Elizabeth R. Whitney, PhD

Biography

Dr. Whitney earned a Ph.D. in Anatomy and Neurobiology from the Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. Working under the guidance of Dr. Gene Blatt and Dr. Thomas Kemper, Dr. Whitney’s research focused on the neuropathology of autism. Using immunohistochemistry and standard histological staining techniques, she studied cerebellar organization and the relative density of neuronal subpopulations. Along with prior research documenting the timing and sequencing of key developmental events such as neuronal proliferation, migration and synapse formation, her work has been useful in gaining insight into the timing of the neuropathology in autism. More recently, Dr. Whitney has been involved in several anatomically based research projects.

Dr. Whitney dedicates a significant portion of her time to formal teaching and student advising across multiple schools, including the Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM), Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine (CAMed), and various Graduate Medical Sciences (GMS) Programs. At GSDM, she has served as the Course Director for Anatomical Science-I (histology, neuroanatomy) and has been actively involved in Anatomical Sciences-II (gross anatomy, embryology) since 2005. Collaborating with clinical faculty, she also integrates anatomical sciences into upper-level courses such as Oral Surgery and Pain Control. At CAMed, she has contributed to the gross anatomy component of the curriculum through lectures and hands-on instruction in the gross anatomy laboratory. More recently, in 2021, Dr. Whitney spearheaded the development and direction of Neuroanatomy through Clinical Cases, a component of the curricular updates to the Early Medicine School Selection Program.

Recognized for her dedication to teaching, Dr. Whitney has received several prestigious awards. She is the seven-time recipient of the Proctor and Gamble Excellence in Teaching in the Basic Sciences award at GSDM, the 2017 recipient of the Educator of the Year in the Preclinical Medical Sciences award at CAMed, and the recipient of the 2023 Spencer N. Frankl Award for Excellence in Teaching at GSDM.

Within the Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Dr. Whitney has been an active member of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Committee since its establishment in 2020. In 2023, she assumed a leadership role as co-chair, collaborating closely with her counterpart to spearhead efforts in cultivating an inclusive environment within the department. Dr. Whitney actively participates in various subcommittees, including the Inclusive Curriculum and Learning Subcommittee, Community Engagement Subcommittee, and Black History Month Subcommittee. She has a strong interest in inclusive pedagogy, having completed the Inclusive STEM Teaching Project Course in 2021, and is a recent recipient of the Designing Antiracism Curricular Fellowship.