Vanessa Casanova, PhD, MS is Associate Professor of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler (UTHSCT). Dr. Casanova teaches rural population health and environmental health in the School of Community and Rural Health. She is the director of the NIOSH-funded Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention, and Education (SW Ag Center) where previously served as the Applied Research Manager. Her research is focused on the health and safety outcomes of forestry/logging workers, both settled-out and migratory. The SW Ag Center has an established record of conducting comprehensive research that addresses the needs of workers in agriculture, commercial fishing, and forestry across Public Health Region 6. Dr. Casanova also serves as research mentor to junior faculty, residents, and students new to the field of agricultural occupational safety and health.