Mark S. Wrighton, Chancellor, Washington University: "Our efforts to unravel the human genome and to understand how genetic factors contribute to human disease are gathering speed. In the 21st century, it will become possible to prevent, cure, or significantly modify the course of many serious genetic illnesses such as cystic fibrosis, hemophilia and muscular dystrophy.

To address diseases caused by several genes or genes interacting with the environment - such as some forms of diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease - the powerful tools of genetic epidemiology and statistical genetics will be needed. During the next decade, there will be an increased demand for scientists in this field - a new generation of well-trained genetic epidemiologists. To help meet this need, Washington University has committed to launching a new graduate program in genetic epidemiology.

The Division of Biostatistics at Washington University School of Medicine played a watershed role in establishing the field of genetic epidemiology. It is appropriate, therefore, that the Division, led by Dabeeru C. Rao, Ph.D., now has set its sights on developing the leading graduate program in this field.

Your investment in this effort will help ensure that academia, industry and government will continue to advance our understanding of human disease and to enhance the quality of health care into the future. I invite you to join us in providing leadership to the field of genetic epidemiology."

William A. Peck, Executive Vice Chancellor for Medical Affairs and Dean, Washington University School of Medicine: "As one of the nation's leading medical schools, Washington University School of Medicine has a rich history of success in research, education and patient care. We helped pioneer bedside teaching and led in the transformation of empirical knowledge into scientific medicine. From the earliest days, there has been an understanding that investigation, learning and practice "are one in spirit, method and object."

Our strong tradition of interdisciplinary collaboration and belief in linking the basic sciences with clinical medicine have worked together to generate powerful new approaches to the understanding, prevention and treatment of disease. One such area that our faculty have played a key role in developing is genetic epidemiology. An exciting and important field in today's medicine, genetic epidemiology has the potential to help us understand and conquer complex diseases.

Genetic epidemiology represents a critical link between the Human Genome Project and the practice of genetic medicine in the future. Without well-designed population-based genetic epidemiology studies, it will be impossible to interpret the risk of disease associated with the presence of newly identified susceptibility genes. As a result, genetic epidemiology is essential for the development of medical diagnostics, public health prevention strategies and discussions of the ethical, legal and social issues raised by the Human Genome Project.

The next wave of medical and pharmaceutical advances depends upon discovering the genes behind complex diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, Alzheimer's disease, and asthma. Washington University School of Medicine is committed to playing a leading role in this effort. Toward this end, we will continue to provide leadership to the field of genetic epidemiology by developing a graduate program that is second to none.

With your support, our graduates will be prepared for basic and applied research careers in industry and academic medicine. The contributions they make to our understanding and treatment of disease in the years to come will be a direct result of your investment in this innovative program."

Washington University in St. Louis is launching a new graduate training program in genetic epidemiology and statistical genetics to produce qualified graduates with the skills necessary to help guide the medical science of the future. The Genetic Epidemiology Master of Science (GEMS) degree begins in Fall 2002 and will expand to offer a doctoral program a year later. The program is being established under the sponsorship of the Division of Biostatistics, with co-sponsorship by the Department of Genetics and the Department of Psychiatry.

• The program will greatly benefit from the international research reputation of Washington University School of Medicine in the field of genetic epidemiology.
• The program involves faculty from 10 departments/divisions at Washington University, and outstanding guest faculty from other institutions, thus representing a truly multidisciplinary approach to the field.

• Support the Academic Program by providing resources to recruit exceptional students, fund a graduate student seminar program, provide our students access to state-of-the-art computing resources, and make tutoring and other educational resources available.
• Support the development of new courses and maintenance of other courses by providing time for our faculty, thus enabling the curriculum as relevant and up-to-date as possible.
• Support a Faculty Development Program that encourages faculty members to develop collaborations with colleagues in pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
• Support Students by Providing Graduate Fellowships.