Alexa Barad, MS, RD
2022 Commission on Dietetic Registration Doctoral Scholarship
Completing a Doctoral Program at Cornell University
| “I am grateful to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation for selecting me as a CDR Doctoral Scholarship recipient. This award is extremely influential in support of my education, professional training, and continued involvement in the dietetics community. It is an honor to have the support of CDR and I am committed to utilizing this award to not only advance my own education but to continue mentoring future RDs through their professional development.” |
How did you learn about the availability of the Foundation scholarship that you received?
I learned about the availability of the Foundation scholarships through my incredible mentor and Director of MS-DI program I completed prior to starting my doctoral program. I was also reminded of these phenomenal scholarships and awards through the Academy Foundation newsletter.
What motivated you to apply for a Foundation Scholarship?
The funding that is currently supporting my dissertation research, tuition, and stipend will end before my dissertation is completed. I applied to the Foundation's scholarships seeking additional support to be able to successfully complete my project. As a non-US citizen, I am not eligible for a wide range of funding opportunities. This is a both a financial limitation and an educational limitation as it prevents me from participating in training that is only offered to those on training grants I am not eligible for. I am incredibly thankful that I was eligible to receive awards from the Foundation.
How will the scholarship funds help support your continued success within your educational program?
Having the support of CDR and my fellow RDs is an incredible motivator to continue working hard and striving for the best. After obtaining my doctorate, I plan to leverage my RD, MS, and PhD degrees to pursue translational research in the field of precision nutrition. I am committed to utilizing the knowledge and experiences I will gain to advance our profession, educate and empower future RDs, and become a leader in our field.
What advice do you have for your colleagues about seeking out and applying for Foundation funding opportunities?
Go for it! You won't get it if you don't apply for it. Make sure you start your application early and do not be afraid to ask your mentors for guidance.
Scholarship and Award Application and Timeline Information
All applications and timelines for Foundation funding opportunities are made available electronically within the Foundation’s application portal. Generally, the scholarship applications are available from mid- February to mid-April, most award and grant applications are available from December to February, and fellowship opportunities are posted as they become available.
To ensure you receive all of our Foundation news and announcements, including scholarship, award and grant announcements, subscribe to our Foundation’s weekly Kids Eat Right Monday Message and Foundation News.
With Your Help, We Can Do Even More
Our Foundation is the only charitable organization dedicated exclusively to supporting nutrition and dietetics professionals by empowering them to help consumers live healthier lifestyles. Our Foundation does not receive any portion of member dues and is funded solely by donations. Please consider making a gift today to support our Make It a Million Scholarship Campaign that will help us to award one million dollars in scholarships annually to Academy members, students and dietetic interns at all levels of study.
#FoundationRecipientProfiles