Peter S. White

Peter S. White is a Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His affiliations include the Curriculum in the Environment and Ecology and the Institute of the Environment. He previously directed the University’s North Carolina Botanical Garden from 1986 to 2014, leading its transformation into a leader in conservation-focused botanical gardens. The Garden received a Program Excellence Award in 2004 and opened the LEED Platinum-certified Education Center in 2009.

His research focuses on plant ecology, including community dynamics, biogeography, conservation biology, and the impacts of disturbance and invasive species. He has emphasized the role of botanical gardens in sustainability and conservation ethics.

Award highlights include the 2004 Program Excellence Award recognizing the Garden’s policies on exotic species and environmental stewardship. Though nearing retirement, White remains active in advising and is affiliated with UNC’s Energy Program and Geography Department faculty networks.