Nutrition and Dietetics Students and Alumni
Current Students
Click on our current students’ names below to learn more about them.

Elise Felan
Name: Elise Felan
Hometown: Denton, TX
Undergraduate School and Degree: Texas State University, BS Nutrition/Dietetics
Degree Currently Pursuing: MPH/RD, 2021
Did you take time off before starting graduate school? Nope! I graduated, got married, moved to North Carolina, and started the program!
Are you involved in extracurricular activities? Too busy being married and having 2 dogs
What do you like to do in your free time? I really enjoy reading, hanging out with my dogs and husband, playing board games, doing yoga & HIIT, cooking, traveling, volunteering, and attempting to garden. There’s also a ton of breweries and cool restaurants in the area, so I love checking those out!
What are your career goals? I hope to work as a clinical dietitian and also be a certified diabetes educator.
What did you do for your summer internships? Nothing yet! I’ll be going through my first round this upcoming summer!
What is your favorite part of the program? The dedicated staff and faculty who genuinely enjoy what they do/teach/research and who are there to enhance your learning. Having professors like that really makes a positive difference in my learning experience.
Meredith Edelman - Buffalo, New York

Meredith Edelman
Name: Meredith Edelman
Hometown: Buffalo, NY
Undergraduate School and Degree: B.S. Animal Behavior and Conservation, SUNY at Buffalo
Degree Currently Pursuing: MPH/RD, 2021
Did you take time off before starting graduate school? Yes! I worked as a zookeeper, wildlife rehabilitator, and marine mammal trainer for 10 years before coming back to school.
Are you involved in extracurricular activities? Not currently, but while I was in undergrad I did research in the SUNY at Buffalo Nutrition and Health Research Lab and worked on the UB SNAK Study of nutrition and activity in kids.
What do you like to do in your free time? I love to hang out with my dog and do things in the area with him. I also love to explore the local food scene!
What are your career goals? I am interested in exploring weight-inclusive dietetics and becoming a clinical practitioner who promotes healthy behaviors and enjoying food.
What did you do for your summer internships? I’ll be going through my first internships this upcoming summer.
What is your favorite part of the program? All the free food! There are always events going on at Gillings, and they do a great job of giving the leftover food to the students. In our Nutrition Counseling, Communications, and Culture class, we do a big potluck at the beginning of the semester where groups pick a country and then bring in typical food from that country. It was a lot of fun and the food was amazing! Also, this program is full of inspiring people, and I can’t wait to meet them all!
David Gaviria - Melbourne, Florida

David Gaviria
Name: David Gaviria
Hometown: Melbourne, FL
Undergraduate School and Degree: B.S. Health Sciences & B.A. Psychology, University of South Florida
Degree Currently Pursuing: MPH/RD, 2021
Did you take time off before starting graduate school? Nope! I graduated and worked at USF for the summer before moving up to North Carolina.
Are you involved in extracurricular activities? I’m currently a graduate assistant for Amanda Holliday in the Department of Nutrition and serve as Co-President of Gillings Student Government Association. I work a part-time catering job as well for extra money!
What do you like to do in your free time? I ran cross country in high school, and I’m still a big runner even though the hills here make it a lot harder! Florida also doesn’t have great hiking, so I’ve really gotten into that since I moved up here. A few of us in the cohort go on weekly Sunday hikes at different local trails. I’m also having a great time exploring the local food scene and coffee shops. Outside of Chapel Hill, I like traveling, going on road trips, and visiting my parents in Seattle whenever I get a chance!
What are your career goals? After I graduate, I plan on staying at Gillings for my PhD in either Nutrition or Health Behavior with the ultimate goal of being an eating disorder researcher. I want to create prevention programs for universities, especially for students in dietetics programs. In a clinical setting, I also find nutrition interventions for cystic fibrosis very interesting!
What did you do for your summer internships? I’ll be going through my first internships this upcoming summer.
What is your favorite part of the program? The people are amazing. We are like one big family! All the professors make an effort to know your name and there’s no feeling of inferiority when talking to them. They’ll always invite you into their office and might even offer you a cup of coffee! Even Dean Rimer, the dean of Gillings, will say ‘hi’ to you if you pass her in the hallway. I love that they’re always looking for feedback on the classes and student experience, too. Oh, and the campus is gorgeous, so that helps too!
Kayla Ferro - Ponte Vedra, Florida

