Credentials & Career

Dr. Kelles is an experienced researcher, educator, advocate, and policy maker in the field of nutrition and public health. She earned a dual bachelor in Biology and Environmental studies in 1997 from Binghamton University. Subsequently, she spent four years in Ecuador promoting sound nutritional and environmental practices, working as a high school biology teacher, guiding in the Amazon, and designing a study abroad program. In 2008, Dr. Kelles earned a PhD in Nutritional Epidemiology from The University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill exploring the link between urbanization and health-related behavior patterns in Cebu, Philippines.

Dr. Kelles spent a year following her PhD teaching Sports Nutrition at Ithaca College before becoming the Director of the School of Applied Clinical Nutrition at New York Chiropractic College. As director, Dr. Kelles developed the curriculum, assembled a faculty team, and launched an online graduate program focused on whole foods therapeutic nutrition. Dr. Kelles managed the development of the Center for Nutrition Advocacy (www.nutritionadvocacy.org) as a consultant (2012-2013) and was a full lecturer at Cornell University in the Division of Nutritional Sciences (2015-2017) before leaving to launch a private practice in nutrition and wellness.

Dr. Kelles currently serves as the Administration Manager for the Certifying Examination for Nutrition Specialists and Chair of the Examination Development Council of the Board of the Certification for Nutrition Specialists (BCNS). Most recently, In 2015 she was elected to the Tompkins County Legislature. She serves on the Planning, Development, and Environmental Quality committee (chair), the Health and Human Services committee (vice chair), the Public Safety committee, the Housing committee, and the Workforce Diversity and Inclusion committee.