Graduate Student Profiles

I am a graduate assistant working in the Plant Physiology Lab under Dr. Marta Lima.  My research, which is supported by a grant from the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station (NHAES), focuses on the physiology and biochemistry of cold-hardy table grapes growing at UNH's Woodman Horticultural Research Farm. I am working with these table grape cultivars growing on two different training systems, their biochemical, physiological parameters, and their resistance towards biotic and abiotic stresses.

I am working with Dr. Anna Wallingford investigating cultural controls of Spotted-Wing Drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) in no-spray blueberry systems. I completed my Bachelor of Science in sustainable agriculture and food systems, with an emphasis on food access and community health, at UNH.  

Outside of UNH, I act as the treasurer for Mid-New England Seacoast Association, a local chapter of the National Young Farmers Coalition. I also enjoy reading, hiking, biking and skiing. I am currently living and working on the unceded ancestral lands of the Abenaki, Penacook and Wabanaki Peoples past and present who have stewarded the land through generations.  

I am a graduate research assistant working in the Agroecology Lab with Drs. Dave Mortensen and Rich Smith. I earned my Bachelor of Arts in biology from Earlham College, where I researched a variety of population and community ecology questions. Since then, I have worked in vegetable, herb and flower production on various small farms in New Hampshire and Maine. I am interested in how we can use our understanding of ecological interactions within agricultural systems to best adopt practices that are both environmentally sustainable and feasible for farmers. I live and work on Pennacook, Abenaki and Wabanaki land.

My name is Adam Konopka, and I am a master’s student here at UNH. I graduated from Southern Illinois University with a degree in animal science focusing on production. I am glad to be a part of such a forward thinking animal science program that focuses on various environmental concerns in relation to the dairy industry. I am excited to start my research focusing on dairy nutrition. I hope to take the knowledge I acquire here and apply it to the dairy industry to benefit farmers, their animals and the environment.

I graduated from Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) with a Bachelor of Science in animal husbandry. I also participated in the Community College Initiative Program, and studied animal science at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids Iowa. During my time at BAU as a research assistant I was involved with several research projects that investigated insect protein (earthworm meal, black soldier fly meal) as an alternative protein source for animal feed. Currently, I am a graduate research assistant under the supervision of Dr. André Brito, and I am working to complete my M.S. in agricultural science (dairy cow nutrition). My research is focused on the N utilization of dairy cows and comprehensive assessment of GHG mitigation strategies through dietary intervention. I am really excited to be a part of the agricultural science program and looking forward to helping the dairy farmers through my research.  

I am from Punjab, Pakistan, and currently I am working in Andre Brito’s lab as a graduate research assistant. My research is strategically focused on ruminant nutrition with an emphasis on enhancing nitrogen utilization in lactating dairy cows through dietary manipulation to reduce the environmental impact of dairy systems. I am honored to be a part of such an amazing university and have the chance to work in a multicultural environment that would build my skills with cutting edge technologies.

I was born into and brought up in a farming family in Bangladesh. I received Bachelor of Science in agriculture and Master of Science in agronomy at Sylhet Agricultural University in Bangladesh. I earned a second master’s degree in plant sciences from Wageningen University and Research (WUR) in the Netherlands. As a teaching assistant, I support ANSC 698 – Cooperative for Real Education in Agricultural Management (CREAM). As a doctoral researcher, I am working on investigating phytoestrogens concentration in forage legumes. In my free time, I enjoy fishing and gardening. I chose UNH’s Agricultural Sciences PHD program because it complements my background, and I would like to build my career in academia after completing the program.

I graduated from University of New Hampshire with a Bachelor of Science degree in nutrition: dietetics and am currently completing the accelerated Master of Science in nutrition science. My passion for nutrition was kindled when I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2007, and I’ve wanted to be a certified diabetes care and education specialist ever since. As a father of two young daughters, I am also keenly interested in pediatric nutrition. I currently analyze data and create reports for a medical nutrition therapy company called Good Measures, and prior to that I spent almost a decade as a health coach in Atlanta, Georgia. Additionally, I have two undergraduate degrees from the University of Georgia. Back when I had spare time, I enjoyed reading, cooking and critical analysis of cinema.

