Precision health uses genetic and other biological data to bring traditional public health strategies to new levels. But precision health is about much more than genetics, says Sebastian Zöllner, professor of Biostatistics and co-director of the Precision Health initiative at the University of Michigan.
Socioeconomic status, overcrowding, institutional racism, political partisanship, and global economic inequality are all social factors that determine the disease risk for individuals and populations. And understanding those factors from all angles—from biology to sociology—can help us reduce that risk.
Suzanne Cole absorbs the energy and optimism of public health students and shares it right back with them, consistently creating an environment of positive energy in the classroom. She encourages students to consider how course materials connect to professional goals, sharpening both their intellectual curiosity and their passion for population health.
Team science requires a lot of grit, says epidemiologist Carl Marrs. Collaborators have to trust each other enough to be straightforward and honest about their projects. Straight truth isn’t always easy on our emotions, but it is good for science. Science is a challenging endeavor, and the incredible teamwork led by Marrs and others means better health for all of us.
Could that researcher in goggles sitting in a lab really be an anthropologist? And how much adventure will they actually have? From the top of the Himalayas and the Andes to the insides of cells, Ainash Childebayeva has combined anthropology, genetics, and public health to uncover secrets of human history and keep today’s vulnerable populations healthy.
Taking a broad interest in biology, Kelly Bakulski found herself studying the subject on both the micro and macro scales. As a professor and researcher in epidemiology, she explores the impact the environment and genetics have on neurological disorders throughout a lifespan. Now, her focus on engaged learning and collaboration in the classroom has led her to be named the 2019 Excellence in Teaching award winner.