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 w88 casino games from the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources.
In May 2020, Irene graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in w88 casino games from the College—after having made the dean's list several times—with two specializations,one in nutritional w88 casino games 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 w88 casino games course in the Department of w88 casino games. 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 how she came to be a student in our College; w88 casino games it's like and who has helped her along the way; w88 casino games she enjoys about her major, how w88 casino games's changed her life and why people should study w88 casino games; her research and career goals; and advice for future students in our College.
Q: Why did you choose to study in our College and major in w88 casino games?
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 w88 casino games, which at the time was taught by Karon Felten. As the semester went on, I realized I more enjoyed studying for w88 casino games than any of my other courses.
I switched to a w88 casino games 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 w88 casino games 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 w88 casino games, 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— andpossibly by luck, I came to find w88 casino games as my major. I have created a community and family for myself here.
Q: w88 casino games that family like?
The w88 casino games 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 w88 casino games Department has been a close and caring team to me.I wouldn’t be in this position if it weren’t for them.
- Department of, my Intro to w88 casino games instructor, became my advisor and wrote one of my letters of recommendation for graduate school.
- Department of, my instructor for several w88 casino games courses in undergrad, was the w88 casino games 121 instructor I first TA’d for. She's a great instructor and kind person who wants to help everyone she encounters to succeed.
- Department of w88, w88 casino games food science instructor w88 casino games senior year, told me about microbiome expert Department of interviewing for a faculty position here and invited w88 casino games to attend his presentation.Editor's note: Now, Irene is a member w88 casino games Frese lab.)
- Department of w88 taught the w88 casino games research class where I first got to explore the literature on the associations between the gut microbiome and w88 casino games. 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.
- Department of is a great instructor who has helped w88 casino games understand the biochemical mechanisms our body undergoes daily.
I&w88 casino games;ve enjoyed learning from each of them, as well as learning about their personal lives.
Q: What do you like about studying w88 casino games and why?
The science and mathematics related to Intro to w88 casino games clicked with me compared to any STEM-related class from high school.
The science of w88 casino games 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 w88 casino games 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&w88 casino games; quote, “Let food be thy medicine, and medicine thy food,” has stuck with me all these years.
Q: How has w88 casino games major changed w88 casino games life or w88 casino games perspective?
w88 casino games 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 w88 casino games 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&w88 casino games;s always an excuse for why their product didn&w88 casino games;t work for you. “You need to take this in the morning" or "It&w88 casino games;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 w88 casino games-related issues, particularly excess body weight.
Growing up, I understood the issue many face relating to overweight and obesity. However, I did not know much of how or what could be done to treat this now-global epidemic. Before becoming a w88 casino games 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 w88 casino games 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 w88 casino games major is the ability to place what is taught and learned into practice with people.
One of the best things about being a w88 casino games 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 w88 casino games major?
Americans need more leading experts, such as Registered Dietitians and w88 casino games scientists, in the field of w88 casino games 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, w88 casino games'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 w88 casino games end up in it?
I am looking to investigate the interactions between the gut microbiota and their impact on human w88 casino games 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 w88 casino games, 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&w88 casino games;m eager to learn the species&w88 casino games; 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 are hosting is such a thrilling concept to me!
Teaching others how to feed and live harmoniously with the population they are hosting is such a thrilling concept to w88 casino games!
Currently, I&w88 casino games;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&w88 casino games;s diet, and the long-term health impacts have yet to be determined.
Q:Have you changed your or your family&w88 casino games;s habits as a result of your research?
Many of w88 casino games 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 w88 casino games opinion will ever compare to the essentials of water.
Q: w88 casino games 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 w88 casino games education for my local community.
Q:What advice would w88 casino games 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 w88 casino games 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 w88 casino games 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 w88 casino games to learn.
w88 casino games deserve to fully understand the concepts w88 casino games are paying to be taught.
Also, don&w88 casino games;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&w88 casino games;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.
We grow w88 casino games educators and researchers.
Adventurers. Community Builders. Doctors. Dietitians. Discoverers. Ecologists. Environmentalists. Explorers. Farmers. Foodies. Forest Managers. Researchers. Scientists. Teachers. Rangeland Managers. Veterinarians. And more.
Are w88 casino games ready to grow?
