Central Office Staff
Housed at the Center for Applied Environmental Public Health within Tulane University’s School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Region 6 South Central Public Health Training Center’s Central Office staff maintains the day-to-day activities (including course creation, instructional design, LMS administration, project coordination, reporting and student placements) of the Training Center.
LuAnn White, PhD
Co-Principal Investigator
Region 6 South Central Public Health Training Center
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.
Stephen Murphy, PhD, MPH, MBA
Co-Principal Investigator
Region 6 South Central Public Health Training Center
Dr. Murphy serves as Co-PI of the R6 Public Health Training Center and leads Tulane’s SPHTM Disaster Management Master of Public Health (MPH) Program, leveraging his 15+ years of practice-based experience shaping and implementing local, state, federal, and private sector public health emergency preparedness, homeland security, health security, and disaster management and resilience programs. His experience includes developing and managing preparedness plans, exercises, and operational responses for major metropolitan jurisdictions addressing health threats such as COVID-19, Ebola Virus Disease, hurricane evacuation, pandemic influenza, coastal oil spills as well as planning for high-threat events of national significance such as the Super Bowl and other large-scale mass gatherings. He has served on numerous state-wide advisory boards in Louisiana and was the former Chief of Planning and Preparedness for New Orleans Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness in the years following Hurricane Katrina.
Dr. Murphy’s research is at the intersection of health security strategies, effective translation of research findings into policy, and risk communication. He is passionate about teaching and typically leads multiple graduate courses and an undergraduate course each year. Graduate courses include: Environmental Aspects of Disasters (ENHS 6910); Planning and Implementation in Disasters (ENHS 6930).
PhD, Tulane University
MPH, Tulane University
MBA, Mercer University
BA, University of Georgia
Angela Breckenridge, PhD
R6-PHLI Session Leader & Development Team
Assistant Clinical Professor, Tulane SPHTM
Dr. Angela Breckenridge serves as Assistant Clinical Professor in the Social, Behavioral & Population Sciences department of the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine at Tulane. Dr. Breckenridge’s current research project is a scoping review of literature on theory-based interventions that have been effective in changing COVID-related behaviors, specifically mask-wearing, social distancing, and hand washing. Her expertise is in Human and Organization Development, which has taken many forms. Past research has been focused on teaching, learning, and pedagogy; specifically what professors can learn about learning through teaching in the classroom. Dr. Breckenridge has worked extensively with organizations (NGOs, non-profit organizations, and corporate organizations) to develop people and, hence, develop organizations. From West Papua New Guinea to Belize to New York City and throughout the southeast region of the US, Dr. Breckenridge has developed workforce development and site-specific programs for executive leadership, interprofessional collaboration, performance management, and communication at all levels in organizations and interpersonal capacities. This includes monitoring, evaluating and assessing public health programs as well as academic and organization-based programs. It involves systems thinking, strategic leadership, and qualitative methodologies. Dr. Breckenridge’s passion is participatory research and leadership. This is intrinsically linked to equity.
Chuck Shorter, MPH
Project Coordinator
Region 6 South Central Public Health Training Center
Chuck Shorter is the Project Manager for the Region 6 South Central Public Health Training Center. He has an MPH in Epidemiology and over 20 years of research and program management experience. He has spent his career in public health research, practice, evaluation, and education. Over the course of his tenure at Tulane, Chuck has managed applied research projects funded by CDC, NIH, and various state and local health and environmental agencies. He developed and implemented surveillance system databases for the Louisiana Childhood Blood Lead Surveillance System. He was the lead project manager for the New Orleans Study Center of the NIH National Children’s Study. He also served as an epidemiologist on Tulane’s Academic Partner of Excellence for CDC’s Environmental Public Health Tracking Network, where he helped lead the development of the network’s metadata and metadata training, both in-person and via distance. He is a lifelong resident of South Louisiana where he lives with his wife and three daughters.
Janine Clarke, MA
Manager, Instructional Training and Lead Instructional Designer
Region 6 South Central Public Health Training Center
After receiving her Bachelor’s in Biology from Xavier University of Louisiana and a Master’s in Genetics from The George Washington University, Janine began teaching high school general science and Career & Technology Education (CTE) courses in biotechnology in Baltimore City. She assumed the role of Department Head and developed the curriculum for the CTE department. She also became the Technology Coordinator for the school, where she developed and conducted all professional development in the use of technology in the classroom. During that time, she earned a Master’s in Educational Technology Leadership and a certificate in School Administration and Supervision from Johns Hopkins University in partnership with the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). She progressed to the University of Maryland where she assumed the role of Instructional Technology Specialist and oversaw all outreach efforts such as face-to-face and online software training. After leaving that role, she became the Program Coordinator and Curriculum Designer for the Continuing Umbrella for Research Careers (C.U.R.E.) at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, which was funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). She also served as a mentor for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) E-Learning Institute Fellowship, which is designed to cultivate the skills of public health training professionals with limited experience designing or developing e-learning products. She now serves as the Manager of Instructional Training and Lead Instructional Designer for the Region 6 South Central Public Health Training Center at Tulane University.
David Mora, MS
LMS Administrator & Instructional Designer
Region 6 South Central Public Health Training Center
David Mora is a highly skilled Learning Management System (LMS) Administrator and Instructional Designer, dedicated to creating dynamic and engaging learning experiences through the use of technology. In his current role at the Region 6 South Central Public Health Training Center, David serves as the LMS Administrator for the Tulane PACE LMS, where he plays a vital role in the technical development of asynchronous online learning modules.
David holds a Master of Science degree in Instructional Technology from The University of Southern Mississippi, where he honed his expertise in leveraging technology for educational purposes. He also obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication and Journalism with a Film emphasis from the same institution, showcasing his multidisciplinary background.
Recognized for his significant contributions and achievements, David currently serves as a member of the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine Staff Council. Through this role, he actively contributes to the advancement of the institution’s mission.
In his free time, David is an avid photographer and proudly serves as a True Louisiana Ambassador.
Stacey Eharb, MS
Instructional Designer
Region 6 South Central Public Health Training Center
Stacey Eharb is a seasoned Instructional Designer known for her ability to design and develop effective learning experiences. She is currently utilizing her expertise at Tulane University, where she has been empowering learners since 2018.
Before joining Tulane University, Stacey gained substantial experience in the educational field by contributing to Pearson Education and GP Strategies. Prior to this, she started her professional journey in broadcasting and communications, which provided her with a strong foundation in media and interactive development.
Stacey holds a Bachelor’s degree in Digital Design and Animation and a Master’s degree in Instructional Design and Technology. These academic achievements reflect her commitment to continuous learning and passion for the convergence of education and technology.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Stacey is an animal lover who finds joy in immersing herself in gaming and creative projects. She is also a passionate gardener, a hobby that reflects her nurturing nature and patience.
Her long-term goal is to continue leveraging her skills and experiences to create innovative and engaging learning experiences that empower learners and drive their success.