Kelly R. Ylitalo, PhD
Associate Professor Director of PhD in Public Health Program
Department of Public Health
Kelly Ylitalo is an epidemiologist and Associate Professor in the Department of Public Health. She received her PhD in Epidemiological Science from the University of Michigan School of Public Health in 2012 and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes at the University of Michigan Medical School. Dr. Ylitalo joined Baylor as a full-time faculty member in 2015.
Dr. Ylitalo has more than 15 years of experience in epidemiologic methods, survey design, and quantitative data analysis. Nationally, she serves as an Independent Investigator for the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation, an ongoing longitudinal cohort. Locally, she advises numerous clinical and public health organizations on research strategy and evaluation. Dr. Ylitalo’s research focuses on physical functioning, disability, and related chronic conditions; falls; physical activity and sedentary behavior; diet-related behavior and healthy eating opportunities; and healthy aging. She is interested in how behaviors and equitable health opportunities throughout the life course can facilitate healthy physical functioning and aging trajectories during the mid-life and older adult years.
Areas of Research Interest
- Physical functioning and disability
- Physical activity and sedentary behavior
- Diet and healthy eating
- Survey design and data analysis
Current Courses Taught
- PUBH 3351 Epidemiology/Vital Statistics
- PUBH 5337 Public Health Concepts in Epidemiology
- PUBH 5348 Applied Data Analysis for Epidemiology and Population Health