Welcome to the World Renowned Epidemiology Department
 |
Albert Hofman MD, Ph.D
Stephen B. Kay Family Professor of Public Health
and Clinical Epidemiology
Chair, Department of Epidemiology,
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health |
About the Department
We study the frequency, distribution, and determinants of disease in humans, a fundamental science of public health. In addition to pursuing groundbreaking global research initiatives, we educate and prepare future medical leaders and practitioners as part of our mission to ignite positive changes in the quality of health across the world.
Innovative Educational Programs: Onsite and Online
We are committed to enriching the academic experience for our talented students, empowering them with the critical thinking and problem-solving skills they need to address current and future public health challenges. We offer more than seventy courses covering a broad range of topics including cancer, infectious disease, reproductive and cardiovascular epidemiology. Degree programs include Master of Public Health (now available online), Master of Science (one- and two-year degrees), and the Ph.D. in Population Health Sciences. Students specialize in one of twelve areas of interest and can choose from a wide variety of course offerings.
Located in Thriving Medical Science Community
The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health is in the center of the Longwood Medical Area, a Boston healthcare hub that is home to the Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and many other venerable institutions dedicated to improving public health worldwide. This energetic environment offers engaged students a wealth of invaluable resources as they launch their professional careers.
Renowned Faculty and Dynamic Student Body
Our impressive faculty, led by Department Chair Professor Albert Hofman, is comprised of more than seventy-five members, including thirty-five core professors working onsite in our Boston location. Recognized for their expertise in a wide array of disciplines, our team remains at the forefront of epidemiology, actively engaged in research and regularly publishing their findings in the most respected health journals. Our researchers strive to enhance the validity and efficiency of epidemiological investigation methodologies, and expand the practical applications for these tools. The primary goals of our collaborative, multidisciplinary research are to effectively control and ultimately prevent human disease. Learn more about some outstanding accomplishments of the exceptional students in our diverse department community.
Department of Epidemiology Mission
Research
Well-grounded multidisciplinary research toward assessing the distribution and determinants of human illness with the aim of establishing reasoned preventive measures.
Methodology
Continuous efforts to improve methods for epidemiological investigation, to enhance validity and efficiency, and to expand the scope of activities in which epidemiologic methods can be usefully applied.
Education
Preparation of future researchers and practitioners in the field of epidemiology, as well as dissemination of knowledge to health professionals and the general public. As the reach of the School of Public Health is global in scope, so too is our research program. We are committed to the enhancement of quality of health not only in our own country, but internationally.
The Department of Epidemiology has a long tradition of teaching and research in the epidemiology of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic diseases, as well as in epidemiologic methodology.
The department is innovative, collaborative and continuously celebrates a commitment to ignite positive changes in the world of Public Health. To learn more about our department’s community, past and present, watch the “100 Years, 100 Stories” video.
On January 1, 2021 we will welcome Dr. Issa Dahabreh as Associate Professor of Epidemiology, with a secondary appointment in the Biostatistics department. Learn about the newest member of our faculty in the following article.
Amanda Pasko is a first-year masters student studying nutritional epidemiology at the Harvard Chan School. A graduate of Rice University with a degree in Kinesiology and Sports Medicine and Summa Cum Laude honors, Amanda has long been involved in fitness and exercise as a coach, mentor, and athlete. She is a seasoned track and field runner, with many competitions and titles to her credit including most recently placing second in a national competition for the indoor heptathlon. Read more
here.
Emily Harrison is a Postdoctoral Fellow in Epidemiology and the History of Science at Harvard University. Holding a PhD in the History of Science and an SM from the Harvard School of Public Health, her work addresses the culture, politics, and ethics of measurement in public health and community medicine. Learn more about Dr. Harrison and her work
here.
On July 1, 2019, the Department of Epidemiology welcomed Andrew Beam, PhD as assistant professor, with secondary appointments in the Department of Biomedical Informatics at Harvard Medical School and the Department of Newborn Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Learn more about Dr. Beam and his research plans
here.
On July 1, 2019, the Department of Epidemiology welcomed Dr. Michael Mina as assistant professor. Dr. Mina comes to us from a clinical pathology residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School where he was Chief Resident in Pathology as well as a clinical research fellowship in the Department of Genetics at Harvard Medical School. Learn more
here.
The Global Cohort of Doctoral Students is a community that promotes reciprocal learning between doctoral students all over the world and promotes shared capacity to address public health problems by engaging in research, forums for feedback, and professional development activities.
Click here to find out more.The
GINGER Program is a global and joint venture between Harvard Chan School of Public Health and Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard aimed at helping fellow researchers from low to middle income countries gain the tools and knowledge they need to become successful researchers in the neuropyschiatric genetic discipline.
Click here to find out more.The 170th Cutter Lecture on Preventive Medicine at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health was delivered by Professor James Robins focusing on “The ‘Causal Revolution’ in Epidemiology and Medicine: History, Controversies and Future”
