Students

 

Molecular and genetic methods can be used to measure disease susceptibility, exposures, or disease outcome. Core training in this area encompasses basic molecular biology; statistical genetics; design and analysis of studies of variation in germline DNA and other biomarkers; and methods for the study of gene-environment interplay. Elective courses explore the genetic epidemiology of particular complex diseases and traits, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and psychiatric illnesses, as well as individual variation in drug response. Many applications in this area such as genome-wide association and sequencing studies involve very large data sets. Courses in modern quantitative methods are available in the HPSH Epidemiology and Biostatistics departments, and interested students with previous training in computer science, mathematics or a related field can work with faculty to develop novel analytic approaches. Students can collaborate with the HSPH Departments of Biostatistics and Environmental Health, the Channing Laboratory, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and other research groups.