Faculty Directory

Christiane Meireles, PhD, RD, LD

Clinical Associate Professor

I am a registered and licensed dietitian in the state of Texas with over 35 years of experience specializing in medical nutrition therapy, program planning, coordination, and patient and community education. Since 2021 I co-founder a program of lifestyle medicine using plant-based diet to improve chronic disease. Last year I received a grant to study the impact of plant-based diet on reducing cardiovascular risk factor and weigh loss in adult with overweight or obesity with at least one chronic disease. As a clinical dietitian, my work has been predominantly on primary care focusing on diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular and renal diseases. As a researcher nutrition in kidney disease and women’s health are the center of my studies. Extensive research experience in kidney diseases focusing on the role of dietary protein and the mechanisms of protein degradation in renal disease. Recently, I developed and implemented a ketogenic diet protocol for a pilot study as a Co-investigator. In recognition of my expertise with children and women’s health, I received the Abbott Nutrition Award in Women’s Health by the Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation, which recognizes the best dietitians in the US in this field.  At the community level, I have developed extensive nutrition programs targeting pregnant women, children, and adolescents in a diverse pool of underserved populations. With a background in clinical, research and teaching, I have a unique opportunity to be able to translate evidence-based science into practice to better plan and implement nutrition-based programs at individual and population level.