Aiga n. family.
E tua le fale tele i le faleo'o - Even the mighty need others.
(Samoan Proverb)
Our team - Investigators
YALE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Nicola Hawley, PhD
Dr. Nicola Hawley is an Associate Professor of Epidemiology (Chronic Disease) and Anthropology at the Yale School of Public Health. Her expertise is in the etiology and prevention of obesity-related chronic disease in resource-limited, low-income settings.
OCEANIA UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE, SAMOA
Satupaitea Viali, MBChB, MPH, FRACP, FESC, FACC
Professor Satu Viali is the Vice Chancellor for the Oceania University of Medicine. He is also the Professor of Medicine for the National University of Samoa School of Medicine, and the Professor Adjunct of Epidemiology for the Yale School of Public Health. He is a Cardiologist and Internist by training. His main reserach interests are acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease, cardiovascular disease and risk factors, diabetes, gout and genetic diseases.
Stephen McGarvey, PhD, MPH
Prof. McGarvey is Professor of Epidemiology at the International Health Institute, and Professor of Anthropology. He is a biological anthropologist and uses biocultural, evolutionary and epidemiologic concepts and methods to study human biological and health responses to social changes during modernization. He has a special focus on cardiometabolic disease and risk factors, and a long-term study among modernizing Samoans.
BROWN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Daniel Weeks, PhD
Dr. Weeks is a Professor of Human Genetics and Biostatistics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health. He is a statistical geneticist, with expertise in methods development and applied analyses of complex human traits focussed on genetic influences on obesity, lipids, and body composition and effects of methylation on cognitive function within the context of treatment for breast cancer.
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
Erin Kershaw, MD
Dr. Kershaw is an Associate Professor of Medicine, Chief of the Division of Endocrinology, and Endowed Chair for Obesity and Diabetes Research at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Kershaw’s clinical interests focus on disorders of “fat,” including the following core areas: 1) obesity and the metabolic syndrome, 2) lipodystrophies, lipomatoses, and other rare adipose tissue disorders, and 3) dyslipidemias.
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Ryan Minster, PhD, MSIS
Dr. Ryan Minster is an Assistant Professor of Human Genetics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health. He is a genetic epidemiologist focused on understanding the genetic determinants of cardiometabolic disease and similar traits.
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Jenna Carlson, PhD
Dr. Carlson is an Assistant Professor of Human Genetics and Biostatistics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health. She is an expert in statistical genetics, focusing on genetic epidemiology studies of complex traits, including orofacial clefting, oral health, obesity, diabetes, and other cardiometabolic traits.
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH SCHOOL OF NURSING
Lacey Heinsberg, PhD, RN
Dr. Lacey Heinsberg is an Assistant Professor of Nursing and Human Genetics at the University of Pittsburgh. She specializes in applying genetic- and genomic-based research approaches to complex disease phenotypes, with a specific interest in pregnancy outcomes and child growth.
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH SCHOOL OF DENTAL MEDICINE
Samantha Manna, PhD
Dr. Samantha Manna is an Assistant Professor of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences and Human Genetics at the University of Pittsburgh. She specializes in the joint application of molecular and computational approaches to assess the effects of genetic variation on complex disease.
FALEOMAVAEGA ENI HUNKIN VETERAN AFFAIRS CLINIC, AMERICAN SAMOA
Jueta McCutchan-Tofaeono, Psy.D.
Dr. Jueta McCutchan-Tofaeono is is one of two clinical psychologists in American Samoa. She serves as the supervisor for Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Team at the Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin Veteran Affairs Clinic, working with veterans experiencing difficulties ranging from PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder to co-occurring substance use disorders. Dr. McCutchan-Tofaeono is actively involved in her church ministries as a youth advisor for the Holy Family Parish International Community of the Diocese of Samoa Pago Pago. She is a fierce advocate for mental health, spearheading the first American Samoa Mental Health Summit that is now in its fifth year. Her favorite quote is “work hard in silence; let success be your noise.”
LYNDON B JOHNSON TROPICAL MEDICAL CENTER, AMERICAN SAMOA
Bethel Muasau-Howard, MBBS, Dip O&G, MMed O&G
Dr. Muasau-Howard has worked for 21 years as a specialist obstetrician gynecologist serving as Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology between 2011 and 2024. She now leads the family planning department at LBJ Hospital. She is passionate about her work with the girls and women of American Samoa and about research in maternal and child health.
