Allegra Vazquez is from Denver, Colorado, and a graduating senior at Colorado State University. Allegra’s interest in the many different areas of nutrition inspired her to pursue a degree in nutrition and food science.
Currently, she is working in Sarah Johnson’s Functional Food Laboratory where they are studying the effects of beet juice on cardiovascular function.
“I chose to volunteer in this lab specifically because I wanted to understand the relationship we have to food and the benefits of nourishing our bodies with healthful foods,” Allegra said. When she began her career at CSU, she focused on holistic approaches to nutrition. The major has given her insight on how a health conscious diet affects both ourselves and our local community.
Career plans
Allegra’s career plan after graduation is to obtain a Masters in Nutrition. After completion of her master’s, she plans to participate in a dietetic internship and become a registered dietitian. She is interested in working with eating disorder clinics and may pursue getting another Masters in Counseling. Looking more long-term, Allegra’s goals are to get a Ph.D. and incorporate research and client counseling into her daily work.
Kendall Reagan Nutrition Center experience
Allegra’s favorite part about working in the KRNC has been all the experiences she has had with the clients. “It is amazing to see how the effect of my work can change another person’s life. To hear clients say, ‘I am so glad I came to the KRNC,’ has made me more grateful to be a part of this community. The KRNC has changed my life in many ways and I am proud to say that this experience has made my CSU career even more exciting!”
The Kendall Reagan Nutrition Center is part of the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition in CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences.