Why did you choose UW?

What initially drew me to UW was the integration of food policy and systems thinking into the nutrition curriculum, as well as the opportunity to connect with leading public health entities, including Public Health – Seattle & King County. Since being admitted, the support my cohorts and I have received from the program is unparalleled.  There is a variety of mentorship, teaching, and research opportunities made available to students, as well as brilliant and caring faculty and administrative teams.

What influenced you to pursue a graduate degree in food systems, nutrition, and health?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted a career that helped others. Growing up in California’s Central Valley, one of the most medically underserved regions of California, showed me firsthand that disparities in health can have wide-reaching impacts. I worked in a hospital while pursuing my undergraduate degree, thinking I would pursue a career in medicine, however through this experience, I learned I was more interested in addressing the root causes of health conditions, rather than treat the downstream effects of disease.   California’s Central Valley is also one of the most agriculturally productive regions in the nation, so early on, food has been a central part of my life and sparked my lifelong interest in food, and now, nutrition and public health.  Pursuing a master’s degree in food systems, nutrition, and health allows me to combine my passion for public health with my interest in food and nutrition. I hope to help create programs and policies that promote the health of both individuals and the planet.

Tell us about your current fieldwork or practicum, or a recent collaboration or accomplishment.

This summer, I completed my fieldwork project with Hunger Intervention Program. I conducted a nutrient analysis of their Healthy HIP Packs Program, a food backpack program intended to provide a weekend’s worth of child-friendly, easy to prepare food to help close the gap for children who otherwise depend on school meals for food during the week. I assessed to what extent their standard HIP Packs  meets the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans for relevant age groups, and worked with the organization to identify current strengths and appropriate opportunities for increased nutrient density, while also working within the financial and logistic guidelines factored in by the program. 

How do you see the important role of nutrition public health and disease prevention?

Nutrition plays such a vital role in public health and disease prevention! Many people are well aware of the connection between diet and our health. However, in today’s healthcare system, so much emphasis is placed on the role of individual choice in determining what we eat and, as a result, our health status. It is so important to expand our view of this connection to include other factors that impact the choices we make, such as the food environments in which people live, food advertising strategies, and food and nutrition policies. To me, this is just one example of how nutrition fits into the broader public health landscape.

What’s something you have learned while at UW that has changed your perspective?

My mind was completely blown when I learned about the Satter Hierarchy of Food Needs during our nutrition education class with Dr. Cristen Harris! The Satter Hierarchy of Food Needs is based on Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which is a psychological theory.  At its core, the basic idea is that as you satisfy more essential food needs, such as eating enough food and having reliable access to food, you can then grow your “higher level” food skills. This may look like eating certain foods for their health benefits in a way that incorporates joy and satisfaction, rather than focuses on establishing strict rules around food. When I look at traditional public health nutrition work, I see that it often involves guiding people to consume more or less of a certain food for health reasons without stopping to really consider the broader context in which people eat. This framework has totally reshaped the way I view the relationship between nutrition and public health, and will serve as a strong foundation for my future work in this space.      

What are your future goals?

Prior to starting this program, I worked at a local health department in California for about four years. It was there that I fell in love with public health, and with working within the local government space. After graduating, I hope to continue working at the local health department level to create and support programs that support a variety of public health nutrition and sustainability goals.

What do you like to do for fun?

Outside of class, you can find me hiking and walking around the greater Seattle area, cooking a good meal with my friends, and enjoying as much live music as I possibly can! Experiencing the cold, rainy Seattle winters has also led me to get back into knitting, a hobby I had when I was younger. Finally, I enjoy snuggling up and watching a good movie or TV show with my cat, Mac and Cheese. 

What do you enjoy most about living in Seattle?

Moving here from sunny California, I was a bit nervous to experience the dark and rainy PNW winters! However, now after “surviving” my first full year as a Seattleite, I find that I actually really enjoy experiencing how different each season can be, and I lean in and appreciate the unique qualities of each season. I also find myself consistently in awe of all the natural beauty that surrounds us here, from the gorgeous mountain ranges and lush forests to the impressive home gardens I see walking around my neighborhood.

What advice would you give someone considering your programs?

My biggest piece of advice for anyone considering this program—or graduate school in general—is to take your time reflecting on what it is you hope to get out of the program. For me, this looked like developing a deep sense of my life’s purpose, and then mapping out the next steps I should take to stay aligned with that. I’m a firm believer that you should only go to graduate school if and when it serves you to do so. Each program has its own strengths and weaknesses, so spend time researching faculty focus areas, class structure, and the connections the university maintains with its larger community. Being able to critically evaluate what it is a program can offer you, and whether that aligns with your personal and professional goals, will save a lot of frustration down the line and will help you make the most of your time in school. Two years goes by quickly!

Are you interested in studying nutritional sciences as a graduate student? Explore programs and RDN training offered in the UW Food Systems, Nutrition, and Health program.