KRNC Student Spotlight Hannah Van Ark

Hannah Van Ark is from Boulder, Colorado, and is currently a second year master’s student. Her clinical research over the past six years has primarily focused on the impact of plant phytochemicals on cardiovascular disease and aging. Hannah is currently working in Sarah Johnson’s Functional Foods and Human Health laboratory as a graduate research assistant looking at the effects of red beetroot juice on vascular health, particularly to see if the nutrients found in beet juice can make the arteries and veins function better.

Hannah is passionate about treating and preventing chronic diseases with nutrition. She plans to apply for dietetic internships this spring, ideally entering a program with a strong clinical focus. Long-term, she hopes to work as a clinical dietitian in a hospital, and continue to do her own research as well.

KRNC Practicum

Hannah says, “Working with the KRNC has given me the opportunity to observe counseling sessions with a variety of clients facing different challenges. I learned so much about counseling clients in these sessions. Also, the KRNC’s outreach programs, like their cooking classes, are so much fun to teach and a great way to connect with the community!”

The Kendall Reagan Nutrition Center is in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, part of CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences.