Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases
Doctor of Philosophy
The goals of doctoral training with a concentration in EMD are
to provide a current theoretical and practical base of epidemiological
and microbiological principles, to master research methods, and
to apply these skills to investigations of the biology of infectious
organisms of public health importance and the epidemiology of the
diseases they cause. The approach is multidisciplinary. It includes
ecological, clinical, cellular, immunologic and molecular aspects
of infectious diseases, their causative agents, vertebrate hosts,
and vectors. In addition, opportunities exist for Ph.D. training through
interdepartmental programs in which EPH faculty participate, such
as the Microbiology
and Immunobiology tracks
of the Biomedical and Biological
Studies program.
Applicants should have a bachelor's degree with a concentration
in any of the biological sciences. Students with degrees in chemistry,
physics, engineering or medicine are also encouraged to apply. Preparation
in elementary calculus, elementary physics, inorganic and organic
chemistry, statistics or advanced mathematics is desired. Complete
GRE test scores are required.
Although courses in epidemiology, microbiology and biostatistics
are strongly recommended, there is no general required curriculum.
A faculty advisor is assigned at the time the student matriculates.
Each student plans, with the advice of the faculty advisor and
the divisional representative to the Doctoral Advisory Committee,
a specific program that includes courses, seminars, laboratory
rotations, and independent readings all tailored to the individual
needs and career goals of the student. The plan is outlined as
early as possible in the first semester of graduate study. A
program of course work will most often include biostatistics,
epidemiology, microbiology, as well as complementary courses
offered in the basic biomedical sciences in other departments
of the University. All students are required do three semester
long laboratory rotations, each with a different principal investigator.
After successful completion of the qualifying examination and
submitting a prospectus, students are admitted to candidacy for
the Ph.D. From this point students work exclusively on their
dissertation research, culminating in the presentation of a thesis
to the Yale faculty for examination.
Research Areas
A diversity of research opportunities are available working in the
laboratories of Yale faculty associated with the Division of Microbial
Diseases (more information).
Current Divisional Research Projects
Some recent and current EMD Ph.D. and M.D./Ph.D. students and their research projects include:
- Generation of immunity following
genital HSV-2 infection
- Spatial models for public health intervention
of vector-borne diseases
- Tsetse (Diptera: Glossinidae)
symbionts: exploring population dynamics and implications for
symbiosis
- The role of the tsetse fly's fat body
immune responses in combating African trypanosome infection
- Interactions of West Nile virus with mosquitoes
- Using partially-effective HIV vaccines in South
Africa: informing difficult policy decisions through the use of
behavioral epidemiology and mathematical modeling
- Elements behind a population-based newborn screening for severe combined immunodeficiency
- Regulation of differentiation of High Endothelial
Venules (HEV) during lymphoid organogenesis
- Into the environment of mosquito-borne disease: a spatial analysis of vector distribution using traditional and remotely sensed methods
- Leishmania vector distribution analysis using geographic information systems, remote sensing and population genetics
- Identifying factors required for flavivirus transmission and replication in mosquito cells and tissues
- Environmental correlates of Borrelia burgdorferi population genetic structure and implications for its emergence in eastern North America
- Evaluation of hepatitis B vaccination program among injection drug users
Funding Opportunities
The Division has a training grant supporting pre- and post-doctoral
students in the areas of parasitology and vector biology. There
are also university fellowships available for predoctoral students.
In addition, faculty have grants which are employed for support,
training related expenses and stipends.
Multidisciplinary Parasitology and Vector Biology Research Training Program
Learning Objectives
Apply
for Ph.D. at the Graduate School
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