Nutrition Student of the Month - Justina Kim - Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions

Where are you from?
Originally from Maryland but grew up in Georgia, so I guess that makes me a Georgia Peach!
What do you like to do outside of school? What are you passionate about in life? – tell us about yourself!
Outside of school, I try to practice painting, playing piano, and tennis. Currently I am trying to learn how to oil paint, since I normally paint with watercolors. With oil painting, I really like to paint a large fruit painting to hang in my kitchen. That’s one way I combine nutrition with my hobbies. I’m passionate about intertwining my hobbies and passions together, as it makes the experiences more fun and enjoyable.
Why did you choose to study nutrition? Was there a specific person, experience, or event that sparked your interest?
Funny enough, the first “nutrition and wellness” book I had read was called “Eat Pretty” by Jolene Hart. At the time I had just started college and was trying to rebuild my relationship with eating and what nutrition meant to me. Initially I was not a nutrition major. It was not until my sophomore year I wanted to pursue nutrition science. I enjoyed learning the science behind nutrition in principles of nutrition and wanted to learn more about the field of nutrition & dietetics, which lead me to today as a nutrition science student!
What made you choose the B.S. in Nutrition program at GSU?
I became an officer for the student-run organization, Nutrition Student Network, before studying Nutrition at GSU. Being an officer allowed me to become familiar with the Nutrition department, which allowed me to connect more with the faculty members and junior/senior nutrition students. Connecting with these individuals confirmed my decision to study nutrition at GSU, as it was a great fit for me. The courses that were offered also intrigued me to further my nutrition education at GSU.
What is your favorite thing about GSU’s nutrition program?
My favorite part about GSU’s nutrition program has been the overwhelming support from my professors. The faculty in this program genuinely care about the students’ success and is willing to help in any way. The professors try to help us not only in the classroom setting, but also professionally as they always notify us of potential career, internship, and research opportunities.
Are you involved in any nutrition-related experiences (research, other projects), or volunteering, outreach, or student organizations? If so, please tell us a bit about them.
Yes, I am! Currently I am the president for Nutrition Student Network (NSN). I previously served as the volunteer coordinator for two years, where I helped NSN members find nutrition-related volunteer opportunities. I was an undergraduate research assistant for Dr. Feresin from 2019 to 2021. Under Dr. Feresin I was able to study the impact of nutritional interventions on hepatic tissue. I was able to publish and present this research at the American Society of Nutrition summer of 2021 and present it at GSURC spring 2021. I also serve as president for the organization Period Project at GSU, where we collect menstrual products for those who are in the state of homelessness in the Atlanta area. My volunteer experiences have included working with Panther’s Pantry, NSN Garden, St. Francis Soup Kitchen, EDIN, and Red Cross.
Where do you see yourself after graduating with your B.S. in Nutrition? Are you planning to go to graduate school? What type of career would you like to have?
After graduating with my B.S. in Nutrition, I plan on going to graduate school. I am currently in the process of applying to the Coordinated Program at GSU and hope to get in to start this fall! For my future career, I would like to become a clinical dietitian and potentially work in the acute care setting. I can also see myself working as a pediatric dietitian.
If you could give advice to someone considering studying nutrition, what would you tell them?
My advice would be to not be afraid to re-learn about nutrition. Before the program, I thought I knew what nutrition was and meant for me, but throughout the program, I have learned nutrition is more than just eating a salad. Embarrassingly enough, I thought I didn’t need to eat protein, but now I focus on maximizing my protein intake because I know how important it is. My other piece of advice would be to really explore the field of nutrition, since there are many different career fields out there (e.g., dietitian, industry, managerial nutrition, etc.).

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