Luther Kalb

Luther Kalb is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mental Health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. He maintains a primary affiliation with the Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities Research and is based at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Maryland.

His educational background includes:

• PhD from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (2017)
• MHS from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (2008)
• BA from University of Baltimore (2006)

Dr. Kalb is a public health researcher whose work focuses on improving population mental health, with particular emphasis on advancing the science of well-being from a population-based perspective. His research integrates measure development and health service research, primarily concentrating on youth with developmental disabilities, especially those with autism. He has developed expertise in mental health measurement, epidemiology, and learning health systems, with a growing interest in the intersection of well-being research and developmental disabilities.

His publication record demonstrates a strong focus on autism research and mental health measurement, with particular attention to assessment tools, diagnostic bias, and crisis intervention strategies. Recent work has examined race and sex bias in autism diagnostic instruments, mental health crisis screening in autistic youth, and well-being measurement in autistic adults.

His scientific recognition includes:

• 2020 Goldstein Award from Kennedy Krieger Institute
• 2018 NIMH CHIPS Fellowship
• 2016 Morton Kramer Award for Excellence in Epidemiology and Biostatistics
• 2015 Wendy Klag Scholar designation

Dr. Kalb shares his expertise through teaching, notably offering courses titled 'Public Health and the Good Life' and 'Public Health Approaches to the Good Life,' which reflect his interdisciplinary approach connecting public health principles with well-being science. His research portfolio demonstrates significant grant support, particularly from NIMH, indicating strong peer recognition of his methodological expertise in autism and mental health services research.

His work is conducted through the Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities Research at Kennedy Krieger Institute, positioning him at the intersection of clinical practice, research, and public health policy related to developmental disabilities.