Natasha D. White, Ph.D. is a program manager at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

She has made significant strides in her field by developing a pioneering microparticle system for delivering biosurfactants to oil spill sites.

This innovative approach enhanced oil emulsification, making it more accessible to native microbial communities.

Her groundbreaking work resulted in four peer-reviewed publications that advanced understanding in oil spill remediation strategies.

Throughout her academic journey, White's passion for research led to the publication of 14 peer-reviewed articles in esteemed journals.

Her research focused on studying the effects of environmental contaminants on marine mammals, fish, and other marine species.

White earned bachelor's degree in biology from Florida A&M University, followed by a Master of Science and a Ph.D. in environmental sciences. Her educational background provided a solid foundation in biology and environmental sciences.

Read about other nominees for the 2023 Professional Achievement Award:

Ariel Ash-Shakoor is a senior biomedical engineer at the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). She is responsible for a team that assesses the safety and effectiveness of medical devices. Ariel works to ensure that the regulatory process for market approval/clearance is followed correctly.

Ashley Johnson-Long is the plant engineering manager at Corning, Inc. and co-founder of Corning Valley's first Toastmasters club. She has led the team in implementing solutions such as best-in-class dies for light-duty substrates and served on the leadership team for the Corning Black Growth Council.

Laura Luengo Herrero manages the Prototype Vehicle Fleet and oversees vehicle level tests for electric vehicles. Her role at Lordstown Motors involves supporting problem resolution during the launch build of EVs.