Kayla Ferro
Name: Kayla Ferro
Hometown: Ponte Vedra, FL
Undergraduate School and Degree: B.S. Health Sciences, University of Central Florida
Degree Currently Pursuing: MPH/RD, 2021
Did you take time off before starting graduate school? Nope! I graduated and moved to North Carolina.
Are you involved in extracurricular activities? I’m the Co-founder and CFO of Hearts for the Homeless International Inc., GPSF Senator, and a Buckley Public Service Scholars graduate assistant. I also work a part-time catering job!
What do you like to do in your free time? I played a lot soccer growing up and still enjoy doing that. I’m also really enjoying the hiking here. When I’m not doing that, I’m probably watching the Office!
What are your career goals? After I graduate, I want to continue growing my non-profit as well as return to school for my DrPH.
What did you do for your summer internships? Since I’ll be going through my first internships this upcoming summer, I haven’t done anything yet! The great part is the department of nutrition takes care of all the internship work for us.
What is your favorite part of the program? My favorite part of the program is collaborating with other community leaders on public health issues. Gillings is full of revolutionary thinkers and influential leaders. They are always exploring new topics while never forgetting the core of the community. Like they say, ‘Global is Local’.
Kevin Shih - Taiwan

Kevin Shih
Name: Kevin Shih
Hometown: Taiwan
Undergraduate School and Degree: Chung Shan Medical University, B.S.
Degree Currently Pursuing: MPH/RD, 2020
Did you take time off before starting graduate school? Yes. I spent time both working and volunteering before starting the program.
Are you involved in extracurricular activities? I’m involved in research, volunteering, the Chinese Medicine Club, and a sport club. I also serve as a teaching assistant and a lecturer.
What do you like to do in your free time? I enjoy spending time playing sports, reading, and volunteering.
What are your career goals? After graduating from the program, I hope to become a nutrition scientist/researcher in nutritional immunology and biochemistry, so I’ll be seeking a PhD program for further training.
What did you do for your summer internships? For my public health internship, I was placed at Wake County Human Services (WIC). I helped individuals see how an RDN can help people in need through the benefits of the WIC program. For my clinical rotation, I was at Murdoch Developmental Center. I learned how to do medical nutrition therapy with people possessing various rare diseases and psychological problems. The preceptors and colleagues at both of these sites were genuinely wonderful!!
What is your favorite part of the program? The people are definitely my favorite part – great professors, staff, and good friends.
Kelsey Cossio - Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Kelsey Cossio
Name: Kelsey Cossio
Hometown: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Undergraduate School and Degree: B.S. Nutrition & Dietetics, East Carolina University
Degree Currently Pursuing: MPH/RD, 2021
Did you take time off before starting graduate school? Yes – The summer after I graduated, I went on a three-week study abroad program to Antigua Guatemala, with a public health emphasis. I took Spanish classes and disseminated foundational nutrition topics (i.e. MyPlate) as well as volunteered at a pediatric malnutrition clinic. I then worked as a bilingual nanny for a year. The following year, I got hired as a Research Diet Tech for UNC Hospital’s Nutrition Department where I worked on an NIH funded project that evaluated the impact of fatty acids on headache occurrence and severity in military personnel.
Are you involved in extracurricular activities? I’m currently the MPH Nutrition/RD Concentration Representative for the Gillings Student Government Association. I also help facilitate a recitation section for NUTR 175: Intro to Food Studies once a week. I have a catering job that I work in my spare time as well.
What do you like to do in your free time? I like to spend my free time outdoors hiking, biking, or walking my dog. I enjoy hanging out at local breweries on the weekends with my boyfriend and our friends!
What are your career goals? There are a lot of things I want to accomplish in my career! I’d like to work with parents to help promote healthy eating habits among their children. I’d also like to obtain my IBCLC and work with mothers to increase their adherence to breastfeeding during the first years of a baby’s life. I could also see myself working on college campuses developing body positivity campaigns and programs for students. Finally, I see myself working in global pediatric malnutrition research.
What did you do for your summer internships? I’ll be starting them this coming summer! I’m very excited.
What is your favorite part of the program? The interdisciplinary component of the program is really fun! We have a large MPH cohort this year at Gillings, so it’s a great way to get to know everyone.
P.S – I applied to the MPH/RD program twice. That being said, don’t give up on your dreams!!
Dylan Harris - Tallahassee, Florida

