Julia
Jaczo -- a Nutrition, Exercise and Health student -- writes about her experience, and that of her colleagues, at a recent Nutrition Society
Student Conference.
_____________
As part
of my second year summer research bursary, I had to the chance to investigate
the relationship between dietary intake and chronic disease risk. I used data from
the EarlyBird cohort study, examining energy and nutrient intake according to
gender, BMI and body fat and related the data to glucose tolerance test values.
After
finishing the research, I had the opportunity to attend the Nutrition Society
Student Conference in Reading during the first week of September. Two other students, James Wallis and
Rachel Hine, also joined me, alongside our tutors, Dr Gail Rees and Kathy
Redfern, to represent the university and present our research findings.
The
conference exceeded my expectations every way possible. It was great meeting
students from around the world with similar interests and listening to their
research findings. As part of the conference, we also had the chance to find
out details about emerging and ongoing research in the field of nutrition, such
as different dietary fats and their effects on risk of heart disease; changes
in the immune system during aging and how diet can modulate the gut microbiome
and effect health.
The
conference also focused on providing support for future graduates and
registered nutritionists. We had talks on how to prepare for a public speech,
how to build our CVs and prepare for job interviews and we also heard useful
tips of how to work freelance.
Overall,
it was a great experience attending the conference and I am grateful for the
university for making it possible for us. I have made some new connections with
people I would have never met otherwise and gathered lots of useful information
both regarding future careers and nutrition science.
Rachel commented:
“The
student conference was a great opportunity to present my research, network with
other students and professionals and learn more about career possibilities.
Completing the summer studentship has allowed me to gain confidence and new
skills in research and I look forward to attending more Nutrition Society
events in the future.”
James also
agreed:
“Undertaking
the vacation research scholarship has improved many skills such as conducting
primary research, analytical skills and communication skills. Not only this,
but being able to present our projects at the Nutrition Society conference was
an amazing experience and a great opportunity to network and talk to people at
different levels of their career.”
Below: Julia (right) with Rachel Hine and James Wallis
