Current Roles
Dr. Conley is an assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition and Exercise Science.
Education
- BS in Clinical Psychology from Robert Morris University, Pittsburgh, PA
- MS in Nutrition, Didactic Program in Dietetics from Bastyr University; Kenmore, WA
- Ph.D. in Nutrition from Oregon State University; Corvallis, Oregon
Past Experience
Previously, I’ve taught a variety of nutrition courses at Oregon State University from 2012 – 2015. I served as a nutrition consultant for Global Nutrition Empowerment, an NGO delivering maternal and child nutrition education to vulnerable populations in Nepal, the Philippines, Guatemala, and Indonesia. During my Ph.D., I was a National Science Foundation, Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) Fellow, earning a minor in Aging Sciences.
Classes Taught
- Graduate-Level Courses: Advanced Nutrition: Macronutrients; Advanced Nutrition: Micronutrients; The Intestinal Microbiome
- Undergraduate-Level Courses: Introduction to Research Methods
- University of Washington School of Medicine: Nutrition
Philosophy
My primary objectives as an educator are that students leave the classroom: 1) more curious, and 2) more prepared to be competitive in the professional world – as better thinkers, writers, and speakers. It is personally rewarding to share the wonders and mysteries of science with students. I also enjoy the mentoring process, and the opportunity to support both intellectual and personal growth.
Current Research
Broadly, my research interests surround the purported role of both gut tissue and gut microbiome in the major metabolic dysregulation occurring in postmenopausal women.