Tania Aburto
Hi! My name is Tania Aburto, and I am from The Woodlands, TX. I’m currently a sophomore at UT Austin, majoring in Nutrition. I am interested in preventative medicine and discovering ways to improve patient care. I also enjoy volunteering at hospitals, playing tennis, and cooking! After graduating, I hope to go to medical school and use my background in nutrition to provide more comprehensive care to patients.
Fun Fact: I love puzzles, especially escape rooms!
Gizza Armendariz
My name is Gizza Armendariz and I am a third-year Nutrition major from Midland, Texas. I am interested in maternal and infant nutrition. After I graduate from UT, I hope to become an RD and work with mothers and children in underserved communities.
Fun Fact: I love snowboarding!
Baylee Cammack
My name is Baylee Cammack, and I am from Conroe, TX. I am a 2nd year nutrition science major, and my interests include working to understand the role early childhood nutrition plays in future health outcomes, volunteering to judge and coach high school speech and debate, cooking, and working as a phlebotomist! My future plan is to become a physician!
Fun fact: I am terrified of spiders
Charlotte Colbert
My name is Charlotte Colbert, and I am from Houston. I am a third-year public health major at the University of Texas at Austin with an interest in epidemiology and preventive medicine. After graduating, I plan to pursue a master’s program here in Austin.
Fun Fact: I participate in the Longhorn Run every year.
Julia Hendrix
Hi! My name is Julia, and I am from San Antonio, TX. I am currently a sophomore Nutrition major, and hope to pursue a minor in American Sign Language. My research interests are very broad in the nutrition field, and I am still discovering what I am specifically interested in! I hope to become a registered dietitian and potentially continue research after my undergraduate degree.
Fun Fact: I can do the splits!
Annika Hesse
My name is Annika Hesse, and I am from Austin, TX! I’m currently a junior at UT, studying Business and Biology. My interest lies in exploring the impact of early childhood interventions and parent-child interactions on health outcomes later in life. After graduating, I hope to go to medical school and deepen my knowledge of holistic approaches to medicine!
Fun Fact: I drive a manual transmission car!
Mariam Jallad
Hi! My name is Mariam Jallad, and I am a third-year Public Health major from Houston, Texas. I am interested in maternal and infant nutrition and generational nutrition patterns! After I graduate from UT, I plan on attending medical school (and hopefully pursue an MPH) to become a pediatrician.
Fun fact: I grew up in Canada and I can (almost) speak 5 languages!
Srishti Kannan
My name is Srishti Kannan and I am a third year nutrition major from San Antonio, Texas! My interests lie in the intersection between maternal and childhood nutrition and how both go hand in hand. After graduating, my goal is to go to medical school and become a physician.
Fun fact: I love to do anything art related!
Sydney Nguyen
Hi!! My name is Sydney and I’m from Houston. I am a sophomore majoring in Computational Biology & Nutrition! My academic interests include research and medicine. Outside of school, I like to go on runs and walks with my friends, explore coffee shops, go shopping, and bake! After UT, I hope to attend medical school and be a physician.
Fun fact: I run an off campus food pantry for UT students!
Isabel Otero
My name is Isabel Otero, and I’m originally from Madrid, Spain but moved to Austin, TX about 6 years ago! I’m currently a Junior in Nutritional Sciences at UT Austin with hopes of completing physical therapy school after I graduate. My main interest in research is in metabolism and gut health!
Fun Fact: I’ve been watching Formula 1 since I was about 6 years old!
Risha Rao
Hi! My name is Risha Rao. I am from Dallas, Texas and am a Public Health major. My interests in research include public health and nutrition research! After I graduate from UT, I’d love to go to medical school while also pursuing another degree (MPH or PhD) and would love to still be involved in an activity surrounding the issue of global health.
Fun Fact: I love to dance and am a co-choreographer for the Reggaeton Dance Club at UT!
Camille Smith
My name is Camille Smith, and I am from Houston, TX. I am a third-year Pre-med Nutritional Science major at UT Austin, pursuing a Certificate in Spanish for Medical Professionals. My interests are in general and infant nutrition, improving nutrition education among physicians, and promoting bilingualism in healthcare. After graduation, I plan to attend medical school and continue serving underserved communities through compassionate, culturally informed healthcare.
Fun Fact: I adore chihuahuas and have two of my own! Tinkerbell and Daisy
Manal Zuberi
Hi! I’m Manal Zuberi, and I’m from Prosper, Texas. I’m majoring in Neuroscience with a Business minor. I’m especially interested in research at the intersection of brain health and innovation. Outside of school, I enjoy cooking, playing pool, and gaming. After graduating from UT, I hope to attend medical school and become a physician.
Fun fact: I love cats and my family got a cat right after I moved out – still a little mad about that.
*The Widen Lab accepts undergraduate researchers on a limited basis.
If interested, please fill out this application and send your resume to widen.lab@austin.utexas.edu.
*If you are interested in joining the lab for the summer or fall semester, please submit your application documents by April 1st. If you are interested in joining the lab for the spring semester, please submit your application documents by November 1st.
**Preference is given to individuals that can commit to volunteering 10 hours per week to the lab for two semesters, have or plan to take NTR 315, can write and speak Spanish, and/or have experience in nutrition assessment.