Our Team
This year's 2024-2025 TSDA officer team is very excited to create new opportunities and provide as many resources and experiences to our members! Visit our Instagram to learn more about our officers and feel free to reach out to any of us at any time!
officer bios
Nirali Patel - President
My name is Nirali Patel, and I’m majoring in Human Nutrition with a minor in Psychology at the University of Houston. I aspire to become a dietitian with a focus on research that explores the connection between nutrition and behavioral health. As president, I hope to bring more awareness to how someone’s emotional state can influence their eating behaviors. I also look forward to learning from professionals, fellow officers, and members about the many career paths within dietetics.​
In my free time, I enjoy practicing yoga and am currently working toward my yoga teacher certification, with the goal of integrating yoga into my future nutrition practice. I also love writing poetry, reading, and going for long nature walks and bike rides.
Hannah Escobar - Secretary
Hello! My name is Hannah Escobar and I am so excited to serve you as TSDA’s secretary! In May of 2024, I earned my Bachelor of Science in Nutrition at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and I am currently pursuing my Master’s of Science in Dietetics at UTRGV. I believe nutrition counseling is vital for communities across Texas, and aim to explore and pursue community focused pathways as a registered dietitian in hopes to improve preventative nutrition care.
I love to spend time with my family and friends. I enjoy baking, cooking, trying new foods, nature walks, scrapbooking, and shopping! I am thrilled to work alongside the new officer team and so thankful for the opportunity to grow professionally.
Chiara Estrella - Treasurer
My name is Chiara Estrella, and I am excited to be serving as Treasurer for the 2025-2026 term! I am in the second year of my Master’s program in Dietetics at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and will be graduating in May of 2026. I completed my Bachelor of Science in Nutrition at the University of Texas in Austin and was able to work for a few years as a dietetic technician (NDTR) before deciding I wanted to continue my path to becoming a registered dietitian. My hobbies besides nutrition include lifting weights at the gym, traveling, creating Canva and website designs, and painting!
Viviana Ponce - President Elect
Hi! My name is Viviana (Vivi) B. Ponce, and I am so excited to be the President-Elect for the 2025-2026 academic year! In the last year I was a TSDA liaison for my school and I was able to meet and connect with so many amazing students and the officers. I am grateful to join the officers this year! Recently, I graduated from UIW with my Bachelor’s of Science in Nutrition. I am so blessed to be attending the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Master’s of Science in Dietetics program this fall. I am eager to learn about nutrition in an area which is close to home. Dietetics is a passion of mine as it combines science with food. I believe it is important that these are empathetically addressed to improve wellness.
I enjoy getting my steps in and cooking with my family. I also have a chaotic, fun Husky named Bubba! Other hobbies I enjoy are shopping, coloring, and baking. TSDA is a fantastic organization which I encourage you to be involved in! I look forward to connecting and interacting with students across Texas!
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