Sofia Cienfuegos recognized by students with 2026 Silver Circle Award
Introduction
For today’s young adults interested in nutrition, parsing through the barrage of online information for real evidence and hard science can be a challenge. But KN clinical assistant professor Sofia Cienfuegos ’18 MS NUT is creating a refuge from the noise.
“This has been a challenging time for higher education and for science in general, especially in areas like evidence-based nutrition,” said Cienfuegos. “Students are exposed to a huge amount of misinformation on many of the topics I teach. I want my classroom to be a space where they can engage, ask questions and enjoy the process of learning.”
Cienfuegos is AHS’ 2026 winner of the Silver Circle Award. This recognition, given annually since 1996 to one faculty member from each of UIC’s colleges, is awarded by the graduating seniors — a testament to the instructor’s ability to connect students to their topic and to encourage their growth outside the classroom.
“Teaching, for me, is very interpersonal; it’s not just about delivering content,” said Cienfuegos. “I feel inspired by my students, motivated by their curiosity, and I’m constantly learning from them.”
“Dr. Cienfuegos embodies what we are looking for in a faculty member, somebody who is truly dedicated to their teaching and the students we serve,” said KN department head David Marquez. “We are extremely proud of her and fortunate to have her in our department.”
Cienfuegos has been at UIC for eight years, five of which were spent as a doctoral student before becoming faculty. She teaches nutrition courses across different levels, while remaining active in her own research, most recently on the benefits of time-restricted eating for women with polycystic ovarian syndrome.
In her Nutrition Assessment class, students learn to integrate information about an individual’s body composition, dietary intake, laboratory values and clinical indicators. In Nutrition and Metabolism or Nutrition Science II, she covers the metabolism and physiological role of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, vitamins and minerals.
She also teaches The Research Process, a course in which students learn to find, read, interpret and critically evaluate scientific literature.
“This course is very important to me,” she said, “because it empowers students to engage with evidence-based nutrition and become more confident.”
Cienfuegos is always looking for ways to go beyond her nutrition curriculum to influence and engage students.
“I care a lot about mentoring, writing letters of recommendation and helping students move forward into careers they’re excited about,” she said. “It’s very motivating to see students become passionate about science and genuinely value the tools we’re giving them. In a time that can sometimes feel discouraging for those of us in science, that student engagement is incredibly inspiring.”
Beyond the impactful experiences she’s had with her students during the 2025-2026 term, recent developments in Cienfuegos’ personal life have made this year special.
“I am becoming a mother, and I’ve been teaching throughout my pregnancy this year, which has been a very meaningful experience,” she said. “Looking ahead, I hope to continue doing the work I love while also embracing this new chapter in my life. I feel incredibly grateful—for my students, for this recognition and for the opportunity to do work that I truly enjoy every day.”