Dietetic Internship Class of 2025-2026

Melanie Alameda is a dynamic and passionate professional with a unique blend of expertise in both the arts and sciences. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music and a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Arizona, as well as a Master’s degree in Music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Her journey into the field of nutrition was born out of a deep-rooted connection to the land and a calling to use food as medicine. As a proud member and farmer of the Yuma, Arizona agricultural community, Melanie manages 100 acres of organic Medjool dates as part of her family’s farming operation. Her hands-on experience in sustainable agriculture has shaped her understanding of the powerful link between food quality and human wellness. Her goal is to empower individuals to take control of their health through evidence-based nutrition and real whole foods. With a strong foundation in science, an artist’s discipline, and a farmer’s work ethic, Melanie is dedicated to helping others thrive through mindful and sustainable nutrition practices. 

Julia Burmenko graduated summa cum laude from San Francisco State University in 2024 witha Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics. During her undergraduate studies, she was amember of the Student Nutrition Dietetic Association (SNDA) and worked for the on-campuscatering department. Here, she developed a strong foundation in food service operations, safefood handling, and customer service. She also volunteered in the Critical Care Unit at John MuirMedical Center. This hands-on experience has strengthened her passion for clinical nutritionand reinforced her commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care. Julia’s extensiveexperience working with children, including those with special needs, through her work as anearly childhood educator, professional caregiver, and work in a high school staff setting hasdeepened her communication and empathy skills. Julia is passionate about reversing and managing chronic disease and positively impacting individuals’ well-being through evidence-based nutrition care. She is excited to expand her skill set and deepen her knowledgethrough hands-on experience during the dietetic internship rotations. Outside of nutrition, Julia enjoys reading, working out, hiking, and traveling with her husband.

Nicolas Chavez completed his Associate’s Degree at Diablo Valley College and graduated from San Francisco State University in May of 2025 with a BS in Nutrition and Dietetics. Nick is absolutely thrilled to be back at SF State; he lives and breathes SFSU and loves everything about this community and campus. It was his dream to go here and follow in his sister’s footsteps as the two are the first in their family to graduate college. In his free time, Nick likes reading self-help books, running, playing guitar, watching The Office, Seinfeld, or Star Wars, riding motocross, and spending time with family, friends, and his dogs. Nick has many areas he’d like to explore in the field of Dietetics including clinical, dialysis, corporate wellness, sports nutrition, and private practice. Nick’s interest in health and nutrition came from his own personal weight loss - he knows the struggles of being in a bigger body, and not being happy with yourself or comfortable in your own skin, and the battles that come with it. Combining his experience, knowledge and passions for movement, mental health, and nutrition give him a unique, multi-faceted perspective as a future RD, to give his patients/clients the proper tools to achieve the right goals for the right reasons. 

Jaden Cook graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics in 2025 from San Francisco State University. Even from an early age, he had a fascination with athletics. Always involved in sports and exercise, he developed a passion for the relationship between food and human performance. This interest culminated in becoming the president of the sports nutrition branch of the Student Nutrition and Dietetics Association at SFSU. Jaden worked directly with SFSU’s rugby team to deliver multiple nutrition education seminars focused on nutrition’s role in optimal performance and recovery. He successfully developed a short-form nutrition education plan, which is still used by the rugby team’s athletes today. During this period, Jaden also worked for the SFSU’s food pantry. This opportunity allowed him to directly combat food insecurity within the diverse student body, while sharpening his leadership, communication, and community outreach skills. Jaden is determined to help individuals reach their health and wellness goals through nutrition. His passion for food, community, performance, and a high quality of life all fuel his fierce dedication to dietetics. As a dietitian, he hopes to work directly with a variety of individuals for prolonged periods of time to foster measurable and positive change. 

Destiny Duarte earned her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics with a concentration in science and a minor in counseling from San Francisco State University. She transferred from Fresno City College, where her interest in nutrition first began. During her time at SFSU, she served as a co-leader for the Student Nutrition and Dietetics Association’s subcommittee, Balanced Beings, where she created and taught nutrition lessons to 2–3-year-old children. SHe Shealso worked at the Early Childhood Education Center, where she helped develop lesson plans, prepped meals, and learned the importance of modeling to help children become more Sheinterested in trying new foods. Destiny is particularly focused on the clinical aspect of dietetics, with a strong interest in working with individuals with type 2 diabetes and contributing to research on reversing the condition. Her passion for this work comes from her own health journey. While preparing to join the U.S. Armed Forces, she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, which changed the direction of her life. That experience motivates her to help others take control of their health so that a diagnosis doesn’t have to mean giving up on their goals. 

