Stephanie Bailey

Stephanie Bailey completed her undergraduate degree at Georgia Southern University where she served as President of the Student Dietetic Association and researched the feasibility of soy fortified tortillas, which was presented at the annual GDA conference. She became interested in nutrition during high school when an RD spoke to her basketball team about how foods and athletic performance correlate. She is also interested in weight management and looking forward to teaching nutrition classes at a weight loss camp this upcoming summer. Another interest of hers is the nutrition intervention of chronic diseases. She enjoys being active, cooking, traveling, and experiencing anything new.

Taylor Burgmon

Taylor was born and raised in Baton Rouge, LA and received her undergraduate degree in Nutritional Sciences from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. She began her college career as a pre-med major and became interested in anything dealing with food and nutrition after taking a few nutrition classes. She likes shopping, reading, and spending time with friends and family. She enjoys working with children and hopes to have a career in pediatric nutrition.

Megan Clise

Megan is originally from Washington State where she lived a very short time.  Before she was two, Megan moved to Japan where she lived until age eight. Megan has spent most of her life in Munford, TN, which is a rural area close to Memphis. She completed her Bachelors' in Dietetics from the University of Memphis in May 2011; where she did research on oncology and nutrition. Originally Megan wanted to work with pharmacy, but realized how important nutrition support is and quickly changed her mind to the Dietetics field. Her special interests of nutrition include: pediatrics, oncology, research, and diabetes. After completing the program Megan would like to return to the hospital that sparked her interest for the field and work at St. Jude.

David Havrilla

David was born in Lansing, MI. He received his Bachelor's of Science degree in Dietetics from Michigan State University. His nutrition career began with majoring in Nutritional Sciences before switching to Dietetics to become a Registered Dietitian. He has always had an interest in nutrition. When he was diagnosed with Type-1 Diabetes at 19 years of age, he knew nutrition was an area he could truly help the most people. His primary interests include: pediatrics, oncology, infectious diseases, research and epidemiology. Outside of nutrition, David enjoys many simple pleasures such as: reading, backpacking and hiking, frisbee and exploring the outdoors. After becoming a Registered Dietitian, David would like to work clinically initially before considering a doctoral degree.

Brittany Haynes

Born and raised in Memphis, Brittany received her Bachelor's in Dietetics from the University of Memphis in August 2011. She was originally a Biochemistry major and had the intention of going to pharmacy school. However she soon developed a strong interest in nutrition, and when her chemistry advisor told her about dietetics, she immediately switched her major. Upon graduation she wants to work as a Registered Dietitian in a clinical setting. Areas that interest her include oncology, renal, and pediatrics. Brittany has played clarinet for 12 years and also enjoys reading and traveling.

Chelsea Kuo

Born and raised in Japan, moved to Taiwan at age of 7.  She moved again; she came to Minnesota at the age of 16 by herself. She received BS in Clinical Nutrition from University of California- Davis.  She is fluent in Japanese, Mandarin and English.  Chelsea became interested in nutrition after a family member had a stroke and struggling to lose 30 pounds she gained during her first year in the U.S.  By taking fundamental nutrition class, she saw the beauty of following a healthy diet could not only free an individual from diseases but also positively influence one's mental and spiritual health. As she continues the education, she gets more interested in Medical Nutrition Therapy.  Chelsea chooses University of Memphis because this program focuses in clinical nutrition. Thanks to coming to Memphis, she had a chance to visit 9 other southern states and taste authentic southern cuisine.

Steven Newman

Steven was born in Germantown, TN. He obtained his BS from Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo. His interest in nutrition came from his interest in cooking at a young age. Once he has completed the program at the University of Memphis he plans on working with renal or trauma patients.

Julie Pineau

Julie was born and raised in Memphis, TN and in May 2011, she received her undergraduate degree in Dietetics from the University of Memphis. Her love of food and desire to be in the medical field first sparked her interest in nutrition. She loves being outside, spending time at the lake, relaxing with her pets (a dog, cat and bird), working out, Memphis Tigers Basketball and of course nutrition! Clinical nutrition is her primary area of interest; particularly pediatrics, transplant, renal and women's health. She chose this program because she knew it would challenge her in the ways she needs to be an excellent dietitian. After completing the program, Julie looks forward to finding a clinical dietitian job where she can make a difference every day.

Cami Ruark

Cami is a Kentucky native now residing in Nashville, Tennessee. After several wonderful years self-employed as an Interior Designer, she decided to pursue Dietetics starting with an education at Lipscomb University. Her passion for pediatric nutrition sparked not only the change in careers, but also a strong desire for knowledge, leadership, and philanthropy. Cami is a Certified Lactation Counselor, and was awarded the Outstanding Dietetic Student and Scholarship Awards from both the Nashville District and Tennessee Dietetics Associations in 2011, the first of which she served as Student Board Member. She has volunteered for organizations such as the Tennessee Department of Children's Services and the Emergency Department of Monroe Carell, Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, just to name a few. While working for pediatric nutritionists as an undergraduate student, projects in writing, social media, research, workshop development, business, marketing, and school nutrition contributed experience and valuable skills. As an intern at the University of Memphis, her recent work as a graduate assistant at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has elevated her clinical skills and practical knowledge of pediatric nutrition to new heights. She finds her work there, mainly with patients suffering from sickle cell disease and cancer, to be a unique, rewarding, and humbling experience. Her research on vitamin E in children with sickle cell disease at St. Jude and the University of Memphis is ongoing. Cami looks forward to a bright future in clinical pediatric nutrition, providing support for growing children and their families from birth to early adulthood.

Hope Shackelford

Hope is from Southaven, MS, and likes cooking, watching movies, dachshunds, reading, going on walks, eating sushi, shopping and spending time with her family and friends. Hope also enjoys traveling, and has been to Italy, Sweden, Poland and Brazil with her fiancé, plus Ireland and China with her family. Besides her love for food, Hope became interested in nutrition while earning a B.S. in biology from Christian Brothers University in 2009. When she decided to become registered dietitian, she then completed a B.S. in dietetics from University of Memphis in 2011. During the graduate program/internship, Hope has enjoyed her role as a graduate assistant at St. Jude and is looking forward to new rotations and opportunities.

Alexandra Toline

Alexandra is from Houston, TX and received her undergraduate degree in Dietetics and a minor in Personal Training from Harding University. While attending Harding, she was a part of the Track team, Ju Go Ju social club, and the study abroad program in Florence, Italy. As a young athlete she became interested in the importance of wellness and nutrition, but over the years her interests expanded to areas such as clinical nutrition, sports nutrition, and long-term care. In her career she hopes to inspire others to live a healthy and active lifestyle.

Emily West 

Emily was born and raised in Nashville, TN. She recently graduated from the University of Georgia in Athens with her B.S. in Dietetics. Emily has a passion for working with kids. In addition to working as a daycare teacher for underprivileged children at St. Luke's in Nashville, she has spent many summers as a camp counselor in the mountains of North Carolina. She started at UGA as an Elementary Education major, but quickly switched to Dietetics when she realized she was spending more time reading books about health & nutrition instead of her education textbooks. Emily is most interested in clinical nutrition, eating disorders, pediatrics, and nutrition during pregnancy. Her other interests include running, board games, rafting, karaoke, and going to the park.