Hello! My name is Kathryn Antonopulos and I have lived in Memphis for most of my life. I am a proud graduate of the University of Memphis DPD program and am super excited to continue my education here. One thing I love about the University of Memphis MS/DI program is the abundance of opportunities. I can’t wait to dive head first into all the different rotations and soak up all the knowledge I can.

Growing up, I was a competitive gymnast which sparked my curiosity for health and nutrition. I experienced first-hand how nutrition could impact performance and recovery. Today, I am a CrossFit coach, and still observe how nutrition aids in my client’s successes. I have an interest in education, research, sports, and community nutrition. However, I am very open minded to every opportunity!

When I am not in school, I am usually lifting weights, running, coaching, cooking, or spending time with my family. If it’s not too hot, you can usually find me outdoors. I love to kayak, hike, and camp with my friends. A few of my goals are to hike the Appalachian trail and compete in a triathlon.

 

Hi, my name is Alex Berg! I was born and raised in Memphis and am excited to be a part of the Clinical Nutrition MS/DI program at the University of Memphis. I graduated in Spring 2022 with my Bachelor of Science in Dietetics degree from UofM and am very happy to have had the opportunity to stay in the city I love.

I have always known I wanted to pursue a career in healthcare. I actually started as a nursing major but that quickly didn’t feel right for me and after an Intro to Nutrition course, along with previous life experiences, I realized that dietetics is what I wanted to pursue and I haven’t looked back since!

I am excited for the opportunities the University of Memphis will provide to me through the Dietetic Internship and am looking forward to gaining new clinical skills that will help me succeed! I try to spend my spare time outside as much as possible and enjoy kicking a soccer ball around, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.

After I graduate I am hoping to practice in a clinical setting gaining as much experience as possible and I hope to one day work in a pediatric oncology setting.

 

Hi! My name is Madison Domek, and I am so excited to be completing my dietetic internship and master’s degree at the University of Memphis. I am originally from Collierville, Tenn. so Memphis has always been home to me. I could not imagine a better place to continue my education in pursuit of becoming a registered dietitian. 

I completed my bachelor’s degree at Mississippi State University, and while completing my studies, I grew a love for nutrition and improving the lives of others. 

Some of my passions in this field include pediatrics, lactation and maternal health, diabetes management, and oncology. I have found a passion in educating others about nutrition and the nourishing viewpoint it provides.

Through this program, I am also a graduate assistant at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the clinical nutrition department. I am so blessed to be able to grow and learn through this experience and I look forward to using the knowledge I gain to future practice.

I am a very personable and outgoing person, and in my free time I enjoy working out and going to Pilates classes, strolling down the Trader Joe’s isles, cooking, and spending time with friends and family. 

 

Hello! My name is Myla Franklin, and I am just entering the MS/DI program at the University of Memphis. I just completed the undergraduate program receiving my BS in Nutrition and Dietetics. I was born in Oceanside, California and moved around quite often due to my parent’s military service.

What has drawn my passions towards dietetics is my love of sports nutrition. I am a dancer who has danced for the University of Memphis along with the Memphis Grizzlies. Throughout my time as an athlete, I have personally struggled and seen my teammates struggled with disordered eating habits.

I believe by becoming an RDN I can achieve positive changes within the performative sports community. I am grateful to the University of Memphis for allowing me the opportunity to increase my knowledge and drive in dietetics.

Outside of my regular academic routine you can find me indulging in parks, museums, and walking my dog, Twilight. I love going to the gym and participating in any fitness class. Since I won’t be dancing this season with the Grizzlies, I am excited to take some dance classes within the community this year. I am excited to see what the next year will hold for me and my fellow classmates!

Hi, my name is Natalie Grill! I have lived a few places, but Memphis has been home for the past 12 years. I completed my DPD at the University of Memphis in May of 2023, and I could not be more excited to be continuing my education here as a student in the MS/DI program.

Most of my childhood was surrounded by sports, and I loved every second of it. As I got older, I began to take an interest in the ways I was fueling my body for athletic performance. There was a lot of trial and error on my part, and I had wished there was someone to point me in the right direction. I became curious in sports dietetics, and I decided to pursue a career in this field to spread accurate nutrition information amongst the athletic community.

Outside of school, I am a graduate assistant with University of Memphis Football Nutrition. I enjoy being active, trying new foods, hanging out with my friends and family, and traveling when I can.

 

Hello, my name is Hannah Meis! I grew up just outside of Memphis, Tenn. on my family's farm where I was homeschooled along with my siblings. After graduating from high school, I attended Dyersburg State Community College where I graduated with my associate in nutrition and food science. I then transferred to the University of Memphis in 2021. There I completed my bachelor's in health studies focus on Dietetics in May 2023. I am so honored and excited to continue my education at the University of Memphis MS/DI program.

A little bit about me; I grew up with seven other siblings, a twin sister, five brothers and a little sister. I remember that my mom always wanted my siblings and I to have a part whenever she was cooking and tending the garden. Therefore, because of this encouragement, my passion for being in the kitchen and focusing on nutrition took root. I really started to focus on how food and the body worked hand in hand. So, I developed a love for working out and running.  My twin sister and I found out that we loved participating in the St. Jude Marathon weekend in the month of December.

As my journey continued, I recently got married to my best friend Daniel and am now learning how to do life with him. It has been one of the best adventures!  He is my biggest supporter as we take this next step in my education.

Hey, y’all! My name is Anna Claire Miskelly and I am from Ripley, Miss. I completed my bachelor’s degree at Mississippi State University and I am very excited to take this next step in my dietetics journey at the University of Memphis! I am currently a graduate assistant at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. I wanted to come to Memphis because it’s close to home, but full of so many opportunities.

Growing up in a small town, I didn’t receive a great education in nutrition, but saw so many family and community members suffer from illness and disease that might have been prevented through the diet! My interest was sparked then and here I am!

Outside of school, my favorite thing in the world are my dogs! I am such a dog lover and love to do any activity involving them.

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Hi I’m Josh Norton I was born and raised in Memphis and I did my undergrad at Louisiana Tech University.  I’m excited to complete my internship and master’s degree at the University of Memphis.

I am interested in pediatric nutrition and how we can really give kids a good start in life. I can tell that Memphis is going to be a great opportunity to learn the skills necessary to be a big impact on child’s life. I also help run my church’s food pantry. We work with a lot of low-income single mothers and I am working on developing a cookbook with simple low-cost recipes. I am also working on developing cooking classes to help give skills on how to cook quick and healthy meals on a budget.

In my free time I like to play video games, cook, paint and watch movies. I am also an active member of my church.

 

Hello, my name is Maria Urbina. I was born and raised in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. I completed my Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Ark. in May 2023. When campus shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic I moved to Memphis and loved this city! I am so excited to be part of the MS/DI program and have the opportunity to expand my knowledge in Clinical Nutrition. I am also a graduate assistant at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and I am so excited to learn from this amazing opportunity. 

As an undergraduate studen, I had the opportunity to conduct several research studies regarding childhood obesity in relation to the pandemic, malnutrition assessment on the senior population, and the effects of COVID-19 in the eating behaviors and lifestyle of the Ouachita community. Having these and many more hands-on opportunities helped me grow a passion for learning about nutrition and finding ways to help people develop a healthy relationship with food and their bodies.

In my free time I love finding new coffee shops, traveling and exploring new places, reading a good book, trying new Pinterest recipes, spending times with friends, calling my family back in Honduras and checking on my three chihuahuas.