GEMS Genetic Epidemiology Master of Science

GEMS Program Overview

Rationale

Up until the 1970's, etiologic studies of human disease were carried out through statistical analysis of observational family data. Pioneering epidemiological studies, such as the Framingham Heart Study, demonstrated the importance of also considering the contributions of the environment to disease susceptibility. Advances in molecular biology then made it possible to characterize hundreds of genetic polymorphisms distributed throughout the human genome. Such revolutionary advances have given new tools to the field of genetic epidemiology. With a wealth of data from the Human Genome Project, and the availability of powerful new computational approaches, abundant opportunities are now available to evaluate the interplay between genes and the environment and how this interaction affects the biological processes that underlie disease.

The current demand for well-trained genetic epidemiologists is great. The rapid growth in the number of biotechnology companies specializing in the identification of human disease genes makes it clear that the need will increase in the future. Both Ph.D. level scientists, as well as technically proficient masters level analysts, are needed to take advantage of genomic information to better understand, treat and cure disease. Because of its prominent position in the field of genetic epidemiology, Washington University in St. Louis has established a graduate training program that would prepare scientists to work at the interface of genetic epidemiology, bioinformatics and biostatistics. The training program began with a Genetic Epidemiology Master of Science (GEMS) degree in the fall of 2002.

Genetic Epidemiology Masters of Science (GEMS) Program,
Washington University School of Medicine, Division of Biostatistics,
Campus Box 8067, 660 South Euclid, St. Louis, MO 63110-1093.
Phone (314)-362-1052, Fax: (314) 362-2693, Contact
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