School of Public Health

Welcome

We are delighted to welcome you to the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at SUNY Downstate.

The cross-disciplinary nature of Epidemiology and Biostatistics is the basis for studying variables in human situations that may have a critical influence on the distribution of disease within populations. Epidemiology is one of the oldest scientific disciplines whose goal it is to describe the frequency and causes of diseases in defined populations, and evaluate the factors that may cause a disease. Modern epidemiologists are dedicated to developing a multidisciplinary curriculum directed towards understanding the mechanistic basis of the interaction of environmental agents and susceptibility (genetically and/or physiologically) to these agents in modifying and/or accounting for acute and chronic human disease.

The mission of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics is to provide service and training and conduct research that is relevant to the public good. These efforts are directed towards graduate education (masters, pre- and postdoctoral level as well as training programs in prevention) and research spanning work at a molecular level to applied translational efforts in human disease and population studies.

Accordingly, significant interactions exist with basic sciences and clinical departments at SUNY Downstate Medical Center as well as other Departments within the School of Public Health.