Molecular Epidemiology in Children's Environmental Health (MECEH)

This training program is an interdepartmental and interdisciplinary program in Molecular Epidemiology in Children’s Environmental Health (MECEH). Participating faculty are from the departments of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, Pediatrics and Molecular Genetics. The focus of MECEH program is to identify outstanding predoctoral, resident/fellow MDs and postdoctoral PhDs and equip each with the knowledge and skills to undertake epidemiological and clinical studies using molecular markers of exposure, effect and susceptibility. The students’ education will include laboratory experience learning state-of-the-art methodology in molecular methods. Health studies examine the impact of environmental exposures on complex diseases and disorders including obesity, allergy, asthma, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, neurological disorders and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. A variety of environmental exposures are examined including lead, pesticides, diesel emissions, aeroallergens, and tobacco smoke, among others.