, equitable food systems, and environmental justice.
Graciela Chong, UC Davis B.S. in Animal Science graduate in 2021. Interested in food systems, food justice, sustainable agriculture, and combating agricultural racial inequality. Working at the Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety- and accepted to Berkeley's Development Practice Masters program in 2022. Author of the Shasta County food guide
Graciela Chong, UC Davis B.S. in Animal Science graduate in 2021. Interested in food systems, food justice, sustainable agriculture, and combating agricultural racial inequality. Working at the Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety- and accepted to Berkeley's Development Practice Masters program in 2022. Author of the Shasta County food guide
Dr. Subhashni Raj, Postdoctoral scholar (2020-22) focused on the land-food-water nexus in a changing climate. PhD and Masters in urban and regional planning from the University of Buffalo. Former Kauffman Fellow and Fulbright Scholar who worked for UN Women as a Gender and Humanitarian Analyst. Dr. Raj will join the University of Hawaii faculty as a tenure track Assistant Professor in City Planning in 2022.
Dr. Subhashni Raj, Postdoctoral scholar (2020-22) focused on the land-food-water nexus in a changing climate. PhD and Masters in urban and regional planning from the University of Buffalo. Former Kauffman Fellow and Fulbright Scholar who worked for UN Women as a Gender and Humanitarian Analyst. Dr. Raj will join the University of Hawaii faculty as a tenure track Assistant Professor in City Planning in 2022.
Jordana Fuchs-Chesney, project scientist 2019-2, completed her BS in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems in 2019, and lead the food network team focused on mapping California's community food system. Joined Good Eggs in 2022
Jordana Fuchs-Chesney, project scientist 2019-2, completed her BS in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems in 2019, and lead the food network team focused on mapping California's community food system. Joined Good Eggs in 2022
Dr. Sam Roodbar, Geography Ph.D. 2022 from UCDavis. Dissertation: Colonizing from within: the gut microbiome, food systems, environment and health. Post-graduation, Dr. Roodbar worked for the California Energy and Commission and Department of Managed Health Care
Dr. Sam Roodbar, Geography Ph.D. 2022 from UCDavis. Dissertation: Colonizing from within: the gut microbiome, food systems, environment and health. Post-graduation, Dr. Roodbar worked for the California Energy and Commission and Department of Managed Health Care
Fnu Pooja, 2022 MS in Community Development, UC Davis; M.Sc. (Environmental Management). Research focusing on food as an indicator to study culture, communities and individual identities with a special interest in decolonisation of food.
Fnu Pooja, 2022 MS in Community Development, UC Davis; M.Sc. (Environmental Management). Research focusing on food as an indicator to study culture, communities and individual identities with a special interest in decolonisation of food.
Mirthala Lopez, Computer Science (B.S, 2021), lead programmer for the General Plan Mapping tool in 2022
Mirthala Lopez, Computer Science (B.S, 2021), lead programmer for the General Plan Mapping tool in 2022
Thet Nwe Myo Khin, 2021 UC Davis B.S in Global Disease Biology. Exploring research interests in one health, food accessibility, health information, and health outcomes. Thet will join the MPH program at UC San Diego, beginning in fall 2022.
Thet Nwe Myo Khin, 2021 UC Davis B.S in Global Disease Biology. Exploring research interests in one health, food accessibility, health information, and health outcomes. Thet will join the MPH program at UC San Diego, beginning in fall 2022.
Tishtar Daruwalla, 2021 B.S. in Global Disease Biology with a minor in Human Rights. Exploring research interests in land use and public health disparities in food accessibility. Working with Planned Parenthood upon graduation in 2021. Author of forthcoming Sacramento Community Food Guide and accompanying scholarly manuscript
Tishtar Daruwalla, 2021 B.S. in Global Disease Biology with a minor in Human Rights. Exploring research interests in land use and public health disparities in food accessibility. Working with Planned Parenthood upon graduation in 2021. Author of forthcoming Sacramento Community Food Guide and accompanying scholarly manuscript
Alexandra Huynh, gap year student (and 2021 National Youth Poet Laureate) pursuing a B.S. at Stanford University in the fall of 2021. Interested in urban planning for sustainable and equitable food systems
Alexandra Huynh, gap year student (and 2021 National Youth Poet Laureate) pursuing a B.S. at Stanford University in the fall of 2021. Interested in urban planning for sustainable and equitable food systems
Ranesh Karma, Sociology & Psychology B.A. (2021). Assisted with aggregating cities & counties general plans and/or separate elements for the California General Plan Mapping Tool.
