TEACHING
Epidemiology, the study of the distribution and determinants of disease and health-related states in populations, is the foundational science of public health. To fully understand issues ranging from the etiology of cancer and heart disease to factors influencing public health policy, it is important for you to be familiar with basic concepts of epidemiology. This course is intended to introduce the science of epidemiology and to explore how epidemiologic methods are applied to solving public health problems. You will learn basic quantitative methods, study design concepts, and critical thinking skills relating to infectious and chronic disease epidemiology.
Public Health HI224
Epidemiology in Public Health: Honors Independent Study
For Public Health students also enrolled in the Commonwealth Honors College. I am happy to work with students to develop 1-credit hour independent studies to supplement Public Health 224: Epidemiology in Public Health. Interested students should contact me at the end of the previous semester to design an appropriate independent study and complete the necessary approval process with the CHC. Prior examples of honors independent studies include: a mentored approach for reading and critiquing peer-reviewed Epidemiology journal articles (Spring 2020), a guided literature-based research project investigating the causes and consequences of the 2002-2003 SARS-CoV epidemic (Fall 2020), and an independent research project to investigate standard vs. Emergency Use Authorizations for vaccinations in the United States (Spring 2021).
Public Health 396
Independent Study
For Public Health students. I am happy to work with students to develop 1-3 credit hour independent studies. Interested students should contact me at the end of the previous semester to design an appropriate independent study to fit your educational interests. Prior examples of independent studies include: an analytical research project comparing measures of validity of birth certificates, self-report, and medical records or labor and delivery outcomes (Spring 2020), guided literature-based research projects (Spring 2021), and introductory epidemiology concepts for non-public health majors (Spring 2021).
Genetic epidemiology is a field of study that deals with the genetic etiology and distribution of diseases and distribution of diseases in populations. This course will provide students with a focused exposure to current trends in genetic epidemiology and related analyses. Topics will include different approaches to measuring the association of genes with disease: family history, heritability, and genetic association, how to model gene-by-environment interactions, epigenetic, and Mendelian Randomization as an approach to causal inference. Students will be exposed to the tools needed to critically review the literature in genetic epidemiology and human genetics. Issues related to study implementation are considered. We will also cover some of the ethical, social, and legal implications of using genetics in epidemiology and public health.
Epidemiology 896
Independent Study
For Epidemiology graduate students. I am happy to work with students to develop 1-3 credit hour independent studies. Interested students should contact me at the end of the previous semester to design an appropriate independent study to fit your educational interests. Prior examples of independent studies include: an analytical research project examining the combined effect of genetic risk scores and behavioral/lifestyle factors on the risk for type 2 diabetes in the Women’s Health Initiative (Spring 2020).