John C. Higginbotham, PhD, MPH — Professor

Dr. John C. Higginbotham is a professor with the Department of Community Medicine and Population Health and founding director of the Institute for Rural Health Research. In his role with the College, he teaches and conducts research. Higginbotham received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from The University of Alabama, a Master’s in Public Health Degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and a doctorate in Preventive Medicine and Community Health from the University of Texas Medical Branch. He has an extensive portfolio of funded research from more than 20 unique federal, state and local governments, as well as foundations and nonprofit organizations. His most recent presentations and publications focus on racial and ethnic disparities related to cancer and other health issues that have particular impact in rural areas. Higginbotham has chaired standing grant review committees for the National Institutes of Health. He received the Charles Barkley Excellence in Mentoring Award and the Alabama Public Health Association’s Ira L. Myers Award for having a significant impact on public health.