Department of Epidemiology

The focus of the UAMS College of Public Health Department of Epidemiology is to contribute to improving the health and promoting the well-being of Arkansans and the global community, by applying the principles and practices of epidemiology in education, research, and service.

The department currently includes a diverse and strong group of faculty members actively involved in research, teaching, and public health practice. While faculty activities in research and practice address a broad range of public health issues, the department has particular strength in the areas of chronic disease, infectious disease, cancer, molecular epidemiology, and childhood obesity.

Our mission is to provide students with a comprehensive and rigorous education that prepares them for an exciting and rewarding career in epidemiologic research, practice, and education. Emphasis is on theory and methods. In addition, students are given structured opportunities to put into practice what they have learned, by participating in activities outside the university that give them real-life experience of epidemiology. Students may be provided with opportunities to participate in cutting-edge faculty research or teaching and may receive stipends for some of these positions. Our aim is that with the unique training received, students would be able to competently embark on a career in any of the various specialty areas in epidemiology, and this is reflected in our curriculum. Faculty members in the department are friendly, readily accessible, and highly trained to deliver quality education. Applicants are encouraged to visit the department during the application process.

Epidemiology is the study of how frequently different diseases and other health outcomes occur in human populations, and how they are distributed in various groups within the population. It is also the study of the causes of diseases and other health outcomes in humans, and of factors that influence their occurrence.

Some examples of epidemiologic investigations include a study of whether a disease occurs more frequently in a particular population or subgroup, a study to measure disease burden and how best to intervene to reduce or prevent it from occurring in the population, studies of whether cell phone use or breast implants are associated with adverse health outcomes such as cancer, studies to measure risk from environmental pollution, and studies to ensure the efficacy and safety of prescription drugs.

To contact the Department of Epidemiology, contact Faye Bard, program coordinator, at 501-526-6685 or Terrie A. Brown, executive assistant, at 501-614-2145.

For more information about careers in Epidemiology, visit this resource on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website and Explore Health Careers.

• A Guide to Careers in Epidemiology
• What is Epidemiology – Teacher Roadmap

A limited number of research assistantships for the PhD in HSSR are available on a competitive basis for qualified students that cover tuition and up to $30,000 a year in stipends for up to three years.

We also offer a pre-doctoral scholarship (ARCHD-T32) for students with an interest in health disparities research and advanced data analytics. This four-year program is funded by a grant from the National Institute of Minority Health and Disparities, and includes an annual stipend and tuition discounts. To learn more about this program, visit our ARCHD-T32 web page, or contact Mick Tilford, Ph.D., at TilfordMickJ@uams.edu.

Here are some more great resources:

• UAMS Regional Campuses
• Arkansas Department of Health Local Health Units
• Arkansas Center for Birth Defects Research and Prevention
• UAMS Data Trust – Translational Institute Clinical Database
• Arkansas Department of Health Databases
• Arkansas Department of Health Cancer Registry