Senior Dietetics Major at California State University, Long Beach Participates in Nutrition, Cancer Prevention Practicum at National Cancer Institute in Maryland

Sarah Golden, a dietetics major at California State University, Long Beach, was one of 16 students nationwide selected to participate in a recently-held Nutrition and Cancer Prevention Practicum at the National Cancer Institute in Rockville, Md.

The event was presented by The Nutritional Science Research Group in the Division of Cancer Prevention at the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health and the Department of Nutrition at the Clinical Center and the National Institutes of Health.

The senior applied for and was accepted into the program after hearing about it through Dr. Christina Wang, program director of the General Clinical Research Center (GCRC) at Harbor UCLA Medical Center. The GCRC sponsored her attendance to the practicum.

"I was exposed to material, experiences and individuals far beyond what is provided in traditional education," said Golden, a research nutritionist at the General Clinical Research Center at Harbor UCLA Medical Center for the past year. "Exposure to current research and available resources provided direction and gave me a greater perspective on my professional goals by emphasizing the necessity and significance of nutritional research and nutrition professionals."

The session provided specialized instruction in the role of nutrition and cancer prevention covering such areas as cancer trends, clinical intervention studies, obesity and energy balance in relation to cancer, new technologies in cancer research, bioethics, and "research day" with local dietetic interns, including hands-on workshops and a tour of the clinical center.

Activities also included a tour of the National Library of Medicine, the NIH Clinical Center and the USDA Metabolic Kitchen and research labs. As part of the practicum, Golden was part of a group assigned to research a specific nutrient and develop a fact sheet showing the role of that nutrient in cancer prevention.

"It was truly inspiring and impressive to actually see the extensive amount of significant research being done to improve public health," noted Golden. "My knowledge and understanding were strengthened by the brilliant and informative presentations, activities and tours. The practicum provided me with information, skills, and ideas that I will use throughout my career as a nutrition professional. The experience also offered a unique opportunity to network with peers with similar interests and various backgrounds."

Golden, who will be graduating from CSULB in May, is scheduled to do her dietetic internship at The VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System and is planning to work on her master's degree in public health at UCLA in the fall.

Media Contacts: Shayne Schroeder, 562/985-1727, schroede@csulb.edu
Rick Gloady, 562/985-5454, rgloady@csulb.edu