Krissy Freeman graduated cum laude from San Francisco State University in 2025 with a B.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics. She started her career as bartender and cook in her local sports bar where she moved her way up to general manager. From there she went on to manage 3 other sports bars. After moving to California and starting her family, she decided to return to school and make a change in her profession where she could do more for her family and community. Her goal is to create meaningful connections and promote well-being by integrating her passion for hospitality, community, and nutrition. Through education, support, and evidence-based practices, she aims to empower individuals and families to make mindful, nourishing choices that foster long-term wellness. By combining her extensive experience in hospitality and management and with her commitment to nutrition, she strives to build stronger communities where health, friendship, and support flourish. 

Cindy Gee had a seven-year career in finance and accounting before re-evaluating her goals to focus helping others live healthier lives. During the pandemic, she decided to pursue her passion for nutrition and health. This led her to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics at San Francisco State University, summa cum laude, as a postbaccalaureate student. Currently, she serves as the Sports Nutrition Lead at Stanford University, where she supports sports dietitians who consult Olympic athletes. Cindy aims to work in a clinical environment, providing nutritional care to patients with chronic diseases, particularly hypertension, which affects many in her family. She also plans to combine her business acumen and nutrition expertise to open a private practice. In her free time, she plans to create a platform to debunk diet trends using evidence-based research. 

Michelle Golder graduated Summa Cum Laude from San Francisco State University in 2025, with a B.S. in Nutrition & Dietetics and a minor in Public Health. Her long-term career goal is to work at San Francisco General Hospital, where she can support recovering and sick patients with nutritious meals that aid in healing. During her final year at SFSU, she was a volunteer nutrition lecturer at San Francisco Lincoln High school and had the opportunity to engage with 10th graders about nutrition. The experience was incredibly rewarding and further confirmed her passion for using nutrition education to make a tangible impact on how individuals understand the intersectionality of food and health. Michelle is excited to begin her journey as a Dietetic Intern at San Francisco State University and looks forward to gaining experience in translating medical nutrition into approachable, easy-to-understand guidance that helps individuals make informed dietary
choices. Her goal is to support people in making sustainable dietary changes by meeting them where they are and help reduce barriers to nutrient dense meals and improve well- being. Michelle’s other passion is finding creative ways to get her toddler to eat whole foods—like mixing white quinoa into rice or blending cashews into frosting

Hayoung Kim graduated summa cum laude from San Francisco State University in 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics. His journey into the field of nutrition was shaped by his passion for helping others and his diverse background in healthcare. He worked as a 911 EMT with American Medical Response, where he responded to critical emergencies and witnessed firsthand the long-term consequences of poor lifestyle and dietary choices. Many of the patients he encountered were suffering from preventable chronic conditions, which sparked his interest in preventive care through nutrition. His experience as a diet technician at Queen of the Valley Hospital further reinforced his passion by allowing him to see the essential role nutrition plays in both the prevention and management of various health conditions. 

These experiences have solidified his desire to become a compassionate, evidence-based dietitian who not only treats but empowers patients to take control of their health through nutrition. Hayoung is eager to continue learning and develop his clinical skills as he works toward becoming an RD. 

In addition to his professional pursuits, he enjoys going to the gym, playing guitar, and writing music, all of which help him stay balanced and creative. 

Holly Lehr began the dietetic internship after graduating magna cum laude from San Francisco State University with a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics and Nutrition. She has held a Wilderness First Responder certification for the past 12 years. Holly’s interest in dietetics is multifaceted. She views nutrition as a primary way to prevent disease, effectively manage disease, and foster personal wellness. She also sees nutrition as a source of community empowerment. In her previous career as an outdoor adventure educator, one of her favorite experiences was teaching youth to prepare food in the backcountry. This education empowered the youth with the ability to care for themselves and others. In
her experience as a CPR trainer, Holly was also inspired to empower communities to effectively care for each other in emergencies. However, she hopes to prevent such emergencies through diet-based prevention. As a clinical and outpatient dietitian, she hopes to provide evidence-based education and compassionate counseling to promote optimal health. In her free time, she can be seen huffing and puffing up San Francisco’s hills on her steel-frame bicycle.

