About

Dr. Cantrell is a researcher and educator whose broad goal is to demonstrate the importance of linkages between the family, home, and community.

He does so by focusing on:

1. how homeowners make home-upgrade decisions (view the Decision-Ade™ video)

2. building capacity within communities so they can function more effectively

3. adapting homes for aging-in-place

His diversified background enables him to approach issues from perspectives of engineering, teaching, economics, community development, marketing research science, and housing research.

He has extensive industry experience working on government contracts funded by the U.S. Departments of Housing and Urban Development, Energy, and Agriculture to improve housing and building products.

Dr. Cantrell is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer who taught high-school mathematics in the French Language to students in Niger, West Africa. His secondary project while serving in the Peace Corps was that of a tube-well driller and instructor.

EDUCATION and TEACHING:

• Ph.D. University of Washington: Seattle, WA (Forest Resources, emphasizing marketing research science and engineered wood products), College of the Environment
• M.S. Illinois State University: Normal, IL (Applied Economics, emphasizing community development), College of Arts and Sciences
• B.S. University of Central Florida: Orlando, FL (Liberal Studies, emphasizing Industrial Engineering and pre-medicine), College of Arts and Sciences

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Dr. Cantrell typically teaches his research-based cooperative extension programs to UF County Faculty (extension agents) throughout Florida, so they can teach his programs to Florida citizens. He has taught UF classes related to topics covering:

• international community development
• aging-in-place
• intergenerational understanding and communications