Dr. White is an astrophysicist who summarizes his research interests as, “I like things that explode in outer space, I like to watch matter falling onto dead stars, and I like helping students learn.” He expresses these interests in astronomical research that is directed at matter transfer, accretion, and eruptive behavior in binary star systems, especially a large class called cataclysmic variables. Knowledge gained from this research informs our understanding generally of accretion phenomena and stellar nucleosynthesis. His work in science education and public outreach—for organizations such as the International Astronomical Union, the American Institute of Physics, and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific—has taken him around the world to work with colleagues on six continents in projects affecting faculty and students from high school to graduate levels. 

A Visiting Scholar in Astronomy at Wesleyan, Dr. White is a past executive director of the ASP and global manager of the IAU's former program group for education in developing countries. He is currently the Director of Science & Innovation for the Talcott Mountain Science Center & Academy in nearby Avon, Connecticut.