Dylan Harris
Name: Dylan Harris
Hometown: Tallahassee, FL
Undergraduate School and Degree: B.S. Nutrition & Foods, Appalachian State University
Degree Currently Pursuing: MPH/RD, 2021
Did you take time off before starting graduate school? I didn’t take time off before starting graduate school, but I did serve in the U.S. Navy before starting my undergraduate career.
Are you involved in extracurricular activities? In undergrad, I worked in nutrition research and volunteered at hunger and health coalition.
What do you like to do in your free time? I like to spend my free time running and rock climbing. I’m also married, so I like to focus on that!
What are your career goals? My primary career goal is to pass the RD exam! Once I do that, I’m interested in working in either clinical or community nutrition.
What did you do for your summer internships? I’ll be starting them this summer!
What is your favorite part of the program? I really enjoy the faculty at Gillings. They are very knowledgeable and always open to discussion. My other favorite part is my MPH/RD peers!
Franklin Muntis - Adrian, Michigan

Franklin Muntis
Name: Franklin Muntis
Hometown: Adrian, MI
Undergraduate School and Degree: University of Louisville, Health & Human Performance, B.S.
Graduate School and Degree: University of Louisville, Exercise Physiology, M.S.
Degree Currently Pursuing: MPH/RD, 2020
Did you take time off before starting graduate school? In between graduate programs, I worked as a strength and conditioning coach and volunteered with the Mayer-Davis Research team at Gillings.
Are you involved in extracurricular activities? I am a member of the Mayer-Davis Type I Diabetes Research Team, teaching assistant for SPHG 712, and a competitive weightlifter.
What do you like to do in your free time? In my free time, I like to spend time with my wife and our dogs as well as training for my sport, weightlifting!
What are your career goals? My career goal is to become a professor, researching the effects of nutrition and exercise interventions on the promotion of health and well-being and teaching the next generation of nutrition professionals. I actually just applied to the PhD in Nutrition here at Gillings!
What did you do for your summer internships? I interned this past summer with the UNC Medical Center working largely within family medicine, head and neck cancers, and the burn intensive care center where I was able to develop my counseling skills and clinical knowledge under the guidance of an excellent team of dietitians. I also interned at the Durham County Department of Public Health where I gained experience working with a dietetics team to create lessons and workshops among other programs to benefit communities with Durham County. I also interned with the Sports Nutrition Department at UNC where I gained hands on experience in providing nutrition support to the UNC football team during their pre-season training.
What is your favorite part of the program? The faculty are without a doubt the best part of this program. They go above and beyond to get us connected with opportunities to explore our interests and grow in our profession. They are also quick to listen to our concerns and feedback and work to improve our experience with the program.
Christian Fell - Pollocksville, North Carolina

Christian Fell
Name: Christian Fell
Hometown: Pollocksville, NC
Undergraduate School and Degree: UNC-Greensboro, B.S. Human Nutrition (Dietetics)
Degree Currently Pursuing: MPH/RD, 2021
Did you take time off before starting graduate school? I did not take any time off aside from the summer in between. I mainly helped my family rebuild their home because of Hurricane Florence. It was quite the life learning experience really opens your eyes on what goes into a house!
Are you involved in extracurricular activities? I have a merit assistantship through the graduate school here at UNC. My latest project has involved research, synthesizing, and postulating an argument for the dietitian licensure board of the state (NCBDN). This is a unique opportunity to dig deeper into the inner workings of legislature and procedures.
What do you like to do in your free time? Generally, I spend the majority of my free time with my girlfriend. Always trying new foods, watching new movies, and traveling when possible. In fact, we’re going to Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) for the first time soon! I have also taught myself piano, and so I enjoy spending a little bit each day learning new pieces.
What are your career goals? It is a definite goal of mine to work as a registered dietitian. My main plan is to find a job in the clinical setting, as I enjoy critical care and renal. I have very limited exposure with pediatrics – so, that is an area I look forward to gaining my experience with. Alternate routes such as PA school have piqued my interest, too!
What did you do for your summer internships? I’ll be starting my internships this coming summer!
What is your favorite part of the program? Gillings staff and faculty are leading experts in the field of nutrition, yet they still take the time to be human. Many, if not all of the faculty, are willing to take time to talk to you outside of class, especially if you are showing active interest. Additionally, they do not make you feel like it is a burden and encourage your desire to learn more and branch out!
Alumni Profiles
Click on our alumni names below to learn more about them.

