After graduating high school in Pikeville, Alex Chang knew he wanted to go to medical school. He enrolled at UK and a friend told him about the human nutrition major.

“I looked through the curriculum and felt a strong draw toward the classes, because they focus on eating healthy and how to appropriately take care of your body,” said Chang.

With an interest in pediatric medicine, Chang plans to incorporate what he’s learning during his undergraduate degree in his future medical practice. 

“I feel like nutrition is an overlooked topic in patient-provider interactions,” said Chang. “I think that educating patients on the importance of nutrition is an integral step in the process of preventing chronic disease.”

In the classroom, Chang has learned the importance of diet and exercise in maintaining one’s health. Outside of the classroom, he joined a department-led education abroad trip, studying hunger, food behavior and the environment.

“My favorite experience from the department was studying abroad in Australia, traveling from Melbourne to Sydney and eating a lot of delicious food.”

He credits faculty in the department for impacting his success in college.  

“All of the professors are extremely friendly and open to helping students,” said Chang. “All of the DHN faculty are passionate about their work and truly care about the success of their students.”