Sara DeJarnett

Sarah DeJarnett sits in an egg-shaped chair

Human Nutrition and Foods
Class of 2020
Martinsburg, West Virginia

What is your favorite quote?

"Everybody is a genius, but if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." - Albert Einstein

What book would you recommend and why?

I mostly read medical books. I am currently reading "The Gut," a book about all the numerous ways gut health can influence other health conditions. Although it is medical, it is an interesting and easy read.

What do you love most about your major?

I love that every day it is something new. The field of nutrition is always changing as new information is discovered so it always stays interesting. Every day I get to learn about a new way to help people and better their lives. Food is fuel and when it is treated as so, it can make radical changes to a number of different health issues an individual may experience.

What are your career goals?

After undergraduate school, I want to go on to earn my master's in nutrition and complete my internship to become a registered dietitian. I am contemplating either going into research in the nutrition field or become a nutrition counselor. Whatever I choose to do I want to be able to make a positive change in people's lives

Tell us about your experience with research or an internship?

This past summer, I was able to participate in the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program here at WVU. I assisted Dr. Marra and some of her graduate students in their research and gained so many valuable skills that I will use later in my career as well as being able to see what a job in research would entail. It was a very busy summer but I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is interested in research as a career.

What is a cause you're passionate about?

Along with my nutrition major, I am also working on earning an addiction studies minor. I recently added the minor after getting involved with the collegiate recovery house, Serenity Place. Obviously, addiction is a very relevant issue in our country, especially our state, but it is a very misunderstood area of study. Those in recovery from addiction are treated very poorly in our society and this does not only hurt the individual but our community as a whole. I would like to somehow be involved in this area of study and incorporate my nutrition background but even if I do not get into the field, the classes I have taken and the knowledge I have gained about addiction have made me a better person

Who is your favorite professor or staff member?

A professor that has really made an impact in my time at WVU is Dr. Melissa Ventura-Marra. She truly cares about her students and wants them to succeed. I have had her as a professor, worked in her research lab, and now assist her in class for teaching practicum hours. She has so much passion and knowledge about the profession. She always provides her students with the most updated, accurate information and the tools needed to succeed. The university and especially the nutrition department is lucky to have her.

What advice would you give to incoming students?

Get involved. Not only is it important to gain experience but it helps connect you to like-minded people. College is a very important time to network and make connections and getting involved is the easiest way to do that. There are so many clubs and organizations on campus in a wide variety of disciplines so anyone can find their niche.