September Member Spotlight – Levi Teigen

I am currently a post-doctoral associate in the department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at the University of Minnesota. It is a bit of a unique appointment where I have both clinical and research responsibilities. My clinical work is as part of the luminal GI team and focuses primarily on inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome. My research is broadly aimed at exploring the role of diet in modulating composition and function of the gut microbiota and potential implications for clinical nutrition.

The opportunity to conduct both clinical care and research is incredibly valuable. Oftentimes the two disciplines are somewhat siloed, which can result in important clinical questions not being pursued or research with limited clinical applicability. My current role, however, provides me with the opportunity to generate clinical research questions and conduct the research necessary to begin answering those questions.

In a word: funding. Conducting research requires obtaining funding that is, unfortunately, becoming increasingly more competitive.

My MAND membership has provided me, and continues to provide me, with an invaluable understanding of the diverse roles that nutrition professionals fill. My work experience has been primarily clinical and research-based, but MAND has introduced me to an immense (relatively local) network of dietitians that seem to encompass everything food touches. From a patient-care perspective MAND has provided me with the resources to connect patients with nutrition professionals at local grocery stores, on college campuses, or with meal delivery services.

I am very excited about the future of nutrition and dietetics. Interest in the gut microbiota has introduced the understanding that food not only has the potential for direct health effects, but also indirect effects through the gut microbiota. This has enormous, and still relatively unexplored, potential and implications for the future of nutrition and dietetics

I enjoy running or swimming as activities to manage stress and my favorite hobbies are probably drinking coffee and reading