Research

Champions for Change

Working in partnership with Viridiana Ortiz, we collaborated our personal experience as
Graduate Students finalize a paper submission of the Program, “CSUN’s Champions for Change.”
CSUN’s Champions for Change brings to light issues of children not being educated on areas of nutrition
that should be being discussed. Acting as a safe place to discuss health-related education to children from
kindergarten through high school, Champions for Change presents topics regarding sweetened beverages
and their sugar content, what fiber is and how to be physically active for the benefits of the body.
Additionally, Champions for Change involved parents and family members of the students to participate
in initiation and maintenance of gardens built on campus site. These gardens have provided a strong tool
for children to acknowledge the hard work that goes into creating these plants and being able to enjoy
them from farm to table.
Viri and I created a Finalized Research paper and Research poster to make available for
competitions or to receive recognition.

Nutrigenomics: Sugar Preference

Working alongside of CSUN’s Professor, Dr. Duran, I worked with fellow Graduate Student,
Sophia Lopez, in developing a course regarding the Nutrigenomic results pertaining to Sugar Preference.
Nutrigenomics is the use of human DNA in reviewing an individual’s potential health-risks related to
nutrition. Nutrigenomics is a new tools that is being turned to, relying heavily on genetics and utilizing
machines that result in making the process expensive. As a research study, led by Dr. Duran, it is to be
reviewed if the results of Nutrigenomic exams, along with lessons explaining each genetic indicator, and
their impact on the latino populations health. Sophia and I focused on the gene marker than indicates a
higher preference for sugar. Focusing on the Latino community, the course was developed in spanish,
consent forms were developed and translated into Spanish, and several food references are specific to
latino culture.