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Student Spotlight - Nasser Alnowaif

Nasser Alnowaif is a senior majoring in nutritional sciences and minoring in biology and natural science. He is a HHD Ambassador and the president of the Penn State Book Club.
As an HHD Ambassador since fall 2024, he has used his passion for nutritional sciences and his time as a student to meet with prospective students and families to share what experiences and resources are available to students in the college and department.
The HHD Ambassador program has allowed Nasser to further develop his public speaking and interpersonal skills through 1-on-1 student meetings and participating in large-scale student panels. The program also recently awarded him the Most Valuable Department Representative award for 2025.

In addition to being an HHD Ambassador, Nasser is also the president of the Penn State Book Club and enjoys leading discussions on the book the club is currently reading. When not facilitating conversations about the latest thriller or adventure novel, Nasser is also an active member of the Student Nutrition Association, the Culinary Medicine Club, and volunteers at The Lion’s Pantry.
"I joined the Culinary Medicine Club because I believe that food is medicine and prevention is key to a healthy life, rather than waiting to get sick and relying on treatment."

Nasser’s interest in human metabolism and biochemistry led him to pursue nutritional sciences, and he will be working in the Cardiometabolic Health and Diet Lab during the summer to gain experience in working with study participants and running clinical trials.
I am truly driven by curiosity and the desire to help others through scientific research.
Nasser Alnowaif
He will be graduating in fall 2025 and plans to continue his education to learn more about nutrient metabolism, the gut microbiome, and how they and individuals’ diet influences their overall health.
“I’m working toward becoming a clinical scientist, so I may contribute to research that can help better understand how nutrition impacts health at a molecular level and to directly improve patient outcomes," Nasser said. "I am truly driven by curiosity and the desire to help others through scientific research.”