Professional Staff
Erin Largo-Wight, Ph.D. — Director and Professor
Dr. Erin Largo-Wight is a professor in the Department of Public Health and the Director of the Institute of Environmental Research and Education. Dr. Largo-Wight earned a B.S. from University of South Florida, M.S. from University of Delaware, and a Ph.D. from the University of Florida in Health and Human Performance with a minor in Psychology and graduate certificate in Environmental Education and Communication.
Dr. Largo-Wight brings years of leadership experience as the former director of a large academic program; over a decade of experience facilitating student and community partnerships to solve environmental and health issues in Jacksonville; interdisciplinary research, teaching, and world view; and the Health by Design: Nature and Health Laboratory and research. Dr. Largo-Wight studies the impact of nature on stress, health, and well-being. Past studies explored the impact of outdoor classrooms on children, nature in the workplace, clinical settings, and home, and outdoor exposure and health, for example. She also studies environmental health behaviors such as recycling, active commuting, gardening, and others. Erin is passionate about the health of the environment and connecting faculty, students, and community partners to find solutions.
Kelly Rhoden — Assistant Director
Kelly Rhoden serves as the assistant director for the Institute of Environmental Research and Education. Rhoden earned a Bachelor of Science in Health and a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Epidemiology from the University of North Florida.
Rhoden previously served as the coordinator of Student Engagement and Retention Programs within The Institute. Her career path has also provided the opportunity to serve as the Alumni Event Coordinator in the University Development and Alumni Engagement office at the University of North Florida. She was a past participant in the Environmental Leadership Program, completing a project focused on environmentalism and health. In her spare time, she enjoys camping, hiking, gardening and learning more about natural environments.
Ruby Cox — Coordinator
Ruby Cox serves as the Program Coordinator for the Institute of Environmental Research and Education. Cox earned a Bachelor of Science in Health with a concentration on Environmental Health and minor in Environmental Studies from the University of North Florida.
Her previous role as a Community Volunteer Ambassador with National Park Service at Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve in Jacksonville, Florida; fostered her passion and skills in environmental interpretation and education, community engagement, and volunteer management. In this role Ruby focused on intergenerational and community learning practices, cultural history preservation, and environmental health programming.
Cox served as a Research Coordinator Intern with Argonne National Laboratory and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities program where she supported a local non-profit (North Florida Clean Fuels) by conducting research in Environmental Health and Environmental Justice in relation to Jacksonville.
Ruby is a past participant in the Environmental Leadership Program, where she partnered with the Institute of Environmental Research and Education, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), and the Health by Design: Nature and Health Laboratory to complete a project evaluating environmental health behaviors and sustainability relating to recycling and community engagement. In her spare time Ruby enjoys outdoor activities and enjoying time in nature with her friends and family.
Nicole Lowe — Office Manager
Nicole Lowe serves as the office manager for the Institute of Environmental Research and Education. Lowe earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Western Illinois University. She continued her education post-graduation to obtain her teaching certification in middle school math.
Lowe has had a wealth of opportunities from the 2002 Winter Olympics to Director of a local non-profit before stepping into the classroom as a middle school math teacher. Her organizational skills, attention to detail and desire to provide a quality interaction drive her success. In her spare time, she is blessed to enjoy time with her family and the adventures that present themselves.