RIT Graduate Showcase celebrates innovation as over 120 students, including Olivia Towne and Meghan Taylor, present research aimed at enhancing nutrition and health on campus

Rochester, New York – On April 10, the RIT community will gather in the Student Alumni Union for the Graduate Showcase, an event that highlights the innovative research and creative work of more than 120 students. Among the presenters are Olivia Towne and Meghan Taylor, master’s students from the Wegmans School of Health and Nutrition, who have dedicated their graduate research to improving the nutritional landscape at RIT.

Towne and Taylor are graduating from the first-ever cohort of the dietetics and nutrition MS program. Their projects focus on the unique dietary needs and challenges within the university setting—Towne exploring the dietary choices of NCAA Division III athletes, and Taylor addressing the hurdles faced by students with food allergies.

Towne’s study, titled “Examining Food Choice Determinants in a Sample of NCAA Division III Athletes: Insights from the Athlete Food Choice Questionnaire,” investigates the complex factors that influence what student athletes eat.

Her findings suggest that athletes’ food choices are influenced by a variety of factors, including emotional and cultural influences, performance goals, and nutritional awareness. The insights gained could lead to more nuanced nutritional education and targeted support for athletes at the collegiate level.

Meanwhile, Taylor’s project stems from her experiences during a food-service rotation with RIT Dining Services. She has focused on making dining halls safer and more accommodating for students with food allergies. Her interactions with students during her rotation revealed a significant gap in awareness about the resources available to manage dietary restrictions effectively. Taylor recommends enhancing the visibility of existing dining services’ resources such as nutrition counseling, food labels, and online ingredient lists, which are crucial for students who need to avoid allergens.

Both students are completing their clinical rotations at Rochester General Hospital, where they assist in developing dietary treatment plans for acute care in-patients. Their work at RGH has not only provided them with invaluable practical experience but has also led to job opportunities—Taylor has been offered a full-time position at the hospital beginning in mid-June, while Towne is in the process of interviewing for local positions.

The showcase is not just a platform for sharing research but also a crucial component of the graduate experience at RIT. According to Kristie O’Connor, director of the dietetics and nutrition MS program, the event equips students with essential skills in research, data interpretation, and scientific communication. Moreover, it prepares them for participation in professional conferences and enhances their professional profiles.

For Towne, the showcase represents a fitting conclusion to her academic career at RIT, providing her with an opportunity to reflect on her growth and achievements.

“Participating in the Graduate Showcase feels like a meaningful reflection of everything I’ve accomplished during my time at RIT,” Towne said. “It marks the culmination of my academic journey and gives me the opportunity to share my research and take pride in how far I’ve come.”

This year’s Graduate Showcase promises to be a hub of knowledge sharing and professional development, spotlighting the next generation of researchers and practitioners ready to make their mark on the world.