Diana Grubb (’20) received her Bachelor of Arts in English literature from the University of Connecticut and a Master of Science in food science and nutrition at Colorado State University.
While at CSU, Grubb worked with her adviser Associate Professor Tiffany Weir to complete her thesis, which focused on the effect of a supplemental bacteriophage plus probiotic on gastrointestinal health. After finishing her master’s, Grubb went on to complete her dietetic internship at the VA Health Care System in St. Louis, Missouri. Grubb currently works as a clinical dietitian at UCHealth in Northern Colorado. Beyond nutrition, Grubb is an avid runner and active member of the Fort Collins Running Club and Gnar Runners.
Describe your current position and some of the responsibilities that come with it.
I currently work as a clinical dietitian for UCHealth. As an inpatient dietitian, I float to three hospitals in Northern Colorado including Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland, and Greeley Hospital in Greeley. Every day looks a little different but I typically see between 8-14 patients per day. I cover ICU, step-down, medical oncology, post-surgical/trauma, and cardiac (among others). Some of my responsibilities include assessing the nutrition status and needs of patients, writing tube feed and TPN (total parenteral nutrition) prescriptions, attending rounds, and counseling patients with appropriate nutrition interventions. I also visit with families when requested and make nutrition-related recommendations to providers. Overall, days are fast-paced and offer a lot of variety – something I really enjoy about the job.
Why did you decide to pursue your current career path?
I have had a keen interest in nutrition from a young age, thanks to my mom who also studied nutrition. During my undergraduate degree, I took a few intro-level nutrition classes but was not ready to take on the rigorous science courses at the time. I also wanted to study abroad and that was not possible with a science degree. So instead, I got my degree in English literature, which led me to pursue a career in teaching. After teaching abroad in both South Korea and Abu Dhabi, I felt less passionate about teaching and my interests kept bringing me back to nutrition. I was also dealing with health issues at the time and found immense help from the dietitian I worked with. I ultimately decided to leave teaching and go back to school to become a dietitian. I wanted to help people with their nutrition-related health concerns as my dietitian helped me.
How have your education and experiences at CSU helped you in your career?
CSU, particularly the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, gave me many valuable experiences. While completing my master’s degree, I worked as a graduate teaching assistant. This helped improve my presentation, counseling, and problem-solving skills. I also volunteered as a research assistant at the Functional Foods and Human Health Lab, which gave me great experience working one-on-one with study subjects and analyzing data. This has been extremely helpful for staying up to date on the most recent nutrition studies and while working with patients in the hospital. Beyond those two experiences, CSU supported me through its scholarship program and rigorous coursework that ultimately helped me get my first job after finishing my master’s degree and dietetic internship.
What advice do you have for students looking to join your field?
I would recommend gaining experience in the three predominant fields of nutrition; clinical, community, and food service. This will give you a strong application for the dietetic internship, something all students have to complete before becoming a dietitian. With that being said, do not stay volunteering or working somewhere if it is becoming redundant. Get what you need out of the experience and move on. Lastly, do not be afraid to get involved in research and/or projects within your department, even if you think they are beyond what you are capable of. Challenge yourself and you will be surprised how well you rise to the occasion.
The Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition is part of CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences.
