PhD in Environmental Health, Occupational Health & Toxicology

Why Study Environmental Health, Occupational Health & Toxicology?

Environmental exposures, including those associated with work, are the main cause of chronic disease. Such exposures far outweigh the genetic basis of disease. Thus, disease prevention from such components of the exposome is the basis for public health. While the dose makes the poison, identification and assessment of environmental toxicants is and will continue to be of importance to society.

The doctoral program in Environmental Health, Occupational Health & Toxicology is designed to prepare students for careers in academia, government, or industry. It provides students with the knowledge base, field and laboratory skills, and problem-solving abilities to become independent, innovative professionals using state-of-the-art approaches to address scientific problems in the fields of environmental health, occupational health and safety, and toxicology. Our PhD program offers two educational tracks to meet the research interests of our students:

• Environmental and Occupational Health
• Toxicology

Why Study Environmental Health, Occupational Health & Toxicology at UNMC?

The Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health Department at UNMC specializes in three key areas of emphasis: Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety, Biopreparedness/Biodefense, and Health Impacts of Climate Change. Concentration tracks in Environmental and Occupational Health and Toxicology prepare students to address these focus areas. The program uses state-of-the-art research laboratories located in the Durham Research Center for respiratory exposure research.

The program has special capabilities and a fine track record with military officers in the MPH doctoral programs. Dr. Terry Stentz specializes in advising and mentoring military officer Environmental Health, Occupational Health & Toxicology graduate students. The program has an important advantage in having Offutt Air Force Base and STRATCOM close to UNMC, and a superb collaboration with Offutt AFB for military service-learning experiences and capstone projects. There are COPH faculty who are retired or former military veterans. In fact, the Dean of the College of Public Health, Dr. Ali S. Kahn, is a retired Rear Admiral, U.S. Public Health Service and Dr. Terry Stentz holds the rank of Captain, U.S. Navy (Retired).

Program Highlights

The Environmental Health, Occupational Health & Toxicology program at UNMC offers a great faculty-to-student ratio with many experienced educators and researchers.

Our occupational health track is unique in that students are able to earn additional certifications as a result of taking certain courses. For example, students earn their 30-hour OSHA card after taking the Elements of Industrial Safety course; or they are eligible to earn the Certified Occupational Hearing Conservationist credential after taking the Occupational Noise and Hearing Loss course. These value-added credentials are possible because faculty have additional training and a national reputation in the field.

Our faculty are closely affiliated with the federally-funded Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health. UNMC is one of 10 centers across the country that protects the health and safety of agricultural workers. Our students have ample opportunity to conduct research and perform outreach activities through the center.