Meet Our Crew

• Masoud Azizi is the Founder and Executive Director of the Fresno Institute of Health & Fitness.  He is a certified fitness trainer with the American College of Sports Medicine, the National Strength and Conditioning Association, and the International Sports Sciences Association.  He is also a graduate of the UCLA Fitness Leadership Program and holds a Certificate in Human Nutrition from TUI.  He directs various health, fitness & weightloss programs in Fresno and Los Angeles, especially in the Central Valley YMCA, and develops and implements our programs in community settings.  His main interests are: the role of exercise and nutrition in preventing and controlling chronic disease, exercise physiology, and writing health & fitness articles.  He is currently a physiological science and public health student at UCLA.

• Adam Smith is the Research Director.  He holds a BA in Psychology and a MA in Sport Psychology from CSUF, graduating with high honors. His MA thesis was titled Body Appearance and Physical Activity Attitudes and Behaviors among Urban Middle School Youth, an important topic given that a lack of physical activity is one of the main causes of the current health crisis in our nation. Adam has co-authored a book chapter, has given eight conference presentations at the state, regional, national, and international level, and is currently in the process of submitting his research for publication in two academic journals. Adam is very well versed in research methodology, and uses his expertise to lead our research efforts. His research interests include obesity, physical activity patterns, and healthy eating. Adam is currently a part-time instructor at both CSUF and SCCCD.

• Ruby Mateos is the Director of Health Programming.  She is exceptionally well trained, holding a BS in Business Administration from the University of Santo Tomas, MS in Administration from Central Michigan University, and another MS in Health Science (Public Health emphasis, and graduated Magna Cum Laude) from TUI.  She also attended the School of Aerospace Medicine where she studied public health technology and won their Leadership Award.  Ruby uses her vast experience, education, and skills to help lead our efforts at creating and implementing programs aimed at preventing obesity and chronic disease.  She is currently the Health Services Program Manager for the Fresno Migrant Head Start and participates in the Health Policy Leadership Program at the Central Valley Health Policy Institute.

• Brandy Adamson is our Grant Director. 

• Darcy Wilson is our coordinator for our Obesity Treatment Program.

• Anna Chew is our Nutrition Consultant.  Anna serves as an expert consultant to our team, provides priceless guidance for our staff to facilitate nutrition seminars/lectures/activities, and facilitates the nutrition section of our online message board. Anna has broad experience and expertise in the field of human nutrition.  She holds a BS in Nutrition from Cal Poly, successfully completed the Central Valley WIC Dietetic Internship, and is a Registered Dietitian.  She currently works as a Clinical Dietitian.

• Amanda Bulere is a fitness trainer who is certified in personal training by the American Council on Exercise.  She helps run our various fitness programs, particularly our exercise classes.  Her interests include weight loss, and athletic performance.  She is currently a Biology student at FPU.

• Cesar Gombardo is a fitness trainer who helps facilitate our youth programs.  His interests include youth physical education, and childhood obesity.  He is currently a student at Touro International.

• Mike Hume is our media specialist and recruiter, who helps with our fliers, and resource recruitment.  He is a communications student at Stanford.

• Holly Hall is one of our fitness coordinators.  She leads groups exercise classes and leads our Kids Fit For Life program for Dubois Charter School at the Central Valley YMCA.  She is currently a pre-veterinary student interested in activities that promote physical fitness.

• Elizabeth Rigby is one of our fitness coordinators.  She leads group exercise classes and leads our Kids Fit For Life program for Valley Crescent School.  She has an AA in Physical Education and is currently an Exercise Science student at CSUF.  Her interests include youth fitness and rehabilitation.

• Haron Housini is the Executive Director of the Central Valley Eye Association(www.CentralValleyEyeAssociation.org).  Haron and his organization help us implement eye-health awareness--informing on the positive effects of exercise and proper nutrition on eye health and hypertension through services and research in the Valley, especially in Merced. 

• Xee Yang