Claudia Toledo-Corral received a Bachelor of Science in Psychobiology and Anthropology from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and a Master of Science degree in Biology from California State University, Northridge (CSUN). Currently, Claudia is a doctoral candidate in the department of Preventive Medicine in the Keck School of Medicine. Under the direction of Dr. Michael Goran, she received an NRSA fellowship (F32) from the NIDDK to complete her dissertation proposal on the metabolic syndrome and atherosclerosis risk in overweight Latino youth. Claudia has then published several manuscripts and in 2008 was awarded a Young Investigator Award at the 3rd International Symposium of Intergrated Biomarkers of Cardiovascular Disease. Aside from research, Claudia is also very committed to the teaching discipline. At CSUN, she was recognized by the Biology department for her dedication to teaching with an Outstanding Teaching Associate Award. At USC, she is a popular teaching assistant in the Health Promotion Department and also participates as a Teaching Assistant Fellow in the Center for Excellence in Teaching at USC.