FAND September Student Spotlight- Sarah Castro, UNF MSDI
Sarah Castro is a student at the University of North Florida’s Master’s of Science & Dietetic
Internship program, where she also completed her undergraduate studies. She is a wife
and a mother of two children and enjoys spending time with them at the beach or watching
movies or cooking new foods! Her latest recent obsession has been Thai curry!

What sparked your passion for nutrition?
Before starting this academic journey, I was in restaurant management for many years. I
decided to change careers and pursue nutrition and dietetics because I want to help
educate families and decrease the risk of chronic disease in children and adults.

Can you tell me about your graduate program in dietetics? What made you choose this
program?
I chose the program at the University of North Florida because it is very organized and
involved in state and local events. The professors in the nutrition program are also involved
in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics at all levels. This was important to me as I want to
be involved in legislation and policy when I graduate.

What were some of the most valuable courses you took during your program, and how
did they contribute to your understanding of nutrition and dietetics?
The most valuable courses I took during my program were Advanced Nutrition Science,
Medical Nutrition Therapy, and Nutrition Education and Counseling. These courses allowed
me to build a strong base of knowledge in nutritional science and how we can apply those
concepts in dietetics. My education and counseling skills have also greatly improved from
the curriculum and expectations from these courses.

Have you been involved in any volunteer work related to nutrition or dietetics? How
has that experience influenced your career aspirations or understanding of the field?
I have been involved with Meals on Wings during my time at UNF. This program provides
healthy meals to seniors in the community. It addresses issues with food waste and food
insecurity allowing me to have hands on experience with programs that help the
community.

Did you have any specific research or internship opportunities related to nutrition
during your studies? If so, can you share a memorable experience or project you
worked on?
I was able to work on a fruits and vegetables research study at the preschool during my
community rotation. We were collecting data on the students (aged 2 to 5 years old)
willingness to try new fruits and vegetables based on their exposure during the week. It was
an amazing experience to see the students get so excited to see us because they could
explore the fruits or vegetables we were bringing each week.

Can you share a challenging situation you encountered in your academic or work
experience related to nutrition? How did you handle it, and what did you learn from it?
During my clinical rotation I encountered multiple ways to chart in the electronic medical
records. It was a challenge to adjust to the various approaches, but I knew it would be
important to see the varying perspectives of each dietitian. I think ultimately it has taught
me to be open-minded and flexible.

What are some of the key skills you have developed throughout your educational and
professional journey in nutrition? How do you believe these skills will benefit you in
your future career?
One of the most important skills I’ve gained is the ability to conduct nutrition assessments
and provide individualized counseling. Whether it’s assessing a patient’s dietary intake,
understanding their medical history, or working through complex cases, I’ve learned to
tailor my approach to meet each client’s unique needs. This skill is essential for providing
eWective, evidence-based care that can improve patient outcomes. I’ve also developed
strong communication skills, which are important for educating clients, collaborating with
other healthcare professionals, and advocating for the patient. Whether it’s simplifying
complex nutritional concepts for a client or presenting at conferences, the ability to convey
information clearly and eWectively is something I’ve improved throughout my training