- Where are you from?
I am from Decatur, GA. - What do you like to do outside of school? What are you passionate about in life? - tell us about yourself!
Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family and dogs and being creative in some way, whether that is trying new recipes or working on DIY home and art projects. - Why did you choose to study nutrition? Was there a specific person, experience, or event that sparked your interest?
I chose to study nutrition after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a young adult. I quickly realized the large role my diet was going to play in my diabetes management for the rest of my life, so I decided to focus my college path on nutrition so I could learn to better take care of myself and hopefully use what I learned to help others too. - What made you choose the B.S. in Nutrition program at GSU?
I started off in college as an exercise science major, and I loved the many pre-health care classes I had taken because I was deeply fascinated by how the body works on a micro and macro level but was not in love with exercise physiology. When I considered focusing on nutrition, the GSU program was the perfect fit because it incorporated the molecular intricacies I loved about anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and biology, with a focus on how all these different subjects relate to what we eat and how nutrients work in our bodies. I was also drawn to the program because many of the professors are involved in research, and I was interested in learning from individuals contributing to the growing body of information in the field of nutrition. - What is your favorite thing about GSU’s nutrition program?
My favorite part of the program has been the opportunity to learn and explore a variety of different nutrition-related topics that cannot be covered in detail during class. Through class assignments and presentations, I have been able to take what I have learned and dive deeper into subjects I have been interested in learning more about. Some of my favorite topics have been the relationship between the gut microbiome and obesity, glutamine and gut permeability, and the effects of vitamin C on oxidative stress in type 1 diabetes. This has allowed me to grow my understanding and learn how to translate that information to others professionally. I have also learned various nutrition-related subjects from my peers this way. - 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.
Through the Nutrition Student Network, I have been able to volunteer at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in their teaching kitchen for newly diagnosed children with type 2 diabetes and their caregivers. It has been a great opportunity to observe and help with hands-on nutrition education in a pediatric setting. - 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?
I am applying to the GSU Coordinated Program and plan to become a registered dietician. I would like to work as a dietician and health coach to help people with diabetes and eventually become a certified diabetes care and education specialist. - If you could give advice to someone considering studying nutrition, what would you tell them?
If you are interested and up for the challenge, go for it! Nutrition can be a complex subject, but it is ultimately rewarding to have a greater understanding of different nutrition-related subjects, including how the body works and uses nutrients to keep us alive, the science behind food processing, and different food challenges among different disease states and populations. Even if you do not pursue a career directly involving nutrition, having a background in nutrition is advantageous because it is much more than just fruits and vegetables!