SNEB Leadership

The SNEB Leadership Spotlight series highlights the incredible individuals leading our organization, offering a closer look at their experiences and contributions to nutrition education. By sharing these stories, we aim to build a stronger sense of community among our members.

Learning about our leaders helps us connect more deeply with those who represent SNEB and their dedication to our mission. This initiative not only celebrates their achievements but also inspires collaboration and dialogue within our network.

What inspired you to become a member of SNEB?

The first time I attended the SNEB annual meeting in 2019, I was struck by the warm and welcoming atmosphere, and I’ve made it a point to attend every year since. SNEB provides an abundance of resources, from access to the latest research in their journal and newly published manuscripts by like-minded scholars, to opportunities for building a professional network and receiving mentorship. Additionally, SNEB is inclusive in offering leadership roles, providing valuable opportunities for professional growth regardless of one’s position.

How has your involvement with SNEB influenced your work or perspective in the field?

My involvement with SNEB has opened up incredible opportunities for networking, familiarizing myself with the work of other scholars, and gaining valuable leadership experience. It has also connected me with professionals from government agencies, allowing me to serve as a panel reviewer. This experience has significantly enhanced my skills in grant writing and has helped me navigate my own research more effectively.

What do you see as the biggest challenge in nutrition education today, and how do you address it?

I think misinformation and fad diets are the biggest challenge in nutrition education today.

How do you think the field of nutrition education will evolve in the next 5-10 years?

I think the focus will shift more towards fact checking and ways to have better access to healthy options.

What role do you see SNEB playing in the future of nutrition education?

SNEB should be the source of reliable information and evidence based practice for dietitians, health providers, and people in general.

What advice would you give to someone just starting in the field of nutrition education?

Be patient and keep it simple.

Can you share a recent project or initiative you’re working on that excites you?

My research focuses on multilevel influences on cancer risk behaviors including poor nutrition, physical inactivity, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption in Hispanic youth. My aim is to create a study model that examines the impact of several factors spanning from individual-level psychosocial factors and family environment to social determinants of health and the built environment in this population using a large nation-wide cohort study. I am extremely passionate about helping underrepresented communities and as my future step, I aim to broaden my research model to encompass other minority or disadvantaged population groups within the community.

Not a member of SNEB but interested in joining?