Kate Sayre
Name: Kate Sayre
Hometown: Lake Hopatcong, NJ
Undergraduate School and Degree: B.S. Nutritional Sciences Rutgers University, 2009
Graduate Degree: MPH/RD, 2011
Did you take time off before starting graduate school? I did not!
Where do you work? I work as the MPH/RD Outreach Services Coordinator, and I teach 630: Nutrition Counseling, Communications, and Culture. I also have a small private practice that I work at on the weekends. I have served on the board at a children’s daycare, too.
What do you like to do in your free time? I’m a mom to 2 young boys and 2 boxers. I enjoy being active and completed my first sprint triathlon this fall! In my free time, you can find me outside or in the kitchen as I’m an avid baker.
What are your career goals? I enjoy the variety that my career offers: teaching, counseling, working with students, and involvement in various research projects. In terms of areas of nutrition, I am interested in disordered eating and healing relationships with food.
What did you do for your summer internships? My public health experience was in Durham County and my clinical and advanced experiences were at UNC Hospitals. I learned how to be part of a team to give the best possible care to patients!
What was your favorite part of the program? The ability to try different facets of nutrition-clinical, public health, and other areas.
Colton Schille - Edgewood, Washington

Colton Schille
Name: Colton Schille
Hometown: Edgewood, WA
Undergraduate School and Degree: Brigham Young University, Nutritional Science, 2014
Graduate School and Degree: UNC Chapel Hill, MPH/RD, 2016
Did you take time off before starting graduate school? Nope!
Were you involved in extracurricular activities? I was a TA for Nutrition 400 (Nutritional Biochemistry), OWN (oral wellness & nutrition) volunteer, RA to John Graham involving qualitative analysis of DHHS guidelines to hospital cafeterias, and a NIM (nutrition in medicine intern).
What do you like to do in your free time? Hike, cross-stitch, playfully roast coworkers, rewatch the Office for the 30th time, eat at Waffle House, and read books about the nutritional/food anthropology.
What did you do after graduating UNC? I went straight to work!
Where do you currently work? I currently work at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. I cover the trauma unit, cardiothoracic surgery, a day hospital, and an outpatient enterocutaneous fistula clinic.
What did you do for your summer internships? Robeson County Health Department for community, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center for clinical, and Duke University for advanced. For my advanced, I co-taught the introductory nutrition class, provided nutrition counseling through student health, and worked on various nutrition modules/resources for students. My favorite part was teaching the introductory nutrition class!
What was your favorite part of the program? The supportive staff and lasting friendships with classmates!
How did your education at UNC help you achieve your career/life/education goals? I have utilized many of the principles of program planning to develop nutrition curriculum for programs aimed at nutrition education for medical students and residents.
Anna Lutz - Raleigh, North Carolina

Anna Lutz
Name: Anna Lutz
Hometown: Raleigh, NC
Undergraduate School and Degree: Duke University, B.A. Psychology, 1999
Graduate Degree: MPH/RD, 2002
Did you take time off before starting graduate school? I took one year off and worked as a Collegiate Development Consultant for Delta Gamma Fraternity before going the MPH/RD program.
Were you involved in extracurricular activities? While at UNC, I worked at the Center of Healthy Student Behaviors on UNC’s Campus.
What do you like to do in your free time? I really enjoy spending time with my family and friends.
Where do you work? I currently work with people with eating disorders and provide clinical supervision to Registered Dietitians on Weight Inclusive Care.
What did you do for your summer internships? For my summer internships, I served at the VA Hospital, Wake County Health Department in North Carolina, and Jefferson County Health Department in Upstate New York. My favorite part was learning about different populations and how we can best provide care and support in an effective way.
What was your favorite part of the program? My favorite part of the program was getting to know the other MPH/RD students. I also really enjoyed Dr. Coleman’s biochemistry class!
P.S. I own and write Sunny Side Up Nutrition, a blog about easy cooking, nutrition and family feeding, with classmate Elizabeth Davenport, MPH, RD, LD. (www.sunnysideupnutrition.com) I also see clients and provide clinical supervision to RD’s in my private practice Lutz, Alexander, and Associates Nutrition Therapy in Raleigh, NC. (www.lutzandalexander.com)
Jessica Ivey - Birmingham, Alabama

