Epidemiology
The Department of Epidemiology conducts innovative, interdisciplinary research that brings a broad cells-to-society approach to questions about population health. Our focus is on understanding and improving the health of urban populations worldwide. Research and teaching within the department takes a multi-level approach that examines the interplay of biologic, social, and environmental determinants to understand the roots of population health.
Faculty are leaders in chronic disease, infectious disease, lifecourse, psychiatric/neurologic, and social epidemiology, and are engaged in research and service in dozens of locations around the world, from neighborhood programs in Washington Heights to HIV programs in Tanzania, with studies on arsenic in Bangladesh, schizophrenia in China, and youth violence in Medillín, Colombia.
The department is committed to teaching students to be leaders in academic research and public health practice and in making our findings accessible and using them to develop effective population-wide and clinical interventions to improve health.
The department recently expanded its degree programs to include an Executive Master of Science for working professionals. Please visit the Executive MS in Epidemiology page or contact the department for more information.
Student Perspective
Patrick Dawson, MPH '12, discusses his interest in epidemiology and his summer practicum with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene working on tuberculosis surveillance.
Department Contacts
Our faculty are engaged in research projects and applied programs that touch on nearly every aspect of human health. See some examples below. View a complete list of Epidemiology faculty.
Dr. Galea’s extensive research activities focus primarily on the causes of mental disorders and on the role of traumatic events in shaping population health.
Dr. Rundle’s research takes an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the obesity epidemic.
Dr. El-Sadr has been at the forefront of HIV/AIDS and TB research, prevention, care and treatment for more than 25 years.
Ideal practicum settings strengthen and expand the essential knowledge and skill base, preparing MPH and MS students to function effectively in the challenging field of epidemiology. Here is a sampling of organizations that have recently hosted our students:
- Africa Centre for Health and Population
- British Medical Trust
- California Department of Public Health
- Centers for Disease Control
- Hospital for Special Surgery
- ICAP at Columbia
- Mayan Medical Aid
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
- National Center for Disaster Preparedness
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
- World Health Organization
Graduates from the Department of Epidemiology work across industries and functions in domestic and global positions. Job titles of recent graduates include:
- Data Analyst, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Research Associate, Aurum institute (Johannesburg, South Africa)
- Operational Manager, Bayer
- Healthcare Manager, Bristol-Myers Squibb
- Resident, Neurology, Columbia University
- Program Coordinator, Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center
- Project Research Coordinator, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
- Market Analysis Consultant, Met Life Scientific
- Program Manager, National Institutes of Health