2018_02_07_FAR_delagarza

Ana Laura Isabel de la Garza Hernandez (E-MENU 10, PhD 14) came to the University with the goal to broaden her training in the field of Nutrition. The knowledge acquired in the EuropeanMaster's Degree in Food, Nutrition and Metabolism reaffirmed her purpose to go a step further and do the doctorate. All this background brought her back to her country, Mexico, where she is now a full professor at School of Public Health and Nutrition at the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León.

- What does your current work consist of?
committee I am a full professor at School of Public Health and Nutrition at the Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon (Monterrey, Mexico) and a researcher of the National System of Researchers (SNI) of the National System of Science and Technology (CONACYT).

My professors at postgraduate program and doctorate taught me, by their example, that an excellent teacher is one who makes study a habit, because you have to be up to date, especially in the area of Nutrition. Precisely my work consists of researching and teaching research in the sciences of Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics, as well as training competent professionals, with reflective and critical capacity with the information.

- How has Master's Degree E-MENU helped you in the development of your professional degree program ?
The Master's Degree gave me, on the one hand, an academic training of excellence -by providing me with cutting-edge knowledge in Nutrition- and provided me with spaces to put that knowledge on internship in the laboratory and through the development of the work end of Master's Degree. Overall I would say that it has helped me in my training integral .

Another thing that stands out a lot from my time at the University of Navarra is the personalized attention. In fact, it is something I try to put on internship with my students: helping them, motivating them and spreading the beauty of discovery is something I enjoy as an academic tutor. On the other hand, in order to become a researcher recognized by the National System of Researchers, my training at the University was essential, since from Master's Degree I was taught to do bibliographic searches, to write articles and to have criteria to decide which journal is the best to publish the article according to the content. All the knowledge, skills and competencies provided at Master's Degree have given me the opportunity to contribute to the development of science in my country (Mexico).

- What knowledge did you acquire that has proved to be differential in your professional degree program ?
Firstly, I would highlight the basic knowledge of research and development of the scientific method; secondly, knowing how to work with ethics, responsibility and spirit of service; and thirdly, the control of the latest trends in Nutrition.

- Why would you advise a graduate interested in the field of Nutrition to take the Master's Degree E-MENU program?
For several reasons: the first one is related to the academic field, since the program has professors who are competent professionals, referents in the area of Nutrition and health at an international level. On the other hand, I would advise doing the European Master's Degree in Food, Nutrition and Metabolism because of the autonomy that it generates in the student's profile to propose research projects aimed at solving current problems and because the program has numerous collaborations with industry, which financial aid to development of research projects that respond to real problems. Finally, the international environment also contributes to this integral training .

- Do you notice, at the international level, that Nutrition is gaining specific weight in the research?
Today, statistics show that the leading causes of death worldwide are ischemic heart disease and stroke. The development of these diseases can be prevented through a healthy lifestyle and good eating habits. In this sense, the science of nutrition is taking special interest in order to prevent and control non-communicable diseases, such as obesity and diabetes, which are reaching alarming figures.