Ranesh Karma, Sociology & Psychology B.A. (2021). Assisted with aggregating cities & counties general plans and/or separate elements for the California General Plan Mapping Tool.
Andrew Leach, MBA and Geography MS student focused on spatial analysis of clean energy infrastructure, biomass, and land management.
Andrew Leach, MBA and Geography MS student focused on spatial analysis of clean energy infrastructure, biomass, and land management.
Meghan Klasic, Geography Ph.D. focused on water governance. In 2021, Ms. Klasic accepted a postdoc at UMN on urban sustainability and impacts of social movements on policy process. Postdoctoral scholar Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) Project + Adjunct Professor @ Johns Hopkins University 2021.
Meghan Klasic, Geography Ph.D. focused on water governance. In 2021, Ms. Klasic accepted a postdoc at UMN on urban sustainability and impacts of social movements on policy process. Postdoctoral scholar Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) Project + Adjunct Professor @ Johns Hopkins University 2021.
Dr. Asiya Natekal, Postdoctoral scholar with the Center for Regional Change working on Housing and Urban Design. Ph.D. in Planning, Policy and Design from University of California Irvine. Joined California Air Resources Board in 2021.
Dr. Asiya Natekal, Postdoctoral scholar with the Center for Regional Change working on Housing and Urban Design. Ph.D. in Planning, Policy and Design from University of California Irvine. Joined California Air Resources Board in 2021.
Melinda Claros, Global Disease Biology (BS, 2021) focused on the social determinants of health and how public policy shapes food security, specifically for minority communities. Melina graduated and is started her masters work at Johns Hopkins in 2021.
Melinda Claros, Global Disease Biology (BS, 2021) focused on the social determinants of health and how public policy shapes food security, specifically for minority communities. Melina graduated and is started her masters work at Johns Hopkins in 2021.
Tanya Saxena, undergraduate in Biological Sciences (BS, 2021) minoring in Science and Technology Studies. Interested in health disparities in the food system
Tanya Saxena, undergraduate in Biological Sciences (BS, 2021) minoring in Science and Technology Studies. Interested in health disparities in the food system
Makena Dettmann, Phd candidate in Materials Science. Makena helped build the General Plan Database and Mapping portal (2020): https://critical-data-analysis.org/general-plan-map/
Makena Dettmann, Phd candidate in Materials Science. Makena helped build the General Plan Database and Mapping portal (2020): https://critical-data-analysis.org/general-plan-map/
Sujoy Ghosh, Master's student in Materials Science and Engineering Department. Sujoy worked designed and built the General Plan mapping portal (2020): https://critical-data-analysis.org/general-plan-map/
Sujoy Ghosh, Master's student in Materials Science and Engineering Department. Sujoy worked designed and built the General Plan mapping portal (2020): https://critical-data-analysis.org/general-plan-map/
Tiff Ting, visiting scholar from Feng Chia University in Taiwan. Tiff worked on the food networks project in 2019. Graduated in 2020 with a masters in smart cities. Her thesis focuses on sustainable healthy diets.
Tiff Ting, visiting scholar from Feng Chia University in Taiwan. Tiff worked on the food networks project in 2019. Graduated in 2020 with a masters in smart cities. Her thesis focuses on sustainable healthy diets.
