Dr. Gragg plays an instrumental role at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU). With FAMU being a land-grant institution, Dr. Gragg believes the environment, food, and agriculture are ways to frame the university’s mission and unite the community. He is an associate professor of environmental science and policy.

He began his teaching and research career at FAMU in 1991. Dr. Gragg teaches undergraduates fundamentals of environmental science, environmental equity and justice, environmental toxicology and human health, environmental ethics, special topics-sustainability for the 21st century, and senior thesis.

He is on the Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee of the Office of Pesticide Programs. He is the founding director of the FAMU Center for Environmental Equity and Justice. Previously Dr. Gragg was a member of the Science Advisory Board for the Environmental Justice Technical Group Review Panel for the US EPA. He has also served on the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council and Health and Research Subcommittee, the Florida Environmental Regulations Commission, Audubon of Florida Board of Directors, and the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Dr. Gragg has contributed to developing FAMU’s School of the Environment, Center for Environmental Equity and Justice (CEEJ). He educates and trains environmental scientists from underrepresented groups working towards bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Dr. Gragg demonstrates public service and leadership in higher education.

The CEEJ brings together an interdisciplinary team of highly trained faculty members and scientists to address environmental issues by conducting cutting-edge research, publishing articles to alert the public on how to avert crises and avoid illnesses, and encouraging more students to undertake studies related to the environment at both undergraduate and graduate levels. It is an information resource for community organizations such as the Florida Brownfields Association and government entities, including the Environmental Protection Agency. “A signature of the program,” according to Dr. Gragg, is that “it is not just training students in science but also in understanding the role of science in policy decision-making.”

Dr. Gragg uses his platform, background in science, and knowledge to empower the students of FAMU to get out and make a positive change in the world. Gragg believes that students can make a positive impact and shed light on environmental justice issues similar to those in Flint, MI.

“In light of Flint, Michigan, environmental justice means something very painful. It’s counterintuitive in terms of the word and the issue. I’m coming to learn when people say environmental justice; I think we need to realize it’s an objective. In labeling an issue, we have to accept that the issue is not met,” Dr. Gragg said.

Through collaboration with his colleagues, he secured more than $59 million in grant funding to conduct environmental science, justice, health, and policy research in partnership with diverse stakeholders. Dr. Gragg often works in partnership and cooperation with others. This has resulted in the designing and implementation of 17 research projects, 28 manuscripts and technical documents, and 55 presentations nationally and globally. Dr. Gragg’s contributions have contributed to the recognition of the state of Florida as a leader in addressing environmental justice concerns.

Dr. Gragg received the Gulf Guardian Award in 2015 from the Gulf of Mexico Program. Dr. Gragg was recognized for advancing environmental justice in the organizations where he was a member and partner. He worked with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection- Community Environmental Health Advisory Board, the Florida Department of Health, Executive Council and Health and Research Subcommittee, and the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council - US EPA. He used his expertise to find ways to positively impact Florida’s citizens’ quality of life and economic well-being.

Below are excerpts from Holman’s (2016) article from FAMU News describing Dr. Gregg’s eye-opening moment to environmental justice and his role in empowering students:

“They were holding public hearings around the state on how minorities in low-wealth populations were being disproportionately impacted by environmental stressors,” Gragg said. “It was an eye-opener to hear what was going on from the citizens. It was a great contrast to seeing a documentary on TV and seeing the real people. I realized I could use the science that I know to solve or help to solve real issues.”

“Gragg is empowering students through teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in environmental toxicology and human health, environmental toxicology, environmental justice, and environmental ethics. He is also confident that his work is encouraging students to become more involved in their efforts to empower underserved communities through environmentalism.”