Current NFS Mentors

Eleonor Akuailou
Degree seeking: Ph.D. in Nutrition
Degree status: Ph.D. candidate

Education background:

• University of Cocody, Abidjan, B.S. Biochemistry
• University of Cocody, Abidjan, M.S. Biotechnology and Plant Production Improvement
• Texas Woman’s University, M.S. Nutrition

Research interests:

• Role of vitamin A in inflammation and the immune response, emphasis in the skin
• Cell signaling: Control of gene expression

Professional work experience: GRA: 2019 to current, GTA: Advanced Nutrition lab (Spring 2020). I taught in high school: Earth and Life Sciences

Stacie Ellis, MS, RD
Degree seeking: Ph.D. in Nutrition
Degree status: Ph.D candidate, expected to graduate May 2022

Education background:

• Texas Woman’s University, BS in Nutrition and Dietetics
• Sam Houston State University, BS in Science Composite with emphasis in Geology and minor in Secondary Education
• Texas Woman’s University, MS in Nutrition

Research interests:

• Sports nutrition general
• Sports and kinesiology research geared specifically for the female athlete
• Dance Nutrition research
• Obesity and diabetes treatment programs
• Eating disorder treatment programs
• Skin nutrition, specifically for acne

Professional work experience: Currently registered dietitian at University of Texas at Arlington, own private practice, does consulting work for several companies, and a GTA for TWU Food Prep Labs. I primarily do one on one consultations, nutrition classes for general public, and speaking engagements. Have previous experience working in the hospital setting, home health (geriatric care), and working with a celebrity personal trainers. In my previous career I taught high school science (Chemistry, Integrated Physics and Chemistry, and Earth and Space Science.

Parker Gutjahr, MS, RD, LD
Degree seeking: Ph.D. in Nutrition
Degree status: Ph.D. Candidate

Education background:

• Texas A&M University, BS in Nutritional Sciences (Dec 2016)
• Texas Woman’s University, MS in Nutrition (May 2019)

Research interests:

• Sports nutrition, specifically dietary interventions for pre/peri/post workout/race in endurance athletes (focus on distance runners)
• RED-S/eating disorders/disordered eating
• Women's health
• Dietary protein
• Public health
• Epidemiology
• Social media influence on health behaviors
• Nutrition education
• Health psychology
• Nutritional biochemistry

Professional work experience: Owner/Registered Dietitian at Parker Nutrition, Fitness, and Health, Registered Dietitian Exam Tutor at All Access Dietetics, Clinical Dietitian at Medical City

Stephanie M. Lopez-Neyman, MS, MPH, RD, LD
Degree seeking: Ph.D. in Nutrition
Degree status: Ph.D. Candidate

Education background:

• Abilene Christian University, BS in Food, Nutrition, and Dietetics
• University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, MS in Clinical Nutrition and Health Promotion
• University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences/Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, 9-month Dietetic Internship
• University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, MPH in Epidemiology

Research interests:

• Nutrition and environmental risk factors and cardiovascular health/disease
• Nutritional biochemistry/metabolic pathways
• Mechanisms of health disparities
• Allostatic load biomarkers and stress
• Role of nitic oxide related to cardiovascular systems (hypertension)
• Secondary analysis, using Statistical Analysis Software and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey cycles

Professional work experience: local/state/federal level work with Child Nutrition Programs such as the WIC Program; GTA for NFS 3722 Quantity Food Production and Service, 2016-2022.

Ezgi Ozturk
Degree seeking: Ph.D. in Nutrition
Degree status: Working on my qualifying exam

Education background:

• BS in Nutrition, dietetic internship
• MS in Nutrition (I am not an RDN)

Research interests:

CNS, omega-3 fatty acids, and tDCS

Professional work experience: I am the GTA for the Food science lab currently. (It is my 6th semester teaching it). I also run the firefighter study. Next year will be my 4th year of working on the firefighter study.

Christine Vanburen
Degree seeking: Ph.D. in Nutrition
Degree status: Ph.D. Candidate

Education background:

• St Cloud State University - BBA - Marketing
• Texas Woman’s University - B.S. Nutrition with emphasis on Dietetics
• Texas Woman’s University - M.S. Nutrition

Research interests:

• Vitamin A in all its glory, particularly its role in the skin
• Nutritional genomics
• Psychology/Neuroscience

Professional work experience: Mostly retail and foodservice management, as well as GTA for Advanced Nutrition Lab.