Largo-Wight Lab

Erin Largo-Wight, PhD

Erin Largo-Wight, PhD
Professor and Director
UNF Institute of Environmental Research and Education (IERE)
Public Health | Brooks College of Health
Office 39/4018 and 16/3111
Email largo.wight@unf.edu
Bio https://webapps.unf.edu/faculty/bio/N00605403 

Areas of Expertise

Nature Contact, Health By Design, Environmental Health Promotion, Environmental Behavior Change

Education

PhD, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 2007
Major/Concentration: Health Behavior, College of Health and Human Performance
Minor: Social Psychology, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

Graduate Certificate, Environmental Education & Communication, 2006
College of Agriculture and Life Science, University of Florida

Graduate Certificate, Health Communication, 2005
College of Health and Human Performance, University of Florida

MS, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 2003
Department of Exercise Science, Nutrition, & Health
Major: Health Promotion

BS, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, 2000
College of Education
Major: Elementary Education

Certification 

Master Online Teacher Certificate, 2013
National Certification, Illinois Online Network, University of Illinois

Biography

I grew up on the "nature coast" of Florida, earned degrees from University of South Florida (BS), University of Delaware (MS), and University of Florida (PhD) and joined the faculty at the University of North Florida, Department of Public Health in 2007.  I am a professor in UNF Department of Public Health and Director of UNF Institute of Environmental Research and Education. I serve on UNF's Honor CouncilTimucuan Parks Foundation Therapeutic Park Advisory Board, and other boards and committees aimed to promote well-being and facilitate community-based and active learning. I enjoy my 'backyard mini farm', watching my children play, and being active with my family outdoors, especially at Florida's beaches, parks, and springs.

My research focuses on health by design and nature contact. Most of my current work is focused on controlling stress through community design and nature contact. We are actively exploring the impact of nature contact on stress and well-being in the workplace, K-12 schools, clinical settings, and the home.

My second line of research focuses on sustainability-related environmental health behaviors. We study the determinants of behavior change to understand how to best promote behavior change to ultimately protect health-promoting nature and environmental resources.  Past studies explored, for example, the impact of increased access to recycling receptacles on recycling behavior and the impact of a ‘road diet’ on transportation behavior and population-based health outcomes.

I enjoy discussing my research and broader topics with the public. Feel free to contact me at largo.wight@unf.edu to learn more.

Affiliations

Largo-Wight Lab website

UNF Public Health website

UNF Institute of Environmental Research and Education (IERE) website

Grants & Contracts Awarded

Selected

External

NOAA-NOS-ORR-2020-2006200. Largo-Wight, E. (Co-PI) with Suida, A. (PI), Truelove, H., Gowans, S., Debure, K., & Sherry, J. (2020 - 2023). Toward Sustainable Campuses – Individual Accountability in Single-Use Plastic Reduction. Campaigns National Ocean Service (NOS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce. Marine Debris Prevention, Washington D.C.

Largo-Wight Co-PI with Truelove on UNF sub award

Kusumoto, H. (PI) & Largo-Wight, E. (Faculty Mentor) (2018). Health Needs Assessment: Determining Community Perspectives to Create Park Partnerships. Timucuan Parks Foundation Student Grant, Jacksonville, FL.

Largo-Wight E. (PI) (2017). Flowers and Stress Study: The impact of flowers on stress and health among women. Society of American Florists, Washington, D.C.

Largo-Wight, E. (PI / Awardee) (2007). Healthy Work Environments. SOPHE/ATSDR Fellowship in Environmental Health Promotion, The Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) / Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)Washington D.C.

 Internal

Largo-Wight, E. (PI), Guardino, C., & Hall, K.W. (2013) Cultivating Healthy School Environments: An Outdoor Classroom Pilot Study. Seed Research Grant, UNF Environmental Center, Jacksonville, FL.

Largo-Wight, E. (PI) (2011). Environmental Intervention for Stress Reduction at Work: Environmental Booster Break Pilot Study. Summer Research Grant, UNF Academic Affairs, Jacksonville, FL.

Largo-Wight, E. (PI) (2009). The Refinement and Testing of an Instrument to Measure Health-related Environmental Quality at Work: The Nature Contact Questionnaire. Seed Research Grant, UNF Environmental Center, Jacksonville, FL.

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