Joseph A. Whittaker, PhD
Dean and Professor
School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences
Morgan State University

Joseph A. Whittaker, PhD is currently Dean and Professor in the School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences at Morgan State University. He pursued undergraduate studies at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland (1978-1982). While at Morgan, he majored in Biology (with a minor in Chemistry) and was actively involved in research. Upon receiving his bachelor's degree in 1982, he began matriculation in the doctoral program in Physiology and Biophysics at Howard University in Washington, DC. With his main emphasis in neurophysiology, he then joined the laboratory of Professor S.T. Kitai, as a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Neuroscience Center of Excellence, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, TN.

After his postdoctoral training, Dr. Whittaker joined the faculty of Morehouse School of Medicine where he rose through the ranks to become an Associate Professor, serving in the Departments of Anatomy & Neurobiology as well as Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences. While at Morehouse, he spearheaded the initiative to establish the Developmental Neuroscience Progam, which drove the design and construction of a 10,000 sq. ft. research facility and recruitment of a nationally-recongnized Director. The program quickly evolved into the current Neuroscience Institute and became a prototype for 12 new NIH-supported Specialized Neuroscience Research Programs currently existing in Minority-serving institutions across the US.

Dr. Whittaker has served in numerous academic and leadership roles, both locally and nationally. He served as a member of the MSM Medical and Graduate faculty, directing courses in Graduate Neuroscience as well as in Psychiatry. He has chaired the MSM Faculty Assembly, elected/appointed to serve on Executive Search Committees, and participated as member & Chair on MPH Program Self-study and CEPH accreditation review committee. At the national level , he has been a member of several review panels and committees. These include Scientific and Program Review panels at the National Science Foundation, National Academy of Sciences & National Institutes of Health, in addition to Advisory Panels at several institutions across the US.

In his current capacity as Dean, Dr. Whittaker also serves on the Academic Affairs Council, as a member on the Maryland State Legislature's Task Force on Minority Participation in the Environmental Community, and as Program Director for the RCMI Biomedical Research Program.

Dr. Whittaker has been a devoted teacher and researcher for over 18 years and has been recognized for his many contributions in undergraduate, graduate and medical education as well as faculty and institutional development.