UNF professor celebrates 10 years of mentoring future nutrition leaders

UNF’s Alireza Jahan-mihan has spent decades exploring nutrition’s impact, from hospital corridors to the food industry, and his own clinic. 

Jahan-mihan, a UNF associate professor of nutrition and dietetics, began his career as a dietitian for a large hospital and then ventured into the food industry before opening his own nutrition clinic and earning his doctorate in nutrition from the University of Toronto.   

Jahan-mihan says it’s these experiences that helped shape his passion for nutrition.   

“The field of nutrition and dietetics is a fascinating field — there’s always something new to learn,” said Jahan-mihan. “Nutrition is a big part of our lives and every time we choose what to eat, we’re thinking about how it might help or harm our health.”   

Teaching and mentoring have been the highlights of his career. Shortly after joining the UNF faculty in 2015, he launched a monthly newsletter, NutriNews. 

“The main purpose of NutriNews was to offer students invaluable real-world experiences, sharpen their writing and critical thinking skills, and provide teamwork in a professional publishing environment,” Jahan-mihan said. “There’s a misconception that certain foods are strictly good or bad, but it’s really about balance and moderation and that’s the mission of the newsletter.”  

Students have contributed content for NutriNews and eventually established a UNF Club, that is actively engaged on social media to further promote nutrition awareness. The Club and newsletter have expanded internationally, facilitating a global exchange of ideas, experiences, research and perspectives with nutrition students from Mexico, Denmark and Iran.   

“The mission is to provide clear, science-based answers to the complex questions surrounding nutrition. Genetics, metabolism, gut health and lifestyle, all play a role in how our bodies respond to food,” Jahan-mihan said. 

UNF juniors Hailey Pond and Sarah Turner, both majoring in nutrition and dietetics, serve as co-editors-in-chief of NutriNews.  

“This role has taught me so much about the importance of reporting accurate nutrition information, because there are so many misconceptions about nutrition out there,” said Pond. “I’ve also learned leadership skills, effective communication, time management and organizational skills.”   

Turner agrees, adding that serving as co-editor-in-chief has deepened her understanding of nutrition science and allowed her to bridge academic learning with practical application.   

“I enjoy getting feedback from readers about topics we’ve written about,” Turner said. “It’s motivating, especially when readers say they look forward to reading more each month. It makes it all worth it.”   

The editorial board of NutriNews comprises of 20 undergraduate students who take on various roles including writing articles.   

“As faculty advisor of NutriNews, guiding this initiative has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my work,” said Jahan-mihan. “Looking ahead, I am confident that NutriNews will continue to grow, reaching a wider audience and offering even greater opportunities for students.”