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Keri was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She became interested in science at a fairly young age. While still in school, she had the opportunity to participate in the Knights of Columbus Science and Art Fair. In addition, she was involved in a program called Project SEED, organized by American Chemical Society and UpJohn Pharmaceutical Company. This project is designed to encourage economically disadvantaged high school students to pursue career opportunities in the chemical sciences. During the summer, students work in the laboratory doing hands-on research guided by a scientist-mentor. Keri got to work at Western Michigan University in Susan Stapleton’s lab in the Department of Biochemistry. These opportunities only increased her interest in science.

College Years

When it came time to go to college, Keri knew she wanted to study science because she never wanted to stop learning and asking the question, “why”? Science is the perfect career for someone like that. She decided to attend a school in Michigan and selected the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Not only is it a great state school, but it is a premier institution for research and medicine. She knew that would be a great way to begin her career.

During her undergraduate years, Keri again had the opportunity to work in a lab. This time it was a genetics laboratory, which introduced her to another area of science. Keri received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Women Studies in 1997.

Starting a Career in Physiology

Following completion of her undergraduate degree, Keri decided she wanted a career in physiology. Physiology attracted her because it allows her to investigate questions that affect the whole animal while testing specific biochemical pathways or organ systems. She knew that to do the research she wanted to do; she would need to get her Ph.D. degree. So she began considering what doctoral program she wanted to enter. She selected the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Illinois in Urbana. For her Ph.D. research project, she worked in Dr. Kelly Tappenden’s lab in with a focus on intestinal nutrient transport during hypoperfusion. She finished her degree in 2002.

More Research Training

Dr. Kles went to her advisor for help in deciding what type of postdoctoral fellowship to pursue and where best to pursue it. Together they selected the lab of Eugene Chang in the Institute of Inflammatory Bowel Disease at the University of Chicago School of Medicine. Drs. Tappenden and Chang have a mentoring relationship set up through the American Physiological Society so they knew this would be a great postdoctoral position for Dr. Kles.

As a postdoc, Dr. Kles enjoyed learning new techniques, which included training both at her current lab and at Washington University in St. Louis. She was responsible for balancing multiple projects and, in some of the projects, coordinating between many laboratories.

Research Projects

Dr. Kles’ projects include molecular biology and physiology approaches to intestinal diseases, such as colon carcinoma and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). She has had the opportunity to be involved in a number of studies. She’s tested post-market therapies for IBD effects on intestinal secretion. Another study investigates the regulation of intestinal oxalate transport in the formation calcium oxalate kidney stones. Finally, she is determining the regulation of heat shock protein RNA.

Dr. Kles received the 2004 Young Investigator Award from the Cell and Molecular Section of the APS this spring. She has also been a recipient of the APS NIDDK Minority Travel Awards from APS for several years. In addition, she has received awards from the American Society for Nutritional Sciences for her research.

Teaching Practice

In addition to her research, Dr. Kles has taken advantage of opportunities to teach. She was a teaching assistant while in graduate school and taught at the local community college as well. Recently, she taught nurses at Lewis University just outside Chicago. In these positions, she has learned how to set up a course, grade assignments, and construct lectures. In addition, she’s learned effective teaching methods for different learning styles.

Scientific Writer

This postdoctoral period helped Dr. Kles decide what she wanted to do next in her career. While writing up her studies as manuscripts, she found out she really liked to write. So, after finishing that training in April of 2004, she decided to try becoming a writer. Dr. Kles is now working at Eli Lilly & Company as a scientific writer. She has the opportunity to write about clinical trials that investigate therapies for people with Diabetes.

For Fun

Outside of her work, Dr. Kles enjoys working out, rock-climbing, yoga, watching movies, going to the theater, and enjoying music.

She has been active in the past as a volunteer at a Soup Kitchen and a Hands-on Museum. For the past few years, she has helped APS out during its annual meeting by being a tour guide for local high school teachers and students, showing them the many exhibits and research poster sessions. She also has enjoyed the opportunity to be a State of Illinois science fair judge and is now on a planning committee for the 2006 International Science Fair. Currently she is a board member for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Indiana.

Advice for Undergraduate Students

In addition to physiology, it’s important to have breadth and depth to what you are studying. Also, stay focused on something you love and you will be happy with your life choice. As a physiologist and a writer I can do what I enjoy, learning and asking questions.

Recent Publications

Kles, K.A., S.R. Vavricka, J.R. Turner, M.W. Musch, S.B. Hanauer, and E.B. Chang. Comparative analysis of the in vitro prosecretory effects of balsalazide, sulfasalazine, olsalazine, and mesalamine in rabbit distal ileum. Inflamm. Bowel Dis. 11(3): 253-257, 2005.

Kles, K.A., and K.A. Tappenden. Hypoxia differentially regulates nutrient transport within rat jejunum regardless of nutrient present in the lumen. Am. J. Physiol. Gastrointestinal. Physiol. 283: G1336-G1342, 2002.

Kles, K.A., J.R. Turner, and K.A. Tappenden. 2001 Harry M. Vars Research Award. Enteral nutrients alter enterocyte function within an in vitro model similar to an acute in vivo rat model during hypoxia. J. Parenter. Enteral. Nutr. 26(2): 71-76, 2002.

Kles, K.A., M.A. Wallig, and K.A. Tappenden. Luminal nutrients exacerbate intestinal hypoxia in the hypoperfused jejunum. J. Parenter. Enteral. Nutr. 25(5): 246-253, 2001.