Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine (DEPM)
Division of International Health
Faculty
Administration
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Barbara Orla, Division Manager
Description
The Division of International Health in the Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine conducts multidisciplinary research and provides training in developing countries and the United States in collaboration with local scientists and colleagues on the UMB campus and other academic institutions in the US.
The faculty has special expertise in epidemiology, infectious diseases, cancer, clinical trials, and complementary and alternative medicine. In Egypt, research focuses on the transmission, natural history, treatment, and prevention of hepatitis C and E, and formal training programs emphasize research ethics and injury prevention. New collaborations are being established for research on HIV/AIDS in Vietnam, Chagas disease in Bolivia and Peru, visceral leishmaniasis in Bangladesh, malaria in Thailand, and infant health in India. In addition to the overseas work of the Division, there are ongoing projects with the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on cancer screening and database development, with special interest in immigrant and vulnerable populations.
Research
The members of the division published 39 papers in peer-reviewed journals and 16 book chapters since 2005. Faculty members are principal investigators on grants from NIH (NIAID, NICHD and Fogarty International Center), Civilian Research Defense Foundation, Wellcome Trust Foundation, U.S.-Egypt Joint Board on Scientific and Technological Cooperation, Protein Sciences Corporation, Madaus Corporation, and the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Division faculty collaborate with other faculty in the Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Pediatrics, Medicine, and Emergency Medicine, and the Center for Vaccine Development.
Teaching and mentoring
Medical School- Faculty members lecture and lead small groups in the second year microbiology course; serve as mentors for medical students and residents in medicine, pediatrics, and preventive medicine; serve as mentors for student overseas projects; and are the advisors of two student organizations, the local chapter of Physician for Human Rights and the newly formed Global Health Association.
MPH Program: Division faculty direct the Global Health track of the MPH program and serve as advisors for over 15 students.
Graduate Program- In addition to serving as primary advisors of doctoral students, faculty members are course directors of graduate level courses: Infectious Disease Epidemiology (PREV 749) Epidemiology, Ecology and Control of Parasitic Disease (PREV 789), and co-direct: Critical Issues in Global Health (PREV 701), Cancer Epidemiology (PREV 701). The Division will offer two new courses this summer: Seminars in Global Health and Advanced Topics in Global Health.
Service
The division directs a campus-wide program funded by a Global Health Foundations award from the Fogarty International Center. The program includes funding student and faculty overseas research projects; developing a curriculum in Global Health; maintaining a resource center and website; and creating links among persons in UMB's different Schools who have overseas projects or other interests in global health. Physicians in the division attend on the infectious disease consultation service, VA medicine inpatient service, newborn nursery, and pediatric ambulatory clinic. Faculty members serve on various departmental, campus-wide, national and international committees.
DEPM International Health Division conducts a Middle East Research Ethics Training Initiative (MERETI). This project is sponsored by the Fogarty International Center of the National Institutes of Health and offers research support and Masters training.
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