Jennifer Barnoud

Jennifer Barnoud, a native Memphian, graduated Cum Laude from Middle Tennessee State University in August of 2011 with a double major in Nutrition and Food Science and Psychology and a minor in Recreation and Leisure Studies. Upon graduation Jennifer received her DTR and began working at Monroe Carrell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt primarily preparing infant formulas. She highly values the biopsychosocial model of health and illness and sees nutrition as a valuable key to obtaining peak health or managing current disease states. Jennifer also has an interest in nutrition coaching and motivational interviewing that she hopes will facilitate her in helping others obtain optimum health and well-being. Jennifer’s interest in nutrition was sparked from an initial interest in psychology and eating disorders. She has been a member and volunteer for the Eating Disorder Coalition of Tennessee since 2008. Her long term goals include developing a well rounded and solid foundation in clinical nutrition while working in an outpatient setting, as well as obtaining management skills that may contribute to a successful private practice. Jennifer desires a challenging and dynamic internship program at the University of Memphis which she looks forward to beginning in the fall of 2012.

Robert Zach DeBerry

Zach is from Pickwick, TN. Zach received his Bachelor’s in Health and Human Performance with a concentration in Dietetics and a minor in Chemistry from the University of Memphis in May 2012. During his time as an undergraduate, Zach worked as a teaching assistant in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Memphis as well as at Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center as a DOC Operator. Zach completed the majority of his undergraduate career on full scholarship due to his involvement as a keyboardist in the University of Memphis performing group, Sound Fuzion. Zach is very interested in the research side of the health field. His nutrition interests are focused in the fields of pediatrics, oncology, and epidemiology as it concerns the vast prevalence of overweight and obesity in the United States today. In his free time Zach enjoys playing piano, cycling, swimming, and being outdoors.

Jessica Galtelli

Born and raised in West Memphis, AR, Jessica received her Bachelor’s in Dietetics from the University of Memphis, where she served as Vice President of the Student Dietetic Association in 2010-2011, and as an ADA Liaison in 2011-2012. Jessica is married and enjoys being outdoors, riding her bike, cooking, going to the lake, and spending time with her family. She was originally a nursing major, but her love for food developed an interest in nutrition. Upon graduation she wants to work as a Registered Dietitian in a clinical setting. Her areas of interest include pediatrics, renal, and trauma. She chose the program at Memphis, because she is a native of Memphis and felt it would challenge her to become an excellent dietitian in the Memphis area.

Sarah Gehring

Sarah grew up in Hernando, MS then went on to receive her degree in Dietetics and Nutrition from the University of Mississippi. While at Ole Miss, Sarah was very active in the campus community serving in multiple leadership roles and working as an intern in the Office of Sustainability. Sarah’s passion for nutrition was sparked from the realization of the important role food plays in your overall health, and she wants to be able to inspire people to live healthier lifestyles. She enjoys being outside and active, especially running and water skiing. Upon completion of this program, Sarah would like to gain experience in a clinical setting or in sustainable foods.

Katelyn Hart

Katelyn has grown up in Memphis, and received her Bachelor’s from University of Memphis with a degree in Dietetics. Originally a Nursing major, after taking nutrition courses she realized her real passion in life and quickly changed her major. Her interest in nutrition was heightened when her father underwent open-heart surgery and his nutrition was a large part of his treatment. Katelyn currently works at LeBonheur Children’s Hospital as a Nutrition Operator, and would love to work one day in clinical pediatrics. Katelyn enjoys being active by running, hiking, canoeing, and anything else outside. She studied abroad with the U of M program to Costa Rica in 2011 and enjoyed learning about another culture’s nutrition and hopes to have the opportunity to travel later in life.

Christy Li

Born and raised in San Francisco Bay Area, CA, Christy received dual undergraduate degrees in Communication and Clinical Nutrition from University of California, Davis. Inspired by diverse foods and cultures, she hopes to study cultural food practices and counsel individuals and groups to eat healthy and delicious foods. Her lifelong passion is to travel around the world to sample and appreciate different cultural cuisines. At University of Memphis, Christy looks forward to learn more about the dietitian's role in disease prevention and health promotion, as well as working with different age groups and cultures.

Lauren Elizabeth Steele

Lauren graduated The University of Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics and Nutrition. She is originally from Memphis, TN. Lauren first decided to go into nutrition when her youngest sister became extremely ill and had to be hospitalized at Le Bonheur in Memphis. She met her sister’s dietitian and immediately knew that she would love to pursue a career in the field. Upon completion of the program at The University of Memphis, she hopes to work either in pediatric nutrition or in sports nutrition. She would love to live in Nashville or Memphis. She has been a volunteer at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the Clinical Nutrition department since June 2011 and absolutely loves it. She chose the program at Memphis because she felt that it would be the best place for her to learn what she needs to learn in order to be the best dietitian. The opportunities at Memphis are greater than they are at other places, and she hopes to prepare in the best way possible to jumpstart her career and be pushed to perform to the best of her abilities.

Xin Yi Ter

Xin Yi was born and raised in Malaysia. In 2009, she took 36 hours of flight to Purdue University to pursue her undergraduate degree in Dietetics. Since young, she has developed special interest in food and hoped to serve healthy and tasty food utilizing locally grown ingredients to promote health and wellness in the community. Her interest in food and nutrition grew more when she learned about the benefits of medical nutrition therapy in treating chronic diseases. Xin Yi is fluent in 4 languages and a few Chinese dialects and would love to contribute in International Nutrition upon graduation. She also likes to travel and has been to Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Canada, Bahamas and traveled to 25 states in United States.

Laurel Welborn

Laurel Welborne was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico but quickly moved to Denver, Colorado where she spent the next twenty years of her life. Her interest in the culinary arts was piqued with one too many episodes of Iron Chef. She attended Johnson and Wales University for an Associates Degree in the Culinary Arts where she learned to be creative in the kitchen and also how greatly food can impact the human body. She then followed her parents and grandparents footsteps and moved to Oklahoma State University to complete her BS in Nutrition and Dietetics. Laurel’s interest in nutrition was sparked during her culinary school adventure and she hopes to use her knowledge of food and nutrition to help families adopt healthier lifestyles. She has an interest in pediatric nutrition and hopes to one day work with children in any clinical and community setting. She loves to dance, run, cook for friends and family, travel and do almost anything outside. Laurel is excited to be attending the University of Memphis in a focused program where she has the opportunity to develop the skills to work within any clinical nutrition setting.

Sarah Uhlenbrauck

Sarah is a born and raised Midwesterner, having lived in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota. She received her honors undergraduate degree in Dietetics with a minor in Individual and Family Wellness from North Dakota State University. She has worked in various areas of dietetics, including being the student manager of a campus dining center, at a nursing home, and volunteering with after school programs. Sarah has developed a passion for nutrition, being active, leading a healthy lifestyle, and helping others develop their own healthy habits. Sarah is very excited to gain clinical dietetic experience while also exploring a new area of the country with her husband. After completion of this program, Sarah and her husband plan to move back to the Midwest and she hopes to work as a clinical dietitian at a hospital.