John is an applied researcher, strategist, and educator working at the intersection of public health and the built environment. He brings an interdisciplinary perspective to public health, with a background in applied research, chronic disease epidemiology, urban planning, and community development. He serves as the Director of the Tennessee Department of Health’s Office of Primary Prevention, where he works to integrate health and equity into decision-making around land use planning, transportation, housing, parks and greenspace, food security, and economic development. He partners across sectors with government, universities, non-profits, and businesses. John holds a Ph.D. in Applied Community Research from Vanderbilt University and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He is a Salzburg Global Fellow in Equity and Urban Development and an Urban Land Institute Health Leaders Fellow.