Sharunda Buchanan

Dr. Sharunda Buchanan serves as a Lecturer in the Environmental and Health Sciences Department at Spelman College, following her retirement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in June 2025 after 35 years of federal service. During her CDC tenure, she held pivotal leadership roles including Director of the Division of Emergency and Environmental Health Services and Director of the Office of Priority Projects and Innovation, driving initiatives in environmental public health and health equity.

Her educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Clark Atlanta University, 1989
• M.S. in Chemistry, Texas Southern University, 1984
• B.S. in Chemistry, Texas Southern University, 1983

Dr. Buchanan's research centers on environmental justice and health disparities, with specific focus on childhood lead poisoning, disproportionate chemical exposure in marginalized communities, social determinants of health, and climate change impacts on global health equity. Her work consistently bridges scientific research with policy advocacy to address systemic inequities in underserved populations worldwide.

Her publication record demonstrates sustained expertise in environmental public health, particularly lead poisoning prevention, environmental health infrastructure, and climate-related health impacts. These works have directly influenced public health practice through CDC programs, international collaborations like the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint, and Presidential Task Force initiatives.

Dr. Buchanan has mentored students as adjunct faculty at Spelman and Morehouse Colleges since 1992, teaching chemistry and cell biology. At CDC, she led multidisciplinary teams tackling lead poisoning and climate health crises while providing technical leadership across Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Europe. She co-led U.S. efforts in the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint and served as Tri-Chair of the Presidential Task Force Lead Subcommittee, advancing national childhood lead poisoning prevention strategies.