Jessica Ivey
Name: Jessica Ivey
Hometown: Birmingham, AL
Undergraduate School and Degree: UNC Chapel Hill, B.S.P.H Public Health Nutrition; Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Dietetic Internship; Johnson & Wales University, Associate Degree in Culinary Arts
Did you take time off before starting college? No.
Were you involved in extracurricular activities? I was the Vice President and Cofounder of Healthy Heels Club! I also volunteered in the UNC hospital diet office.
What do you like to do in your free time? My husband and I serve on the Urban Ministries Team at our church, I teach nutrition classes to girls at a group foster care home, we love taking walks and hiking with our dog, as well as traveling and trying new foods.
Where do you currently work? I run my own business! http://jessicaiveyrdn.com/
What did you do for your internship? I did my dietetic internship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. I LOVED the variety of this program. I also learned a lot about public speaking and cooking demos, which I still remember today! Their “nutritainment” curriculum taught me to create presentations that are educational, entertaining, and engaging.
What was your favorite part of the program? During my freshman and sophomore year I had trouble making friends but being a part of the nutrition program at UNC (which starts your junior year) allowed me to make lasting friends. The smaller class sizes and consistency of having class with the same group of people was so refreshing at a big school.
How did your education at UNC help you achieve your career/life/education goals? UNC prepared me very well for my dietetic internship and the RD exam!
Elizabeth Davenport - Alexandria, Virgina

Elizabeth Davenport
Name: Elizabeth Davenport
Hometown: Alexandria, VA
Undergraduate School and Degree: Ohio State University, B.A. English, 1991
Graduate Degree: MPH/RD, 2002
Did you take time off before starting graduate school? Yes! I cooked and baked professionally during the years between undergrad and graduate school.
Were you involved in extracurricular activities? While I can’t remember a specific extracurricular activity, I was awarded the MaryAnn Farthing Award toward the end of my time at UNC. It recognizes outstanding students based on academic performance and community and public health service.
What do you like to do in your free time? Some of my favorite things to do are to cook, bake, read, knit, spend time with my daughters and husband, travel, and see plays and musicals!
Where do you work? I co-own and write Sunny Side Up Nutrition (www.sunnysideupnutrition.com), a blog that provides sound, practical nutrition and cooking advice to families with my friend and classmate Anna Lutz, MPH, RD, LDN, CEDRD-S.
I also co-own Pinney Davenport Nutrition (www.pinneydavenport.com) a group nutrition practice in Washington, DC. specializing in the treatment of eating disorders and family feeding.
What did you do for your summer internships? I did my internships at UNC Hospital, Orange County Health Department, and IFIC (in Washington, DC). I especially enjoyed my time at the health department where we had the opportunity to be creative. I also enjoyed my time at IFIC (International Food Information Council) in Washington, DC because I got a glimpse of yet another type of job a registered dietitian could have.
What was your favorite part of the program? I felt like the public speaking we had to do in some of our classes and at the end of the program was very valuable. Dr. Rosalind Coleman’s nutritional biochem class was incredibly difficult but so important. I also loved the trip to Washington, DC where we heard from registered dietitians working in many different fields!
Blogs and Organizations
The Nutrition and Dietetics graduates are working in a wide array of positions and institutions both across the country and the globe. We have alumni involved in national and local policy, small and large clinical settings, public health departments, industry and agriculture. If there is a specific area you are interested in and would like to connect with a graduate who works in that area, please let us know.
The nutrition alumni are a branch of the Gillings School of Global Public Health’s Alumni Association. Please find more information on the Alumni Association page.

Christine Byrne
Christine Byrne

Kayla Ferro
Hearts for the Homeless International

Anne Mauney
fANNEtastic Food

Breana Killeen
EatingWell
http://www.eatingwell.com/blogs/breana-lai

Elle Penner