While completing my undergraduate degree at the University of New Hampshire, I decided also to pursue a graduate degree through the accelerated program which allows me to gain a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in five years. I graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a Bachelor of Science in nutrition: dietetics and a minor in culinary nutrition and food studies. I am currently completing my Master of Science in nutritional sciences. My goal is to become a registered dietitian nutritionist and work primarily with children and families in the areas of nutrition education, food access and food insecurity. My end goal is to teach cooking classes to children and families, integrating nutrition education as it relates to utilizing nutrition assistance resources, mindful food shopping and overcoming barriers to receiving proper nutrition. When I am not working or completing schoolwork, I enjoy volunteering at the Food Repurposing Project kitchen on campus as well as cooking and baking at home, reading and spending time with my family and friends.

I am currently pursuing a thesis-based master’s degree in nutritional sciences. Prior to coming to UNH, I earned a four-year nutrition degree with UNH’s esteemed didactic program in dietetics, for which I currently work as a teaching assistant. During my undergrad, I gained valuable experience in data collection and interpretation through the nutrition program’s College Health and Nutrition Assessment Survey (CHANAS) and applied my learning at an internship with Seacoast Eat Local, which administers SNAP benefits to the local community. I also earned my certification as a personal trainer with the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). My goal in grad school is to find out which dietary patterns are predictive of dementia, a disease that devastates families around the world including my own, and inform habits that can protect our loved ones from developing it.

I graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor of Science in nutrition, a Bachelor of Arts in biochemistry and molecular biology, and a minor in public health. With 5 years of organic farming experience, I felt the interdisciplinary nature of the ANFS department at UNH would be the perfect fit. I am currently pursuing a thesis-based Masters of Science in nutritional science and completing the dietetics graduate certificate. My research in the Dao lab is focused on analyzing fiber intake, the human microbiome and the gut-brain axis. When I am not at UNH you’ll find me hiking, cooking or on a farm.

I recently graduated from Keene State College in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in public health/nutrition. I am currently a graduate student in the master of nutritional sciences with dietetic internship program, where I am expanding my knowledge and engaging in exciting new opportunities. I have experience in food service, leadership and health promotion programming and would like to pursue all those endeavors professionally. After completing this program, my goal is to become a registered dietitian and work with individuals either through private practice or wellness coaching, as well as working within my community through nutrition education and health promotion. I would even like to create my own cookbook one day, as outside of the classroom I enjoy crafting new recipes. Overall, I want to spread accurate nutrition information that inspires others to develop habits to create healthier lifestyles for themselves.

I graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in nutrition within the didactic program in dietetics and a minor in psychology. I am currently completing a master’s in nutritional science and a dietetic internship here at UNH. I’ve known I wanted to go into the field of nutrition since I was in high school but after my experience volunteering with The National Eating Disorder Association and my nutrition counseling class while I was an undergraduate, I knew I was in the right place. After achieving my career goal of becoming a registered dietitian, I would love to work within the field of eating disorder treatment or more generally working with children. In my spare time I love getting outdoors and spending time in nature or learning how to cook a new recipe.

I graduated from the University of California, Davis with a B.S. in clinical nutrition. Now I am on the East Coast as a graduate student at UNH pursuing a master of nutritional science and dietetic internship. There is never a day when I do not talk about food, so nutrition has always been a passion for me. Since then, I gained bits and pieces of experience in the clinical, food service and community settings. My current goal is to become a registered dietitian and work in a clinical setting. The most rewarding part about clinical is seeing patients leaving healthier than when they came in. In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with my friends and family, as well as trying new food places.

I am originally from a small town in the northwest corner of Connecticut where I earned my Bachelor of Science in nutrition and dietetics at the University of Saint Joseph. Finding the field of dietetics was not an easy task for me, and I attempted five different career paths prior to nutrition. I am currently a graduate student in the combined masters of dietetics and dietetic internship program. My goal is to become a registered dietitian nutritionist and work within a field that provides diverse and changing opportunities because of my inability to stay in one place doing the same tasks. I first discovered the field of agriculture and sustainability during my time WWOOFing in Vermont, and I sought out a program with similar focuses. WOOFing stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, and provides hands on experience and education in sustainable agricultural practices through volunteering on farms (locally or all around the world) in exchange for things like food, housing, travel, experiences, etc., and can be anywhere from a weekend to months long! This is what brought me to the University of New Hampshire, and I am grateful to be learning in such a welcoming and supportive environment.

