President
Elizabeth Dierkes
Elizabeth is a Junior, and her major is HPA: Exercise Science Major on a pre-Physical Therapy track. Elizabeth was officially diagnosed with non-celiac gluten intolerance in October of 2012. She loves biking, crocheting, playing the clarinet and piano, and especially experimenting with new gluten-free foods! She looks forward to educating people around campus about being gluten-free!
Vice-President
Brandon Meck
Brandon is a sophomore intending to double major in Applied Mathematics and Statistics. After several misdiagnoses, he was officially diagnosed with Celiac disease in November of 2012. His hobbies include reading, exercising, listening to music, and modifying recipes in an attempt to make them gluten free. He joined the club with the intention to make gluten free campus living much easier for those suffering with this disease or intolerance.
Secretary
Taylor Diken
Taylor is a sophomore majoring in History and Linguistics as well as pursuing a Russian and East European Studies certificate at Pitt. She does not have to follow a gluten-restricted diet, but shares an apartment with Hana and sees the challenges of eating gluten-free on a daily basis. She developed lactose intolerance just before college, and joined GFAL to make a difference for everyone with food allergies on campus to make living at Pitt a little less stressful than college already has to be.
Future Secretary
Kelly Schenk
Kelly is a freshman studying Neuroscience and Philosophy on a pre-Medical track. She loves
running, writing, cooking, and baking! She was diagnosed with Celiac disease in August of 2013, and
has been gluten free since then. She joined Gluten Free Awareness League in order to meet more
people who adhere to a gluten free diet, and also to hear about how others maintain their gluten free
diet on campus. Kelly hopes to educate more people on Celiac disease and gluten intolerance, while
spreading news and ideas about a gluten free lifestyle to the students on campus!
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Treasurer
Hana Hueser
Hana Hueser is a junior who is studying molecular biology and American Sign Language. She was diagnosed with celiac disease in October of 2011, but also is intolerant to dairy and other foods. After noticing ways to improve gluten free dining at Pitt, she joined the club to educate people about gluten free and see how she could help others gain access to better food options.
Public Relations/Fundraising Chair
Ma'ayan Doron
Ma'ayan is a freshman who plans to double major in Computer Science and Urban Studies with a concentration in Urban Planning. Ma'ayan discovered her intolerance for gluten in August 2013, and has been committed to a gluten free diet ever since. She enjoys hiking, singing a cappella, and is working on learning to play the banjo. By joining the Gluten Free Awareness League, Ma'ayan hopes to bring more awareness to the gluten free lifestyle and the needs of celiacs, as well as integrate more gluten free options into campus dining menus.
Historian
Paige Haring
Paige Haring is a freshman interested in Statistics and Psychology. She was diagnosed with Celiac Disease when she was just 3 years old, and has been gluten free ever since. At the time, gluten free foods were basically unheard of. What was out there wasn't tasty. After watching the "gluten free world" and her dietary options expand over the past 15 years, Paige hopes to make the lives of other gluten free people more delicious and less stressful by spreading awareness.
Website Manager
Pauline Tran
Pauline Tran is a senior majoring in Health Information Management. Although she does not have any food allergies, Pauline supports the mission of the Gluten Free Awareness League. As an avid lover of food, she can empathize with those restricted by a food allergy. Her hobbies include eating and weightlifting.
Events Coordinator
Emily Pullman
Emily is a freshman on a pre-Occupational Therapy track. She was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2010, and along with her family, has been gluten-free ever since. She joined GFAL hoping to educate people of gluten sensitivities, learn about gluten free options on campus, and meet other gluten-free students.
Design Manager
Valerie Wan
Founder
Dhanu Thiyagarajan
Dhanu is a senior studying bioengineering. She will also be obtaining a minor in chemistry along with a Certificate in Conceptual Foundations of Medicine. She hopes to go to medical school and become a medical physician. Dhanu got diagnosed with a wheat allergy in December 2010. Coming to Pitt, she hoped to join a gluten-free support group in order to find out good places to eat and get emotional support. To her dismay, the club did not exist, so she decided to start it herself, because she was aware that several other people were going through the same situation as her. Dhanu is very excited to make this club a sucess during her years at Pitt, but to also have this club continue in the years after. She is also an Udi's Gluten-Free Foods intern and works with National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) along with writing blogs for them. She is also conducting a research project looking at Celiac Disease's relation with society. Apart from dealing with gluten-free issues, Dhanu enjoys dancing, playing tennis and raquetball and watching tv.
Awards:
Outstanding Sophomore Leader on University of Pittsburgh's Campus
Check out her blogs:
Top 5 Things to Know about Being Gluten-Free before Applying to Colleges
Gluten-Free Campus Carnival: A Success Story
Featured in Associated Press Article:
Food Allergies May Be Disability Under Law
Featured in Allergic Living Magazine
