Jordan
How can I pursue a PhD in research on nutrition affecting behavioral health regarding autism (?
How can I pursue a PhD in research on nutrition affecting behavioral health regarding autism? I am currently a Registered Behavior Technician II with a BA in psychology, and I witness firsthand how much nutrition can impact behavior. However, there are a lot of hoops to jump through for me to be able to conduct the research I want to do, and I am not exactly sure how to navigate through them. In my undergraduate program, I took a nutrition class and learned how artificial sugar impacts cognitive performance, and I realized how unaware the general population is regarding proper nutrition. Thus, I could see the behavioral difference in some of my clients based on the kinds of foods they ate and the severity and frequency of maladaptive behaviors, attention abilities, and energy levels. As of right now, I am thinking I need to attend a community college to attain a Nutritional Specialist certification and an Associate of Science degree for the prerequisites before I pursue a graduate degree in nutritional sciences. Additionally, I have vaguely looked into it, but I am still trying to find a school that conducts research related to my ideal research area.
2 answers
Stella Giraldella
Stella’s Answer
My first recommendation would be to focus on finding researchers and research labs that align with your interests before selecting a specific graduate program. Look for professors studying autism spectrum disorder, nutrition, feeding behaviors, the gut-brain connection, cognitive development, or behavioral health. In research careers, finding the right mentor is often more important than finding the right school.
I would also encourage you to gain research experience as early as possible. Whether through volunteering, assisting in a lab, or participating in research projects, these experiences will strengthen your graduate school applications and help you better understand the scientific process.
You may need some additional coursework in nutrition, biology, chemistry, or physiology, but that does not necessarily mean you need another degree. Many graduate programs allow students from different academic backgrounds to complete prerequisite courses before beginning advanced research.
As a parent, I had the opportunity to participate in the MetA-Bone Trial at Florida International University (FIU), a long-term research study that monitored bone development in children. My son participated in the study for several years, and our family was actively involved throughout the entire process. He followed specific nutrition and supplement protocols, completed laboratory testing, MRI and X-ray evaluations, attended appointments with dietitians, and met regularly with the research team.
For me, one of the most rewarding aspects of the experience was seeing how researchers, healthcare professionals, dietitians, and families worked together toward a common goal. As a parent, it was reassuring to know that my son's health and development were being closely monitored. At the same time, it was fascinating to witness how nutrition research is conducted and how scientific studies can improve our understanding of health and human development. The experience gave me a deep appreciation for research and the impact it can have on individuals, families, and future generations.
Your experience working directly with individuals on the autism spectrum provides a perspective that many researchers do not have. You see firsthand how behavior, attention, energy levels, and overall well-being can be affected by many factors, including nutrition. Those observations can help generate meaningful research questions that have real-world applications.
My advice is to stay curious, gain research experience, build your scientific foundation, and seek mentors who are already studying the topics that interest you. You are already much closer to this career path than you may realize. Your psychology background, behavioral health experience, and passion for nutrition could make you an excellent candidate for interdisciplinary research focused on autism and nutritional sciences.
James Hanson
James’s Answer
Do some searching in Google Scholar about the topics you are interested in, and you will find scientist authors who are published in these areas. Then you can find out where they are professors and write to them for their recommendations.