Our Team

Rajavel Elango

Principal Investigator
Associate Professor, School of Population and Public Health and
Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia

My research interests are in maternal and child nutrition, which ensures optimal health to the current and future generations. My specific focus is to achieve this using protein and amino acid (building blocks of protein) and optimizing their dietary supply during key life stages of growth and development, and in disease.

I completed my BSc in Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Service Management, and MSc in Foods and Nutrition from India. I obtained my PhD in Nutrition & Metabolism from the University of Alberta and completed postdoctoral work at the Hospital for Sick Children & University of Toronto. I moved to BC Children’s Hospital and University of British Columbia in 2010 to set up my research lab using novel stable isotope tracer techniques and focus on maternal and child nutrition.

Kendall Plant

I completed my BSc from the University of Victoria majoring in Microbiology and Biochemistry in 2018. Since graduation, I have worked in a variety of industry and research labs allowing me to explore different molecular biology and biochemistry methodologies in humans and animals. I am passionate about exploring all the intricacies of how living things work, and the relationships they create to disease expression in the bigger picture. I love working in research environments that are filled with curiosity and an eagerness to improve our understanding of the world around us. With the Elango lab I am excited to apply my experiences to human nutrition through stable isotope mass spectroscopy.

Outside of the lab I enjoy beachcombing, camping, baking, and painting.

Maggie Woo Kinshella

I am a medical anthropologist by training with over a decade of experience in global health, international development and gender research and programmes. I obtained my MA in Cultural Medical Anthropology and a BA in Psychology and Anthropology from the University of British Colombia. My doctoral research with the PRECISE Network aims to understand how food eaten during pregnancy may influence the risk of developing pre-eclampsia in sub-Saharan Africa, with particular interest to the potential impact of dietary diversity and socio-economic factors. Pre-eclampsia, a serious condition characterized by high blood pressure during pregnancy and signs of maternal organ damage, is the second leading direct cause of maternal death globally, contributing to over 46,000 maternal deaths and 500,000 stillbirths and newborn deaths every year.

Awards and recognitions

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (2020)
UBC Four Year Doctoral Fellowship (2020)
Friedman Award for Scholars in Health (2019)
Faculty of Medicine Graduate Award (2019)

Learn more about Maggie. 

Kaitlin Berris

I completed my BSc in Dietetics at UBC and am currently working as a Registered Dietitian at BC Children’s Hospital. I love my work supporting the critically ill and this inspired me to pursue a graduate degree with a project focus on nutrition interventions in the pediatric critical care unit. My Master’s research is focused on protein intake and delivery and optimizing nutrition status and hopefully influencing positive long-term outcomes.

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with family and friends, cooking/hosting, camping, and exploring beautiful British Columbia.

Noof AlMansoori

I started my academic journey at Qatar University, where I completed my BSc in Nutrition and Dietetics through an ACEND-accredited program, including supervised professional practice across clinical and community settings. I went on to join the faculty at Qatar University, where I discovered that I enjoyed teaching and being part of academia as much as I enjoyed nutrition itself. That experience eventually encouraged me to pursue graduate studies in Canada.

I recently graduated from UBC’s Human Nutrition program and am now continuing my journey as a PhD student in Human Nutrition. Although my training gave me the opportunity to practice as a dietitian, I found myself increasingly drawn to research and decided to stay in academia. My research interests are particularly focused on women’s health, and the role nutrition can play in supporting women’s health. I also have a side interest in functional nutrition.

Outside the lab, I enjoy joining fitness groups, reading nonfictions, and writing prose. I also find an oddly satisfying amount of peace in decluttering!

Arati Swaminadhan

I completed my BSc at the University of Waterloo with a major in Kinesiology and minor in Medical Physiology. My undergraduate experiences and passion for unraveling the intricate mechanisms underlying human health led me to pursue my Masters in Experimental Medicine. My research interests lie within reproductive and women’s health, in particular, I am captivated by the intricate interplay of biological, hormonal, and environmental factors that shape reproductive processes. In addition to my primary research interests, I am also interested by the broad role nutrition plays on women’s health and neonatal outcomes. As a graduate student, I hope to make enduring contributions to the well-being of humanity while fostering interdisciplinary collaborations.

Some of my other interests include, hiking, watching sports, baking, and reading a good book!

