Transfer student Irene Richardson was raised in the suburbs of Washington D.C., studied at Northern Virginia Community College and now finds herself across the country at our University, thriving as she earns her Master's of Science in Nutrition from the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources.

In May 2020, Irene graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in Nutrition from the College— after having made the dean's list several times— with two specializations, one in nutritional science and one in dietetics.

While completing her master's degree, Irene is working as a graduate teaching assistant and is the lead teaching assistant for the College's Introduction to Nutrition course in the Department of Nutrition. Her research is focused on the relationship of the human gut microbiome and the effects of common food additives.

In a Q&A, Irene discusses w88 online casino bettinghow she came to be a student in our College; what it's like and who has helped her along the way; what she enjoys about her major, how it's changed her life and why people should study it; her research and career goals; and advice for future students in our College.

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I didn’t originally choose CABNR. When I first began at UNR, I was enrolled as a Business major. However, I was required to take a science-related course. So without much thought, I decided to take Introduction to Nutrition, which at the time was taught by Karon Felten. As the semester went on, I realized I more enjoyed studying for nutrition than any of my other courses.

I switched to a nutrition major even though that set back my timeline for graduation. I was certain that time was a proper investment in my future.

A few months into my first semester, I switched to a nutrition major, even though that set back my timeline for graduation. I would need to retake several math and general science courses. But, I was certain that time was a proper investment in my future.

I jokingly like to tell people that it was programmed into my DNA to major in nutrition, since my father worked as an organic chemist and my mother worked as a personal chef. But in reality, I always had a deep passion for food— I started cooking when I was 9— and possibly by luck, I came to find nutrition as my major. I have created a community and family for myself here.

Q: What is that family like?

The Nutrition Department has been a close and caring team to me for several years, and I am grateful to each one of them. In fact, I wouldn’t be in this position if it weren’t for many of them.

The Nutrition Department has been a close and caring team to me. I wouldn’t be in this position if it weren’t for them.

• Karon Felten, my Intro to Nutrition instructor, became my advisor and wrote one of my letters of recommendation for graduate school.
• Jolyn Wirsing, my instructor for several nutrition courses in undergrad, was the Nutrition 121 instructor I first TA’d for. She's a great instructor and kind person who wants to help everyone she encounters to succeed. 
• Maureen Molini, my food science instructor my senior year, told me about microbiome expert Steven Frese interviewing for a faculty position here and invited me to attend his presentation. Editor's note: Now, Irene is a member of the Frese lab.)
• Jamie Benedict taught the nutrition research class where I first got to explore the literature on the associations between w88 online sports bettingthe gut microbiome and nutrition. She's now on my thesis committee and a great sympathetic ear to many of the challenges I’ve faced during my time in graduate school.
• Brad Ferguson is a great instructor who has helped me understand the biochemical mechanisms our body undergoes daily.

I’ve enjoyed learning from each of them, as well as learning about their personal lives. 

Q: What do you like about studying Nutrition and why?

The science and mathematics related to Intro to Nutrition clicked with me compared to any STEM-related class from high school.

The science of nutrition offered me the power to understand what is best to consume and thereby provide nourishment for my body.

What also intrigued me was the fact that the course provided me with easy applications to assist my own diet and health, compared to determining supply and demand rates. It was instilled in me from a very young age that “knowledge is power,” and the science of nutrition offered me the power to understand what is best to consume and thereby provide nourishment for my body.

Along with that, I was in awe of the passion that Karon shared for the course. Her use of Hippocrates’ quote, “Let food be thy medicine, and medicine thy food,” has stuck with me all these years.

Q: How has your major changed your life or your perspective?

Nutrition is a science still within the early stages of understanding the associations between human health, which is sometimes a bizarre concept for me to grasp. We landed a man on the moon but you’re telling me that we don’t understand exactly why kale should be better for you than potato chips?