UT SOUTHWESTERN O’DONNELL SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Anna Rivara, PhD, MPH
Dr. Rivara is an Assistant Professor at the UT Southwestern O’Donnell School of Public Health. Her training is in Applied Anthropology (Biocultural Medical Anthropology) and Infection Control. Dr. Rivara's work uses mixed methods to identify patient-centered strategies to reduce cardiometabolic health disparities.
Our team - Research Team
OLAGA RESEARCH CENTER, SAMOA
Kima Faasalele-Savusa, Program Manager
Program manager Kima Faasalele-Savusa has been with the OLaGA team since 2017 when she was recruited to lead our group prenatal care work. Kima now oversees all operations in Samoa as well as a multi-site study of cognitive resilience. Kima is a midwife and passionate advocate for women and children’s health.
OLAGA RESEARCH CENTER, SAMOA
Samoa Research Staff
L to R: Malia Arorae, Melania Selu, Vaimoana Lupematisila, Elisabeth Kommu (volunteer), Fafofola Unasa, Lupesina Vesi, Faatali Tafunaina.
OLAGA RESEARCH CENTER, AMERICAN SAMOA
Francine Iopu, MPH Project Manager
A recent graduate of Portland State University, Francine Iopu joined the OLaGA team in American Samoa in 2023 and now leads our family and gestational diabetes programs.
Email — LinkedIn
OLAGA RESEARCH CENTER, AMERICAN SAMOA
American Samoa Research Staff
L to R: Miracle Loia, Temukisa Lefale, Joshua Naseri (former Program Manager), Susie Tasele, Francine Iopu.
KERSHAW LAB, UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH
Ashlee Wood, BS, MS Senior Research Technician
Ashlee Wood is a Senior Research Technician and Scientific Director in the Laboratory of Erin Kershaw, MD, in the Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. She has over a decade of experience in basic and translation research in the field of endocrinology and metabolism. She has paritcular expertise related to metabolic phenotyping of geneticially-engineered rodent models as well as oversight and analysis of human biospecimens.
KERSHAW LAB, UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH
Mahesh Kumar Basantani, PhD Research Scientist
Dr Mahesh K Basantani is a Research Scientist in the Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. He has over 15 years of experience in basic and translational research in the field of endocrinology and metabolism. His current research focuses on determining the regulation, function, and physiological relevance of novel genetic risk variants contributing to human disease using preclinical models. He is currently developing and validating human-induced pluripotent stem cells models and murine models of metabolic-disease risk variants identified in Samoans, with an emphasis on the role of CREBRF in adipose tissue and muscle.
Our team - Scientific Advisory Board
MINISTRY OF HEALTH, SAMOA
Alec Ekeroma
Dr. Ekeroma is the Director General of Health for Samoa, serving as the CEO of the Samoa Ministry of Health and overseeing all clinical and public health activities for the nation. By training, Dr. Ekeroma is an Obstetrician Gynecologist and has worked clinically in Samoa, the Solomon Islands, New Zealand, Australia, and the UK.
OCEANIA UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE, SAMOA
George Tuitama
Dr. George Tuitama is the Oceania University School of Medicine Dean for Samoa, American Samoa, Aotearoa New Zealand and the Asia Pacific. He is also registrar and Acting Head of the Mental Health Unit at TTM Hospital and Health of Mental Health Clinical Services for the Samoan National Health System.
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE & FISHERIES, SAMOA
Seuseu Tauati
Dr. Tauati is the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. An expert in molecular biology and phytopathology he served two terms as the CEO of the Scientific Research Organization of Samoa (SROS) before being appointed to his current role.
NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SAMOA, SAMOA
Our team - Community Advisory Boards
AMERICAN SAMOA
Youth Advisory Board
L to R: Talai, Tapu, MJ, Alek, Tau, Robert Toelupe (LCSW)
Our Youth Advisory Board provide input on adolescent-focused projects including our ongoing mental health work and our family diabetes studies.
