Jinee Burdg was born in Seoul, South Korea February 20th, 1985. She was later adopted by Thomas and Katharine Burdg and spent her childhood in sunny suburbs of California, Arizona, and Georgia. Ms. Burdg is a diligent, conscientious team member in any activity she involves herself in, especially her service to the community. In high school, she established a community service club for her peers, the Starr's Mill High School chapter of the Junior Octagon Optimist Club International. She spent the summer of 2005 in Shanghai, China and plans to study the dietary composition and disease prevalence between China and the United States during her career. During fall semester of 2006, Ms. Burdg completed a 125 hour practicum at St. Mary's Health Care System in Athens, Georgia. Ms. Burdg graduated from the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia with a Bachelor's of Science degree in dietetics from the College of Family and Consumer Sciences May 12th, 2007. Ms. Burdg plans further to advocate for the institution of dietitians and promote the merit of medical nutrition therapy and the merit of dietitians' involvement within the health care community and the legislative community.

Jennifer Carlson enters the program with a Bachelors of Science in Dietetics along with a minor in Psychology from Virginia Tech. Born and raised in Northern Virginia, Jennifer began dance training at the age of three, most likely cultivating her interest in health and nutrition at an early age through the discipline and self-awareness the art of dance teaches. While Jennifer wishes she could study everything nutrition-related, her interest lies in nutrition education, food and nutrition policy and public health. She has spent the past two summers working on various projects for USDA's Food and Nutrition Service as an intern in the Child Nutrition Division and then the Food Distribution Division. Jennifer relishes spending time with friends and family. Other interests include reading, independent music, politics and sharp journalism, cooking, Hokie football, and working towards being a globe-trekker.

Monica, a native to Montgomery County, MD has always had an interest in food and nutrition. As a varsity athlete at the University of Mary Washington she realized how essential a proper diet is for daily athletic performance and attitude. She has never turned back since. After completing a biology degree from the Mary Washington she jumped right into the University of Maryland's Dietetics program. She has balanced the book learning at Maryland through various jobs and internships in the area. She worked with the University of Maryland dietitian performing diet analysis for students, faculty and staff. She has also worked at various Cooperative Extension offices designing and delivering nutrition education lessons and even worked at the USDA Human Studies Facility preparing and assisting in food related research studies. Monica loves trying new things and is excited about everything that she will learn throughout the internship. She remains a rower still lusting after the water, a novice snowboarder, a world traveler, a baker at heart, a believer in relaxing with a good book, spending time with friends and family, and otherwise exercising to balance out the day.

Laryessa England comes to the program with a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and a Master of Science in Dietetic Administration from the University of Kentucky. Her interest in nutrition began while working in a pharmacy and learning the importance of nutrition on many different disease states. Within the last two years, Laryessa has been a teaching assistant, a personal health coach, co-investigator on a Crohn's disease study and has helped to update materials on a weight loss program.  In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, playing tennis, and cooking.

Heather enters the UMCP internship with a Bachelors of Science degree in dietetics and Secondary Education. Heather's interest in food began when she decided to become a vegetarian at the age of 15 and her mom would only allow her to continue if she kept her iron up. A career in nutrition did not present itself until after being a Russian linguist in the Army, a Starbucks Manager and a 7th/8th grade Science Teacher. Heather has worked with WIC Works Resource System for the last two and a half years and hopes to work in a community nutrition setting in the future. Heather also hopes to earn a Masters in Public Health degree after becoming a Registered Dietitian. Heather enjoys spending her spare time with her husband reading, watching baseball, listening to music and being outdoors.

Priscilla was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She comes to the program with a Masters of Science degree in Human Nutrition from Drexel University. Priscilla has prior experience as a registered nurse in the clinical and home care setting. She has been interested in nutrition for as long as she can remember. Some of her most memorable experiences in the area of nutrition include: volunteering as an educator for the Penn State EFNEP Program, teaching diabetes education classes in community health centers and working with parents, teachers and students as a nutrition educator for the School District of Philadelphia's "Eat Right Now" program. These experiences have helped to focus Priscilla's interest on the role of nutrition and physical activity in disease prevention, especially in the prevention of childhood overweight and type 2 diabetes in youth. Priscilla is the mother of two boys Amin and Chris. In her spare time she enjoys conducting community presentations on nutrition and diabetes, line dancing, movies, music, being at the beach, and spending time with her family and friends.

Libby from Charlottesville, VA comes to the program with a bachelor of science in Dietetics from Radford University. Libby was a college swimmer who has a long-term interest in health and fitness. This interest lead her to the idea of a career in sports nutrition, her studies at Radford expanded her views of nutrition and its many different aspects. At Radford Libby was involved in the student dietetic association as well as many other extra curricular activities, such as tutoring other student athletes and helping with the local Happy Feet Walking program sponsored by Virginia's Action for Healthy Children. She expanded her knowledge for foodservice by working in a local gelato and coffee shop. Libby has a strong interest in combining physical fitness and nutrition at many different levels. She continues to swim after college, has developed a strong interest for running and plans to begin competing in triathlons.

Gina Lesako is a 2007 graduate of Kent State University in Kent, Ohio where she received a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition. She was the president of the Student Dietetic Association and a member of Alpha Phi Omega, National Co-Ed Service Fraternity, and a student member of the Greater Akron Dietetic Association. Other activities included teaching spinning classes at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center and the Catholic Student Association. Academically, she has been named to the President's List and Dean's List for the College of Arts and Sciences. She was also awarded with the Outstanding Senior Award for the Family and Consumer Sciences department. Her interests are working out, watching sports, cooking, and traveling.