Research Assistant at San Diego State University

I work as a student researcher with direction from Dr. Shirin Hooshmand and Dr. Mark Kern in the Exercise and Nutritional Sciences Department at San Diego State University. The study I am currently assisting with is an intervention designed to investigate whether fruit consumption alters gut microbiome, fecal metabolome, and metabolites in plasma, as well as its effects on motor, cognitive, and cardiovascular function in healthy adults. My role in this lab is to facilitate study visits with human participants and aide others wherever I am needed. Additionally, I administer necessary tests to subjects, conduct blood draws as a certified phlebotomist, and record the data collected from each visit, as well as meet with the other members the research team weekly to plan for upcoming tasks. The skills I am gaining through this experience will make me a more informed, well-rounded researcher in my future PhD program. This work is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

President of the Student Nutrition Organization

I currently hold the position of President for the Student Nutrition Organization (SNO) and will remain until the end of Spring 2022. My role as President includes coordinating and hosting bi-weekly meetings for 100+ members, facilitating officer meetings, and planning of social events, upcoming volunteer opportunities, and organization involvement on campus. Additionally, I act as the voice of the organization, providing support and encouragement for fellow officers and members. My favorite aspect of this position is interacting with our members and creating opportunities for them to get involved. We have so many resources that may not be fully understood and I strive to disseminate the information in a simple, clear way.

Volunteer at Heaven’s Windows

I volunteered at Heaven’s Windows during fiscal year 2020-2021 as a kitchen aid and warehouse worker. My duties included preparing ingredients for hot meals to children at a local community kitchen, packing dried food items into lunch bags, and organizing warehouse inventory. I learned portion sizing and kitchen techniques designed for large scale food operations in addition to building relationships with the staff in charge. This experience allowed me to explore a different side of the foodservice industry through the lens of community nutrition. I found my time with Heaven’s Windows to be valuable because their mission is to improve living conditions and providing support for financially insecure families, which is something I believe is important.

200HR Registered Yoga Instructor with Yoga Alliance

I became a certified Yoga instructor in 2019, after completing a 6-month training program at Yoga Vie in Lompoc, CA. I offer one-on-one or group classes that range from restorative to flow, with a heavy emphasis on yoga philosophy and body alignment. I build sequences that involve a variety of postures linked by breath and movement. As a yoga instructor, I guide my students through an exploration of themselves through body shapes and verbal prompts to bring back focus from thought. My time teaching yoga has helped me build meaningful connections with others in a space that is both safe and encouraging. Through this experience, I have begun to understand how to be more patient with myself and others, which will help my stay grounded when my future studies seem overwhelming.

Electronic Security Program Manager for the United States Air Force

From 2017-2019, I was employed as a program manager for the electronic security system at Vandenberg AFB in Lompoc, CA. This position was demanding, as it required me to be on call during all hours to delegate tasks for handling any discrepancies or triggered alarms. I was also in charge of reporting updates during staff meetings, sitting in on squadron briefings, and coordinating with the civilian contractors on scheduled tests and repairs. I refined my interpersonal skills in order to communicate effectively with people in various positions, as well as developed a deeper understanding of how to run a robust security program. These skills translated to the work I do now as I use them when I interact with others. This job was challenging but worth while because I learned how to be a better leader.