Our team - Students, Fellows & Recent Grads
YALE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Mata’uitafa Faiai
Mata’uitafa Faiai is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Chronic Diseases Epidemiology at the Yale School of Public Health. Her NIH F31-supported research describes the prevalence of, and risk factors associated with obesity, diabetes, and hypertension among American Samoan adolescents. Her work uses mixed methods and a novel social network analysis.
Primary Advisor: Dr. Nicola Hawley
Emma Mew, PhD
Emma Mew is a recent graduate of the doctoral program at the Yale School of Public Health and an incoming (Jan 2025) postdoctoral fellow at the Duke University Center for Global Mental Health. Emma’s CIHR-funded research characterized mental health among American Samoan adolescents, identifying critical infrastructure gaps, exploring intergenerational trauma, and developing a parenting framework for support adolescent mental health. Her work provides the foundation for the ongoing ‘Strong Families’ study.
Primary Advisors: Dr. Nicola Hawley, Jueta McCutcheon-Tofaeono
YALE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Sakura Oyama
Sakura Oyama is an MD-PhD (Anthropology) candidate at Yale. Sakura’s research focuses on the reproductive health of women in the Independent State of Samoa. Her NIH F30-funded work has explored the associations of age at menarche with cardiometabolic risk, the association of pregnancy and weight gain, and she was the first to prospectively characterize menstrual irregularity among Samoan women.
Primary Advisors: Dr. Richard Bribiescas, Dr. Nicola Hawley
YALE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE & DEPARTMENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY, YALE UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Toni-Ann Yapp
Toni-Ann Yapp is a doctoral student in Human Genetics at the University of Pittsburgh, supported by an R01 diversity supplement. Her research within the Obesity, Lifestyle, and Genetic Adaptations (OLAGA) Study Group focuses on elucidating genetic factors underlying obesity and cardiometabolic diseases in Pacific Islander populations, particularly Samoans. Her work employs advanced computational approaches including genome-wide association studies, polygenic risk score analysis, and multi-ethnic genetic studies to better understand population-specific genetic adaptations.
Primary Advisor: Dr. Jenna Carlson
YALE UNIVERSITY, DEPARTMENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY
Victoria Harries
Victoria Harries is a doctoral candidate in Biological Anthropology at Yale University. Vicky leads the ongoing ‘MILK’ study in Samoa, which is focused on understanding links among breastmilk composition, infant hunger and satiety, and infant growth.
Primary Advisor: Dr. Richard Bribiescas, Dr. Nicola Hawley
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
Zana Mae-Maree Ross
Zana Ross is a graduate student in Cellular and Molecular Pathology (CMP) in the Interdisciplinary Biomedical Graduate Program (IBGP) at the University of Pittsburgh. She has several years of experience in translational human research related to the endocrinology of aging. Her prior research has primarily contributed to the understanding of adipose tissue in aging outcomes as part of the large, multi-institutional, NIH-funded study "Study of Muscle, Mobility, and Aging (SOMMA)." In this role, she developed deep expertise in collecting, isloating, and functionally characterizing human adipose stem cells. Her current research focuses on developing and characterizing human stem cell models of metabolic risk variants identified in the Samoans.
Primary Advisor: Dr. Erin Kershaw
YALE UNIVERSITY, DEPARTMENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY
Katherine Daiy
Katherine Daiy is a recent graduate of the Biological Anthropology program at Yale University. Her research focused on the development of the infant gut microbiome and the association of the breastmilk and infant gut microbiome with maternal diet and antibiotic use. She is an incoming postdoctoral fellow in Anthropology at Ohio State University.
Primary Advisor: Dr. Richard Bribiescas, Dr. Nicola Hawley
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
Mary Rossillo, MD, PhD
Dr. Mary Rossillo is a Research Track Fellow in Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metaboism in the Department of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. Her prior research experience focused on transcriptional regulation of developmental programs that determine neural cell fate and function. Her current research focuses on determining the molecular, cellular, and physiological role of CREBRF in hormone-secreting endocrine cells/tissues.
Primary Advisor: Dr. Erin Kershaw
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Lauren Spor
Lauren Spor is a Human Genetics PhD student and a Graduate Student Researcher at the University of Pittsburgh. With a Master of Public Health degree in Public Health Genetics, her research focuses on the genetic epidemiology of metabolic traits.
Primary Advisor: Dr. Ryan Minster