Whitney Barnett, PhD, MPH
Assistant Professor
Department of Public Health
EDUCATION
PhD, Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa
Master of Public Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa
BA in Political Science and Women’s Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
RESEARCH & AREAS OF INTEREST
Perinatal Mental Health Maternal and Child
Health Implementation Science Child Maltreatment
A current publication list can be found on her website: https://wcbarnett.weebly.com/publications.html
TEACHING
Introduction to Global Health
Maternal and Child Health
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Whitney Barnett, MPH, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Health. She earned her Master of Public Health and Ph.D. in Psychiatry and Mental Health from the University of Cape Town in South Africa, where she spent 10 years working on a Bill and Melinda Gates Funded project, the Drakenstein Child Health Study. Dr. Barnett’s research examines the impact of early exposure to maltreatment and violence on child health, development, and achievement. She has a strong interest in maternal mental health and the mental well-being of parents and caregivers, recognizing the critical role these factors play in shaping the caregiving environment and supporting healthy family dynamics. Her work seeks to identify modifiable factors within family settings and develop evidence-based interventions that promote positive outcomes for children and families. Currently, Dr. Barnett’s research is funded by the National Institutes of Health, supporting her efforts to bridge gaps between research and practice and to address key challenges in child health and development.
CONTACT