Niisoja Torto
27th Class, 2020-2021

Niisoja graduated from Duke University, where he studied public policy with a focus on health and nutrition policy. His Ghanaian heritage and experience growing up in Florida inform his interest in equity issues. Niisoja’s particular passion for food and nutrition solidified with his senior thesis that explored the role of food assistance in addressing overweight and obesity. He has conducted heart disease community-based research in rural central Uganda, where he worked alongside community health champions to develop a heart disease prevention program that still runs today. Niisoja has also provided high-level nutrition policy support as an intern at the World Health Organization headquarters in Geneva, where he authored the main text of a report of the UN Secretary-General.

Read more about Niisoja Torto

Isis Blanco Vera
10th Class, 2019-2021

Isis Vera is a Program Analyst for the Africa Bureau's Office of Sustainable Development in the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). She holds a Master's Degree in Agricultural and Environmental Education from the University of Georgia with a certificate in International Agriculture. She served as the Congressional Hispanic Caucus's Institute Nutrition Graduate Fellow, doing a rotation with the United States House Committee on Agriculture. Isis completed her fellowship as a Research Fellow with USAID's Global Development Lab. She has also worked as a Research Assistant with the Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication Department at the University of Georgia. Isis has strong interests in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning; data analysis and visualization; and their nexus with agriculture and hunger. Originally hailing from Mexico, Isis is passionate about music, traveling, and food.

Read more about Isis Blanco Vera