Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences
Promoting public health through environmental & workplace safeguards.
About
At the forefront of today’s most critical public health challenges
Whether addressing workplace safeguards during a pandemic or mitigating the threats of extreme weather, aging urban infrastructure, and food-borne outbreaks, those working in environmental health and occupational safety inform the health policies that impact where we live and work.
Faculty expertise and leadership span industry, government and academia. Along with interactive curricula, students obtain hands-on learning and research opportunities that produce tangible results for contemporary public health problems. Specifically, our students investigate the relationship between environmental/occupational exposures and human health impacts to inform safe worksites and healthy communities. The environmental and occupational health degree programs are managed by the Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences (EOHS).
Get to know the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences
Latest Department News
UTHealth Houston launches firefighter cancer risk study with kick-off event
UTHealth Houston School of Public Health and Southwest Center for Occupational and Environmental Health hosted a kickoff event to celebrate the launch of a $5 million, multi-year initiative focused on reducing cancer risks and health impacts of environmental exposures for firefighters.
Latest Department News
- 2025 Sharma Fellows Announced
- UTHealth Houston Students and Faculty Present Research at International Environmental Health Conference
- Guillot-Wright awarded $400,000 to expand Docside Clinics in Port Arthur, TX
- UTHealth Houston study links firefighter smoke exposure to biological changes that increase cancer risk
Message from Chair
Message from Chair
Kristina Mena
Professor, El Paso Regional Dean, Chair and Jane Dale Owen Chair in Environmental Health Protection
"No matter your interest in public health, some aspect is related to the environmental and occupational sciences field. Find your niche in this ever-evolving public health discipline so that you can lead your community’s response when the next environmental challenge is upon us."
EOHS by the Numbers
3
Fully-funded training programs supported by NIOSH
10+
Scholarship Opportunities
3:1
Department student to faculty ratio
Careers in Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences
- Academic or Private Research
- Federal, State, or Local Government
- Oil & Gas
- Manufacturing
- Transportation
- Non-profits
- Military
Testimonials
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My time as an EOHS student at the School of Public Health was transformative, providing me with a solid foundation in Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Health. In my role as Head of Fleet Training at the Naval Safety and Environmental Training Center in Norfolk, VA, I leverage this knowledge to lead global training initiatives across the DoD enterprise, ensuring excellence in Safety, Environmental Protection, and Occupational Health for commands worldwide.
—Casey Bozenski, Head of Fleet Training at the Naval Safety and Environmental Training Center
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As an EOHS student, I’ve been able to apply the concepts from my coursework to my real-world job, which has deepened my understanding of the theory.
—Jennifer Cerecero, MS, CHP, LMP, PhD Student, Total Worker Health Track, Executive Director, Environmental Health & Safety, UT Health San Antonio
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The knowledge and skills I gained at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health have empowered me to excel in my role at NASA, where I contribute to ensuring the health and performance of our personnel and astronauts. I am proud to apply my expertise to protect human life both on Earth and in space.
—Austin Mills, Safety Specialist, HHPC, Johnson Space Center - NASA
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With the program's rigorous training and support, I'm confident in my ability to drive meaningful change in the Health Equity and environmental justice space, and I look forward to a career dedicated to promoting healthier environments for all.
—Saswati Upadhyay, MPH, MBBS, Doctoral Research Assistant, Office Public Health Practice and Engagement
