Nutrition Student of the Month - Jereme Gallier - Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions

Where are you from?
I was originally born in East Meadow, NY, but I grew up in the country in Halsell, Alabama where my mom is from.
Why did you choose to study nutrition? Was there a specific person, experience, or event that sparked your interest?
After I decided chemical engineering wasn’t for me, I spoke with my partner about what career I wanted. During this conversation, I reflected on my growing interest in learning about nutrition via Youtube bodybuilders, haha, but also my experience with a fellow alum of the Coordinated Program, Amber Johnson, during my senior year at Georgia Tech made a lasting impact. I was struggling with losing weight despite exercising regularly and she educated me on eating more and eating consistently throughout the day. This led to me losing weight and most importantly I felt so much better overall! I wanted to help people have that same experience and decided that dietetics was my true calling.
What nutrition program were you a part of at GSU? What made you choose your program?
I was in the Coordinated Master’s Program (non-DPD certified) cohort. I chose this program because not only did Amber Johnson personally recommend it to me, but I also did not want to take classes and then find an internship like many other programs offered. I wanted to do it all at one time so that I could start my career as soon as possible, also being able to use student loans to pay for the internship instead of out of pocket was a major benefit.
What was your favorite thing about the nutrition program? What were some of your biggest takeaways?
I think my favorite part about the program was the sports nutrition aspect because that is what I was focused on pursuing. I really loved Dr. Feresin’s Advanced Sports Nutrition class. It gave me the foundation I needed for my internship at Georgia Tech and fellowship at the University of Georgia, and I genuinely enjoy learning about all things sports nutrition. With that being said, it was also a treat to go back to my alma mater as a dietetic intern.
Did you have any assistantships while you were in the program that helped offset the cost of tuition? If so, tell us a bit about what you did for these assistantships.
I had an assistantship during my first semester of the program with Dr. Mayfield. I was the TA for her introductory undergraduate nutrition class. It involved a lot of grading assignments, quizzes, and exams. I also gave a short presentation on the coordinated program.
What has your career looked like since you graduated? Tell us about the jobs you have had or currently have.
My career has had a few twists and turns since graduating. I originally planned on pursuing a career in sports nutrition as a team dietitian; however, after my fellowship at UGA I learned that being a team dietitian wasn’t for me. Following my fellowship, I took a role at FX Studios Performance Centers in Baltimore, MD where I provided nutrition counseling and nutrition education at a variety of wellness events. I have since transitioned to a long-term care role while I work on building my private practice. I also work for Lifebridge Health in an outpatient role with the HIV Support Team in Community Initiatives.
What other passions do you have? Has studying nutrition helped you realize or grow these passions?
One of my passions that has been growing since I started the Coordinated program is competing in powerlifting. I actually competed last August and it was an amazing experience. I also have a passion for helping Black and Brown communities achieve better health outcomes because in my experience they have the least access to healthcare, especially dietitians. Studying nutrition definitely helped me realize my passion for powerlifting because without learning my body’s reaction to supplements and fueling properly I would not be able to compete in powerlifting. Additionally, without studying nutrition I would not be as equipped to help underserved communities.
If you could give advice to someone considering studying nutrition, what advice would you give them?
Don’t worry if you don’t know what type of nutrition you want to practice; you’ll figure it out along the way.
Don’t be afraid to forge your own path and chase your passions.
There’s no one way to be a great dietitian. The way that you practice dietetics should make sense to you and feel true to who you are as a person.

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