Departments

Faculty

Description

Curriculum

Career Paths

Admissions

Contacts

Karl Kelsey

David Hunter

Mission

Knowledge of the genetic and molecular basis of human disease has been expanding exponentially. The availability of data from the Human Genome Project, and its successor, the Haplotype Mapping Project, provides the tools for integration of knowledge of human genetic variation into Public Health studies. As the number of genetic risk factors identified for certain diseases expands, there is a vital and growing need to turn the focus towards public health. Disease prevention, investigating the interaction of genetic factors and external stimuli such as the environment, dietary intake and infection is important to the public health agenda. The purpose of the Interdisciplinary Concentration in Molecular and Genetic Epidemiology is to address the pedagogical needs of students considering public health careers in the field of genetics. Accordingly, the goal of the concentration is to significantly prepare students to become world leaders in this arena by equipping them with the requisite expertise in the theories, topics, and skills related to public health practice and research in genetic and molecular biology.

Departments

• Biostatistics
• Genetics and Complex Diseases
  
• Center for Cancer Prevention
  
• Epidemiology
  
• Immunology and Infectious Diseases
  
• Nutrition
  
• Program for Population Genetics
  
• Environmental Health

Faculty

Deborah Blacker, M.D., D.Sc.,
Associate Professor of Epidemiology

Hannia Campos, Ph.D.,
Associate Professor of Nutrition

Immaculata De Vivo, Ph.D., M.P.H.,
Assistant Professor of Epidemiology

David Hunter, M.D., D.Sc. (Co-chair),
Professor of Epidemiology and Nutrition

Phyllis Kanki, D.Sc.,
Professor of Immunology and Infectious Disease

Karl T. Kelsey, M.D., M.O.H. (Co-Chair),
Professor of Genetics and Complex Diseases and Environmental Health

Healther Nelson, Ph.D., M.P.H.,
Assistant Professor of Environmental Epidemiology

Donna Neuberg, D.Sc.,
Lecturer, Biostatistics

Tom Smith, Ph.D.,P
rofessor of Environmental Health

Ali Sultan, M.D., Ph.D.,
Assistant Professor of Immunology and Infectious Disease

Peter V. Tishler, M.D.,
Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School

Lee-Jen Wei, Ph.D.,
Professor of Biostatistics

Marianne Wessling-Resnick, Ph.D.,
Professor of Nutritional Biochemistry

Zhi-Min Yuan, M.D.,
Assistant Professor of Radiobiology

Xiping Xu, M.D., Ph.D.,
Associate Professor, Program for Population Genetics,
Environmental Health

Description

Molecular epidemiology, which encompasses a novel approach to the study of disease occurrence, is a focus of attention in several of the school's departments. Faculty members in the Department of Genetics and Complex Diseases, for example, use a molecular approach to study constitutional and somatic genetic alterations associated with cancer susceptibility, disease progression, and tumor biology. In the Department of Environmental Health, ongoing research utilizes biomarkers of exposure and exposure-related disease, as well as gene-environment interaction. The Department of Epidemiology is conducting molecular research in disease mechanism, outcome, and susceptibility. Members of the Department of Biostatistics are developing new methods for understanding molecular and genetic parameters governing disease occurrence. Finally, researchers in the Department of Nutrition are examining whether variations in enzymes that metabolize nutrients and various signaling pathways and transport pathways alter the relationship of diet with disease. Prospective doctoral students must apply to one of the participating departments, and the degree will be issued from that department. Students are responsible for completion of degree requirements of the home department in addition to the program's core requirements in biology, genetics, exposure assessment, and epidemiology.

Curriculum in Molecular Epidemiology

Students in the Interdisciplinary Program in Molecular Epidemiology will be required to fulfill the requirements of their home department, as well as 10 credits worth of courses that are listed as core and electives to fulfill the Program requirements.

We have developed model curricula for doctoral students, including core and elective courses, for the participating divisions and departments (BIO, EPI, CCB, EH, BPH). Courses included in the electives are extensive and will be variably applicable, dependent upon the student's individual department.

Electives (Students will also ordinarily take at least 10 credits from the following list):

EPI 249(Fall) Molecular Biology for Epidemiologists
EPI 250(Fall) Molecular Epidemiology of Cancer
EPI 251(Spring) Studies in Molecular Epidemiology
EPI 222(Spring) Genetic Epidemiology of Diabetes
EPI 244(Spring) Genetics Risk factors and Psychiatric Epidemiology
BIO 227(Fall) Fundamental Concepts in Gene Mapping
BIO 228(Fall) Statistical Genetics in Complex Human Diseases
BIO 277 (Spring) Computational Biology
GCD 207(Fall) Radiation Biology
GCD 210(Fall) Introduction to Cancer Biology
CCE 280(Spring) Biomarkers in Cancer Research
EH277(Spring) Genetic Epidemiology and Gene Mapping

In addition, students are encouraged to take courses from the BPH Core Areas, including (but not limited to):

Molecular Biology
Cell Biology
Biochemistry
Genetics
Physiology

Core Course

All members of the Interdisciplinary Concentration in Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology are required to take the course, EPI250b. This new course, "Molecular Epidemiology of Cancer and Chronic Disease" will be 2.5 credits and will cover the general area of molecular epidemiology.

This course provides a foundation upon which the other course are built because it integrates the knowledge base of both epidemiology and molecular science. It is meant to be broadly based in an effort to allow students in the Program to be able to assimilate the material. It is epidemiologically based but will strive to teach students the principles involved in applying molecular tools to population-based data. Both analytic and laboratory methods are discussed in the context of shaping investigation that uses both types of data. This course will include issues relevant to all of the students and allow them to enlarge their knowledge base with more focused subsequent courses.

Degrees to be Awarded

A special degree in Molecular Epidemiology will not be awarded, but students who fulfill the program requirements will receive a letter from the standing committee attesting to their completion of the curriculum.

Potential Career Paths for Graduates:

This program is intended for students who desire careers with an emphasis on genetics and public health research, teaching and programs. Public health genetics focuses on phenotypic disease prevention in populations. It addresses society's legal, ethical, financial, regulatory and organizational responsibilities in offering genetic services, and devising environmental and occupational interventions to prevent disease in populations. Recent advances in biotechnology and human genetics coupled with rapid progression sequencing and characterization of the human genome has generated the need to educate current and future academicians and practitioners about these scientific advances and their potential for affecting public health services and policies. The Interdisciplinary Concentration in Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology will prepare students interested in this career path by providing such training, building on the study of human genetics in the context of public health sciences.

Admissions Process

Prospective students would apply to both the Interdisciplinary Concentration in Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology (admissions would be assessed by a subcommittee) and to the Department that most reflects their research interest. A list of all students whose applications express interest in the GME program will be forwarded to the GME standing committee. Members will contact administrators of their respective departments to review these applications. For student applying to department not represented among faculty on the GME standing committee, the committee will designate a faculty member to contact the administrator in the relevant department. Advisors will be assigned by the department, taking into account available faculty affiliated with the GME program.

Contact for more information:

Dr. Karl Kelsey
Department of Genetics and Complex Diseases
Harvard School of Public Health
665 Huntington Avenue, I-607
Boston, MA 02115
Tel. (617) 432-3313; Fax (617) 432-0107
email kelsey@hsph.harvard.edu

Colleen M. Dionne (Assistant to Dr. Kelsey)
Department of Genetics and Complex Diseases
Harvard School of Public Health
665 Huntington Avenue, I-605
Boston, MA 02115
Tel. (617) 432-0977; Fax (617) 432-0107
email cdionne@hsph.harvard.edu

 

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