Education

• B.S., Food and Nutrition - Dietetics option - University of Idaho, Moscow, ID - 2003 
• M.S., Family and Consumer Sciences with Sport Science and Nutrition emphasis - University of Idaho, Moscow, ID - Thesis topic: Calcium Intake in Alaskan Adolescent Athletes and Non-Athletes - 2001
• B. S., Animal Science – Production - University of Idaho, Moscow, ID - 1999 

Biography

Melissa Chlupach is a lifelong Alaskan. She worked for NANA Management Services (NMS) for 12 years as the Regional Healthcare Dietitian, supporting several food service contracts (Alaska Native Medical Center - ANMC, Maniilaq Health Center - MHC, Utuqqanaat Inaat Long-Term Care, Alaska Psychiatric Institute, Marlow Manor Assisted Living, SEARHC Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital and San Carlos Apache Healthcare Corporation - SCAHC). Melissa is now an Assistant Professor in Dietetics and Nutrition at UAA.

Melissa received the Alaska Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AKAND) 2016 Emerging Dietetic Leader of the Year and 2017 Outstanding Dietitian of the Year awards. She formerly served as the AKAND President and currently serves on the Alaska Food Policy Council Governing Board. In January 2020, Melissa was awarded funding from the National Resource Center for Alaska Native Elders to implement a traditional foods program at Bean’s Café in Anchorage under federal grant number G0010269. Unfortunately, COVID-19 limited the progression of this program.

Melissa’s biggest and most rewarding project is the traditional foods initiative and movement for the State of Alaska. This project includes working with multiple organizations, such as the United States Department of Agriculture, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Alaska Wildlife Troopers, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Melissa collaborated with organizations to implement a traditional food donation program at ANMC, MHC, Utuqqanaat Inaat, SEARHC, and SCAHC. She also worked on the development of the Sigluaq (Maniilaq’s traditional foods processing facility) and recently reviewed Maniilaq’s nutrient analysis for ringed seal oil, which is now offered to the Utuqqanaat Inaat elders thanks to the DEC’s approval of a food variance request. Melissa’s goal is to bring people together to share best practices so we can learn from each other, promoting health and wellness throughout our communities.

Teaching Responsibilities

DN A151 Nutrition through the Life Cycle

DN A155 Survey of Alaska Native Nutrition

DN A325 Food and Nutrition in Modern Alaska

DN A350 Foodservice Systems and Quantity Foods

DN A355 Weight Management and Eating Disorders

DN A450 Dietetic Management

Professional & Department Service

Alaska Food Policy Council (AFPC) Governing Board

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND)

Alaska Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AKAND)

Research Interests

Traditional/Indigenous foods, nutrition and health

Alaska food systems

Culturally inclusive foods in healthcare facilities

Publications

The Alaska Native People, DeCourtney, D.A., Jackson, D.M., Morgan, K.M., Nobmann, E.D., Chlupach, M.A., Hoyt, S. and Johnson, J.S. (2015) Traditional Food Guide for the Alaska Native People, 2nd Edition. Anchorage, AK: ANTHC.

Chlupach, M.A. and K.A. Gabel. Calcium intake in Alaskan adolescent athletes and non- athletes. J. Amer Diet Assoc. 103 (suppl):9:A-85, 2003. (abs.)