From genetic predisposition to environmental exposure
The Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences encompasses every facet of life that can affect a population’s health.
The fields covered by our department offer a different angle from which to assess and tackle pressing health issues affecting communities and populations. Our epidemiology students learn to bring the full context into view, in order to understand the patterns and relationships in chronic and infectious diseases and other health outcomes such as injuries, aging and mental health in populations. Our human genetics students immerse themselves in genetics and genomic research to help guide decisions regarding the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. Additionally, our environmental and occupational health students investigate environmental and occupational exposures to determine how they affect health and to ensure healthy workplaces and communities.
Welcome to the Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences (EHGES). The faculty, students, staff, and alumni of EHGES have a shared mission to reduce the burden of disease in human populations. Our department accomplishes this goal through excellence in research, education and service.
Although teaching and academic programs are the engines that drives our department, research is the fuel that keeps the intellectual engines running. EHGES is committed to excellence in research and affecting positive changes in the quality of health around the world. Some of our research enterprise is conducted in specialized research centers. The Center for Infectious Disease (CID) has a commitment to conquering the emerging infectious diseases that result from close contact between humans and other species, or the result of poor sanitation and inappropriate food handling. The Human Genetics Center (HGC) is utilizing the latest genomic technology to understand the genetic etiology of many of the common chronic diseases that plague human populations. The Southwest Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (SWCOEH) is addressing the threats to health and well-being posed by occupational and environmental factors through multidisciplinary and innovative approaches to research.
As you consider your options, I encourage you to explore our website and learn more about how our graduate programs can help launch you on the path of a successful public health career. For more information, please feel free to contact us at sphehges@uth.tmc.edu.
Dr. Alanna Morrison
Department Chair
Epidemiology
The foundation of public health.
Epidemiologists play a vital role in disease prevention through their study of detecting determinants and patterns of disease in vulnerable populations. Through rigorous coursework, we prepare our students to confront some of the most common, and deadly, health conditions affecting communities around the globe. Students work alongside our world-renowned faculty on cutting edge research covering cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer, among other issues, and alumni from our program go on to become leading experts in both chronic and infectious diseases. This research provides our students with the knowledge and skills needed to extend life expectancy, advance health equity, improve quality of care and pave the way for innovations in how we control health events in the future.
Environmental Sciences
Protecting our environment to preserve public health.
Environmental and occupational health scientists study physical, biological and chemical exposures encountered by the public to provide solutions to natural and man-made problems in our environment. Through interactive field and laboratory work, our students learn to identify and address the potential effects of exposures from activities and settings we experience each day. Examples include establishing and implementing safer workplace operating standards and procedures that promote health and safety, developing emergency management plans for improved response to environmental disasters and monitoring the quality of our air, water and food to minimize health risks. By better understanding our surroundings, we are able to foster thriving communities through the prevention or mitigation of exposure to environmental hazards.
Epidemiology, human genetics and environmental sciences research
We offer a supportive and thriving research culture, including many grant-funded projects and high-profile partnerships with other health and community organizations. Our department collaborates with the Center for Infectious Diseases, Human Genetics Center, Southwest Center for Occupational and Environmental Health and the Center for Health Equity on a wide range of topics.
Our research interests and efforts include:
- Cancer Epidemiology
- Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes and other Chronic Diseases
- Emergency Preparedness and Response Training
- Environmental and Occupational Exposures (Waterborne Diseases, Air Quality)
- Ergonomics
- Genetic Epidemiology
- Genomics and Bioinformatics
- Human Genetics
- Human Health Risk Assessment
- Industrial Toxicology
- Infectious Diseases & Immunology
- Injury, Violence & Substance Abuse
- Microbiology
- Molecular Epidemiology
- Nutrition & Obesity
- Pediatric, Perinatal & Reproductive
- Physical Activity
- Total Worker Health®
Degree programs
The Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences offers the following degrees:
Master of Public Health (MPH)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Graduate Certificate offered
The Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences offers the following graduate certificate:
Expand your knowledge by learning how to identify, analyze, and integrate genomic and high-dimensional multi-omic data into population and personalized health with a Genomics and Bioinformatics Certificate from UTHealth School of Public Health.
Students, clinicians, and researchers enrolled in the program will be equipped with a unique set of skills needed to compete and lead in genomic sciences. These skills, obtained through a structured set of courses in computational genetics, clinical genetics, and genetic epidemiology, will assist students in understanding advances in human genetics and bioinformatics and its application to research and practice.
The Genomics and Bioinformatics Certificate can be completed in 12 months if the required courses are taken in three consecutive semesters. Certification is available for degree, and non-degree seeking students.
Course delivery available completely online.
For more information, please contact JR Bright, academic and admissions advisor, at JR.F.Bright@uth.tmc.edu.
Contact us
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| Epidemiology Admissions | |
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JR Bright EPI Academic and Admissions Advisor II |
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Eric L. Brown, PhD Epidemiology Faculty Admissions Representative |
| Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Admissions | |
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Mark Yeh EOHS Academic and Admissions Advisor II |
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Lawrence Whitehead, PhD EOHS Faculty Admissions Representative |
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FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
“For Women in Science 2021” contest, an important contest that seeks to recognize the work of female researchers.
The [Peruvian] National Program for Scientific Research and Advanced Studies (ProCiencia), executing unit of the National Council for Science, Technology and Technological Innovation (Concytec), together with Lóreal and UNESCO, announced the winning scientists on January 24, 2022.
READ MOREOchoa selected as "For Women in Science 2021", Peruvian National Award
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NEW RESEARCH
Despite genetic makeup, following heart health guidelines can decrease risk of heart disease
Natalie Hasbani, MPH, research assistant and doctoral candidate at the Dallas campus has found that following "Life’s Simple 7 guidelines" developed by the American Heart Association (AHA) can significantly lower the risk of coronary heart disease despite a genetic predisposition.
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FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
Bing Yu, PhD, FAHA appointed as the new holder of the JLH Foundation Chair in Transplant Prevention.
Congratulations to EHGES and Human Genetics Center associate professor Bing Yu, PhD, FAHA on her appointment as the new holder of The JLH Foundation Chair in Transplant Prevention, at the School of Public Health.
READ MORESPH - Dept - EHGES - Faculty Spotlight - Dr. Bing Yu
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CENTER OF EXCELLENCE
Support grows for the new UTHealth COVID-19 Center of Excellence
Bringing together expertise and access to the best clinical care, research trials, discovery science, and public health knowledge, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) has established the UTHealth COVID-19 Center of Excellence.
