Jean-Paul "JP" Tanner, PhD, MPH

Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology

Contact Info

• Office: NEC 254
• Academic Email: jtanner3@usf.edu
• Email: jtanner@usf.edu
• Academic Phone: (813) 396-9242
• View My C.V.

Education

Discipline

Epidemiology

Specialization

• Epidemiology and Prevention
• Birth Defects Research and Surveillance

Biography

Dr. Tanner is originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and moved to Florida in 1998 to pursue his undergraduate education. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Nutrition from the University of Florida in 2003, followed by both his Master of Public Health (2005) and PhD in Epidemiology (2017) from the University of South Florida (USF). Dr. Tanner’s research focuses on integrating population-based surveillance data, clinical outcomes, and health services research to enhance the accuracy, interpretation, and utility of birth defects and perinatal health data. Through collaborative, multidisciplinary work spanning epidemiology, maternal and child health, and gynecologic outcomes, his research strengthens the evidence base used to refine case definitions, improve surveillance methodologies, and identify risk factors that inform prevention and early intervention strategies. Collectively, his work supports data-driven public health practice and policy aimed at improving maternal and child health outcomes. He has been actively involved in a wide range of state- and federally funded grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts, with deep expertise in data management, statistical analysis, and large-scale public health data linkage. He currently serves as Co-Principal Investigator of the USF Birth Defects Surveillance Program, a key partner with the Florida Department of Health and the CDC, supporting research, surveillance, prevention, and evaluation efforts through the Florida Birth Defects Registry. Dr. Tanner has held multiple national leadership roles with the National Birth Defects Prevention Network, including Chair of the Data Committee and the Surveillance Guidelines and Standards Committee. He served on the organization’s Board of Directors from 2023 to 2025 and as Treasurer from 2024 through 2025, and currently serves on its Finance Committee. In addition to his research, Dr. Tanner serves on the USF College of Public Health Research Committee and teaches courses in data management. He is deeply committed to mentoring and advising students. He has authored more than 80 peer-reviewed publications and has contributed to over 100 scientific abstracts and conference presentations.