Public Health &Epidemiology September 18, 2012
WHAT IS PUBLIC HEALTH? Focus Maintaining and improving the health of the population through Research Intervention Prevention Tools» Epidemiology» Biostatistics» Policy» Social & Behavioral Science 2
EXAMPLES Infectious disease outbreaks Drug safety Clinical trial design and Analysis Human Genetics mapping disease loci and their contribution to disease Identifying determinants of chronic diseases Heart disease, cancer, respiratory, neurological, psychiatric, injuries Policy development and Analysis Disease Surveillance Health Services Administration Clinical effectiveness Many, many, more 3
SO WHAT DO YOU ACTUALLY DO AGAIN? Epidemiology o Combines math, statistics, and modeling to analyze the distribution and incidence of disease in the population, and to evaluate interventions Biostatistics o The theory and application of statistical science to analyze public health problems and to further biomedical research Human data o Randomized and observational studies o Methods to obtain unbiased and precise results Areas of application o HIV and other infectious diseases, cancer, metagenomics, health disparities, environmental exposures, psychiatry, basic biology 4
WHAT DOES OUR RESEARCH LOOK LIKE? Specific aims / Hypotheses Previous literature, public health concern Design study Randomized trial, observational follow up, disease surveillance, simulation Collect data surveys, measurements, biomarkers, etc. Data management Correct for measurement error, impute missing data, reduce data complexity (dimensional reduction) Statistical analysis of primary or secondary data Models + assumptions Quantify degree of uncertainty in results Work with clinicians and health professionals 5
CAREER PATHS AND MORE INFORMATION Association of Schools of Public Health http://www.asph.org/ http://www.whatispublichealth.org/ (Public health career info) American Statistical Association http://www.amstat.org/ (Biostats career info) 6
DEPARTMENTS AT HSPH Biostatistics (SM, PhD) Environmental Health (SM, SD, PhD, DPH) Epidemiology (SM, SD, DPH) Genetics and Complex Diseases* (PhD) Global Health and Population (SM, SD, DPH) Health Policy and Management (SM, PhD) Immunology and Infectious Diseases* (PhD) Nutrition* (SD, DPH, PhD) Society, Human Development, and Health (SM, SD, DPH) Master of Public Health (MPH, MD/MPH, JD/MPH) Interdisciplinary Non-degree Programs *partly or exclusively basic science 7
HARVARD S DEGREE PROGRAMS IN EPI Master of Science 42.5 credit (one year) No thesis required Master of Science 80 credit (two years) Thesis required Doctor of Science (ScD) / Doctor of Public Health (DPH) 2 years coursework Epidemiological theory, study design and analysis, biostatistics, and concentration specific electives Written exam Oral exam Dissertation defense (3 publishable papers) 8
Concentrations in Epidemiology Cancer Epidemiology and Cancer Prevention Cardiovascular Epidemiology Clinical Epidemiology Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology Epidemiologic Methods Epidemiology of Aging Infectious Disease Epidemiology Molecular and Genetic Epidemiology Neuro-Psychiatric Epidemiology Nutritional Epidemiology Pharmarcoepidemiology Reproductive, Perinatal, and Pediatric Epidemiology 9
WHAT S HARVARD EPI LIKE? Focus on theoretical aspects of Study design Source of and adjustment for bias Particular emphasis on causal inference methods developed at Harvard Particularly strong in cancer, genetics, nutrition, cardiovascular, pharmacoepidemiology, and epidemiologic methods development Recognized as a thought leader pioneered novel study designs Expanding interest in global chronic diseases Access to many of the longest running cohorts 10
DEGREE PROGRAMS IN BIOSTATISTICS PhD no prior advance degree required, trains students in development of methodology, consulting, and teaching MS (80 credits) 50 credits in probability, statistical inference, survival analysis, longitudinal analysis, clinical trials, statistical genetics, computing, computational biology MS (60 credits) prepares students for applied research, 40 credits of coursework, 20 credits of collaborative research practicum MS (42.5 credits) requires previous master s in a mathematical science or doctorate in quantitative field 11
APPLICATIONS, DEADLINES, FUNDING ETC. http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/ December 15 th Program specific entry requirements Epidemiology Prior MPH, MS, or work experience Strong background in biology and mathematics Biostatistics Required courses: calculus through multivariable integration, linear algebra Recommended courses: probability, statistics, advanced calculus, numerical analysis GRE, recommendations, etc. 12
FUNDING Biostatistics Guaranteed Epidemiology No guarantee, start looking early Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity (2 years) Office of Financial Aid University wide (varies, specific criteria) Presidential (5 years) Doctoral Scholarships (up to 5 years) Loans and grants Departmental Discretionary (for returning students) NIH Training grants Non-institutional awards (e.g. FDA) 13
FUNDING NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) F-31 (offered by specific institutes Fellowship to promote diversity related research http://www.nigms.nih.gov/training/ruthkirschstei n Minority Component as well IMSD program aids you in submitting a competitive application CDC Grants for Public Health Research Dissertation (R36) 14
MIDAS CENTER FOR COMMUNICABLE DISEASE DYNAMICS Models of Infectious Disease Agent Study Funded September 2009 by NIH Hub for research, outreach and education Doctoral Funding Complete funding for Master s in ID Epi Tuition waiver Salary Travel scholarships Up to $2000 to travel to meet with faculty at Harvard or attend conferences elsewhere GRE prep course funding Summer program in Epidemiology http://ccdd.hsph.harvard.edu/opportunities 15
What is Infectious Disease Epi? Marc Lipsitch (Director) assisted CDC and advised White House during H1N1 pandemic Predict transmission rate Predict course and severity of pandemic Determine effectiveness and long-term sideeffects of HIV treatments Analyze spread of antibiotic resistance in hospitals Career paths in academia, policy, government or private industry 16
Student life in ID Epi Large supportive community Annual ID Epi Symposium Showcase student and staff work 2 nd Thursdays casual networking function Informally over pizza and beer Spring seminar lunch series Scientists present work to students Weekly Chalk Talks Students and faculty informally discuss their research and provide feedback 17
ID Epi Website www.idepi.hsph.harvard.edu MIDAS Center Website www.ccdd.hsph.harvard.edu Point of Contact for internships, applications, travel scholarships, and more: Felisa Nobles fnobles@hsph.harvard.edu 617-432-1498 18
SUMMER PROGRAMS Intensive 4-week program designed to expose students to quantitative methods for biological, environmental, and medical research Includes: Coursework in biostatistics Research project w/ faculty and grad student mentor GRE practice test Lectures in Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Society, Human Development, & Health Opportunity to meet researches in other public health fields Application Deadline: February 15 19
THANK YOU! Questions? Comments? Concerns? Contact Information: Felisa Nobles fnobles@hsph.harvard.edu John Paulson jpaulson@hsph.harvard.edu Admissions admissions@hsph.harvard.edu Today s Speaker: Molly Franke, ScD molly_franke@hms.harvard.edu 20