Kelley joined the University of Michigan after she earned her doctoral degree in Biostatistics from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health in 2012. Kelley’s research centers on the design and analysis of clinical trials, in particular “large” and “small” sample sequential, multiple assignment, randomized trial (SMART) design and analyses. She is the primary investigator of a current FDA project applying Bayesian methods to small n SMART (snSMART) designs to compare dose levels to placebo and a PCORI contract developing patient preference (“large” sample) SMART designs and analytic methods. She had a previous PCORI methods contract developing snSMART designs and methods considering three active treatments in the rare disease setting. Kelley has been a co-investigator on many NIH and industry funded grants, of which 7 currently funded grants implement SMART design in areas such as chronic lower back pain, risky drinking and violent behavior, reducing alcohol use, and preventing suicidal behavior.