Karen Whitt , PhD, RN

Assistant Professor

Education

Dr. Whitt received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Nursing from George Mason University. In May, 2008 Dr. Whitt  received her PhD in Nursing from George Mason University. While enrolled in her doctoral studies, she was the recipient of the High Potential Graduate Research Merit Scholarship. Dr. Whitt was awarded the Nursing Research Dissertation Award by the George Mason University School of Nursing for her dissertation which evaluated the effects of vitamin-D receptor genotypes on bone mineral density in men and women.

Professional & Research Interests

Dr. Whitt joined the George Washington University Department of Nursing faculty in January, 2009. She has been involved in a variety of research projects related to genetics, aging, women’s health, osteoporosis, and osteoarthritis. In 2004, she was chosen for a National Institute’s of Health Fellowship in genetics sponsored by the National Institute of Nursing Research. This opportunity provided a foundation in molecular genetics related to clinical practice and the research laboratory. In 2006, Dr. Whitt was awarded a two-year National Institute’s of Health Ruth L. Kirchenstein National Research Service Award to fund her dissertation work at the National Institute on Aging’s Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA). Dr. Whitt continues to work with the BLSA on research related to genetics and bone health. Dr. Whitt’s professional experience includes acute/urgent care, medical-surgical, women’s health, labor and delivery, community health, and teaching nursing in the clinical and academic setting.

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