Whitny Braun de Lobatón

Whitny Braun de Lobatón is an Associate Professor in Religion - Ethical Studies at the School of Religion, Loma Linda University, where she also serves as the PhD Program Director and leads the Bioethics, MA and Post-BS Certificate programs. Her academic work bridges religious ethics and bioethics, with a focus on healthcare applications.

Her educational qualifications include a PhD from Claremont Graduate University, an MA and MPH from Loma Linda University, and a BA from La Sierra University.

Dr. Braun de Lobatón's research centers on ethical issues in religion, particularly the intersection of religious practices and healthcare ethics. Her work explores Jain traditions like Sallekhana, the ethical and legal dimensions of prisoner healthcare rights, and religious accommodation in medical settings. She has contributed significantly to interdisciplinary dialogues on cultural competency and end-of-life care.

Her recent publications (2017, 2023) on Jainism in healthcare reference texts aimed at healthcare professionals, emphasizing practical ethical guidance. Earlier works (2007–2009) examine the legality and morality of religious fasting to death and constitutional rights to healthcare in prisons, showing a consistent focus on legal-ethical tensions in marginalized contexts.

There are no listed scientific awards or honors in the provided material.

She mentors students through directed studies and dissertation research, as indicated by her teaching of RELE 699 and RELG 699. She has not received mention of external grants, but her leadership in academic programs suggests administrative and curriculum development responsibilities. Her courses cover bioethics, public health ethics, clinical ethics, and health disparities, reflecting a comprehensive engagement with ethical education in health sciences.

Dr. Braun de Lobatón contributes to academic service through program leadership and curriculum design in bioethics education, particularly for healthcare professionals. She does not appear to lead a formal lab or research team, but her scholarly output indicates sustained independent research activity.