Lily Sebastian, a nutritional sciences graduate from Texas Woman’s University (TWU), is leveraging her academic experiences to influence the medical field, particularly in women's health. Sebastian, who graduated in May 2021, discovered the significance of research during her time at TWU and aims to integrate nutrition with obstetric care as she prepares for medical school.
Read More
Her choice to major in nutrition stems from a lifelong interest in healthy eating, inspired by her mother, combined with her ambition to become an obstetrician. "I love food, and my mom has always been a proponent of healthy eating, demonstrating that healthy food can taste great," she stated. "I also believe studying nutrition will give me a great foundation for my future in health care."
Sebastian was proactive in her research pursuits, starting early in her college career. As a freshman, she collaborated with a graduate student and later initiated her own project as a sophomore. Her research focuses on the effects of whey protein in managing symptoms for women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), a condition that affects many women. "Ever since high school, I have been interested in women’s health," she noted, emphasizing the need for more research on reproductive disorders.
Her findings suggest that whey protein may help stabilize blood glucose levels, which is particularly relevant for women with PCOS who are often insulin resistant. This dietary approach could offer an alternative to conventional treatment options like birth control pills and metformin, which can have undesirable side effects.
Sebastian has presented her work at regional and national conferences and co-authored a published paper with Shane Broughton, PhD, and Monique LeMieux, PhD. Beyond her research, she actively participated in various campus organizations, including the Honors Program and the Pre-Health Club. She was also a Chancellor’s Endowed Scholar and contributed to the TWU Health and Wellbeing initiative.
“Getting involved on campus allowed me to meet new people and have incredible experiences,” said Sebastian, who highlighted the supportive environment created by the faculty. “The amount of care they take in helping students was exceptional.”
Sebastian is now set to continue her journey by attending the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine at Texas Tech University’s Health Science Center in El Paso, with aspirations of making a significant impact in health care as an obstetrician.