The McLean Scholarship for Vegetarian Nutrition

Description

This is a scholarship for doctoral students interested in conducting research on vegetarian nutrition. Each year up to one or two students may be eligible for this award. The scholarship is in the amount of $15,000 per year. The scholarship will be for a period of up to three years. The funds are distributed quarterly to the student campus account. Final award decisions are determined by the department doctoral committee.

Students who receive this scholarship are expected to assist faculty in specified activities for a certain number of hours every week. Students will work under the supervision of a research faculty to whom they will submit progress reports regularly. Students will also be required to assist their research advisor in writing publishable papers beyond that required for their doctoral thesis.

Background

In the past 40 years, scientific endeavors in the area of vegetarian nutrition have progressively shifted from investigating dietary concerns held by nutritionists and other health professionals to creative solutions for various medical conditions and preventive approaches to chronic diseases. Although professional interest in vegetarian nutrition has now reached unprecedented levels, scientific knowledge regarding vegetarian diets and their effects on human health is far from complete. The McLean Scholarship for Vegetarian Nutrition was established in 1969 and has been a source of support for much important research.

Loma Linda University has been on the cutting edge of vegetarian research from the beginning. Since 1987, the Department of Nutrition has coordinated the International Congress on Vegetarian Nutrition. A visit to the website for this congress at www.vegetariannutrition.org will provide a scope of where research on vegetarian nutrition has been and where it is going. There are many opportunities for important studies with pubic health implications ranging from dietary adequacy to chronic disease prevention to food sustainability to global warming. Recipients of this scholarship will have a variety of prospects for dissertation topics.

Requirements

Candidates must have a master's degree in nutrition, epidemiology, or a related field (i.e. food science, biology, etc.). An incoming GPA of 3.5 or better is required and must be maintained during the doctoral program. Candidates should possess proven quantitative skills as well as professional English writing skills and must be eligible to attend school in the United States for the duration of their program. US citizenship is not required. Applicants must have an active application for admission to Loma Linda University, Department of Nutrition.

How to apply

Please submit

1. A detailed personal statement addressing the following items:
   1. areas of research interests (broad scope)
   2. specific research interests (if any
   3. long term career/professional goals
   4. description of skills that you currently have in: lab work, computer use, writing, public presentations, research experience, publications (include a copy if any), and teaching
2. A one-page summary of your research (or practicum project) completed for your master's program
3. A brief proposal on a specific research hypothesis that pertains vegetarian nutrition. This should include background on the topic, hypothesis to be tested, brief outline of research methods to be employed and significance of this project to science and public health. This proposal should not exceed 4 pages (12-font size, double space).
4. One recommendation letter by mail (sealed and mailed separately) from your research advisor (master's degree) or academic advisor, specifically commenting on your research skills, analytical thinking, independent working ability, writing for scientific journals, etc.

These should be submitted as attachments to an email. In the text of the email, or by cover letter, clearly state your willingness and interest in conducting research in the area of vegetarian nutrition. All documents should be addressed to:

Dr. Sujatha Rajaram
srajaram@llu.edu

The letter of recommendation and any documents that cannot be emailed should be sent to:
Dr. Sujatha Rajaram
Doctoral Scholarship Program
Department of Nutrition, NH 1102
School of Public Health
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA

Acceptance of applications for this scholarship is ongoing.