Taylor Bailey

As an aspiring nutrition researcher and women’s health advocate, I am excited to be pursuing my Masters in Human Nutrition at UBC, with BC Children’s Hospital and BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre. My interest in the field began during my undergraduate studies at the University of Guelph, where I studied Nutritional and Nutraceutical Sciences, with a minor in Neuroscience. During my undergrad, I had the opportunity to conduct research on lipid metabolism in neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA), which fueled my desire to continue exploring the complex interplay between diet and human health. My graduate research focuses on amino acid requirements during lactation. My goal is to contribute to the understanding of the nutritional needs of mothers during the critical period of breastfeeding, and to apply this knowledge to improve health outcomes for both mothers and infants.

Outside of work, you’ll find me on the volleyball court, savouring quality time with friends and family, or kicking back to unwind with a binge worthy TV show.

Paloma DeLisle

I am thrilled to be pursuing a Master’s in Human Nutrition at the University of British Columbia, working in partnership with the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute. As an undergraduate in Food, Nutrition, and Health at UBC, I was awarded a summer studentship by the UBC Faculty of Medicine, which offered invaluable experience through a hands-on research project focused on pediatric lupus nephritis at BC Children’s Hospital. My longstanding commitment to medical research and to advancing knowledge at the intersection of nutrition, women’s health, and metabolic disease inspired my decision to join the Elango Research Lab, first as a volunteer during undergrad and now for a Master’s degree. For my graduate research, I am concentrating on preconception health, with a focus on understanding amino acid requirements throughout the phases of the menstrual cycle.

Beyond academics, I nurture my love for music as an assistant teacher for adult jazz ensembles and as a percussionist in several Vancouver-based music groups. I have been a volunteer and pod-leader with UBC Nutrikids, where I use music as a teaching tool in my nutrition workshops for elementary school children. My diverse experiences reflect my commitment to promoting health and creativity in my community.

Layan El Rifai

I am pursuing my Master’s in Human Nutrition at UBC, in collaboration with BC Children’s Hospital, where I am focusing on maternal health and nutrition. I am now applying the skills I gained through my academic and practical experiences to further develop my expertise in this field. My journey began during my undergraduate studies at the University of Sharjah, where I earned a B.Sc. in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics from the College of Health Sciences. Through supervised practice at multiple hospitals and schools, I gained valuable experience in patient care, nutrition counselling, and health education across different populations. My research interests include maternal health, protein requirements, and muscle development, with the broader goal of advancing nutrition strategies that support long-term health. I am interested in how optimal nutrition during critical stages of life can enhance outcomes for both mothers and their infants.

Outside of academics, I am a gym enthusiast who also enjoys practicing yoga, reading, and developing healthy recipes.

Jacob Park

I am a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of British Columbia, pursuing a degree in Biology. I have previous clinical research experience through my involvement with the ATICO Study and the KIM Study at UBC, where I developed an interest in patient-oriented research and evidence-based approaches to health. I am particularly interested in pediatric clinical research and child health, and I am grateful to be part of the Elango Lab, where I have the opportunity to contribute to innovative studies aimed at improving pediatric nutrition and health outcomes.

Outside of my academic pursuits, I enjoy playing basketball, going for runs, and spending time making coffee while exploring different brewing methods and cafés.

Layan El Rifai

I am a third-year undergraduate student at UBC pursuing a degree in Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience. My academic and research experiences center on pediatric clinical research, with a particular interest on how physiological, psychological and nutritional factors influence long-term quality of life outcomes. I am also a Child Life volunteer in the PICU, where I developed an appreciation for the impact that improved nutrition interventions can have on the recovery of critically ill children. My research interests lie in integrating neuroscience, metabolism, and patient-centered research, while supporting evidence-based approaches to pediatric care.

Outside of my academic pursuits, I enjoy mentoring other undergraduate students interested in research, working on art projects, being active outdoors, dance, and exploring new ways to engage with science education and outreach.

Fathima Mohamed Sukry

Volunteer

I am a third-year undergraduate student at UBC pursuing a degree in Food, Nutrition and Health. My academic interests center on maternal and child nutrition, with a particular interest in nutrient recommendations during pregnancy and their role in maternal and fetal health. I am especially interested in how optimizing dietary protein and amino acid intake during key stages of growth and development can support health outcomes. I am excited to contribute to research in this area and learn alongside Dr. Elango and his team.

Outside of my academic pursuits, I enjoy working to create change through initiatives on campus and in my community, with particular interest in women’s empowerment. You can also find me scrapbooking, reading, or spending time outdoors in my free time.