Gwyneth Manser, Geography Ph.D. student focused on agriculture, food security, and sustainability. Published in 2021: Brinkley, C., Manser, G. M., & Pesci, S. (2021). Growing pains in local food systems: a longitudinal social network analysis on local food marketing in Baltimore County, Maryland and Chester County, Pennsylvania. Agriculture and Human Values, 1-17. Gwyneth accepted a 3 year Post-doc Fellowship at Washington State University 2023
Gwyneth Manser, Geography Ph.D. student focused on agriculture, food security, and sustainability. Published in 2021: Brinkley, C., Manser, G. M., & Pesci, S. (2021). Growing pains in local food systems: a longitudinal social network analysis on local food marketing in Baltimore County, Maryland and Chester County, Pennsylvania. Agriculture and Human Values, 1-17. Gwyneth accepted a 3 year Post-doc Fellowship at Washington State University 2023
Muthia Kamila Faizah, Community and Regional Development undergraduate student focused on general plans and development. Muthia graduated in 2019 and is working on her masters in city and regional planning at UCLA
Muthia Kamila Faizah, Community and Regional Development undergraduate student focused on general plans and development. Muthia graduated in 2019 and is working on her masters in city and regional planning at UCLA
Sasha Pesci, PhD in Geography focused on the role that direct sales from farms play in shaping how food is grown. Published her work with the lab in 2021: Brinkley, C., Manser, G. M., & Pesci, S. (2021). Growing pains in local food systems: a longitudinal social network analysis on local food marketing in Baltimore County, Maryland and Chester County, Pennsylvania. Agriculture and Human Values, 1-17. Dr. Pesci gradated with her PhD in 2023 and accepted a tenure track position
Sasha Pesci, PhD in Geography focused on the role that direct sales from farms play in shaping how food is grown. Published her work with the lab in 2021: Brinkley, C., Manser, G. M., & Pesci, S. (2021). Growing pains in local food systems: a longitudinal social network analysis on local food marketing in Baltimore County, Maryland and Chester County, Pennsylvania. Agriculture and Human Values, 1-17. Dr. Pesci gradated with her PhD in 2023 and accepted a tenure track position
Ziming Wang, graduated from UCD in 2019 in managerial economics and went on to pursue a MS in Agriculture Resource Economics at UCD.
Ziming Wang, graduated from UCD in 2019 in managerial economics and went on to pursue a MS in Agriculture Resource Economics at UCD.
Alena Marie, Community Development MS worked with the lab in conducting a Health Impact Assessment. After graduation in 2019, Alena began working with the California Rural Legal Assistance Organization
Alena Marie, Community Development MS worked with the lab in conducting a Health Impact Assessment. After graduation in 2019, Alena began working with the California Rural Legal Assistance Organization
Kaniyaa Francis, graduated in 2018 and published her research with the lab in 2020: Francis, K., & Brinkley, C. (2020). Street Food Vending as a Public Health Intervention. Californian Journal of Health Promotion, 18(1), 1-16. Her work was helpful in passing California Senate Bill 946 (2019), the Safe Sidewalk Vending Act which legalizes street food vending across the state and requires that local jurisdictions regulate only on issues pertaining to public health. From 2019-2021, she worked as an associate program manager with Public Health Advocates. In 2020, she authored a Sacramento City resolution - the country’s first to define public safety and include prevention efforts. Joined Masters in Public Health at NYU program in 2021
Kaniyaa Francis, graduated in 2018 and published her research with the lab in 2020: Francis, K., & Brinkley, C. (2020). Street Food Vending as a Public Health Intervention. Californian Journal of Health Promotion, 18(1), 1-16. Her work was helpful in passing California Senate Bill 946 (2019), the Safe Sidewalk Vending Act which legalizes street food vending across the state and requires that local jurisdictions regulate only on issues pertaining to public health. From 2019-2021, she worked as an associate program manager with Public Health Advocates. In 2020, she authored a Sacramento City resolution - the country’s first to define public safety and include prevention efforts. Joined Masters in Public Health at NYU program in 2021
José Flores, Community Regional Development BS focused on food security and civic engagement projects. José became a Civic Sparks fellow after graduating in 2018, and published his research with the lab in the Journal of Public Affairs (2019).
José Flores, Community Regional Development BS focused on food security and civic engagement projects. José became a Civic Sparks fellow after graduating in 2018, and published his research with the lab in the Journal of Public Affairs (2019).
Tapinder Sidhu, undergraduate research assistant focused on the food desert intervention project in rural communities. In 2017, Tap returned home to England started her career in public health.
Tapinder Sidhu, undergraduate research assistant focused on the food desert intervention project in rural communities. In 2017, Tap returned home to England started her career in public health.
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