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.

Professional Background
Education
- 1999 - Doctor of Philosophy - Nutrition Science - Federal University of Sao Paulo-EPM
- 1993 - Master of Science - Experimental Nutrition - Federal University of Pernambuco
- 1986 - Bachelor of Science - Nutrition - Federal University of Pernambuco
Highlights
Licensures and Certifications
- Texas state licensure
- Commission on Dietetic Registration
Honors and Awards
- 2020, Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation Abbott Nutrition Award in Women’s Health
- 2020, Educational Stipend award, National Kidney Foundation-Committee of Renal Nutrition, 2020 Spring Clinical Meetings.
Appointments
- 2018 - Clinical Assistant Professor - UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
- 2012 - Adjunct Instructor - University of the Incarnate Word
- 2012 - Adjunct Instructor - Health and Kinesiology Department, University of Texas at San Antonio
- 2023 - Clinical Associate Professor - UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
Instruction & Training
- 2022, NURS 3330 Foundations: Theoretical Applications, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
- 2022, NURS 7307 DNP Dissemination , UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
- 2021 - 2022, NURS 7306 DNP Seminar, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
- 2021, NURS 7305 DNP Project Seminar, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
- 2021, NURS 6453 FNP Diagnosis & Management: Concepts and Theory, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
- 2020, NURS 3373 Care of the Family Course, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
- 2017 - 2019, NURS 6452 FNP Diagnosis and Management: Aging Families, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
- 2017, NURS 6423 PNP I: Primary Care Diagnosis and Management, UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing
Research & Grants
Grants

Currently Funded:
- 2022-2024 Funder: Morrison Trust Foundation Dollars: $ 55,000 Title: A Interprofessional-led model of care to prevent and treat chronic diseases using a whole food, plant-based nutrition program in a primary care setting Role: PI
Submitted and Not Funded or Unfunded Research/Projects:
- 2020, Funder: Morrison Trust. Dollars: $ 67,000. Title: Impact of plant-based diet in conjunction with health technologies on improving diabetes outcomes. Role: PI.
- 2020, Funder: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Dollars: $2,625,000. Title: Casa Mia: A supportive, Recovery Residence for Pregnant/Postpartum Women and their children. Role: Co-Investigator (PI: Lisa Cleveland)
- 2020, Funder: Baptist Foundation, Dollars: $ 501,000.00. Title: Evaluating a program addressing food insecurity, obesity & racial disparity in children/adolescents. Role: Lead Researcher (PI: Francesca Ratray, YMCA)
- 2016, Funder: San Antonio Area Foundation. Dollars: $ 15,000. Title: Promoting Healthful Eating for Vulnerable Children. Role: PI. Completed Research/Projects:
- 2018 – 2019, Funder: IIMS Community Engagement Small Project Grants. Dollars: $4,050.00. Title: Prevalence of Seasonal Affective Disorder in Green Monkeys. Role: Co-PI (PI: Kathryn Parke).
Completed Research/Projects:
- 2020 – 2021 Funder: Les Dames d’Escoffier International San Antonio Chapter. Grant # 168339. Dollars: $2,000.00. Title: Casa Mia Therapeutic vegetable garden. Role: PI
- 2018-2019 Funder: IIMS Community Engagement Small Project Grants. Dollars: $4,050.00. Title: Prevalence of Seasonal Affective Disorder in Green Monkeys. Role: Co-PI (PI: Kathryn Parke)
Service
School
Student Mentees/Trainees

2022 - Present: Nursing students
- Markle J, Undergraduate student, mentor of Sunrise research prog
- Washington-Moses T, “ Improving the Scheduling Process for Outpatient Dietitian Appts at A Community College Clinic:
2018 - Present: Dietetic Students
- 2023 Garcia, V, dietetic student, preceptor of community internship
- 2022 Amin, N, dietetic student, preceptor of community internship
- 2021 Kylie Wallace, dietetic student, preceptor of community internship
- 2020, Kayla Tatum, dietetic student, preceptor of community internship
- 2020, Samantha Flores, dietetic student, preceptor of community internship
- 2020, Jose Luis Saenz, dietetic student, preceptor of community internship
- 2020, Interprofessional Edu training. Preceptor of an interdisciplinary pilot w/ dietetic, pharmacy & nursing disciplines.
- 2020, Jessica Tupa, dietetic student, preceptor of community internship
2022-2023: International nutrition student
- 2023 Abreu LS, MS candidate, “"Tradução para a língua portuguesa do brasil e validação do questionário da pesquisa internacional INIS",member of dissertation committee Brazil
Institutional
- 2021-Present, UT Health SA Committee on International Programs, member
- 2021-Present, UT Health SA, Committee on Scholarship, member
- 2020 - present, UT Health SA Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, Member
- 2020 - present, UT Health SA Graduate Studies for the Translational Science Program, Member
- 2020 - 2021, UT-Health San Antonio, 4th Annual Cardio Renal Connections, Long School of Medicine Planning Committee, Member
Service to the Profession
- 2022 Peer Reviewer Journal of the American Nutrition Association
- 2022 Scholarship Reviewer School of Nursing, UT-Health San Antonio Committee
- 2020 – Present, Founder Member Brazilian International Consortium for research and implementation of the Nutrition Care Process Terminology, Federal University of Parana, Brazil
- 2020 – 2021, Scholarship Reviewer The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Committee Foundation
- 2020, Peer Reviewer for The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics the Chapter Nutrition Management of Diabetes In Chronic Disease, Clinical Guide to Nutrition Care in Kidney Disease, 3rd Ed
- 2019 – Present, Member Coordinate Program in Dietetics Advisory Board, The University of Texas at San Antonio
Professional Affiliations
- 2021-Present American College of Lifestyle Medicine- ACLM
- 2021-Present The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics- Dietetic Practice Group: Renal Dietitian & Vegetarian Nutrition
Community
- 2022-present De stress fest. Office of Student Life, Division of Academic, Faculty & Student Affairs UT Health SA, Texas
- 2020, Panelist Education Lady Bird Wildflower Center, San Antonio Symposium: Natural Zilker Botanical Garden, Texas Connections: Building Bridges
- 2019, Nutrition Education Prospera Community, SA, Texas Health Fair
- 2019, Nutrition Education President’s office, UT Health SA, Texas
- 2018, Ask the expert table Women’s Comprehension Health Institute, UT Health San Antonio & Medical Research Center, Texas
- 2018, Nutrition Education Wellness and professional formation at the Wellness Fair School of Medicine, UT Health SA, Texas
- 2018, Nutrition Education Edge ISD & Last Change Ministries, SA, Texas Preventative care to School Children
- 2018, Nutrition Education Children’s Coalitions of Aransas County, Texas Healthy Snacks for Children
Publications

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Christiane Meireles, PhD, RD, LD

Professional Background

Education

Highlights

Appointments

Instruction & Training

Research & Grants

Grants

Service

School

Institutional

Service to the Profession

Community

Publications