Daniel J. Whitaker, PhD

Director, National SafeCare Training and Research Center
Clinical Professor, Institute of Public Health
Georgia State University

Daniel J. Whitaker, PhD., joined the Center for Health Development, College of Health and Human Sciences at Georgia State University in August 2008 as the Director of the National SafeCare® Training and Research Center. He has a career interest in intervention for family violence (child maltreatment and partner violence) and implementation research for evidence-based practice.

Biography Sketch

Daniel J. Whitaker received his PhD in Social Psychology from the University of Georgia in 1996.  He worked as a scientist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 1997 to 2007.  He became a Team Leader in June of 2002 in the Prevention Development and Evaluation Branch, where he led a team of researchers that conducted prevention research in the areas on child maltreatment and intimate partner violence.  Dr. Whitaker became the Director of the National SafeCare® Training and Research Center in January of 2008, and a Visiting Professor of Public Health at Georgia State University in August 2008.  He has published over 50 manuscripts and book chapters, including papers in the American Journal of Public Health, Child Maltreatment, and Aggression and Violent Behavior.   Whitaker has served as the CDC advisor to the American Medical Association's National Advisory Committee on Violence and Abuse, and on the advisory board for Healthy Families Georgia and the National Family Preservation Network.

Recent Publications

Whitaker, DJ, Le B, Hanson HK, Baker CB, Ryan, G, McMahon, P, Klein, A, & Rice D.D. (2008). Risk factors for the perpetration of child sexual abuse: A Review and Meta Analysis. Child Abuse and Neglect, 32, 529-548.

Whitaker DJ, Haileyesus, T, Swahn, MH, Salztman, L  (2007). Differences in frequency of violence and reported injury between relationships with reciprocal and nonreciprocal intimate partner violence.  American Journal of Public Health, 97, 941-947.

Whitaker DJ & Lutzker, JR (In Press).  Preventing Partner Violence: Foundations, Intervention, and Issues.  American Psychological Association.Contact Information

Contact Information

Daniel J. Whitaker, PhD
Director, National SafeCare Training and Research Center
Visiting Professor, Institute of Public Health
NSTRC/UCEDD
PO Box 3995
Atlanta GA, 30302-3995

Ph: 404-831-4068

[email protected]