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GI EpidemiologyDescription of ProgramThe program takes advantage of unique and considerable institutional strengths in epidemiology and digestive disease research. A diverse, experienced, multidisciplinary faculty has been assembled to provide trainees with expert guidance in epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy, outcomes research and nutrition. We welcome minority applicants. The purpose of the program is to train independent researchers who will be able to compete successfully for grant support. The program includes one predoctoral and three postdoctoral candidates. The predoctoral candidate is chosen in conjunction with the UNC Department of Epidemiology. Postdoctoral candidates complete clinical training in adult or pediatric gastroenterology either prior to or subsequent to participation in the training program. The program includes a comprehensive curriculum with the following features:
Potential areas of research include all areas of digestive diseases and nutrition. We have special strengths in the areas of chronic disease and cancer epidemiology, clinical epidemiology, health policy, economics and outcomes research. In addition to formal course work in the School of Public Health, additional campus resources include our NIH-funded Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease, the Sheps Center for Health Services Research, and the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Research Center. Limited clinical activities are permitted during the research fellowship years. TRAINING FACULTYThe following faculty members are based in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Each has advanced training in epidemiology and board certification in gastroenterology and serves as part of the primary training faculty. Trainees may elect other members of the medical school and public health school faculty to serve as their preceptors. Douglas R. Morgan, M.D., M.P.H. Dr. Morgan trained in gastroenterology and epidemiology at U.C. San Francisco. His interests include peptic ulcer disease, gastric cancer, and Helicobacter pylori infection. He is especially interested in host factors that might interact with bacterial infection with H. pylori to modify the risk of gastric malignancy. David F. Ransohoff, M.D. Dr. Ransohoff's main interest is clinical research and clinical research methods. Major topics of current research include colon cancer screening (efficacy of intervention; identification of high- and low-risk groups) and management of gallstone disease. His primary clinical interests include biliary tract disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and risk of colon cancer. Dr. Ransohoff is former director of the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholar's program. Robert S. Sandler, M.D., M.P.H. Dr. Sandler's current research concerns the epidemiology of precursors of colon cancer. He has completed a number of NIH-funded studies of risk factors for adenomas of the colon, concentrating on dietary and lifestyle factors as well as risk factors for mucosal proliferation and apoptosis. He is involved in chemoprevention clinical trials, testing whether aspirin or Cox-2 inhibitors can prevent adenomas of the colon. He is currently conducting a population-based study of large bowel cancer in a 33-county area of North Carolina. The study obtains extensive exposure and lifestyle information as well as bloods and tumor blocks. Dr. Sandler has a general interest in the epidemiology of chronic digestive disorders, especially inflammatory bowel disease. Past studies have concerned inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, gallstones, gastric cancer, and screening for colon cancer. Dr. Sandler is also interested in outcomes research in the field of gastroenterology. Nicholas J. Shaheen, M.D., M.P.H. Dr. Shaheen completed the training program in digestive disease epidemiology at UNC and joined the faculty in 1998. Dr. Shaheen has special interests in esophageal diseases and hemochromatosis. He is especially interested in the implications of a diagnosis of Barrett’s esophagus. He is also interested in the outcome and utility of various endoscopic procedures. Steven L. Zacks, M.D., M.P.H. Dr. Zacks is a hepatologist with interests in epidemiology and health services research as they relate to liver disease. He has published papers on the surgical management of gallbladder disease and portal hypertension. His research involves decision analysis and use of large databases. He is particularly interested in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). STIPENDS, INSURANCE, TUITION, FEES, TRAVEL, RESEARCH EXPENSESThe training program is funded by an Institutional National Research Service Award from the NIH. As such, the program abides by the rules established for these awards. Stipends are established by the NIH. The current annual stipend for postdoctoral trainees is determined by the number of FULL years of relevant postdoctoral experience at the time of appointment. Relevant experience may include research experience (including industrial), teaching, internship, residency, clinical duties, or other time spent in full-time studies in a health-related field following the date of the qualifying doctoral degree. The training grant covers the cost of health insurance, malpractice insurance (if relevant), full-time tuition in the School of Public Health, travel to one national meeting each year ($500), textbooks and approximately $2000 per year in discretionary research funds. Trainees are provided with an office equipped with a personal computer and printer. SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MASTER’S PROGRAMS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF EPIDEMIOLOGYThe School of Public Health has some general requirements for the MPH and MSPH degrees. A minimum of thirty hours is required, although most Master’s students find it necessary to take more. Requirements for a Ph.D. are the same with the addition of a dissertation. Specific details about the requirements can be found on the Department of Epidemiology Web site at http://www.sph.unc.edu/epid/. |
