VANESSA CASANOVA

Dr. Casanova earned a BA in International Studies from the University of Alabama, MS in Rural Sociology and PhD in Forestry from Auburn University with postgraduate training in the fields of labor studies and public health. She joined the faculty of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler in 2013 and devotes her time to teaching, research, and service for the School of Community and Rural Health (Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences). Dr. Casanova is the director of the NIOSH-funded Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention and Education. She previously served as the Applied Research Manager. The SW Ag Center has an established record of conducting comprehensive research that addresses the needs of workers in agriculture, commercial fishing, and forestry across Public Health Region 6. Dr. Casanova is the co-investigator in the Pilot/Feasibility Studies Core for the Center. In this role she recruits, reviews, and administers short-term agricultural health and safety research projects. She also serves as research mentor to junior faculty and students new to the field. She is currently the chair of the Curriculum, Instruction, & Technology Committee for the School. She is the chair of the institution’s faculty senate and serves as co-chair of the Governance Committee to the System-wide Faculty Advisory Council. Dr. Casanova was recently awarded the Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award.