Interns

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  Fernanda Bazan

  Fernanda Bazan has a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and a minor in Nutrition at the University of Houston. Her experience with the Eye to the Future internship has been utterly amazing. She learned so much from the faculty and her mentor. Although this internship was online, she had the opportunity to participate in community outreach projects with the Houston Food Bank and Houston ISD. She states, “I was able to meet so many excellent individuals and friendships that will last forever!”

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  Angie Beiza

  Angie Beiza is studying Human Development & Family Studies with a minor in Psychology at the University of Houston.  Although the internship this year was virtual, her experience as an Eye to the Future intern was just as rewarding. Being part of Abriendo Caminos was a fulfilling experience for her. She was able to help and guide Hispanic communities on how to live a healthier lifestyle. Helping individuals has always been her passion.

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  Tania Dietert

  Tania Dietert is studying Human Nutrition & Foods at the University of Houston. She enjoyed hearing from people in different health professions and gaining experience from them. Tania enjoyed doing measurements with participants. She states, “it was a great hands-on experience for the health field." Also, she gained practice presenting materials on Zoom that will be relevant for educational materials in the future.

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  Natalia Henao

  Natalia Henao holds two degrees, one in Biomedical Science and Chemistry from Texas A&M Kingsville and another degree in Human Nutrition and Foods from the University of Houston. Eye to the Future opened many doors for Natalia, including the opportunity to become Nutrition Coordinator for BOUNCE, Abriendo Caminos Intervention Coordinator, and winning an award for our research abstract for the Humana Kick-Off Event - University of Houston College of Medicine. 

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  Celeste Hernandez

  Celeste Hernandez has a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from the University of Houston. Through the BOUNCE internship, she was able to reach a larger population in the Hispanic community and provide them with the essential nutrition education needed to achieve a healthy and balanced lifestyle. She was able to further develop her skills as an educator while directly applying the concepts she studied during her undergraduate career. Celeste is now a Community Health Worker working as part of the Population Health Department of Harris Health.
  
  

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  Barbara Medina

  Barbara Medina has a major in Kinesiology and a minor in Nutrition at the University of Houston. The Eye to the Future internship taught her cultural competency, data management, marketing, time management, and lesson planning. Barbara said that the best lesson this internship taught her was the power of networking. Being able to network and form connections with other people will play an excellent role in her future.

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  Daisy Salvatierra

  Daisy Salvatierra has a major in Biology and a minor in Health at the University of Houston. The connections Daisy was able to foster throughout the program increased her confidence as a young professional going into the healthcare field. Being an Eye to the Future intern taught her what professionalism meant. By attending all the workshops, completing assignments, and staying in contact with Ph.D. students, she was able to learn the skills necessary to navigate any field.

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  Estefani Villagomez

  Estefani Villagomez has a Bachelor of Science in Health and a minor in Health Communications at the University of Houston. She enjoyed the different sessions where interns learned about different careers in the health field. Estefani is very thankful for the opportunity and the knowledge she gained through this internship.

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  Daniela Zamora

  Daniela Zamora has a Bachelor of Science in Health and Behavioral Science. Her favorite memory is recruiting families at the Houston Food Bank for the Abriendo Caminos. Daniela says, “It was such a wonderful experience to meet families that were excited to make changes in their diets." Daniela will be forever grateful for the Eye to the Future internship. She will be going to graduate school to get her Master of Public Health in January of 2022.

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  Alyssa Benítez

  Alyssa Benítez is a sophomore, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of Houston with a minor in Psychiatry. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, swimming, and photography. Her long-time goal is to go to medical school to become a doctor with a specialty in Adolescent Psychiatry. Alyssa wants to create and utilize resources for children and adolescents in numerous ways regarding mental health. During the BOUNCE Summer Wellness program, she was able to teach lessons about fiber and obesity-related illnesses.

  Academic Mentor: Dr. Norma E. Olvera

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  Melissa Blanco

  Melissa Blanco graduated from the University of Houston Downtown with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Behavioral Science with a concentration in Healthcare Navigation. She now attends the University of Texas, School of Public Health where she will earn her master’s in Public Health with a concentration in Healthcare Management. The workshops and meetings from the Eye to the Future program helped her stand out as a potential candidate for graduate school.

