by Jenni Hodges
When Sara Shuger Fox’s recent presentation in Qatar landed an invitation to speak in Abu Dhabi, she immediately called to invite Central College senior Andrea Arthofer.
Together, Arthofer and Shuger Fox, assistant professor of exercise science, prepared research on how vitamin D deficiency affects muscle strength. Then, they traveled 7,000 miles to participate in the Abu Dhabi Annual International Conferences on Vitamin D Deficiency and Human Health.
“This was my first-ever conference,” Arthofer said, “so for that to be international and to be a coauthor was very cool.”
Shuger Fox says she strives to include students in conferences, where they discover a surprising amount of networking — opening new collaborations with other researchers, invitations to other projects and even job offers. “I love to show students that conferences are worth your time — there’s a huge amount of professional development,” says Shuger Fox. “International conferences are even more educational, teaching students to learn from other cultures.”
Sara Shuger Fox, assistant professor of exercise science (left), and senior Andrea Arthofer explore the United Arab Emirates together during a trip to present research in Abu Dhabi.
Central’s Student Senate helped make the trip possible, providing funding for Andrea to share the experience.
An exercise science major from Zwingle, Iowa, Arthofer has been Shuger Fox’s assistant for two years. Arthofer set out to prepare for a career in physical therapy, but a class on sports nutrition captured her interest. Since then, Arthofer has helped Shuger Fox research course topics and completed her own study of nutrition among collegiate athletes. Also, Arthofer and several classmates recently presented a wellness policy reform project to Pella Community Schools.
Now Arthofer has decided medical school is her next step — the best way to combine all she wants to study. After studying abroad on Central’s Healthcare in Yucatan program, she began volunteering at a Spanish-speaking medical clinic for underserved patients in Des Moines. And in Pella, she volunteers at Wesley Life locations to support exercise and nutrition programs for local seniors.
“You can’t make a career decision just from classes,” Arthofer says. “You have to observe, get experience and watch professionals in the field, or you really don’t know what the job entails.”
Arthofer said her honors seminar with Shuger Fox, Food as Medicine, especially roused her curiosity. Following the class, Arthofer landed an internship with the author of their text, naturopath Pamela Popper, at Wellness Forum Health in Worthington, Ohio. During her internship, Arthofer researched health topics to develop new materials for Popper’s clients. “Dr. Popper said, ‘If you have any more students like this, send them my way,’” said Shuger Fox.
Arthofer is going to be a great physician, says Shuger Fox, and she’s glad to help her on the way. This summer, Shuger Fox is helping launch eight other Central students into amazing experiences — she will spend five weeks leading a new undergraduate research program in Costa Rica.