Bridge Scholars Program

Bridge Scholars Program

Bridge Scholars Program

Eleven undergraduate students will be selected to participate in a two-semester Bridge Scholars Program, providing an experiential learning opportunity to bridge disease prevention through nutrition-focused education in community clinics.

Bridge Scholars will complete research projects with a mentor focusing on delivering nutrition education for disease prevention in a clinical setting. Students will implement their research project in either the UK College of Dentistry’s Diagnosis, Wellness and Prevention Clinic, or UK’s Department of Pediatrics Clinic Amiga. In addition to gaining research and Cooperative Extension experience, Bridge Scholars have an opportunity to enhance their leadership, communication, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.  

Bridge Scholars will all receive a $1,000 scholarship in addition to conference registration and travel to attend a professional conference. This work is supported by the Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates, [grant no. 2019-05108], from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Meet the 2024-25 Bridge Scholars

Emma ForsthoefelEmma Forsthoefel

Major: Human Nutrition

Professional Aspiration: Dentist

Mentor: Dr. Rojas-Ramirez

Ava GdovkaAva Gdovka

Major: Dietetics

Professional Aspiration: Physician Assistant

Mentor: Dr. Grubbs

Brooke KuszczakBrooke Kuszczak

Major: Dietetics

Professional Aspiration: Physician Assistant

Mentor: Dr. Brewer

Sam LemingSam Leming

Major: Dietetics

Professional Aspiration: Registered Dietitian

Mentor: Dr. Plasencia

Ami PatelAmi Patel

Major: Human Nutrition

Professional Aspiration: Dentist

Mentor: Dr. Rojas-Ramirez

Isabella RecktenwaldIsabella Recktenwald

Major: Dietetics

Professional Aspiration: Registered Dietitian

Mentor: Dr. Luecking

Jolie SonnerJolie Sonner

Major: Human Nutrition

Professional Aspiration: Physician Assistant

Mentor: Dr. Plasencia

Breanna VesselsBreanna Vessels

Major: Dietetics

Professional Aspiration: Dietitian

Mentor: Dr. Luecking

Grace WiseGrace Wise

Major: Dietetics

Professional Aspiration: Registered Dietitian

Mentor: Dr. Barr-Porter

Application Information

Interested junior and senior candidates are encouraged to apply. Applications are scored by the program director, learning coordinator and mentors.

Along with your application, you will need to submit:

Scoring Criteria & Application Checklist

Apply Now

Questions?

Contact Nasreen Omran for more information.

Contact Us

Connect With Us

Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition

204 Funkhouser Building

Lexington, KY 40506

859-257-3800

dhn@uky.edu

Dr. Julie Plasencia

Program Director 

Contact Dr. Julie Plasencia

Nasreen Omran

Program Coordinator 

Contact Nasreen Omran 

Contact Information

Dr. Tammy J. Stephenson, PhD, FAND
Department Chair & Professor

202 Funkhouser Building Lexington, KY 40506-0054

+1 (859) 257-3800

tammy.stephenson@uky.edu