Epidemiology is one of the most dynamic and exciting fields of scientific inquiry.  Our central goals are to develop an understanding of the patterns and determinants of health in populations, and to guide and evaluate efforts to prevent and control disease and injuries in populations. Epidemiology is considered the “basic science” of public health. To pursue that goal, we are drawn to a wide range of beneficial disciplines and collaborators, including medicine, biology, sociology, biostatistics, and other sciences.  Epidemiology is inherently a multi- and inter-disciplinary endeavor.

The Department of Epidemiology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has a proud tradition of being a leader in the development and application of epidemiology. We strive to creatively integrate substantive knowledge and methods from many fields into epidemiologic research, teaching, and practice, with an ultimate commitment to benefit public health.

Our training program is among the world's largest, whether based on the number of faculty or number of students. Because of that large size and efforts to ensure breadth, we have concentrations or programs of faculty and students working in cancer epidemiology, cardiovascular disease epidemiology, environmental and occupational epidemiology, social epidemiology, infectious disease epidemiology, injury epidemiology, health care epidemiology, genetic epidemiology, and reproductive epidemiology.

We have a long tradition of developing and applying new epidemiologic and statistical methods. Faculty and students often work across multiple areas. Our studies focus on health problems in North Carolina, the United States, and many parts of the developing world. We have created an intellectually challenging, yet collegial environment, in which students, faculty, and staff can learn and enjoy the opportunity to share in an exciting collective enterprise whose goal is to advance the welfare of the people of North Carolina, the US, and the world.

As the new Chair of Epidemiology it is an honor to become the leader of one of the top epidemiology departments in the world.  I look forward to working with the department's outstanding faculty, staff and students, not only to maintain, but to expand in new directions the Department's leadership in research, teaching and service.