Robert Santana

Tell us yourself, education, your background, and your current interests.

I am 26-years old and currently reside in Orland Park, IL, a suburb southwest of Chicago. My academic background includes a Bachelor's degree (BS) in Family and Consumer Sciences with an emphasis in Dietetics (2008) from Western Illinois University. I am currently working toward a Master's degree (MS) in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise Physiology, also at Western Illinois University. I completed my dietetic internship through Iowa State University this past November, obtained a position as a nutrition coach and personal trainer at Life Time Fitness in Orland Park, IL, and successfully passed the RD exam on my first attempt (12/27/2010). My passion is and always has been nutrition for health, fitness, and athletics and I plan to grow in that area in years to come.

How did you become interested in nutrition?

Early in my academic career I was unsure of my long-term career goals and as a result I struggled with my coursework. It took four years, two majors, and a significant amount of self-acceptance for me to finally pursue a field that I was passionate in. As a major in dietetics, I received immense support and encouragement from the dietetics faculty at Western Illinois University, which motivated me to want to learn more. After completing my bachelor’s degree I decided to acquire work experience and pursue a master’s degree in Kinesiology to improve my chances of matching to a dietetic internship. These experiences have helped shape the person I am today and I am forever grateful to those who supported me on the journey.

You have been involved in research. Tell us about that experience and something you learned.

All of my master's coursework is currently complete and I am preparing for my thesis defense. My thesis research was conducted in subjects engaged in nine weeks of resistance training. I compared changes in fat-free mass and strength of subjects who consumed supplemental whey protein versus conventional foods containing protein (bread and milk) post-exercise. At the end of the study, I learned that if overall daily protein requirements are not met, then post-exercise protein consumption will not be advantageous with regards to increasing muscle mass and strength. My knowledge of the research process is much more extensive as a result of this experience.

What other experiences have you had as a graduate student?

As a graduate student I was also a student manager at the Bella Hearst Diabetes Institute (www.wiu.edu/bellahearst), which was overseen by faculty from Dietetics, Kinesiology, and Health Sciences. This position required me to act as a liaison among the three departments. My responsibilities included marketing, promoting, and providing nutrition education and personal training to at-risk and diabetic clients. Clients were also assigned to senior dietetics and kinesiology students to provide the students with practical experience prior to graduation. Additionally, I planned, organized, and executed a free glucose screen in the University Union each semester that I was employed.

Now that you have graduated from a dietetic internship, what are your plans?

I was recently hired at Life Time Fitness as a nutrition coach, with personal training as a secondary responsibility. Working in this position has taught me the value of marketing, sales and promotion in the area of sports, fitness, and wellness. These skills are invaluable and it is very important to me that I build upon and master them as I progress in my career. In addition, my short-term goals are to successfully defend my thesis, pass the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) certification of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA-CSCS) exam, and acquire the required practice hours to sit for the exam and earn Board Certification as a Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD). My long-term goals are to continue to expand my knowledge in the fields of dietetics, exercise science, and business and to provide nutrition education and personal training in the entertainment industry.

Is there anything else you would like to share with students?

It is very important for future dietetics students to do their research on the process of becoming an RD early in their undergraduate career. Internships are becoming more competitive each year and I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to be aware of and prepare for this early on in the process. I encourage students not only to apply themselves academically but to also get involved in the field as much as possible to truly understand what a career in dietetics has to offer. Also, it is never too late to turn things around so long as the desire is driven by passion and dedication. It is important for students to stay focused regardless of any setbacks they may have encountered. Overcoming life’s challenges and obstacles are what shape us as human beings.

1/3/2011