Abstract
As dietitians strive to remain a critical component of the integrative healthcare system, evidence-based practice must be driven by scientifically and methodologically sound research. Optimally, dietitians should be equitable investigators in all facets of the research process; however, currently our education system does not support this type of participation. The purpose of this program is to pair graduate dietetic students with experienced researchers, providing the opportunity for research from protocol origination to data presentation. This was accomplished by identifying researchers and clinicians who would participate as preceptors. Preceptors provided research areas prior to the first semester each year. Within the first semester, the graduate intern students completed an original protocol and Institutional Review Board application. Concomitantly, students were guided through the protocol by didactic work in a required course. The second semester, 5 hours weekly, was dedicated to data collection and analysis, cumulating in an oral presentation. Future goals include research manuscripts and data on practice impact.