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Olfert, Melissa

Professor of Human Nutrition and Foods

Melissa Olfert began her teaching and research journey at Walla Walla College in Washington, where she received a bachelor of science in health sciences. She then went on to obtain her master’s degree in exercise physiology from the University of Illinois in Chicago before making her way to California to achieve her Doctor of Public Health in the Preventive Care of Chronic Disease from Loma Linda University. She holds numerous certifications and licenses in dietetics, exercise physiology, physical fitness, prevention education, and beyond.

With training in exercise physiology, nutrition, and as a preventive care specialist in chronic disease, Olfert has accumulated experience working with clinical, industry, and entrepreneurial partners in diverse populations. Over the years she has gained expertise in program development, implementation, management and evaluation at local, county, state and national levels.

Through experiences in public health and private practice, Olfert has conducted lifestyle intervention programs involving hundreds of individuals with chronic disease (metabolic syndrome, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer) and programs for primary prevention of disease over the course of one’s life in urban and rural settings. She has worked extensively on lifestyle intervention programs for populations at risk for disease by promoting physical activity, nutrition, tobacco cessation, appropriate use of alcohol, and stress management.