Food Systems, Nutrition, and Health
Master of Public Health
October 8, 2025
Fernanda Nunes
What is your background and why did you choose graduate study? I majored in nutritional sciences in my undergraduate studies, and then completed a dietetic internship that focused heavily on clinical nutrition. After the dietetic internship, I decided that I wanted to pivot towards public health and food systems work. I worked as a registered...March 5, 2025
Katie McConaughy
What have you been doing since completing your degree & RDN training? After earning my degree and becoming an RD, I joined the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), the state agency responsible for overseeing public K-12 education. I work in child nutrition services on USDA grant-funded initiatives aimed at improving the quality of...Andrea Litzow
What have you been doing since completing your degree & RDN training? I currently work for the Washington State Department of Agriculture as a contracts specialist for the Focus on Food Initiative where I help to lead a project to distribute remaining Coronavirus state recovery funds to support hunger relief and emergency food response efforts,...November 18, 2024
Miki Suarez-Thai
Why did you choose UW? UW appealed to me by having a coordinated program in dietetics, especially because it also offers a Master of Public Health. It was important to me to get my MPH and complete the dietetic internship, and I felt that I would not only benefit from but enjoy the accelerated timeline....November 4, 2024
Mariam Kayali
Why did you choose UW? I was really intentional about finding a coordinated dietetic program to complete alongside my Master of Public Health degree. I was drawn to UW School of Public Health because of its reputation, and my interview for admission really sealed the deal. It was really clear from the beginning...October 21, 2024
Haley Chapman
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...October 15, 2024
Hannah Sanders
Why did you choose UW? My undergraduate research mentor was previously a UW faculty member, and he exposed me to the network and opportunities to engage in global nutrition. Also, after living in the Midwest for seven years, I was ready to get back to the West Coast! What influenced you to pursue a graduate...November 8, 2023
Lauren Perkins
What influenced you to pursue a graduate degree in nutritional sciences? I was a really picky eater growing up and I always felt left out of the cool kids’ club. What was it about food that everyone liked so much? Why was it so blasphemous that I didn’t like a lot of foods other people...November 2, 2023
Cecilia Msogoya
What influenced you to pursue a graduate degree in nutritional sciences? I have always been acutely aware of the pressing triple burden of malnutrition around me, particularly in Tanzania, as well as in other low- or middle-income countries (LMIC). This awareness and firsthand experience ignited a desire to not only understand but also address these...Christina Lin
What influenced you to pursue a graduate degree in nutritional sciences? I became interested in nutrition at an early age. When I was young, my father, an oncologist, would frequently explain to me how fat clogs up arteries, how meats with nitrites could cause cancer, and why fried foods should be avoided. These discussions at...Next page