  Academic Mentor: Dr. Consuelo Arbona

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  Natalia Chacon

  Natalia Chacon graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Foods. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Public Health at the University of Texas Health Science Center. During the Eye to the Future internship, she enjoyed having Dr. Ledoux as a mentor because it provided her valuable insight on what it takes to be a registered dietitian and researcher. She states, “having discussions with Dr. Ledoux opened up my eyes to all the possible career paths I could make for myself when I complete my academic studies.”

  Academic Mentor: Dr. Tracey A. Ledoux

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  Venessa Cias

  Vanessa Cias obtained a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Foods from the University of Houston. She aspires to share her passion for health by becoming a doctor to guide patients towards achieving a healthier lifestyle. She enjoyed the Master Chef competition during the BOUNCE Summer Wellness program because the children used what they learned to turn an unhealthy meal to a healthier alternative. The Eye to the Future program helped her become a more competitive applicant and grow the confidence within herself to accomplish anything.

  Academic Mentor: Dr. Consuelo Arbona

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  Amanda Martinez

  Amanda Martinez is a junior, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Health at the University of Houston. In her free time, she enjoys working out, cooking healthy food, and trying new ways to prepare meals. The workshops and panels from the Eye to the Future program have been very enlightening for her future goals. During the BOUNCE Summer Wellness program, she was able to create her menu for Friday lunches that were enjoyed by the participants. She is passionate about helping individuals lead healthier lives.

  Academic Mentor: Dr. Norma E. Olvera

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  Alanis Naranjo

  Alanis Naranjo is a junior, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Sports Administration at the University of Houston. After earning her bachelor’s degree, she would like to pursue her master’s in Community Health. Her goal is to work within a college recreational center or a high school athletic department to improve the health of others. The Eye to the Future mentorship program helped her gain valuable knowledge to apply during her academic and professional pursuits.

  Academic Mentor: Dr. Norma E. Olvera

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  Xena Orozco

  Xena Orozco graduated from the University of Houston-Downtown with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. During the Eye to the Future internship, she learned valuable skills needed to develop a community program. She states, “it is important to know the population that will be targeted, the issues that you want to improve, the outcomes that you want to meet, and the budget you have. Without considering these components, it would be difficult to develop a program that will benefit the community and achieve the goals set for the program.”

  Academic Mentor: Dr. Norma E. Olvera

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  Vicky Quevedo

  Vicky Quevedo graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Foods. She aspires to become a clinical dietitian. During the Bounce Summer Wellness Program, she enjoyed teaching children about MyPlate and how they were able to apply it in their meals afterward. She enjoyed having Dr. Ledoux as her mentor because it helped her how to prepare for her future. 

  Academic Mentor: Dr. Tracey A. Ledoux

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  Stephany Rivera

  Stephany Rivera is a sophomore at Houston Community College. During the Eye to the Future internship, she enjoyed the mentoring development sessions. She states, “I enjoyed BOUNCE’s professional and mentoring development sessions because it gave me the necessary tools I need to succeed beyond this internship. Before these sessions, I didn’t know much about graduate school but thankfully, I received more information and how it can impact my career.”

  Academic Mentor: Dr. Consuelo Arbona

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  Rosaly Rosario

  Rosaly Rosario graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science in Health. Rosaly is applying to graduate school to pursue her master’s in Public Health. “One of the most rewarding things of this practicum has been parents or children reaching out to me after our lesson and saying the words “Thank You!” or “I have learned so much!”. It is through these special moments in my practicum that my love for public health has been further cemented.”

  Academic Mentor: Dr. Consuelo Arbona

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  Lucero Sanchez

  Lucero Sanchez is a senior obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Health and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Houston-Downtown. During the Eye to the Future internship, she learned that it is not easy to break the entanglement of ideas children have on what they eat, how they shop, and how to be active. Lucero strongly believes in influencing children and adults to have a will to eat health conscious foods because where there is a will, there is a way!

  Academic Mentor: Dr. Tracey A. Ledoux