Association of Graduate Students in Dietetics and Nutrition

Shante' Earle is currently in her second semester as a Master's student. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Health Sciences at the University of South Florida. She became interested in Nutrition and Dietetics when her health started to decline and was set to take medication for the remainder of my life. She started learning about proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle and figured out that this is the path for her.  In turn, she would like to help others by teaching them the proper knowledge about nutrition, so that they, too, are able to have a better quality of life. 

Shante Earle

Rakhi grew up in New York, but moved to Orlando in 2002. She graduated from The University of Florida in 2012 with a B.A. in Anthropology, with a concentration in Health Sciences and Theatre/Film. Upon graduation, Rakhi took a medical leave of absence to reassess her health and flew to Asia for 3 months for treatment of her autoimmune disorder. It was not until she sought the help of a Registered Dietitian back in the states, however that she found nutrition would be her true calling. She began writing for littleblissbook.com in 2013 where she focused on creating recipes that were minimally processed and nutritiously delicious. Rakhi recently went to Washington D.C. for the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics Public policy workshop to bring the dietetics profession to the forefront and fight for basic nutrition services in the current healthcare reform bill. In the future, Rakhi hopes to open up her own practice and help others with autoimmune food intolerances. With her prior career film experience, she hopes to create a food documentary and positive, informative media that promotes other dietetic professionals to help educate others about good nutrition and a balanced holistic lifestyle.

Rakhi Chowdhury

I am still pretty new to Miami, I just moved here last August to begin the PhD program in Nutrition and Dietetics at FIU. I grew up in Butler, Missouri and got my B.S. in Exercise Science at the University of Central Missouri. In the Fall of 2014 I began my M.S. degree in Human Nutrition at Kansas State University. My research focused around the impact of exercise on the inflammatory response to a high-fat meal. I spent the last year at FIU working on coursework and working as a TA for the HUN 2000 laboratory. In Spring 2017 I began working in Dr. Marianna Baum’s HIV research lab and am planning on working her for the next few years as I complete my PhD and work on a dissertation based around HIV, drug abuse, and liver fibrosis.

Colby Teeman

I was born and raised in Havana, Cuba and had the privilege to come to the USA in 2003 when I was a teenager. I joined the U.S. Navy in 2010, where I served for 4 years in the LHD-5 USS Bataan as a calibration technician. However, I knew the military wasn’t something that I wanted to do all my life, so I was honorably discharged and completed a degree in Biochemistry. It was during my military days that I met a friend that got me really involved in the nutrition world, so right after I finished my Bachelors in Science, I decided to join FIU’s Dietetics program. I still don’t have a clear goal of where I want my career to take me, but I am optimistic that I’ll figure it out in due time.

Monika Diaz

Hello everyone! My name is Priscilla Clayton and, starting this following year, I will be a second year Master student and your External Event Coordinator for AGSDN. I was accepted to our program on a McNair Scholar Fellowship and have been very thankful for all that I have learned and experienced thus far! I received my BS in Nutrition & Dietetics at Abilene Christian University in Texas and, one could say, I am still very new to Florida! I currently work with Dr. Marianna K Baum and Dr. Campa as a Research Assistant over at the FIU-Borinquen Research Clinic for their HIV Health Study. I intend on graduating Spring 2018 and transitioning into the Doctorate Program here at FIU to continue working as a Research Assistant. After the doctorate program, my goal is to complete the RD internship where I can then began my career as Pediatric dietitian. That about sums it up about me and I am so very excited and I look forward to all that AGSDN will accomplish this year and getting to know more about each and everyone of our members!

Priscilla Clayton

Foods and their fascinating effect on the body and overall health have always been of interest to me. I decided to become a dietitian in order to put my interests into practice and help people improve their diet and minimize their risk of illness. I have gained practical experience through several internship programs and work opportunities. I worked as an intern in a hospital and health center through my Bachelor of nutrition program in Iran. After attending the Master of nutrition science program at FIU, I started working for Dr. Marianna Baum in the Borinquen research clinic. I was in charge of collecting data and interacting with participants with HIV and hepatitis complications. Through AGSDN organization I was assigned for fundraising chair in my second semester of study and now I am assigned for the internal events coordinator position.

Shahrzad Ommi

I am born and raised in Fort. Lauderdale, Florida. Currently pursuing my Master’s degree with FIU after earning my Bachelor’s in Nutritional science at Kaplan University. The dream from earning the title of a Registered Dietician is to open my own practice joined with my gym design for weight loss and overall wellness. With the studies of this program, I have used my knowledge to assist me with my passion for racing Obstacle Course Racing such as Spartan Race and Tough Mudder. This passion has carried me to all over the United States to put to practice proper nutrition along with physical fitness. When I am not racing I am working for a health supplement company as their Quality Assurance Research Specialist where I am responsible for determining if our products are Non-GMO as well as an assistant regulatory compliance auditor for FDA requirements.

Brice Hilburn

Hey Guys! My name is Daniel but everyone calls me Danny, Dan or 3D and I will beginning my final year as a Masters student in Nutrition & Dietetics here at Florida International University. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice at Florida International University. The plan was to go to law school and eventually work with the FBI to fight bad guys. Little did I know my passion and dedication was in fitness and nutrition. While studying for the LSAT, I became a personal trainer and fell in love with helping people get healthy. I realized exercise and nutrition go hand in hand, so 10,000 pre-requisites later, here I am! I’ve got plans to do so much and would probably need a couple pages to explain how I plan on impacting our community and world through nutrition and fitness, however, for now I’ll be your recruiter!

Daniel Triche