1. BACKGROUND:

The cause of most chronic diseases (including cancer, coronary artery disease, diabetes, hypertension, and psychiatric disorders) may be explained by the interactions of both inherited susceptibility and environmental effects. Because the cause of these disorders is complex, etiological studies may be optimized by using an integrated approach that draws on methodology from epidemiology, biostatistics, genetics, and molecular biology. The disciplines of Molecular and Genetic Epidemiology provide useful approaches to the study of these complex disorders. A number of resources at The University of Pennsylvania are available that offer opportunities for research and training in molecular epidemiology, genetic epidemiology, and population genetics.

2. RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES:

Research opportunities on the undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral level can be arranged on an individual basis. A number of Penn faculty have research interests in statistical genetics, genetic epidemiology, population genetics, and/or molecular epidemiology:

Name (Affiliations -- Major Research Interests)

---

• Warren J. Ewens, PhD (Biology -- Population Genetics*)
• Laura Mitchell, PhD (Epidemiology -- Birth Defects*)
• R. Arlen Price, PhD (Behavioral Genetics*,**)
• Timothy R. Rebbeck, PhD (Epidemiology, Cancer Center, Institute on Aging -- Cancer*, **)
• Richard S. Spielman, PhD (Genetics -- Diabetes*, **)

  ---

3. TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES:

Formal training in genetic or molecular epidemiology is available at Penn through the graduate programs of the Center for Clincial Epidemiology and Biostatistics (CCEB). The Human Genetics Track of the M.S. and Ph.D. programs of the CCEB provides coursework and thesis research opportunities. It is also possible for master's (M.S.) or doctoral (Ph.D., M.D.) students to specialize or conduct thesis research in genetic and molecular epidemiology with one or more of the faculty listed above. Postdoctoral training is also available with these faculty members.

A number of departments offer courses related to molecular epidemiology, genetic epidemiology, quantitative genetics, or population genetics. The following links can help you find these courses (listed by Department or Graduate Group with examples of courses offered by each):

---

• Biology: Human Genetics, Evolution, Population Genetics, Computational Biology.

• Biostatistics and Epidemiology: Human Genetics, Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology
  
• Computational Biology: Quantitative and Population Genetics.
• Genetics: Human Genetics, Biochemical Genetics, Fundamentals of Human Genetics.
• Psychology: Genetics, Evolution, and Behavior.

  ---

  Penn also offers a wide variety of courses in statistics, biostatistics, epidemiology, biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, informatics, and other related disciplines.

4. INFORMATION:

For additional information about research or training opportunities, please contact one of the individuals named above at The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104.

Brought to you by: