The Maternal & Child Nutrition Traineeship

Our Program

The Maternal & Child Nutrition Traineeship at the University of Minnesota aims to reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes among maternal and child populations by training the future MCH nutrition workforce and supporting the current MCH Nutrition Workforce through three activities:

Mentoring and specialized training through traineeships for public health nutrition students with MCH nutrition interests
Continuing education for the future and current MCH and PHN workforces through the National Maternal Nutrition Intensive Course and the Bright Spots Mini-lab
Technical assistance (TA) to organizations serving MCH populations, focusing on Title V and WIC programs, as well as those involved with Food is Medicine services

Trainee Spotlight: Gabi Meraz-Fishbein

My name is Gabriela Meraz-Fishbein, and I am from Albuquerque, New Mexico! I received my undergraduate degree in Public Health from Fort Lewis College, where I also completed minors in Nutrition and Borders and Languages and played collegiate soccer. In my free time, I love spending time outdoors and enjoy playing soccer, running, and skiing. Some of my favorite foods include breakfast burritos, mangos, and enchiladas!

Click through the questions below to learn about Gabi's experience in the traineeship.

Read more about our trainees and all they have accomplished on our trainee profiles page.

What brought you to the University of Minnesota?

During the application process, the University of Minnesota stood out to me because of the strength of its School of Public Health and the renowned faculty within the program. I was especially impressed by the infrastructure and partnerships in place, the local impact of research being conducted at the University, and the variety of fields which graduates from the Public Health Nutrition program are currently working in. I was drawn to the opportunity to learn from faculty who are leaders in their fields while also gaining hands-on experience as a trainee.

How would you describe your work on the traineeship to a prospective student?

My work on the traineeship has mainly been focused on our WIC POPS project, which has provided me with experience in conducting focus groups, analyzing qualitative data, and developing research administration skills. By contributing to this ongoing research project, I have been able to learn more about the process of conducting public health research from the planning and data collection stages through analysis. This year I will be working as a Teaching Assistant, which will allow me to improve my skills in collaborating with students and translating public health content into an educational setting. The traineeship has helped me gain confidence in my research skills and better understand how research can inform policies and programs.

What have you found valuable about your experience as a trainee?

One of the most valuable aspects of the traineeship has been the opportunity to contribute to meaningful research projects while working closely with a principal investigator (PI) and other members of the research team. I've gained a better understanding of the work that goes into supporting public health research and how research questions guide data collection, analysis, and future practice. I have also found it valuable to apply the knowledge and skills I've learned in class to the research I am working on. Additionally, learning about the work my fellow trainees are conducting has exposed me to new areas of MCH nutrition and opportunities within the field.

What advice would you share with prospective students interested in the MCH Nutrition Traineeship?

My biggest piece of advice would be to vocalize your interests about MCH nutrition early on and take advantage of opportunities to ask questions and learn from the professionals you interact with throughout your time as a trainee. The traineeship provides many opportunities to explore different areas of MCH nutrition, so I would encourage students to communicate what they are interested in while also remaining open to new experiences! Being proactive about your interests can help you get the most out of the traineeship. I would also encourage students to take the time to learn from the other trainees as their experiences and interests can introduce you to new perspectives on MCH nutrition.

Alumni Spotlight: Michelle Trumpy

I was a trainee while I was in the Public Health Nutrition MPH program. The traineeship was an important part of my early professional development, especially as a first-generation college student with Pell Grants to support my undergraduate education. I appreciated the variety of work and gaining real-world skills such as project management, working with a variety of professionals, and problem solving.

One of the most valuable pieces of advice I received during my traineeship was that there was no “perfect” job and that I would take my public health training and perspective to whatever work I would do after graduation. That perspective was so helpful when I didn’t land my dream job immediately.

My career has taken many (exciting) twists and turns to get to my current position as senior director of student wellbeing and health promotion at the University of Minnesota. This role feels like a full-circle moment because I’m coming back to campus where I got my MPH 20 years ago. I oversee a team of public health professionals who take a systems change approach to improving student wellbeing. I love working with students –our future is bright! My biggest piece of advice is to continue to make all the connections you can. I often say public health is a team sport–you can’t do the work alone, and it’s amazing how many of those connections you’ll tap into wherever your career takes you.

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