By: Grace Huff
For Kaylyn Koons, MS, RD, LD, a clinical dietician at the Fixel Institute, the path to a career in nutrition began with her upbringing. Growing up in Gainesville with both parents working in healthcare, she always carried an interest in health promotion. Initially on a pre-med track at The Ohio State University, her career took a turn when she joined a nutrition research lab. That experience revealed to her just how powerful nutrition could be in preventing and managing disease. “That experience shifted my path to dietetics,” she recalled. “I realized nutrition could truly change people’s quality of life.”
Koons is a PhD student in Nutritional Sciences at UF, working in the lab of Wendy Dahl, PhD, where her research focuses on neuronutrition, an emerging field dedicated to understanding the role of diet in brain health and neurological conditions. Her professional journey has also brought her to the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at UF Health, where she works as a dietitian providing direct patient care while advancing research.
“Dietitians are an essential part of the healthcare team,” Koons said. “At the Fixel Institute, we have the unique opportunity to integrate into the multidisciplinary model of care. If a speech-language pathologist identifies swallowing difficulties, for example, we collaborate with them to ensure patients get the nutrition they need while still following safe meal modifications. That kind of teamwork makes a tangible difference.”
Her work is deeply personal. Koons’ grandmother passed away from ALS, a loss that shaped her perspective and deepened her commitment to neurological care. “It gave me a deep understanding of how neurological diseases affect not only patients but also their families,” she said. “Now, I feel fortunate to support individuals living with these conditions, combining my professional expertise with my personal appreciation of the challenges they face.”
Research Contributions
Koons’ academic career has already been marked by significant contributions to nutrition science. Her study, Reliability of the MIND Diet Screener in Older Adults: A Brief Tool to Assess Adherence to a Brain-Healthy Dietary Pattern, was accepted in July 2025 by the Journal of the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.
She also presented the study protocol for her current project, Relationships between Hydration, Nutritional Status, and Non-motor Symptoms in Parkinson’s Disease, at the American Society for Nutrition (ASN) Conference in Orlando in June 2025. She is now recruiting participants for the cross-sectional pilot study.
Beyond neuronutrition, Koons has contributed to broader nutrition science as well. She delivered an oral presentation at the ASPEN Nutrition Science & Practice Conference in March 2025 on The Impact of Dietary Fiber Supplementation on Body Weight and Composition in Adults With Higher BMI. Additionally, she co-authored the Chrononutrition extension publication, Optimizing Individualized Nutrition With Circadian Rhythm, which has been featured in national media outlets such as The Packer and UF/IFAS blogs, highlighting the importance of meal timing.
Gainesville and Gator Life
Outside of research and patient care, Koons is an active part of the Gainesville community. She enjoys yoga and pilates and even teaches yoga at a local studio. She’s also a self-proclaimed foodie, with favorite spots including The Top, Dragonfly, and Cilantro Tacos. On weekends, she can often be found cheering on the Gators at football, basketball, or baseball games.
For Koons, returning home has been one of the most rewarding aspects of her career. “Growing up in Gainesville, becoming a Gator feels ingrained in you,” she said. “Being accepted to UF for my master’s was very exciting, and now, as a PhD student and practicing dietitian at the Fixel Institute, I feel grateful to have the unique opportunity to provide clinical care while also advancing research in the field of neuronutrition.”
Looking Ahead
Koons’ long-term goals are rooted in advancing both patient care and the field of neuronutrition. “I was drawn to this field because it remains relatively underexplored compared to other areas of nutrition. There’s so much opportunity for discovery and impact,” she explained. “I hope that the field continues to grow as more research is conducted.”
As she balances her PhD studies, patient care, and ongoing research, Koons remains grounded in her personal philosophy: everything in moderation. “Food is often labeled as either ‘healthy’ or ‘unhealthy,’ which can create a negative mindset,” she said. “Instead, I focus on balance and variety, with attention to overall patterns rather than single food choices.”
From her academic achievements to her growing contributions in neuronutrition, Koons’ journey reflects both dedication and passion. For her, it’s about more than just research, it’s about making a difference in patients’ daily lives and giving back to the community she has always called home.