About the Department

Welcome

Every fall there is a feeling of newness in the Department. While we moved into the new building in January this is the first academic year with all of the activities planned in CPHB. The new students bring new energy to the Department and renew the commitment of faculty and staff to providing the new students with new ideas. Also we are expanding and welcoming new faculty to the Department. Kelli Ryckman is a genetic epidemiologist and is part of the Genetics Cluster that the Department participated in. Mary Charlton’s appointment has been increased to facilitate growth of cancer health services epidemiology. Margaret Chorazy has been added as a full-time faculty member to keep the infectious disease epidemiology training complete. Soon I hope we can complete the infectious disease epidemiology search.

I have been extremely pleased with the extra efforts of the students, faculty and staff. The activities and leadership of the Epi Staff Council and the Epi Student Association have been not only energetic but really supportive of the College and Department’s public health mission. I believe the new efforts toward personal development mentally and physically will be worthwhile and will keep the vitality of everyone.

This also a time of determining a new tack for the Department. The faculty have decided to focus and pursue excellence in a fewer number of domains. In addition the faculty have set a course for expanding the methodological curriculum and taking more responsibility for the content of the courses. This will mean we will want students to focus and to be willing to expand their knowledge and skills. We will further provide opportunities for students to participate in research and practice locally, nationally and internationally.

Lastly, congratulations to the Preventive Intervention Center faculty, staff and participants. The Center is celebrating 20 years since it was founded to conduct population-based intervention research. It has really made a difference in the health of Iowans.

Sincerely,

James C. Torner, PhD
Professor and Head
Department of Epidemiology
105 River St., S441 CPHB
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52242
(T) 319-384-1542
(E) james-torner@uiowa.edu