Genetics

Sebastian Zöllner, Professor of Biostatistics and Psychiatry, Co-Director of Precision Health at University of Michigan

Genetics, Human Diseases, and Precision Health

Sebastian Zöllner

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.

Belinda Needham, Associate Professor and Chair of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health

The Social Side of Disease and Disease Prevention

Belinda Needham

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.

Carl Marrs

That Idea Stinks: Trust, Honesty, and the Importance of Team Science in Preventing Disease

Carl F. Marrs

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.

Ainash Childebayeva

Drilling for DNA: The Unexpected Adventures of a Public Health Anthropologist

Ainash Childebayeva, PhD ’19

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.

Kelly M. Bakulski

Frogs, Brains, and Team Science

Kelly M. Bakulski

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.