Human Genetics Center
Discovering how molecular variation impacts the health of individuals, families, and populations to improve public health and clinical care outcomes.
PhD in Epidemiology Program
Program Overview
Expertise Mentorship: Students collaborate with a graduate supervisor specializing in their research area.
Course Load: Typically, students enroll in three courses per semester.
Time to Completion: The average time to complete the program is five years.
Customized Curriculum: Tailored to each student’s background and goals.
Traineeship Opportunities: Teaching and Research Assistant Opportunities available.
Faculty & Research Expertise
The Human Genetics Center specializes in a wide range of disciplines:
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Bioinformatics
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Computational Biology
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Cardiovascular Diseases
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Congenital Disorders
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Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases
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Neurocognitive Disorders
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Respiratory Diseases
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Genetic Epidemiology
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Molecular Epidemiology
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Statistical Genetics
To find more information about our faculty and their research areas, visit our Faculty Expertise page.
PhD Application Process
Requirements:
- GRE scores
- Three letters of recommendation
Timeline:
- Applications open via SOPHAS
- Submit by December 1 for Outstanding Student Scholarship
- Final deadline: April 1
- Can apply during the final semester of your MPH degree program
You can find more details about applying to the PhD program at sph.uth.edu/application.
Support for Our PhD Students
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Conference travel funding
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Training workshops
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Stipend and tuition support
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Teaching Assistant opportunities
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Training grant support
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Authorship on publications
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Networking with researchers
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Faculty collaboration
See What Our Trainees Do
Graduate Student Scholarship Recipients
2025-2026
Yura Lee (PhD, Epidemiology)
Advisor: Bing Yu, PhD
- Sharon P. and Charles J. Cooper Scholarship in Public Health
Sara Stephens (PhD, Epidemiology)
Advisor: A.J. Agopian, PhD
- NIH Loan Repayment Program
Katherine Ludorf (PhD, Epidemiology)
Advisor: A.J. Agopian, PhD
- Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health, Alpha Iota Chapter
Peidi Zhou (PhD, Epidemiology)
Advisor: Bing Yu, PhD
- Ranajit Chakraborty Fellowship
Nitesh Enduru (PhD, Epidemiology)
Advisor: Zhongming Zhao, PhD
- Ranajit Chakraborty Fellowship
Mengyu Zhang (PhD, Biostatistics)
Advisor: Han Chen, PhD
- Robert J. Hardy and C. Morton Hawkins Endowed Scholarship in Biostatistics
Alyssa Johnston (PhD, Epidemiology)
Advisor: Paul de Vries, PhD
- Browne Genetic Research Foundation Scholarship, School of Public Health Scholarship Fund
Guning Liu (PhD, Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences)
Advisor: Bing Yu, PhD
- Leslie Chambers Endowed Scholarship
2024–2025
Mengyu Zhang (PhD, Biostatistics)
Advisor: Han Chen, PhD
- Dr. M. Stewart West Memorial Scholarship in Biometry
Omobola Oluwafemi (PhD, Epidemiology)
Advisor: A.J. Agopian, PhD
- Student Travel Award
- Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health, Alpha Iota Chapter
Fatima Sheriff (PhD, Epidemiology)
Advisor: A.J. Agopian, PhD
- First Place Prize for Poster Presentations at UTHealth Houston SPH Research Day
Katherine Ludorf (PhD, Epidemiology)
Advisor: A.J. Agopian, PhD
- Student Travel Award, Society for Birth Defects Research & Prevention Annual Meeting
- Wilson Presentation Award Finalist, Society for Birth Defects Research & Prevention Annual Meeting
Sara Stephens (PhD, Epidemiology)
Advisor: A.J. Agopian, PhD
- Travel Scholarship, GenTAC 2024 Scientific Session
- BCM Cardiovascular Research Institute Pilot Funding
2023-2024
Yura Lee (PhD, Epidemiology)
Advisor: Bing Yu, PhD
- Ranajit Chakraborty Fellowship
Omobola Oluwafemi (PhD, Epidemiology)
Advisor: A.J. Agopian, PhD
- Julius and Suzan Glickman Endowed Scholarship in Innovation
Ji Yun Tark (PhD, Epidemiology)
Advisor: Marcia Otto, PhD
- Ranajit Chakraborty Fellowship
Yura Lee (PhD, Epidemiology)
Advisor: Bing Yu, PhD
- Ranajit Chakraborty Fellowship
Katherine Ludorf (PhD, Epidemiology)
Advisor: A.J. Agopian, PhD
- First Place Poster, National Birth Defects Prevention Network Conference
- Clifford Campbell Scholarship in Public Health
Sara Stephens (PhD, Epidemiology)
Advisor: A.J. Agopian, PhD
- Finalist, American Academy of Pediatrics Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Young Investigator Competition
- Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health, Alpha Iota Chapter
Mengyu Zhang (PhD, Biostatistics)
Advisor: Han Chen, PhD
- Robert H. Bigelow Endowed Scholarship
2022–2023
Omobola Oluwafemi (PhD, Epidemiology)
Advisor: A.J. Agopian, PhD
- Southwest Center for Occupational and Environmental Health Training Grant
- Doctoral Dissertation Research Award
- Travel Award, Advanced Gene Mapping Course, Rockefeller University
Sara Stephens (PhD, Epidemiology)
Advisor: A.J. Agopian, PhD
- First Place Poster, BCM Cardiovascular Research Institute Annual Meeting
- UTHealth Houston School of Public Health Dean's Scholarship
Katherine Ludorf (PhD, Epidemiology)
Advisor: A.J. Agopian, PhD
- Ranajit Chakraborty Fellowship
Yura Lee (PhD, Epidemiology)
Advisor: Bing Yu, PhD
- Ranajit Chakraborty Fellowship