Annual Meeting
2022 ANCE will be virtual on Friday, March 25th.
Massachusetts Dietitians Education Foundation (MDEF)
| Launch an RD, get a tax deduction!
The Scholarship fund needs your help desperately. With just a $5 donation you can help fund three $1500 scholarships for this year. Donate today! |
Easily donate through:
- Venmo - @mdef-mass. This account is located under "Business Accounts" in Venmo.
- PayPal - click the donate button below
- Check - Mailing address: Massachusetts Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, PO BOX 68, Medway, MA 02053
About MDEF
The Massachusetts Dietitian’s Education Foundation (MDEF) is a nonprofit (501c3) organization founded by the Massachusetts Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (MAND). Its purpose is to serve as a fundraising and charitable foundation for nutrition in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with the goal of providing financial support for the education and recognition of dietitians in the form of scholarships and awards. Every year MDEF provides scholarships to outstanding individuals seeking undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees and dietetic internships in the field of nutrition.
Scholarship applications are open for 2022!
The MDEF scholarship applications for 2022 are now open. This year we will be giving out two MDEF scholarships and one MDEF Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) scholarship, each in the amount of $1500. Applicants may apply to both the MDEF and DEI scholarships but can only be selected to win one scholarship.
All applications are due by May 31. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Please email any questions to Lisa Lombardini at massmdef@gmail.com. Thank you!
MDEF Scholarship Application 2022:
MDEF DEI Scholarship Application 2022:
| To Donate to the Scholarship Fund:
With only a very modest endowment that does not generate sufficient funds to be self-sustaining, we rely on member donations and sponsors to keep the scholarships going. Click Donate below to make your gift to MDEF. |
| Volunteers Wanted:
MDEF is seeking volunteers with fundraising experience to help raise funding for scholarships. Please consider donating your time in exchange for flexible hours, nice colleagues and the satisfaction that your efforts are going to a critical purpose. For more information, email Lisa Lombardini MS, RD, LDN at massMDEF@gmail.com. |
Meet Our 2021 MDEF and DEI Scholarship Winners:
Lauren Mahoney
Dietetic Intern at Brigham and Women's
My background in Culinary Arts sparked my interest in the science behind food, which led me to pursue my Bachelor’s in dietetics as well as complete a Master’s degree in Business and Analytics. In the long term I see myself working as a dietitian within companies or schools to help transform the nutritional value of their products or what they are serving.
Bi-sek Hsiao
Dietetic Intern and Doctoral Student at UMass Amherst
I am a mother, food-grower, and PhD candidate with special interests in supporting breastfeeding and food sovereignty movements.
Frederick Durso
Master's and CPD Student at Framingham State University
I decided to switch careers and enter dietetics after spending more than a decade as a journalist/communication specialist for an array of publications and nonprofits in both Philadelphia and Greater Boston. Wherever my career takes me, I'd love to weave in my journalism background and create science-based content for the general public, craft stories on nutrition-related issues, or become a source for reporters.
Meg Salvia
Doctoral Student at Harvard University
I've been a practicing dietitian specializing in eating disorders and diabetes, and my doctoral studies in Nutritional Epidemiology will focus on the intersection of these two conditions. I hope to continue to bridge both the practice and academic worlds to help dietitians work with clients and improve patient experiences and outcomes.
Mariarosaria Corbo
Dietetic Intern at UMass Amherst
Growing up in Italy, home of Mediterranean Culture and Diet, helped me shape my keen interest for food, and graduating from the Master of Nutrition at UMass Amherst strengthened my passion for food with evidence-based knowledge. During my future practice as a dietitian, I aim to be an advocate for food justice and equality and believe that “Food is prevention” and should be a universal human right.
MDEF Tax ID: 04-6116736
