Kathleen Keller, Ph.D.
St. Luke's-Roosevelt Obesity Research Center, Columbia University College
of Physicians and Surgeons, Post-Doctoral Fellow
1090 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10025
Phone: 212-523-1011
Email: kk2092@columbia.edu
EDUCATION
University: Rutgers University 1996-2001
Degree: Ph.D. completed November 2001
Specialization: Nutritional Sciences
Advisor: Beverly J. Tepper, Ph.D.
Thesis: "Genetic Sensitivity to 6-n-propylthiuracil (PROP): Associations
with Food Acceptance, Reported Intake, and Body Weight in Preschool Children."
University: Marquette University 1991-1995
Degree: Bachelor of Science received May 1995
Major: Biology
Minor: English
RESEARCH INTERESTS
- Genetic taste factors and food intake
- Behavioral aspects of food intake and obesity
- Food preferences in young children
- Sensory testing of foods in young children
- Behavioral genetics and childhood obesity
HONORS AND AWARDS
- Gerber Foods Fellowship in Pediatric Nutrition, August 2000-May 2001
- National Science Foundation K-12 Teaching Fellowship, August 2000
- Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior Young Investigator Award,
June 2000
- Association for Chemoreception Sciences Travel Award, April 1998
HONORS AND AWARDS
- Bunting-Cobb Graduate Fellowship for Women in Math and Science, 1996-1998
RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Job: National Science Foundation Fellowship
Dates: August 2000-July 2001
Responsibilities: Developed a partnership with 6th grade teachers to enhance the math, science, and technology training of middle school students.
Job: Nutrition Education Curriculum Assistant
Dates: August 1998 - present
Responsibilities: Created and edited nutrition education lessons for
food stamp recipients in New Jersey.
Job: Bunting-Cobb Graduate Fellow Student Coordinator
Dates: August 1996-May 1998
Responsibilities: Served as an academic counselor to 30 undergraduate
women in math , science, and engineering. Coordinated academic and social programming,
with a special interest on programs relating to women's issues. Trained and
supervised a staff of 6 graduate students on job responsibilities.
Job: Resident Assistant--Marquette University
Dates: August 1992-May 1994
Responsibilities: Coordinated social and academic events for undergraduate women.
Worked with residence life staff to develop student support network.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Course: Experimental Food Science, August 1997-January 1998
Grade Level: Undergraduate seniors in Dietetics program
Responsibilities: Designed and instructed two weekly laboratories.
Course: Community Nutrition, January 1998-May 1998
Grade Level: Senior undergraduates and graduate students
Responsibilities: Delivered lectures and assisted professor in class design.
Course: Clinical Nutrition and Disease, January 1998-May 1998
Grade Level: Senior Dietetic Students
Responsibilities: Delivered lectures and assisted in grading course projects.
Course: Advanced Nutrition , January 1999- May 1999
Grade Level: Senior Dietetic Students
Responsibilities: Designed and taught a weekly recitation course to 30 senior
dietetic students.
Course: Nutrition Communication and Counseling, August 1999
Grade Level: Senior Dietetic Students
Responsibilities: Instructed 3 weekly recitation sessions with 25 students
enrolled in each section.
ADDITIONAL LECTURES
- Community Nutrition: "The Role of WIC in Women's Health"
- Nutrition and Disease: "The Obesity Epidemic: Causes and Consequences"
- Nutrition and the Preschool Child: "A Basic Overview of Nutrition"
PUBLICATIONS
- Dietary Quality Paper: Measures of Weight Loss Behavior for Low-
Income Populations: (Web Publication)
- Keller, K.L., Tepper, B.J. Genetic Sensitivity to 6-n-propylthiouracil
(PROP) Influences Food Preferences in Preschool Children: (Abstract: The Association
for Chemoreception Sciences Meeting, April 1999)
- Keller, K.L., Steinmann, L., Nurse, R.J., Tepper, B.J. (2002). Genetic
taste sensitivity to 6-n- propylthiouracil influences food acceptance reported
intake in preschool children Appetite 38, 1- 10.
- Keller, K.L., Pietrobelli, A., Must, S., Faith, M.S. Genetics of Eating
Style and Obesity. Current Atherosclerosis Reports (In Press).
STUDENTS MENTORED
- Robin Millet, Columbia Teacher’s College Dietetics Program, Fall 2001
- Anita Roberts, Columbia Teacher’s College Dietetics Program, Fall 2001
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
- North American Society for the Study of Obesity/Nutrition Week, February 2002,
San Diego, California.
Poster: "Genetic sensitivity to 6-n-propyltiouracil (PROP) influences reported
food intake and body weight in preschool children."
- Association for Chemoreception Sciences, April 2002, Sarasota, Florida.
Slide Presentation: "Genetic sensitivity to 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP)
influences acceptance for certain strong and spicy foods in preschool children."
- St. Luke&'s Obesity Research Center, December 2001
Slide Presentation: "Project Grow2Gether: A three year update of a pediatric
twin study examining the genetic and environmental influences of food intake
and body weight."
- Society for the Study of Ingestive Behaviors, July 2000, Dublin, Ireland
Slide Presentation: "Genetic sensitivity to 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP)
influences food acceptance and intake in preschool children."
- Association for Chemoreception Sciences, April 1999, Sarasota, Florida.
Poster: "Genetic sensitivity to 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) Influences
Food Preferences in Preschool Children"
PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS
- "Women and Eating Disorders: Learning to Love the Body you
were Born With" (Presentation to Douglass College Resident Assistants)
- "Nutrition and College Life: From Dining Halls to Late Night Pizza"
(Presentation to female residence life students at Douglass College)
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AND VOLUNTEER WORK
Job Title: Respite Provider, August 2000-present
Responsibilities: Provide educational instruction and dietary assistance to an autistic child.
Job Title: Community Assistant for Nutrition Education, August 1997-1999
Responsibilities: Instructed low-income, urban women in New Jersey on nutrition and life skills.
PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIPS
- American Society for Nutritional Sciences
- Society for Nutrition Education
- Society for the Study of Ingestive Behaviors
- Association for Chemoreception Sciences
- Institute of Food Technologists
- National Association for the Study of Obesity
- Certified Care Provider for Developmentally Disabled Children
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