Rebecca Gould

Nutritional Sciences

Gould has accepted a postdoctoral associate position at Duke University, where she will continue to research inherited metabolic disorders.

Hometown

Elkridge, Maryland

Major

Ph.D. in Foods and Nutrition combined with a Dietetic Internship (Ph.D./DI)

Activities and Honors

Fellowships

2017 - Bill and June Flatt Nutrition Excellence Graduate Fellowship, University of Georgia

Honors and Awards

2020 - Irene J. Jones Memorial Scholarship, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation; Elise Bray Richey Endowment Scholarship, FACS; Scholarship, Georgia Dietetic Foundation; Leilia Alberta Ritchie Scholarship, FACS

2019 - Graduate Student Scholarship, Northeast Georgia Dietetic Association

2018 - Hazel and Gene Franklin Scholarship, FACS

2017 - Anne and Earl Haltiwanger Scholarship, FACS; Ruth Rowan Morrison Graduate Endowment in Nutrition Studies, FACS

Involvement

President, Foods and Nutrition Graduate Student Association, University of Georgia; Committee Member, Diversity Equity Inclusion and Social Justice Committee (DEI/SJ), FACS

Why I chose my major

UGA is one of the only universities in the country that has a combined Ph.D. and Dietetic Internship program. Dr. Robert Pazdro’s laboratory was a perfect fit as it matched my interests and background. His research is focused on biochemistry, genetics, and the metabolism in relation to health and longevity. My research was focused on the genetic regulation of a critical antioxidant – glutathione – and its effects on health. This research supports my long-term goal of improving our understanding of genetic metabolic diseases to improve patient treatment, including dietary guidance, and health outcomes.

What I like most about FACS

I feel 100% supported by the FACS faculty, staff, and students. FACS supports all of its graduate students and gives them opportunities to build their CV, like Instructor of Record opportunities and funding for poster presentations and conferences. FACS fosters an environment of collaboration and community, rather than competitiveness, and I can’t imagine a better place to have completed my Dietetic Internship and Ph.D.!

Post-graduation plans

I have accepted a Postdoctoral Associate position at Duke University Medical Center in the Division of Medical Genetics. I will work in Dr. Priya Kishnani’s laboratory conducting research in the field of inherited metabolic disorders (IMD). This field combines my passion of dietetics, biochemistry, and the metabolism. I feel very grateful to be given the opportunity to support the families who are affected by an IMD and hope that my research ultimately improves quality of life and treatment outcomes for patients.