Training programs in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Clinical and Translational Research at the University of Cincinnati reside in the Department of Environmental Health.  As of September 2009, 142 students are enrolled in our training programs.  Currently there are 24 PhD students in Biostatistics, 7 MS students in Biostatistics, 36 PhD students in Epidemiology, and 12 MS students in Epidemiology. Graduates of the Division have pursued careers in academia, industry, or government. The Director of the Division is Dr. Kim N. Dietrich.  The Associate Director is Dr. Paul A. Succop. 

Dr. Erin Haynes directs the Master of Science in Clinical and Translational Research Training and Certificate Programs.  The Master of Science degree program in Clinical and Translational Research is designed to provide clinical professionals (physicians, nurses and other terminal degree clinical professionals) with the necessary preparation for successful career developmental and independent investigator awards.  There are presently 49 physicians enrolled in this program. The program emphasizes specific training in clinical epidemiology/clinical effectiveness, molecular epidemiology, clinical trials, and translational research that will enable clinicians to translate scientific advances into applications for improved clinical practice and human health. The disciplinary purpose and ultimate goal of the program is to move practitioners from the realm of personal clinical experience to objective evidence. Beginning in Summer, 2009 a Certificate in Clinical and Translational Research was also offered and 10 students have been enrolled in this new and innovative program so far.

Programs:

MS/PhD in Epidemiology

MS/PhD in Biostatistics

MS/Certificate in Clinical and Translational Research

Epidemiology is defined as the study of the distribution and determinants of disease and injury within human populations. A goal of the epidemiologist is to identify the factors or agents that are linked with the observed patterns of disease or injury. The Division's program stresses environmental, occupational, clinical, quantitative, community, molecular and genetic epidemiology.

Biostatistics is characterized by data analysis, and interpretation of results, which are tied to environmental and biomedical research. Applied statistical methodology is emphasized in the biostatistics program. The epidemiology and biostatistics programs are closely linked with faculty and students working together on interdisciplinary research activities.

All classical study designs are currently utilized including randomized clinical trials, longitudinal studies, environmental intervention approaches, retrospective cohort, cross-sectional and case control methodologies.

Current research undertaken in the Division is wide ranging and includes health effects related to exposures to lead, manganese, mercury, arsenic, solvents, fuels, pesticides, organochlorines and other “environmental estrogens”, fibers, radiation, statistical issues in regulatory toxicology, alcohol and illicit drugs, and work related ergonomic disorders.

Areas of research include:
children’s health, allergy, asthma, reproductive, hormone, cancer, genetics of complex diseases, growth and development, developmental origins of adult disease, neurological disorders, addiction, pulmonary disease, injuries, stroke, heart disease, bone health, mortality and exposure body burden.