In the fifth grade, Delhi native JaKyra Allen knew she wanted to go to Louisiana Tech University.

She is currently a sophomore in Nutrition and Dietetics and is a member of the Student Dietetic Association (SDA). 

“I have been a member of the SDA since September 2021, and my biggest contribution is serving as the food pantry manager of the Good Nutrition Mission Food Pantry at Louisiana Tech,” Allen said. “It is an honor knowing my fellow SDA members trust me to manage the pantry. I meet new people daily, organize food drives, and coordinate with numerous people.”

During the pandemic, Allen decided to improve her health by growing a garden. She soon discovered how fruits and vegetables impact exercise through energy input and oxygen levels.

“At the time, I was unaware of what Nutrition and Dietetics is, yet I knew I was in the right place,” she said. “Because of my strong passion to discover more about how diet affects health, I would not only like to become a registered dietitian but also a nutritional biochemist who studies the human body on a molecular level. Furthermore, I would like to receive a master’s degree in nutritional biochemistry after completing my bachelor’s in Nutrition and Dietetics.”