OUR PEOPLE

Leadership Team

Dr. Elise Marlowe, Executive Director

Dr. Elise Marlowe holds a Ph.D. in Public Health Policy from Johns Hopkins University and an M.S. in Nutrition Science from Columbia University. With over 20 years of experience in food systems regulation and international health policy, she has served as a senior advisor to both the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the World Health Organization. Dr. Marlowe is widely recognized for her leadership in global nutrition initiatives and has authored numerous policy papers advocating for equitable access to safe, nutritious food. Under her direction, the Institute has expanded its reach into high-impact policy forums and international regulatory discussions.

Dr. David Kwan, Director of Research & Scientific Affairs

Dr. David Kwan earned his Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of California, San Francisco, and holds a B.S. in Molecular Biology from MIT. His career spans both academia and industry, including research leadership roles at the National Institutes of Health and a major pharmaceutical company, where he specialized in drug safety and post-market surveillance. Dr. Kwan has published extensively on drug efficacy, regulatory frameworks, and translational medicine. At the Institute, he leads interdisciplinary research projects focused on ensuring the safety and accessibility of pharmaceuticals through evidence-based policy.

Lena Ruiz, JD, Director of Policy and Legal Affairs

Lena Ruiz holds a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Michigan. She brings over 15 years of experience in public interest law, regulatory policy, and legislative affairs. Prior to joining the Institute, she served as legal counsel for a federal health agency, where she worked on drug approval policy and consumer protection regulations. Lena is known for her expertise in administrative law, her commitment to ethical governance, and her ability to translate complex legal issues into actionable policy recommendations. She now oversees all regulatory analysis and legal research for the Institute.

Core Research Staff

Dr. Priya Desai, Senior Fellow, Nutrition Policy

Dr. Priya Desai holds a Ph.D. in Public Health Nutrition from Tufts University and an M.S. in Food Policy from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. Her research focuses on food labeling regulations, consumer behavior, and health communication strategies. Prior to joining the Institute, she led global nutrition campaigns at a major international NGO and worked with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on front-of-pack labeling standards. Dr. Desai brings a global lens to nutrition policy, emphasizing equitable access and evidence-based interventions.

Dr. Matthew Trent, Senior Fellow, Pharmaceutical Access & Affordability

Dr. Matthew Trent earned his Pharm.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his Ph.D. in Health Economics from the University of Chicago. He has over a decade of experience working in pharmaceutical pricing policy and market access strategy, including consulting for government agencies and major biotech firms. His research has been instrumental in framing national debates around drug affordability and generic drug policy. At the Institute, he leads initiatives focused on cost-containment strategies and equitable drug access models.

Amira Johnson, MPH, Public Health Analyst

Amira Johnson holds a Master of Public Health from Emory University with a concentration in epidemiology and a B.S. in Biology from Howard University. Her background includes extensive work in health equity, data analysis, and community health policy. Before joining the Institute, she worked with a regional public health department conducting impact assessments for food insecurity programs. At the Institute, Amira plays a key role in evaluating the public health outcomes of food and drug policies, particularly their impact on underserved communities.

Policy & Outreach Team

Carlos Bennett, Community Engagement Coordinator

Carlos Bennett earned his B.A. in Sociology from the University of California, Berkeley, and has over 10 years of experience working in community advocacy and nonprofit program management. He previously led outreach campaigns focused on health literacy and nutrition education in low-income neighborhoods. At the Institute, Carlos fosters partnerships with community organizations, healthcare workers, and advocacy groups to ensure grassroots perspectives are integrated into national food and drug policy recommendations.

Maya Lin, Policy Communications Officer

Maya Lin holds an M.A. in Public Policy Communication from George Washington University and a B.A. in English and Media Studies from the University of Virginia. She began her career in science journalism before transitioning to policy communications, where she has worked with think tanks and research institutes to increase public engagement with complex scientific issues. At the Institute, Maya leads the creation of public-facing content—including policy briefs, infographics, and digital campaigns—that bridge the gap between research findings and community understanding.

Amira Johnson, MPH, Public Health Analyst

Amira Johnson holds a Master of Public Health from Emory University with a concentration in epidemiology and a B.S. in Biology from Howard University. Her background includes extensive work in health equity, data analysis, and community health policy. Before joining the Institute, she worked with a regional public health department conducting impact assessments for food insecurity programs. At the Institute, Amira plays a key role in evaluating the public health outcomes of food and drug policies, particularly their impact on underserved communities.

Advisory Council

Our Advisory Council includes distinguished leaders from academia, government, and industry who provide guidance and ensure our work remains relevant, ethical, and forward-thinking.

Dr. Barbara Nguyen, Former FDA Senior Policy Analyst

Dr. Omar Rahman, Professor of Global Nutrition Policy, Harvard

Annette Feldman, Former Executive, Center for Food Policy Initiatives

Dr. Isaac Coleman, Bioethics and Regulatory Affairs Specialist