Before joining the Institute in 1978, Mr. White was supervisor of the Herbarium Services Unit, Department of Botany, Smithsonian Institution. At the Institute, he is responsible for all activities of the Art Department, including curating the art collection and planning exhibitions. Currently, he is developing an international botanical art register for the Web. He is a research associate in the Section of Botany at Carnegie Museum of Natural History.
In addition, he is a member of the following associations: American Association of Museums; American Society of Botanical Artists (ASBA) (founder member and a director); Chelsea Physic Garden Florilegium Society (American Honorary Patron); Council on Botanical and Horticultural Libraries (CBHL); Greater Pittsburgh Museum Council (GPMC) (founder member, Secretary, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1999; President, 1991; Treasurer, 1995); Guild of Natural Science Illustrators (GNSI); Society of Botanical Artists (founder member); Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music & Culture Amongst Youth (Pittsburgh Chapter) (founder member, Financial Coordinator 1985–1999); and Walter Read Hovey Award Committee (award administrated by The Pittsburgh Foundation).
Between 1991 and 1996, White made five trips to India documenting botanical artworks. In 1996, he was a Fulbright research scholar affiliated with the Lalbagh Botanical Garden in Bangalore, India.