Fostering Support: Department of Nutritional Sciences develops invaluable graduates

Fostering Support: Department of Nutritional Sciences develops invaluable graduates

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Media Contact: Christy Lang | Director, Marketing and Communications | 405-744-9740 | [email protected]

Oklahoma State University's Department of Nutritional Sciences is revolutionizing the field, producing graduates who are making significant contributions to research institutions and academia nationwide.

The program cultivates scientific talent, combining academic training with mentorship and hands-on research opportunities. It results in alumni who are not only prepared for careers in nutritional research but also poised to lead them.

Dr. Norman Hord, nutritional sciences department head, emphasized the program's comprehensive approach.

"I am deeply impressed by the comprehensive approach our department takes to promote student achievement and professional development," Hord said. "As our graduate coordinator, Dr. Jill Joyce leads the charge along with our program directors in dietetics and faculty members. These faculty have created a seamless continuum of support throughout students' academic journeys."

Two recent graduates, Drs. Christina Sciarrillo and Elizabeth Rendina-Ruedy, have leveraged their OSU education to secure prestigious positions in their fields, exemplifying the program's success in preparing students for impactful careers.

Sciarrillo, who completed her master's degree and dietetic internship in 2019 and her Ph.D. in 2022, exemplifies the program's success. Now a postdoctoral fellow at the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Sciarrillo focuses on how dietary macronutrient manipulation affects body weight, energy intake and metabolism in clinical settings.

Rendina-Ruedy, who earned her doctorate in human sciences with an emphasis in nutritional sciences in 2014, has also risen to prominence in her field. As an assistant professor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, she runs a competitive biomedical research program centered on bone biology.

Both alumni credit OSU's nutritional sciences program for their professional achievements and ongoing passion for research.

"OSU's nutritional sciences program was key in shaping my career path and was the best academic experience I have had to date," Sciarrillo said. "The mentorship that I received during my time there was second to none."

Rendina-Ruedy has a similar sentiment.

"Outside of my own scientific passions, my strong mentorship committee was the most influential in shaping my career path," she said.

The program's success stems from its commitment to fostering a collaborative and challenging environment. Sciarrillo praised the department's culture.

"The culture within the department - under the leadership of Dr. Stephen Clarke and my mentor, Dr. Sam Emerson - fostered collaboration, critical thinking and intellectual development," Sciarrillo said.

Dr. Deana Hildebrand, nutritional sciences professor, shared the importance of catering to the specific needs of each student throughout their time on campus and beyond.

"The culture in Nutritional Sciences is one of inclusiveness and support," Hildebrand said. "We are committed to providing both undergraduate and graduate students with the learning experiences needed to reach their academic goals and have successful careers."

This approach prepares students for the demands of their future careers.

"My time at OSU has allowed me to navigate being a scientist at a competitive research institute with greater ease because I experienced healthy criticism, which has allowed me to become better and want to be better," Rendina-Ruedy said.

Another key strength is the program's emphasis on applied sciences and real-world impact.

"I was always challenged to consider if the research and work that I was doing impacted human health and I believe that governs many of the research questions that I study today," Sciarrillo said.

Joyce, associate professor and graduate coordinator, shared the program's commitment to professional development.

"Because we are an undergraduate pre-health program and a graduate professional program preparing clinicians, we care immensely about academic success while here and professional success after graduation," Joyce said.

OSU's nutritional sciences program also provides students opportunities to pursue independent research, a feature both alumni found invaluable.

"My primary investigator allowed me to pursue some of my own research passions," Rendina-Ruedy said. "She allowed me to develop a project that was complimentary to the ones going on within the lab and apply for extramural funding."

The program's comprehensive approach to education has equipped its graduates with the skills necessary to succeed in diverse areas of nutritional sciences. Sciarrillo's work combines integrative physiology with nutritional sciences, while Rendina-Ruedy applies nutritional principles to bone biology.

"Applying these questions to the bone field has allowed for tremendous opportunity and we've developed a unique niche within this scientific field," Rendina-Ruedy said.

Both alumni maintain strong connections with OSU and their fellow graduates, highlighting the program's role in building lasting professional networks. These relationships have led to collaborations, job opportunities and ongoing support throughout their careers.

Sciarrillo emphasized the personal impact of these connections.

"I couldn't feel more connected to OSU or fellow alumni," Sciarrillo said. "I met my now husband at OSU, and the friends that I made during graduate school are now my lifelong best friends and were at my wedding."

Sciarrillo and Rendina-Ruedy offer advice for current and prospective students based on their experiences. Sciarrillo emphasizes the importance of finding a mentor to help guide one's career and academic trajectory.

"I believe that the right mentor is the key to a successful career path in research and academia," she said.

Rendina-Ruedy encourages students to "trust the process."

"There is no way around it," Rendina-Ruedy said. "It's a hard career. The worst thing that can happen is that you leave with your Ph.D. and are not ready for it. No one is going to take the time, energy, and resources to train you, so the training is essential."

As OSU's nutritional sciences program continues to produce successful alumni, it cements its reputation as a leading institution for those seeking careers in nutritional research and academia. The program equips students with the tools they need to make significant contributions to nutritional sciences by combining rigorous academic training with mentorship and research opportunities.

Rendina-Ruedy summed up the impact of her OSU education by sharing her proudest achievements.

"Although it's expected in my position, getting my NIH-R01 was a professional achievement I was proud of," she said. "Also, being invited to be a standing member on an NIH study section was another professional goal of mine I recently achieved. My training at OSU is directly related to achieving both of these goals."

The success of alumni like Sciarrillo and Rendina-Ruedy is a testament to the quality and effectiveness of OSU's nutritional sciences program, highlighting its role in shaping the future of nutritional research and education.

"The success-driven cohesion from administration down to incoming freshmen is what makes the department a good place to be and to be from," Hildebrand said, summing up the program's strong suit.

Joyce highlighted specific features of the program that make it uniquely beneficial to students, faculty and alumni.

"This department is more open to feedback, more willing to change, and a stronger, more supportive team among faculty and with students than I've ever seen," Joyce said. "We aren't perfect, but we are more than willing to try."

Hord agreed.

"Our department's approach to student success is holistic, innovative and highly responsive to student needs," Hord said. "By fostering a supportive community, emphasizing practical skills, and maintaining a focus on long-term career success, I believe we are setting a high standard for student support in our college."

Photos By: Kelly Kerr and Provided

Story By: Jillian Walker | ASPIRE Magazine

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