Rachel Goode, PhD, MPH, LCSW
Assistant Professor of Social Work and Psychiatry
Rachel W. Goode is an Assistant Professor at the School of Social Work and an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Center for Eating Disorder Excellence, Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Goode received her PhD, MPH, and MSW from the University of Pittsburgh. Her research interests include developing, implementing, and evaluating equitable and community-engaged interventions to treat obesity and eating disorders. Her research has been funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH), National Eating Disorders Association, Magee Womens Research Institute, and the University Research Council at UNC-Chapel Hill. Currently, Dr. Goode is the principal investigator of an NIH Career Development Award (K23) to develop a culturally-relevant digital health tool to treat binge eating and obesity. Additionally, Dr. Goode is a licensed clinical social worker, and has practice experience with the treatment of eating disorders and obesity among clients in university counseling centers, and community-based mental health agencies. She has been fortunate to be the recipient of various awards, including the Oprah Civic Leadership Award, National Health, Lung, Blood Institute (NIH) Research Service Award, and the Outstanding Dissertation Award from the Society of Behavioral Medicine.
Ramine Alexander, PhD, MPH
Research Project Manager, Goode
Ramine Alexander joined the UNC Nutrition Research Institute as Research Project Manager. Dr. Alexander received her Ph.D. and MPH, from Virginia Tech. As an intervention scientist, her research interest includes utilizing Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) to improve lifestyle risk factors (i.e., diet and physical activity) that have a direct relevance to obesity and chronic disease. Through CBPR approaches a primary goal of her work is to involve the voice of the community in the research process to promote intervention sustainability. Dr. Alexander has a passion for building health equity, conducting research on the social determinants of health, and using innovative approaches to communicate science.
Tyisha Harper
Project Coordinator, Goode Lab
Tyisha Harper joined UNC Nutrition Research Institute in December 2021 as a Project Coordinator in the Goode Lab. She is originally for Milwaukee, WI and relocated to the Charlotte area with her new husband. She is excited to learn and develop her research career here. Tyisha likes to travel, go bowling, and spend lots of quality time with her family. Tyisha is motivated by spiritual affirmations and her favorite one is Psalm 46:5, “God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.”
Myneesha King
Community Health Outreach Coordinator, Goode Lab
Myneesha King is excited to join the team as the new Social/Clinical Research Specialist. Myneesha is a graduate of North Carolina A&T State University’s Professional Theatre Department. Her background includes Education, Social Services, Pilot Program Management and Human Resources. Myneesha taught middle and high school theatre in both Charlotte Mecklenburg and Cabarrus County Schools. Her passion remains for community outreach and the development of underserved populations. Myneesha enjoys spending time with her family and exploring cultural events in her spare time.
Leslie Ann McClellan
Research Assistant, Goode Lab
Leslie joined Dr. Rachel Goode's lab in December 2021 and is returning to research after significant time away. In recent years, Leslie's interest in human health and well-being drew her to work connecting people to the natural world. She is excited to be back in a research setting and a part of the Living F.R.E.E. Lab and NRI!
Julian Robles
Research Assistant, Goode Lab
Julian is a Kannapolis native who is an undergraduate student at UNC Chapel Hill where he is pursuing a BS in Biology and a BA in Religious Studies. He is a senior and a Chancellor's Science Scholar. Julian is a research assistant in Dr. Goode's lab where he is studying new approaches for weight loss to reduce obesity rates. He is interested in exploring a possible career in research, but he would like to go to medical school to become a pediatric oncologist. Some of Julian's interests include reading, playing with his two dogs, and hanging out with his long-time high school friends.
‘I know what it’s like’: Rachel Goode researches eating disorders among Black women
This article originally appeared on The Daily Tarheel. By Brianna Atkinson Content warning: This article contains mention of eating disorders. * * * Rachel Goode isn’t your typical researcher. Her lab’s website is filled with bright colors and patterns instead of...
Navigating Recovery During the Holidays
This article originally appeared on LivingFreeLab.org. By Katie Olson During the holiday season, more than 85% of Americans are known to overeat (Perrigo, 2018). The emphasis on food and food-centered celebrations can make the holidays even more difficult for people...
Eating Disorders in the Black Community Are More Common Than You Think
by Anissa Durham This article originally appeared on Word in Black. People of color, especially Black Americans, are significantly less likely to receive help for eating issues, despite suffering from them as much as white people. Eating disorders have a complicated...
9 Investigates diabetes and its connection to eating disorders in Black women
Watch the interview here. CHARLOTTE — Diabetes can be a life-changing diagnosis. But for Black women, the diagnosis can come with a higher chance of developing an eating disorder. Some researchers at UNC Chapel Hill are trying to figure out how to fix that. “What we...