Internship
The internship site is the FoodRx Lab, under the direction of Dr. Rebecca Riverain at the Regenstrief Institute.
More information about the lab can be found here: https://www.regenstrief.org/person/rebecca-rivera/
Did you know that food-insecure patients are at higher risk of hospital readmission within 30 days of discharge, making nutrition-focused interventions a critical part of preventive care?
The mission of the FoodRx Lab is to improve population health by increasing food and nutrition security through research on healthcare-based interventions. This work matters because food insecurity affects health outcomes across our local and national communities, and the lab’s research helps healthcare systems create more equitable access to nutritious food.
American Society for Nutrition. (n.d.). Nutrition Research Improves Health [Infographic]. In American Society for Nutrition. Retrieved 2025, from https://nutrition.org/public-affairs/nutrition-research-agenda/
Please click to see the infographic in your browser
This infographic illustrates the national health and economic challenges that stem from poor nutrition, which are issues that directly connect to the work of the FoodRx Lab.
The graphic highlights how diet-related diseases, limited nutrition literacy, and inadequate access to healthy foods contribute to poor health outcomes and high medical costs, especially for vulnerable populations.
These themes align closely with the FoodRx Lab’s mission to improve population health by increasing food and nutrition security through healthcare-based interventions. By showing the broader context and urgency of nutrition research, the infographic emphasizes why the lab’s work is so important.
Project Summary
Food insecurity—limited or uncertain access to nutritious food—is a major public health issue affecting millions of people in the United States. It is closely linked to negative health outcomes, including chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and depression. The FoodRx Lab works to improve population health by increasing food and nutrition security through healthcare-based interventions.
This project explores how food insecurity is identified and documented by clinicians in patient medical records, with a particular focus on cancer patients. Using a nutrition informatics approach, the research analyzes electronic health records to understand how clinicians record information about patients’ food access. Natural language processing is used to examine clinical notes and identify terminology related to food insecurity within large healthcare data systems. The project also investigates factors that may influence whether food insecurity is documented, such as patient characteristics, clinical settings, and care practices.
Visitors to this project will learn how improving the recognition and documentation of food insecurity in healthcare can help clinicians better connect patients with nutrition resources and supportive programs. By highlighting the importance of documenting food insecurity in patient care, this work supports the development of more effective healthcare and community interventions that improve patient outcomes and advance population health.
Workplace
This year, I’ve been a reliable and collaborative team member who is willing to learn and contribute wherever needed. At the beginning of my internship, I was more of a learner—observing, asking questions, and building my confidence. As time went on, I became more proactive, taking initiative on tasks, contributing ideas, and working more independently.
My contributions supported the overall goals of the team by helping organize, analyze, and present information in a way that was useful for decision-making and outreach. Even tasks that seemed small, like cleaning data or preparing materials, were important because they ensured accuracy and made it easier for the team to do their work effectively.
By being consistent and detail-oriented, I helped create a stronger foundation for the project. This mattered because every part of the process contributes to the bigger mission, and without those smaller steps, the final outcomes would not be as effective.
Learning and growth
Since the fall, I’ve become more confident in my communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. For example, I’ve improved in explaining my work clearly to others, especially when working on data-related tasks. I’ve also grown more comfortable collaborating with my team, sharing ideas, and asking questions when needed.
Additionally, my technical confidence has increased. Through my internship and coursework, I’ve gained more experience organizing and working with data, which has helped me feel more capable in applying what I learn in class to real-world situations. I would like to continue improving my technical skills, especially in data analysis tools like Python and Tableau, as well as my confidence in taking initiative in unfamiliar situations. To grow these skills, I plan to work on personal projects, seek out more hands-on opportunities, and continue practicing outside of class. I also want to challenge myself to speak up more in team settings and take on leadership roles when possible.
My internship has helped me better understand how my coursework in computer science connects to real-world applications. Concepts like problem-solving, data organization, and logical thinking are not just theoretical—they are essential in completing actual projects. This experience has made my classes feel more meaningful because I can see how the skills I’m learning can be used to solve real problems, especially in areas like community outreach and social impact. It has strengthened my interest in data science and helped me feel more confident in my major.
Contact
I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities. Let's connect.
317-345-0496
