Gretchen received her MS as a clinical nurse specialist in 1988 and is now an oncology nurse in the Boston area. She started a mind/body wellness program for oncology patients, which includes sessions on the latest information regarding nutrition and cancer.

Connie is enjoying her job working with post-menopausal women on a longterm research study at the UCD School of Medicine. In the past year, she has focused on improving her public speaking skills, and became a Competent Toastmaster through Toastmaster’s International. Connie writes, “I wish people were aware of this organization, as it has limitless opportunities for improving public speaking and leadership skills.”

Alice is currently employed part-time as the Lead Nutritionist and Supervisor at the UC Davis Women’s Health Initiative research study, located in Sacramento.

Helen completed her MS in nursing at Sonoma State after graduating from UCD. She has maintained a strong interest in Nutrition Science and incorporates nutrition teaching in primary care medicine.

"I have been the manager of the El Dorado County Public Health Department’s Health Promotions (HP) Division since January 2001. My responsibilities include overall policy development, program planning, effective delivery of the Division’s scope of work, and fiscal management of a $1.4 million budget spread over 13 separate cost centers. This position allows me to utilize my degrees in nursing, exercise physiology and nutrition, as well as my previous work experience in corporate wellness and hospital-based community health screening and education. As I write this article, plans for a nation-wide smallpox vaccination program are being unveiled. Public Health Departments across the country are taking the lead in preparing for any potential bioterrorism activities and I am a member of the local team assigned this function."

"On a personal note (no pun intended), my newest endeavors include learning to play the piano and taking every opportunity to enjoy my first grandchild – a little girl who will arrive in March. "

Prior to retirement, Carla was teaching Fashion Design, Food and Nutritional Science and CHE core classes at Sierra High School. Students earning a B or better in Fashion Design during both terms are eligible for 3 units of credit through San Joaquin Delta Community College. Carla was responsible for establishing the Food Science course on campus. This class is recognized as a UC/CSU lab science course for high school graduation. This is currently the only school with this designation in the state of California. The course offers ServSafe certification. This safety and sanitation certificate is instrumental in a student’s ability to be hired in the food service industry. All food service establishments in the state of California are required to have an employee with one of four recognized safety and sanitation certificates. She was instrumental in obtaining a $100,000 grant to implement ServSafe certification and the Food and Nutritional Science course.

Other accomplishments include: an advisor for: Future Homemakers of America-Home Economics Regional Occupations (FHA-HERO) and yearly Senior Projects, and chair, judge, region site host and coordinator for Region 6 Competitive Recognition Events (CRE) (FHA competitions). She presented in workshops and Leadership and Management Round Tables for the California Department of Education. She was a committee member for Sierras school-wide Lobo Gold Awards Program which celebrates students’ academic success. Carla was essential in district-wide curriculum alignment and assessment.

Her awards include San Joaquin A+ Teacher Award (2000) and the Dream, Dare, Do Award (2003).

Susan recently completed her MS in Nutritional Sciences at the University of Washington, Seattle. On May 31, 2003, she married Trent Thomas, BS class of 2000. Trent is currently in the Department of Nutrition and Toxicology at UC Berkeley working on his Ph.D. They are living in Berkeley. Susan writes, “Thanks to UCD Nutrition Department for giving us a great education start!”

Claudia worked at UCD Medical Center as an inpatient and outpatient dietitian until January 2003. Her specialty is diabetic education. She earned her CDE in 2001. She is now at home raising her first child, Sabrina Isabel.

Charles is pursuing a second BS degree in Profession Nursing at the University of Vermont, Burlington. He writes, “Enjoy living in a new place, but miss Davis as well. Thanks for the newsletter.”

"Being in Davis was great, great folks, good coffee, and biking is the best transport"

“I really have no news except to say that I love this new Nutrition Newsletter. From 1974 to 1989, I worked in the New York City textiles business and emphasized the “textiles” part of my degree. I am considering going back for a master’s degree in nutrition studies here at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins. My old college textbook, Nutrition and Physical Fitness by Bogert, Briggs and Calloway sits amongst my cookbook collection and I refer to it often!”

Her professional career began in public relations, first working as an independent consultant for food and beverage clients including General Mills and Fresh Samantha Juices. She joined the Agrifoods Division of Fleishman-Hillard in Kansas City where clients included Ocean Spray Cranberries and the Wheat Foods Council. In 1998 she joined the Rippe Lifestyle Institute in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts as a senior research dietitian and led nutrition intervention protocols for cardiovascular research studies and had co-authored a nutrition cookbook, “The Healthy Heart Cookbook For Dummies.” In 1999 Amy was promoted to Director of Marketing for the REWARD Project, a national weight registry coordinated by Rippe Lifestyle Institute.

When not traveling for work, Amy enjoys balcony gardening, golfing, cooking and reading. She lives with her two cats (Linus Pauling and Lucy Fur) in Oak Park, California.

"I received tenure and promotion to Associate Professor last fall after four years at Chico State. My primary teaching responsibilities include Basic Nutrition, Human Nutrition, Lifecycle Nutrition and Community Nutrition. My research in community nutrition focuses primarily on food insecurity and hunger among rural north state seniors and community based social marketing to enhance fruit consumption. Service responsibilities include sitting on the Board of Directors for the Community Action Agency of Butte County, Inc. whose mission is the promotion of self-sufficiency among economically and socially disadvantaged individuals and families in our community."

"I attribute my professional success to the amazing mentoring and support I received at UCD. In particular, being a member of Dr. Sheri Zidenberg-Cherr's lab sparked my passion for community nutrition. I appreciate the grant support I received as well as faculty encouragement to present research at professional meetings."

"In addition, my involvement with Professors for the Future, and an internship with California Project LEAN (Leaders Encouraging Activity and Nutrition) of the California Department of Health Services while a grad student greatly enhanced my professional development."

"On a personal note, I got married in January to Chris Morris. I met Chris through his sister Jennifer Morris who was also in Dr. Sheri Zidenberg-Cherr's lab while I was at UCD."

Janice is currently employed as a Clinical Research Coordinator in the Department of Neurological Surgery, UC Davis Medical Center. She manages and coordinates head injury research studies involving patients at UC Davis medical center.

"I had the unique opportunity to work with industry while I was a graduate student and post-doc in the nutrition department. I managed, conducted and supervised clinical research studies, which helped me to gain the experience that I apply today in my current line of work."

"John (a graduate of the department as well) and I are expecting our first child in May (2005)!"

Bev decided to go to graduate school after sending her two sons off to college. She is half way through the PhD program in Nutrition at Oregon State University. Bev writes, “I particularly enjoyed your article on Liz Applegate, since I’m interested in non-traditional teaching methods.”

After receiving her B.S. in Dietetics at UC Davis, Jacqueline went on to get her M.S. in Clinical Nutrition from Rush University in Chicago in 1999. Since then, she practiced clinically in pediatrics - with Cystic Fibrosis at Children's Memorial, Chicago, and as Nutrition Manager at La Rabida Children's Hospital, Chicago. I received my CSP accreditation in 2001. She currently work as a Clinical Specialist at Nestle Nutrition, providing education and support to the sales force, and to other clinicians, including physicians, dietitians, nurses, etc. across the country. Jacqueline was married in 2002 and her last name is now Schulz.