Lab Members

Stephanie T. Chung, M.B.B.S., is a board certified pediatric endocrinologist and internist, Lasker Tenure-Track Investigator, Co-Director of Metabolic Research Program at NIDDK and Adjunct Assistant Clinical Professor at George Washington University. Dr. Chung has over 12 years of experience conducting clinical studies in children and adults with diabetes and obesity. She currently leads a clinical metabolic research program that focuses on improving population-specific risk stratification and management of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease with the goal of reducing health disparities especially in youth and young adults. Her passions include running as well as baking delicious treats for her family and lab.

Samson Cantor is a first-year IRTA fellow in the Chung Lab through the NIDDK Distinguished Postbaccalaureate Scholars Program. He graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a B.A. in Biology and a minor in Anthropology: Global Health and Environment. As an undergraduate, Samson conducted basic science research in Immunology and completed his honors thesis on cDC1 antigen-cross presentation. He is seeking to expand his understanding of health as a clinical research coordinator. Samson is dedicated to improving the health of disadvantaged communities and was extensively involved with harm reduction, substance use disorder, and bullet-related injury clinics throughout his time as an undergraduate. Samson is excited to merge his interest in pathophysiology and commitment to serving vulnerable populations by working with youth affected by Type 2 Diabetes. He looks forward to pursuing a career as a physician upon completing his fellowship. In his free time, Samson enjoys playing pickleball, passionately watching Boston sports, and cooking.

Ila is a first-year post-baccalaureate fellow with Dr. Stephanie Chung. She graduated from Wake Forest University with a B.A. in Philosophy and with minors in Chemistry and Biology. After developing a passion for biochemistry, Ila became interested in the pathophysiology and clinical research side of type two diabetes. Specifically, after learning about how the condition disproportionally affects certain minority populations, she became interested in reducing the health disparities in the field. Building upon her volunteering work during undergrad, she also hopes to act as a patient advocate in helping to educate and inform young patients on their diabetes diagnoses. Upon completion of her fellowship, Ila hopes to attend medical school and continue to do research to advance the field of her choice. Outside of the NIH, Ila enjoys hiking, cooking, traveling, and trying new restaurants!

Lilian Mabundo, RN, MSN, is a research nurse in the Diabetes, Endocrinology and Obesity Branch with a master’s degree in Nursing Education. She is lead associate investigator for clinical studies with expertise in conducting metabolic phenotyping using isotope tracers. She assists with the clinical management and education of patients, study implementation and data collection and organization. Outside of lab, she loves spending time with her family and friends, watching movies, exercising, decluttering, and is an avid “foodie.”

Natalie is a first-year post-baccalaureate IRTA fellow in the Chung Lab. She graduated from Wake Forest University with a B.S. in Health and Exercise Science and a minor in Psychology. As an undergraduate, Natalie’s interest in research began her freshman year as she helped to develop a metabolic adaptation study. Her passion for clinical research grew as she engaged with patients across multiple weight loss studies in subsequent years of school. In her senior year, Natalie completed her honors thesis involving chronic kidney disease patients which motivated her to pursue a position in Dr. Chung’s lab at the NIDDK. Natalie is looking forward to helping serve the underrepresented population by applying her knowledge and experiences to the Type 2 Diabetes research at the Chung Group. She hopes to continue to a PhD program upon completing her fellowship. Natalie spends her free time outside of NIH running, going to the gym, traveling, and cooking.

Dr. Noemi Malandrino is a Staff Clinician in Dr. Chung’s lab. She obtained her M.D., Ph.D., and Board in Internal Medicine at the Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy. She also worked as a Visiting Research Associate with Dr. Robert Smith and Dr. Hank Wu at the Hallett Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology and the VA Medical Center, Brown University, Providence, RI. In recent years, Noemi has lived in the Baltimore - Washington DC area. First, she was a post-doctoral fellow in the NIDDK intramural research program, working with Drs. Rebecca Brown and Phillip Gorden. Then, she was a resident in Internal Medicine at the University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus, after which she joined the Johns Hopkins University Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism as an ABIM Research Pathway clinical research fellow. She obtained the ABIM Board Certifications in Internal Medicine in 2021 and Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism in 2023. Noemi plans to develop her career as a physician-scientist providing patient care and conducting clinical experimental research. Her research interests focus on understanding the pathophysiology of diabetes and the related complications across the lifespan. In her free time, Noemi enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and cooking.

