Epidemiology

Epidemiology studies disease causation, transmission, and prevention; specifically the distribution and etiologies of diseases in human populations. It also provides a technical base for design, analysis, and evaluation of the distribution of health-related resources to promote community health globally and locally.

• Home to the UCLA/Fogarty International HIV/AIDS Training Program, the NCI-Cancer Training Program, and the Burroughs Wellcome Fund Inter-school Training Program in Metabolic Diseases.
• Department has active research programs in infectious diseases, cancer, lifecourse, molecular/genetic, environmental, occupational, neurodegenerative, aging, diabetes, nutrition, network, social disparities and psychiatric epidemiology, and epidemiologic methods.
• Global Bio Lab with capacity to respond to world’s deadliest biological threats also offers cutting-edge training.
• UCLA FSPH values diversity and inclusivity because it enriches our work, fosters community and promotes excellence. The Department of Epidemiology is committed to a collaborative and inclusive environment where students from diverse backgrounds are trained to thrive as leaders in epidemiology and public health and where students, staff, postdocs and faculty are cherished regardless of race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, first-generation college student, immigration status, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. Our programs celebrate the richness of our differences and commonalities, and provide opportunities and resources that encourage each individual to reach their fullest potential.

The Department of Epidemiology at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health is committed to recruiting and training a community of diverse scholars from underrepresented minority groups and fostering a welcoming, inclusive and intellectually-enriching environment where all students, staff and faculty feel supported and can achieve their full potential.  Furthermore, we are dedicated to prioritizing our reach and understanding of diverse populations and communities in our research, scholarship and academic programs, and advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the field of epidemiology.

Such students may originate from low-income families, whose socioeconomic challenges impede their access to well-resourced colleges and universities, or identify as a sexual or gender minority. Others identify with racial and ethnic groups traditionally underrepresented in higher education, including those who identify as African American or Black; Asian: Filipino, Hmong, or Vietnamese; Hispanic or Latinx; Native American or Alaskan Native; Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander; and two or more races, when one or more are from the preceding racial and ethnic categories in this list.

Promoting teaching excellence and addressing diversity in the classroom setting is integral to our initiatives as a department. It broadens and deepens the educational experience and scholarly environment for students and faculty alike. Our primary commitment to our students is to provide an all-encompassing educational experience that is based on the principles of equity and inclusion of all students; within the classroom environment, differences are acknowledged as contributions and individuals are respected for their beliefs and cultural practices. Below is a list of UCLA resources and services pertaining to student life and support both across campus and within the Fielding School.

STUDENT LIFE

• The UCLA Community Programs Office serves as an umbrella department for the Student Initiated Outreach Center, Student Retention Center, and twenty-five student-initiated community service projects. The Office strives to increase students from underserved communities' access to higher education, retention in the university, and graduation rates while also serving as a conscious effort in the community, working toward the empowerment of all people.

• Student Health Education & Promotion (SHEP) is an office of Student Affairs that focuses on health education and health promotion. 

• The UCLA Office of Student Affairs is a network of more than 25 programs, services, and experiences that will connect with the life of every UCLA student.

• The UCLA Clubs, Organizations and Recreation Office provides a mosaic of culture and activity. For every interest, there is an outlet at UCLA.

CAMPUS-WIDE STUDENT SUPPORT

• The UCLA Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion leads and advances campus strategies for enhancing equity, diversity and inclusion, combatting discrimination and achieving our shared values of upholding dignity for all. The Office offers a wide-range of student resources and services related to issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

• The UCLA Graduate Student Resource Center provides students with advice and assistance in dealing with the challenges of graduate school, as well as a number of workshops, programs and activities, including the Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Graduate Welcome Day.

• The UCLA LGBTQ Campus Resource Center has proudly been serving the UCLA community for 20 years and provides a comprehensive range of education and advocacy services supporting intersectional identity development as well as fostering unity, wellness, and an open, safe, and inclusive environment for UCLA’s LGBTQ community.

• UCLA is home to more than 12,000 international students and scholars. The Dashew International Center serves the international community at UCLA as is the central hub for resources, support and advocacy for international students and scholars.

• The UCLA Center for Accessible Education is responsible for and committed to ensuring access and participation for all students with qualifying disabilities or medical conditions.

• UCLA Counseling and Psychological Services. All registered UCLA students are eligible for same-day clinical consultation and help with referrals, linkage, treatment recommendations, and coordination of mental health care and support regardless of insurance plan or current residence. 

DEPARTMENT CENTERS

• The Biobehavioral Assessment and Research Center (BARC) led by Dr. Pamina M. Gorbach promotes research on high impact science that the National Institute of Health (NIH) has identified as high-priority areas of public health research. With a team of multi-disciplinary investigators, BARC utilizes and develops innovative biobehavioral and technological approaches that integrate behavioral measures/markers into intervention studies, prevention trials, and clinical science. BARC also supports incorporation of clinical and basic biomarkers into behavioral research and prevention science.
  
  
• The UCLA Center for LGBTQ Advocacy, Research & Health (C-LARAH) led by Dr. Matthew Mimiaga is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of sexual and gender minorities, and committed to sharing our expertise in public health, including epidemiological methods, developing and testing biobehavioral interventions, education and research training, program design and analysis, health policy initiatives and implementation science. C-LARAH works directly with members of the LGBTQ community and draws upon expansive local and national relationships with state and local public health departments, academic researchers, healthcare providers, community-based organizations, consumer groups, advocacy foundations, and funding agencies.

STATEMENT ON ZERO TOLERANCE

The Department of Epidemiology at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health is committed to maintaining an equal learning and working environment for all. University policy prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics), genetic information (including family medical history), ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, service in the uniformed services, or the intersection of any of these factors. 

Discrimination, harassment, threats, assaults, vandalism, and destruction of property, as defined by University policy, will not be tolerated within the Fielding School community. Any incidents you may witness or experience on campus can be reported to the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.