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Kate Everett, a nutrition major at Florida State University, opted for FSU due to its picturesque campus and the surrounding community. She became involved with the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) and secured an IDEA Grant to explore research on cardiovascular health.
Everett is actively engaged in promoting nutrition education and access both on campus and in the local area. At FSU, she coordinates with sports dietitians to meet the dietary requirements of Division I student-athletes. Off-campus, she participates in community-oriented research aimed at enhancing food security, collaborating with local food banks to better synchronize available resources with the nutritional needs of families.
Through these initiatives, Everett connects academic insights with practical impact, showcasing a profound commitment to public health and service.
What led you to choose Florida State University?
FSU offers an atmosphere that cultivates growth in students both academically and personally. Ultimately, FSU emerged as the optimal decision for my future. From the first moment you step onto the FSU campus, you feel the strong sense of community that has been established here. The positive energy coupled with the campus’s beauty genuinely supports an invigorating and uplifting daily experience. Moreover, the dietetic program at FSU is accredited, featuring engaging faculty, supportive staff, and numerous opportunities to acquire experience in my selected field.
What academic milestones have you achieved at FSU?
My most significant academic achievement outside of classes has been the research I’ve conducted on campus. I participated in the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program for the 2024-2025 academic year. I had the opportunity to join Assistant Professor Andrea Lobene’s nutrition lab at the Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, where I conducted a secondary analysis of sodium density and its correlation with cardiovascular disease risk. I applied for an IDEA Grant and was privileged to receive funding to carry out a research project this summer.
My research project focused on designing and executing a controlled feeding study to assess a novel dietary sodium reduction intervention strategy against existing sodium guidelines for enhancing cardiovascular health. Unlike the current recommendations that set a fixed sodium limit for everyone, our innovative approach indexes sodium intake to caloric consumption, customizing recommendations to meet individual energy requirements. The aim of this work is to aid in the development of more applicable, individualized sodium intake guidelines that effectively reduce cardiovascular disease risk. I will be presenting this research at the 2025 President’s Showcase of Undergraduate Research Excellence. Once this summer study is completed, I plan to continue future research in Professor Lobene’s lab during the remainder of my time at FSU.
How do you contribute to the FSU community?
I have become involved in several initiatives that support the FSU community. One is the Fuel Bar. I volunteer alongside our sports dietitians to provide the FSU Division I student-athletes with their pre- and post-workout nutrition. I also assist in practices, games, and miscellaneous activities surrounding athletic nutrition. Volunteering here has been incredibly enjoyable and has allowed me to gain insights into the sports nutrition aspect of my field, while also supporting both the dietitians and athletes on campus.
I also had the chance to collaborate with the University of Florida on a research project involving local Tallahassee food pantries. My role consists of visiting food pantries to identify the food items desired by families with young children and comparing that with current available inventory. This project has provided me with invaluable community nutrition experience while also aiding the Tallahassee community.
Another way I contribute to the FSU community is by serving as a University Ambassador. In this capacity, my primary responsibility is to conduct tours of FSU. Through this position, I have been able to nurture and develop community while interacting with prospective students.
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