LuAnn White, PhD

LuAnn E. White, PhD is a toxicologist and has worked in environmental public health for over 40 years. She founded the Center for Applied Environmental Public Health and is the PI of the Region 6 South Central Public Health Training Center. Dr White has been a leader in public health workforce development using online training to build capacity among public health and using training as a vehicle for the dissemination of research to practice. She established the first public health distance learning master’s degree programs in 1994 and developed educational methods incorporating technology as a teaching tool using a variety of delivery methods and training resources. She also developed the model for online professional development training using applied practical approaches geared to adult learners.

Dr. White’s research focused on the translation of research to public health practice focusing on the impact of environmental factors and disasters on public health with an emphasis on children’s health including lead poisoning, environmental triggers of asthma and drinking water quality using an evidence-based approach. She led several major projects including the Hazardous Materials Management and Emergency Response (HaMMER), the CDC Environmental Diseases Prevention Research Center, the Center of Excellence for Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT), the Head-off Environmental Asthma in Louisiana (HEAL), the New Orleans site for the National Children’s Study, and the Region 6 South Central Public Health Tracking Center. She was a Diplomat of the American Board of Toxicology.