I graduated from Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio in the spring of 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in dietetics. I decided to come to the University of New Hampshire because of their unique focus on sustainability and health. So far in this program, I have enjoyed furthering my education in sustainability, volunteering for Gather in the Food Repurposing Project kitchen and working as a teaching assistant. After I earn my master’s degree in nutrition and completing my dietetic internship, I would like to become a registered dietitian and get a job in either cardio nutrition or pregnancy nutrition. In my free time I enjoy running, trying new coffee shops and restaurants and spending time with friends and family.

I grew up in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina where I earned my undergraduate degree in nutrition and dietetics from Western Carolina University. Since I was young, I always knew that I wanted to help others lead a more healthy and happy life, but I wasn’t sure what that would look like. It took me until my senior year of high school to find the field of dietetics, but I now feel that this is where I belong. I am currently in my first year of the master of nutritional sciences and dietetic internship here at the University of New Hampshire. The program’s focus on sustainability and creating innovative and open-minded professionals in the field of dietetics is what drew me to UNH. In the future, I plan to continue to travel to different areas and eventually take my knowledge and expertise back to my home state of North Carolina. I do not have a specific career path yet, but I have a passion for public outreach education programs, equal food access and infant/maternal health. As a future registered dietitian, I will strive to share my knowledge of the importance of taking care of our bodies from the inside out. I plan to take a holistic approach by appreciating all parts of overall wellness, including mental, physical and emotional health.

I earned a Bachelor of Science in nutrition: dietetics from UNH and am now continuing my journey here in the master of nutritional sciences with dietetic internship program. I found a passion for nutrition after the diagnosis of a nut allergy forced me to be more aware of what I was putting into my body. Since then, I have gained a variety of nutrition-related experiences at locations including DaVita Kidney Care and Nourishing the Northshore. My current career goal is to work in the clinical setting as a registered dietitian in either infant and maternal health or in the treatment of chronic disease. I strive to help people discover the joy in nourishing their bodies and to communicate that food is not only a fuel source but also a form of medicine.  

I earned a Bachelor of Science in nutrition: dietetics from the University of New Hampshire and am continuing here in the master of nutritional sciences with dietetic internship program. One of the reasons I chose this program is because it has a focus on sustainability. Not only am I interested in nutrition, but I am also in how to eat more sustainably. My goal after graduation is to become a registered dietitian in the clinical setting but my end goal is to have my own private practice. In my internship, I hope to explore the areas of eating disorders, pediatrics and diabetes. There are so many opportunities as a dietitian, so it is hard to pick one area of focus! I want to help people create healthy relationships with food, so they can eat what they love while feeling their best selves.

I graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh with a Bachelor of Science in nutrition on the dietetics track and a minor in chemistry. Before coming to UNH, I spent a few years working at a philanthropic community foundation in the Adirondacks of upstate New York. I worked with their Birth to Three Alliance on grant-funded projects, with the vision to support families with children by ensuring access to services and resources essential for development and distributing of new parent kits. I’m also on the Community Council at the Adirondack Foundation, providing insight on community issues and perspective to the board and staff. After completing the MSDI program, I hope to return to community advocacy, programming and policy as a registered dietician focused on improving food access through sustainable food systems. I'm torn between living in the mountains or near the beach and enjoy reading, swimming, thrift shopping, and cooking.

I graduated from the University of California, Davis with a Bachelor of Science in clinical nutrition and a minor in Spanish. I am currently pursuing a Master of Science in nutrition science with dietetic internship (MSDI) at UNH to become a registered dietitian. During my undergraduate studies, I got involved in a lot of leadership, volunteering and internship opportunities that got me interested in intuitive eating, cultural humility, food access and how they all intersect with nutrition. Some of my most notable experiences include being a UC Davis food pantry volunteer, food literacy and education intern and a dining services nutrition intern mentored by a registered dietitian, which all led to my interest in community nutrition and education. In addition to dietetics, I love playing guitar, making music with others, hiking and running.