Leah Whigham, PhD, FTOS
Associate Professor, Health Promotion & Behavioral Sciences
Director, Center for Community Health Impact
Leah.D.Whigham@uth.tmc.edu
Leah Whigham, PhD, FTOS, is the founding director of the Center for Community Health Impact (CCHI) and Associate Professor with The University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health in the Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences in El Paso, Texas. Dr. Whigham has over 20 years of experience in basic, clinical, and community sciences as they relate to obesity. Her research has increased our understanding of metabolism as it relates to obesity, the influence of nutrients and immune function on body composition, and the impact of the environment on nutrition and physical activity. She has received over $10 million in grant funding, has given numerous invited presentations in national and international conferences, and mentored over dozens of students. Driven by the needs of the community and informed by the best science, the CCHI provides a bridge between research and application to effectively mobilize individuals, families, organizations, and communities to build a culture of health. Dr. Whigham also serves on the Executive Committee as Secretary/Treasurer of The Obesity Society, the leading professional society dedicated to better understanding, preventing, and treating obesity.
