Dr. Melanie Shuran received her Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Dietetics from the University of Illinois at the Medical Center. Her graduate work was completed at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she earned her Master of Science (1981) and Ph.D. (1988) in Nutritional Sciences. Her clinical positions span general dietetics, specialized nutrition support, and outpatient nutrition counseling. Currently, she is enrolled in the Master Online Teacher certification program.

In the academic setting, Dr. Shuran has directed a Coordinated Dietetics Program and served as the Associate Director of the MS/MD Program in Clinical Nutrition. As Professor and Chair of the newly created Department of Nutrition and Clinical Dietetics, she was instrumental in the development of the M.S. Program in Nutrition and Clinical Dietetics and for moving the program to a completely online format in 1999. As Director of Technology and Faculty Development, Dr. Shuran assisted faculty and students in their transition to the online learning environment.

Dr. Shuran’s most recent positions are administrative. In March 2005, she assumed the role of Chief Information Officer for the university overseeing Information Technology and Educational Technology. Currently, she is the Associate Vice President for Learning Resources, overseeing Library Services and Educational Technology.

Dr. Shuran's areas of expertise and interest focus on enhancing teaching effectiveness and student learning in the health professions through course design and use of appropriate educational technologies. Dr. Shuran is a member of The American Dietetic Association and the Illinois Dietetic Association.