The area is overcrowded, but not in experts. Advertisers and social media influencers have the ear of the general public, allowing for these consumers to fall prey to the “new and improved snake oil that will help you lose five pounds in a week! (or your money back).” The funny thing about snake oil charmers is that there’s always an excuse for why their product didn’t work for you. “You need to take this in the morning" or "It’s activated when you add our B12 supplement with it” and on and on.

Many Americans easily buy into this vicious cycle of fad diets and gimmick dietary supplements that they hope will magically treat their health-related issues, particularly excess body weight.

Growing up, I understood the issue many face relating to overweight and obesity. w88 live casinoHowever, I did not know much of how or what could be done to treat this now-global epidemic. Before becoming a nutrition major, I myself struggled with this issue slightly. But once I gained that critical knowledge and placed it into practice, my body weight issues resolved themselves with time. So, being living proof of the benefits of nutrition application, I’ve felt a great need to share this knowledge so that others might find a way to take control of their health and not just buy into the lemon detox currently being promoted on Instagram. 

One of the best things about being a nutrition major is the ability to place what is taught and learned into practice with people.

One of the best things about being a nutrition major is the ability to place what is taught and learned into practice with people. Understanding the components of your diet and perhaps where you may need to adjust is vital to each and every one of us, and I always enjoy helping others realize that they have full control over these choices.

Q: Why is it important that there are people with expertise in your major?

Americans need more leading experts, such as Registered Dietitians and nutrition scientists, in the field of nutrition to guide them to proper health care related to diet. Providing people with the knowledge to critically assess their diet before stepping into a doctor’s office is of great importance for many reasons, including cost, time and more.

But more than anything, it's important because no person should feel helpless on how to properly care for and nourish their bodies.

Q: What is your field of research, and how did you end up in it?

I am looking to investigate the interactions between the gut microbiota and their impact on human nutrition and health.

I decided to become a scientist because I thoroughly enjoy investigating the interworkings of the body and helping to answer the many unanswered questions we face in health and science. I was really drawn to human gut microbiome research because of its strong connection to nutrition, in addition to its current minimal understanding.

I like to say that the microbiome is like a foreign world. The current understanding views the microbiome as a vastly populated area with many species forming a habitat within the host. I’m eager to learn the species’ language through food interactions and become fluent enough to help us, the human hosts, live longer and healthier lives. And I really believe that the gut microbiome may hold answers to preventing and treating several chronic diseases. Teaching others how to feed and live harmoniously with the population they w88 casino gamesare hosting is such a thrilling concept to me!

Teaching others how to feed and live harmoniously with the population they w88 casino gamesare hosting is such a thrilling concept to me!

Currently, I’m working to understand the associations between artificial sweeteners and their impact on the human gut microbiome. As we are learning, the gut microbiome is largely impacted by the foods we eat, some of which have been eaten for centuries and have clearly developed our current microbial composition. Other foods are more new to us and our microbiota’s diet, and the long-term health impacts have yet to be determined.

Q: Have you changed your or your family’s habits as a result of your research?

Many of my friends and family continually ask me whether they should be consuming artificial sweeteners, especially in the form of beverages. I assure them that the current science and government agree that these sweeteners are safe within the acceptable daily intake, or ADI, but nothing in my opinion will ever compare to the essentials of water. 

Q: What are your career goals or plans?

I look to complete my Ph.D. and hope to continue as a research scientist, perhaps in the government sector maybe working with the USDA or FDA, while continuing to provide nutrition education for my local community.

Q: What advice would you offer to current and future students in our College?

Expect a great variety— challenging, fun, perhaps both— of classes, topics and instructors that can make you truly passionate about the world we live in and how to better provide and care for each of the species that call this planet home.

Try your best to not become overwhelmed by the need for perfection.

Your grades can be important, but immersing yourself in the material and ways to apply it is the most practical and appreciated method for you to learn.

You deserve to fully understand the concepts you are paying to be taught.

Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions, even in large lecture-hall classrooms. You deserve to fully understand the concepts you are paying to be taught. The best teachers will learn how to better teach their material from the questions offered by students. In addition, often you’re not the only one with such a question. Speak up, and perhaps people will also start looking to you to ask the more challenging questions, which is never a bad thing.