Healthcare

Bachelor of Science in Nutrition

Abir Mirza
Clinical Allergy Specialist

Abir Mirza, originally from London, graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and currently works in Dallas as a clinical allergy specialist. Her work involves conducting allergy tests on patients, performing immunotherapy treatments for the allergies that occur, and making medications required for immunotherapy. She enjoys spending time with friends and family and reading.

Why did you choose to pursue a degree in nutrition?

I decided to pursue a degree in nutrition [based on] a personal interest. I was always curious about how certain foods can affect our diets and how as we age, we need to make sure we have certain foods and vitamins. To me, proper nutrition is a crucial aspect that should be important in everyoneís lives, no matter what age.

Was the course of study what you expected?

Yes. I was glad I got to experience a variety of classes during the course of my study. I not only learned what was important for me to stay healthy, but what’s important for others in different age groups and from different ethnic backgrounds.

How has your degree influenced and impacted your career? How much does it apply to your current work?

My degree does not really apply to my current job at the moment. I always wanted to pursue a profession that helps people in any way or form, and I feel that helping patients cure their allergies is important.

What are some of the skills you learned while earning your degree that you have been able to apply to your career? How have you applied them?

I learned how certain foods and environments can change the perspective of our daily lives for people. For example, in nutrition, an environment could be perfectly adequate for one person, but harmful for another. The same applies when it comes to allergies.

What advice do you have for prospective students who are interested in this major?

In daily life, people consume many different foods without realizing how harmful they can be to a personís body. People should pursue this major if they feel that it is important to gain an understanding of nutrition for their own health and for others.

Is there anything you would do differently regarding this degree?

I may have decreased emphasis on some of the scientific aspects and focused more on the logic of the nutrition.

How will you incorporate your undergraduate degree into your future goals?

I graduated with a major in nutrition, but I am pursing law school in the fall. I want to pursue health law and work in malpractice against health professionals who abuse their knowledge and use it for personal gain. After receiving a degree in nutrition, I think it is crucial that I help others understand the correct things about nutrition; those who bend the rules regarding health care only cause troubles for others and themselves.