Jenna Miller graduated from San Francisco State University in 2025 with a B.S in Nutrition and Dietetics. Prior to SFSU, she attended Pasadena City College, where she earned an A.S in Nutrition and Dietetics in 2023. During her time at SFSU she was a member of the Student Nutrition and Dietetics Association (SNDA) and served as a leader of a sub-committee called EDucate, which focused on raising awareness about eating disorders and body dysmorphia. Jenna has diverse experience working as a physical therapy aide, where she gained one on one experience with patients. She also has a background in retail management, which helped strengthen her leadership, management, and customer service skills. She loves to be involved and give back to the community by volunteering at various food pantries or food programs, including 18 Reasons and Hunger Fund Pantry. Some of her favorite experiences volunteering is packaging meals for families in need and assisting children in cooking. Jenna looks forward to gaining hands-on experience during her dietetic internship to help explore her future professional goals. In her spare time she enjoys reading, hiking, crafting, going to the beach, trying new food places, and hanging out with family and friends.

Sahand Soltani-Nobakht has worked as a classical music performer and educator for many years. He graduated from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music with a Bachelor of Music (B.M.). While pursuing his Master of Music (M.M.) at the University of Michigan, Sahand developed a keen interest in the field of Nutrition and Dietetics. After enrolling in a clinical trial conducted by the University of Michigan Medical School, designed to test the effectiveness of various diets on gastrointestinal issues, he saw significant improvement in symptoms he had experienced since childhood. This experience sparked his curiosity about nutrition, inspired him to take courses in dietetics, and ultimately led him to pursue it as a career. Since graduation, Sahand has gained experience in meal preparation, feeding assistance, and food planning through In-Home Supportive Services. He has also volunteered with, and continues to volunteer with Second Harvest of Silicon Valley and Reaching Out. In addition to his passion for combating food insecurity, Sahand has developed a strong interest in diabetes management through nutritional intervention and plans to become a CDCES. Sahand continues to perform classical music, teach music at Los Gatos High School, and volunteer at the Humane Society Silicon Valley. His favorite hobbies also include hiking, attending coffee tastings, working out, and reading.  

Megan Raphael graduated summa cum laude with a BS in Nutrition and Dietetics from San Francisco State University in 2025. She also holds a BA in Environmental Studies, with a minor in Education, from UC Santa Cruz in 2012. After her first degree, Megan spent a few years involved in community and school garden programs, where she found immense purpose in using the garden as a tool to engage children and families in nutrition education, life-based science and environmental stewardship. At the height of the pandemic in 2020, Megan stepped out of the garden and into a new role as a mother, where her passion for nutrition continued to develop through the lens of raising a healthy family. During her senior year at SF State, she served as Treasurer of the Student Nutrition and Dietetics Association, which not only gave her new opportunities to collaborate with students and faculty, but it also gave her valuable insight into financial management. While earning her second degree, Megan worked at Kaiser Permanente San Francisco as a Nutrition Partner and gained foundational experience in the field of clinical nutrition. She enjoys going on outdoor adventures with her family, testing out new recipes, and crafting with her children.  

Lauren Weaver graduated from Brigham Young University in 2024 with a B.S. in Dietetics and a minor in Gerontology. During her undergraduate years, she gained experience in a variety of dietetics-related roles, including a cook at an extended living facility, a chart note volunteer at an outpatient clinic, a nutrition educator at the Huntsman World Senior Games, and a wellness newsletter volunteer for California WIC. During her final year at BYU, she contributed to a research project that was presented at FNCE 2024 and later published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. She was also involved as the vice president of the Gerontology Student Association, where she helped organize events for a club of over 300 members and was awarded with the Sant Gerontology Award for exceptional community service in the field. After graduation, Lauren moved to San Francisco and began her MS in Nutrition and Dietetics through Texas Tech University while working as a Wellness Coach at the YMCA. In this role she developed skills in motivational interviewing and behavior-change coaching. She is excited to continue exploring the field of dietetics and to expand her professional experience. In her free time, Lauren enjoys running, baking bread, caring for her plants, and spending time outdoors with her husband.