Geethika Thota is a second-year fellow in the Inter-Institute Endocrinology Fellowship at NIH. She completed medical school in India and her Internal medicine residency at Saint Peter's University Hospital in New Jersey, USA, in 2023. Currently, in Dr. Chung's group, she is working on a pilot study focused on Time-Restricted Eating, Ketone Metabolism, and CD4+ T cell Immunomodulation. Outside of her work, Geethika enjoys exploring new cuisines, cooking, and participating in community health initiatives.

Andrea Krenek is a registered dietitian and NIDDK predoctoral fellow in the Chung Group lab. Prior to pursuing a doctoral degree in Nutritional Sciences at University of Florida, Andrea Krenek received her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology degrees at Texas A&M University. To support her interests in integrating dietetics, clinical research, and culinary nutrition, Andrea completed her professional culinary training through Rouxbe Cooking School, followed by her dietetic internship through The Ohio State University. Her doctoral research focused on the effects of dietary and culinary nutrition interventions on cardiometabolic, psychological, and dietary outcomes. She hopes to expand these approaches to a range of populations and health conditions, addressing disparities in youth and young adults, and investigate underlying metabolic and behavioral mechanisms. Outside of the lab and kitchen, she loves all kinds of exercise, outdoor activities, food photography, music, podcasts, and exploring new places.

Sydney is a senior Clinical Study Coordinator in the Diabetes, Endocrinology and Obesity Branch. She graduated from Howard University, with a B.S. in Biology and minor in Chemistry. With an extensive family history of type 2 diabetes, Sydney is a proud member of Dr. Stephanie Chung's lab where her research focuses on Pediatric Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolic disorders. She leads, MIGHTY-Fiber, a pilot study in youth & young adults exploring the effects of supplementing prebiotics with daily metformin use, to mitigate gastrointestinal side effects in youth. Sydney is passionate about reducing health disparities in minority and underserved populations. She has a keen interest in maternal & child health and plans to become an OB/GYN upon completion of her fellowship. When she is not at NIH, she's riding her peloton, practicing Pilates, playing golf, or watching an action movie. She loves spending time with her family, traveling spontaneously, and (safely) doing car karaoke to Hip-Hop/R&B & Rap music!

Aruba Chowdhury is a second year IRTA in Dr. Stephanie Chung's NIDDK lab, as well as a clinical coordinator at the NIH Outpatient and Pediatric clinic. She graduated from the University of Georgia with a B.S in Biology and a minor in Public Health. During her time as an undergraduate, she took a special interest to minority health and healthcare disparities. She has participated in multiple observational projects regarding maternal morbidity in the U.S. Aruba's area of research concentration is the early stages of atherosclerosis in minority youth with Type 2 Diabetes. She hopes to study to become a pediatric oncologist upon completion of medical school. Her hobbies include traveling, exploring DC, and painting. She likes going to concerts and trying new foods.

Faith Davis is a second-year post-baccalaureate fellow and clinical coordinator in the Diabetes, Endocrinology and Obesity Branch. She graduated from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County with a B.S. in Biological Sciences and a B.A. in Sociology. After working toward food justice in Baltimore during her time as an undergraduate, Faith seeks to investigate the youth obesity epidemic through socioecological and cellular lenses. In Dr. Chung's group, she is working to understand the relationship between genetics, gut microbiota, and metformin response in youth with type 2 diabetes. Outside of lab Faith competes in triathlons, rock climbs, and enjoys live music!

Sophia Glaros is a first-year post-baccalaureate fellow with Dr. Stephanie Chung. She graduated from the University of Maryland with a B.S. in Biological Sciences: Physiology and Neurobiology and a minor in Nonprofit Leadership and Social Innovation. Sophia took an interest in the role of a plant-based diet and Type 2 Diabetes in high school. As an undergraduate, Sophia was interested in combating health disparities in her community through volunteering experiences and interactive coursework. Sophia is devoted to combining these experiences to mitigate health disparities among those with Type 2 Diabetes. She hopes to become a Pediatric Endocrinologist upon completing her fellowship. Sophia spends her free time outside NIH hiking, reading, traveling, and trying new exercise classes.