Master of Science

August 14, 2025

Sodium Intake Differences and its Relationship to the Gut Microbiome in Female Individuals with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Healthy Controls

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of gut-brain interaction characterized by abdominal pain and changes in bowel movements. Although IBS pathophysiology is still unclear, research has suggested that IBS may be associated with diet and the gut microbiome. Sodium is a nutrient that may be associated with bloating, gut motility, and gut microbial composition….

April 14, 2025

Associations Between Usual Plant & Animal Protein Intake and Select Serum Biomarkers of Chronic Disease Risk

The prevalence of diet-related chronic diseases has increased significantly in the U.S. over the last two decades, and nutrition interventions may help reduce disease risk. However, studies linking diet with disease risk factors have yet to confirm optimal proportions and sources of certain dietary components such as protein. To identify associations between usual intake of…

January 6, 2025

Recommendations to Improve Food Access for K-12 Students in the City of Seattle

Food insecurity is defined as “limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods or limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways.” In 2023, about 18% (6.5 million) of U.S. households with children experienced food insecurity. The impacts of low and very-low food security, such as reduced food quality,…

August 14, 2024

Nutrient Drug Interaction Probability Scale (NDIPS): An External Validation

This project was the final stage of a larger endeavor in testing a new clinical assessment tool to assess the probability of drug-nutrient interactions with the aim of developing a personalized healthcare model when detecting and managing drug nutrient interactions. To assess how well different healthcare professionals would interpret and use the tool in practice,…

August 12, 2024

Medical Nutrition Therapy in Post-Stroke Neurocritical Care: A Case Study

This project examined the application of medical nutrition therapy (MNT) in neurocritical care following a case of stroke with subarachnoid hemorrhage. While nutrition care in this population remains a developing field, this case study establishes support for the critical role of early, high protein enteral nutrition in weight preservation and malnutrition prevention over an extended…

August 6, 2024

Improving Nutrition Discharge Education for Caregivers of Adolescents with Eating Disorders at Seattle Children’s Hospital

A quality improvement project was conducted to update Seattle Children’s nutrition discharge education materials for caregivers of eating disorder patients. This involved conducting interviews with RDs to determine possible areas of improvement, and providing education, cultural relevance, and health literacy. Final deliverables included a YouTube video presentation for families highlighting key components of the refeeding…

August 1, 2024

Pediatric Medical Nutrition Therapy for Comorbid Type 1 Diabetes and Eating Disorders

This project explored the overlap of type 1 diabetes and eating disorders, a relatively new area of research, with an emphasis on pediatric populations. The project consisted of a literature review, a case study, a discussion of the complexity involved with managing these conditions simultaneously, and recommendations for medical nutrition therapy (MNT) in the absence…

July 31, 2024

Chrononutrition and Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Type 2 Diabetes: A Case Study

A case study and report on a patient with type 2 diabetes and multiple comorbidities. The patient was not meeting his blood glucose goals and saw the RD/CDCES to discuss dietary methods to improve his glucose. With a few dietary recommendations and the continued use of a continuous glucose monitor, the patient saw improved glycemic…

June 7, 2024

The Association Between Eating Competence and Daily Hassles and Uplifts of Eating Location in Undergraduate University Students

The study sought to investigate the association between the daily hassles and uplifts related to eating location and eating competence (EC), and whether socio-demographics impact this association. Using the Daily Hassles and Uplifts Scale, the Satter Eating Competence Inventory (ecSI 2.0tm), and multivariate regression, associations between the hassles and uplifts of some of three eating…

Determinants of Indigenous Diet Quality and Their Association With Inflammation and Biological Age in the NHLBI Strong Heart Family Study

This thesis analyzed dietary and health marker data from Indigenous tribes in the NHLBI Strong Heart Family Study to assess for associations between diet quality, inflammation, and biological age. The thesis also reviewed the historical and social determinants of Indigenous diet quality and identified the concept of Indigenous Food Sovereignty as a direction for future…