As a first-generation American who has spent all of my adult years in the United States, I have learned to integrate my Mexican heritage with the American way of life. My grandmother was a “curandera,” or spiritual healer, and her practice influenced me early in life with a desire to understand how the body and mind work. This lead to my desire to merge my cultural beliefs with science and logic.
I received my Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Science with a concentration in Dietetics from SJSU in the Spring of 2016, and I am currently working towards becoming a Registered Dietitian which I anticipate finishing by the Winter of 2016. Between school, family life, and outdoor activities, I have experienced many things that have helped me toward becoming a dietitian. As a mother of four boys, I have had to watch over their nutrition to ensure their dietary and caloric needs are met. Volunteering at a long term nursing facility, I have had many opportunities to participate in the day-to-day needs of sick and elderly patients. As an avid backpacker, I have had to plan meals for trips lasting as long as 10 days, where weight is a delicate balance with nutrient intake. Being a student in a culturally diverse university, I worked with other students from many different backgrounds and ethnicities, which enriched my understanding of different cultures.
As a Nutritional Scientist, I am a firm believer in the scientific method, and as the granddaughter of a curandera I have learned to be open-minded and understanding of cultural differences and their significance in American society.